Thank you for R&R my previous chapters. My apologies for my tardiness in this latest edition, it somehow ran away with itself. I'm fairly certain there will be more because of the opened-ended and unanswered questions, so I'm working on some of those right now. I hope that this is enough drama for those of you who like drama ;) Please enjoy a glass of whatever while reading this (it might help).
Abstract: Rube helps an old friend through a very difficult time. Can this lone skeleton in his closet ruin his present happiness? Maybe, but then again, maybe not. R&R and there maybe more to it than ever met the eye.
Characters: Roxy/Rube, George, Mason, Daisy, and Tessa O'Brien
Genre: Some romance/mystery/tiny bit of implied fluff too
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. Also, A Boom Boom Ba is preformed by Metisse and appears on The Next Best Thing Soundtrack (all copyright stuff applies). Sometimes I think of it as a theme for DLM and seeing that it seemed fitting, in a bit of it went.
Is This the Beginning of the End?
I've never cared much nor really believed in the numerous clichés that seem to revolve around sex and relationships and how sex often seems to change said relationship. I don't usually take fates hand in my affairs personally, but there are times when all I think of, or perhaps do is hope that things will eventually come out in the wash the way I would like them to. Yet at the same time, I've been around far too long I know better than that. If nothing else, time has taught me that when things are going well, especially when they are going too well, something terrible lurks in the shadows; something that's ready to pounce upon you and your good fortune.Right now my good fortune is Roxy. I don't even know how to explain the how's or the why's and perhaps it is possible that I will never truly comprehend said inquires. What I do know is that prior to that night, neither of us had the courage to admit whatever it was that bound us together. That unspoken, understood, whatever, but somehow that night two souls collided in over twenty years of unknown, unspoken emotion. I have the distinct feeling that that night will stay fresh in my mind and possibly seared in my soul. Still at the same time I cannot help but wonder what was it that had given me the courage, if that's what you call it. That stopped her in her tracks.
Funny thing too, your whole perspective on the mundane is also affected. That is, the world around you has this funny rosy pigmentation, and you don't really see things as clearly as you normally would. I brush these thoughts away as I enter the restaurant. Smiling at Kiffany as I pass her on my way to our usual booth and wait for my crew. I'm surprised to find that once again Roxy, who is usually the first of my crew to arrive, is what I like to call, pulling a Daisy. She's even baffling the others by arriving last, even after Mason, making me wonder if things really aren't what they seem. This morning Georgia is the first to arrive and she sits herself across from me without much in respect to a greeting. Again this is odd considering that no matter her mood, with me she's usually pretty good. Unless of course, her mood is directed towards me, that's another story all together.
"Good morning." I say with hopes of opening dialogue.
"Morning." She says trying to hide behind her menu. She only hides behind her menu when she messes something up.
"What it is? You know you can talk to me." I say tilting my head in an understanding manner. With George, it helps to be soft. She's still at that tender age where things don't make as much sense as they might have had she been older when she died.
"Everything and nothing." She says in a mock mope. I shake my head with a slight smile. I've seen her like this before, it doesn't usually last very long, but it does require a level of patience that sometimes I lack with her. "Delores is driving me up the wall, you're mad at me because I accepted more responsibility, and Mason is just plain driving me to drink!" She says quietly.
"Come on Georgia, things can't possibly be that bad." I say leaning forward, my arms resting on the tabletop. She nods.
"Oh but it is. I'm serious Rube, I'm so going bananas!" she exclaims as Mason enters. This is the norm. I finally have the chance to talk to her and someone interrupts. I can smell him from a mile away. I hope no one lights a match; the stench alone is something reminiscent of one who smells like something that climbed out of a bottle, or is the expression into? I can't recall.
"Morning Rube. Georgie girl." He says pushing her over to sit across from me. "What's on the agenda?" he inquires as he picks up a menu and starts to scan its contents quickly. We've eaten here so many times that I hardly need the menu, but I still look at it to see if they've added anything that might be interesting.
"Morning all." Daisy, the southern belle says in her airy southern accent before sitting beside me, which is the furthest she can get from Mason. I almost smile, knowing what I know, and I'm fairly certain that they don't know I know. George gives me a quick look and I nod.
"Daisy." I say with a smile.
"So what are we up to this fine weekend?" she asks, her berry painted lips are moving, but I'm not really hearing what she has to say, I hear the bell above the door chime, which signals the arrival of Roxy, who honestly doesn't look too good. I cannot help but wonder what has her in such a state. She sits herself beside Daisy, in an attempt I'm sure to stay away from the stench that is Mason this morning.
"Maybe you ought to give the boy his Post-it, so he can get his alcohol saturated ass out of here and I can enjoy my breakfast." Roxy says.
"Good morning Roxy." I say leaving my planner beside the divider.
"What's the matter with you?" he says, turning up his own nose in repose. "I didn't do anything to you. Did you wake up on the wrong side of the universe or something?"
"Yeah, seriously Roxy, what gives?" George chimes in as Daisy turns to look at her.
"You're looking a little haggard, have you been keeping too many late nights?" hammer on the nail, I suppose. I happen to glance over at Georgia, but over her shoulder towards the booths that line the windows. That's when I see the lone occupant and nearly curse under my breath. Somehow I manage to contain myself, continue onwards despite the fact that at this very moment my heart practically ceases to beat and I'm fairly certain that the blood has literally drained from my face as well. George can see the look in my eyes and turns her head, following my gaze. Noticing George's curiosity, Daisy too steals a look. Of course Mason would make a spectacle as he too looks.
"Oh this ought to be good." He says simply.
"Rube, do we know her?" Daisy inquires before taking another sip of her coffee.
"Who?" I reply as I rest my knife and fork on my plate and take a much-needed gulp of orange juice.
"I don't think I've ever seen her here before." Daisy says as her berry painted lips turn up in a smile. George returns to fixing her gaze upon the lone woman as though she were the plague or something worse. They don't know her, but I sure do. She's someone I met quite some time ago. I cannot help but wonder how she found me. She continues to pretend that she doesn't notice the death stares directed towards her from my crew.
