This is the second part in a Georgia/Rube untitled series.

Please read and enjoy. Feedback is appreciated.

Disclaimer: Dead Like Me and its characters are the creation of Bryan Fuller et al. and are copy written under MGM/Showtime/etc. No infringement of their rights is intended. The stories written under the penname Gabigail, however, do belong to me. None are written for profit and are intended for entertainments purposes only.

Intergrated within this piece is Michelle Branch's One of These Days. The same philosophy as the above is applied is this instance.

One of These Days

Have you ever noticed how music seems to coincide with your mood? I have, and it isn't just because of my current situation either. I've been hearing One Of These Days by Michelle Branch in my head for the past few days. Well at least since the night of a particularly difficult reap. Rube knows that I have issues taking the souls of children. I mean hell, I'm only eighteen, who am I to decide who lives, who dies and when. That's Death's job and as I'm continually told who am I to question Death's motives? My job is mere facilitator.

That morning I met everyone at Der Waffle Haus as normal, and I use the term lightly, before work, eat a little breakfast, and receive my Post-it. I'm still not as calm, cool, and collected as the other reapers, they seem to have this job down pat. I walk to the bus stop and wait for my bus. I have glanced at the name, location and the estimated time of death, but it didn't hit me that it's a playground. I just knew that I have to clock out early for an "appointment".

Delores is so sweet about my having to leave early. Again. When asked what kind of appointment, I think I replied dental, cleaning or some such nonsense. I have to say that I'm also grateful that Rube has given me my appointments close to work, so that I don't screw them up. I look around me as I get off the bus at my stop, in front of an elementary school. Children play in the park as older students and grownups walk their dogs, jog, or whatever. It's a pretty busy park, which just happens to front a ravine with a stream. Oh crap! I think to myself as I quickly make my way to the mouth of the ravine. Whoever's on my Post-it has to be playing near the stream.

As usual I'm right, and I see the Graveling as it scurries off, its smoke dissipates. I hear the boys near the water playing some sort of weird alien war game, I'm not really sure because I don't pay much attention to their activity, rather the bag that's lying on the ravine's floor, propped against a rotting log. I quickly read the name printed on the pocket. A. Moore. That's the name on my Post-it. I wish I had a book or something that I could use to shield myself from the boys because they immediately notice me.

"Girl!" one screams out and they all grab their stuff and head off. A. Moore comes over to collect his bag, which I carefully hand him and collect his soul before whatever will be, will be. I don't find it as difficult as it was with my first child reap, a little girl in the neighbourhood of eight to ten, who could have grown up into an amazing woman, but I had to do my job. At least that's what continue to tell myself. He smiles at me and catches up with his friends. I stay behind and stare at the stream for a long moment and wait for the inevitable.

I can hear the screams and watch as the boys scurry as fast as their little legs will carry them to the mouth of the ravine, shouting at the top of their lungs for someone to help them, but of course their cries will be of little use and little A. Moore will join me in, three, two, one.

"What happened?" I hear his voice behind me. I try not to stare at him, nor scare him.

"You died in an accident." I say as warmly as I can manage without crying. I didn't get to say anymore because, lucky for me, he sees whatever it is that they see and starts to run towards it. I do not try to stop him and cannot help but smile at his apparent happiness. It's as if he won a permanent trip to Disney World or something, but at the same time it offers me very little comfort. I know that I am supposed to meet Rube and the crew at Der Waffle Haus for dinner, but for the oddest reason I just need to walk, and just clear my head.

It's a little while before I look at my watch and realize that I had better get to the restaurant, I don't want to be too late. I cringe when I think about eating at the same place yet again, but its more of how can I be all happy around everyone when all I want to do is have a hot bath and crawl into bed? I just catch my bus and walk down the street to the restaurant.

"Georgia, you look like crap." That would be Daisy Adair, the blond, blue eyed, fresh-faced actress that came to us from New York because her boss couldn't handle her antics. Her southern accent always rolls my name, like someone rinsing their mouth with mouthwash or something. I could kill her; she's so annoying when it comes to stating the obvious. How else would one look after reaping the soul of a child? When I think about it, how is that right anyways and who the hell made up these stupid rules? My mind continues to reel and I don't even notice when Mason sits beside me brushing my arm with his.

