Author's Note:

Well, good news -- I gave in and got a small laptop last night. It's called an Eee Netbook and it's red and black so I decided to name it Eddie (Eddee?). It goes with my phone, which is also red and black and called Eddie. So I won't get behind, after all. Yay!

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Ch. 61

Laurie marveled at how fast the days went past, even when she wasn't in California. Of course, this time instead of relaxing at every turn, it was the direct opposite. The first couple of days, Walter and Laurie spent their time getting used to New York City again and doing some light patrolling at night. Dan and Nelly returned on the third day, and Laurie was the first one Dan called.

"Well, made it safe and sound," he had told her. "The meeting was weird without you guys."

"What happened?" Laurie had asked him, and felt tremendously guilty. But what was she supposed to do? She couldn't just let Walter go off by himself, especially if he wanted her with him.

"Manhattan came back," said Dan. "Anyway, how's the streets? How's Walter?"

"Good, I suppose -- just looking into this impostor Agent Orange business," Laurie told him while cringing. She wished they could give him a different name. Every time she heard the name Agent Orange, she remembered the look on his face before it was torn apart with his body. Whenever she recalled that grisly image she would grab Walter's hand and he would give her a measured look, eyes warm with compassion. But Walter hadn't been there at that moment, and she stood in the living room shivering even in the warm air.

"Ah, well," Dan sighed. "I guess I'll leave you guys to your case, then. Don't forget to call when you're done."

"You make it sound like we don't want to talk to you until we're finished with the case," Laurie laughed.

"Just don't want to bother you guys. Keep in touch, okay?"

"All right, Dan. I'll see you."

"Bye."

After that, Laurie didn't see much of Dan, even when she went out at night with Rorschach. The rest of the week was practically a blur to Laurie. What time she didn't spend worrying about the possibility of being pregnant, she spent trying to calm Walter, who was stressing over his job. He had returned to Mr. Greer's dress shop, and Mr. Greer was glad to welcome him back, but Walter was not happy at all about working there again.

"It's the women's clothing," Walter told her. "What man works with women's clothing? It's demeaning."

"I'm sure there are plenty of men out there who would love the excuse to get their hands on women and their clothing," Laurie said.

"Yes, perverts, most likely," he said, and Laurie didn't argue. Strangely enough, this was one of the sides of Walter she liked the most.

Of course, their nights weren't full of fun and games, either. Rorschach was urging them to look for the impostor Agent, and at the end of the night Laurie was left feeling exhausted. She worried about Walter, considering he had to work at his job during the day while she had the opportunity to rest if she wanted -- and even so she was tired. Laurie tried to convince Walter not to drive himself too hard, but there was something different about the New Agent Orange that made him want to work faster. The late Agent Orange had worked at a steady pace, but the new killer was doing overtime.

This murderer was prolific -- almost frenzied in his killings. Agent Orange had been precise and neat, allowing himself time to accompany each crime scene with his signature curt smile. He would also wait at least a week between jobs, giving time for the last one to settle into everyone's minds. New Agent Orange -- god, Laurie hated the name -- liked to hack and slash his way through the city, sometimes hitting several places in one night. He would usually forget to add the smile, but when he remembered, it was just an unrecognizable splatter, nearly impossible to see in the midst of the destruction he left behind.

In the week they had been there, New Agent Orange (or Agent Orange II, in Laurie's mind) had already murdered dozens of people. His victims seemed random now, and that disturbed Laurie to no end. It was bad enough when they came across a mess of dead mobsters, but it was worse on the times when they found seemingly innocent people treated in the same manner. So far Laurie had seen an old man murdered in his home, two sisters still in the grips of each other's arms as they lay dead, a nobody who lived and died in his own dress shop in Brooklyn, a family man who had been practically crucified, splayed out on the wall where he lay hanging, among others whose crimes were less apparent. Laurie didn't understand any of it. She wished she didn't have to see the things she did, but at the same time she didn't want to leave Rorschach alone to fend for himself; to witness these horrors on his own. He was so easily affected by his environment, Laurie knew. He couldn't take it without her there, she was sure of it.

Laurie was so overwhelmed by their day-to-day schedule, Mr. Petersen's funeral took her by surprise. Despite the way Walter was burning himself out at both ends between his two jobs, he had somehow managed to remember and announced it to her a week after the first Sunday they had returned to New York. Laurie was a little disappointed, considering she was looking forward to a little quiet time with Walter. She was also concerned that Walter wasn't getting enough rest, and seeing as this was his only day off, the funeral seemed like an inconvenience. Of course, she didn't know anything about Mr. Petersen, so she was able to make these detached observations. She knew very well why Walter would want more than anything to attend the funeral, so she faithfully went with him, hoping the funeral wouldn't last long.

At the funeral, Laurie felt self-conscious, glancing frequently at Walter, who kept a film grip on her hand and stared straight ahead. Laurie felt as if everyone was watching them instead of paying attention to the funeral.

"I think we're the only ones that these people don't know," she whispered to him.

"They probably want to keep it that way," he whispered back. "But this isn't for them so it doesn't matter; besides, I'm sure most of these people probably don't even know Mr. Petersen himself."

Laurie nodded, feeling a little sad. After the funeral, she and Walter stood off to the corner, quietly studying the people who were laughing and chatting with one another. They really didn't care about the old man, Laurie noticed. It made her sick. Laurie was about to suggest to Walter that they leave, when she saw a man make his way through the small crowd to get to them.

"Hey there," said the man, "Sam Petersen. You remember me, right?"

"Yes, you are Mr. Petersen's son," Walter said.

