Disclaimer: Winding the story down still.


"This is the only relative I had left." Levi states stoically as he stops pacing through the apartment. His brow furrows ever so slightly.

Petra peeps out of the bedroom and arches an eyebrow.

He was making the necessary arrangements to take leave in order to ensure Kenny's estate and affairs are in order. His boss in the city had no issue but calling the owner of the resort whom he had gotten to know was another story. He didn't like it. He used every plea in order to get Levi back to his version of paradise. Levi hadn't budged. Despite how Levi felt about Kenny Ackerman, the man provided for him. He gave Levi the motivation to do something with his life and in his death, Levi believed he could at least give him a proper funeral and make sure everything was taken care of.

This jerk off isn't going to make it easy.

"I know we had a timeline. I'm sorry." Levi says rolling his eyes and sits gingerly on the couch.

Petra spent the night on the phone with Zoe and asked her to take care of her cat for a few days until they could return. She couldn't imagine the poor thing in the vehicle with Levi for several hours. What if he needed to potty? Then, this morning, she made a few calls into work and asked for bereavement time due to Kenny's death. That's when the CEO's secretary informed her that someone else was hired for the open position on the board. It tugged at her heart to hear that but she supposed it was better that way. She liked her current position in the office and the pay didn't stink.

She hated that Levi's client was giving him such a rough time. She slipped into the bedroom to give him privacy to make the call, so far it was lasting longer than she anticipated. She pulled two suitcases and was halfway finished packing her clothes and toiletries.

"This isn't a two day type of situation." Levi presses becoming irritated with the man. He continues listening as the other becomes angrier and begins shouting and threatening him. Licking his lips, Levi stands and hisses, "You know what, screw you. Find someone else to finish the damn resort then. When they ask why, I guarantee they won't be pleased with your irrational ass."

Petra bites her tongue as she listens to him sigh and mutter a few profanities. At least at the end of the day, I have my Levi back. She turns to the doorframe once again when she hears him walk through the hall.

"That did not go as planned." He explains as he runs his fingers through his hair. "Looks like I now have a whole fucking month."

"Are you actually upset that you won't get to finish the resort project? Or just mad because he was being an ass?" She asks bluntly.

"Tch. I didn't like him. Paul is an impatient son of a bitch who wanted a grand resort but built with cheap materials. Do you know how many fucking pipes leaked when we tried flushing toilets? I had to confront him."

It wasn't a lie. Once Levi laid out his grand plan, Paul liked it, but Paul's budget was clipped. He oversaw every purchase on the list that Levi gave the contractors. Instead of industry standard materials, he asked the contractors to find something cheaper because, 'nobody would know.' When any little thing began turning sour, Levi had blamed the wrong person until finally someone told him. It wasn't so much of a confrontation than it was Levi telling Paul to stop being tight with funds. That was two weeks before Levi decided to come home to his Petra.

Levi began packing some clothing alongside Petra after venting for several minutes.

"You sure Zoe and Erwin are good to babysit Clive?" He asks looking at the cat who was currently watching him. Clive was currently laying opposite of the suitcases on the bed, tail swishing back and forth. "I don't mind to take him with us."

Petra walks out of the bathroom and back into the bedroom and gives him a knowing look, "You do not want to take him with us. You want him to escape on the drive, be honest."

"Fine. You caught me." Levi says as a smirk tugs at the corners of his lips. He folds the last of the shirts and zips up the suitcase. "He stays with Zoe and Erwin."

Petra smiles warmly and pecks him on the cheek. She knows how difficult it will be for Levi to return to the place he never wanted to return to. This was another reason she didn't want to take Clive. Levi didn't need more stress than he was under at the moment. "Time to hit the road?"

He nods as he grabs both suitcases and she grabs Clive.


Dropping Clive off with Zoe and Erwin had not been a big deal.

They offered their condolences and promised to handle anything with the apartment should something arise. Petra left a spare key with them before leaving town as well. Petra spoke with the landlord about the current situation and he extended their 30 days notice. Turns out, he wasn't a complete asshole after. He agreed if anything needed to be done, he would contact Erwin Smith.

The drive out of town would be long. The ramp leading onto the freeway was crowded midday, not to mention how many motor vehicle accidents they could potentially run into.

Levi and Petra agreed to take turns driving once Levi got them out of the city. They would stay on the main highway for two hours then take a back road and enter a long stretch of flat land before they got into his hometown.

Petra believed they would spend the entire drive talking about something, anything really. The reality as it turns out is that Levi stayed quiet and kept his eyes glued to the road in front of him. She understood he was probably still fuming at the client and there may be repercussions once he returns to the office, but she expected more than the deafening silence.

For instance, they were no closer to finding a house. They returned the listings they were given and resorted to looking online. They were about to be homeless and Petra didn't know if that was bothering Levi yet. What exactly would they do? Maybe he has a plan and hasn't told me? Levi never does anything on a whim. He plans.

"Have you given any thought to what we will do about a home?" She asks hopefully, turning to look at him. She really looked at him. He didn't spare a glance back at her. Instead his eyes were laser focused on the road and signs ahead of him. His lips were not tight, brow not furrowed. He resembles a calm focused man. Well...his version of calm and focused. Talking is probably not the best idea. She purses her lips together and looks out the passenger side window instead of waiting for a response that she isn't sure will come.

Without breaking his eyes from the road and without further silence, he responds, "We're buying one, Petra. That is the plan."

"Have you looked at anymore? Did you happen to see one that looked interesting? You haven't said anything and I haven't seen anything." When his shoulders tensed and his lip twitched ever so slightly she almost regretted asking further questions about it.