"Hey luv." He says, he's really not as sleazy as he appears, his mousy brown shapeless tousled hair, his brown eyes twinkle, he's pretty much a happy go lucky reaper. Rube told me that he's a transfer from England, but in all his years in America, hasn't lost his accent. I notice that Roxy is still nattering away about the last guy she gave a ticket to. She's a petit, mocha skinned woman that you don't want to mess with. She wears her ebony hair in loose waves that fit neatly under her meter maids cap. I've found that the more time I spend with them, the more of a read I can get, except for Rube. He's still pretty much a mystery to me. I've hardly perused the menu that Kiffany had given me well over ten minuets ago.

"Peanut. Earth to George." I finally snap out of it. Rube is staring at me and by the looks of it, contemplating whether or not he should whack me upside the head with his menu. "What is the matter with you?" he asks, I can see a glimpse of concern on his face. I shake my head not wanting to discuss it with everyone present. He nods in silent understanding and orders for me when Kiffany arrives.

It's a strange feeling, watching the world basically continue on without you while you deal with one main constant, disconnection. Whatever those philosophers thought about death so isn't the case. Daisy continues her griping about an open casting call for some television show or movie, or something. I don't really know, because her rose painted lips are moving, but I don't seem to hear the words. I know that Roxy has suddenly said something utterly hilarious, because even Rube is laughing. Mason is his usual self I'm sure, trying to get Daisy to go out with him. He should just give it up, she's never going to give into him, she's not that kind of girl.

Most have finished eating and are heading out. Perhaps going home to relax after a busy day, or out on dates, or dancing or whatever. I am still sitting across from Rube, my dinner whatever it is still in front of me. Rube is one who cuts to the chase so I'm not surprised in the least that he has waited for the gang to head out before speaking to me, not that I had really been aware of them anyways.

"So tell me what's going on with you." He says sitting back in his seat and takes a sip of coffee. I sit back not sure exactly what to say. I'm in so much pain that I cannot help but wonder if this is it for me; that I will never fully adjust to taking the souls of children.

"Let me guess. You're last reap was a child." He states as if he knew. He must I'm sure he gets more info then he gives us. I can only nod. My eyebrows furrow and I kind of play with my hair in a nervous fashion.

"Yeah. I still don't understand why I have to Rube. I know that you have told me countless times not to question things because they are. From my understanding it seems that the maintenance of the status quo is just that, and it's our job to facilitate that ideal, whatever that means." I don't' bother finishing my thought because he knows the rest of it. He probably invented it. Despite the fact that the words come to me so easily, they offer very little comfort. That's when the water works begin. "I should go home. I don't think I'm very good company to be around right now." He gets his handkerchief out of his pocket, then reaches across the table and dabs at the tears in my eyes. I attempt to smile through the tears, but still cannot find the strength to compose myself.

I don't exactly know how I got from Der Waffle Haus to Rube's place, but here we are. He opens the door for me and I step inside as he flips on the lights.

"George sweetie, he's okay now. You don't have to worry, you did nothing wrong." He says as he closes the door behind me. It's a cozy flat with an open concept that has the well lived in look. There is so much going on in my head that I let him literally steer me into one of the chairs that sits in front of the carved wooden, exposed brick fireplace.

"Rube, I seriously don't think you understand." I answer as tears still make their way down my hot cheeks.

"I'll make you some tea. That usually helps people calm down." He says. I only nod my head and try to smile. He busies himself with filling a kettle and plugging it in. While the water boils I can hear him set up a tray. It felt good to know that there was someone who did care, someone who did want to help when things were pretty much going downhill. I try to let the stress of the day wash away and calm down, after all, he is right. No matter what I think is or isn't right, the boy had an appointment, and I had to be there to help him out.

Rube sets the tray down on the ottoman before pouring the tea and handing me a china cup and saucer. I smile my thanks and take a sip. It's pretty good tea, for tea and I sit back in the chair and kind of stare at him over the rim of the teacup. I'm pretty sure that he can tell what I'm doing, but at least he doesn't make me feel silly. I finish my tea and put the cup and saucer on the tray. He follows suit, but after adding his teacup to the tray, he kneels in front of me and takes my hands in his. He holds them tightly, which I take as a manner of sharing his understanding of how I'm feeling.

