Just fyi, I changed something in Chapter 22. I had Lee tell the others about his past before, but I changed it so that he didn't. It just fit better with the rest of what I've been writing.
Joe
The phone next to his hospital bed rang, and he turned his head to look at it. Rose had left not that long ago, so he didn't figure it was her calling. In his heart, he knew who it was. He reached for it, wrapping his fingers around the plastic and lifting it off the hook.
"Hello?"
"It's me," Barney said back. "But I think you knew that already."
"I did. What do you want?"
"I'm not really sure. I guess I just want to say I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"Everything. I blame myself every day."
"As you should. If it hadn't happened, she'd still be with us today," Joe said angrily. Barney sighed.
"While we will never know for sure, I tend to agree," he admitted. "She did have post partum twice, too, but I know what happened didn't help."
"Is that why you still run around dodging bullets?" Joe asked, unable to help himself. He'd always wondered what kept his brother-in-law in the career he'd chosen for himself. He suspected it was self-punishment, but he didn't know for sure.
"I'm expendable, Joe," Barney said. "I always have been but even more so after she died. I failed my little sister, and to me, that makes me worthless."
Hearing these words didn't exactly make Joe feel as good as he thought he would. He'd originally liked Barney when he first met him until he found out what he did for a living, but he knew how much Barney loved Marcy. He twisted the phone cord around his fingers, thinking. He didn't even know what to say in this moment.
"You doing okay?" Barney asked after a bit of silence.
"So far."
"That's good."
"You're not gonna let Norah get hurt, are you?" Joe blurted out. His chest constricted slightly at the thought.
"I swear to you that she'll be safe," Barney promised. "I didn't even know it was her until recently, Joe. She got embedded into my team before I could stop her."
"What do you mean?"
"She's made friends with them. She's identified with their shared losses. She's looking for validation and understanding for hers, Joe. Have you never talked to her about Marcy?"
"No," Joe said, his voice a bit wobbly. "What's there to say?"
"The girls found her, right?"
"Yea."
"That's traumatic. They'll never forget that. I don't know about Rose, but I know Norah is really struggling."
"I can't...it's so hard to talk about..."
"I know, but maybe the next time she brings it up, don't dismiss her, no matter how painful it is for you," Barney suggested. "She needs you, Joe. Don't shut her out."
"I...I'll try."
"I gotta go, but if you need anything, please let me know," Barney advised.
"Okay." Joe was pretty sure he wouldn't do that, but the offer was still nice to hear, even if he had a grudge against Barney. "Take care."
"You too."
After he hung up, Joe felt tears slide down his cheeks.
Norah
She had tried to call her father, but his phone was busy at the hospital, so she'd hung up and set her phone on the table. Maybe she wasn't quite ready to talk to him like she originally thought. She was still sitting there when Lee appeared. She took in his face and knew he was hurt, but she tried not to care. He'd rejected her. It was his loss. She wasn't going to feel bad because he couldn't handle her with someone else after letting her go.
He didn't say anything to her as he reached into the fridge for a bottle of water. Rupert went to him eagerly, tongue lolling. Norah waited for him to look at her or something, but he didn't. He walked back to his room without acknowledging her at all, and that really stung. She felt hot tears trailing down her face and wiped at them angrily with the back of her hand. Let him be a dick. She didn't care anymore.
She got up and put her dishes in the sink after rinsing them off. She grabbed her keys, bag, and phone and left.
Gunner
He missed Victoria, but he knew she needed to spend the time with her son. He crunched on his cereal and watched the news, getting ready to head out to spend the day at Caesar's again. He felt like this was all for nothing, that the person behind everything had gotten a big laugh and was off somewhere else by now. Something just felt off to him about it.
He answered his phone after seeing it was Barney.
"I'm coming," he said, his mouth full.
"Well, hurry up," Barney said, sounding irritated. "I have things to do today."
"Like sleep?"