"I'm pretty sure that she knows one of us. Mason did you have another interesting evening?" George asks with a smile and I find myself almost laughing at her candidness. Mason just wrinkles his nose in response. "No! I was with someone very special to me." He adds in his own defence, as if we don't know that he was with Daisy. Well, he should have been with Daisy, they are after all a couple or so I figure.
Perhaps it's time to get rid of the crew and find out what she wants. I open my leather planner to today's appointments and slap a few in front of Daisy, who looks at them for a moment before un-sticking them from the tabletop. Getting her wallet, she places her share on the table before indicating to Roxy that she needs to get going, who obliges with an actual smile before sitting back down beside me. George follows Daisy's lead, grabbing her Post-its and making her way out of the restaurant as quickly as possible. Mason, on the other hand, is a little more difficult to get rid of.
"Try not to mess these up." I say handing him his lot.
"I get the job done." He says and sits there for a moment. I stare at him. "Right, then. I'll catch you later." He finally says getting the hint. Roxy moves to sit across from me.
"If you don't know her. She seems to know you." She tilts her head quizzically.
What is it that I'm supposed to tell her? That the woman sitting in that booth is Tessa O'Brien and she just happens to be one of the many skeletons that I had thought locked tightly within the closet of my past? I almost shake my head as I somewhat doubt that will go over very well.
"I wanted to talk to you about something." I say changing the subject. Roxy knows better, but allows the tension between us to dissipate, if not completely, just enough to allow me to find the words.
"Okay." She says with a slight nod. I take a breath and open my planner.
"You need to take some time off. Some time to yourself."
"Like a vacation?" she sits back suddenly with a very puzzled expression on her face.
"Well yes and no. It would kind of be a working vacation."
"Oh this just keeps getting better." She says snidely.
"I didn't want the others to see this." I say as I pull a brown envelop from under my jacket.
"You're kidding me." She exclaims as she takes the envelope. "Somehow opening this is going to change things isn't it?"
"It is. But only for a while." I reply simply, knowing that it entails three weeks away. I know she needs the time, I would say that she works just as hard in this life as she had in her past life. I reach across the table and take one of her hands in mine. She nods and slowly opens the envelope.
"This can't be right." She says under her breath as she opens the plane tickets and the agenda. "All of these people are going to die in a matter of three weeks?" she asks almost dumbfounded by the staggering number. "And I'm to do this alone?"
"No, there are a few others assigned as well. All of you were chosen for your skill and professionalism is my understanding."
"Why not you then?" she asks.
"I have to take care of things here." I reply knowing that's not the case at all.
"I suppose you're right, we can't have Mason as the keeper of the all mighty Post-its now can we?" She says with a wink.
"No that would be a bad thing." I reply and finish off my coffee. "Mind you, you do leave tonight." I say trying to hide my frown.
"I saw that." She says with a slight pout. "Well this Post-it looks pretty straight forward." She says quietly with a twinkle in her eye. I suppose she's thinking about squeezing in a little time with me before she leaves.
"I'll take you to the airport. That is if you need a lift." I try and smile, but I'm sure that she can still see the frown underneath it.
"That would be very nice, thank you." She replies and reaches across the table, taking my hands in hers. "I have to get this Post-it out of the way and then pack for this very odd vacation. Can we meet before I leave?" hope and mischief in her tone.
"I'd like that." I say and she squeezes my hands reassuringly before making her way out. I'm not far behind, just added the tip to the pile of money left on the table before collecting my things and heading out. My Post-it is also a chinch and I wonder who had a hand in making it such, as I direct my latest soul to his lights. Poor young lad should have worn a helmet, I think as I leave the scene and the medical examiner begins zipping up the black bag over his face. Onlookers are still gathered around talking about how amazing his run had been and what a shame he died because he would have won the competition. What competition was that? I cannot help but wonder if it had been the "How big an idiot I am for not wearing a helmet while riding a BMX bike through a series of steep ramps and such." That must be it. I hope that first place was worth it, but somehow I doubt it.
Arriving at Roxy's, a bottle of wine in hand, I stand at her door and ring the bell. She's dressed for her trip that's for sure, a lovely, crepe black skirt, a baby pink blouse with a black cardigan. I nod as she moves, granting me access.
"Are you going to try and get me tipsy?" she asks with a smile.
"Something like that." I reply sheepishly.
"Trust me, you don't need any help in that department." She takes my jacket and we go into the eat-in kitchen where I steal a quick kiss while she finds wine glasses. "I put together a little lunch. I can't stand airline food and from what I can tell I have quite the trip." She says as she places a glass in front of me. I merely nod my understanding as she retrieves the ingredients to her prepare lunch.
"I'm almost finished packing. I have just a few things to add before departure. I wish I could speak to upper management, tell him what an ass he's being. Or is this going to result in one of us getting transferred?" she asks and I can hear some fear in her tone.
"Not to my knowledge. All I got was that experienced reapers were needed for this particular assignment. I know George has been doing very well lately, and I would rather have sent her, but you have the life experience that she lacks." I say as we begin our little lunch.
"Okay, no more talk about this trip. I wish it were a real vacation and that we were going together, but seeing that's not to be, I will take it as just another assignment and get home as soon as it's over."
"You do that." I reply leaning in to kiss her once more. We sit in the living room for a while and talk about everything and nothing pertaining to her trip until I check my watch.
"How much longer before I take you to the airport?" I ask as we collect the dishes and put them in the dishwasher.
"Three hours, twenty-five minutes, thirty-five seconds, and something just over forty nanoseconds." She sighs and we move to the living room. It's the first time that I've ever seen Roxy's flat. It's hardly representation of the woman I've known all these years. The colour scheme for starters is bright, cheery, and airy, not what I had thought at all. I had expected deep, dark, and contemplative rich hues, but I'm happy to be wrong.
"I can't believe that you're actually counting the minutes." I say wondering if that means she'll count them till she returns as well.
"It's still too long to be away from you. We just got this, whatever this is. This you and I thing and now I'm being sent away to do some special reap. What the hell gives?"
