The next morning, I woke up to the strangest smell. Normally, it smelled like breakfast on Christmas morning. Like cinnamon and vanilla and warmth. This was stronger. Like chemicals. Or this salon my mom used to go to all the time when I was younger. When I sat up in bed, I noticed my feet were sticking out from my blankets. My toes were painted a light shade of pink.

When the hell was the last time my toenails were painted pink? I was probably six. I don't even remember painting my toes in the last three months, let alone light pink. But then, it hit me. Oliver. It had to be. The paint still smelled fresh. But I told him last night that people touching my feet made me uncomfortable. If that's the case, did he do them while I was asleep? Weird.

I shook off my discomfort and got out of bed. The further I distanced myself from my room, the more I could smell Christmas morning again. This was much better. However, my morning only got stranger. Oliver wasn't in the kitchen. He wasn't washing the dishes or plating my cinnamon roll. He wasn't taking shit out of the oven. Where in the fuck did Oliver go?

I took a look around the kitchen and Oliver was nowhere to be found. Huh. Maybe he's still in bed. No way. Oliver always gets up before I do. Still, I ran back upstairs and peeked my head in his door. Ghost town. I'm starting to worry. Something didn't feel right. I went back into the kitchen and sat at the counter. Where in the hell did Oliver run off to?

"Good morning, Amelia!" Speak of the devil, Oliver came out from the laundry room around the corner, "I'm sorry. One of my aprons got some blackberry jam on it."

"Good morning," I watched my cinnamon roll slide across the counter. It was just some blackberry jam. I'm letting Francois get in my head. People are capable of change, including Oliver. He's just letting me crash here until I can afford a new apartment. Even though it'd be nice to stay forever…But I'm also a big girl. I can live on my own, too.

"Everything alright, love?" Oliver looked me over, "You seem troubled. Is there something on your mind?"

"No," I shook off someone else's paranoia, "I'm good. No trouble at all."

"That's good to hear," he poured himself a cup of tea, "So, Amelia, do you have class tonight?"

I thought about it for a moment or two. Given what Francois told me last night and how Allen bursts into a cold sweat every time Oliver comes up in conversation, I wasn't sure what to do. I liked being around Oliver. He and I have never had a problem (aside from my Rage t-shirt) since I moved in. He's been a hell of a friend through the Reid bullshit. People are capable of change. And Oliver is no exception to that.

"Yeah," I sang out, "I think so. Why?"

"Curious," Oliver pulled up a chair across the counter from me, "I was thinking you and I could do something tonight."

"Well," I got up, "I have to go to work. I'll be home later."

"Alright, darling," he let me go, "Have a good day at work!"

"Will do." Yeah. He's alright.

I needed to get to the office. Anything to get Francois out of my head. I didn't see any red flags this morning. Aside from seeing my pink toes this morning and him not being in the kitchen when I came down. No, Amy. You're getting Francois in your head again. Don't take on his paranoia. I'm sure a good eight hour shift of slinging drinks will help take my mind off things. And the walk there helped clear my head, too.

However, when I turned the corner, a city utility vehicle sat in front of the café. I wouldn't have been worried normally. A few city workers came in a couple times a week. No problem. The fact that Helen stood outside with her face in her hands was what made me sweat. With a nervous pit in my stomach, I slowly approached my emotionally distraught boss.

"Helen?" I wondered, gently putting a hand on her shoulder, "Is everything ok? What's going on?"

"Hi, sweetie," Helen wiped the tears out of her eyes, "I'm sorry I didn't get the chance to call you. You don't need to come in today. Or tomorrow. Or the day after that…"

"What happened?" I worried, the knot in my stomach only getting worse.

"The health department found a giant rats' nest in our kitchen," her voice broke, "and mold in the ceiling tiles. They shut us down, Amy. They're suggesting we all get tested, but it's not necessary."

"They're closing the café?" I gasped, "I'm sure there's something we can do. Can't we just call the…?"

"Amy…" Helen handed me the order, "It's done. I'll get you your last paycheck as soon as I can."

Shit…I'm…I'm out of a job? Great. I need the money now more than ever, but rats and mold have fucked me over today. Fantastic. That's all I need. A part of me wanted to go back to see Francois just to score some of his wine. A drink would hit the spot right now. Isn't that what people do after they find out they lost their job? Hole up in the nearest bar, drink their last paycheck, and hold their head in their hands, wondering what the fuck they're going to do now? No. I won't be that cliché.

"Amy!" a familiar voice felt like a hug to my soul.

"Hey, Allen," I leaned up against the building next door.

"Why the long face?" Allen took the spot next to me, "You seem down."

"I just lost my job," I told him, "It sucks."

"I'm sorry," he put an arm around me, "That does suck."

"Thank you," I reveled in his comforting embrace. This was needed. This was sorely needed. Ever since Helen told me, I've been holding tears back like crazy.

"I mean," Allen thought, "Who am I going to scam for free coffee now?"

"Thanks, asshole," I gave him a heavy-handed swat to the chest, "I mean, I just lost my job, but sure. Let's focus on you scamming lattes out of me."

"I'm just giving you shit," he apologized, "I didn't think it'd set you off so bad. Just trying to make light of a bad situation."

"I appreciate the distraction," I let it go, "But it's been a fucking day already. I'm a little on edge."

"I see that," Allen took my hand, "Come on. Let's take a walk."

"Ok." I didn't need to be alone right now. After the shitshow my day has been, a little time with Allen could do my soul some good.

"So," we began our leisurely stroll away from the café, "Does this mean you're free for the rest of the day?"

"That is the dumbest question you've ever asked me," I rolled my eyes.

"Again," Allen bit his lip, playing with the studs hanging out of it, "Best of a bad situation. What can I say? Mostly pure of heart."