"Sure," Barney said with a scoff. "Just hurry the hell up, will ya?"
"Coming," Gunner replied before hanging up. He stood and put his bowl in the sink after rinsing it out. He cleared his throat a few times as he pulled on his jacket and headed for the door. He'd come home last night instead of crashing at Tool's. He had his own place, but a lot of the time he stayed at the parlor in his designated room. Some nights he just didn't want to be alone, but since he'd gotten sober, he was feeling well enough to be on his own more. Thoughts of Victoria using were still in his mind, but they weren't as strong as before. He had Yang to thank for that, oddly enough. He tugged his helmet on after straddling his bike. He thought about Yang's situation a lot, and it bothered him. Even though he hadn't hit and killed Yang's wife, he felt he might as well have. He'd been that reckless before...it very well could have been him to do it.
He roared off, knowing all his neighbors hated when he did that, but he didn't care.
Toll
He was feeling good. For once in his life, he felt good. There had been good moments and good times, but the feeling always faded and left him with a gnawing sensation in his stomach or worry for Victoria or something negative. To feel good for a consistent amount of time was very new for him. He decided to embrace it.
And he was definitely going to be telling his therapist about it.
"I really hate to leave," Bobby said, looking back and forth between him and Victoria. Toll brought himself back to the room where his nephew was saying goodbye. He had a job to get back to after all.
"I'm glad you came," Victoria told him, hugging him tightly. "And I'm glad you waited me out."
"It was worth it," Bobby said, smiling. Toll hugged him next. He knew it wouldn't be the last time he saw his nephew, but it still made him feel a little sad that he didn't live close enough to see all the time.
"Be safe; be good," Victoria instructed.
"You too," he replied, and she smiled, pressing a hand against his cheek fondly and smoothing her fingers over it. Then he was gone, and Toll watched his sister start to cry. He went over to pull her into an embrace without a sound, and she held him back tightly. They said nothing as they held each other, both knowing what the other was thinking without having to say it out loud.
"Alright," she said after a moment, pulling back and wiping at her face. "That's enough of that."
"You gonna be okay?"
"Of course. I have his number now; we can text," she said with a smile.
"He's a good kid."
"He is. I know that didn't come from me."
"I disagree," Toll said, shaking his head. "Genetics do play a part still."
"Okay, Nick," Victoria said with a snort. She went to tidy up the kitchen from breakfast. Toll assisted, and then he texted Barney to let him know he was able to do overwatch since Bobby was gone. He was assigned the night shift that night. Toll wondered if Lee was going to be there. He didn't exactly know how Lee was going to react about him and Norah moving things forward together. He figured by now he knew, that Norah wouldn't keep that from him. He tried not to feel nervous. It was Lee's problem for ending it, not his. It was a free country, and if Norah wanted to move on, she had every right.
No, he wasn't going to feel nervous or intimidated. He was going to continue to feel good. Because, damn it, he deserved it.
Tool
He looked up when Norah came in, and he saw her peace offering in her hand: Coffee and pastries. She gave him an apologetic smile and handed it to him after approaching him.
"Well, now there's someone who does an apology right," he joked.
"I am so sorry," Norah said sincerely. "Lee told me. Is there anything I need to replace?"
"Just my pipe, but Lee's working on that."
"Oh."
"Cats and dogs fight, dear. I knew that going into it."
"I didn't realize Lee was going to dump them both here on you, though."
"It's alright. Just don't do it again."
"I won't."
Tool smiled and sipped his coffee. He watched her sit down with an almost tortured expression on her face. He sensed it had something to do with love, and he wondered what the hell Lee had done now. That boy was such a meathead sometimes. He'd heard all about the drama of Lee ending things with her from Barney, but he hadn't been given an update in a while to know what else had happened or why Lee had left her.
"Penny for your thoughts?" he offered, sitting down across from her. She sighed with a small smile.
"I feel like I'm going to hurt someone," she started. "I mean, I fell for Lee, but he doesn't feel the same way back..."