"Rox I don't know. It isn't as though anyone spoke to me about it. Whatever it is, it's just going to happen over that period of time. Another thing. The ETD's are only approximations. In the sense that they are mere windows."
"Great! That makes it even more fun." She says under her breath as she disappears into her bedroom, no doubt to collect her bags. She returns with her luggage and indicates that we had better head out.
The airport is packed with people coming and going, greeting and saying goodbye. I push the baggage cart towards the luggage check and wait for her to return. I've never been very good at goodbyes, why this particular goodbye would be any different I have no idea, for I had prepared for this moment last night. However, theory and practice are two very different things and saying goodbye is so much harder to do than I thought it would be. Upon the final boarding call, Roxy turns to me and we bid farewell.
"I will call you when I get there" she says looking into my eyes. I can see the onset of tears, my own eyes are threatening to follow suit. I nod and open my arms to embrace her one last time.
"I'll be home tonight." I say and she smiles knowingly. Kissing me one last time she gathers her carry-on and heads to the gate. I stand frozen in time and watch as she disappears through the boarding gate. Turning on my heel I head back to my truck and home. I still have Post-it duty and a few things to get done before the day is done.
This morning doesn't feel as good as other mornings, but I ready myself nonetheless. Arriving at the restaurant, I spot Georgia sitting in her usual spot, at what we've privately deemed our table.
"Morning." She says looking at me.
"Morning." I reply as I remove my jacket and take my seat, putting my planner on the table beside my elbow. "So what's been going on with you?" I ask, hoping that she'll open up about the whole, be all end all.
"At work I'm continuing to literally fail upwards. Is that even possible?" she asks as she sits blowing the steam off her coffee.
"I don't believe that I'm familiar with the term." I smile.
"Well I am. I know that you and I have our issues, my picking up the two extra days wasn't helping things out there for a little while, but I suppose that's now water under the bridge?" she asks.
"Pretty much." I reply as Kiffany arrives.
"Coffee?" she asks holding a ceramic mug and a fresh pot.
"Please." I reply and she sets it in front of me.
"Then there's Mason."
"He's really that bad?" I cannot stop myself from asking.
"He's so much worse than I had ever imagined. I guess I'm starting to understand Daisy, but I just felt so horrible that he gave everything away thinking that purple Post-it was his last. He said things I hope I never hear him ever say again." She adds under her breath as he waltzes in, flopping himself in the spot beside George.
"Morning." He says brightly. I'm surprised that he's sober this morning, but he is.
"Morning." George says rolling her eyes.
"Mason." I say and take a sip of coffee as he gestures for Kiffany to bring him a cup as well. Daisy finally arrives and seems extra peppy this morning as she gracefully makes her way to our booth, removes her coat, placing it along with mine on the back of the booth, and sitting beside me.
"Kiffany may I have a fruit salad, glass of orange juice and whole wheat toast, no butter please." She says before acknowledging us.
"Sure sweetie." Kiffany smiles, "and for the rest of you?"
"A pancake stack with warm syrup, melted butter, bacon. Extra, extra, extra crispy, and orange juice." I say as I move the menu to the end of the table.
"I'll have what he's having." George replies with a bright smile as she adds her menu to mine.
"The Johnny Vegas with hash browns and another cup of coffee please." Mason says as he rubs at his eyes. Breakfast is a very different experience without Roxy, and I cannot help but wonder what she's up to at this very moment. But as my eye falls upon the tables by the window, my glance once again fixes itself upon the lone, honey haired woman, who nurses a coffee. I notice that Tessa does nothing to conceal herself, risky, I muse as I turn back to my crew.
"Seriously Rube, do you know her?" Daisy says just above a whisper. I honestly can't have this conversation with my reapers for fear that one of them might share information with Roxy. I can't very well just say that I helped her once when she joined the ranks of the undead and ended up staying with me for a number of years. So you see my dilemma? Instead I just shake my head and finish my breakfast. What am I supposed to do? Call her over and introduce her to them? No, I think not.
I push my plate aside and slide my planner in front of me.
"Where's Roxy?" Mason suddenly asks as though he hadn't noticed that she wasn't here. I roll my eyes and open the warn leather book.
"She's on assignment."
"I'm not covering for her!" Daisy says knowing that my reaction will be the same as the last time she pulled that stunt.
"Need I remind you that I am your boss and you will do what I say?" I ask with a bit of a smile that I know puts her right in her place. She takes a deep breath and sighs heavily as I place a few Post-its in front of her. I finish handing out the Post-its and wait for my crew to make their way out. I turn back to my newspaper and wait. Tessa will eventually make her way to the table, she will eventually let me know why she's tracked me down; she will eventually answer my unanswered questions. I find that I'm right and she has made her way to my table. I look up from my newspaper.
"Rube." She says in a small voice.
"Tessa." I reply and gesture for her to have a seat. "It's been a long while." I smile in hopes of making her feel a bit more comfortable.
"It has." She smiles back and seems a bit more at ease. "We really need to talk." She seems to be scared, almost as though something horrible has or will happen. "I didn't know who else to ask. I couldn't really speak with Tilda about it either. I'm in trouble." Her voice is small and I nod my head in response, figuring as much.
This particular scenario periodically plays itself out. I've met and helped so many newly undead reapers in the past that sometimes they think, and I'm not exactly sure why, that I'll be able to bail them out of their latest mess.
"Rube, he saw me and now I don't know what to do."
"Who saw you?"
"Collin." She replies looking down at her hands, which are neatly manicured and folded on the table.
"I don't understand. He's been dead for over fifty years." I say.
"I thought the same." She replies.
"You're boss can't get you reassigned for a few years? You could always go to Toronto or Vancouver, maybe even New York. I've heard through the grape vine that Neal is looking for a transfer. I was thinking of sending Daisy his way, that one, well she drives me insane." I say with a fatherly smile. "They all do, but that's just part and parcel to the job." I lean in towards her and rest my hand on top of hers.
"I want to go home. I'm tired of being shipped off here and there." She blinks to stop the tears that threaten to roll down her cheeks. It's obvious to me that she can't stay here, but at the same time, I really wish that there was more I could do for her.
