A/N: Well I'm back with a new and super long chapter! Be advised there is language and drunkenness in this chapter. Let me know what you think! Poor Shane is starting to fall apart.
Disclaimer: I now own Claire and Shane, but the rest are just my play things.
Facades
Adam Fuller hadn't ever expected that his position as head of a police division would affect him this much. He took the job as the replacement for Jenko because he thought it would be cake compared to his previous work undercover and in New York, but it has turned out to be quite the challenge. If someone had told him he would grow to care about his team of officers as if they were his own children, he would've laughed and said something about not being professional. Yet, here he was sitting in his car outside a bar about to have a beer or two with his officers. They hung out on occasion when they all earned a huge collar, but Fuller had a feeling that tonight's game would be celebrated with heavy minds.
He had never been to this particular bar. He had heard about it, and it was supposedly top of the line. He knew that Judy, Tom and Doug were here all the time, but they just weren't his thing. Once inside, he was able to locate Judy pretty quickly. She, Tom and Doug were seated at a booth at the back end of the bar.
"Hoffs, what's the score?" He asked, squeezing in next to Hanson.
"7 to 0 Huskies. The Cougars just got flagged at the 50 yard line. Beer?"
Fuller nodded, cringing, "Ioki's not gonna like that is he?"
Doug reached for the pitcher and poured Fuller a glass, "he'll hate it if he shows." Judy looked at her boyfriend, clearly irritated.
"Penhall would you relax. He'll show. I've talked to him, and he feels really bad. He's probably just stuck in traffic or something. Let's just try to have a good time and watch the game," Judy said, as she returned her attention to the TV.
"He's probably worried about running into you know who," Hanson added.
Judy glared at Hanson, "I swear I'd like to give that woman a piece of my mind. I mean she's been through hell I get that, but times are changing. Man, Hanson why'd you bring that up? I really hope she doesn't come in.
Hanson shrugged, I don't know. It's just I get that we're all supposed to kiss and make-up, and that we come here all the time, but do you guys really think this was the place to do it? Ioki reacted badly to the setup with Shane and now that he's ready to talk about what went down we ask him to meet here. Why are you even questioning whether or not she's gonna show up Jude? You know she is."
Fuller looked at his team of undercovers and shook his head. "Wait, you mean to tell me I came here with all of you when I could be at home enjoying a glass of wine because Penhall sent Harry on a bad date? He quit because this woman didn't work out?"
"No, it's not just that. It's everything." Judy replied. She shot Penhall a glance.
"What? Like I said, HE didn't have to go!" Penhall exclaimed.
"But you knew he would. He has no idea what to do right now. Everybody in the department talks about him around the water cooler. People think he should be locked up right now. It's like they completely forgot that he's accomplished so much as a police officer. Everybody just keeps asking him about how he got here or telling him he should go back. No wonder his mind is going haywire," Judy seethed, taking another sip of her beer, "People just make me crazy and now he can't stop thinking about her when she is clearly out of touch with reality."
Hanson looked at Judy questioningly, "Oh, so he does like her then?"
"He's confused about her just like he is with everything else Hanson. Last night when I went to go get some stuff for Doug, he told me everything. He feels like he should be more offended by her attitude but he's not. He thinks he can fix her."
"Reminds me of the Nikki Messiah case," Hanson mused.
"Hold it. What attitude?" Doug asked
"Her attitude towards Harry being Vietnamese Penhall," Judy stated. She squeezed Doug's hand. She understood that it was probably shocking to him that a good friend of theirs could be so hateful. It was hard to understand for her, too
Penhall swallowed and shook his head, "it just doesn't make sense." "Every time we've hung out with her she has been awesome. No wonder he was upset."
"Who's upset?" Harry asked as he slid in next to Fuller. He helped himself to a beer.
"You. Man why didn't you tell me she was acting like that?" Doug looked at Harry seriously.
"About that, I feel really bad. I shouldn't have shut you guys out. Things just got busy and I didn't really want to admit that I was having problems. I overreacted because I didn't want to face it. I'll do whatever you want me to do, Captain, just don't fire me," Ioki begged.