Tool was unable to stop the sound in his throat at that, and she frowned at him. He cleared his throat next. "Sorry. Go ahead."
"Anyway, he doesn't want to be with me, and Nick does, so shouldn't I owe it to myself to give that a try?" she asked. Tool always forgot Toll's real name despite the amount of times he'd heard it from Victoria.
"I guess the question is: Can you fall completely for Toll? Or will a part of you always love Lee?"
"I don't know," she whispered. She fidgeted with her fingers, and Tool felt bad for her. He made a mental note to cuff Lee upside the head when he saw him next. He was certain the boy did love Norah back. There had to be a reason he let her go, no matter how stupid it was.
"Well," he said as lightly as he could. "You're not marrying Toll. Just spend some time with him and see where it all ends up. If you don't get that feeling inside after a few dates, then call it off."
"What feeling? I don't even know what I'm looking for," Norah lamented. "I thought I felt it with Lee, but maybe I was wrong."
Tool highly doubted she was wrong. There was a spark between her and Lee that pretty evident, and he wasn't in the relationship to have to know or see that.
"I describe it as the 'Holy shit I'm free falling with no safety net,'" Tool explained. "You can't stop thinking about the person, and you want to spend every free second with them. You feel like they understand you better than anyone else, won't judge you regardless of what you do, and will have your back when you need them. You know without a doubt that you can trust them and that they mean it when they say they love you."
Norah was staring at him, and he could almost read her thoughts. She cleared her throat.
"How long does it take to feel all of that?" she asked.
"Sometimes right away...sometimes after a bit," he advised. She nodded slowly, fidgeting with her fingers more. "You got plans today? Wanna hang out here?"
"I have to go to work," she answered. "But thank you."
"Alright. Thanks for the peace offering," he said, gesturing to his coffee and pastries. She smiled finally.
"You're welcome. Sorry again."
"No worries, darlin'."
Norah stood up and headed for the exit. Tool watched her go, wishing he could make everything easy for her. When she was gone, he sat there thoughtfully, wondering if Barney knew what was going on.
Yang
He was having a full on staring contest with Will when the door opened and Char gave a slight gasp. Yang was ready to fight when he heard Sasha shout out in glee.
"Daddy!"
"You didn't even blink," Will complained when Yang looked back at him. Yang gave a smile before going to investigate why Caesar was there. He found his friend with Sasha in his arms and swinging her side to side playfully while she giggled. He was careful with her injuries, though. Char was pressed against his back and touching his cheek and neck softly. Char's parents were out doing errands for the time being. Yang liked them. They were nice.
"Hey, brother," Caesar said, seeing Yang. "How's things?"
"Something wrong?" Yang asked.
"No. I just missed my family," Caesar answered. Will appeared then, and he went over to hug his father while dodging Sasha's good leg. Yang nodded and went to make himself a cup of tea. If he was being honest, spending this much time with a family unit was making him feel sad.
Caesar found him a bit later and sat down next to him. Yang's hands were wrapped around a hot mug at this point.
"Thanks, man," Caesar said. "For keeping my family safe."
"You'd do for me."
"I would," Caesar agreed. He shifted in his seat, examining Yang. "Everything okay?"
"Yes," Yang lied. Only Tool and Gunner knew about his lost family, and for now, he was keeping it that way.
"I'm for a couple of days," Caesar advised. "I made sure I wasn't followed. I know it was a risk, but there's been no movements at all, so I think whoever was creeping has moved on. I'm starting to think it was just a one off."
"You really believe that?"
"I dunno, man," Caesar said with a sigh. He rubbed his head slowly with his hand. "Something feels off, but I don't know why. I can't think of anyone with a grudge against me."
Yang was quiet, but he was thinking. He agreed with Caesar. Unless it was someone from a past mission, there really weren't many people who hated him.
"Daddy, can we play a game?" Sasha asked hopefully as she came into view. Yang always hurt inside seeing her in that wheelchair.