"Right now home isn't an option. I'll give Neal a call, or perhaps Patrick in Munich he may either have an opening or know of something."
"Rube you have no idea how much I appreciate your help." She smiles.
I cannot help but remember a time when that very smile could melt your heart; she had mine for a little over ten years, until she suddenly got bored and left without a word. I never thought that I would be able to repair the damage, which more likely than not is probably a contributing factor as to why I had bowed out, until recently, of the relationship game for so long. I suppose it was that and the simple fact that I didn't and still don't know how long this undead gig will last. I manage to contain my composure as she attempts to charm me, which is a total waste. I help because she needs it, not because I'm looking to rekindle something long lost and gone. I refuse to allow myself to revisit that time.
"Thank you." She adds in a quite tone.
Being so engrossed in the conversation, I hadn't noticed when George entered, and now stands at the table. A look of confusion on her face. Oh great! I cannot help but think.
"Oh, I'm sorry to interrupt, but oh never mind, there it is." She stammers, obviously embarrassed to have interrupted our conversation. My hands enclosing Tessa's, I'm sure doesn't help the matter and probably won't help my case should Roxy be privy.
"Georgia, this is Tessa O'Brien, she's an old friend." I say, concealing the truth. George just looks at her and then at me, then at our hands on the tabletop.
"Hi. Uh, Rube, do you think I could have a word with you?" she inquires. "Alone?"
"Sure Peanut." I reply and we make our way outside for a quick chat.
"What the hell is that?" she demands.
"What's what?" I ask, unsure of what she means.
"Roxy's been gone for what? Not even a day and you're latching yourself onto another chick?"
"George, you don't know what you're talking about, nor does this situation warrant your opinion. Tessa and I are old friends. I helped her when she joined the undead."
"And you fell in love with her. Didn't you?"
"We were a little more then friends, yes, but that was a very long time ago." Why am I telling her this?
"Roxy needs to know."
"No, Roxy doesn't need to know. I'm just going to make a few phone calls and Tessa should be well on her way."
"What if that isn't the case? What if she suddenly came to her senses and this is some ploy?" she says, using my own words against me. Damn, I'm going to have to be careful in the advice section.
"A ploy?"
"Yeah, to worm her way back into your unlife. I know that Roxy is tough, but she's finally opened herself to another, and now what?"
"I'm not going to hurt Roxy. What Roxy and I have is very different." I say simply. "Not a word to the others." She gives me a very suspicious look. "Georgia, please. Let me take care of this."
"I don't like it. There's something wrong with the timing."
"Timing?"
"Yeah. First of all, you send Roxy on a three-week working vacation. Secondly, this chick, Tessa knows you from however long ago shows up. Lastly, you're blind to the possibility that maybe she wants more than just your help."
"Georgia, it isn't like that." I say looking down at the pavement.
"Oh Rube, if you could have seen your face." She says before reaching out and grabbing onto my arm. "You're blinded by something. The past that the two of you have shared is probably the culprit. Please just get rid of her as quickly as you can. You're lucky I'm the one who caught the two of you and it wasn't Roxy. Whose to say that she won't be back early?" George tilts her head and I nod.
"You're right. I'll make my phone calls; get Tessa on her way and all will be well. Right?"
"Yeah, at least that's how it should go." She winks, "by the way, you're coming to the movies tonight."
"Pardon?"
"We're, that is Daisy, Mason and I are taking you out." She laughs. "You need it."
"The others don't know about Roxy and I?" I cannot help but ask. Georgia shakes her head.
"Not unless you want them to." She smiles. "Look I have to get going. I don't want to be late. Those little buggers wait for no one." She adds, referring to the gravelings that set the accidents in motion.
"Then you better go." I say returning her smile. "By the way. Thanks." I add before she turns on her heels and makes her way to the location of her Post-it.
I head back inside and find Tessa still sitting in the booth, a look of fear in her face that I hadn't seen during our conversation.
"What is it?" I ask.
"He pretty much killed me once, do you think he'd do it again?"
"You know that he can't kill you again." I reply with the hope that I'm right. She brushes a tear from her eye and nods.
"You're probably right. You don't know what it's like to live in fear. To have what you thought to be the worst thing to happen to you, only to have that compounded with joining the ranks of the undead. Sometimes I cannot help but think I would have been better off dead." She looks down for a moment, before looking up at me through her long eyelashes. She always knew which buttons to push, she must be as experienced as Daisy; I muse.
"We'll figure something out. I have an appointment and then I'll give Neal and Peter a shout, and maybe Pauline. I'll get you on a plane out of here and you'll be safe again."
"You don't understand. Wherever I go, he finds me."
"Does he see you as you are, or as non-reapers perceive you?" I ask, wondering if there just might be a way to combat this situation.
"The way I look to you." She replies.
"Hmm, well then I suppose we have our work cut out for us don't we?" I open my planner and thumb through the many telephone numbers I've acquired over the years. Grabbing a Post-it, I write a few numbers. "You do have a place to stay right?" I have to ask, I don't want her to be afraid.
"No, I've been hotel hopping for the past few days. Never staying anywhere longer than a night." She says. I know I'm probably going to regret suggesting this, but it's the only way I think her mind will be put as ease.
"I will put you up in my flat."
"I don't want you involved in that way." She protests.
"Why the hell not? I am involved. Whether you like it or not." I add as I write the last of the numbers on the Post-it.
"But."
"No, buts." I look around to be sure that no one's lurking about in the shadows. "Let's go."
I'm careful to avoid being followed, take a totally different way, checking the flow of traffic, being sure that whatever vehicle is behind me, isn't for very long. I park in the underground and we take the lift up. I hope George is wrong, and that I'm not getting myself into something I may regret, but it's too late, I think as I unlock the door and we enter the dark flat.
"I'll send George to get your bags from where you were staying last."
"I was staying at the Alexis Hotel."
"You must be doing well for yourself?" I whistle softly.
