Renee was welcomed with small mews when she walked into the house from training with Elliot. "Nat?" She called out as she set her stuff on the coffee table. She frowned when she was met with silence.I might as well take a shower. She thought to herself as she walked down the hall stopping short of opening the bathroom door when a note taped to it caught her attention.
Renee,
I know it was supposed to be my day off from my workshop, but I think I have figured out what to do with the ring. I'll be home late. Don't wait up. See you tomorrow morning. I love you.
I'll make this up, I promise,
Nat
Renee's eyes furrowed as she walked into the bathroom to quickly take her shower. She has been working herself ragged all week. She fumed as she rinsed the soap off of her. She quickly got dressed and went to feed Rift. She scooped him up and looked down, "I should be worried right?" She asked him. "I mean she pushes herself way too hard when she sets her mind on something." Renee continued as she poured food into Rifts bowl. "I should check on her right?" She set the bowl on the floor in front of Rift. "Why am I talking to the damn cat?" She frowned. She walked over and grabbed her stuff, walking out the front door.
Renee pushed open the door to Natalie's workshop, "Nat, I brought dinner for us." She called out, setting her stuff on a workbench. "Nat?" She rounded the corner and her heart sunk at the sight of Natalie trying to wipe the tears from her face. "What happened?" She whispered out as her eyes focused on the picture in front of her girlfriend. What do I do? She bit her lip. *What are you waiting for?*span The voices grumbled at her. Do I leave and give her privacy or do I say something else? Renee chewed on her bottom lip as she mulled over each scenario. *Stop stalling and go to her. What is wrong with you?*The voices growled. Renee walked forward and laid her hand timidly on Natalie's back. Renee froze as she turned and buried her face into Renee's shoulder. "Did someone say something to upset you?" Renee asked as she slowly wrapped her arms around her girlfriend as she sobbed.
Renee rubbed her hand up and down Natalie's back. "It's j..just when Jacob mentioned my papa being proud of me and then remembering all the times I helped him in his workshop makes me…" She continued to sob. I'm just going to hold her until she knows she's not alone. She thought as she tightened her embrace, and as the time went by her sobs slowed. "You want to know what I did when I found the house empty?" Renee asked. Natalie sniffled, "Quelle?" Renee smirked, "I ended up having a full blown conversation with the damn cat." Natalie couldn't help the giggle that bubbled up. "You talking to Rift like a person is something I would pay to see." She pulled away a little to look up at Renee and a smile spread across her face. "What's that look for?" Renee questioned. "I love you." She blushed. "I love you too, Nat." Renee smiled. "How much more work do you have to do?" Renee asked looking at the components spread around the workbench. "Just have to submit the plans, and I'm free to go." Natalie smiled as she walked over to the computer.
Renee grabbed the food bag and frowned when she reached in finding it cold. "It seems as if dinner isn't edible anymore." She said as she threw it away. "Well we could grab something on the way home." Natalie smiled, looking up from her computer. Renee leaned against the workbench and watched Natalie teeth nibble on the top of a pen while she worked. She jumped when her phone vibrated. She looked down at the text and frowned. You are needed at Elliot's bar. Her brow furrowed at the message. "I just got a text from Loba saying I was needed at the bar." Renee said in confusion. "I did too." Natalie set her phone back down.
When they arrived at Elliot's bar it was silent. He would never close his bar down. Renee looked around the room and gripped her Kunai at the tension. Natalie and her leaned against the bar as Loba started her speech. *You're in danger. She's in danger.* The voices warned. She looked over at Natalie and frowned as she was hanging on every word coming from the thieves mouth. I heard my name and looked up as Loba announced I was escorting Path to Kings Canyon at night for some crazy scheme of hers. Natalie agreed to work with Tae on the artifact that Loba kept droning on and on about. She's always up to help someone out. Renee sighed as she leaned over to kiss Natalie. "You sure about this?" She whispered. "Anything to help out our friends." She smiled. Renee took a steadying breath, "I have to get gear for the void. I'll be back in twenty minutes." She pushed off and held her hand out for Natalie.
The walk home was brief and Rift was all over them as soon as they walked through the door. "I missed you too." Natalie cooed at the kitten, sitting on the bed as Renee got her gear on. "I'll be home probably pretty late, so don't wait on me for bed. You need some sleep; we can talk about whatever happens in the morning." Renee said as she leaned down to give Natalie a goodbye kiss. She scratched Rift on the head and walked out of the door.
What Loba didn't prepare her for was the sheer number of prowlers they'd face to get the piece of junk they brought back. Octavio and Nox went to Ajay for medical attention when they got back. She leaned against the wall of the bar, clutching her side. Fuck this hurts. "Here you go." She handed the metal contraption to Tae and pushed off the wall towards the exit. She winced when she pulled the door open and walked through. She knew when the prowler connected with her side it did damage. My vision is already blurry. I need to get home fast. She squinted her eyes as she opened a portal and stepped inside. "Fuck." She cried out as the void stabbed at her side. The portal opened in the living room and she fell through it onto her knees. She raised her hand to let it go and gasped, I'm bleeding. She stared at her glossy red hand before her vision faded away.