"Sure, baby," Caesar agreed. He gave Yang another grateful look before leaving, making Sasha laugh as he pushed her rapidly to the next room on the back wheels. Yang sat there and breathed.
It was all he could do in that moment.
Rose
She was folding laundry when Winston came over. She smiled as she let him in, and he gave her a hug and a warm kiss. She appreciated him so much, and Oscar loved him.
"How are you?" he asked, reaching to help her fold. She always wondered how he managed to do menial tasks with just one arm, but he always surprised her with his abilities. She guessed if she had to figure it out, she would.
"I'm tired," she answered truthfully. "I'm emotional. But I'm okay."
"I'd be surprised if you said you were doing great," Winston said with a laugh. She chuckled back.
"Yea. I have learned it's important to be honest about what I'm feeling."
"That's good." He met her eyes, and she smiled.
"When your dad's home and doing okay," he started, setting down a pair of pants on the folded pile, "why don't we go out for a night to take your mind off things?"
"I'd like that," she said softly. He smiled again and reached to put a hand on her shoulder. She heard Oscar come in from outside then, and he was marveling at something he'd seen in one of the trees. Then he saw Winston, and he began chattering about it even more. Before long, Winston was getting just as excited and went to go see whatever it was Oscar had told him about. Rose watched them through the window and felt warm inside.
It was looking more and more like Winston was going to be the one to complete their family.
Norah
She had done her best to work hard and forget about everything, but it was hard at times. She pictured Lee's angry face as she scrubbed the counters hard, as if it would erase it from her mind. It made her just as angry inside. How dare he be angry at her for moving on! She kept coming back to that thought, and she didn't know how to get rid of it.
"Whose face are you imagining there?" Dino asked, coming up next to her as she kept scrubbing.
"Huh? Oh, no one," she answered, feeling caught.
"You doing okay after your dad?"
"Yea. He'll be home very soon."
"That's good. I have to admit, I was surprised to see you back so soon," Dino said. Norah felt bad then, but not everyone knew her family dynamics.
"My family and I tend to get into spats," Norah shared. "They weren't too keen on the idea that I'm living with..." She stopped abruptly, realizing that Dino might have no idea who Lee and the others really were.
"A mercenary?" Dino finished for her. "Yea, I know. They're good boys, though. Tough on the outside and killers when they need to be, but they've all got good hearts."
"See? I don't understand why my family can't understand that," Norah said with a heavy sigh. She set the rag down and pushed her hair back.
"They're not here," Dino advised. "They don't see what you see. They don't know them like you do."
"I guess you're right," Norah agreed. "I don't think they will get to know them; they won't want to."
"Give them time," Dino suggested. "If you're important to them, then they will come around to see how important these boys are to you."
"Thanks, Dino," Norah said. He smiled and reached to pat her shoulder fondly.
"Don't stay mad at your old man for too long," he stated. "I made that mistake, and my dad died before I got a chance to say sorry." He looked a bit wistful then, and Norah felt bad for him.
"I'm sorry," she said.
"We live, we learn," he replied. "Sometimes we learn lessons the hard way, and sometimes we get a chance for a do-over." She didn't know what else to say, so he left her alone and greeted a new patron. Since it wasn't busy, Norah took her break and sat in the back on a box. She pulled out her phone and dialed.
Joe
He thought it was Barney calling for round two, but it turned out to be his daughter. He was so relieved to hear her voice.
"How are you?" she asked.
"I'm swell," he answered. "A little tired, but I'll be going home very soon."
"Good."
They were quiet for a moment, and Joe fidgeted with the phone cord in his fingers. He didn't know what to say, but he knew he should say something.
"I'm sorry," he said. That seemed like a good place to start.
"Oh, Dad," she said sadly. "I'm sorry too."
"I just love you and want you to be safe," he went on. "I realize maybe I went about it the wrong way, but my intentions were good."
