Ch7.—
The weeks following Danni's discovery of the third housemate were filled with adjustment. She had lived with other people before but none of them were of the spirit world. For the most part, Danni's days were comprised of resting so she would heal quickly and look for employment. She knew that her cast would be coming off soon so she needed to plan for what would happen once she was given a clean bill of health. She didn't want to assume that she could stay in the house indefinitely without contributing something. Danni's other dilemma was that the only job she seemed qualified for required her to go back to biking as it was the only skill she had. Whether it was a sign or not, there were several opportunities for messengers in the papers so she applied to all of them. Surely one would find her acceptable. She didn't tell Mitchell of her plans because she didn't want to deal with his over protectiveness. However, Annie knew what she was up to and for once kept quiet.
Since Danni discovered her presence, Annie had been on her best behavior. Not because Mitchell and George asked her to do that, but because she was beginning to like Danni. They were kindred spirits in a way. Clearly not because they were the same type of person but they did have similar life experiences. Annie appreciated the fact that Danni was not a typical female out to shag Mitchell because of his looks. She saw in Danni a wounded soul who, like her, had trusted and been betrayed by men. Annie also saw in Danni someone who wouldn't judge so she most likely would accept Mitchell's condition. If he ever told her. Maybe she needed to have a talk with the boy on that very topic. Annie was on her way to do that when Danni came into the room.
"Shit!" Danni cried as she dropped her laundry on the floor, her one good arm not able to hold onto it.
She bent to pick up what fell when she saw a couple of pieces seemingly move by themselves to the bed. Looking up she saw the awkwardly smiling face of her new roommate.
"Hi Annie," Danni said wearily. "How long have you been here?"
"Since I died," the ghost said in an attempt to joke.
Danni gave her a narrowed look, not in the mood for humor.
"Sorry," Annie said.
"No need to apologize. It's me. I'm sick of this cast, sick of not being able to take care of myself, sick of feeling like a burden," Danni said.
"I don't think anyone sees you as a burden. Trust me, in this house, we have all had times where we were less than productive people. Take me for example," Annie said as she began to help fold the laundry.
"You?" Danni asked, taking the folded clothes and putting them away.
"Well being a ghost I can't exactly go out and do things like you can. I can't even go to the store for a carton of milk."
"But you can't eat or drink so why would that matter?"
"Yes, but I do like to make things and if I need something I can't get it. I have to wait for one of the boys to get it. It's frustrating. Hell I can't even haunt anyone," Annie said, now not only folding but putting the garments away as well.
She saw a tee shirt in the basket that she recognized as Mitchell's but said nothing to Danni. Now it was becoming clear that this new girl had some serious feelings for her friend. Annie wasn't sure how she felt about that but she said nothing for the time being.
"Have you really tried to haunt someone? Was it George and Mitchell?" Danni's curiosity was piqued so she sat down on the bed, waiting for Annie to elaborate.
Annie appreciated the fact that someone other than George and Mitchell was interested in her. It was a rare thing to have that and it was nice to have someone else's ear to bend.
"No. I mean I tried it in the beginning of this whole dead thing but when I found out some people could see me, it was no fun," she said.
"Yeah. I was wondering about that. How come George and Mitchell and now I can see you but other people can't?"
Annie opened her mouth to answer but thought better of it. She needed to come up with a more ordinary response than the truth.
"I don't know. Just lucky I suppose," she said jokingly hoping it would be enough.
That seemed to satisfy Danni's interest for the time being as Annie watched her go about her chores but could see her mind was elsewhere.
"Is something wrong, Danni?" she asked.
The young woman kept her back to her spirited companion, took a deep breath and spoke.
"Not really. I'm just not used to being a burden. I'll be glad when I get this cast off and can work again," she said.
"Have you thought about what kind of work? Mitchell said you were some sort of bike messenger before," Annie replied.
She got comfortable in her old overstuffed chair waiting for Danni to respond.
"Yeah. I was. So was my brother until he got killed. After that, I kind of gave up on the whole biking thing especially when I was in Australia. But now that I'm back here, there isn't much else I really want or can to do," she explained.
"Then do it."
Danni turned then to look at Annie. She saw a bright smile on her face and encouragement in her eyes.
"I don't know. Mitchell wasn't too keen on my going back to that after this accident. He wanted me to get a more stable job," she said.
Annie rolled her eyes.
"He is so overprotective. When I found out my fiancée killed me, he wanted me to forget it and just move on. He was afraid I'd get hurt again. But I was already dead so what would it matter if I tried to torture Owen just a little," Annie said in a very matter of fact tone.
