Zoran was angry. He'd been angry for the last week. He'd known there was something there the first time he'd felt that presence. It was Jacob and Khaled's fault he'd felt it at all. Everything had been fine. He'd been normal enough. Now, he was blacking out, throwing up. And, it led back to those two men. The two men he'd found himself inexplicably drawn to and terrified of at the same time. The two that meant something to him. The two that meant something to whatever it was inside his head.
After he'd regained some semblance of composure after his episode, he'd rudely pushed Ami out the door. Figuratively of course. He wasn't going to get that close to her again. Whatever had happened to him had definitely happened because he had touched her. That made it all the worse. Ami intrigued him. She was a puzzle, reserved and quiet. He could see the intelligence simmering in her half answers and small smiles. He hadn't finished school, but he'd never stopped reading and learning as much as he could. Now, he wanted to learn both from her and about her. He found himself torn between wanting nothing to do with her and wanting everything to do with her.
He also knew that presence in his head wanted more to do with her as well. That scared him even more. It had been so pleased to see her, and the intensity of the emotions had shocked Zoran. He barely knew Ami, there was no reason that any part of his psyche should be so enthralled with her. That momentary longing he'd felt when he'd seen her outside of his apartment was telling enough. He was aware enough to know it hadn't all been from it.
He was also aware enough to realize that whatever had happened to him involved that part of himself. There was something there, just as she'd pulled back form his touch, that he had wanted to hold onto. He had felt it, the desperation. The desperation for him to remember and the desperation of that piece of him to hide it.
He'd spent the week probing that area of his mind, just as he had exactly one week ago when it had first made itself known. However, it seemed to have once again disappeared. There had been no emotions, no confinements, detected. All that the he had managed in the last week was to give himself massive headaches and, one time, to pass out again. He'd awoken feeling foolish.
That's when he remembered who would have the answers for him. Of course, Ami could have them, but he had no desire to seek her out yet. No, he couldn't risk approaching her and having something as embarrassing and painful as last time happening again. But, there were two others who had some answers for him.
Even more than answers, Zoran wanted to rail at the men for not warning him better.
He didn't attend the group this time. He purposely waited until everyone was dismissing before seeking the room where the group would take place. Khaled would be the last one to leave and, surely with him, Jacob. He wasn't sure if they would be talking or even getting along this time, but he knew they would be together. They'd disagreed, but the connection was obvious.
He heard the voices as soon as he approached the door. He was surprised to hear the barely controlled annoyance in Khaled's tone, "If you guys would just stay out of it and leave him alone this wouldn't have happened."
"Oh please," the female voice cut through air. "Nothing has even happened. And, just because you have chosen to avoid your duties, doesn't mean he will."
"It's his choice…" Khaled started.
"Exactly," the woman cut him off. "Which is why we haven't taken any steps to do anything more than meet him."
He pushed the door open a crack to see Khaled squaring off across from a blonde-haired woman. Jacob stood close by her side, as though he were ready to stop any violence that may erupt between the two. Zoran thought that was ridiculous. Khaled would never resort to violence unless absolute necessary, especially against such a petite female. However, even he could admit that the tension was nothing if not completely combustible.
Jacob and Khaled's head turned immediately towards the door and Zoran had the eerie feeling that the men had sensed him more than heard him open the door. As soon as he made eye contact with the younger of the two men, the eerie feeling vanished, and annoyance took its place. He pushed the door open, damn near marched across the room, and shoved Jacob.
"What?" Jacob gaped at him surprise.
"That," he shoved the man again, "was a shitty warning."
"Well, it wasn't my fault. He's the one who kept kicking me under the table," Jacob pointed at Khaled to emphasize his point. "Doesn't want to be a leader but damn sure wants to call the shots."
Khaled glared at Jacob. Zoran stared at he two men again, knowing he was missing something importance. The term leader rolled through his head. Of course, Khaled wanted to call the shots. Of course, he was the leader. He always had been.
"Of course, he does," the blonde murmured, and Zoran didn't have to look at her to know she'd rolled her eyes.
"This is none of your concern," Khaled snapped. "You shouldn't even be here."
"I've told you. It's his concern which makes it her concern which makes it my concern," she responded.
