Rating: PG13

Pairing: T/L

Disclaimer: I own nothing but this newerish Dell, and it STILL is not earning me any money by posting my drivel here.

A/N: Okay, I'll admit it. Since the cancellation of the show, I lost my muse. For some reason, it came back and kept poking at me until I wrote something.

Very special thanks to my betas, RFRAngel92, who finds the tiny simple thing that can change the world (or at least a really good story) and Jenn, who really just wanted to read some smut but found me instead. I'm glad to have anyone willing to check my work. :D

HAIKU DRIVEL

Chapter Five

Travis slammed through the huge metal exit doors, but there was no satisfying clang, just a waffling wheezing sound. Damned hydraulics, even his surroundings were stealing his displays of emotion and twisting them into something they were not. He could feel the anger begin to take over to the extent that his hands shook and his lip trembled. He heard the quiet click of the door behind him and like a racehorse out of the gate, he bolted.

He just kept walking putting one foot in front of the other, his mind replaying that moment when Ray had gripped his shoulder. Ray had been looking at him coldly, issuing his challenge. Idiot! Did he not realize that there was a reason he'd kept those poems hidden? Out of deference to him? That he would not have acted on those feelings, no matter how often he dreamed of doing just that? Just like that, with that thought, his anger deflated. Yes, he should be angry at Ray, but more so with himself. He had been hiding a truth, and only cowards kept secrets.

He stopped where he was and looked around. Had he been heading to the station? He was at the clearing just before the rows of warehouses began. In the middle stood a massive old tree, its leaves long since plucked away by harsh unrelenting winds. Not sure whether he wanted to continue toward the station, Travis just walked to the tree, leaned back, and slid slowly to the ground. His felt that prickly pressure start and he knew tears would come; he hung his head down and pressed the palms of his hands hard into his eyes trying to prevent them.

After a moment or two he looked skyward, the vision before him a blurry landscape of blue sky blemished by the naked black limbs of the great old tree. Travis sat that way for several minutes, rooted to that spot, staring at the great expanse above him for so long that the sky managed to take on that circular look and he could feel the motion of the earth spinning on its axis. He imagined that he was the curiosity trapped inside the snow globe and some fool had come along and shook so hard that the glass cracked, wicked black lace now shattering his cerulean illusion. He blinked and once again it was simply the sky and the tree.

So what now, he thought. Nothing had changed. He still felt the same towards Lily. Ray had already known about that; he was probably just surprised that Travis still harbored them as well. That was an irritating thought. Why did Ray think that only his feelings were lasting and of importance?

Because you have a history of running and hiding from both conflict and commitment, he answered his own question. It was an awful truth, yet until now it had been because he couldn't be bothered to care about whether he belonged. Until now, he hadn't wanted to. The simple town of Roscoe meant more to him than any other exotic place he'd been. This was home. He didn't want to run and hide anymore. Did he? Amazing how life's confrontations so often boil down to the same choice: fight or flight.

He looked down at his hands, turning them over under his scrutiny. Hands…capable of gentle touches or painful blows…flight or fight. He turned his palm upward as if in supplication and then over again, balling it tightly into a fist. A small mark on the outer edge of his wrist drew his attention. The beginning of a bruise was appearing from his sparring match with Lily. Fight or flight. Travis smiled then…he knew exactly what he wanted to do.

At the station, Travis spent the remaining time meditating, somewhat unsuccessfully. He was too distracted about what was to come. Would Lily fall into Ray's arms after hearing his Haiku-O-Love? Would she automatically dismiss them, knowing Ray as she did? Could she sense the real author? Travis' heart beat a bit faster at that, even though he knew that was highly unlikely.

Rumors flew fast in a small town and he honestly had no idea how this might get interpreted. Let's see…Ray spouts love limerick…the two of us hold a staring contest in front of class…Travis leaves in an upset tizzy. So now the world, or at least Roscoe, now knew that they liked the same girl, easy guess. Or they thought Travis was jealous and really in love with Ray. Travis grinned as the absurdity lightened his mood a bit.

The smirk quickly fell away as he heard the squeak of the station door being opened. Lily walked in, back straight and sauntering like show kind of game show hostess.