Fuller sighed, "I was never going to fire you, Harry. You're the most qualified officer on the team and undercover work is dangerous. Our officers aren't exactly volunteering for this job, and I get that you needed to cool off. You still need help, though, so the suspension still stands. You prove to me that you're seeing somebody reputable, and I'll let you come back to work. Does that sound fair?" Fuller spoke seriously, but Harry noticed that even though he was being professional, he still was concerned. If anybody was close to a father figure for Harry, it was Adam.
"Yeah, that's fair Captain. Like I said, I overreacted, and I'm sorry," Harry repeated.
"I should be the one who's sorry. Not Harry. I put him in that environment." Doug added. He looked at Harry apologetically.
"Penhall," Harry paused. "I put myself in that situation. None of this has anything to do with you. It's me and me alone, besides, maybe there's more to the story," Harry mused. Judy noticed he was getting that look in his eyes.
"What story? You honestly cannot be sympathetic towards her Ioki. It's wrong no matter how it was planted there," Judy scoffed. She looked at Harry through her empty beer mug.
Harry raised an eyebrow, "What happened to 'she has her own demons to fight' Jude? What if she doesn't know any better? You said it yourself."
"She needs to fight those demons without hurting others Ioki," Judy exclaimed. She was trying not to yell but she was so sick of her colleagues being seen as a laughing stock
"I agree with Jude here Ioke. It wasn't very professional of her man," Tom cut in.
Harry sighed, "her racism wasn't what bothered me that night. It's the fact that I'm so indifferent to anything but yet I'm still dealing with this mess. I should hate racism, but I don't. She tried to make me uncomfortable and it worked, but it wasn't because of what she said. She called me out on my poor treatment of you guys and how I've been spacey lately. She was right about a lot of things."
Doug chuckled, "you have it bad."
Harry swallowed nervously as he tried to hide the fact that his heart was pounding in his ears. "I do not. I just see where she's coming from. I'm willing to hear her out. "
"So, let's back up here a sec Ioke. You're not mad that Doug set you up, Shane's racist, and you think you can somehow be her knight in shining anti racist armor? Hanson asked. He was beginning to think the beer was going to his head. His friends had officially dived off the deep end.
"I mean I was mad yeah, but she's just so, so I don't even know." Harry replied. He looked down at his beer as if it were a crystal ball and he was searching for something in it.
"Hot," Hanson replied.
"Smart," Doug added with a somewhat lackluster tone.
"Oh please you guys can't actually think him talking to her is a good idea," Judy exclaimed.
"Of course we don't, but it's not like anything we say to him right now is gonna change that is it? Hanson asked, looking at Harry questioningly
"Not really, no because the visions of her just won't leave me alone, so I at least need to try and make some headway with her because she is driving me crazy."
Judy shook her head and rolled her eyes, "Coach, will you please talk some sense into him?" Judy asked, desperately, looking at her boss.
Fuller cleared his throat, "You know, when I said somebody reputable, I didn't mean for you to run into the arms of some woman who apparently has her own problems. You need to see a licensed therapist.
Judy sighed, "she is a therapist, Coach. She lost her dad when she was eighteen to suicide because he couldn't live with what he did, but she could never figure out what it was. So, she became a therapist and runs a support group for Vietnam Vets downtown. Penhall and I thought it would be a good idea for Harry to hear some different perspectives. We had no idea she was that angry."
"How do I always manage to find myself involved in off duty drama? Fuller asked. "Look Harry, if you choose to try and help this woman, can you at least try to see someone else who isn't involved with the war on the side?" Fuller pleaded.
"That's what I was planning, sir. Now can you guys stop worrying about me and how I handle racist remarks. I've heard them all my life. I'll be fine. Her bark is worse than her bite anyway. Let's just watch the rest of the game." Harry said, turning his attention to the TV.
"Wait, one more thing, how exactly are you planning to woo Aphrodite anyway? What makes you think you can break her walls down just like that? Hanson asked, snapping his fingers to make a point.
Harry sighed, "I know it won't be easy, man, but as much as she got to me, I think I got to her too."
