Many thanks for the previous reviews! Okay, a couple of disclaimers now. The name of the band mentioned in this chapter, The Astronauts, is a made up one, if there is indeed a band in existence with this name, then i truly didn't know and i like the name too much to change. Same with the name of the club Mitchell and Shannon attend to see them. Any and all errors are my own and strictly unintentional. Mitchell and Shannon's relationship takes a step forwards. Love to hear your thoughts.
Chapter Four:
He gasps as he comes to. His eyes are wide and panic stricken as he stares up at the dark shadowy ceiling. He blinks and waits as his surroundings, his reality rush in at him. Then he turns his head and looks at the illuminated digits of his alarm clock. It's barely five. He needs to get up soon. He rolls onto his side and hits the off button and stares at it for a moment.
He never used to be bothered by nightmares. His slumber used to be deep, dark and dreamless but not so much now. Now they happen in terrifying detail, reminding him of the past, of how he used to be, of what he used to love. They're twisted, distorted; he's being chased through narrow dark corridors, unseen threats hidden behind anonymous doors. He's hiding from faces from his past, all demanding revenge and retribution and a girl with Jessie's face flies at him with a sharp piece of wood aimed at his withered heart. He's woken up expecting to feel its pain as it enters his chest. Instead he feels nothing except an all pervading sense of fear
He sits up and kicks back the duvet and moves to sit on the side of his bed. He wipes his face and sweat coats his fingertips. He lifts his head and looks towards the window. He can see the early pre-dawn light peek through the gap between the curtains. He gets up and walks towards it and he opens them. The street below is half empty, a milk float trundles almost soundlessly by and he watches the faintly blurry figure of the milkman make his deliveries. In a few of the houses he can see lights already on and like him, their days have already begun. He sighs quietly and heads for the bathroom.
It's still very early as he parks his car and locks it. He pockets the keys and turns. Early morning sunshine peeks shyly from behind fluffy white clouds and it promises to be a beautiful spring day. He knows that summer isn't very far away. He glances up at the sky and he grimaces. He's been here for a few weeks now and he's beginning to recognise faces, to feel a little bit more comfortable in his surroundings, in his own skin. He knows one or two of the other porters now and feels calm enough to engage in a little bit of easy going banter with them but he's still not ready to be truly sociable yet.
He hasn't seen Herrick for a while now and on the one hand that pleases him but on the other it unsettles him. He's always around somewhere like a spider in a web waiting to trap his unsuspecting victim. He's used to him being somewhere nearby, watching and controlling, in charge and this seemingly total withdrawal just makes him all the more uneasy. He knows Herrick; he knows that despite everything, he won't be far away.
Shannon is busy but she sees him in the department with his mop and bucket in attendance quietly and diligently working. She's seen him around several times in the hospital since he returned her address book but they've barely had time to say hello anymore. It's been getting to the point that she looks for him when she isn't rushed off her feet and the dark almost distrustful expression in those eyes of his sets off something deep inside of her. Dear God, she thought she was too old to harbour a crush but it would seem that she's not. Wouldn't Abby have a field day with that little nugget of information? A comment about a knight in shining armour comes to mind and she pushes it down.
She manages to escape at lunchtime and she joins the queue for food. As always, the cafeteria is busy and as she pays for her lunch, she turns her head and surveys the dozens of occupied and busy tables and she sighs quietly. Her feet are killing her and she badly needs to sit down.
She spies Mitchell sitting alone. He's hunched over a magazine of some description, his chin resting on his fist, a half-eaten sandwich and a cup by his elbow. She takes a deep breath and walks over to his table.
"Hey, mind some company?" she keeps her voice quiet but friendly and he looks up with wide, almost startled eyes. He straightens and pulls his magazine closer to him and indicates the empty chair opposite him.
"No, of course not" he murmurs and he watches as she places her tray down and then lowers herself down on the chair opposite. He hears her quiet sigh of relief and a slight smile curves the corner of his mouth.
"Busy morning?" he comments and she smiles and rolls her eyes.
"Something like that and the day is only halfway through. How are you Mitchell? It seems like it's been ages since we've managed to say more than hello to each other"
"I'm okay, what about you?" he picks up his cup and takes a sip of his drink.
"Same. Busy, knackered. I need a holiday or a night out or something" she comments and she lifts her plate off the wooden tray and pushes it to one side.
"Don't we all?" Mitchell agrees and she flashes a quick smile at him as she picks up her fork and begins to eat. He watches her for a moment before he returns his attention to his magazine.
