C7 The Approach
Axl had actually heard of the Red Field but had never been there himself. Anders felt a little smug being able to show off a 'cool' place to his younger brother. He was also surprised to see how busy it actually was so early in the evening. The crowd parted slightly for him as he 'excused himself' a few times, Axl close behind. His eyes wandered the front and there she was.
Pulling a pint, talking to the woman who was helping her serve, and smiling away. Happy and just...God, she was beautiful. He threw 'pretty' and 'cute' out the window at the smile and the way her eyes lit up as she laughed merrily.
He moved closer and when she turned to look at him, he took in the small level of surprise on her face before it turned back to happiness.
"Hey," he called out, slightly louder than he intended as the bar was slightly crowded, but not TOO noisy.
"Hey," she gave him a cheeky wink and said apologetically, "sorry, but we stopped serving breakfast at 11 am."
Anders leaned against the bar and shook his head.
"What a shame, I could kill for some of your bacon," he quickly grabbed hold of his brother and pulled him forward, "I'm here with my baby brother. We're celebrating his impending nuptials."
"Oh!" Den, finally having a hand free, reached over and shook Axl's hand, "Congrats. I'm afraid we don't have any champagne, but how about a pint? On the house?"
One look at Axl's face told Anders he'd not only made the right decision in bringing him here this evening but that he'd more than likely come back again.
"Yeah, great! Thanks!"
"Oi!" A random guy suddenly called out, "I'm engaged as well!"
Den turned a critical eye to the guy.
"Didn't your girlfriend chuck you, Angus?"
The guy quickly backed down at her glare, grumbling as he left.
As Den turned back to grab a clean glass, Axl turned to Anders and gave him 'the look'. The look that meant, 'is she your new one?'
Anders just smiled and tapped the side of his nose, which surprised Axl. Usually, his big brother would gloat or make SOME sort of rude, suggestive gesture.
When Den placed the pint in front of Axl, Anders ordered himself one and went to pay, but she glared at him and told him, "if you try to give me any more money, I might sellotape it to your forehead."
He'd hastily put away his wallet for the evening.
As she bustled and busied herself with customers, Axl turned to his brother.
"So how do you know this place?"
"Remember when I nearly got hit by that car?" Axl nodded and Anders gestured to Den, "SHE was the woman who saved me."
"Oh, superwoman!" He smirked and nodded in approval, "I like her. She saves your life AND gives out free pints to people she barely knows? Definitely a friend worth having."
Anders couldn't help but agree as he watched her. In fact, for the rest of the night, as he and his brother chatted amongst themselves and to other patrons, his eyes would constantly stray to her. He just liked watching her interact, smile, and the way she tucked back the loose strands of her wild red hair. Whenever Axl caught him looking, he teased him mercilessly though.
At the last call, having run out of conversation and getting tired, Axl deemed it necessary to leave and call Gaia.
"It'll be fine if I tell her I'm out with you, but she'll assume I'm safe and bored and having no fun at a wine bar," he slurred slightly, definitely worse for wear.
Anders, on the other hand, knew how to handle his beer. Plus, he'd only had two pints and had secretly been swapping them for Shandy.
He called Den over and when he had her attention, asked, "Den...what time do you shut?"
Den quickly checked her watched
"1 am I start kicking people out. So you've got half an hour."
"I'll be back in a bit. I saw your assistant manager already left, so since you're alone, I'll make sure everyone gets out ok."
Den blinked a couple of times in surprise. No one had ever offered her help in that bar before.
"But-" She shut herself up when he'd turned and gone, obviously not waiting for her to argue.
Anders quickly ordered an uber for his baby brother and once he was safe inside (AND with the window rolled down encase he chuckered), Anders didn't even watch it leave. He walked confidently back into the bar, took off his work jacket, and smiled at Den.
"So, how do I help you get rid of these lot?"
Den's lips twitched and he could tell she was fighting a smile.
"You know, you don't HAVE to help, right?"
"I know...I want to."
She flipped open the hatch and signaled for him to join her. Once he was by her side and smiling down at her (a rare thing for him, considering he wasn't tall himself), she allowed her own little smile to spread across her face.
"Best give you your helmet and kneepads then."
"What?!"
She laughed at his startled expression and he knew he'd been had.
'Man...definitely a friend worth keeping.'
A short while later...
Once everyone in the bar had been cleared out, Anders quickly got into helping Den clean. He grabbed what glasses he could and piled them in the kitchen, next to the sink. After, he got stuck in and grabbed all the trash around the room and made sure to recycle it (and not just because Den shouted at him to do so).
He'd even offered to clean down the tables, but Den stated that if there wasn't a terrible mess, that'd be her job in the morning. So he joined her again, back by the dishes. Though this time, she washed the glasses and he dried.
Everything was going fine, the conversation cheerful and they had picked up where they had left off. But then she gripped her head in one hand and stumbled back.
Anders immediately grabbed for her when he realised she was falling. His arms came about her and pulled her tightly to him.
"Den?!" He called to her, but he felt it happening again. The pull taking over.
