Disclaimer: Dead Like Me and its characters are the creation of Bryan Fuller et al. and 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 entertainment purposes only.
Characters: Roxy/Rube, Daisy, Georgia, Mason
Genre: Some Romance in a clichéd manner/not sure what else
Abstract: After Roxy's arrival, everything starts to fall neatly into place and Rube reaffirms his decision.
The translation of Homer's Odyssey used in this fanfiction is from Penguin Books. Full citation:
Homer. Trans by E. V. Rieu. The Odyssey. London. Penguin Books. 1946.
The Fulfilment of My Quota and What's to Follow
As Roxy settles in, I sneak into the living room area and push the coffee table back against the sofa to create more space. Then I grab any and all cushions and pillows I can find and place them on the floor in front of the fireplace. I quickly find some soft background music and light the oil lamp as well before going into the kitchen to get a bottle of wine, wine glasses, some cheese, crackers and grapes to go with the wine. I set the tray on the coffee table, place the glasses and wine beside it and find a couple of blankets. I add the final log to the fire and I'm just in the middle of shifting the logs around with the cast iron poker when Roxy emerges from the bedroom. She finds a place to lounge upon the mini cushion/pillow mountain and smiles up at me. I place the poker back in its holder, make my way towards her and gently kiss the top of her head, inhaling the scent of the jasmine she wears, before finding a place of my own and pouring the wine.
"Thank you." She raises her glass towards me, "cheers." She adds and takes a sip, I follow suit and put the glass back on the table with a soft clink. We stay in a wonderful, comfortable silence, both of us staring at the fireplace as the flames lick the logs in their consuming dance of golden, orange and reddish hues. I look at her for a moment, not to appear to be studying her, but there's something different about her. She's not usually easy to read and I can tell that she has something important on her mind, which I can tell weighs her heart and that she needs to talk to me about it, the topic of which I am fairly certain I already know. She takes a much-needed breath, as I'm sure she happened to see the opened envelope on the kitchen table when she entered the cabin. When something as heavy as that is on one's mind, it's difficult, to say the least to not want to discuss it.
"Rube, are you absolutely certain that this is what you want?" she inquires as she sits comfortably, picking up a blanket and draping it over her legs before reaching out for her glass and taking a sip. I find myself peering over the rim of my glass and watch her face as it's illuminated by the fire's soft glow. She knows the answers; that I had long decided what I wanted, even after seeking her thoughts on the subject.
"Roxy, I've made my decision. Signed the papers, all that's to be done is send them back upon returning home. I think that right now," I emphases the now part, "there are far too many people who count on me. Need me. There's you, Georgia, Daisy, and even our Mason that need me here." I reply as I take a deep breath.
"This is going to sound strange, but I cannot help but think that you may only have a year with us." She tilts her head and stares into my eyes as if searching for something.
"Or perhaps another hundred." I put in, causing a frown to weave its way onto her painted lips.
"Perhaps." She agrees with a nod and a frown, knowing how difficult this decision is for me. "Long enough to resent your decision as your friends and loved ones leave you." I know that she cannot help stating the truth and I always respect her for that.
"I really think for me it's better to stick around. There are so many things that I love. An extension, no matter how long or short is a blessing. And Roxy, not a word to the others." I say with a bright smile and a very soft sigh as I put my glass on the coffee table that I had strategically pushed towards the sofa earlier. Roxy smiles and moves closer to me, I respond by holding my arms out towards her, inviting her to wrap herself within. We lounge comfortably and watch as the fire dies down, turning the last log into soft glowing embers that will soon become ash, and leave us in that funny grey darkness, save for the single oil lamp on the table in the corner.
"So what brought you here?"
"You." She replies kissing my chin. "I thought about your little suggestion, and it occurred to me that for the first time in how many years has it been, that you might want my company. Plus, I didn't think that you should be spending your time contemplating a future that no one, well except death, and maybe the fates, know." She closes her eyes as she holds my hands in hers resting them on her stomach and rests her head on my chest.