"And how do you know this, and Hanson would you please stop calling her Aphrodite " Judy interjected. Her voice as sour as the beer she had in her hand.
"Because after my many bad experiences with women, I've learned one thing," Harry said. He had a grin on his face.
"Oh please won't you enlighten me on your newly acquired wisdom of the woman? Judy asked, sarcastically.
Harry looked at Judy trying to stifle a laugh.
"Every time one of you says 'I'll be right back. I need to use the bathroom when you're alone with a man, it's because you're either pissed off, nervous about the guy your with, or you're using it to escape a really bad date. Considering that Shane and I were not on a date, I either made her mad or nervous. Both of which are fine for my purpose. It's a start."
Doug raised an eyebrow, "he has a point there Judy."
"Harry it's just people talk about you at work, and I don't want you to get hurt," Judy whispered. She wrapped her arms around her shoulders and shivered, prompting Doug to give her his denim jacket.
Harry sighed, "we all get talked about at work Jude. We're the mayor's treasured side project remember?" "She's just putting up a front. I promise."
"I hate to break up this whole conversation, but if we were planning to bail before Shane got here we kind of missed our chance," Tom interrupted.
Harry suddenly felt really light headed. It was as if everything around him ceased to exist. His only focus was on Shane. He could see her so clearly even though she was all the way across the bar. Why wasn't she alone? There was no way he could go up to her now. Maybe that was a good thing. He had to go slow. He would just keep a low profile and talk to her once he had her alone. He didn't know what her friends knew about her past.
"Tom, who's that with Shane?" Harry asked helping himself to another beer without taking her eyes off Shane's table.
"You know, if you keep undressing her with your eyes, she's gonna notice man. That's Claire. She's been Shane's best friend since they were thirteen. They're still roommates because Shane sometimes has trouble with her balance. Claire just kind of watches out for her. She might be your best bet if you want dirt on Shane," Tom said. He let out a sigh and looked over in Claire's direction.
"You're allowed to move on Hanson. It wasn't you're fault." Harry encouraged, noticing his friend's interest in Claire.
"I thought this night was about you're problems, Ioke, not mine," Hanson muttered under his breath. "Anybody up for a shot of tequila or something? We can just call a cab instead of using a DD tonight." Tom asked. Everyone in the group except Fuller raised their hand eagerly.
" You coming, Ioke? I can't carry four shots all the way across the bar myself." Harry knew this was just an excuse to get closer to Claire, so he nodded. They were seated at a table directly in front of the bar, so passing them was unavoidable.
"Why don't you just talk to her Hanson? She's clearly into you, or did you miss the way she looked at you a few seconds ago?" Harry asked, as he motioned for the bartender.
"I'm not drunk enough yet," Tom said seriously.
"I thought you didn't get drunk Ritchie Cunningham," Harry joked.
Tom rolled his eyes and drank his shot, "Trust me Ritchie Cunningham has left the building."
"What's this I hear about Ritchie Cunningham? Unless he's with the Fonz he's far too square to be associated with this bar, kind of like bowlers," Claire teased. She made her way up to the bar and took a seat next to Tom. "Why haven't you returned my calls, Tom?" Claire whispered. She looked him in the eyes. Tom couldn't help but notice how blue her eyes were with her hair pulled back. He felt really guilty because he could tell she was a little down. He shrugged. Claire sighed.
"I understand that you don't want to make what we have a thing because of Amy, but I'm worried about you. It's no longer just the occasional bowling match anymore, Hanson. Not when you come over and I have to hide you in my closet," Claire explained.
"I'm sorry Claire. You don't have to keep doing this," Tom whispered apologetically.
"What? Being your girlfriend? Tom, I want to be what you want all the time. I don't want to hide you from Shane and act like were just friends because we're not. You left your toothbrush in my bathroom again. Did you ever do that with Amy? Did you two ever bowl, or was she constantly arguing with you because she hated Chinese? You're a good cop and you didn't do anything wrong. Don't push me away. Don't you want Doug and Judy to know about us too and who's that other guy you were with?" Claire pressed Tom for answers.
