Hello~

I've somehow managed to squeeze in this chapter before I leave. Yay!

v1b0v413nt14- I'm so glad you continue to follow this story! Thank you for taking the time to give such detailed comments! I think the best way I could describe why Death invited her out to dinner and took the ring was because he wanted to give Lora a break from being a reaper. Also, with date night, he's used to being alone and not having to worry about those sorts of details when he goes out. You're completely right about his reservations. He is definitely conflicted right now over Lora, and it's understandable! It's the sad reality of the world they live in. Supernatural beings and mortals don't tend to mix very well in the show, usually ending in tragedy, and Death has to be painfully aware of that fact. Not to mention his ulterior motives that have yet to be revealed. I really enjoyed writing the beach scene, so I'm happy you were pleased with it! I'm so glad it didn't come across as mushy!

*As always big thank you's to everyone for the favorites, comments, and follows!*

You all keep me motivated to continue this story.

Chapter 10: Thin Ice

Learning to trust,

My hand to you.

Just as simple as that.

You're only human,

An observer at that.

And if you're wary,

Don't believe me at that.

-Cold Showers

Winter melted into spring, eventually summer came roaring in with it's unyielding heat, and then fall was upon us in the blink of an eye. I could feel myself growing anxious and desperate the longer I was cut off from everything and everyone I knew. When I wasn't reaping I chose to seclude myself in my room, which wasn't helping my downtrodden attitude. I felt like I had metamorphosed into someone I could no longer recognize.

Death and I only spoke when it was necessary, there were no more talks or nights out for dinner. Or any time spent together outside of claiming souls. We were colder toward each other than when our journey started. It made my heart ache, but I knew I needed to shield myself from him and his callous tendencies. There was nothing in my power I could do to change his mind, and if he wanted to drop me when all of this was over I needed to accept it.

Accepting the unavoidable truth has never been my forte, however.

Sometimes I would catch him looking at me in the periphery of my vision, that conflicted expression from the beach written plainly on his face, but as soon as I met his gaze it would be gone. I'm not quite sure if hope was causing me to imagine his torn demeanor, or if he truly was unsure of the words he couldn't retract. I wanted to curse myself for being so optimistic, but I couldn't help myself. The attachment I longed to sever continued to linger.

His reapers were beginning to adjust to my intrusion, but not many dared to approach me. Billie was as watchful as ever, and I would see her when I left and returned for the day, her dark eyes glued to me. Tessa took pity on me and my lonesome habits by bringing me food nightly and offering her company. Her presence was refreshing, but I could tell she was weary of me despite her friendly facade.

It was morning, and Tessa had decided to force me out of the house before Death would come to take me for the day. We were sitting outside a coffee shop in New York City, watching pedestrians plow past in their commute to the office. They were waving down taxis and rushing to the subways, desperate to make it to work on time. How trivial it all seemed. Working relentlessly until your last breath.

"You seem distracted this morning." Tessa noted, her light brown eyes bright as she took a sip of her coffee.

I shook my head. "I'm just tired, you know?"

"No, I don't, actually." She teased, trying to perk up my attitude. "I don't get tired."

"Ha-ha, very funny." I rolled my eyes, itching for the cigarettes I accidentally left at the house.

"You're extra sour today." She observed. "Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed?"

"Something like that." I muttered, swishing the coffee around in the fancy paper cup. "I just don't know what to do anymore, Tess."

"When it comes to what?" She tilted her head.

"The papers."

"Death tends to take his own sweet time, Lora. It's just how he is. Don't get discouraged. He has his reasons."

"By the time he decides to do anything about the box, I'll be going on ninety." I stated glumly, not feeling reassured by her statement. "I can handle this work, but only if I know there will be an end to it. At this point it feels like there's no light at the end of the tunnel."

"Please be patient with him." Tessa gave me a sympathetic look. "I know it's hard for someone like you to be carrying such a heavy burden, but you're more than capable. He knows that too. You've even managed to surprise Billie, and that's a feat not many can attest to."

"I'm so used to killing the bad guys." I lowered my eyes. "And now I take everyone. I'm not sure I can even call myself a hunter anymore."

"Well, you're not a reaper." She insisted, raising her brows. "You're human, and it's only natural for you to feel guilty."

"That's the thing. I'm not sure I feel guilty anymore, and it's scary." I pulled my army green jacket tightly around me.

"It'll come back, you have to trust in your humanity."

"You make it sound so easy." I laughed mirthlessly. "It's hard to picture when I'm so numb inside."

"Maybe that's the way you cope." She leaned back in her chair. "You could always teach yourself to do something else."

"Like what?"

"Don't hold it in." She explained. "Tell someone close to you about your feelings or maybe write down your experiences in a diary. You don't have control of your life right now, and you need to find a way to channel your negative energy."