I'm not quite sure what I'm doing, all I know is that I have closed whatever distance had been between us and I'm holding on to him for dear life and sobbing into his chest. Where do all these tears come from? I wonder as I can feel him gently stroke my back in an attempt to calm me, he brushes my hair from my face, and it is then in the dimly lit room that we kiss. The kiss is everything that I had imagined it to be, only better. I had waited for this moment and yet reality hits me like a ton of bricks, as often reality does, and I totally freak out.

Rube has been so many things to me. An uncle-like figure, as he assisted me with the whole transition from life to un-life; a father when I needed the wisdom of someone who knew what I was going though, and a friend when I really needed someone to talk to, a shoulder to cry on, or whatever; I suppose this was only natural. But at the same time, I didn't quite know what to do. It strikes me that things are moving rather quickly, so much so that I am not able to process and I have to break the embrace.

"I'm so sorry." I practically whisper, suddenly not being able to find my voice. In my heart I want the kiss to last forever and maybe even go further, but my head argues that now is not the time.

"Don't be." He says simply, his tone as understanding is as his touch. We sit on the floor in front of the fireplace knees almost touching; I decide to spill my guts.

I didn't notice
But I didn't care
I tried being honest
But that left me nowhere

"I want to be with you. I really do. I just don't know how. It isn't as though I have had a lot of life experience. I was far too busy being on the fringe to interact with anyone, let alone guys." The words are so hard to say, and I suddenly feel like such a tease. One the one hand, I really want to stay, but on the other, I want to run and hide, as if that will solve the tension that I can sense building between us. Oh Lord, I naively believed that at eighteen things are supposed to make more sense; that somehow an instruction manual falls from the sky, but no such luck and I continue to fight my internal conflict of whether I should stay or go.

I have to admit to myself that in that moment I loved the way he felt in my arms, the way he smells all the time, and the electricity that seems to charge within my body just being close to him; when I'm with him, I feel like home. But tonight I now know he knows how I feel, yet I don't know how to proceed.

"Rube, I really should go." I stammer as I push myself to my feet and shakily make my way to the door, turning to see him still sitting on the floor with a slightly dumbfounded look on his face, I close the door and make my way to the street below.

The evening air is cool as it caresses my obviously hot face. I walk through the quiet street and finally find my way home, where Daisy is still awake, practicing some sort of monologue that she thinks will get her back onto what she calls the silver screen, but what we know as the big screen. I say nothing to her and go straight to my bedroom to prepare myself for a cold shower and bed.

The next few weeks, things seem to be okay between Rube and I, at least around the others; however, when we're alone, that's a different story. I have been careful to be the last in arriving for whatever meal the crew is meeting for and almost the first to leave after drinking a cup of coffee, seeing that I've started picking up breakfast from a small diner around the corner from work. Basically, I spend as little time alone with Rube as I possibly can, and I don't think anyone else has noticed, but if they have, they are keeping their thoughts to themselves.

Is this normal? I wonder if couples do a lot of pondering? Or do they just know and jump? Betty liked to jump, as I look down at the ring she gave me before her plunge into the lights after some English guy. I wonder what she would do in my situation. Reapers aren't supposed to go into the lights, at least that's what I've been told, but Betty wasn't a normal reaper. Sure, she got the job done and seemed to enjoy her undead existence, but I guess there was always something missing for her. Why is it that even after all of this time, I still haven't fully adjusted? I sigh deep in thought. Will I ever truly get it? But now I'm getting way off topic, and I quickly go back to my internal angst fest.

"Mason, I'm going to need a ride to the bus station." Rube announces over dinner.

"Why?" he asks not sure if he wants to do a favour for Rube, who only looks at him. "Oh. Never mind, I got it. Top secret." He says with a smile and the rest of us just roll our eyes. I look over at Rube and can just see the yellow Post-it that rests just under his hand through the slight gaps between his fingers. As if he knows what I'm about to say, he puts an arm around my shoulders.

"Well then. We better head out." He says scooting Daisy and I out of his way. We walk them to the parking lot and I cannot stop myself, I fling myself into his arms. "I'll be back before you know it Peanut." His use of my nickname calms me slightly, but that doesn't stop the terrified look I give him when I look up at him.