Falling asleep on a mini mountain of cushions and pillow's is not something that I would recommend. Awaking early this morning, I try not to wake Roxy, who is still asleep comfortably. Ever so gently, I manage to untangle myself and make my way to the kitchen to get the coffee on and make some breakfast.
"Morning." I hear her soft voice, still heavy with sleep.
"Morning." I reply with a warm smile as I open a package of bacon and grab a couple of eggs to make an omelette.
"You spoil me you know that right?" she says returning my smile.
"I know. Part of why you like me so much." I wink and gently kiss her temple.
"Who said anything about liking?" she replies with an impish expression. I know what she means, as her actions speak volumes and I'm fairly certain that she feels for me what I feel for her, but has one little roadblock, for some reason she isn't or doesn't allow herself to be free enough to express those emotions. Setting the table, Roxy returns to the kitchen and pours the coffee.
"So what do you have in mind for today?" she inquires in a happy tone.
"I'm not really sure. We could go into town and pick up a few things." I suggest.
"That sounds like a good idea." She nods and helps me take the plates to the table. "This is fabulous." she exclaims. "Remind me why you eat out so much?"
"Cooking for one isn't as fun as for two." I reply with a wink.
With the dishes washed, dried, and put away, we dress and prepare ourselves to go into town. I've almost forgot how much I love it up here. The air is so much crisper and fresh, the snow somehow whiter, and the mountains, what can I say? Gorgeous.
"I've never been up here." Roxy says as she looks out the window as I drive to the closest town. "How long exactly have you been coming up here?"
"Let's see. I found it while on assignment. I suppose it was the summer of nineteen fifty-six when going to cottages was the thing to do. Lots of young love in these mountains." I add recalling the many times over I'd be walking through the woods only to stumble upon a young couple in love. Which in many ways was one of the main reasons that I vacation, if you will, in the winter. The time of year where I may stumble upon the odd skier or hiker, I let my smile widen at the thought as I find a parking space outside the town's general store.
With a cart full of groceries, Roxy and I load up the truck and head back to the cabin. It's beginning to snow again, the big fluffy kind of flakes that kids can count, and that sick to your eyelashes. Roxy smiles suddenly, I can just see the corner of her lips turn upwards.
"What are you thinking about?"
"Just happy to have you around is all. You know that I respect you. I just really don't think I could ever handle the crew as it is. I mean Mason drives me nuts with his constant annoying quips. Daisy, well she's quite a piece of work, somewhere inside there is a heart, I've yet to see it. And let's put it this way, George is so much like you in personality it's scary, I don't think I'd be able to handle that. To top them off, I'd be getting a new reaper, which is just way too much to deal with. Rube, how do you do it?" She asks simply as I pull the truck into the driveway.
"I've been doing it for a very long time. You just find the method that works for you and the wrinkles get ironed." I reply as we get the groceries from the truck and take them inside where we will most likely hold ourselves up for the remainder of the week. "I'd like to show you something amazing." I say as we finish putting the groceries away and Roxy starts to pull things out for dinner.
"What is it?" she asks trying to get the needed veggies out of their respective plastic bags and wash them, despite my constant distraction.
"Well we have to go for a little walk for me to show you." I say as I wrap my arms around her waist and kiss the back of her neck.
"After dinner?" she replies with a laugh. "Get out of my kitchen." She adds with a bright smile.
"Are you sure?" I whisper in her ear. She looks up for a moment before answering in that let me think about it manner.
"Uh-yeah I'm sure. I said that I was making dinner. Now scoot!" she untangles herself from my grasp and begins cutting the veggies.
"I'll get the fire going for this evening." I say over my shoulder as I head into the living room and begin to get the kindling from the wood cupboard beside the fireplace. "Music?" I add.
"Sounds like a good idea." She replies as I start to smell onions being sautéed. "So you're keeping everything from them? Rube do you think that's fair?" she asks as she continues preparing the chicken.