"It's okay," Norah said back. "I get it. I just want you to understand that I've spent enough time with these guys to know who they are underneath what they do for work. They're good guys, Dad. They're funny and kind and generous. They...they get me."
As strange of an idea this was to Joe, he decided he had to try and get used to it.
"I'm sorry that I make you feel like you're misunderstood," he said, knowing that was the real issue here.
"It's not that," Norah said. "I just...I don't know where I fit right now, and I am trying to understand myself and this grief I carry around constantly. It gets to be suffocating sometimes, Dad."
"I know," he said softly. "I get it."
"Why don't we talk about it?" she asked after a moment. "Why do we never talk about it?"
"It's just so hard," he answered. "It's always on my mind, so to talk about it just makes it that much more prevalent, and I want to shut it out as much as I can. It hurts, Norah. It hurts so damn much."
"I know, Dad," she whispered. "It hurts for me too."
"I feel like I failed you girls," he continued. "I should have seen how much it was getting to her. I should have paid more attention. I should have been the one to find her."
"Dad, it's not your fault," she said, her voice thick. His throat tightened too, and he cleared it a few times.
"A parent is supposed to shield their children from the big, bad things in life, and you two witnessed one of the biggest things out there. I will never forgive myself for that."
"Dad, I want you to," she insisted. "You have to. You can't carry that forever. It's okay...I'm okay. Rose is okay. We just want to talk about it sometimes...that's all."
"You don't hate me?" he asked.
"No," Norah answered strongly. "I don't hate you. I love you so much."
"I love you too, kid."
Joe decided not to tell her about what happened to Marcy. He didn't want to traumatize her any further. His wife had made it very clear they were to never know anyway.
"I'm sorry I left," Norah said now.
"It's alright. I pushed you away."
"I don't know what I want to do anymore," she said quietly.
"Do you love him?"
"Who?"
"That Lee fellow who was here."
His daughter's silence confirmed that for him, but he waited for her to say it out loud. When she didn't, he decided she wasn't ready.
"These things can take time sometimes," he advised.
"Yea."
He could hear noises in her background now, and he wondered where she was and what she was doing. He wondered if there was anything else he could say that could help her to feel better.
"I gotta go," she said. "I'm at work."
"Okay. Don't work too hard."
"I'll try."
"We'll talk soon, okay?"
"Okay."
When they hung up, Joe sat there and felt a little bit better. At least they'd broached the subject a little bit. He knew he owed her more than that, though. He owed both of them. One day soon, he'd sit them down together and let them all talk about Marcy. Maybe it would help. He didn't know; he'd never tried it.
For now, he was just going to take things one day at a time.
Lee
He felt like an asshole. He felt miserable. He hated that he'd done this to himself. As he packed to go do overwatch that night, he couldn't help but wonder if Norah was okay. It burned inside so much to think about Toll kissing her, and he felt even worse when he thought about what their relationship could progress to.
"Shit," he growled as he banged his knee against the cupboard in the kitchen. Rupert was on the floor with his head on his paws and looking at him mournfully. The dog knew what he was feeling, but thankfully, he couldn't tell Lee how stupid he was.
He slung his bag over his back and locked the door behind him, trotting down the porch steps and walking over to his bike. He hoped Barney would lay off tonight. He wasn't in the mood for a confrontation. He knew his friend thought he was nuts; he didn't need to keep hearing it.
When he got to Caesar's, he was surprised to see that Caesar was not there. Barney explained that he'd gone to be with his family, that Barney had encouraged him to and leave the overwatch to them for a bit. Lee understood that. Caesar was worrying more about his family than his house. He'd want to be with his family, too, if it was him.
Just as he was getting settled, the door opened and Toll appeared. It caught Lee off guard, and he froze. Toll seemed unbothered as he came in and nodded to Barney, setting his bag down on the floor with a heavy thud.
