ISFNE Chapter 13
A/N: Hey sorry the update took so long, but I'm rewarding your patience with two chapters :D (yes, yes, I know you're oh-so welcome ;)) Happy 2017 btw. Here's to a great new year. Hope you like the story :)
Simon POV
Allison and I were finally on speaking terms, something that relieved me to no end. Though we'd had a rough start and had been basically strangers for the first month or so, we were finally bridging that gap and building a friendship, tentative as it was. Allison was not quick to trust, she would converse, she would even go as far as to tease in rare cases but she was still reserved in anything else. I tried to let her be, I would never get anywhere unless I let things take their time. I had just popped upstairs to grab something while Allison was helping a customer. When I came back down I went into the storage room and heard her finish up with the customer and the tinkle of bells that said they'd left.
"Simon!"
I jerked up immediately and looked out to see Allison looking awe-struck. She saw me out of the corner of her eye and turned smiling, "Come here! I felt it kick!"
Amazed at the entire situation I walked over and bent down, "May I?" I asked. She nodded. It took a few moments before I felt it too. I smiled at her and stood, taking a step back, "I've never understood how that could be a comfortable feeling."
"It's not," she said with a smile, "but…it just makes it so much more real."
I put a hand on her shoulder in concern, knowing that the thought could take her down that dark rabbit hole but she looked up at me and gave a reassuring smile.
"I'm fine, don't worry, but thank you," she said taking a step away and sitting down with her book, making me drop my hand back to my side. She always did that, seemed to back out of any sort of touch between us after mere moments. She'd always seem to be bridging the gap slightly and then would retreat when I did the same. It was confusing at best, hurtful at other times, although I knew it wasn't done in scorn. So I continued to let it happen on her terms, knowing it was the only way to gain her trust. Something about this time had been different though, I couldn't quite put my finger on it until-
"You called me Simon," I said leaning on the counter and crossing my arms. She looked up from the book, cheeks flushing ever so slightly. She looked cute when she was flustered.
I thought about teasing her for it or making a joke out of it, but both risked her reverting back to 'Mr. Timmons', since I'd already pointed out her slip up.
"Thanks," I said with a grin before standing and walking out from behind the counter to tidy the store, not missing her face before I'd turned. I'd surprised her, and I could feel her still staring as I walked away. My sincerity had caught her off guard. I could only hope she wouldn't back away again.
Eric POV
She had finally let go. She'd been stemming her emotions and my ability to communicate with her for so long, but after our last meeting it'd only been a day or two before she'd let go out of the blue. I had yet to take advantage of it, my silent thanks to her in conceding anything at all to me, but I was still trying to carefully glean everything I could without actively connecting. Strong emotions would make their way into my consciousness while others would seep in, if long sustained, and when I felt them I took note of what they were, when they happened, and tried to pinpoint what could be their cause.
She'd feel content every once in a while, there were definite moments of fear and panic that would come forcefully and evaporate just as quickly, and there were even moments where I would swear she was feeling bashful and nervous. Most of what I would feel though, was just a constant anxiety that she carried with her seeping into every nook of our bond. This was, of course, intriguing at best but worrying and confounding most of the time. I could explain her contentedness somewhat; she was happy to have escaped, to think of a life alone comforted her before she would let reality creep back in. Her sudden bout of panic or fear especially when followed closely by that bashfulness confused me though, but they were infrequent and insignificant compared to her constant state of anxiety. There were, obviously, a million circumstances to attribute her anxiety to, even without knowing any of her context. I didn't even know what continent she was on, let alone whether she was in positions of risk on a daily basis.
I sat back in my chair and rubbed my temples as I thought about it. Why had I had to lose her when she was still so vulnerable? I had absolutely no way to protect her and I resented her for it, especially when it was more than just her that needed protecting. Rumor was already spreading that the Dracula had lost his bride. There was widespread knowledge of the attempted coup, of course, and speculation about it's roots. Some knew parts of the story, it was fable at best, but the whispers that the Dracula had taken another bride and she had been able to escape were getting louder. I'd been lucky for the reprieve in not having to present her since there was such unrest, it had bought me time and not told my world of her existence making her escape easier to cover up; but now that the details of the war were leaking out the rumors were starting. Once I got Faith back the story could be told in full, but for now, I had to save face. I couldn't risk looking weak.
Allison POV
A sense of normalcy was finally setting into my life. It was weird, especially since my life was obviously anything but normal, what with me living with people who had no relation to me, carrying twin Dhamphirs, and being on the run from a vampire overlord. Yet, somehow, I was starting to have a sense of routine and belonging. Eleanor became a second mother to me, in fact, I took to calling her Grams as Simon did, which made her very happy. After I'd gone back to confirm that I was indeed carrying twins she'd insisted on getting a nursery area ready for them. The small office space was designated to them across the hallway from my bedroom, or what had been Simon's bedroom. She called out favors from friends to find necessities like cribs, a changing table, a bouncer, some old clothes, and even a playpen. It was the kindest thing I'd ever had done for me and I had tried valiantly to refuse such generosity but she insisted. "You're practically family, hon, I want to give you your best chance."