"Fair or not, I think it's for the best." I reply as the fire gets going. I never thought to discuss it with the members of my team; I only felt it fair to discuss it with Roxy, and only because of what's finally started between us. I couldn't make a rash decision, when the outcome wasn't only going to affect me. Frederick never discussed his last Post-it with me, one day it just happened and that internal envelope has continued to arrive under my door ever since that evening. I've always just felt that that's the way it was done, very Victorian like when I come to think about it. "Are you sure you don't need help with making dinner?" I ask going to the cupboard and getting the needed plates.
"I'm sure." She replies and puts the chicken in the oven. I finish adding candles and serviettes to the place setting. She glances from the door.
"Looking very nice." Her smile is bright as she leans casually against the open doorframe holding out a glass of wine.
"Thank you." I say gently taking it from her.
"So how far is this walk? Or is it a hike?"
"A bit of a hike. I was going to make hot cocoa to take along with us."
"And what exactly tells you that I'm an outdoorsy person?"
"I just know." I reply simply and we return to the living room and sit in front of the fire. It's nice to have someone to share the things that you like to do, like sit in front of a fire in a secluded cabin in the woods and read. I open my book as Roxy motions for me to let her sit with me.
"Read to me?" she lifts my arm and drapes it over her shoulder and rests her cheek on my chest.
"You're dinner won't get burnt?"
"Nope, got the timer all set. It's all good." She smiles and I grab a blanket, drape it over our legs and open the book to where I left off.
"You don't even know what I've been reading." I say in a playful tone.
"That doesn't matter. I've read it a long time ago. I just want to hear your voice." She replies with a sigh. So I begin reading from Homer's The Odyssey:
Chuckling as she went, the old woman bustled upstairs to tell her mistress that her beloved husbandwas in the house. Her legs moved so fast that she almost tripped over her feet. She stood at the bedside and said: 'Wake up, Penelope, dear child, and see with your very own eyes what you've longed for all these days. Odysseus has come and is home after all of these years. And he's killed the arrogant Suitors who turned his whole house inside out, ate up his wealth, and bullied his son.i
As I read, I pause to see how my audience is holding up. Roxy is still pressed against me and awake, hanging onto every word. It's a nice combination, Roxy and I, a warm fire, soft music, wine and the smell of dinner.
But Odysseus and Penelope, after they had enjoyed the pleasure of love, turned to the pleasure of talk. The noble Queen told him all she had endured in his home, watching that destructive gang of Suitors at their work, of all the cattle and fat sheep that they had slaughtered in pursuit of her, of all the jars they had emptied of wine.ii
I pause as the ding of the oven signals that the chicken is cooked, as is everything else, which somehow I wish wasn't till the end of the chapter.
"I better get that." She says as she reluctantly rises to her feet and heads to the kitchen, I follow close behind and help her take the dishes to the table. I pour the wine and we sit down to a lovely dinner. After dinner we clear the dishes, wash, dry and put them away before I start the hot cocoa.
"You still up for the walk?" I ask and she smiles her response with a nod.
"How many layers do I need to wear to keep warm?" she inquires.
"As many as you think you need." I reply, not knowing myself how cold it is. I finish making the cocoa, fill the thermoses and get my winter socks and boots on.
I lead her through the moonlit snowy trail to the place I had stumbled upon on one of my many night walks. I had never imagined a time when I would have the chance to share this amazing find with anyone. I don't need the flashlight that I tucked into the little bag as the moon provides the most beautiful light source, I couldn't have asked for a better night.
"We're almost there." I say as Roxy hangs onto my hand and I lead her up to the clearing. "Close your eyes."
"But I'll fall over my feet." She protests.
"No you won't. Besides, I'm here to catch you." I add with a big, bright smile. She nods ands closes her eyes, letting me guide her towards the view. I set the bag down and prepare myself for her reaction. I just know that she'll be blown away. "Open your eyes."
For someone who has never seen this view, you would think you died and had gone to heaven. It's a clearing just out of the woods, something akin to a shelf that's oh I'd say thirty feet above the lake. The thickly snow covered mountains on the other side of the lake reflect the moons sliver light, causing a diamond effect on the crystal like snow. It's quite; save for the hooting of an owl, the odd single wolf howling at the moon, the crisp air smells like more snow, and the snow on the ground crunches under our heavy boots.
