To Meet Again:

Part 11

Tom

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Knote: Something someone brought up made me think of something. If Taka and Miaka are flying from JAPAN, why are they going through Chicago? ^^; I'm not going to change it, I'll just think of something to explain it. This note is just so you know I realized the error. ^^:

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        The machine on the wall buzzed and began to print out an order on register tape. It kept on printing. Jason sighed, wrapped up the Deluxe Chili Cheese Burger and slid it into the window. They had been insanely busy since he'd got in, probably due to the Olympic traffic coming to Aspen. Finally the machine stopped printing. Jason ripped it off and stuck it above the heat table. Twelve Roast Beef Chili combos and a Chili Dog with no mayo. He started the roast beef slicer and began to toast the buns. He wiped the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand. It was always so hot back here…even in sixteen degree weather. He hated this job. He hated every aspect of this job. But it was the only job that the small town of Feto offered.

            He'd only moved here because Duncan was going to college nearby and had requested it. Jason was only too happy to be near his friend. Unfortunately now he had the memories of both Danielle and Cassandra to contend with. He wouldn't move again though…he couldn't. He'd promised Duncan he'd stay put until after the boy graduated. But as long as he continued to be a 'hermit' as Duncan was so fond of putting it, he would be fine. Nothing could hurt him if he was alone.

            The timer buzzed. Jason whipped the bread out of the toaster and started to make the sandwiches, fingers flying on instinct alone. The machine had started up again. He finished the final burger, slapped the hot dog together and turned toward the machine again. Rodney, the manager, was standing at the machine reading the order.

            "You can go on lunch break Jason. I'll take over," he said, looking at him with his good eye.

            "Thank you." He started to go to the break room but the manager's voice stopped him.

            "Are you planning to take your week's vacation soon?"

            "No," Jason said with a sigh. He wanted too. He would love to get away from this place for a week. But with the Olympics coming up it was impossible. The restaurant needed everyone they could get their hands on. The manager smiled, it's kindness seemed strange from a man who wore an eye patch and was referred to as 'Captain Hook' behind his back.

            "You've been with us for…what five years? Go to the Olympics…and take someone special with you."

            "Are you sure you don't need the help?"

            "We do. But we'll manage." His expression became stern. "Now take your lunch break and be back in thirty minutes. I'm watching the clock."

            Jason hurried to the small, cramped break room, slipped on his sweatshirt and put on his scarf. He would have to stop by the diner when he'd built up the courage and see if they still had his coat. It wouldn't be any time soon though. Bad memories lingered in places like those. He made a small cheeseburger for himself, blessedly without chili, snagged a small coffee and went outside into the cold, sharp air. He sat on the curb with his lunch, staring up into the blue sky. The wind was slight but still managed to numb his hands and creep through his sweatshirt. He didn't mind. He'd take the cold over that stifling heat any day.  

            He let his gaze drop to the mountains in the distance, tall and bleak, covered completely with snow. Suddenly he could picture his manager up there on one of those mountains. He could see Rodney standing in a dark cave, an icy look in his eye, green light shimmering around his figure. And a girl…trapped in a crystal of ice…

            "Miaka…" Jason found himself whispering. The name. There was something so familiar about it. The memory was like a moth, fluttering gently on the edges of his mind. Miaka… What did that name remind him of? Miaka… Miaka…

            "Meow." Jason jumped, the memory faded away like a wisp of smoke. He closed his eyes and shook his head. That had been very strange. He looked around for the source of the disturbance and saw a cat sitting beside him. The cat was a smoky gray with a triangular patch of white fur on his chest, white paws and a splash of white at the very tip of his tail.

            "Mrrow," the cat said again, and began bumping his head against Jason's arm. Jason smiled and scratched the cat's ears.

            "You sure are friendly aren't you? Would you like something to eat?" A rusty purr rumbled up the cat's throat. He fed the cat some of his burger. This rewarded him with an even louder purr and more affection. It was almost like meeting an old friend.

            "You don't have a collar. Who do you belong too little one?"

