A/N: Ok, so yes, I know it's been almost two weeks since my last update which totally throws off the momentum I had going with this story. And it's tragic because I can't even use the excuse of the holidays because yes, they were busy, but truth be told I just kinda hit a wall with the next part. Regardless, we are definitely in the home stretch with only 3 or 4 parts left. I actually hope to finish this one out by the end of January but we'll see how it goes. Here's a brief part while I get my act together. Hope you all enjoy . . .
Interlude VI: Service and Repair
It had been another long day and Liz Parker once again found herself exhausted. Emotional rollercoaster had somehow become the norm and she found she couldn't remember a time when that wasn't true. She exhaled as she sank deeper into the sofa. She was just gonna close her eyes for a minute, then she'd get up.
"Hey Liz" Michael said as he flopped down next to her on the breakroom's sofa with a plate full of food.
She squinted one eye open suspiciously and returned a cautious "Michael."
He glanced at her before popping a fry in his mouth. "What?"
She sighed and opened both eyes. She was awake now. "Ok, I'll bite. Why are you eating in the breakroom instead of at the counter like you usually do? People are trying to sleep in here, you know?"
"Riiiight. It's packed out there and when said 'people' decide to sleep in the busiest location on the block they forfeit the right to complain about interruptions."
Liz sighed again as she sat up and swiped the pickle from his plate. "Uh huh. You know if the whole Crashdown Cook thing doesn't work out, you should try your hand at Law. I'm thinking you'd be good at it." Truth be told, the stairs had seemed like a lot of work when there was a sofa right here, not that she'd tell Michael that.
Michael grunted as he picked up half of the burger he'd "conveniently" cut in half and took a bite. After crunching the last of her stolen pickle, Liz settled back into the sofa and closed her eyes.
Michael's voice came again, interrupting before she could doze. "Hey."
Liz sighed and opened her eyes again.
"You alright?" he asked and concerned eyes met hers. Her expression softened.
"I'm doing ok Michael." He stared pointedly, munching on a fry and she backtracked. "I'm doing as ok as a person in this situation can."
"You wanna talk about it?"
"Not really, no."
Michael nodded then grunted "Good."
Liz's mouth fell open and she sat up quickly, smacking him in the shoulder harshly. Michael grinned as he continued eating, melted cheese and grilled onions practically dripping from his burger. "I was just kidding Liz, you know that." She settled back in her seat and Michael asked "How are the headaches? Have you been sleeping ok?"
Liz waved her hand vaguely. "I really am ok Michael. None of this is easy. Not sometimes seeing what's to come, not knowing how terribly it could have all turned out and not having this power of Tess's that I can't control that causes brain damage if a person gets it used on them too much. But Max helps with the nightmares and making sure no one's brain gets fried and all of you help with everything else. A girl couldn't have a better support system if she tried."
Michael smiled. "So, good talk?"
Liz smiled back. "Good talk."
Maria came bursting into the breakroom with a bin full of dishes and glared at both of them. "Really? You're both gonna just sit there relaxing while there's a packed Crashdown out there?"
Michael responded as she headed into the kitchen with the bin. "Jose's handling things on the grill and I'm on lunch break."
"And I've been off since 4." Liz tossed in, grabbing some fries from Michael's plate. "Agnes traded with me this morning, remember?" she said when Maria passed back through with a now-empty bin.
Maria glowered and pointed a rag at Liz even as the bell over the front door rang out, announcing new patrons. "You said you were gonna get some rest with that time."
"And I would be if some people weren't interrupting" Liz said, tossing a pointed look at Michael even as she stole the other half of his burger from his plate.
"Hey!" Michael protested, even as he finished off the fries on the plate and passed it to Liz to catch any crumbs.
"Blah, blah, blah is all I'm hearing from both of you" Maria muttered, passing Liz a cherry coke and then heading back out into the bustling Crashdown.
"Well, back to work!" Michael said, standing and brushing crumbs off his clothes as he headed back into the kitchen.
Liz sipped her soda and looked down at the now empty plate she was holding. How'd that happen?
~Fade~