"Wow!" the only thing she can utter and let me tell you that I've never experienced Roxy speechless. "This is spectacular!" she adds and I just watch her and let myself experience the view, the beauty, and the experience through her.
"I thought you might like it." I say quietly and make my way towards her, wrap my arms around her and kiss her cool cheek. "You want some hot chocolate?"
"Yes please." She replies and I open the bag to get the thermoses and pour the still steaming liquid into the top. "Thanks." She says, after I hand it to her. "And to think that we have to head back to the grind tomorrow." She sighs loudly. I almost wish that we could stay up here alone forever, but that wouldn't be feasible, we have responsibility and I have the rest of my crew to return to. We stay for a while longer; basking in the night and its wondrous beauty for as long as we can stay warm, then head back to the cabin and the warmth of a fire, more wine and conversation.
I had long cleaned up the mountain of cushions and pillows, so tonight I thought I'd just move the sofa closer to the fire. Roxy seems happy with the idea as she emerges from the bedroom with an approving smile, dressed in her pyjamas and a fluffy bathrobe, I cannot help but smile.
"I just thought that I would change. I was hopping that you would finish the story." She adds with a smile. I nod in response, slightly surprised that she wants me to continue. There really is nothing like this, I think to myself as she goes to the kitchen for a few things to snack on and returns to sit in my arms and finish the story.
"Where was I?" I ask as though I don't recall. Roxy giggles.
"Didn't we finish Odysseus and Penelope's interlude? We should be moving on to the resolution of the feud." She tilts her head quizzically.
"Oh yes, that's right."
And now Cyllenian Hermes began to summon the souls of the Suitors from the palace, holding in his hand the splendid golden wand that he can use at will to cast a spell on men's eyes or wake them from sleep.iii
I stop reading as Roxy turns in my arms and reaches out for the glass on the table. A quick break, I follow suit and grab a couple chips as well.
"When was the first time you read this?" I ask her as she sits up.
"I was in high school the first time. I don't think it had the same meaning as it did later on when I was in collage."
"What was your favourite subject?" I ask as I take a few more chips.
"I liked quite a few subjects. You know that I loved dance, but I also liked English and art history."
"What did you want? What was your passion?"
"I would have loved to be a dance teacher or a choreographer." She replies with a sad sigh that strikes a chord within me.
"What's stopping you?" I ask, never knowing the full extent to which being killed by your own invention can effect you.
"Oh Rube things have changed. In many ways I'm different. My death helped, or shaped me and I've learned so many things. For the first time in a very long while, I can honestly say that I'm happy." She replies leaning in towards me and capturing my no doubt salty lips with hers.
"And we shall far too soon be returning to reality." I sigh softly in her ear.
"We're almost done the story. Would you like me to finish reading it?"
"Would you like to?" I ask, fairly sure that she'd rather listen tonight. She confirms my suspicion by shaking her head no, and wrapping herself in my arms. I pick up the book from the coffee table, where I had set it while we took our little break. Returning to the story, a relatively short chapter and we were already half way through before our little interlude.
But at this moment Zeus flung a flaming thunderbolt which fell in front of the bright-eyed Daughter of that formidable Sire. Athene called out to Odysseus: 'Odysseus, favourite of Zeus, resourceful son of Laertes, hold your hand! Stop fighting your countrymen, in case you incur the wrath of Zeus the Thunderer.'
Odysseus obeyed her, and his heart rejoiced. Then Pallas Athene, Daughter of aegis-bearing Zeus, still using Mentor's form and voice for her disguise, established peace between the two sides.iv
"I forgot how much I enjoyed the classics." Roxy says with a yawn. "Thank you for sharing that with me."
"Your welcome. Tomorrow is an early day. I know did most of the clean up today, but there are a few things that still have to be done before we leave tomorrow." I smile and I tidy up with Roxy's help before we retire for the night.