"After I died, I did manage to get my hands on the cash I died for." She replies, which gives me the first piece of a fair sized-puzzle. So she must have been involved in something with Collin that resulted in her death, possibly his as well, and she left him thinking he was dead. That might make sense, if this were one of Daisy's movies, but this isn't a movie, this is real life.
"I'll make some tea, then I'm going to get on the phone. Okay?"
"Thank you." She smiles.
"Have a seat." I add, gesturing towards the antique chairs. I watch her as she slowly walks towards the fireplace.
"You still miss her?" she asks breaking the silence, picking up a framed brownish photograph of Lucy from the mantle.
"Yeah, that photograph is a reminder of all that I've done." I say, still ashamed for making the choices I had, but at the time, honestly thought were right. She replaces it form where she picked it up and sits herself in one of the chairs. I place the tray on an ottoman and let the tea steep. "So I'll give Neal a shout first. Maybe I'll get lucky and we can get you on the first plane out." I smile.
"Right the first plane out." She says under her breath.
"What is the matter?" I ask standing and going over the dining table where I left my day planner. Retuning I put it on the side table and pour the tea. I suddenly cannot help but wonder if George might be right in her read on Tessa. Perhaps I have misread the situation, therefore, the faster I resolve this the better.
After calling George about Tessa's luggage and actually getting a lecture from the teen, I begin calling my contacts. Neal tells me that there is still a place for her, but it may not be far enough away from this Collin character. He says he'll also see about calling a few other contacts and suggests that I give Frank a call in Spain. So I continue my bid to find somewhere to ship her off.
"I swear Rube, I'm going to kill someone." George exclaims as she drops the bags in the small entryway.
"Relax Georgia." I say and she pushes past me.
"You have a lot of nerve." She goes off on Tessa.
"George, please. You don't know the situation." I try and get her to calm down as Tessa just rests her head in her hands.
"I wish you could understand." She replies, lifting her head and looking up at George.
"Well then, help me understand. Who the hell are you? Why are you here?"
"I'm involved in a very complicated situation and I didn't know who else to turn to."
"Don't you have an undead boss to turn to?" George snaps hotly.
"She can't help me."
"She?"
"Yeah, her name is Tilda Hanson. I've been a part of her crew for twelve years, till that bastard Collin showed up. I don't know why he does this."
"What were the two of you involved in?" George prompts her.
"Something that I knew to be wrong from the start. Let me put it this way: we swindled money from the wrong people. I ended up dead, only to become undead, and Collin, well I had thought him dead, saw them shoot him, and yet he doesn't look a day over thirty. I doubt that he's a reaper. He doesn't run in any circle that we know of. It's been very difficult. In my attempts to keep a head of him, I constantly find that I'm merely going backwards." She sniffles and George's face softens.
"So what you're saying is he should be dead an buried, but he isn't. He hasn't aged, which would indicate that he's somewhat undead?"
"Yes. I've been looking for an explanation for years now, only I have yet to find it.
"Maybe what you saw was somehow wrong. Maybe there's an anomaly with a graveling or something." George wonders out loud. Neither Tessa nor I would consider the angle George is suggesting. "I know we never told you this Rube, and you'll probably get upset, but remember how Ray just kind of went away?"
"Yes." I nod.
"Well, Mason killed him. Granted, it was an accident, Ray was going to hurt Daisy."
"But you know that Ray couldn't hurt her."
"Ah, but what you don't understand is how protective of Daisy Mason is. Anyways, Mason says that after Ray died, and probably because there was no Post-it, he tuned into a graveling. Is it possible that this Collin's death had no Post-it and something weird happened that made him undead?"
"I suppose it is possible." I say digging my hands in my pants pockets as I often do when in thought. "But that doesn't account for the fact that he hasn't aged, that he remembers Tessa."
"I don't know. It's just that something is very wrong, and I honestly think that the only way to correct the problem is to take his soul."
"You can't do that without a Post-it."
"Right, but I took the soul of the graveling that had been Ray's.
"You didn't."
"I did and he disintegrated." She replies. So if what she is saying is even possible, it might be that his name wasn't on a Post-it, and in some sick way is haunting Tessa until she releases him? But why her? I nod and pick up the telephone, calling another reaper on my list; maybe they have heard of this and will be of some help.
"If we release his soul, would I be able to go home?" Tessa asks, with hope in her voice.
"It's worth a try. Honestly Tessa, I don't not like you and your timing just sucks." I hear George say.
"Georgia, please don't upset Tessa any more then she is already." I say as I turn my back on them for a moment and speak with Stephan about our latest theory.
I find it strange that in all my years as a reaper, including my simpatico, I had never run into this kind of situation, nor heard of half the stuff George is suggesting. Perhaps she will one day have my job, it must be possible that she can step up and take my place. Perhaps that was part of her death, that once she figures all of this out, I will have my final Post-it. I almost shudder at the thought, for I've loved this undead existence almost as much as the happy experiences I've had in my life.
"Rube do you think you can keep focused?" George asks with a knowing smile on her lips. "Oh where are the clean linens?" she adds.
"Over in the amour." I say as she quickly finds what she's looking for and strips my bed.
"Tessa needs to crash, and seeing that you don't have a couch."
"No problem." I reply as I continue going through my list, even calling Neal back with George's theory.
George helps Tessa get settled and the two of us sit in the living room trying to map out some sort of plan in fixing this mess, and before Roxy gets back.
"Seriously Rube, she's going to find out about this. Even if there isn't anything to find out about." George says.
"What would you have me do? Leave her to that wolf?"
"No, that isn't your style." She replies and picks up a cookie. "Have you ever seen Roxy upset? Do you know how she may react to this?" her tone hushed so as not to disturb Tessa.
"I'm sure that she would understand." I reply. Well she needn't know about this really. "Besides, things between Tessa and I have been buried for many, many, many years."
"So that's why when you saw her, you looked like death himself?"
"I did not." I say in my defence.
"If you say so." She says with a smile. "You do realise that you're still coming out with us this evening. Right?" she bats her eyelashes. "You can't make me go out with those two alone now can you?" she continues to bat her eyelashes.
"Maybe I can." I reply.