Neither speaks and she's comfortable with that. It gives her the opportunity to observe him with some degree of stealth. He does have the kind of face that some, maybe a few women would find attractive. His hair is collar-length, pulled away from his face, dark and with the kind of curls that most women would kill for. He has reasonably wide shoulders that fill the blue scrub top that he's wearing very well and she sees equally dark hair dusting his forearms and also peeking out from beneath the white long sleeved top that he wears beneath the scrub top. Her eyes lift to his face to see him watching her and she feels a fierce blush warm her cheeks and she quickly looks away, picking up her drink and taking a sip.
Mitchell can barely bite back the smile that suddenly threatens to bloom across his face. Was Shannon checking him out? He glances down at the top that he's wearing and then he looks back at her. Her cheeks are pink and she can't quite meet his eyes. Her attention goes to his magazine and she reaches for it, turning it so she can see the article he's been reading. He watches her eyes widen.
"The Astronauts…I loved their last album" she breathes and he looks down at the page.
"Me too, God I didn't think anyone had heard of them never mind listened to their music" he replies, more than a little bit surprised. He looks at her and she's smiling again, the blush has gone and she's comfortable once more. Her eyes almost seem to sparkle.
"I like that about them. They're like a perfect secret"
"So you're more of a rock chick then?" she glances up at him and she grins and shrugs one shoulder nonchalantly.
"I like my music loud I admit" she replies a little shyly. She looks back down at the article again.
"According to this they're touring, playing the Union Bar on Friday night" she looks back up at him and she takes a deep breath before plunging on "if you're interested I could check and see if there are any tickets left and if there are we could see them together?" she keeps the tone cool, casual and she waits. Mitchell blinks and he looks down at the page again, the chance to see The Astronauts with Shannon? He looks back at her.
"Yeah, that would be cool" he answers, adopting the same tone as she has even though his mouth has gone traitorously dry.
"It should be a good night and I'm off this weekend so even better" the grin she flashes at him is infectious and he smiles back.
"We could go for a drink beforehand…if you like?" he suggests and he waits for her to turn him down, to make her excuses but he watches her smile, it's like the sun coming out to him.
"That would be nice Mitchell, thanks. I'll enquire about the tickets after work and let you know tomorrow?" he nods.
"That would be great" she smiles at him once more and then pushes his magazine back to him.
"I'll look for you and let you know either way" she tells him and Mitchell takes a breath.
"Even if they're sold out…still want to go for that drink?" he watches her and waits. She smiles.
"Yeah, I still want to" she confirms in a soft voice. His smile widens.
"Cool" he responds.
They've agreed to meet inside the Kings Arms pub at six thirty on Friday. Shannon has just enough time to get home, grab a quick meal, jump in the shower and put on some make up if she wants to be on time.
Her heart is leaping in her breast as she enters the pub. It's reasonably busy; a lot of the clientele are still dressed in their work clothes celebrating the end of the week with a few drinks. Cigarette smoke drifts lazily in the air as she looks for him. She doesn't see him and initially disappointment swells inside of her. As she makes her way to the bar she hopes that he hasn't changed his mind about having a drink with her.
"Shannon" she spins around when she hears his slightly breathless voice and she smiles when she sees him.
"Mitchell" she replies warmly. He draws in a deep breath and she wonders whether he's been running. Either way, he looks handsome in that dishevelled, unshaven way of his.
"Sorry I'm late, have you been waiting long?"
"I just got here so don't worry" he touches her shoulder as he brushes past her and makes his way to the bar. As he gets there he pauses and looks at her.
"What will you have?" he asks.
"A pint of lager" she answers and watches as he looks at the barman, seems to pause and then he looks at her again as if her request has just registered with him.
"A pint, you're sure?" she slowly nods. She doesn't think it such an odd request but he obviously does.
"Yeah, a pint," she clarifies. His eyes hold hers for a second longer before he looks back at the barman and orders two pints of lager.
They find a small table that's away from immediate view and she slides onto the chair opposite him. She shrugs off her jacket and then reaches for her drink. She takes a long sip and feels it slide blissfully down her throat. She replaces the glass and looks at him again to find him watching her.
"You obviously needed that" Mitchell comments and she smiles slightly.
"Busy day at the office" she comments and he nods.
"But you have the weekend free, what do you plan to do?"
"What I usually do, sleep and do washing, I'm the height of sophistication and mystery" she chuckles and he grins.
"What about you?" she asks him and his eyes widen marginally.
"Excuse me?"
"Weekend plans…what do you do when you're not at work?" She watches him sigh.
"The same as you mostly, regular things, nothing exciting"
No charming the pants, sometimes literally, off a pretty girl and draining her dry, no lyco pickups, no arguing with Herrick about Seth, no having to deal with Seth and his annoying personality.