I'm not surprised by the early morning snowfall. It's beautiful the way the snow's thick flakes drift listlessly until it finds its landing place. I make breakfast and we finish up cleaning before packing the truck.
"I really don't want to go back."
"Neither do I." I reply, as we make sure the cabin is locked up tightly and head off to the snow covered open road. It's funny how it doesn't feel like a long drive and we stop at the gas station/diner I had on my way up to fill up the truck and have lunch.
"So, we'll have dinner with the crew this evening?" Roxy asks over lunch. I nod my ascent.
"I'm going to have to see how they did without either of us. You never know, you and I may just be surprised. I know George will be fine, and I'm fairly certain that Daisy did her job as well. Is it possible that Mason didn't mess up?" Roxy looks at me thoughtfully for a moment.
"Well he knows what's going to happen if he does." She replies with a very interesting smile. I cannot help the chuckle. "What?" she inquires taking a sip of coffee.
"I hope you didn't." I trail off and let her tell me what she did to ensure the smoothness of the past few days.
"Let's just say he wouldn't find it very comfortable and no amount of drugs or alcohol will be able to dampen the pain." She says with a confident grin. I'm almost afraid of what she might have in store for the poor lad.
"But in all seriousness. I think that you ought to tell the others about that envelope. Let them know, you know?" she says as she gets some money from her wallet for lunch, I go to add my share. "I have it." She says.
"If I tell them then there will be questions. Questions that I don't have, nor do I think I will ever find the answers to." I say as we head back to the truck.
"I know, but don't you think that George needs to know."
"Why does George need to know?"
"I didn't really stress the other two, because I doubt that it would eve occur to them that this could happen to them. She's so much like you, I could see this happening to her and without prior knowledge of the possibility she will no doubt have wished she had this ace in her pocket."
"Frederick never discussed his final Post-it. One day he asked me to accompany him on one of his reaps, which I knew was strange to begin with, but I accompanied him nonetheless. After he took his last soul, he nodded towards me as the poor chap met his demise and took his place. I hadn't any inclination that I had been chosen for the middle management position. I knew that I wouldn't be told when the final promotion is to take place, and now I've somehow bypassed that road for a while at least."
"Yes, and you have a chance to do and enjoy that much more." She adds stifling a yawn.
"Am I keeping you awake?" I smile as she shakes her head.
"Just all of that fresh air." She replies. "Please Rube, tell George. At the very least, she'll understand."
"She might." I agree as I turn into the paved driveway to her apartment. "Home sweet home for you." I say as I help her with her bags.
"Won't you come in for a coffee or something?" she inquires.
"I'm good. I just need to get settled before dinner this evening. I'll see you tonight." I add holding onto her for as long as I can.
"See you tonight." She smiles brightly before kissing me goodbye.
Despite the supposed environmental movement towards cleaner air, the air here hardly seems as crisp, or fresh as up in the mountains. I smile as I enter the restaurant where my reapers await my arrival. I take my time and observe them for a moment before making my way to our quasi-office. Georgia sits beside Mason, his arm is draped over her shoulder. Roxy sits beside her, not surprisingly as she tends to like that particular side of the booth. Daisy occupies the spot beside my regular place. They seem very animated in their conversation as I make my presence known, via the customary clearing of my throat.
"Welcome back Rube." George says with a sweet smile. I actually missed her while I was away. I even find that I've missed Daisy and Mason. Daisy stands, allowing me to occupy my usual place.
"So how was your trip?" George presses, probably in an attempt to avoid the inevitable.
"It was interesting." I reply giving Roxy a wink, which she returns with a knowing smile. We talk about my trip for a little while, long enough for Kiffany to take our orders and return with them, before I get into the deeper stuff.
"So how did everything go?" I inquire, half expecting to hear that Mason did something absolutely insane, which would be the norm
"Well I double teamed with him." George answers, "not that I thought he couldn't handle it. My Post-its happened to be near his and around the same time. It just made sense." She added. I have to admit that I'm pleasantly surprised and pleased to hear that everything went smoothly while I was away. It then occurs to me that they don't need me. How is it that something so simple as staying on for however long that is suddenly so difficult? I think Roxy senses my reaction. I'm as pleased as any 'dad' would be that his 'kids' haven't killed each other while he was away, but by the same token, they have displayed that they don't really need a 'dad'. Roxy gives me a warm smile that indicates that I've still made the right decision. I nod, letting her know that I'm going to tell Georgia.