"And the rest of you is dumb of ass," I teased him.

"I try my best," he took a well-deserved, yet horribly sarcastic bow, "Seriously, though, Amy…Are you going to be ok?"

"Yeah," I brushed him off, "I should be alright. I'll find a new job soon enough. I'll live."

"You know…" Allen spoke softly, "If worst comes to worst and you come to your senses about Oliver, I know somewhere you could crash for a while. At least until you get back on your feet."

"What?" I let out a soft gasp, "No, Allen, I couldn't ask you to do that. I appreciate the offer. That's really sweet, but I'm not going to put you through my problems. Besides, I feel like Francois would have a problem with that."

"No," he clarified, "Although, I doubt Francois would even know you're there."

"Ouch," I winced, "Hurtful, but likely accurate."

"I was talking about Alfred," Allen explained, "He has a spare bedroom at his apartment. He won't breathe over your bed while you're trying to sleep."

"That's…" I cringed. I haven't even met the guy. I sure as hell hope he wouldn't be breathing over my bed, "A good thing…"

"Alfred's a good dude," he promised, "He really is. If he gets close enough to sniff you, just let him smell your hand. Then, you can pet him."

"Allen…" I stared blankly, "What…the fuck?"

"Screwing with you," Allen and I stopped in front of his brother's car, "Seriously, if you need anything, let me know. Actually, if you want, you could meet Alfred today. Unless you got other shit going on."

"After class," I decided, "Study group?"

"Study group," he smiled a little, "I'm down if you are. And I'll make sure Alfred behaves himself."

"Well," I rocked back on my heels, "I should be going. Even though I got fired today, I still have shit to do."

"Before you go, though," Allen reached into his front seat and grabbed a brown gift bag, "I got you a little present."

"You didn't have to do that," I accepted it anyway. It's sweet that he was thinking about me.

"Trust me," a little smirk stretched across his face, "You're going to want to keep this."

Whatever it was, Allen's present was nice and soft. I pulled a black and white baseball t-shirt out of the bag. When I unfolded it, a picture of a boy in a cape was plastered on it. Along with a familiar name. Immediately, my heart stopped, "Allen…"

"Look," Allen defended himself, "I know it's from Evil Empire, but it is vintage. I figured it could…"

I didn't even think twice. I threw myself into his chest, hugging him tight, "Thank you. Really, you didn't have to do this. But I'm glad you did."

"You're welcome," he awkwardly patted my back, "Ok…You can let go any time, Amy…"

"This day started like absolute shit," I held back the little sob in my throat, "I needed this today."

"Go on," Allen peeled me off him, "Like you said, you got shit to do."

"Ok," I pulled myself together, "Thank you. I'll see you tonight."

"That's the plan," he vaulted over the door and drove off. I like him. He's alright. I wonder how much Alfred is like Allen. By the way he talks, they're practically night and day. But I couldn't wait to meet him.

In the meantime, I needed to find a new job. I can take a day off, though, can't I? I mean, it's not like I have to worry about being fired. But did I really have anything else to do today? No. Not that I could think of. I could spend the day just screwing around, but honestly, what good would that do? I could go see if Reid was home and see how he was doing, but that would just open old wounds I didn't need to pour margarita salt into. I guess I could just go home. That sounded like a hell of a plan, too. After the day I've already had, I could stand to crawl back into bed and wallow for a few hours before class started.

When I walked up the front porch steps, I kind of wanted to sit on the swing for a while. Oliver's front flowerbeds were something to be admired. All of the bright, beautiful colors coming together to add some cheer to the neighborhood. It wouldn't surprise me if he's won awards for them. At least I hope so. The front flowerbeds were mainly roses. Although, a couple big oak trees stood proudly, shading all of the other smaller plants below. I bet the view from up there isn't too bad. But then, a cool gust of wind snapped against my skin. Admiration over. I needed to go inside.

I took a quick look around the living room, then around the kitchen, then the den, then back to the front stairs. Huh…It's strange. No Oliver? Maybe he's not home. Oh, well. The solitude would be nice, too. I did have a nice conversation with Allen and I'd see him later. If Oliver's not home, it won't be a total loss. Although, I do like seeing my roommate, too. I ran up the stairs and started walking toward the guest room. That bed called my name with a hint of seduction in its voice. Come to me, Amy. Come lay down for a while and forget your woes and worries. Let them all drift away as you drift to sleep…It's alright…What the fuck is going on in my head?

"Amelia?" Oliver came out of his bedroom, "You're home early. Is everything alright?"

"Things have been better," I vented, "The café got shut down and I lost my job today."

"Oh, goodness," he clutched his chest, "I'm so sorry to hear that, darling. What happened?"

"Health department found mold and rats," I told him, "It was too much to keep the place running, so they gave the order this morning before I got in."

"So," Oliver thought for a moment, "Does that mean you're home for the rest of the day then?"

"Until class tonight," I corrected him, "Yeah."

"Hold on," he caught a glimpse of the bag in my hand, "What's that?"

Think on your feet, Amy. Allen wants me to keep him out of anything Oliver related. And I'll be damned if I go back on that promise, "It's a t-shirt. I walked by a thrift store on the way home and found one to replace the one you threw out. Same band and everything. I'd say it was a lucky find."

"That's nice." I don't think I'll ever get Oliver to come around on my appreciation for vintage clothing. But I can let that slide, "Well, if you're going to be home until you go to class, maybe we could spend the day together. I mean…We haven't really spent much time together since we went shopping last. You've either been tied up at work or at school. How about it?"

"Well…" I gave it a thought. Dare I? I mean…He did have a point, "Sure. Why not?"

"Yay!" Oliver's face lit up.

I mean…I really didn't have anything better to do. Besides, going shopping with Oliver has always been fun. What the hell? Why not?