Soulless… Part 3: So Close… And Still So Far.

I'm not sure what happened, or where that kiss put us because after Ethan was released things just went back to normal again. It's confusing me, but I'm not sure if to ask or not. That's 'No Man's Land', to me, let alone Ethan…

A tow truck brought my car to the impound and we went over for a little visit. The damage was way worse than I'd remembered, but it was dark and I wasn't really paying attention. It was more like a Ford metal brick now. Ethan flinches as he sees it, "Sorry about the car…" he says quietly as we walk closer to inspect it.

I shrugs casually, "It's fine, it can be replaced." I assure him, " I needed a new one anyway." I point inside, "See the airbags didn't even go out." I roll my eyes for good measure.

Ethan chuckles quietly, "Well, they wouldn't have done much." He shrugs and takes my hand lightly.

I look down at our hands curiously, and then look back to the car with a sigh.

We went home eventually and picked up some Take-out for Ethan on the way there. We were sitting at the table, him eating, me sitting, I asked, "If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?" I ask curiously.

He thinks for a long moment, "Italy." He says finally.

I brighten slightly, "Really?" I ask, "I was born there…" I smile in thought.

"Why'd you leave?" he asks tilting his head.

I shake my head, "Too sad… "

Ethan finishes eating and throws the trash away. We sit on the couch after and turn on the TV. "Gabbi, why was it too sad?" he asks looking to me.

I think for a moment, "Well… when I turned 16, my dad took me to Paris on vacation." I start. "But I caught the plague there…" I whisper sadly, "We didn't know until I got home, it wasn't as big in Italy as it was in Paris, but it scared my mom enough to send me to my uncle. He bit me… but the rest of my family died of the sickness." I hug my knees to my chest.

Ethan takes me into his arms again and we sit quietly for a long while till I realize he's fallen asleep. But I don't move anyways.

I close my eyes after a few hours when he starts to stir. I don't think he knows I don't sleep because he sets me down gently and walks into the bedroom. He comes back a moment later and puts a blanket on me before going back. I hear him lay down and a little while later his breathing slows.

I sit up quietly and saunter out to the 24-hour grocery store down the block to buy some basics. I get back and look at the clock; 5:12 am. I walk into the kitchen silently and start making pancakes and bacon and eggs for Ethan.

He comes out around six when I'm putting the food on the table. He smiles brightly and hugs me, "Hmm, thought I smelled bacon.." he laughs. I smile back at him happily, as much as I hated to admit, I loved his hugs…

We hug longer then necessary, but before we break away there's a tapping at the vent and I look up at Ethan curiously. He raises an eye brow too then starts toward it, me right behind. A boy slips in, somewhere around 14-15. "Ethan!" he exclaims.

Ethan's face presents surprise, "Nick?" He asks, "What the FUCK are you doing here?!" he yells at him. I bite my lip to keep from laughing, and then figure it better to keep out and saunter over to the couch and sit hugging my knees to watch.

Nick scratches the back of his neck nervously, "Well… Trevor sent me to…uh... Kill…that…" he struggles for words and points to me shakily. I raise an eye-brow simply and look at Ethan innocently

"For what? You're the ones breaking code, not her." Ethan tosses back, which surprises me… I didn't know there was a code.

Nick shakes his head, "Well… we all thought you were dead. We can't hear your thoughts or track you anymore, plus at the crash Trevor said she was…" He trails off and looks around quietly.

"Not her fault Trevor's an idiot and can't drive. Do I look dead to you?" Ethan says annoyed. "She's saved my life twice, you guys are the problem. Now get the fuck out." He says sharply and points to the vent.

Nick whines slightly, but obeys and leaves. I smile slightly at the floor, perhaps he really does think of me fondly. No one defends me like that, even though I'm sure I could have taken on the 'puppy'. It was nice to feel sheltered for once…

Ethan looks back at me and walks over, "Sorry… They don't think." He sighs and sits next to me lightly.

"And we'll never hear the end of it." I add suggestively, smiling at him.

"Mmm…" Ethan agrees quietly and looks at me for awhile then looks down and runs a hand through his hair with a sigh. I tilt my head and crawl into his lap letting my head sit on his shoulder gently. "What is it?" I ask quietly.

He scoffs slightly and shakes his head. "I think… maybe… I might love you…" he sighs and rests his head on mine with his arms around me lightly. "And they don't approve…" he adds quietly.

I pull back slightly and look at him unsure, "It's just different… Something that just doesn't happen." I try to assure him.

"Is it?" he looks at me despairingly; I could tell he was in a tough place.

"I think, maybe, it might." I quote him and smile slightly.

"Then I don't care what they think…" He smiles back and kisses me softly. I wrap my arm around his neck gently and kiss back not wanting to let go.