She was playing with a loose thread on the chair so she didn't see Danni's eyes widen at her words.
"You were going to haunt the man who killed you?"
Annie seemed surprised at her disbelief.
"Yeah. But in the end, it didn't work out. Just kind of fell flat. Then Mitchell got stabbed and I forgot all about Owen," Annie said.
"Wait, what? Was Mitchell stabbed? He never said anything," Danni said.
Annie closed her eyes as she realized she said more than she should. Now Danni might start asking questions that would lead to other discussion Mitchell wasn't ready to have yet.
"Um, kind of. But listen he's fine now and doesn't really like to talk about it. So don't mention anything about it, okay?"
Annie gave Danni a look that was a silent plea to not linger on this topic. She wasn't sure why but Danni seemed to understand and decided to file away this part of their discussion for a later date. There was no way Danni was going to ignore this new fact about the man she was getting involved with but she'd wait until the time was right to bring it up again.
"Sure. I won't say a word," Danni said.
She put the last of her clothes away and went to go sit on the bed opposite Annie.
"Actually if I tell you something will you promise not to tell Mitchell?" she asked.
Annie was intrigued because she loved knowing things.
"Sure."
Danni shook her head as she spoke.
"I found a job. As a courier again. The only thing is I need a bike. Oh and to get this cast off," she said quickly.
Annie jumped up and joined her on the bed.
"That's fantastic," she said excitedly.
"I suppose. At least it will help me earn my keep and it's only for a few days a week. Now I just have to find a way to get a bicycle. I have some money but it might not be enough for a racer."
"Don't worry. I can help."
Thoroughly confused now, Danni wondered if this ghostly friend was just a bit deluded.
"How can you help Annie?"
The young apparition thought about this for a moment. How could she help when she was invisible and not a true member of society? It wasn't like she could go out and find her bike. But she could persuade others to do just that.
"Well, I can't do a lot of things but I still have pretty good powers of persuasion. Let me talk to George and Mitchell. I'm sure they'll listen to me."
Danni was skeptical.
"About me? And going back to work? I find that hard to believe. I don't even think George likes me much," the redhead said.
"He does. It's just his awkward George routine. Plus he's protective of Mitchell. He doesn't want him to get hurt again by another woman."
That piqued her curiosity about Mitchell's past relationships.
"Has that happened? How many other women has Mitchell had?"
Annie noticed a hint of jealousy in the girl's voice. She knew to tread carefully on this topic because it could lead to other more complicated parts of Mitchell's life and that would be bad.
"I don't know exactly. I know he knew someone years ago that he was in love with. And then there was Lucy. She's a doctor at the hospital."
Annie spoke but thought nothing of the information she was revealing.
"A doctor? What did she look like? Did you see her?" Danni was alert now.
"Once or twice. I didn't much like her," Annie said.
Danni kept her eyes locked on Annie waiting for details. Seeing this, Annie continued.
"Ok, she was kind of short, dark hair, not very pretty. But something about her interested Mitchell."
The description sounded vaguely familiar; like the doctor who tended to Danni after her accident. When she saw her and Mitchell together Danni sensed that there was something between them and now she knew.
"Was her last name Jaggett?" Danni asked.
"Maybe? I didn't really pay attention," Annie admitted. "Why?"
"I think she was my doctor. She seemed to know Mitchell and definitely didn't seem to like me. Now it makes sense," Danni said.
"Yup that sounds like Lucy. Listen, I would stay away from that one. There is something about her that's a little 'fatal attraction' if you know what I mean? Mitchell ended it but I get the feeling she still thinks there is hope for them."
Danni smiled and she got the same feeling about that woman.
"I see. Well considering that I don't know what is between Mitchell and me, I can't really make any demands on her. Although I think she's the one who's going to take this cast off," Danni said.
"Is Mitchell going with you?"
"I don't know. I didn't ask."
"If I know Mitchell he won't let you go alone. And he won't let anything happen to you. So listen, about this bike thing. Let me work on the boys. I bet they'll help you get that. When does the cast come off?"
"Tomorrow I think if my checkup looks good."
"Great. I'll talk to George and Mitchell later," Annie said.
She got up and was about to leave when Danni called her back.
"Hey, Annie can I ask you something?"
Annie came back to where she sat and looked down at her.
"Sure what is it?"
Danni couldn't seem to sit still and started to pace the room, Annie's eyes on her. Steeling herself for something bad, Annie spoke.
"What is it, Danni?"
"I have to ask. Do you ever watch me? I mean I know you spied on me in the tub that first time but since then. Since we kind of became friends, have you watched me or me and Mitchell together?"