Even with Simon, things seemed to have come to a friendly middle-ground. We had friendly rapport and he still continued his little game of calling me different names at random. I wasn't worried by the game. Even if he did ever come up with it, which was doubtful at best, I had told him it wasn't going to change anything.
"Phoebe, what if I do actually get your name? You promise you'd to tell me, right?" he asked leaning up against the counter while I read my book, holding it up in front of my face. I looked up briefly and then went back to reading.
"I promised nothing of the sort," I said refusing to meet his gaze.
"Well, Caroline, I realize that you haven't which is why I'm trying to say you should, I mean it's only fair considering."
"I will not," I responded, and tried valiantly to keep myself focused on the book.
There was a silence. "Why not, Alice?"
Dang, that meant he'd stopped playing around when he used my name, or at least my nickname. I brought the book down at that. "Have you ever considered that there's probably a reason I don't want anyone to know my real name?" I asked finally looking him in the eye.
He leaned a little further over the desk and folded his hands in front of him, "Well, I have many theories about your secret double life as a German spy, wanted criminal, escaped illegal experiment, or…Oh! Actually I recently came up with a rogue alien theory, that was an interesting backstory…" he said maintaining a straight face and finally cracking a smile when I playfully pushed his shoulder.
"Simon, I'm serious!" I said unable to keep from smiling a little at his antics but quickly turning serious again. "I don't want my name anymore. I'm not her. I'm trying to get away from what she was and what she experienced. And that would be a lot harder if I let anyone in this new life know who I was."
"Alice, the odds are ever in your favor. I guess I understand but… could you at least promise not to lie outright about it?"
"How's this, if by some miracle you guess it I will acknowledge with the simple caveat that you never use it again or tell anyone of it," I said giving in.
"You have my promise," he said in all seriousness and then tacked on a hesitant, "Melanie?'
I smiled and picked up my book again, "No."
It had been a week since that interaction, and almost a month that he'd continued his little game. I indulged it; besides, it was fun to see what he would come up with, but I grew more and more worried at his sustained interest. Why did he care about anything related to me?
"Hey, Kristin, did you seriously take stock already?" Simon said rounding the corner of the counter.
"Yep, it was really slow this morning so Grams made a quick run to the store and I decided I'd get stock out of the way."
"You really should take a load off. You're making everyone nervous."
"I'm fine."
"Alice, don't make me have this argument with you again. You're swaying, you're getting lightheaded easily, and just generally exhausted. You need to slow yourself down," he said.
"I'm fine," I said quietly, "I'm going get a book order together," I said moving to get up. Simon quickly moved to stop me with a frown.
"Promise," he demanded.
"Promise what?"
"That this will be your last shift."
"You're being pushy," I said quietly. He made me anxious when he got that way. I figured it had something to do with how Eric had controlled my life and forced me into things that I panicked when others tried to do the same, Simon was the biggest offender thus far. I was trying to desensitize to it but it was difficult. I rationally knew he was coming from good intentions but I couldn't get rid of the waves of anxiety and panic that would come with it.
He backed off. "And you're being stubborn. There's no shame in slowing down."
"It's called a work-ethic."
He smiled slightly, "No, I think it's called trying to earn your keep. Which Grams has stated many times you don't need to do."
Why could he always see right through me? I might as well plaster my thoughts on my forehead. "I'm not going to take advantage of your grandmother's kindness. I'm going to pull as much weight as I can for as long as I can."
"You have, Allison, alright? Don't make me tell Grams you're still not feeling at home. She'll be heartbroken."
"No, please!" I said, real desperation coloring my voice, "I just don't want-" I stopped short, knowing I'd already tipped my hand and trying desperately to recover before Simon would guess my motivations. He was looking at me with surprise at my small outburst.
"What?" he said, frowning, "What's the matter?"
"Never mind. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said anything," I said meekly and stood up quickly to retreat - and nearly fell from the head rush it led to. Simon was, of course, there instantly to catch me, though I quickly pulled myself up refusing as much help as possible, upset that I'd just proved his point. I turned to face him ready to for his rebuke but instead he was looking at me with what seemed to be pity.
"Please?" he asked quietly. I looked at him questioningly, "Slow down at least? Let me do the grunt work. If you're going to be this way at least cut back and promise to be done at the end of the month."
I looked away from him, afraid he'd read more into what I'd said before. "Okay." I whispered. I don't want any reason to change your mind. People always change their minds.
Simon POV
I'd scared her and I feared I quickly could lose her trust.
"Hey, please don't be like that, Allison," I said cajolingly, "Tell me what's wrong."
"It's nothing. Like I said, I shouldn't have said anything."
"Allison, I'm sorry, I didn't mean anything by it, you're just scaring me and Grams. We only want you to be safe."
"I know," She said, "I'm going to go lay down," she added quietly. She turned and slowly made her way up the stairs to the apartment leaving me to wonder at her actions and hope that I hadn't caused too much damage.