Warehouse 13
High School AU
Eventual Bering and Wells

Shorter, filler chapter for you guys. I don't know my internet status after today and I'm starting an internship today, so I'll be working full time and won't have as much time to write.
Shoutout to Massivenerdywarehouse on tumblr for betaing

Chapter Eleven

Leena's car crept down the street. Claudia sat stiff in the passenger's seat. She absently picked at a loose thread on the seam of her jeans. They had ridden in awkward silence since leaving Pete's a few minutes ago.

"Are you going to tell me which house you actually live in?" Leena asked her.

Claudia shrugged. Leena sighed and pulled to the curb. They were about halfway down the street.

"Alright, I can accept that you don't want me to know, but at least stop pretending to live in a house you don't."

"I'll just get out here," Claudia mumbled. She undid her buckle then opened her door. Leena reached over and rested a hand on her arm. Claudia froze.

Leena just watched her for a moment then seemed to deflate slightly, as if accepting something. "I'll see you on Monday," she said.

Claudia turned to her and gave a jerky nod. "Yeah."

She slid out of the car and swung her bag onto her shoulder. She waited on the curb until Leena drove off, then turned and started to walk down the street.

She walked with her hands in her pockets and her head down. She wished she could get a way home that didn't involve sitting in a car with Leena. At least she could avoid conversation.

She blinked and found herself on the ground, a slow ache working its way through her side and the corner of a book pressing into her back.

"I am so sorry," a hurried voice said. Hands wrapped around her arms. She flinched away from them, scrambling further into the street. "Woah, I said I'm sorry."

She looked up to see a boy her age standing over her. His hair was spiked up and his square glasses were crooked.

"Its fine," she said, pushing herself up.

"Are you hurt?" he asked as he brushed dust off of her jacket.

She swatted at his hands and stumbled away from him. Keeping her head down, she rushed away from him.

"I'm sorry!" he called after her.

-oOo-

Myka avidly ignored Pete walking next to her. She knew he was going to want to talk but hadn't been able to come up with a reason to turn him down when he had offered to walk her home.

They stuck to the more secluded paths as they walked through the park. Still, the sounds of kids playing leapt through the air and the near-noon sun hung high in the sky.

Myka kicked at a leaf on the path. It fluttered slightly but didn't move. She glared at it.

"It's just a leaf, Mykes," Pete said.

She turned her glare to him. He raised his hands and leaned away from her.

"Hey, I did nothing to you."

She deflated slightly, her gaze dropping to the path. "Sorry."

He bumped into her with his shoulder. She looked at him through the sides of her eyes as a smile pulled at her mouth.

"C'mon," he pushed. "Smile, you still have at least fifteen minutes until you're home."

She snorted and shook her head. "Not now, Pete."

"Then when?" he asked. "I'm not going to let you ignore this forever."

"There's nothing to ignore."

He swung around her, stopping her on the path. "Myka."

She groaned. "What do you want from me, Pete?"

"To accept that that place isn't good for you."

"That place is my home."

"It doesn't sound like much of a home to me."

"But it's mine."

"It doesn't have to be."

"Where am I supposed to go?"

"You could live with me."

Myka gave a sad smile. "I can't."

"Why not?"

She looked over at the trees and rubbed the back of her neck as she shook her head.

"I just can't." She pressed a hand on his chest. "Thank you, for looking out for me, but there's only so much you can do."

She dropped her hand and stepped around him. He turned with her.

"I can go the rest of the way myself," she told him.

"At least let me go with you to the end of the park. My mom will notice if I come home too early."

Myka sighed and tensed for a moment. She couldn't argue with Pete's logic. "Fine."

"So, Ohhhh-kla-homa, what are your plans for the rest of the week?" he said as they started walking away.

"Oklahoma?"

"You still haven't told me your middle name."

She rolled her eyes. "Well, that's not it. All I have planned is work."

"You gotta get out more."

She narrowed her eyes at him. "What are you doing this week?"

"There's a party on Friday, at Justin's place. I could probably get you in, Obama."