Annie would blush if she could but being dead that wasn't an option. She could also lie but she liked Danni and owed her the truth.
"No. After that first time, I don't hover up at the ceiling watching down at what's going on in the various rooms of the house. That's just creepy. I'm not a voyeur," Annie offered.
"You know I think I'm falling in love with Mitchell, right?" Danni said quietly.
Annie looked at her and smiled.
"Yeah, I know. And for what it's worth, I think the feeling is mutual."
The object of the discussion being held upstairs was in the kitchen watching George as he cooked. There was little to no talking except for an occasional mention of something pertaining to work. As his friend stirred risotto, Mitchell debated sharing what was on his mind. He needed some advice preferably without the presence of Annie or the source of his dilemma. He was about to say something when one of the two women causing him confusion entered the room.
"So Danni is going back to work and needs a bicycle. Which of you is going to get that for her?"
Annie nonchalantly walked to the stove to put the kettle on to boil water and prepared a cup to make tea. George and Mitchell said nothing but watched her scurry about the room.
"Excuse me? What is this about a bike?" George asked.
"Danni needs a bike so she can go back to work. She can't afford it so I thought one of you, might be able to chip in. What do you say?" She turned from one to the other waiting for a response. "Well, Mitchell? She is your…friend. Shouldn't you do all you can to help her?"
Pouring the boiling water into a cup she let the bag steep for a minute then placed it on the table. Mitchell still said nothing; he was dumbstruck by the direction of the conversation.
"You're joking. Danni is not going back to work as a courier. No way!" he said.
Annie came to sit opposite him as she glanced at George. He could only shrug his shoulders at the outburst.
"Why shouldn't she? The girl wants to get back to a normal life. And she doesn't want to feel like a charity case. So this is what she wants. And you, being the person closest to her should understand and help her."
"Help her? Help her get hurt again. Why would I do that to someone I lo…" he stopped short of completing that sentence but it was enough for Annie.
"Aha! I knew it. You are in love with her!" Annie shouted.
Mitchell said nothing. What could he say? He wasn't going to deny it because it was the truth.
"Yeah, I am. Which is why I'm not going to put her in harm's way," he said.
"But Mitchell, maybe you should think about what Danni wants. Clearly, she wants to work and if she feels ready then we should support that decision, George said."
As usual, George was the voice of reason in a sticky situation. Mitchell turned around to look at his friend, who returned to making dinner knowing he'd said too much.
"George is right, Mitchell. She needs all the support she can get from her friends."
"Oh, so you're her friend now? When did this happen?" Mitchell said with an air of cynicism.
"Does it matter? You should be glad that we are getting along and that I like her instead of trying to drive her away. Just saying," Annie said.
He was going to go back at her but knew it was useless.
"So I'm supposed to just let her go back on the streets where she's vulnerable to all sorts of things?"
"Yes. Trust her Mitchell. She's a smart girl. She knows what she doing. Besides, I don't think she'd take any risks. She's kind of fond of you too," Annie said.
Mitchell looked at her face and saw that she was serious.
"Has she told you that?" he asked.
"Not in so many words but I'm pretty intuitive. I know the signs of a girl in love."
George snickered as he stirred.
"What are you laughing at?" Mitchell was annoyed now.
"Nothing," George said. "Except that it's nice to see you so…human. You like this girl and care for her. You're afraid of losing her. That's kind of nice, Mitchell. I think we should do what Annie said. Let's get her a bike."
Mitchell hesitated for a moment hoping one of his friends would admit how mad this was.
"Are you sure? Annie, did Danni say she really wanted this?"
"Yes. She's going back as soon as that cast is off."
He wasn't pleased but Mitchell knew it was the right thing to do.
"Fine. George, let's go find a bike."
"But my risotto," he argued.
"Leave it and we will get a takeaway on the way back."
Annie clapped her hands in glee, happy that her plan worked. Now to tell Danni.
Danni had started working for a local courier service a few days after her cast was removed. Mitchell and George chipped in to buy her a new racer along with enough padding and a heavy duty helmet to insure that she didn't have another mishap. The day of her medical clearance, she was lucky that she was not treated by Lucy Jaggett but just a physician's assistant. Mitchell had come with her but needed to go back to work, so he gave her a kiss and left her to find her way home, apologizing for not being able to stay with her.
"I'll be fine Mitchell. I'm a tough girl and can take care of myself."
Mitchell smiled at her before giving her a hug and one more parting kiss, this one a little more feeling than the first and observed by the infamous Dr. Jaggett. It was on her way out of the hospital that Danni ran into the infamous Dr. Jaggett.