Zoran eyed her for a minute. He'd only seen Khaled so stiff when discussing the she and Jadeite's girlfriend last week. So, this was the woman who had the unflappable Khaled so off-balance? He could immediately understand why. She was as short and snarky with Khaled as he seemed to be with her. He couldn't imagine what could have happened to cause such a rift and Zoran was even more surprised that Khaled allowed it cause issues with Jacob, a relationship that was clearly important.
"This is your girlfriend?" Zoran asked Jacob. It didn't feel right. Something was wrong with that.
"She is not his girlfriend," Khaled nearly barked the answer and Zoran started in surprise.
Jacob laughed.
The woman snorted, "Rei would roast us both alive. I'm Minako, a friend of Jacob's and of Ami's. You must be Zoran."
Zoran was kind of surprised when she mentioned being friends with Ami. They seemed so different. Their personalities surely wouldn't allow such a close friend. Ami was quiet. He could tell Minako was anything but. Her aura held a sense of purpose, a light that would immediately draw a crowd. He understood why her and Jacob seemed so close. During dinner the week before, Jacob had laughed and joked in a way that was sure to either put others at ease or drive them crazy. There was something in the girls face reminiscent of that. At least, he felt there would be if she weren't so tense.
Then, he realized the insinuation and turned on Jacob again, "Why didn't you mention you knew Ami?"
"Oops, that's my cue… Good luck, Jacob," she gave him a repentant smile and gave his arm a small punch. She gave him a small wave, "Nice to meet you, Zoran."
When she glanced towards Khaled, her expression went bland and cold before she spun on her heels and left the room.
Zoran might have paid more attention to Khaled's subtle tensing if he hadn't remembered exactly what had brought him to seek out these two in the first place. He trusted them. He'd known Khaled almost as long as he'd been awake from his coma. He'd confided in him and sought him out for advice. He was naturally drawn to Jacob. He'd told them about Ami last week and they hadn't mentioned knowing her, knowing what would happen if he touched. These people were supposed to have his back and they had let him go into battle blindly.
"You knew Ami and you didn't mention it? Hell, you knew what would happen if I touched her and you couldn't even be damned to warn me better?"
Jacob had the grace to look contrite, "I probably should have made it a little clearer that you shouldn't touch her. Khaled felt like that might be too much information."
"Information about what?" Zoran narrowed his eyes at Khaled, daring him to keep hiding things. He knew immediately that was exactly what Khaled intended to do. No amount of ire would convince this man that his decision was wrong.
"When it's time, you'll figure it out," Khaled answered, his arms crossing.
Zoran glanced towards Jacob, raising a brow. Jacob winced, "If I thought just telling you would do more good than harm, I totally would… But, until he is ready for you to remember… Or, until you make the right connections…"
Jacob gave a small, resigned shrug. Something in Jacob's look spoke of understanding, camaraderie. Zoran saw it and felt some of his anger slipping away.
He shook his head, "He? Is it the he…" he trailed off and tapped the place in his head he'd felt he presence before.
"In your head?" Jacob asked. "Has he spoken?"
"Of course not. I'm not crazy," Zoran glared, immediately regretting mentioning anything about it. He'd felt safe, understood, and it had just come out.
Jacob laughed, "Oh, trust me, I am the last one to think that about anyone else. Look, I know it's frustrating. Just, keep listening to your instincts and we'll get here."
He wanted to be frustrated. He wanted to stay angry. He couldn't when he looked between the two men, saw the earnestness in their looks. They did want to help him. The wanted to be there for him. He wished they could, or would, do more. Khaled didn't want him to know whatever it was, that much was obvious. Knowing Khaled as he did, he was trying to protect him from something. He thought he was doing what was best. Jacob wanted to tell, wanted him to know. Jacob's need to protect him and respect Khaled won out over any other desire he had.
"I'm not getting any farther in this am I?" Zoran sighed, shaking his head.
"Sorry," Jacob shrugged. "We may disagree on a lot right now, not just limited to the best course of action in this scenario, but there's still enough regard to respect the other's opinions.
Jacob could saw that same understanding and loyalty between Jacob and Khaled that had showed itself at the diner. Some part of him recognized it, yearned for it. He wasn't completely happy with how it turned out, but he could respect their wishes. He could also do what Jacob had told him. Follow his instincts.
"Do you have the information for Ami's friend's bakery?"