A/N: Shortest. Chapter. Yet. Ugh. Damn. The library is having a meeting in the computer room, so my time has been cut short. Enjoy what I did have time to write though.
Disclaimer: I don't own JTHM. Jhonen Vasquez does.
Squee's tight grip on the blonde held as they entered the kitchen. Johnny was sitting at the table with his arms crossed, a prominent pout on his lips; when the maniac saw the couple, his eyes narrowed dangerously.
"Do you comprehend just how discourteous it is to arrive late to a meal?"
Todd gulped - he had never really gotten over his fear of Johnny, and something in the man's voice sent shivers down his spine.
"S-sorry Johnny."
Nny waved dismissively.
"No matter. Now that you are here, we can finally eat."
Todd released Jennifer's hand and pulled out a chair for her opposite Johnny. She shook her head violently, and Squee finally snapped. He shoved her into the chair with a sudden, intense anger that had Johnny raising a brow. The boy sat down next to her, picked up his spoon, and shoveled skettios into his mouth in a vexed manner. Frightened and resentful, the doctor hesitantly, and in a constrained manner, began eating. A disquieting silence filled the room; Johnny being confused by the interactions of the other two, decided to start a conversation to ease the tension.
"So...Jennifer, what activities do you perform on a daily basis?"
Upon hearing his voice she jumped fearfully. The young doctor gave him a wary look, leery of the question. Johnny sighed, exasperated.
"Look, I understand your need to be prudent. Squeegee and I stole you away; it is only natural to be circumspective. However, I feel I must make one thing clear: neither Squeegee or I have negative intentions. Please do not be fearful or uneasy; I would like it if we could be friends. I understand if that is not possible, but we can at least be civil to one another."
Jennifer took a moment to digest that. This man was asking her to drop her guard and relax. He wanted to be friends...but was it that easy? So far he hadn't proven himself wrong - though he was a killer, he had refrained from killing her. And as for Todd...he was fairly innocent; Jennifer didn't understand his need to remain with that psychotic man, but he was a good person, she could tell. Whatever his reasons, Jennifer had to stay by him. She was his doctor, and anyway, where could she go? If she was to stay here, her interactions with her companions would have to at the very least be civil.
She opened her mouth, and voiced her response.
A/N: Suspenseful, ain't it? Muhahahaha! Review!