"Come on, let's go. Sleeping beauty needs her beauty sleep." George says as she pulls me up from my chair.
"I know you're right, but I really shouldn't leave her alone."
"No one knows she's here right? I'm guessing you made it look as though you dropped her off at the hotel where I picked up her bags."
"Something like that." I reply. "You're right, I need a break from all of this. It will give me a moment of rest before I calculate our next move."
"You make it sound like some military expedition or like Risk."
"It is kind of like Risk. We have to figure out how to get him, remove his soul and get her back to wherever it is she came from before Roxy gets back."
"You really do love her."
"For longer than you'll ever know." I reply as I lock the door behind me and we make our way to the lift.
The night air is nice and crisp and I enjoy the walk to the theatre. Mason and Daisy walk hand in hand ahead of us, I cannot help but feel inspired by their sweet affections. I can feel George catching glances of me as we walk.
"Four tickets to Stay please." Mason says as the girl at the counter prints them up, up puts the money through the opening.
"Thank you, enjoy the show." She says with a smile.
"Thanks." He says as he plucks the tickets from the counter and we make our way to the concessions.
"Daisy and George start giving the poor lad behind the counter a hard time.
"No, Junior Mints." I hear George say as Daisy just smiles.
"Two medium Diet Cokes and an extra large popcorn."
"Will that be all?" he asks with a smile.
"Throw in those Junior Mints."
The end credits roll and the four of us make our way out of the theatre.
"That so wasn't what I was expecting." Daisy says shaking her head.
"Me neither." George adds with a frown. "Thanks anyways Mason. My treat next time." She grabs my arm and we make our way home.
"I'll see you guys later." I smile as George drops me off at my flat. It's strange, but as I exit the elevator, something just seems wrong and for the strangest reason I cannot place the feeling.
I am careful in entering my flat, everything still locked up tightly. That's a good sign at least, I think as I turn on a few lights. Maybe I'm just off, but everything is in place, so too is the still sleeping Tessa. I breathe a sigh of relief and remove my jacket before trying to figure out the best way to sleep in my favourite chair.
I awake to find Tessa standing with her back to the fireplace watching me sleep. I remember the countless times she used to do that, and never once did she ever tell me why, even when I asked.
"I'm going to continue on as normal. I will pick up breakfast for you and do some shopping." I say as I try and stretch the kinks out of my body.
"Fair enough." She replies with a smile.
Oddly enough, when things are going wrong the time seems to fly, and fly it has. Three weeks just like that, and George and I are nowhere closer to helping Tessa. Right now we can't locate this Collin fellow, which is terrible because Tessa is suffering a serious case of cabin fever. I arrive at the waffle house to meet my crew and nearly drop dead when I see Roxy sitting at our usual table.
"Well are you a sight for these sore eyes." I say as she stands up and nearly jumps into my arms. "Welcome home." I whisper in her ear and steal a kiss.
"So good to be back. If you ever think to ship me off to Europe again, be sure to send George instead." She says with a smile as we sit.
"I'll see what I can do."
"Very long time no see. Can I get you some coffee?" Kiffany asks with her gentle smile.
"That would be nice. Thanks." Roxy replies. I'm glad that we have a moment to talk before the others arrive. God I hope they keep quiet, but I can't seem to shake the feeling that Daisy is going to let the cat out of the bag.
"So did you ever figure out who that woman was?" Roxy asks as she takes a sip of her coffee. "Decent coffee. It's so good to be home." She adds with a bright smile.
"No, not really." I lie as George enters and plops herself beside Roxy.
"Welcome back Roxy." She says with a warm smile.
"Thank you." Roxy smiles back as she puts her mug back on the table. Daisy and Mason aren't far behind George in their arrival.
"Morning all." Mason says sitting beside George as Daisy sits beside me. "So how was your trip?" he adds.
"Depends on your definition of a trip." She replies with a sigh. "I don't think I've ever been that busy reaping."
"Really?" Daisy tilts her head as though she doesn't believe Roxy.
"Really. How were things while I was away?" she asks, perhaps hoping for the 411 on our resident mystery woman.
"Oh well, you know? The usual, but we did take Rube out to a film." Daisy said. "The movie was horrible, but I think the four of us had a good time. Mason and I thought that Rube needed to get out."
"Oh really?"
"Yeah, he seemed a little bummed out while you were gone."
"I see." She gives me quite the look and I smile sheepishly, hoping that Mason doesn't notice.
"What the." I curse under my breath as Tessa waltzes in and sits in one of the vacant seats.
"What's she doing here?" Daisy asks, looking at Rube. "I thought you took care of that." She whispers in my ear, so that Roxy doesn't hear.
"I did." I reply quietly. Roxy follows our gaze.
"That's it." She says as she nearly ploughs through George and Mason. I can hardly believe her, but she stops right in front of Tessa's table. "What the hell is your problem?" she demands though what I can only imagine must be clenched teeth. I cannot hear what Tessa has to say, but when Roxy returns to our table, the look on her face pretty much says it all. She shakes her head and takes a deep breath.
"My Post-it please." She says, holding out her hand. I look up at her quizzically, but comply. She seems careful to avoid touching my fingers as she heads to the cash register to pay for her coffee, then literally flees from the restaurant.
"You're so dead meat." George says in her knowing tone. Daisy and Mason just look at me, then at George, lastly at Tessa and shake their heads. "I don't want to say I told you so, because that always used to irk me when my mother did that to me. I know that we have to learn through our mistakes, but I just wish that this was one you didn't have to make." She reminds me of myself when she sprouts such wisdom.
"You're right and you shouldn't worry about telling me that you told me so, because you did. I really thought that things would come out in the wash properly, that I would have had her on a plane two weeks ago. Would have, should have, could have, but didn't. So now I'm in a pickle. Getting out of it is going to be far more difficult than getting into it."
"Pretty much." George says in a sympathetic tone. "I have to get going. Happy Time has me for the day. If you need anything, give me a call or come by and we'll have lunch." She says indicating to Mason to get out of her way, so she can get going. "Almost forgot my Post-it." She smiles and rolls her eyes at her forgetfulness.