"Oh, hey Lee," he said, catching sight of him. Lee felt the burning in his stomach go through his entire body. How could Toll be so nonchalant? Did he not know what he was doing to Lee by dating Norah? How could he not? He gritted his teeth, and he caught sight of Barney shooting him a concerned look. He knew Barney had no idea. Lee said nothing, and Toll threw him a quizzical look but said nothing. Everyone knew that Lee was the grouchy one of the pack anyway. It wasn't entirely odd for him to not speak to anyone.
"What the hell is going on?" Barney asked an hour later when Toll had gone to do a perimeter check. Lee crossed and uncrossed his legs as he shifted in his chair.
"Nothing."
"Aw come on. You've given Toll the cold shoulder ever since he got here. What did he do?"
"Nothing," Lee said again, more strongly this time.
"Tell me, or I will more than gladly hold your head down so Tool can draw on it," Barney threatened. Lee shot him a look, but he kept quiet. Toll was back a moment later.
"All clear," he said. "How long are we doing this for, Barns?"
"Not sure," Barney answered, still looking at Lee. "It is kind of looking like it might just be a one off."
"Maybe, but what a hell of a one off," Toll commented.
"Yea," Barney agreed. "Right, Lee?" Lee just grunted, and both men shared a look with each other behind his back.
"Everything okay, man?" Toll asked him now, and Lee gave him a stony look in return.
"Uh oh," Barney said, knowing what was coming next.
"What is your problem?" Toll demanded, making Lee glare at him now.
"Nothing," he retorted.
"Sure as hell doesn't look like nothing," Toll said.
"Oh no," Barney said, getting it suddenly. Toll was staring at Lee, and then realization dawned on his face.
"You can't handle a woman picking me over you, can you?" Toll went on. "You can't stand it. Well, I got news for you: Sometimes, I am first place, not second place. Norah decided to be with me, so get over it."
"Oh no," Barney said again, still comprehending. He was promptly ignored.
"She's only with you because she can't be with me," Lee snapped, and Toll scoffed angrily.
"Unbelievable," he snarled. "You really do think so little of me, don't you?"
"I think you should have seen the bigger picture and backed off," Lee said angrily.
"What bigger picture?! You never tell us anything! You just go off and brood and break people's hearts with no explanations and then get pissy when you're left alone!"
"And you just swoop in and take what isn't yours!"
"Hey, hey, hey," Barney said, stepping in between them now. "Boys, don't do this. You're gonna say something you'll regret."
"I doubt it," Lee retorted.
"Oh, that's nice," Toll said sarcastically. "And take what isn't mine? That was low. I'm not that kind of guy, and you know it."
"Lee, he's right," Barney insisted.
"I'm out of here," Lee muttered, moving away. He was just getting more and more angry, and he didn't want to be around Toll anymore.
"She wants to be with me, Lee," Toll called after him, making Lee stop but not turn around. "I'm sorry you can't handle it, but it's the truth." Lee's fist clench and unclench a few times before he cracked his neck and kept walking away.
Barney
"What the hell?" Barney asked, looking at Toll once Lee was gone. "You're dating Norah?!" Well, he'd known it was coming eventually. He just hadn't thought it would be this soon.
"It's very new," Toll said defensively.
"Are you nuts?"
"Why? Why does it make me nuts if Lee doesn't want to date Norah and I do?"
"Because he does want to...he just can't right now."
"Well, that wasn't exactly made clear to me, was it?" Toll asked. "I don't play games, Barney. It's real simple to me: Lee doesn't want her, and I do. She's into me too, and we're taking it slow."
"You sure she's into you? Really sure?"
"Yes," Toll said angrily. "Would someone not into me kiss me back?"
"I see," Barney said, knowing exactly what Lee was thinking and feeling right now. If he knew about that, and he imagined he would, then he'd be really gutted inside. Toll didn't say anything else, and he went back to his post. Barney didn't move for a bit, but then he knew he had to find Lee and see what was going through his head. He pushed himself up with a groan, joints creaking, and went for a wander.
