C9: Nothing hurts like Love

Den mentally shook herself when she realised she was just standing there and staring at him. She pushed down that voice and the confirmation of his identity from her dreams and looked back at him.

"Sorry, it's just...your face," unable to stop herself, she reached forward and cupped his undamaged cheek, "Jesus Fucking Christ."

He opened the door and leant against the frame, offering her a small, pained smile.

"It's all right, it's not as bad as it looks," despite his statement, he didn't move away or attempt to push her hand back. He quite enjoyed that part.

"Really? Because you look like you got in a fight with Muhammad Ali," her thumb tenderly stroked the spot between his nose and cheek, not being able to help herself.

Anders couldn't help but snort at her little joke.

"What are you doing here?" He asked curiously, recalling he hadn't given her his address before.

Den realised she was still touching him, practically stroking his face and finally let her hand fall away.

"Oh, I just-well I-"

"Actually...how did you know where I lived?"

Explaining that was a lot easier than explaining her want to just see him.

"I met Dawn and she said she needed a hand delivering these. She wanted me to give you them," she held up the bag and quickly pulled out the folders, pleased they weren't dripping or stained with the food she'd brought.

He looked between the bag and folders curiously.

"And the bag?"

"No, that's me. I urm-I was wondering if you've eaten and thought...well, since I haven't seen you, you might appreciate a home-cooked meal?" That was perfectly innocent. Just being friendly.

'Stop smiling so much, he'll think you're crazy!'

But Anders wasn't thinking that way at all. He was listening to that voice again, that seemed to have grown stronger over the last few days.

'Well? Invite her in, you fool!'

He actually didn't need to be told that, he was going to do it...eventually.

"I'd like that. Come in," he stepped aside and pulled the door open and it didn't escape her attention the way he leaned against it for support. But she chose not to question him on it just yet.

Her eyes instead focused around his neat apartment and she wasn't surprised by the same clean and orderly fashion he kept in his home as he had done in his office.

She slipped off her shoes (a habit she'd gotten into, even when she hadn't been asked) and shoved them underneath the large fish tank he had in his wall. She leaned closer for a better look and couldn't help but smile at his choice.

"Something funny?" He joined her side, looking in on his pets.

"No just...well, you're a fish-man. That explains a lot."

"Oh?" He asked her with that same curious energy he'd had when she talked about his suit.

"Fish are simple to take care of. Not too much hassle. Not a lot of love given, but there's always some affection there...especially if they're expensive like that little guy," she pointed at a black and white striped one that was happily swimming around in the back, "barred angelfish."

"You know you're fish," Anders couldn't help but feel impressed.

"I worked in a sushi bar."

He turned slowly to look at her face, but instead of seriousness, he saw that little cheeky flash in her eyes and she shook her head.

"I'm kidding, I worked at a zoo," she stood straight and walked over to his kitchen, admiring the simple, but sleek countertops, "I loved going to the aquarium during my break, it was usually peaceful. Do you mind if I start grabbing stuff?"

"Sure, go for it," Anders walked around and began to point things out to her, but she adamantly refused his help and demanded he go and sit down.

Of course, she meant for him to go sit on his sofa or couch and watch TV whilst she cooked, but he instead hopped carefully onto the stall by his table and began to watch her. But truthfully, she didn't mind.

She unpacked her ingredients and got out the necessary pans and skillets. She didn't mind the comfortable silence, but she was curious and he could tell as well.

"So...what happened?" She continued to get to work as he explained.

"I was coming back from yours when some guys jumped me. I got punched to the ground and kicked a few times before they snatched my cellphone. Luckily nothing's broken, just a few bruises and cuts as you can see. A stitch or two on my leg."

"Fuck!" Den gave him a sympathetic look, but when he snorted at her sudden outburst she wrinkled her nose in embarrassment and apologised, "Sorry...I've been told I swear like a sailor. I blame my granny."

"I don't mind. I think she and I would have got along," he leaned closer as he watched Den expertly cut and chop vegetables without cutting herself.

"Oh, she would have eaten you alive," she laughed and seemed to get lost in her memories as she cut away, "she was a maneater. Swore, Drunk, smoked, and gambled. And was happy and smiling until the day she passed."

"What about your mum and dad?" He asked her gently, hoping she would open up and that he wasn't pushing too hard on a sensitive subject.