"Here you go." I say and hand her a couple.
"Thanks. Keep in mind what I said." She pauses in thought. "You didn't happen to get in touch with Clinton did you? I have a feeling he's the one with the answers we need." She puts on her jacket and heads out.
"May I ask a question?" Daisy asks.
"Be my guest." I reply as I prepare myself for whatever it is she wishes to throw my way.
"How long have you and Roxy been an item?"
"Not long enough for that reaction."
"You didn't answer my question."
"We've been seeing each other a little over a month now." I reply thinking how over my relationship with Roxy is at this very moment, she hadn't said anything to that effect, but I'm fairly certain that's where we're heading.
"It's not to late to fix it." She says with a smile and pats my hand reassuringly. "Actions speak far louder than any words ever could."
"Daisy, I don't know." I reply as I get their Post-its from my day planner.
"Thank you." She says sweetly. Mason nods his thanks and they head out. Young love is the sweetest kind. Everything is new, although for this pair, everything is new on a very different playing filed, I cannot help think as I pay for my meal and make my way out. But first I stop at Tessa's table.
"What did you say to her?"
"It was the truth." She replies under her breath.
"Truth? What truth? I was trying to help you. Yes, you stayed at my place, but nothing happened."
"Nothing happened? Really?" she says as though I had somehow cheated on Roxy by sleeping with her, which by the way never happened, but try telling someone who has already heard the worst possibility that.
"I can't believe you!" I exclaim and rush out of the restaurant. I honestly can't believe her. How could she twist my good intensions into something that didn't happen? And so effortlessly the lie left her lips.
I cannot help but hear Georgia's warnings now ringing in my ears as I more or less storm down the busy street. My actions have always spoken far louder than my words ever could, and I am certain that Roxy knows this, I think as I round another corner. What exactly did Tessa say to Roxy that she claims to be the truth? And yet even if I can find out, which would be from Roxy, because I'm sure that Tessa won't tell me, will I be forgiven for my obvious naivety in the situation? But then again, the better question would be would I forgive her? Because if I were not able to do so, how should I even hope that she might find it in her heart to forgive me? My last thought as I walk through the park in an attempt to clear my mind.
I still cannot believe the others are helping Roxy avoid me, I've left messages, I've sent her flowers with notes to meet me here or there so that we could talk, but she returns them, via Mason or George, and as pathetic as it is, I've even planned the odd chance encounter, but nothing I've done seems to help. I'm running out of ideas. On top of that, I'm still dealing with Tessa and trying to locate Collin. I want to put George's theory to practice and see if we can't get rid of the problem all together. Somehow I think that will be the first step in putting the pieces back together.
"If we can't find this nuisance, we're going to need some bait." George says as she leans in towards me. I nod, but I have a really bad feeling if we do use Tessa as bait to catch the proverbial thief.
"You're right on so many levels. I was just wondering how he fell off the radar. I mean if I were stalking someone, I wouldn't just give up because I couldn't find them. I'd be asking questions, knocking on doors, and being an all round pain in someone's ass." I say before carefully taking a sip of coffee. George sits back for a long moment.
"Are we even sure that this wasn't just some ploy on her part? Maybe she never got over you."
"Georgia, please don't go there." I say as for the first time in weeks Roxy arrives. I'm almost afraid to speak, afraid that if I do, she'll turn on her heel and leave. She sits beside George and avoids looking at me.
"Well Rube, I have to. I told you she was trouble. That you should never have trusted her."
"Look, at the time, I understood where you were coming from, but I will say now what I said then, she and I were finished a very long time ago." I say knowing that the conversation will probably upset Roxy, so I give George a quick look.
"If you're not going to find that you know what, I will, and mark my words. When I do find him. I'm going to take great pleasure in yanking his soul from his body. He's the cause of this." She says gesturing towards Roxy and I. I know she's right, but what can I say?
"She's right Rube. But keep in mind that it's your good natured heart and perhaps some naivety regarding Tessa's ulterior motive that drove a wedge between us." Roxy says before gesturing for her Post-it. Well at least she said more than one word to me. I take that as a good sign and open the day planner, un-sticking her Post-its, I put them on the table in front of her not wanting to push my luck. "Thank you." She says before making her way out, passing Mason and Daisy, who enter the restaurant hand in hand.
"Morning Georgie girl. Rube." Mason says sitting beside George and Daisy beside him, knowing my mood, probably by the look on my face. "Are we any closer to fixing things?" he adds with a slight smile.
"Wait a second. Isn't that?" Daisy says looking over at a secluded table. I follow her gaze.
"It looks like it." I reply as I pull a picture from my planner.
"Georgia honey, do you feel up for a little soul extraction?"
"Not here Daisy. If he reacts in the same manner as Ray, well I just don't think an audience of how many would you say there are here is a good idea." She whispers.
"You're probably right George. Rube does she have any Post-its in the next couple of hours?" Daisy asks as I look through my planner and nod. "Can we swap? I'll take her early ones or something." Daisy says in a tone that means business. As in the faster we see if George's theory works, the faster we get rid of Tessa, the faster I can try and get things back to good with Roxy, there by extension, the faster things can return to what is 'normal' for us.
"Oh look! It's the bait." Mason says with a slight grin.
"I know you told me. Oh!" she stops herself short of finishing her sentence as she spots Collin. I'd say that things just went from bad to worse, if it wasn't already. "I'm guessing that isn't a good thing?" she asks as she plunks herself in the booth beside me, as if I need this today.
"No, I don't think it's a great thing that he saw you, but if you hang with George for a little while, I'm guessing that the cat will play." I say with a smirk. George gives me a very interesting look, almost to say, Rube you ought to be ashamed of yourself, so I give her a smile.
"Okay, if that's how it's going to be. Tessa, you and I are heading out. I'm going to start our little game of cat and mouse." George says as she motions for Daisy and Mason to let her out. "Thanks guys. Dinner tonight?" she asks. "I mean all of us." She says looking at me. I nod my ascent.
"I'll get Roxy here one way or another." Mason says as he sits back in front of me, Daisy following suit.