She tilted her head and narrowed her eyes at him but didn't say anything.

"What?"

"Can you really see me going to a party?"

He grimaced. "Guess not. But, hey, hey, hey, we can hang out on Saturday."

They slowed as they reached the end of the park. Myka looked down the street for a moment then nodded.

"Alright. I have the morning shift Saturday, so meet here around two?"

"Sounds good, Odonna."

She laughed and shook her head. "That's not it."

"Olympia…Oprah…Odina…"

"Ophelia." She raised her hand to her forehead. "It's Ophelia. From Hamlet."

"Ophelia," he said. "I like it."

"You already have a joke about it."

"About ten, actually."

She chuckled. "Save them for later?"

"When you least expect it but most need it."

She grinned and nodded. "I'll see you Saturday."

"'Till then, my fair Ophelia."

She shook her head and crossed the street, a car honking at her as she went.

-oOo-

"What do you think of them, as a group?"

Jane jumped at the voice. She glared across her kitchen at the woman standing on the other side of the island. She had just sent Pete and Myka off and had not expected anyone.

"There are laws against breaking into someone's house, you know."

Mrs. Fredric smiled. Her hands were folded on a few files that lay on the table. "What do you think?"

Jane rolled her eyes. "They are a good team."

"But?"

"They're kids, Irene."

"Everyone who goes through the program is a child."

Jane sighed. She closed her eyes as she listened to what her gut was saying. "They aren't as close as they could be. Pete and Myka are getting incredibly close but Leena and Claudia are more on the sideline right now."

"On the sideline together, though. That is an important aspect."

Jane raised an eyebrow but didn't comment. Mrs. Fredric clearly knew something she hadn't noticed.

"Would they accept more into the group?"

"More? Four is already one of the largest groups in training right now."

"We have found a possible partner for Claudia and there may be another student transferring from overseas."

Mrs. Fredric slid the files across the island. Jane stepped over and took them.

"I want to know if you think they would be a good fit."

Jane nodded as she opened the top file. Dark eyes looked up at her from the photo paper clipped to the first page. She looked up again only to find Mrs. Fredric gone.

-oOo-

Claudia absently swung back and forth as she focused on the book in her hands. The soles of her shoes dug ruts in the woodchips beneath the swing. The park was deserted. She figured the kids who, once upon a time, would have played there were probably all inside playing wii or something. She preferred it that way, though. She could use the swing without any interruptions.

"Hey?"

Or not.

She looked up. The boy who had run into her the other day was standing a few feet from her. He was shifting back and forth on his feet. His hands were stuffed into his pockets and his shoulders were pushed forwards slightly.

"You're Claudia, right?" he asked.

She nodded.

"I'm Todd. I, uhh, kinda ran into you the other day." He rubbed the back of his neck and gave her a sheepish look.

"I remember."

"It was an accident, I swear," he said. "And I'm really sorry."

"It's fine, dude," she told him. "No damage done."

He nodded but didn't look convinced. "Let me buy you lunch at least, as an apology."

"Are you asking me out?"

His face blanched and his eyes grew wide. He sputtered for an answer.

She watched him struggle, her mind working. He was decent looking, even with the acne all over his face, and she was sure they had to have some common interests.

Even better, he was a guy and not Leena. She could be normal with him.

"Lunch would be great," she cut him off.

-oOo-

Pete was leaning against a tree when Myka walked up that Saturday. His head was down and he was wearing sunglasses despite the clouds.

She called out to him. He flinched.

"Don't talk so loud," he told her.

She regarded him then sighed. "You're hung over."

"That's what happens after parties," he mumbled.

"You didn't have to drink."

"Ehhh."

Myka rubbed the back of her neck. "C'mon, let's get you some water."

"I don't want water."

"It'll help you feel better." She grabbed his arm and pulled him off of the tree.

"Myyyyka."

"Do you feel like crap?"

"Yes." The word came out in a childish whimper.

"Then you need water and food."

He groaned but let her pull him out of the park.

