Chapter one: Susan's nights.
Susan was sitting at the bar drinking like she always did on her free nights. The few she had where she was free from work, the aliens, and the monsters. It was her time to be away from all of those things. A few quiet moments just for herself. Did she use those times for reading, or to go back home? No. She always spent it drinking. Setting the clear glass filled with vodka down she releases a deep breath from her chest. Her hands shake as they lifted the small fragile glass up. Almost as if it were a shot she drinks it all in one gulp. "Another please?" She ask and the glass is refilled. Susan stares at the half filled-glass and spin the liquid it held around a little. Blue eyes watching the water swish about. "No aliens. No monsters. No anything." She says again as if trying to convince herself.
In truth she started this after she became a monster. Once she regain the ability to switch back and forth between heights. On her first night free, and she means completely free. (Not even the general objected her leave that night.) She had wandered into this bar and drank herself along with her worries away. She was still getting over Derek even though in the end she had decided it was over. It still had hit her hard at the time.
When she goes to take another sip of her drink Susan remembers that it was empty. The bartender pours her another before she even had to motion for it. He was the only one that would even come near her during these breaks, the bartender. She almost wished that someone, anyone, would come over and talk to her, but no one ever did. In the past when she had first walked into the bar a few had, and she had threaten them all. She hadn't been in the mood to talk or make friends then. Susan only wanted to lose herself. She sighs again. She requests some shot glasses from the bartender who sets them out and fills them up without argument or questioning. Susan downs five shots before paying her tab.
As Susan stands she wobbles a little bit. Ignoring it she starts heading back to the base sixty miles away. As always she had a ride waiting for her with Link at the wheel. He was the only one that knew this is where she went on her free nights that she didn't spend with them. She stumbles over to the car and climbs in. "Thanks." She says knowing what he would say.
"No problem. Someone seems to have drunk herself over the moon though."
"What did I say about the jokes? They aren't funny when I'm drunk." She growls and leans her head on her hand. Ever since that first time coming here he had been the one to pick her up. She remembers when she had tried to get back on her own, but she was to drunk too to even start the car, and there was no buses that ran out that way. So she took the only option she had left. Call for a ride. When she called the base Link had picked up. They had a silent, but understood agreement. Link would come to pick her up, and wouldn't tell anyone else about the drinking. While Susan would cover for him next time he messed with Monger, Bob, or the Dr. Perhaps the deal sounds a little heavy handed. Trust her Link needed the help a lot.
Blinking as the wind blowing in her face aids in sobering her up before having to walk back into the base. Only slightly however. "How long this time?" She asks wondering how long Link had waited on her.
"Only about an hour. Usually you make me wait two or sometimes three." He says laughing. "Most girls take that long just shopping."
She sigh. "Sorry. You know you don't have to wait right?" He always insisted on coming early before her call. Oft times he would leave with her, drive the truck somewhere else once she was dropped off before coming back soon after to wait.
"Don't worry about it. I enjoy the quiet Susan. It's nice to be away from base. And it's funny to see you drunk." He says looking over, watching her drawing shapes in the air with her fingers. By his guess she did not even realize she was doing it. He laughs and looks back to the road. They pull up to base and sneak in the back way. As he walks her through the halls he keeps a hand on her arm. So she wouldn't get lost or wander off before he had her back. Luckily they made it to her room before she started throwing up. Susan made it into the toilet just in time.
Link stands in the doorway as Ginormica pushes her hair out of her eyes. With a grunt Susan manages to lean her body against the bathtub. She was always so happy and perky. Always looking on the bright side of every bad situation, but just like everyone else she had a dark side. Moments of weakness she needed to experience to keep herself sane. He was the only one who ever saw it. She always followed orders, and lead them through so much trouble. The others never seem to realize she has troubles of her own. That annoyed Susan. More than she should allow it too. Leaning away from the bathtub she throws up a little more in the toilet.
After she releases her hold on her hair, Susan takes notice of Link. Whom was still standing in the doorway. "What are you still doing here?" He shrugs in response. "Go away." She orders not wanting anyone to see her anymore for right now. He may be the only one who ever got to see her like this, but that does not mean she likes it.
Instead of listening he walks over and pulls her up. "C'mon suck it up Ginormica. We monsters should be able to hold our liquor. We have a long day tomorrow soldier so go to bed, and get some rest. This hangover might be a bad one, but that does not mean you get to skip out of work tomorrow." He says with a smirk as he let's go of Susan and leaves.
Standing in the middle of the bathroom Susan watches him go. Once he was out of her sight she remains there for just a little longer before walking out and over too her bed. Stumbling onto the cover. In moments she fell asleep. Dreaming of her old life before the accident. Even though she sometimes wonders about how different it would have been if she hadn't become a monster. Then Susan always realize that she would be worst off. Most likely in a crumbling marriage with the guy who she had once thought was the man of my dreams.
The birds were whistling but the monsters and aliens couldn't hear them from inside the base. No, instead they woke up to an alarm going off. Susan groans as she struggles to get up and dress before going to see what was going on. She could still smell the vodka on her stale breath. Monger was ranting on about something. Susan looks around and notices that Link was missing. "Strange." She whispers.
"What was that soldier?!" Monger shouts in Susan's face.
Susan winces as she tries not to show the other symptoms from her hangover. Such as the feeling that her head was vibrating or the pain in her stomach. "Sir, I said it was strange sir." She responds with a salute.
"Indeed it is." Monger says going on about the job.
Susan sighs as they are dismissed. He was sending Dr. Cockroach and Bob on this one with Sta'abi. She goes and lay down back in her bed happy she could get some more sleep. Where was Link though? That question kept popping up in her head and annoying her. So she got up and walked around the base smiling at everyone as she looks for the missing, Missing Link. She finally found him making coffee in the lounge where all the other monsters hung out. She had just been here fifth teen minutes ago and hadn't seen him. "Hey can I get some of that?" She asks cheerfully.
"Sure nice to see you're better. So when is the next pickup?" He asks pouring her a cup and putting two creams in just how she likes it best.
"Don't call it that. You make it sound like I'm groceries or something." Rubbing her head she answers him. "Not for a while probably. I don't even know why I keep going there. I should be over it all by now, but I just can't seem to stop." Susan says taking the cup of coffee from her friend.
Link rests a hand on her shoulder giving it a little squeeze. "Don't worry about it. You'll find someone else. Someone better too who knows what all the great things who have to offer are," Susan smiles. Link adds, "and if they also break your heart I'll break their bones while Dr.C would handle the rest with one of his nifty inventions. Oh he could blast the guy or melt his brain or something." Link says sounding excited. Susan laughs.
Link smiles and pats his friend's shoulder before walking away. Susan sits alone now and drinks her coffee. It milds the results of her actions from the night before. For now she could sit calmly. Or so she thought until the red alarm goes off and all the metal doors come falling down locking her in the room. "Hey! What's going on?!" Susan pounds on one of the metal doors as shouts from the hall fill her room.