Tom sighed and shook his head, "you think I don't want to tell them? I do. But Every time I get the nerve, something crazy happens, like Penhall deciding to set ioki up with your best friend which has thrown all of us into chaos. Plus, it's only been a few months, you know."
Claire looked at Tom, confused, "I don't understand. Who's Ioki, and Shane would've told me she had a date."
Tom ran his hands through his hair in frustration and looked at Claire, "It wasn't exactly a date. See, Harry, the guy that called me Richie Cunningham, is on the force with me. Well, he's had these nightmares about his past in Vietnam right before the war ended for years, and Doug tried to help him by sending him to Shane's support group. The thing is, Doug didn't tell Harry Shane was a woman and he didn't tell Shane he was Vietnamese. Now Harry, who is actually lusting after Shane, thinks, that just because she went to the bathroom, he can fix her. He quit his job and everything." Tom was so flustered that he said all this at once.
Claire put her head in her hand and sighed, "he can't fix her." "I've tried that for years."
Tom quirked an eyebrow, "so you knew about her prejudice?"
Claire nodded. "I've known her and her Dad since I was thirteen. The war tore him up. He was like a father to me, and the only reason I don't have the same anger she does was because I wasn't there when he decided to kill himself. I didn't see how it affected him as much. She saw him do it, Tom," Claire breathed. Emotion cracked through her voice.
Tom got up from his seat. He wrapped Claire in his arms and kissed her on the forehead, "the world is so messed up. I'm sorry."
Claire sniffled, "I'm sorry for Ioki. He's probably chasing a lost cause. Shane is very beautiful on the inside and out, but she's also very troubled. She's also very kind and generous but few people get to see that."
Tom nodded in agreement, "I consider myself lucky then. I know she's nice, which is why Doug, being the problem solver that he is, thought it was a good idea. Harry hasn't quite been himself either lately."
"Where is he anyway? I want to meet him?" Claire stated. Her voice perked up.
Tom whirled around and looked in the direction of their table only to see Harry and Doug trying to keep a very angry Judy from lunging at Shane. He looked at Claire and quickly made their way over to help Claire hold back Shane.
"Judy, you need to knock it off! This isn't any of your business what goes on between Shane and I," Harry yelled.
Why are you sticking up for her? You have the right to look at whoever you want, Judy yelled. She was trying to break through Doug's grip.
"No, actually, I don't. I'm sticking up for her because she didn't do anything. You went after her. We were just having a conversation," Harry replied calmly.
"About what? How you should go back to Vietnam?" Judy asked, spitting venom.
"Wow, somebody's paranoid," Shane replied. She threw her hands up in defense. "I simply asked Harry if he would stop staring at my chest, nicely, I might add. You've never had to deal with that though have you? Shane asked, icily.
"Deal with what? People staring at me because I'm a cripple. Can't say that I have," Judy replied calmly enough that it was as if she never uttered such an offensive term.
Shane's face went white when she heard Judy say that word. She sat down because she felt weak and off balance. It was like all her memories of high school had just came back to her when she had worked hard to forget them.
"Oh, I'm sorry, did you not know people do that because you're too busy whining about your Dad stupidly taking his own life? Sorry to burst your elitist bubble Shane, but you aren't exactly everyone's little princess. You are extremely lucky Harry was looking at you because of your beauty and not your handicap," Judy breathed. She looked at those around her. Harry's face was unreadable. Somewhere between shock and disappointment. Doug looked like he didn't understand what had just happened and Tom and Claire merely exchanged worried glances as Shane stood up and limped out of the bar without saying a word. Judy sighed.
"Jude, do you know how low that was coming from a person like you? She didn't even start the argument. That really was all she had said to me." Harry said a few minutes later when Judy had sat down with a glass of water in hand. Harry sat down next to his best friend.
"It may have been harsh, but she needed to be knocked down a few pegs," Judy replied. Her voice was slightly remorseful.
