Author's Note: As much as I would like it, I do not own any of the characters or plotlines of "Pushing Daisies." The setting for this story takes place after the events of season one, but as season two has just gotten its start, I will not be involving any of the events of the upcoming episodes. The only episode notes I will take into consideration are background revelations that add to character development. I hope everyone enjoys my story, and feel free to review. Thank you. (10/08/2008)
Olive Snook was the kind of woman who wanted everything that she couldn't possess. As a child, she begged her parents for a Great Dane. When she became a teenager, she longed to be a part of the popular crowd at school. And as a grown woman, she pined for the pie maker. Yet there was always at least one permanent obstacle that would prevent Olive from getting what she wanted. Sometimes the issue was money, there was no room for the object, maybe the assumed "obnoxious squeaking of her voice." In the case of her affections for Ned the Pie Maker, they were lost and forgotten compared to the love he shared with the girl named Chuck.
Olive tried to catch Ned's attention with stylish hairdos, spraying perfumes, running his errands, and obvious hinting through body language and dialogue. But it was of no use. Even though he could never touch her, Ned could only see and hear was a tall and beautiful brunette. Never mind that Chuck had her share of secrets, but perhaps it was her mysterious nature that enticed him. But being mysterious was never one of Olive's strong suits. In fact, her only gift seemed to be an involuntary ability to become invisible.
"Olive?" a familiar voice called to her. She turned her head to look into the sad eyes of Ned. His eyes were always so sad…
"Are you alright?" His brow was furrowed in such a way that it seemed as if he were truly worried about her. She found this expression flattering and gave one of the sweetest smiles ever known.
"I'm fine," she said. His look of worry did not go away.
"Well, you might want to turn off the espresso machine before you burn your hand."
Olive's grin faded and she immediately turned her attention to the coffee cup she had been filling for a customer. It was beginning to overflow with hot coffee that miraculously had not scalded the hand holding it. She squealed in alarm and quickly forced the lever into the "off" position. Ned was still standing behind her and saw the left side of his mouth curl down. "Are you sure you're okay?"
"Yep," Olive practically yelped.
"Okay…" said Ned. "Just be more careful next time."
"Sure, yeah. Totally going to be safe." This statement was said quickly, with a fervent nod and a smile that Olive hoped hid her embarrassment. And with a nod and what seemed to be a half-smile, the Pie Maker made his way back to the kitchen where Chuck was waiting to assist him with his baking. Envy and sorrow stirred within Olive as she noticed from afar how Ned flashed a bright full-smile with Chuck. How could it be that he would rather have someone he could never hold than someone who had tried time and time again to hold him? The annoyed customer who had ordered the cup of coffee she nearly lost a hand for broke her concentration, and thus she returned to her duties and faked pleasantries as any experienced waitress learns to do.
But Olive Snook would not have to feign true happiness for long. For two men of unrelated quests would be crossing paths with the employees of the Pie Hole in the very near future. And one of these men would be returning to Olive to once again repair what was once broken.