In Another Light Chapter Two

It actually made going through the next work day pretty hard. Constantly looking at the clock of course making it that much slower. And all day was thinking of the book he read. But alongside that thought, was that nagging question beginning to taunt his mind. The one that he thoroughly denied with a 'passion'. Which that question was, 'could it be that you're falling for her?'. "No...No no no no. We're just...friends. Coworkers that just...found common ground, that's all. Nothing more..." he shoved in thought.

"Nothing more of what, sir?" Ronald said fully startling the usually on guard reaper.

"Geez! Knox! Can't you knock?" William took a deep breath to settle the heart that was trying to leap out of his chest.

"Actually I did, but you went into explaining that you're just friends," Ronald shook his head and sighed. "Ahhhh that poor bird, you should at least give 'er a chance whoever she is. You ough' to be more gentle with ladies, boss..."

"Kindly keep your nose in your business," William growled. Thankfully he didn't know who it was the raven reaper was speaking of. "Anyway, what did you need? Finished your reports I hope?"

"Yes sir! All done, I have a little lady of my own I'd like to take out. But unlike a certain someone, I'm not looking to be 'just friends'," Ronald teased handing him his paperwork for Will to go over.

"Are you looking for overtime, Knox? Maybe that 'poor bird' of yours will have to be disappointed tonight," William shot back.

"Ahhh but that would mean that 'poor bird' of YOURS gets to be disappointed as well! And something tells me you don't really want to be 'just friends'...especially if you have to chant it to yourself,"

William could feel the heat rush to his face. Everything Ronald said held something he didn't want to admit to. And he wasn't going to because it wasn't true. No...not true. "Knox...just go home...I don't have time for this,"

"See ya, boss! Good luuck~~" he sang as he left his supervisor's office.

"Brat..." William said once he was alone. "What makes him think I'm going on a...date? It's not a date...it's...it's a..." William lost track of his words when the clock rang 3:00. If it's not a date...what was it? Still, he wasn't going to let some teasing from Knox ruin his meeting with Grell. He checked his papers quickly and set for the time clock to punch out. He made his way to the bookstore rather too quickly. "Hmm, perhaps I'm too early," he said checking his pocket watch.

"Well not that early," said a voice behind him. "Seems I wasn't the only one who got excited about today," she giggled. Will turned to find Grell in a white sundress with little cherries, red lace trim, and red ribbons. Topping it off with a large straw sun hat that had a red sash around it. In her hand a bag of fresh veggies, fruits, spices, and a couple of jars with jam and honey. "Ah it's such a bright sunny day! I went to the farmer's market for some ingredients for the dish I'm making tonight...well...I did go a bit overboard. But! Nothing I wouldn't use through the week!" she said in her flamboyant voice. William could actually believe it was her this time, but still she looked amazing.

"I see...what's on the menu for you tonight?" he asked staying on the topic of food as he opened the door for her.

"Ah! I'm going to make use of the rest of the beef roast I have in my icebox and make a hearty beef stew! I got carrots, celery, and can't forget those small red potatoes! Then garlic and assorted spices to taste," She said as they chose a spot near the nook window which had a coffee table and two living chairs. Surrounded by stacks of books of course. "Oh my this is cozy!"

"Are you sure you don't want to head home and put those away? I'd be more than willing to wait...' William offered. After last night, the tone that he usually used with Grell at work was virtually vacant. Though he had not realized it. The ever stoic reaper was actually using a tone that he would use for a friend or family member. Someone close that he trusted.

Grell of course was very taken with him now that it wasn't yelling she was used hearing from William. "Oh still such a gentleman! But no, they'll be okay! I don't have anything in there that needs the icebox right away," she beamed as she settled into her seat. "Hm but I'll take another caramel coco latte that I was treated to yesterday! Ah, if you don't mind of course,"

"Oh no of course not," William nodded and turned to order their coffees. Of course while he was getting them, Ronald's words echoed in his head again. "It's not a date. Just two friends meeting over books and coffee," he went over in his head again. Wait. Was Grell now his friend? Why was this even bothering him so much? William sighed and accepted their coffees and returned back to Grell.

"You know, I didn't know you cooked," William said starting up a nice conversation to get his mind off the troubling thoughts that were trying to make him confused about he and Grell's relationship. "To be honest, when I read your crime report, you acted as a bumbling butler that burned many of that demon child's meals,"

Grell rolled her eyes but gave a small giggle. "I'm a GREAT actress aren't I? I was only PRENTENDING to be a bumbling moron. And dear everyone should know how to cook! You know, I heard in the living world, more and more humans are finding it's better to use fresh, local ingredients in their meals to stay healthy! You know, as opposed to frozen, processed, or canned foods that lose their flavors and nutrients over time," she beamed. "And I think they're on to something! I actually love fresh corn off the cob as opposed to the canned corn, fresh chicken Parmesan with chicken bought from the butcher and marinara made with fresh tomatoes and spices as opposed to the frozen meal I would eat after school in the academy,"

"You're starting to make me hungry!" William chuckled. To his own despair, he couldn't say he had anything relatively fresh in his kitchen. Mostly the canned, frozen, and instant stuff that Grell had apparently traded out for the healthier variety. "I can't say I cook much. Well...beside those frozen dinners," he said looking away taking a sip of his coffee.

"Well no wonder you're so grumpy at work! You need a full robust meal that fills you up and grants you enough energy to make it through the day!" Grell replied sipping on her own coffee. "Hunger and fatigue are the main causes of stress you know,"

"I just don't have time..." William sighed. "You know as well as I do we get so pressed for time...and overtime..."

"Then how is it I manage to have a good meal most of the time? Look. All you need to do is get all your ingredients prepared for your recipes the night before. Or even a couple of nights before like on your day off. But don't cook them. Just throw them in the icebox. When you get home at the end of the day or before you leave for work, just cook and eat! Same concept goes for making a lunch to take to work,"

"Hmmm. Never thought of that before. Now if only I could cook..." William added. Though the tips were nice.

"My word. You need a woman in your life! I'd be happy to oblige!" Grell laughed. To which William actually groaned.

"Sutcliff...can we just talk about the book?"

"Ah yes! I almost forgot!" She took out her book from the bag. "You know I CAN'T get by the fact that he was so oblivious to the attack on his mission!" she started on the topic of the book they chose together.

"And how when all the soldiers and aids even told him but he's still denying the power of his brother's army?" William replied. He'd started on the book before she did so he was nearly done. So all he was doing was seeing just where she was at.

"Exactly! How can you break the number one rule of war and underestimating your opponent?"

"I have every reason to believe that's actually how that saying came about," William chuckled.

"You're not joking!" Grell laughed with him. "You should've seen me reading it! Mouth agape that whole chapter!"

"Be careful doing that. Something might fly in," William teased her.

"Oh hush you! I wasn't literal!" she giggled but loving that she was hearing William's laugh for the second time since last night. "You're silly!"

Again they managed to enjoy each others company until the store closed again. And believe it or not, this became a daily ritual after William got off work. Grell and Will would go over new books and William would get to see how beautiful Grell would make herself look day after day.

Every once in a while, he'd find a package on his desk. It would have a nice hot meal of stew, sandwiches, or salads made from fresh veggies. There was no name on who it came from, but it was no guess on who might've been behind it. And he found that Grell was actually right about having a full stomach before starting work and eating throughout the day. Of course he was still the stern boss that was no joke. But he was less grumpy, snappy, or irritable to issue irrational overtime.

"Well, usual time tomorrow?" William said after another great book club meeting with the only other member.

"Well sure if I can get off as early as you have!" Gell replied. "I get to go back to work tomorrow!"