"Harsh? You think what you said was harsh? Hoffs that wasn't harsh. She is sitting on the curb outside her own bar bawling her eyes out right now. While I'm really skeptical that what Harry is saying is the whole truth because it's clearly apparent that you all found Shane's fatal flaw, you have no idea what it's like for her. You don't know what the fuck happened to her Dad, so why did you have to bring that up? I understand where your coming from Judy but Shane genuinely needs help just like Harry , so stooping to her level by calling her the most offensive word you could say to her just isn't right," Claire yelled before heading outside.
Shane sat on the bench outside and lit herself a cigarette. Was it really that obvious that she hated herself? She stared at the crutches beneath her and shook her head in disgust. She was a cripple, and Judy was right about everything else too. She did notice that everyone looked at her differently and that hurt, well everyone except Harry. Shane didn't understand him. It was like he was immune to her. Why was he trying to protect her? Shane reached up to wipe away her running mascara when she heard the door open.
"Hey, are you alright?" Claire asked. She took a seat next to her best friend and wrapped her in a hug.
Shane swallowed, "she's right isn't she? You all are sick of me."
Claire sighed and bit her lip, "you know that's not true. You are my sister. I could never be sick of you, but I need to be honest."
Shane looked at Claire, surprised, "you know you can tell me anything."
"You're not yourself anymore, Shane. You've let your desire for an answer consume you when there isn't one. I can't tell you everything because you're so worried about this group of men who could care less about you. I know you don't sleep at night. You sit on the couch and look at that photo for hours. It's not going to tell you anything. What if that kid never made it to the US, huh? At some point you've gotta let it go. Your Dad would be mortified if he saw you like this. I miss my best friend," Claire pleaded.
Shane started to feel sick to her stomach with guilt when she saw that Claire was getting emotional. She sighed, "I'm sorry. Are you mad at me, too?"
Claire shook her head, "mad's not the right word. I'm frustrated. I don't understand why you hang on to the anger. Doesn't it make things worse?"
Shane shrugged, "it's better than feeling."
"Feeling is a part of life though, Shane. You can't just pretend it never happened. When have you ever actually grieved for him?" Claire took a deep breath and mentally told herself to slow down. Her intention was not to get mad. She saw Shane shrug and take a drag of her cigarette.
"Crying doesn't bring him back," Shane replied, letting the high from the nicotine sink in.
Claire moaned in frustration. She felt like grabbing Shane and giving her a good shake, "You know what. I'm about this close to I don't know, but this is starting to really take a toll on me, too."
Shane looked at Claire as if she had just drank a stiff shot,"you mean I'm starting to take a toll on you?"
"That's not what I meant Shane," Claire replied.
Shane rolled her eyes, "Oh please Claire. I'm not stupid. If you don't want to be friends anymore just say it."
"Shane I just want you to get some help. Is that too much to ask?"
"Yes it's too much to ask. I'm sorry you can't handle being friends with me, but I'm not gonna change. I'll move out if you're really that sick of me," Shane yelled.
"Shane don't be like this. You know it's dangerous for you to be alone. I'm not kicking you out. I'm not mad. Just worried." Claire's mind was racing. She really needed Shane to stay with her.
"Why is it dangerous? Maybe if I actually had a seizure and hit my head, we'd all be better off? Look, I won't go far, okay? I'll sleep in the apartment above the bar and you get a break. Seems like everyone needs one tonight. Does that sound like a fair compromise? Shane asked. She leaned forward and grabbed her crutches forcefully. She was sick of everyone around her making her feel incapable.
"It's only a compromise if you do something for me too. You know that right?" Claire said. She watched Shane stand up and make her way back inside the bar.
"What do you want then? Shane asked, balancing on her stronger leg as she turned around to face Claire again.
"All I'm asking is that you think about getting some help. Tell your therapist the truth for once."
Harry couldn't sleep. It was two in the morning, and his mind felt like it was a warzone. Between the dreams of his parents and fantasizing about Shane , he felt like his personal relationships were falling apart. He sighed as he more coffee in the strainer and headed back to his sofa to wait. Why couldn't Judy just be supportive of him or trust that he could handle himself? He had never seen Judy pick a fight with another person before. He understood she was drunk, but it was still shocking. He let out a yawn, when he heard a light tapping on the front door.