"Don't," Lee said as soon as Barney found him.
"I'm just checking in," he advised, leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed.
"I'm fine."
"I really wish you'd stop lying to me, Lee," Barney said with a sigh. "I know you're hurting. Seeing the one you care about with someone else is brutal."
"And you'd know that?" Lee asked, looking at him now.
"Yea, I would," Barney answered. "I was a stupid teenager once. I let the girl get away. Biggest mistake of my life. I wouldn't be here today if I'd just said yes."
He watched Lee digest this information, but his friend just grunted and said nothing back.
"I think you need to be honest about what's going on," he went on. "We're a team, Lee. We can help you. You just have to let us."
"Can you just leave me alone?" Lee asked roughly. Barney bowed his head.
"Alright, but don't brood too long."
Lee gave him an irritated look before facing the window again. Barney left him alone, and when he got back to his post, he sighed long and hard before leaning back in his chair and doing his best to not think about Lee's problems anymore.
Norah
She was feeling tired as her shift neared to the end. She kept looking at the gentleman by the end of the bar and wondering what his deal was. He seemed far away and pensive. He was nice, and he tipped well.
"Almost closing time," she said to him now, and he lifted his head to look at her. He had almost emerald green eyes, dark brown/black hair that was trimmed, and a crooked smile. Despite her inner conflict about her current situation, she felt her stomach drop in attraction. It confused her.
"Alright," he said. He gave a slight cough and slid more cash across the bar top towards her. "Thanks for your hospitality."
"Everything okay?" she asked, unable to help herself. He gave a grim smile.
"I just buried my best friend," he answered. "So no, not really."
"I'm sorry to hear that," she said.
"It's all part of life," he stated. "We all lose something, right?" He met her eyes, and she felt like he could read her mind and see her soul.
"Right," she confirmed.
"Maybe I'll see you around," he said, standing up.
"Yea, maybe," she replied. She felt really bad then. He was grieving. She was sending him away. She looked around. Dino was gone. What would it hurt to let this guy stay a while longer and drown his sorrows?
"Hang on," she said, and he paused.
"What's up?"
"I'm in charge of closing up, so if you want, you can stay and have another drink while I tidy up. I'll be another half hour or so."
"You sure?"
"Yea. You've had a shitty day," she reasoned. He gave a slight scoff.
"Well said," he commented, sitting back down. "I'm Mike." He held out his hand.
"Norah." They shook, and she noticed how firm his grip was.
"Nice to meet you," he told her, smiling a little.
"You too."
He took another drink, and Norah was left standing there wondering why the hell she was feeling drawn to a stranger. It was like Lynn all over again. Mike had grief, and she wanted to help him with it.
"Tell me about him," she said, grabbing her broom and starting to sweep. Mike sighed heavily.
"It's actually my dad," he told her.
"What?"
"Yea. My dad was my best friend. Aren't I a loser?" he asked with a chuckle.
"No. Sometimes people are friends with their parents."
"Well, mine was my only friend. I'm an awkward person, so I failed at a lot of friendships. People say I'm weird," Mike explained. He took another sip. Norah was sweeping around the tables and chairs now.
"Then we have something in common," she said.
"Oh yea?"
"Yea. I'm weird too."
He laughed out loud, and she smiled. He had a nice laugh. She kept working, and he kept drinking slowly.
"My dad was the only person who really got me, you know?" he said after a bit. "I could trust him with anything, and I knew he had my back when I needed him."
"So what are you gonna do now?" she asked, stopping for a moment to look at him. He sighed again.
"I have no clue," he confessed. "Find a new friend I guess."
"What about your mom?"
"I have no idea where she is," he answered. "She left a long time ago."
"I'm sorry."
"Again, it's life," Mike stated, finishing his drink. He set the glass back down on the bar top. "Can I help you at all? I feel like a jerk just sitting here watching you work."
