TOMMY

It's very early and I'm wide awake. I get up, giving Zedd a quick kiss as I go despite his half asleep insistence that I come back to bed. I get a shower, standing under the spray far longer than usual as I get my mind in order for what I have to do today. Finally, I get out, shave and do my hair. I'm going to have to see about that haircut soon, too.

I head back into the bedroom and open the closet, reaching into the back corner and pulling out the outfit that I have reserved for this day. Over to the dresser and in the back of one of the drawers I find the rest of my clothes and the plastic case I want. Slowly, I dress, every piece that I put on is black, down to the accessories.

As I'm knotting my tie, I see in the mirror that Zedd's awake and watching me intently. I give him a brief weak smile in the mirror and finish my tie. I know he wants to say something, but doesn't know what, which honestly is fine by me as I really don't wish to talk or hear anyone else talk at all right now. I put on my jacket, grab the plastic case off of the dresser and cross to the bed. I give him another soft kiss before resting my forehead against his for a minute trying to reassure him through the bond that it'll be fine even as I feel how worried he is. Before I can change my mind, I head out of the room. I hear his soft "I love you" behind me.

In the kitchen, I grab my keys off the hook, make sure I have my wallet and look at Pina, who's sitting here quietly waiting for me. I give her a quick nod and head for the door. I'm surprised when she gets in the back and settles into the corner. She gives me a slight smile, buckles her belt and sets her hands in her lap. I really need to remember to thank her for this later. Yes, she's going with me but she's doing what she can to let me be alone.

I start the Jeep, back out of the driveway and head into town. A quick stop by the coffee shop later and we're on the road. Knowing that she prefers her coffee sweet, I got her something a little special. I open the case from my dresser, extract a CD, put it in the player and turn it on, making sure to keep the volume below the legal limit and not too much below that - until I catch her wince in the mirror. I turn it down just a little more in deference to her more sensitive hearing. My hearing has gotten more sensitive with my - improvements, but there's a purpose behind what I do. I get lost in the music as the miles fall behind us.