She quickly made her way to her chair, sat and spun to face Travis in the booth. She flashed him a blinding and somewhat unnatural smile, which did not waiver even as the moment stretched. This is her reaction? Travis thought, well, great. But…what is it exactly? Confused, Travis asked, "Lily? Um…what's with the mega-watt smile?"

She spoke through her teeth, not letting up on the smile in the least, "Notice anything?" At Travis' miniscule shake and shrug and increasing look of trepidation, she relaxed. "Oh well, the dentist whitened my teeth today, but it's only the first time, they say it might take an application or two. Trying to be the brightest I can be, you know, for the next cover photo" she added with a hint of self-deprecation.

"Sooo, you were at the dentist today?"

"Yeah, I know you can do that over-the-counter stuff but I'm a little leery of that, best leave it to the pros, you know?" She turned in her seat and proceeded to untangle her headset.

"You were at school this morning."

Lily stopped what she was doing and spun back, slowly this time, to face Travis. She spoke as if to a child. "I checked out. It is common practice to leave school for check ups and appointments."

This threw a kink into the mess; it put everything back at square one. Or did it? Travis quickly asked, "Does Ray know?"

Now Lily really was looking at him like he was nuts, with obvious sarcasm she added, "Sure. Ray keeps all my appointments, if it weren't for his organization and fixation on my life…"

Travis interrupted her under his breath, "If you only knew." At the same moment, Robbie strolled in.

He gave Travis a knowing look, "I heard…everything okay, man?"

Travis felt off balance now. "Okay? Sure. Lily went to the dentist today." Trying to stay out of Lily's view he widened his eyes at Robbie while shaking his head. He didn't want to drag Lily back into the fray if it wasn't necessary. Maybe Ray knew and was just trying to force the issue with him directly.

Lily watched as the boys exchanged obviously pointed looks. "Will someone tell me what the hell is going on?"

As if by some divine sense of timing, Ray plowed through the station door. "Ah, Lilster. I could probably do that…in seventeen syllables…no more, no less." He came around towards her chair, placed his hands upon the table, and leaned forward into her personal space. His face was inches from hers as he cast his eyes about the room, "Then again, you've probably heard all about that."

Confused and backing up a bit, Lily asked, "I take it your English assignment went well?"

Ray's eyes snapped to hers. "You mean my reputation hasn't preceded me?"

She finally had enough of the nerve-wracking proximity and gave him a little shove on the chest, wrinkling her nose. "No, but your gym shirt does." He fell back into his chair with a graceless flop. Again, she noticed the tense glances among the boys.

Travis ignored Ray's gloating smile, "Let's just do this. We're on in 5, 4, 3, 2 …" he pointed to Robbie.

Robbie dove in with his usual opening line, "This is Question Mark and I'm wondering…"

Ray leaned forward with a bolt of inspiration. He glanced at Robbie in a semi-apology before turning to openly stare at Travis. "…about hidden talents! This is Pronto, here, and it seems that every person has things they do well openly but what about those things we keep hidden?"

Robbie blurted, "You mean like your ability to count to ten in a single belch?" Anything to veer away from where Ray was going with this.

Lily smirked, "Any guy can do that. It's like a rite of passage or something, right?"

"Oui oui, Mizz Shadee, but canz they do eet en francais?" Ray waggled his eyebrows.

Amid Lily's protests of disgust, Ray put out the question again. "No, really! Look at all of us…we do this show. I'd like to think it's a talent. How many others out there do things, have unknown talents. Everyone has secrets, right Smog?" He looked up and glared at Travis. "I say let's give people a chance to lay it out there."

Travis' jaw twitched. "There might be a good reason for the talent to be hidden, Pronto."

Lily turned slowly as she realized there was a good amount of venom lacing Travis' words. "Why don't we hear a few songs and let the listeners call in and let us know what their hidden talents are…anonymously if they wish."

Robbie quickly agreed, "Good idea, Shady! Let's hear the best you got, people!"

Travis flipped the appropriate switches to send a song over the airwaves.

Lily quickly took off her headset and stood up, "That's it. One of you tell me what the hell is going on. Now."

A/N: So go on…stroke me ego. (Points at Dani! Heh!) I know that the show is over but there are some brave folks still writing. Give a shout out…even if it is only because you miss the show.