"Danni? I just saw Mitchell leave. Why were you here with him?" the doctor asked.
Danni kept from laughing at the weak attempt to casually bring up their mutual acquaintance. She held up her now cast-less arm to explain why she was here.
"Getting my cast off. Yes, Mitchell was with me but had to go back to work. I'm sure you can find him in your rounds. Or would you like to give me a message? I can relay it to him when he gets home."
Lucy straightened up at hearing Danni speak with such familiarity about Mitchell.
"Home? What do you mean? Are you and Mitchell…?" Lucy asked.
"Living together? Yes. Well kind of. I'm sharing the house with him and his other roommate."
There was a bit of triumph in Danni's voice that might have been put on a little thick for the good physician's benefit.
"Oh, I see. Well, that was nice of him." Lucy struggled to keep it together.
"Yes. Mitchell is very…nice. Well, I really need to go. I have to rest up before I start work again," Danni said as she started to walk away.
"Maybe we'll see each other again," Lucy called after her.
"Maybe," Danni replied. Then when she was far enough away, she mumbled. "Not if I can help it."
When Danni got home, she mentioned the meeting to George and Annie both of whom got an uneasy feeling about Dr. Jaggett again. However, the focus after that was Danni's getting back to work and making a life for herself. The job took her out of the house just two days a week; the rest of the time she kept the house running so that Mitchell and George weren't living in squalor. She found that she enjoyed this simple, uncomplicated life. What was complicated were the feelings between her and Mitchell. After their first few make-out sessions, it was apparent to everyone that they were destined for something more. What Annie picked up from each of them on different occasions was confirmed by their faces. Mitchell's especially reflected everything when Danni was around and it had nothing to do with his old hunger and everything to do with love. Annie knew these two were on the brink of crossing that final threshold from friends to lovers; not because she was spying but because you'd have to really be dead not to see and feel it. What she was worried about was Mitchell's secret and how much longer he could keep it from Danni. Or rather should keep it from her. Annie thought she should help things along so while Danni was at work, she decided to confront the wayward vampire.
"You need to tell her Mitchell," Annie said bluntly as he ate a bowl of cereal.
The spoon stopped midway to his mouth, milk dripping back into the bowl. Ignoring Annie's statement, he proceeded to eat, keeping his head bowed.
"Stop pretending you don't hear me."
"I'm not pretending. I'm choosing to ignore you," Mitchell said.
"Well you know I don't like being ignored. I'm going to keep pestering you until you do the right thing," Annie said.
Mitchell got up to put his bowl in the sink giving a passing glance to Annie. No words were exchanged because he knew she was right.
"What is the right thing? Tell her the truth and risk losing her? Because I'm sure finding out the guy you've been living with is a vampire is a turn on."
Annie stared at him stunned that he knew so little of this girl he professed to have feelings for.
"Are you so sure she'd run off Mitchell? Because if you think that you're not giving her enough credit. "
"No. I'm going off prior experience."
"Mitchell if I recall the only person who you told was Josie. She didn't run."
Mitchell let her words sink in. Annie was right about Josie. He also admitted that his feelings for Danni were different than anything he felt for Josie. So why was he hesitating?"
"You have to know the girl is crazy for you," she said.
"Is she?"
Annie was surprised at his lack of confidence.
"Yes, she is."
He paused coming back to sit at the table.
"So how do you suggest I tell her? Over dinner? Please pass the salt and by the way I'm almost 200 years old and I'm a vampire. Yes, that should make for great conversation."
The tone was not appreciated by Annie so she'd throw it back at him.
"Why not?"
"You're crazy Annie," he said.
"How did you tell Josie?"
"She figured it out when I didn't kill her," he said sarcastically.
"Very funny," she replied. "Look you are dancing around each other like two cats in a cage. You need to take that leap."
"I don't know how" he confessed.
"Yes, you do. But maybe not here with distractions around. Take her someplace."
"What?"
"You heard me. Take her away. Go where you can be alone. The girl has been through a lot. And lord knows you can use a holiday as well," she suggested.
"You think a change of scenery will make it easier?" Mitchell asked.
"I do. Somewhere that you feel comfortable in and where you both can just be yourselves. She knows you're holding back something. Tell her. And if she runs, then you've saved yourself the heartache of a breakup after getting in too deep. And if she doesn't, then you're one step closer to a real relationship. Isn't that what you want? What do you say?"
Mitchell couldn't argue with her logic.
"You're right. Guess I better go make some plans."
He set off to prepare for Danni's return ready to share his truth with her. He only hoped that it wouldn't be a move he'd come to regret.