"Are you sure?" I ask, "I mean, this isn't your last assignment or anything. Is it?" he smiles to reassure me of his return.

"I'll be back, I promise." He says before kissing my cheek. "Mason, there's room for George, get in." he says and I sit myself in the middle. None of us speak as Mason drives, I can see Rube from the corner of my eye. I wonder what he's thinking. When we arrive at the station, Rube gets out and quickly heads towards an awaiting bus and boards. Mason and I sit in the truck and wait for the bus to pull out before he puts the truck in drive and takes me home. I wonder if he felt the same way I do now when he dropped me off at the train station for my first solo appointment. I begin to wonder how far back this little game of cat and mouse has truly been going on.

I watched the station
Saw the bus pulling through
And I don't mind saying
A part of me left with you

(Chorus)

Did I make you nervous?
Did I ask for too much?
Was I not deserving one second of your touch?

I almost lose track of how long Rube is actually gone. Has it been three or closer to five days? I'm not exactly sure and not having a Post-it feels funny, as does eating with everyone else in near silence. I wonder if it just feels like that for me. Oh well. I hear from Daisy that Rube has returned this afternoon, so we will be having breakfast tomorrow morning and receiving our Post-its. Apparently he needed this evening to himself, away from us. The time off should have been fun while it lasted, but all I did was spend it thinking about him.

I'm not exactly sure how I am feeling this morning as I arrive with Daisy late to meet the gang at Der Waffle Haus for breakfast. For the strangest reason I cannot bear to be the first there and I'm going to bolt as soon as I get my Post-it, for I don't think I can go through an awkward moment with him. Of course I'm forced to sit beside him, smack dab between him and Daisy. Great, I think to myself, as I try not to get myself pressed up against him for fear of my body's independent reaction. He seems as pleased as I at our predicament.

I can't see him very well from the corner of my eye and I stare blankly at the menu just so that I don't have to talk to anyone.

"Earth to George." That's Mason, a great touch I might add, coming from him. I lower my menu enough to see him over it.

"Yes?"

"Aren't you going to order?" he asks as I suddenly see Kiffany standing at our table.

"She'll have what I'm having." Rube says, in his usual take charge tone. I don't argue, just smile and nod as I fold the menu and hand it to her. Kiffany makes her way back to the kitchen. Roxy looks at the clock on the wall over the odd-looking brick fireplace.

"Rube I have to get going. May I have my Post-it please." She says holding out her hand. He goes through his brown leather day planner and pulls out a fresh pad of Post-it notes. He writes the appointments initial and last name, the location, along with the estimated time of death before handing it to her.

"Thanks." She says with a nod, puts her meter maids hat on, and makes her way to the door. Daisy makes no move to let me out, nor does she move to sit beside Mason. Great! I think to myself as I pick at the meal set in front of me. I have to be the next one out of here, or I'm going to have to say something to him.

"May I have my Post-it please." I say in my usual not giving a rats ass tone.

"Not yet Peanut." He says sarcastically, but there is something about him today that I cannot place. He's almost nice about things with everyone and their complaints. Strange, I wonder, he's not quite the Rube I know and I cannot help but wonder what's happened to him. I finish my breakfast and he gives out the remaining Post-its. One for Daisy, one for Mason and one for me, which as I take I feel his fingers brush mine in an almost nervous manner. Perhaps in a gesture to reach out to me, I am unsure. Actually, I'm unsure about a lot of things, especially right now.

Mason dashes out the door to spend his day however that is and Daisy finally moves to sit across from us and finishes her coffee. The three of us sit quietly and I glance at my watch. I have to be at the university library in a couple of hours for my appointment, so I really have nowhere to be, but for the life of me cannot stand to sit beside Rube for a moment longer. It isn't that I don't want to be near him, just that I find myself wondering if I had expected too much from him. I'm a teenager. Things in my world work very differently from his. He's how old? And that much older because of when he died, so he has so much more life and death experience than I do. What the hell was I thinking the other night? I wonder. That's right! I sure as hell wasn't thinking, and now I've caused this odd rift between us. Perhaps I wasn't even worthy of any of his affection, friendly or otherwise, which makes me feel even worse then I did that night.

"I should get going." I stammer.

