Connie Go Lightly

by leaky.oven

Conrad Achenleck buys groceries for Hanna Cross. He knows how to get stains out of the dead man's shirts. He even lends his couch to the Seelie orphan, and helps a werewolf with her self-image crisis. One would think Conrad Achenleck was a nice guy, by these examples. Doc Worth is burdened by the truth of the matter; Conrad isn't nice, and that's what makes him perfect. Slash.

2. Where Friends Dare to Tread

"Uhn, Mr. Achenleck?"

"Hello, Hanna. We need to talk." Conrad pushes through the doorway into the grimy little apartment, holding up a hand to reassure the ever-watchful dead man on the sagging futon. He pulls at his scarf, uncomfortable and fidgety. "I never paid you for getting rid of that bat, did I?"

Hanna reddens, grinning with too many teeth. "That bat kinda turned you into a vampire, dude."

"Well, actually," Conrad tries to lower his voice, but it still makes him mad, "YOU turned me into a vampire. That bat was only half to blame."

Hanna's expression falls.

"At any rate, you got rid of her, didn't you?"

"Mr. Achenleck, you died. I don't really call that a case, well, solved. So it's totally cool if you don't wanna foot the bill."

Conrad grit his teeth, counting to ten. "I can 'foot the bill'. I have a job and, unlike yours, this job is regular and it pays."

"Hanna" the disturbing monotone of the dead man interrupts, "I think your client wants to settle his debts. We need groceries."

Conrad rolled his eyes. The zombie didn't need groceries, and his use of the term 'we' spoke volumes. Hanna nodded, reluctantly, and Conrad fished out his checkbook and began scribbling. "I can also pay you whatever it is Worth is charging. I don't need that kind of charity; thanks all the same."

Hanna has pursed his lips, mouthing 'what' over Conrad's shoulder at the dead man, who simply shrugs. "Mr. Ach – "

"Mr. Achenleck is what they call my father. Please, it's Conrad." He tears off the check and even though he's sort of being nice, still his voice comes out cracked with anger.

"Heh. Okay, cool. Conrad." Another bony-shouldered shrug under a too-large rugby tee. "I dunno what you're talking about with Doc Worth. He's my doctor, so sometimes I give him, er... stuff for like checkups and medicine and junk." A sniffle, palming the tip of his nose. "But I'm not paying him for any of your, um, stuff? You mean the blood, right?"

Conrad's lips are tight and pale. "Yes. The, er, supplies."

"Right." Hanna is nodding, smoothing back curly orange hair. "Not my department? You can try and pay the Doc directly if you wanna take care of it. Since you're like, settling debts. Heh."

Conrad nods, already glaring suspiciously towards the door. "Well, Hanna. Always a pleasure."

"Sure." Hanna waves, opening the door for his, well, maybe not friend exactly. In a swoop, Conrad is gone. Hanna places the check carefully on an empty pizza box. "Now whaddya suppose that was about?"

Ezekiel/George/Ptolemy gives an enigmatic smile. "A matter of pride, Hanna."