"I'm cut off from the boys, remember?" I brushed my hair back, feeling irritated.

"You have other hunter friends, right?" She offered. "There's always a loophole in the contract. You're too focused on the basics."

"You're right." I couldn't believe I didn't think of this sooner. "Thanks."

"No problem." She rose her cup to me. "Cheers to finding yourself again."

"Cheers." I reciprocated the gesture, and took a big swig of the caffeinated beverage.

We chatted for about thirty minutes, watching the sun rise into the sky behind the skyscrapers, and listening to the chaotic traffic. I knew we would have to leave soon, but it was nice to be out in the open again after such a long time. The ring on my finger shone in the early light, bringing my attention to it, and I was shocked as the stone began morphing from white to black. Tessa doubled over, holding onto the table as she gasped for air, a distraught expression written on her face.

"Tessa?" I went over to her, placing my hands on her shoulders. "Is everything alright?"

She pulled herself up and took a deep breath. I was extremely confused. I had never seen anything like this happen to a reaper, and I didn't know what to do.

I glanced back down at the ring, and the stone was now completely pitch black.

"No." She stood, collecting herself, but continued holding onto the edge of the table. "We have to go."

"Now?" I was wide eyed.

Before I could get an answer her hand was on my upper arm, and we were standing on the rickety front porch of the old farmhouse. Tessa looked disheveled as she opened the door, and we made our way inside where at least fifty other reapers were waiting. Billie was among them, and she stared us down as we entered the room, a displeased look on her face. It was hard to believe she was impressed with me when she made me feel so small every time I saw her.

Many whispers circled through the room, causing a dull rumble to echo around us.

"Get your asses over here." Billie called to us, and I apprehensively complied. "Where have you been?"

"We were just getting out." Tessa replied, crossing her arms. "What's going on?"

"I don't know." Billie confessed, refusing to look at me. "But I have a bad feeling about it."

"That's what I was afraid of." Tessa sighed.

All the reapers appeared troubled, and I could feel the hairs on my arms begin to stand up. I was given a couple of sideway glances from the drably dressed soul collectors, and it wasn't a secret that I was still unwelcome. I could feel it in their vacant stares and withdrawn looks. I was an outcast.

"What's going on?" I whispered to Tessa.

"What's it look like?" Billie asked sarcastically. "A party?"

Tessa gave Billie a hard look.

"Don't mind her, Lora." Tessa brushed off Billie's attitude. "Death called an emergency meeting."

"Does this happen often?" I couldn't keep my eyes off the other reapers.

Most of them looked like zombies compared to Tessa and Billie.

"Almost never." Billie replied, deciding to be civil. "I can't remember the last time something like this happened."

"I see." I searched the room for Death, wondering when he would appear. "Then where is he?"

"Taking his own sweet time." Tessa jokingly elbowed me. "What did I tell you?"

I rolled my eyes. "Of course."

"Cut it out." Billie scolded crossly. "He'll be here soon."

Billie was right, because after she said this Death came down the spiral staircase, and everyone went silent. I could hear his cane clicking across the floor from our spot in the back, and see the top of his head over the mass of bodies. My heart unwillingly raced at the sight of him, and I was filled with the urge to run. To hug him one last time, and feel like he wanted my touch just as much as I longed for his.

We may have been on the same page at one point, but he was right, we were on two separate playing fields.

"Good morning." Death's voice carried to the back of the room as he greeted his subordinates. "I suppose you're all wondering why I brought you here."

Many nodded their heads.

"Well, I have some grave news." There was a prominent edge in his voice. "Some of you may already know this, but in the recent weeks many of your brothers and sisters have decided to go their own way."

The room exploded with activity as neighbors gossiped with each other about his announcement.

"Quiet." Death commanded, and the whole room fell back into silence.

"There have also been rumors of an impending attack by said rogues." His voice was cold and unwavering. "I have come to squash all prospects of such an event, and I need your assistance. We cannot allow such treacherous behavior in our midst, so if any of you have any reservations I ask that you show yourselves out."

No one moved.

"Good. I'm glad we have an understanding." Death commended. "We will have an official tactical plan shortly, but there are a few things I need to attend to first."

It took only seconds for the low rumble to resume, and I believed it was a sign that the strangely short meeting was over.

"Tessa and Lora, I need to see you." He suddenly called out. "Privately."

Oh shit.

"Of course it has something to do with you." Billie scoffed, glaring down on me. "What a surprise."

The crowd dispersed, and I kept close to Tessa as we reached the front of the room. Death looked more imposing than usual in his black attire, a critical expression overtaking his defined face. His dark eyes commandeering, just like they were the first time I met him back at that old rundown diner in Ohio. Chills ran down my spine to think all of this could have been avoided had I been smart.