"Well, I was actually born here, but Dad was from Glasgow and we went there for his job. And when I was 15," Den sighed and put the ingredients into the bowl, "Mam and Dad were in an accident...I didn't have any relatives there that could take me in and Granny...bloody granny," she chuckled and shook her head, "the day before the funeral, she marched straight through the door, packed my bags and simply said, 'yer' coming with me after we say goodbye' and the day after the funeral, we were off. I said goodbye to my school, my friends, and anyone else and started fresh."

Anders hadn't realised it had been so hard for her.

"Do you miss it?"

"Hmm...Sometimes. But not the place so much. It was a shithole where we lived. But I do miss the places I went to with my parents. The Zoo. The Swimming pool. The Supermarket," as she turned the stove on, her eyes suddenly lit up and she smiled wildly at him, "the Chip show that did AMAZING deep-fried mars bars."

"Deep-fried?!" He looked aghast, never having heard of such an...interesting way to eat chocolate.

"Oh, you've not lived until you've had a deep-fried mars bar! AND you can dip it with practically anything. White chocolate sauce, cherry syrup...ketchup."

Anders couldn't help but grimace.

"That sounds like it would kill me as soon as I tried it."

The conversation then steered into the more light topic of food and since Anders had finally fathomed that Den was making him Spicy chilli, with rice and vegetables, he couldn't help but lean over and he swore, he began to salivate slightly at the smell.

"That looks fantastic," he admired her work and inhaled the delicious aroma.

"And it's not too spicy or salty. Perfect for sick patients."

"But I'm not sick?"

"True, but it's also good for the soul," she pointed the spoon at him and he was half tempted to grab it and take a taste of the sauce, but it must have shown in his eyes because she pulled it away and shook her head.

"Don't spoil the surprise."

The continued to talk and she'd just put everything onto two plates when there was a knock at the door.

Anders made to move, but Den waved him to sit.

"It's alright, don't put your leg out."

Den happily walked to the door, expecting one of his brothers to have popped by. But as she opened it, she was shocked at what she saw on the other side.

"Hello, Lover-Oh!" Michelle, who had been standing there in just an open coat and VERY revealing underwear, suddenly grabbed the two sides and pulled them together, "You're not Anders."

Den was actually speechless. Her mind was abuzz, her stomach felt sick and her heart sank.

Did Anders have...a girlfriend?

Standing and staring in silence had obviously alerted Anders that something was wrong and he came hobbling over, looking a little concerned at Den's shocked expression.

"Who-Michelle?!" Anders looked quickly at Michelle, taking in her appearance and the way she hastily did up her jacket. He remembered her turning up a few weeks prior at his home, in nothing but silky lace, black underwear.

'Oh God,' he slowly turned back to Den, realising just what she had seen AND what she must think.

"Sorry, I see you're busy. I'll come back another time?" Michelle offered and Anders shook his head.

"I-"

"No, it's fine," Den pointedly refused to look either of them in the face and quickly brushed past Anders as she grabbed her shoes, coat, and bag, "I was just leaving."

"Den-" Anders moved as quickly as he could, trying to reach out and take her arm, but she moved faster and hurried out, still struggling to put her shoes on.

"There's plenty of food...don't let it go to waste," she only paused when Michelle wouldn't move out of her way quick enough, but Anders could see her expression.

He could see the betrayal she felt.

"Den, wait-" he twisted his leg and banged it against the doorframe as she hurried past and finally, out of his view.

Michelle turned back to him with an apologetic grimace as she hastily finished doing up her coat.

"I...have bad timing, don't I?"

Meanwhile...

As Den ran down the stairs and hastily began to pull on her coat, she knew she had to get outside. She felt hot and sick with embarrassment.

Of course, he had a bloody girlfriend! How STUPID could she be to think someone like him didn't have anyone?! She'd judged him so terribly.

'No, you didn't, he's not like that! Go back!' The voice inside of her called out, but she tried to ignore it, even as she opened the door into the cool evening air.

'Please, we've only just got him back, please!'

"Shut up!" She hissed and quickly diverted to the side of the building, off of the main street as she finally let her emotions take over, "Just shut up about him!"

As she leaned against the wall and took deep, calming breaths, she couldn't fight her tears anymore. They fell too quickly for her to stop but she didn't even know why she was crying.

It's not as if they were dating or there was any romantic relationship there that she had not conjured up but...it still hurt. She had really liked him.

'No. Please, don't give up on him.'

"Why?" She whispered to herself and shut her eyes, trying to will her tears to stop, "Why should I bother?!"

'Because we love him.'