"No, Petra. I haven't looked because I haven't received any notifications on my phone regarding any new listings that look fucking decent. I forgot to tell you that I signed up for an app that will let me know if anything matches the requirements I put in. So far, there was only one and it was shit. I didn't think you wanted to see it." He explains.

"You got an app?" She snaps back around to look at him in shock. He didn't tell her that. Was there anything else he wasn't sharing? Of course not. She shakes the thought from her head.

"Yes. This is important so I was doing what I could." He says relaxing once again. "I didn't mean to snap, sorry."

"No, don't apologize. I know this is hard for you. I just...I didn't want there to be awkward silence while we're driving."

"It's hard, yes. I didn't want to return there. I left that life behind years ago, but here we are." He tells her, taking the next left off the exit ramp. "Kenny wasn't the best father figure but he is what I had. Who knows what trouble I could've gotten into if not for him taking me in."

Petra shifted her eyes back to the road and relaxed. This was going to be a long trip regardless.


By the time they arrived, it was late in the evening. The sun set long ago and with the windows down, they could hear the critters of the night and other vehicles passing them.

Petra came alive when she heard Levi tell her, "We've arrived."

He turned off to the left onto a gravel road lined with several trees on either side. This didn't last long before a decent two story house appeared. Front porch lights lit up the front and several other lamps were burning throughout the property from what Petra noticed. In the dark, she couldn't make out many details of the place but she could see the lamps appearing across the property. This place had to be huge.

Once Levi stopped the vehicle, he sighs and looks at her, "Sleepy?" She turns with a skeptical look written on her face as if he asked about a second head growing out of her neck. Who would be sleepy when they just arrived at this kind of place? She shakes her head and pulls her seat belt off before opening the passenger door.

There are no skyscrapers for miles or other estates near this place from what she can see in the dark. She can't imagine the property lines being too close. One thing she knew is that they were definitely on flat land.

The breeze picks up and she pulls her jacket tighter around her. She isn't prepared for that and suddenly she is curious what winters are like here. Levi hops out and walks around to her side.

"Do you have a key by any chance or will someone be here to let us in?" She asks.

"Keith should be here. I told him we would arrive late." Levi informed her, taking her hand in his before leaning closer and kissing her cheek gingerly. "Keith has overseen the estate for years. Kenny just made sure there was money once he got older." He led her to the porch.

She noticed the intricate details of the wooden porch and columns which held up the roofing. Everything was meticulously crafted. She couldn't deny that Kenny certainly had an eye for details. They stopped upon hearing the crackle of the door opening to reveal a much older man.

He also had dark circles under both eyes and appeared bald or kept his head cleanly shaven. He is also dressed to the 9s: crisp white button up, sleeves rolled up, dark pants and loafers. He doesn't slouch forward and his stoic expression gives nothing away to anyone. Much like someone else she knows. This must be Keith Shadis.

"Welcome home, Levi." He greets them and nods curtly.

"Tch. This hasn't been home in years." Levi says, slightly irritated. He looks to his side and back at Keith who has also noticed Levi's companion. "This is my girlfriend, Petra." Keith's stoicism quickly turns into irritation at the sight of Petra.

Her throat dries out and she attempts a small smile at least. She feels so small under his intense glare. What did she do? She just arrived with Levi. She nods to him as she finds her voice to greet him, "Nice to meet you, Mr. Shadis." She feels Levi tense up beside her. Just what the hell did I do?

The silence after her words do nothing to soothe whatever reason he is irritated. He turns his attention back to Levi and shakes his head disapprovingly. This is why Levi tensed up.

"Kenny would roll in his grave if he saw you bring a gold digging whore onto this property."

She doesn't recognize the sound she makes at his accusation, her eyes widen in shock. She clenches her teeth and squeezes Levi's hand in her own. How dare he? He doesn't know me. He isn't joking, there isn't even a twitch of amusement behind that dark expression.

"Keep the name calling to a minimum, Keith. We don't have to be here at all." Levi warns him coolly. "You must've forgotten that you'll be out of a job and home if I decide to sell this place out from under you. You don't own it."

Keith's eye twitches, a move that doesn't go unnoticed and they watch as the cogs visibly turn inside his head. He steps back, allowing them entry despite himself. "As long as she isn't with you for your money."

"His money?" Petra snaps at him, scowling, as they walk in. She quickly turns on her heel to the older man, releasing Levi's hand. She wasn't in the mood for anyone, especially not some old codger with a bone to pick. "This may surprise you, but I have a job back in the city. I worked every penny I have. If you must know, Levi pissed me off royally the first night we met. Whatever drama you and he have, take it up with him. Don't ever call me names or assume the worst of me. You don't know me."

The corners of Levi's lips turn upward into a smirk as he listens to Petra berate Keith. Oh it was worth bringing her along. The man cringed several times under Petra's scowl and even backed up into the wall.

"I - um- I'm-"

"Just be quiet." She interrupts him and turns back to Levi. She needs a bed and sleep. "Where are we sleeping tonight? Or will Mr. Goody Goody think we're inappropriate if we share a bed?"

Levi pulls the keys from his pocket and turns to Keith and says, "Keith, go get our suitcases. There aren't many and I'll show her our room."

The man nods, sighing with relief and takes the key from Levi's outstretched hand before hurrying out the door. Once he is out, Petra groans and pushes her fingers through her hair.

"Bed. Now, Levi."

"Follow me."

"Did you just insinuate that you wouldn't be selling this place, Levi?"

He doesn't turn to look at her or answer the question directly, "Can we discuss that after you've slept, hellcat?"

"Sure, small fry."