"Where are you taking me?"

"Ted's."

"Whhhhhhy? I just wanna sleep."

"You can sleep after eating."

He harrumphed but didn't protest.

She shook her head and led him down the street. They walked in silence until they reached Ted's, a small diner down Oak Street.

"I don't have money," Pete mumbled after the hostess left them at their booth.

"I'll cover you," Myka told him.

"Hello," their waitress said, cutting off Pete's reply. "I'm Theadora and I'll be serving you today. Can I start you off with some drinks?"

"Two waters, please?" Myka told her.

"Of course. Do you still need time to decide what you want to eat?"

"Yes, please."

"Alright, I'll be right back with your waters."

"Thank you." She looked at the menu. "You should probably get the eggs and bacon," she told Pete. "Maybe a fruit cup as well."

Pete grunted and laid his head on the table.

"How much did you drink?" she absently asked. She pulled her lip between her teeth as she read the food descriptions.

He shrugged. "A lot?"

"I already figured that much out."

He lifted his head to glare at her then dropped it again. "Owwww," he moaned as his head thudded against the table. "'M never drinking again."

"If you say so."

"Here you are," Theadora said as she set two glasses of water down. "Are you ready to order?"

"Pancakes and bacon and eggs," Pete mumbled.

"How do you want your eggs?"

"Scrambled."

The waitress nodded and wrote it down. She turned to Myka.

"Grilled cheese and tomato soup, please, and a fruit cup on the side."

Theadora smiled. "Alright then, it will be right out."

"Thank you," Myka said as she handed Theadora the menus.

Pete sat up once the waitress was gone. He slumped against the wall. "What've you been up to?"

"Working."

"That's so boooring."

"I like working in the shop."

"Really?"

"Yes. I like books, Pete. I like working with them."

"You're weird."

"I know."

He slid further down in his seat.

Myka grabbed the drink and dessert menu propped between the ketchup and syrup.

"Their apple pie is amazing," Pete mumbled.

Myka nodded. "Good to know."

"So is their chocolate pie and their peach pie and all of their pies, really."

Myka chuckled. "Is this your way of asking me to buy you pie?"

"Please?"

"Fine."

"I'll pay you back, promise."

"You don't have to."

"But I will."

"If you insist."

"I do."

-oOo-

"Your head feeling better?" Myka asked as they left the diner.

"A little," Pete replied. He lifted his carryout box to eye level and opened it slightly. "This pie looks sooo good."

"Good."

"We can go to my house and get my money to pay you back."

"Don't worry about it."

"I told you I'll pay you back. You spent, like, fifteen dollars on me. Got me two pieces of pie and everything."

"Just think of it as thanks for the other night."

He stopped walking. "What? No. I didn't do that to get free food. I did it cause I care about you."

She stopped and turned to him. Her head was down and her arms were wrapped around her torso. "I know," she said. "I just…"

"Yeah. Like I told you, I'm here for you."

She nodded and looked away from him. "So, what are you doing the rest of the day?"

"I dunno. What time do you have to be home?"

"I really should head back now, actually."

"What, why?"

She shrugged. He sighed and nodded.

"Well, then, Ophelia." He raised his arm out for her.

She raised an eyebrow. "You're funny," she deadpanned.

"I do try."

She laughed. "C'mon, Lattimer."

They started to walk down the street.

"So," Pete drawled. "My mom is gunna open the pool in a few weeks. We usually have a small party with some family friends. You can come if you want."

"To your pool party?"

"Yeah, it'll be fun."

"I'm not sure."

"Oh, come on. You're really gunna deny me the chance to see that body in a bathing suit?"

She punched his arm. "Keep with those comments and I will definitely not be coming."

He grinned at her. "You wanna come."

"No I don't."

"Yes you do."

She groaned. "I'll ask, but that's all I can promise."

He slung his arm over her shoulder. "Told ya you want to come."

She ducked away from him and tried to glare at him. The smile tugging at the corner of her mouth, however, ruined the effect.