"You two be careful." I say looking at George. I'm sure that Tessa will be fine, no matter what he has in store for her. George nods and grabs Tessa's arm.
"We're going shopping. Then we're going to this little corner café I know." She says as she drags Tessa out of the restaurant. I'm careful in watching Collin, counting the minutes he gives them for a head start, he suddenly makes his way out. I sigh nervously. I don't like George having to do this. I had spoken to a few other reapers about the whole no appointment issue and I've been assured that there are times when oddities appear, but this one isn't on the books, which worries me more than my reapers know. I've put George directly in harms way and right now, there isn't a damn thing I can do to keep her safe. All I can do is wait.
"Rube."
"Huh?"
"Just take a deep breath. You know she will be fine." Daisy says in a reassuring voice. Mason follows suit and takes a deep breath of his own.
"I don't think I can take this." He says. "If he harms a hair on Georgie girl's head, I'll kill him myself."
"Now Mason." Daisy says in a controlled tone. He looks at her and smiles. None of this is helping my heart any. Every decision I've made in the past what? Five weeks at least, has been wrong and it's affecting those I care about and I can't do anything at this moment to help. Waiting isn't one of my strong suits; I cannot help but remind myself as I fish the needed money from my wallet.
"Where are you going?" Mason asks.
"I have a Post-it." I reply. Daisy gives me a suspicious look.
"You are not going to spy on the stalker." She says. "I have Georgia's Post-its, let's see yours and see what we can do. You're not going to be alone." She adds and stands to let Mason out so that he can make his way to the location of his first appointment. "Don't worry. Have a little faith in our little Georgia." She adds with a wink as Mason kisses her cheek with a goodbye darling under his breath. Have a little faith? If this creep is anything like Tessa described, being undead isn't going to make it any easier I cannot help but shudder at the thought.
"It's not that Daisy." I begin.
"I know. You want to know how right her theory is." Daisy says with a twinkle in her eye.
"I am slightly interested in seeing if she's right."
"I'm sure she is." Daisy replies, not knowing that George has already told me about Ray. "Just put some trust in her. Has she let you down?"
"Depends on your definition of disappointment."
"Rube." She says sternly. I almost chuckle.
"I know, I know. Everything will be fine as soon as Collin is taken care of." I reply as though it's something we do everyday. We don't. Reapers aren't supposed to interfere, but in this case, we've agreed that the situation doesn't warrant a traditional solution. I just can't shake worrying about her.
"After we fix his wagon, we'll get you and Roxy back together." She says with a bright smile. I look at her for a long moment. The expression on my face mirrors my perspective on that subject. It's better left untouched right now. It still hurts to even think about it.
"Daisy, I don't know about that right now." I cannot help but say. I have a feeling that while most of this quasi-soap opera will end fairly well, my mini drama won't, but that's life, or unlife, and I shall cross that bridge when I need. Right now I need to concentrate on George's safety and getting Tessa as far away from me as possible, then maybe just maybe I can get everything else back on track as well.
After synchronising our reaps, Daisy and I head out for a fairly jam-packed day, which I'm sure would have normally kept my mind occupied, but I'm so wrapped up in my thoughts that I'm finding it very difficult to concentrate.
"Come on Rube, we still have a few to go. Georgia said that she'd meet us back at the restaurant after she finishes getting Collins soul."
We arrive at the waffle house expecting to find George sitting at the booth, but I cannot stop my fluttering heart. Roxy sits drinking a coffee and reading a book. I don't if Mason spoke to her regarding our dinner arrangements, or she just happened to be in need of a cup of coffee.
"Roxy?" Mason asks with a confused expression.
"George told me to meet her here. She didn't mention that you would be here." She adds looking at me. I can see the hurt in her expression and can only imagine what Tessa must have told her. I don't say anything, just make my way towards the counter and take a seat in one of the vacant stools. Kiffany makes her way over with a fresh pot of coffee.
"Thanks." I say with a smile as she places the filled cup in front of me. Somehow I feel as though I need a lot more than a mere coffee, perhaps something with a more potent strength might help ease this pain I'm feeling right now. Mason sits beside me, leaving Roxy and Daisy to talk.
"Rube, don't worry about George. You know as well as I do that she will be fine. It's you that we're worried about." He adds with an expression I don't think I've ever seen from him before.
"I know you're right about George. I think that's been settled."
"I'm sure it has." He says as the door chimes and George enters the restaurant. She makes her ways towards me with a triumphant smile.
"I told you I'd fix him." She smiles widely. Mason gives her a high five and she sits beside me. "For the record," she adds, "Tessa's gone."
"Gone?" I have to ask, somehow feeling as though I didn't quite hear what George said.
"Yeah, she high tailed it as soon as I nabbed his soul. It was a little violent, but it's over now and everything can return to normal." She motions to Kiffany for a cup of coffee. "I just hope that the gravelings don't declare hunting season on me again. I mean after the Ray thing, they were actually scared of me. Now I can't imagine what's going through their twisted little minds."
"I'm sure you did them a favour." I reply as we head over to the table to order something for dinner. I make a move to sit across from Roxy, who quickly gets up and gestures for me to take my usual seat.
"I still have to get over the jet lag." She says to Daisy. "We'll finish this conversation later." She adds as she puts her jacket on and heads out, taking another piece of my heart with her exit.
Can you hear my heart beat in this hurt?
Do you know that behind of this hurt?
Lies the deep desire I'm in love hey
Make a wonderful love if I may.
All my dreams to be all I can do,
Only I love, only love
And you say I knew we should find a new way
Make a wonder love if I may.
I don't know for sure if she knows what I'm feeling, or what I'm wishing for, which is to find a way back to her and get things back to good. I imagine somehow that it will take some time to bridge the distance that has inevitably been created between us by my own actions, which I ultimately take responsibility for. I could never have thought this situation could have gone from as bad as it was to worse, resulting in my unlife being so literally, figuratively and dramatically turned upside down and crashing down around my ears as it has. However, despite everything, I will wait. After all it only took us over twenty years to find the courage to allow our feelings to be heard. What could a little more time hurt?