"Why Georgia? I saw the ETD, it's not for a few hours." Daisy says not knowing the excruciating pain I am feeling at this moment, which I'm sure is starting to show on my face, via my pink cheeks. She doesn't know that I have gone into avoidance mode. Anything to not spend more time in Rube's presence would be a miracle right about now, but somehow I know that that miracle isn't going to happen. So I sit back and wait for Daisy to get bored and leave and know that I'll have to face him on my own.

(Chorus)

Daisy finally finds her excuse to leave and I move from the seat beside him to follow.

"Hey Georgia, where do you think you're going?" he inquires with a soft expression. I shrug and sit across from him. "I wanted to talk to you about the other night."

"Look, Rube I'm really sorry. I don't know what I was or wasn't thinking. It won't happen again." I manage with a fairly straight face. He frowns slightly in response.

"It isn't that George. I am the one who should be apologizing. I'm sorry for putting you in such a terrible spot. I should have walked you home, or gotten you a cab or something." I do not stop my hand from reaching out across the table and taking his hand in mine. The electricity is undeniable and I smile hoping to make him feel more at ease.

"If I hadn't allowed myself to get so messed up, we wouldn't be pussy footing around each other. Maybe if things were just different." I offer with a reassuring squeeze. "But just so you know, I am the one who is sorry." I say in earnest before going through my wallet for some money to give him for breakfast.

"Don't worry about it. I've got it. I'll catch you later?" he asks, I can hear the hope in his tone. I smile and nod as I stand and make my way out. I don't have that much time to make it to my appointment. I cannot believe that it's at the university, that's where my father teaches English literature for Christ's sake. Oh this reaping thing can suck beyond suckage, I think to myself as I wait at the bus stop for the direct bus to the campus.

What would you do if I could have you?
oh if I could
I'd let you feel everything I'm thinking
Wouldn't that be nice?

As I wait for my stop my mind cannot help but wander. What if things were different and there is some parallel universe in which Rube and I can exist on the level we want? I begin to wonder if he thinks or feels the same way as I, but then again we did kiss and I'm pretty sure that it wasn't one way, I remind myself as I get off the bus and make my way to the library. I double check my Post-it and look around for my appointment.

Then I see him, a quiet book smart guy who seems really sweet if only he had confidence. I'm sure if he had just taken some effort in his overall appearance the cool crowd, that he seems to want to be a part of, would like him. I am careful as I follow him through the stacks so as not to draw too much attention to myself. It isn't hard to tell that he's my mark, I see the lone Graveling at work in creating the accident that will occur in a matter of a few minutes.

I stop not far from him and pretend to be looking for something. He notices me and tries to be cool about it, but I can see his lack of confidence.

"Hi." He says shyly.

"Hey." I reply. I'm such an idiot. "You seem to have the book I need." I lie. It seems as though it's become second nature, except around Rube. He can see right through me every time I try to fib or sugar coat the truth.

"Really?" he looks at me with a quizzical expression.

"Uh yeah. I just need to be sure. Can I take a look at the index?" I ask and he hands me the book. I flip to the back of the book and pretend to skim the index, then the table of contents. "I'm sorry to have bothered you, this isn't the one I'm looking for." I say and as I hand it back manage to pop his soul through his hand without his knowing.

"No problem. Hope you find whatever book it is that you're after." He says with a smile and heads towards one of the study booths where some of his books lie open.

"Thanks." I say and get out of the way, just as the lighting fixture above somehow lets go and fries the poor lad under it. What a way not to go, I think to myself and wait for his soul to appear. He stands here with me staring at himself and his eyes widen.

"That's me?" he says in shock.

"Yeah. Sorry about that." I say and he shakes his head as a bright light appears. "Oh that's for you." I add with a smile. He looks at me for a moment.

"What is it?" he asks.

"Oh I don't know. The great whatever." I say stepping back and allowing him to gravitate towards it, which he does just in the nick of time before another student rounds the corner. Thank god he's easy about moving on, or I could find myself soul-sitting.

I make my way through the campus back to the bus stop and back to Der Waffle Haus for dinner with the gang. I cannot help but let my mind wander back to Rube and what may or may not have happened that night. I wanted to kiss him, be kissed by him, tell him how I feel about him and hope that he returns those feelings. Wouldn't it be amazing if he did? My last thoughts before getting off the bus and heading down the street to the restaurant.