"Who the hell is up at this hour besides me?" He tried to ignore it because he knew it wasn't Doug or Tom, and Doug had to walk Judy to the car. They'd knock louder anyway. "Maybe I just need some sleep," he thought. He closed his eyes until he heard the same noise five minutes later.
"You know humans aren't nocturnal," Harry muttered to himself as he opened the front door. He blushed when he looked down to see that Shane was standing at his door when he was in nothing but his boxers.
Shane suddenly felt her face get warm. Her eye level was directly in line with Harry's bare chest. She had to make herself laugh in the hopes that he hadn't seen her blush. Looking down at his Star Trek themed boxers she laughed and said, "to boldly go where no man has gone before!" She looked up again to see that Ioki was annoyed. She shrugged innocently, "what? You're the one who wore the nerdiest boxers to bed. You can't expect me to not make a comment."
Harry sighed and leaned against the door, "what is it that you want Shane? If you're looking for Penhall, he moved in with Hoffs." "Shane?" Harry repeated when she didn't answer.
Shane hadn't noticed that her eyes had drifted back to Harry's exposed body. She came out of her daze embarrassed, "I uh actually wasn't looking for Penhall."
Harry looked at Shane drowsily. He was confused and suddenly found it hard to concentrate on anything but her. The sleeves of her Washington State sweatshirt looked like they were wet. Harry wondered if she had been crying. "Oh, I see," was all he could manage in his sleepy stopper and he found himself no longer annoyed with her.
Shane felt stupid. Why had she walked all this way? "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have woken you. It was stupid of me to think you'd talk to me with the way I've been acting around you. I'll just go," Shane whispered. She positioned her crutches so that she could turn around when Harry stopped her.
"Wait, you didn't wake me. I was already awake. I just wasn't expecting you to say you were looking for me. You can come in," Harry said still somewhat dazed. This is exactly what he had wanted. Shane nodded and followed him into his apartment.
"Would you mind waiting a few minutes while I go put a shirt and some pants on? This is somewhat embarrassing. You can sit anywhere you want. It'll just take a second," Harry said.
Shane nodded again. As she watched Harry walk into his bedroom, she found it hard not to look at him. He was well defined throughout his entire body and wasn't over muscular. She felt herself blush again as she sat down on his couch. Why was this happening? Why was he so damn confusing to her? Shane diverted her attention to something else that was gleaming in the room to try and not think about him shirtless. It looked like a martial arts trophy of some kind because the guy on top was in a kicking stance. "That explains the physique," she thought to herself when she was pulled out of her thoughts.
"Shane? Are you okay?" Harry asked, looking confused.
Shane looked up at Harry blankly. He was standing in his kitchen. "Huh? Sorry. I must be really tired. I'm fine. What did you say?" Harry was now in sweat pants and a shirt similar to hers. The cougar mascot did nothing but emphasize his muscle tone further.
"I asked if you wanted some coffee." His voice was quiet and patient.
Shane yawned, "I'd love some thanks."
Harry nodded and pulled two mugs from the cupboard. "How do you take it?" He asked.
Shane let herself sink further into the sofa as she let out another large yawn, "just milk and sugar. Thanks."
A few seconds later, Harry returned to the living room. Before sitting down, he gingerly pulled the coffee table closer so that Shane didn't have to reach so far and set the mug down in front of her.
"So, did Claire give you a ride over here or something? Harry asked, as he sat down and turned to face her.
Shane was surprised that he hadn't said something like be careful it's hot when he set her drink down. She gave him an awkward glance as she picked it up and took a sip.
Harry gave her a mixed look, "What? Did I put too much sugar in it or something?
Shane shook her head and chuckled slightly, "No not at all. It's just that people usually rush to try and help me with things like this. They think my arms are affected too, I guess, and no Claire did not drive me because we aren't speaking. I walked, sort of. It was more of a hop."
"How could you guys not be speaking? She really told Judy off before she went outside after you. I'm sorry about that, by the way. Hoffs, I mean." Harry said.
Shane sighed. She was so lost, "that's why we're not speaking."
"Because of Hoffs? Shane, she was drunk. You shouldn't let her get her in the way of a fourteen year friendship."