"I don't want you to go."
"I have to-"
"NO. IF YOU GO, I'M GOING TO!"
"Dru."
A familiar pair of green eyes turned to him, tears spilling over and down her cheeks. Her arms came about him and she held onto him as she cried.
"I don't want you to die. I want to keep you safe."
"You have to stay," his arms came about her and his fingers splayed over her back, gently rubbing and trying to soothe her.
"Fili...Fili, please," She clung to him and cried more, "don't go."
He had to. He had to go and protect Thorin and his little brother. He couldn't stay, even though he wanted to.
"I'll come back to you. I promise."
'I came back.'
Anders blinked a couple of times and took deep breaths. It had happened again when he held her. He was sure now, what he saw was his past and Den...Den was the girl. She was 'Dru'. She had her hair, her eyes, and the same face though...the beard had been a little odd. But it was her, it just had to be!
Den stirred in his arms and pulled back far enough to look up at him, but he did not relinquish his hold on her, worried she'd faint again.
"Sorry about that...busy day, I haven't drunk enough water," Den was used to using that excuse with people who didn't know about her 'dream fits'. Though this one hadn't been altogether pleasant, she had made a discovery. She'd been upset with 'Fili' for leaving and she'd looked into his eyes and she realised that she HAD seen them before. Anders had the exact same eyes. His facial structure was slightly different in ways, but she recognised his strong brow and nose.
So...Anders was the 'Fili' in her past life? Or was she just confused...had she somehow superimposed him there? No...she'd dreamt of him before. It was him. Though, of course, she couldn't tell him all of this. Poor boy would run a mile!
'He kept his promise!'
Carefully, he made her walk over to the chair she'd shoved in the corner and sat her down. He hurried away, fetched a glass of water and wouldn't take his eyes off of her as she took slow sips of the glass.
Den hated making him worry and tried to lighten the mood since she was already feeling better.
"Good thing I'm going to bed now anyway."
"Only to wake up at the crack of dawn?"
"4 am isn't the crack of dawn."
Anders was a little shocked at that. He knew she was an early riser but 4 am?! She couldn't get very much sleep if that was the case...
Sensing his thoughts, she shook her head.
"Oh, it's fine, I only sleep a few hours a night anyway."
"Really?"
"Aye'," Den knew she'd have to explain and looked down into the glass as she said, "bad dreams."
"Me too."
She looked back at him and remembered she'd bumped into him very early in the morning. She had assumed he was an early riser, but bad dreams as well? Something...strange, was happening.
"Anyway, I usually managed to nap during the day, just after lunch. A couple of hours whilst Jane watches the pub," she wanted to quell his worries and hoped he would be distracted enough that she could get him out without him calling a doctor or anything.
"You sleep here?"
'Ah.'
"I live here. Sorry, I didn't say that before. Hence why it's easy for me to get straight into work in the morning," she finished her drink and stood up slowly, Anders moving with her and making sure she didn't wobble.
"Oh...so I suppose you don't need my protection in getting home tonight?"
She couldn't help but grin at him.
"I mean, the stairs are VERY treacherous," she realised that sounded like she was inviting him to come up the stairs with her, so she quickly backtracked, blushing, "but-but no. I'm fine, thanks. Dizzy spells all gone!"
Anders knew he shouldn't push his luck. He allowed her to see him out, only asking once more if she was really alright and didn't need anything else.
She only said no and let him out the front door, jangling her keys as she looked outside.
"It's dark...lights are off. You going to be ok getting home?" She looked down at him when he stepped down onto the path outside.
He turned a flirty smile on her and shrugged.
"What would you suggest?"
Den's own smile matched his.
"I think...a taxi."
"Oh."
They both laughed and Anders didn't want to go. And Den didn't want him to leave. But...both believed what they had seen had only been for them. They couldn't voice their opinions, for fear they'd scare away someone they were only just getting to know.
"Thanks...for all your help."
"No problem."
There was a moment of silence as Anders waited for her to shut the door on him, but she was thinking. Debating.
'Oh, screw it!'
Leaning forward, she placed her hand on his shoulder for support and placed a quick kiss against the side of his cheek.
Anders felt that tiny little flutter in his chest that he hadn't felt for so long. He felt like that gawky, awkward teenage boy who'd just been kissed by the girl he had a crush on.
"Bye," she pulled away and hurriedly closed the door, locking it and pulling the blinder down. It may have been dark, but he still saw the deep blush on her cheeks.
He touched the spot where she kissed him and slowly began the walk home. Like before, he had a slight spring in his step and he was lost in his thoughts. He was thinking about what kind of dates and gifts he could give to her. He could take her to the movies and buy the snacks, she'd enjoy that. But no wine bars. And maybe no rival restaurants or pubs, unless she has a favourite.
He wasn't paying much attention on his way home, even though he should.
He was unaware of the black car that had been following him.
He didn't pay attention to the flash of headlights.
Nor the engine stopping behind him.
He did hear the footsteps, however.
He turned slowly and...the last thing Anders saw was a fist flying towards his face. Then pain and then darkness.