"Are we getting our Post-its tonight?" Daisy asks, breaking the silence that has fallen on the group.
"No, Daisy. I don't have tomorrows Post-its for you as of yet. I've only just unpacked. After dinner this evening I shall prepare them."
"Really? Thank goodness, I thought I was going to get stuck with a midnight reap or something." She smiles. "Hey you guys want to catch a movie or something?" she inquires.
"I'm in." Mason exclaims happily.
"Yeah, that sounds like fun." George adds.
"Uh Georgia, you and I need to talk. Perhaps you can catch a movie another time?" she looks at me for a moment then at Daisy and Mason.
"Have fun guys, I'll see you later tonight at home." She doesn't seem too disappointed to be missing the film. Daisy and Mason make their way out. Roxy hangs back for a moment I nod that it's okay.
"I'll catch you later?" she says with a warm smile as she stands and quickly steals a kiss before making her way out. George looks at me for a long moment.
"Something's happened to you. You've been very different around us, when you left, but this evening in particular. What's up?" she folds her hands on the tabletop in front of her and leans in towards me.
"You're right. I've been distant, under some unforeseen stress I suppose." I say quietly.
"But I thought the time away from us would have alleviated the coldness I've been sensing from you." She says and I now she why Roxy wanted me to at the very least tell her.
"Well this isn't the easiest thing to tell you and it was probably one of the most difficult decisions that I've ever had to make." I say in a quiet, even tone.
"Right before I left for my trip, I received notification that my last Post-it was on its way."
"And you didn't tell us?" she raises her voice slightly.
"I'll tell you what I told Roxy. Last Post-its aren't something that are discussed, they just happen." I say simply.
"So no goodbyes?"
"I thought that it would be easier for you guys."
"What? I've lost so much in these past few years, you mean to tell me that I'm about to lose you as well?"
"No, you're not going to lose me."
"But you just said that you're last Post-it was just around the corner. How?"
"I was offered an extension on my quota."
"You never mentioned that before."
"It isn't a normal occurrence." I begin to explain. "The internal envelope arrived the day before I was depart."
"That explains you're aloofness." She says under her breath.
"Well it was hard and I didn't want to tell you. I didn't want any of you to think that you were keeping me here. In fact, I don't even know how long the extension is for. It could be a year, or another hundred."
"You've chosen to stay?"
"Yes, I thought it best." I reply.
"But you don't look very happy about it."
"I've given up a lot when I got this position. But I've also gained quite a bit, the crew and with it you. I have never encountered anyone quite like you, and you've evolved into a mature young woman. Yes, you will always be eighteen to the rest of us, but you've taught me things that I doubt I would have ever learned and I thank you for that."
"Rube, it is I who should be thanking you. You have no idea the crap you put up with when it comes to me. I've been nothing but a pain in your side. I've been mouthy, rude, what's the word Delores put on my placement? Oh yeah, insolent and she also wrote that I had no respect for authority."
"You were only what you knew yourself to be. Georgia, you've grown tremendously since then." I smile and she smiles back at me. She'll never know that she was my second chance. Yes, she had already moulded herself into a young woman with all defences up, never expecting much from others, probably because she had been let down more times than she could ever count. When first we met all I could do was gain enough of her trust to show her that she was, she is so much more. It's not just George who's been my second chance, but all of my reapers. I'm proud to see how well they now work together, and had I chosen that promotion, they would have been okay. However, with so much left in this world to still enjoy, I shall continue to enjoy them until my new quota runs out.
i Homer. The Odyssey. (London: 1946), p. 344 (5-9).
ii ibid. p. 352 (300-305).
iii ibid. p. 355 (1-4).
iv ibid. p. 370 (539-548).