Shane took another sip of her coffee and looked at her reflection in the mug, sighing, "this has nothing to do with Hoffs. Judy won't remember any of this. I feel very smothered by Claire lately. I can't go anywhere or do anything without her being overly concerned. She even got protective when Penhall and I started talking. I already feel very limited by my disability. I don't need her to limit me too."
Harry nodded in agreement. He felt the same way about the people around him. Harry turned and looked Shane in the eyes, "I know what you mean. I feel the same way about Judy, Doug, Tom and my boss right now, but maybe that's their defense mechanism. You know?"
Shane gave Harry a blank look, "I'm not following you, sorry."
Harry bit his lower lip as he pondered a way to explain what he was thinking, "well, they protect us because they can't understand what it's like. They care, but it's hard for them to see us in pain. Claire hates to see you in pain when you struggle. Doug hates to see me wake up at two am like this."
Shane nodded, but she suddenly felt like she might cry. "I should go. Thanks for the coffee," she said. Her voice was quiet as she grabbed her crutches and headed for the door.
"Sure," Harry said. Harry's heart was racing. Maybe that was wrong of him to say, or it was too soon. He knew he was just standing there staring, watching her leave. He didn't want to be done with her. He had too many things to ask. "Wait!"
Shane turned herself around and looked at Harry, trying to hold back tears. "What? I really need to go," Shane whispered.
"Go on a date with me tomorrow," Harry said.
Shane felt the color drain from her face, as she stared at Harry. She opened and closed her mouth a few times before she sat back down on his couch in shock. She stammered, "why are you doing this?"
"Doing what?" Harry asked.
"This. You know. You invited me in and are being nice. Why?" Shane made a gesture towards her coffee.
Harry shrugged, "why not."
Shane shook her head, annoyed, "you should hate me."
Harry raised an eyebrow, "why because you're a racist?"
"Well yeah," Shane replied seriously.
"You sure like hanging on to that fantasy don't you?" Harry asked
Shane blushed and shifted her gaze to her feet. "It's not a fantasy," she whispered
"Oh ok, so you showed up at my door at 2 am just because you wanted to call me a Gook? You wanted to come say I killed your dad? You've had multiple opportunities to do it. Why haven't you told me off yet. You do it when we're in public just fine," Harry said.
Shane chewed on her lip. Pain was better than the feeling of nervousness. Her flight or fight response was in full swing. Why couldn't she run?" "You-you caught me off guard," Shane replied. She had to remind herself to breathe.
"I noticed. You tried really hard to save yourself with the comment about my shorts. You could've told me off then, but you blushed instead. You don't have to pretend with me Shane really," Harry whispered.
"Is that why you keep lying for me in front of everyone because you think I'm attracted to you? You and I both know that argument wasn't because you were staring at me," Shane said. She wouldn't meet his gaze.
Harry sighed and leaned in close to whisper in her ear-having his breath that close to her neck sent shivers down her spine. "I lied because I understand, and don't try and play coy with me. You like me staring at you," he said, seductively.
Shane shifted in her seat. She felt like she could fall through Harry's couch cushions at any moment because they were so uneven and flat. "You know you could stand to get a new sofa," she said. Harry knew she was trying to avoid the subject.
"My sofa is fine. Stop trying to change the subject," Harry ordered.
Shane looked up at Harry and it was if he could suddenly see into her soul. He fought the urge to grab her hand. "If I go on this date with you will you leave me alone?" She asked. She couldn't understand why she was on the verge of tears.
Harry nodded. "If that's what you want. I will make this a day dedicated to you. If you don't have a good time, I'll leave you alone. All I ask is one day. We don't even have to make it a date, Harry replied.
Shane looked at Harry mischievously, "so you're willing to do whatever I want." She took a strand of her hair and twirled it as she formed a multitude of plans in her head.
Harry nodded and let out a laugh, "yeah and if you're planning something crazy, I don't scare easily just so you know."
"Oh we'll see about that. I'll be over around two," Shane said. She was trying not to let on that she felt like she was on a boat in the middle of the ocean as she got up to leave.