            "Rrrow," the cat announced, jumping up onto Jason's shoulder and curling against his neck. Jason leaned his head a little to rest against the cat's soft fur. It had been so long since he'd had a pet of any kind. But he couldn't have a pet. He couldn't afford one. It was nice though. He liked the weight of the animal on his shoulder and the vibration of the cat's purr tickled his neck. He let the cat sit there awhile as he savored his coffee and watched little gray clouds scud across the surface of the sky. It would snow later on… He hoped Tom had a safe place to sleep.

            His watch beeped, telling him it was eleven-thirty. Time to get back to work. He set Tom down, gave him a final stroke and went back into work. By twelve he'd forgotten all about his little encounter. The lunch crowd hit them like a tidal wave and it was all he could do to get the orders done as fast as possible. Six O'clock arrived like a shot and Jason was relieved when it came. Gratefully, he clocked out, thanked his manager again for the vacation and left the restaurant.

            The cat was sitting on the sidewalk where he'd left him, staring at Jason with intense golden eyes. 'What to you so long?' those eyes seemed to ask. The tall man knelt and scratched the feline under the chin.

            "Be good," he said, then stood and began to walk away. Tom followed him, tail erect and slightly crooked at the end like a question mark. 'Are we going home now?' he seemed to say.

            "You can't follow me. I can't take you in. Now scat! Shoo!" Jason said, flapping his hands. Tom gave him a bored look and walked ahead of him like he all ready knew the way. Sighing, Jason picked up the cat to eyelevel and looked at him.

            "You can't stay with me. I'm sorry but you can't."  Tom smiled and licked Jason's nose. Impossible feline. Jason set the cat down and gave him a gentle boot in the opposite direction. Tom snorted and walked up to his side again, rubbing at his legs. Fine then. He'd just have to outrun the thing. Jason resumed walking, using long strides. The cat kept up with a startling ease. Jason walked faster and still the cat bounded along side of him, a smile pasted all over his whiskers. Jason broke into an all out run. He tore down two blocks and hurtled down the steps that led to his apartment, nearly tripping over the lawn chair on his porch. He fumbled for the keys, unlocked the door, dunked in and slammed it shut.

            "Ha!" he said at the closed door. He strutted to the couch, feeling inordinately pleased with himself.  Once there however, he fully realized the impression he'd made to anyone who'd seen him. A six foot six man, in his thirties, running like a lunatic from a little cat.  Jason buried his face in his hands. That had been a really stupid thing to do.

            Suddenly the doorbell chimed. Jason stood and slowly made his way over to it, hoping he wasn't blushing too noticeably. He paused with a hand on the knob. Did he really want to know? Did he really honestly want to know? Get over it Jason. What's the worst it could be? The worst it could be was Cassandra…laughing at him and calling him a total idiot. He was such a loser. The doorbell rang again. Bracing himself, Jason opened it and saw… no one. The porch was completely empty. What the-? No one could have run that fast and there was no possible place for anyone to hide. How weird.

            Jason closed the door, turned and jumped a mile. There was Tom, sitting on the arm of the couch and staring at him. Golden eyes saying a very loud, very satisfied 'Ha!' Jason's gaze flicked from the door to the cat and back again. No… It couldn't be…

            "Did…did you…?" he started. Tom responded by licking his paw and washing his face with it. No…of course not…it was a cat. There was no way a cat could… But how the hell did it know where he lived? Jason shook his head. It was just his imagination. It had to be. Either way he was starting to lose it. Maybe he needed that vacation more then he realized.

            He went over and picked Tom up again, holding the cat to his chest and running his fingers through the silky fur.

            "You own me now huh?" he asked. Tom began to purr again. Jason smiled. Well…maybe he could have a cat. It was better then staying all by himself. It would be nice to have a companion who couldn't talk, couldn't admonish him for not taking care of himself and staying inside all the time and most of all, couldn't get him into trouble.

            "How about this, let me change and take a shower, then I'll go out and get you all the things your little feline heart desires."

            "Mee-ow!" Tom said, and made a peace sign with his paw. Jason blinked and shook his head. No. Tom did not make a peace sign with his paw. One thing was for certain. He really needed a vacation.