"It's okay," Norah promised. "I'm almost done." She leaned the broom against the wall and started putting chairs up on the tables. Mike started to help, and she had to admit that she liked the company.
"So how did you end up here?" he asked curiously.
"I was honestly just driving through," she answered, putting the last chair up and going to wipe down the counters next. "Something about this place just called me to stay."
"I get it," Mike said. "It's like this warm feeling that says, 'Things are gonna be okay here.'"
"Yes!" Norah exclaimed, slapping a hand on the bar top and startling him a little. "That's exactly it!"
"Hm," Mike mused. "Maybe I should stay, too, then."
"You're not from here?"
"No. My dad moved here a few years ago, so I'd come to stay with him sometimes, but I didn't grow up here. I wish I had, though. It's nice."
"It is." Norah finished wiping things down and went to shut off the main lights. She met Mike by the door, her keys in her hand.
"So, Norah," Mike said, tilting his head at her. "Pretty thing like you...I'm sure you have a boyfriend."
"Sort of," she replied.
"Sort of?"
"Um, we're just starting to date," she answered. "Still pretty new."
"Ah," Mike said knowingly. "The beginning is always the best part. Everything's so new and exciting."
"It is. I honestly don't know if he's The One, but I'm just trying it out."
"Well, good luck with that."
"Thank you. I take it you don't have a girlfriend?" she asked, wondering.
"I had a wife," Mike answered, "but...she left me."
"Oh, shit."
"Yea. It really stung, but it is what it is. I got over it."
Norah was feeling tired now, and she was ready to go. Mike looked exhausted as well. He gave a sad smile.
"Thanks for pitying me and giving me another drink."
"You're not driving I hope," she said, her tone a warning.
"No, no. I'm gonna call a cab," Mike promised. "Take care, Norah."
"You too."
She kept her head down as she walked to her car, but just before she got there, someone grabbed her from behind. She screamed, and a hand clapped across her mouth hard and fast. She tried to kick out and twist free, but they held on firm, shoving her towards her car.
"Lucky me," the man's voice said in her ear, his British accent heavy...heavier than Lee's. "All alone with no one to hear you. We're gonna have so much fun." Norah screamed again into his hand, and then suddenly she was thrown to the ground. As she fell, she heard another voice shouting. She landed on her hands and knees, burning them on the pavement. She felt like she was blacking out, and after what seemed like forever, hands were lightly on her shoulder.
"Norah?" Mike's voice said. "Hey, you alright?"
"Mike?" she said, finally seeing him in the low light.
"You took a bad fall," Mike said, looking at her hands as she examined them herself. "You gonna be okay to drive?"
"Yes. I...I think so," she answered. He helped her to her feet, and she found herself trembling. "H-How are you here? I thought you were gone?"
"I dropped my phone," Mike said, patting his pocket. "I went to call a cab and couldn't find it, so I went to look for it. If I hadn't come back to look for it..." He didn't finish the sentence, but Norah knew what he meant. If he hadn't come back, she'd probably be in a lot of trouble right now.
"Thank you," she said.
"You're welcome," he replied. "You gonna be okay? Do you need to call someone?"
Norah knew Lee and Toll were busy tonight. She could have called Tool, but she didn't want to disrupt his sleep. She knew Gunner would be sleeping as well.
"No, but it's okay. I'll be alright."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. Thanks."
"Okay," Mike said, sounding unsure. "I'm gonna worry about you."
"I'll be fine," she promised with a smile.
"You sure?"
"Yes. See you around."
"Well...all right. Good night, Norah."
She got into her car and started it. She calmed herself by doing deep breathing. She couldn't get her attacker's words out of her head. What exactly had he planned on doing with her?
She got home and dodged Rupert. She locked all the doors and went around to make sure she was alone. When she was satisfied, she went to sit on the couch. She felt numb inside, and her thoughts ran wild. She knew sleep would not come for her tonight.
She started to cry.