"Hello, girls." He dipped his head to us, but kept his eyes on me. "Let's take this conversation to your room, Lora."

"So, what's going on?" Tessa asked as we shut my bedroom door.

"We have some things to discuss about Lora." Death stated slowly, gripping the handle of his cane tightly. "The reapers that went rogue left because I refused to get rid of her."

"Me?" I was dumbstruck.

Tessa and I looked at each other. I could see the unsureness in her eyes, and I wondered if she was regretting taking me under her wing. I'm sure Death felt it the most, though, and the thought of him being ashamed of me made my skin burn. I could feel the stress hives forming the more I thought about it.

"So, it's my fault." I lowered my eyes.

"Don't take the blame for their misdeeds." He insisted, looking worn and agitated. "I thought they would be more trusting, but apparently I miscalculated. They simply don't have the capacity to understand our arrangement."

"I'm the reason, whether I'm responsible for it or not." I shot back. "None of this would be happening if I had minded my own business and left well enough alone."

"Lora." Tessa made an attempt to pull me back.

"No, Tessa, it's true." Death interrupted. "If it weren't for Miss Lora things would be much different right now, but what she doesn't know is that we would all eventually be right back here. The box has to be found."

"But-" I started.

"Lora, please understand that this is difficult enough as it is. We don't need you reverting to your old self-pitying ways." He said sharply.

What did he think I was going to say?

"As I was saying." I furrowed my brow, stung by his words. "But I don't understand why you needed to tell us this privately."

"Oh," He struggled with his reply, thrown off by this, but managed to pull himself back together. "Because if there is to be a confrontation with these rogues, things could get ugly. Not to mention their resentment is aimed at both of us."

"What should we do?" Tessa seemed genuinely concerned.

"You need to take her away." He told her, a serious look on his face. "Today."

"Why?" I countered, not ready to let him of the hook. "I can handle myself. I'm a hunter, after all."

"If you think you can handle a group of reapers, you're wrong." Tessa shook her head. "They'll be determined to get back at Death for choosing you, and what better way than to take out their competition?"

"Exactly." Death approved.

"I see." I grumbled, not ready to throw in the towel, but not wanting to cause more trouble than I already had.

"I know we can't stay with Sam and Dean, but we need to make some calls to your hunter friends." Tessa put her hands on her hips. "The more help we can get, the better. There's always the possibility of an ambush."

"Alright." The thought of getting away from this place was sounding extremely appealing.

"I'll go get some things together." Tessa went to the door. "Make sure to pack as much as you can"

Death and I were left alone in the room. I felt despairingly awkward as I piled an assortment of items over my sheets and dug my bags out from under the bed. He stood quietly over me, and I wanted him to walk out. To quit making me feel like he actually had a soft spot for me. I wasn't sure whether to tell him off or try to make amends with him.

Both were tempting.

"I'm sorry for what I said." His voice was almost inaudible. "There's no excuse for being rude."

"I caused this predicament, so I guess you can say we're even." I shoved my things haphazardly into the bags.

"Make sure to be vigilant" He warned, and I could feel him moving closer to me, whether he was aware of it or not. "I know what my reapers are capable of, but they're not always predictable."

"I will." I promised nonchalantly, and continued packing.

"I mean it, Lora." Death grabbed my wrist, forcing me to face him. "You need to take this seriously. They will kill you if they get the chance."

"How convenient for you." I snapped, trying to pull away. "You'd be more than happy to have me out of your hair, I'm sure."

"Insolent girl." He growled, his eyes growing darker. "Have any of my actions up to this point displayed such a wish?"

"Plenty of them." I assured as all my subdued anger began boiling over. "You haven't noticed a change between us? Because I have, and I'm starting to wonder if you were even being honest when you said you cared for me."

"This is the way things should have been from the beginning." He pointed out, and I could feel his fingers tighten their hold. "My intentions are for your benefit. You associating with me is like God siding with Lucifer."

"Why does everything have to be so complicated?" My voice rose in frustration. "What's wrong with the two of us being close?"

"I told you, Lora." Death ground out. "The way I feel about you. It's not natural."

"And how do you feel?" I asked, my eyes growing wide.

"I don't know." He let go of me, and took a step back. "I can't describe it yet, but I know nothing good can come from it."

Our confrontation was interrupted as Tessa returned, a backpack slung over her shoulder.

Her eyes went wide as she noticed our defensive stances.

"Did I interrupt something?" She tested the waters.

"No." I gathered up my stuff. "We were just saying goodbye."

Tessa knew something was up, but she let it go. "Alright, let's hit the road."

I walked over to her, and as she was about to grab my arm, I gave Death one last look. He was brooding, but his eyes softened slightly as we made eye contact. I gave him a wave of farewell, and he returned it with a curt nod. Oh sweet formalities.

So much for reconciliation.