Come to think of it, his new life might not be as exciting as it used to be any more but it's his.
He excuses himself and disappears off to the men's toilets. It seems to be going okay, they're chatting about neutral stuff, the odd bit of work related gossip and the band that they're going to see tonight. Shannon doesn't seem to be bored with him and that has to be a big plus. He'd been nervous about tonight, that he would mess it up in some way and everything would come tumbling down.
"Just saw your bird in the bar tonight Mitchell…very nice" Mitchell freezes and then quietly curses when he hears Seth's loud voice almost bounce off the walls of the small bathroom. He finishes what he's doing and goes to wash his hands. He doesn't look at him nor acknowledge his presence.
"Is she your work colleague Mitchell because she's a bit of alright she is" he continues. Mitchell swallows, dries his hands on a paper towel and tosses it in the bin. Seth is standing beside the exit. They are the only occupants in that small room. Mitchell pauses and he looks at him.
"Are you going to get out of my way?" he asks in a low voice. Seth grins at him.
"Oh so you're talking to me now are you? What's the matter Mitchell, you frightened I might upset your bird? Does she know what you are?" he pushes his face up close to his and Mitchell gets a blast of beery breath.
"What do you want Seth?" he asks tiredly. He was right to be wary, his first date, his first proper date since he got off the blood and like a bad penny, Seth shows up.
"Just wanted to see how you were doing, that's all. Wondered if you were missing us" Mitchell takes a slow breath and his hands clench into two tight fists. He stares at Seth for a long moment.
"As you can see, I'm fine and no, not missing you. Be sure to pass that message on now won't you?" he replies calmly. Instead of looking put out, Seth continues to grin and he looks almost manic.
"Oh I will. You'd better get back to your girlfriend before Marco does, he's partial to redheads remember and she looks right up his street" Mitchell stiffens. He grabs Seth by the front of his jacket and he spins him around. Seth's eyes go wide as Mitchell propels him backwards into a cubicle. The back of his legs hit the toilet and he sways, struggling to remain upright. His head just misses the old fashioned cistern. Mitchell glares at Seth.
"If I see Marco or anyone else within three feet of her, I will hunt you down and stake you myself. Is that understood?" his voice is arctic cold but heavy with warning. Seth gasps and Mitchell shakes him.
"Is that understood?" he repeats sharply and Seth nods frantically. Mitchell abruptly lets go of him and watches him lose his balance and fall inelegantly into the toilet. As he turns to leave, he hears him curse.
His eyes look for familiar faces as he goes back into the bar but he doesn't recognise anyone. He sees Shannon where he left her and she's alone, sipping at her beer and watching the faces. Her eyes seem to light up when she spots him. They widen when she sees him grab his jacket.
"We're leaving" he informs her in a tight voice and she scrambles to her feet, following suit with her own jacket.
"We are?" he nods and she sees how his eyes scan their surroundings, it's as if he's looking for someone or something.
"Is everything okay Mitchell?" she enquires and he turns and looks at her.
"Everything's fine, I just think it's time we were heading off for the gig that's all" he watches as she looks at her watch. They have half an hour to kill at least but he seems insistent that they leave.
"Okay, let's go" and she follows him out of the bar.
Once outside he pauses and waits for her to catch up. He sighs shakily and briefly folds his arms. Shannon pauses beside him and she looks at him with a mild frown on her face.
"You're not okay are you?" she keeps her voice soft and he frowns at her.
"What are you talking about? Of course I'm okay, now we need to get going before the queue gets too big" he holds out a hand and after the briefest of pauses, she takes it.
The Union Bar comes into view and already there's quite a long queue outside. They slow down as they approach it. They join the queue and she unzips the small bag that she has strapped across her body and she extracts the two tickets, one of which she hands to him.
"It seems your decision was the right one" she comments as she notices the small groups of people huddled together, waiting to get inside the small club. She hunches her shoulders and folds her arms. She steals a glance at Mitchell to see him doing pretty much the same thing but he's tense, she can tell by his watchful expression, the tightness in his shoulders. His eyes are scanning the people present and she gets the distinct impression that he's looking for someone.
They gain access inside; it's a popular venue with the student population. It's small, intimate with plenty of cheap beer on tap. Shannon is familiar with the place, having attended a few gigs in the past. It has quite the reputation for hosting gigs for some of the most promising up and coming bands in the country. The décor is dark; worn wooden flooring and on the nights where there isn't a band playing, dozens of circular tables are dotted around the two floors, dark red velvet upholstered chairs keeping them company. The entrance to the club is street level and they walk down a steep but wide staircase to get into the bowels of the venue, where the action is due to take place. Shannon follows Mitchell to the bar which is becoming busier by the second and without asking, orders two more pints. She accepts hers gratefully as he hands it to her and as she takes a sip, she turns. The area in front of the small stage is quickly filling up. She looks back at Mitchell.
"Want to go upstairs instead? I don't fancy getting killed in the crush down here" he suggests and she nods. She follows him up the staircase and up onto the balcony floor that overlooks the stage and dance floor. It's not as busy up here, only a few dozen people are milling about. They find a space and they watch the downstairs begin to fill up.
Mitchell stands beside but at the same time slightly behind Shannon. The temperature is rising as the interior fills up and he holds her drink as she shrugs off her jacket. She's wearing tight jeans and an oversized black t-shirt and her hair is unbound and he has to admit, glorious. He noticed in the pub that she's wearing make-up and it's a bit of a revelation to him as he hasn't seen her wear it before. It's subtle but at the same time noticeable and he likes what he sees. He can smell her perfume, it smells like roses and something else, something sweeter and it teases at his senses and fills his head. She turns her head and she smiles up at him and leans against his shoulder. He slides his spare arm around her waist as the upstairs begins to fill up and more people crowd around them. He feels her arm slide around his waist and he stiffens very slightly at the contact. It takes a few moments for him to relax and allow himself to enjoy the contact.
The temperature continues to rise and he watches the sea of bodies down below. They move in restless waves as they wait for the band to appear. He straightens as the atmosphere begins to change, to sharpen and suddenly the lights go down and the crowd roars as a huge pulse of electric guitars, drums and keyboard burst out of the tall speakers that flank each side of the stage. The crowd downstairs begin to go bonkers as the stage lights fix on the band and their performance begins.
Mitchell moves slightly to stand more protectively behind Shannon who is swaying to the music. He watches the performance but at the same time he watches the crowd. Call it an old habit that he finds extremely hard to break but he watches the faces, their reactions and he envies their release of emotion and tension. He can't ever do that. He can't begin to imagine the level of carnage if he ever truly did and this time he doesn't have Herrick on hand to clean it up. It's a particularly sobering thought. He looks at Shannon as she turns her head and looks up at him. She's smiling.
"I love this song" she tells him close to his ear and he lifts his head and directs his attention to the stage. He listens and he slowly smiles as he recognises the track that had made inroads in the charts recently. It's catchy, filled with energy but sexy as hell, a song about 'killer smiles' and 'female wiles'. He had liked it for purely different reasons. Shannon leans against him and she's wiggling to the music. The close contact with his body robs him of breath and derails his train of thought. She turns to face him, her shoulders and hips shimmying to the beat and she smiles up at him. There's such a mischievous twinkle in those eyes of hers but he can't reciprocate, he's too aware of her now. He can hear her heart fluttering in her chest, even above the pulsing beat of the band playing below. He can smell her perfume mixed in with sweat and powerful hormones. He struggles for a moment to hold onto the baser side of his nature.
Slowly her smile fades away when she sees the intensity in his eyes, how dark his frown is and for a moment she feels a brief fluttering of genuine fear.
"Mitchell?" her mouth goes dry. He reaches for her, his grip gentle as his hands wrap around her wrists. He feels how delicate those bones are. He draws her closer to him and she goes willingly.
He can hear her heart bumping in her chest now, to him it's as loud as the band playing downstairs and right now neither of them is paying them any attention.
Across the balcony, she watches them. Her hands tighten on the railing in front of her, the knuckles showing white in relief as she watches them kiss. She sees how she wraps herself around him, how his arms go around her waist to anchor her to him. It's all very intense and possessive. She has watched them all night, from meeting in the pub earlier she's kept what she's felt is a safe distance but she's made sure that they haven't left her sight. Once or twice she thought that he'd seen her but he hasn't and now she feels impotent jealous rage swell up inside of her at the sight of them together. It threatens to overwhelm and choke her and the upper most emotion in her mind right now is revenge and ripping that red haired bitch to pieces.
How can he have this? It isn't fair. She pushes away from where she's standing, her eyes cloudy black with thoughts of painful bloody retribution. She doesn't care about Eleanor's orders, this is happening now.
She turns.
A pair of hands clamp tightly around her upper shoulders and she's looking up into wide intense blue eyes.
"No you don't," he instructs her. Her eyes flash black and she snarls at him. He hauls her up close and lets his own eyes change.
"Not this time sweetheart" he warns her and he pulls her out of the crowd.