"Yeah, yeah. Look, you ready to discuss the details of the shop?" he asked, with a faint Jersey accent.

"This is the day of your father's funeral," Walter said, quietly. "Do you mind?"

"Oh, right," Sam shrugged and pulled out a card instead. "Well, gimme a call when you get the chance, all right? We need to go over some things; important things."

Laurie exchanged a frown with Walter even as Sam Petersen left.

"What do you think he was talking about?" Laurie asked him.

"I don't know," Walter said, staring at the card in his hand as if he didn't recognize what it was. His fingers started to loosen, and Laurie had to grasp at his hand to take the card away from him before he dropped it.

"Why don't you call him, Walter?" she suggested. "Here, I'll keep it. Just wait a while, then call him later in the week. It won't hurt to find out what he wants, at least."

"He probably wants to make trouble, judging by his tone," Walter said with a shrug, but he seemed relieved.

Walter and Laurie returned home, and Laurie collapsed on the couch.

"You really should rest, Walter," she told him. "I'm exhausted, so you must be ready to drop."

Walter didn't seem to be listening to her. His eyes were fixed somewhere on the floor, and from the angle that she was lying in, she couldn't tell what it was.

"What is it?" she asked him.

Walter shook his head, then bent down to pick something up. When he straightened up again, he was holding a letter. Laurie sat up quickly, eyes wide.

"Is it...?" She started to ask, even as Walter opened the letter. If Agent Orange II knew where she lived...

"Oh," Walter said, looking immediately relieved. "It's from your father."

"From my father," Laurie exclaimed. "It's Sunday. How on earth--"

Walter gave her an amused look.

"Well, if he can make Manhattan teleport him to California," he said, approaching the couch to sit next to her as he handed her the letter, "I'm sure he can arrange a little letter delivery."

"It just seems odd that someone like Dr. Manhattan would agree to something so trivial as that," Laurie frowned, then took the letter and started to read it with Walter peering over her shoulder.

"Hey Laurie,

I hope this doesn't turn up somewhere inconvenient like the bathroom or someplace where you won't find it, like the cellar, but I figured it took me long enough to write this up, might as well ask Doc to send this thing to you.

Anyway, after I came back here I was thinking what a prick I was for asking to be sent off like that when I should have stayed behind to make sure you were all right. I know Walter is looking after you and all, but I can't help but feel regret for not even saying good bye properly. I hope you'll forgive me. I certainly beat myself over it for a while.

They're wrapping it up here, though, you know? We're driving them back real hard. There's barely any time to collect one's thoughts, nowadays. It's sleep, eat, fight, eat, fight, and back to sleep again. Guess it could be worse -- I could be dead. But I'm not, so hey, it's all good, right?

I hope you're doing well, Laurie. Don't let Walter get too beat up over Agent Orange, Jr. -- stay out of trouble, both of you. Remember to pester your mother. Tell her you've eloped, or something. But don't really do it because I want to be at the wedding. And don't have too many parties while I'm gone, all right?

--Dad"

"Just for that, I'm throwing a party," said Walter, but he was smiling. "Let's invite people we don't know."

"Yes, and don't forget Big Figure," Laurie told him.

"And Moloch. We can let him stay overnight in your father's bed."

Laurie was starting to add something to that idea, when the phone rang. Laurie groaned and started to get up, but Walter stopped her and made his way to the phone.

"Hello," said Walter. Then his jaw tightened. "Yes. One moment, please."

Walter turned to Laurie with a distinctive look in his eye she saw only when a certain person was involved.

"My mother?" Laurie confirmed, and he nodded. Laurie stood up and made her way towards the phone, dreading the conversation that was to be had. She had been avoiding talking to her mother.

Walter shook the phone in her direction. Laurie sighed and took it, but grabbed onto Walter's arm when he tried to leave. He held her while she put the receiver to her ear.

"Hello?" Laurie asked, biting her lip.

"Laurie," said Sally, sounding surprisingly warm. "I heard you were back. When are you going to visit me?"

"Uh, soon," Laurie laughed a little. "How are you?"

"Oh, I'm good. Listen, I've been thinking."

"Yes?" Laurie braced for the worst.

"Maybe if you're up for it, we could have dinner tonight."

"Dinner? Tonight?" Laurie stared at Walter, who shook his head and gave her a wide eyed look. "Err, mom, look -- Walter's busy, so..."

"Then just come alone, Laurie," said Sally in an exasperated tone. "Goodness, you really don't need to be attached to the hip every second of the day."

"But I don't get to spend time with him unless it's work," Laurie said. "This is his only day off, Mother. I can't just leave him home by himself."

"Men can take care of themselves," Sally told her. "He's going to expect you to wait on him hand and foot at all times if you do things like this."

"He is not," Laurie snapped. "That has nothing to do with it."

"All right, fine," Sally sighed. "Then I will come over tonight. I'll make a dinner and bring it, and we can eat it. How does that sound?"

"Come to our house?" Laurie asked, stunned for a moment. Walter snatched the phone out of her hand.

"Laurie is going to dinner with you, don't worry," said Walter. He paused. "Yes, I am allowing her out of her shackles for an airing."

Walter paused again and nodded. Then he frowned, nodded, then looked exasperated.

"Yes, yes," he said, finally. "Yes. Good bye."

Walter hung up the phone as if it offended him to touch it. He turned and regarded Laurie for a moment before he put his arms around her again.

"You're eating dinner with her at six tonight, at that place she loves to go to, apparently," he told her.

"You know, I could come up with something and just cancel--"

"No, she's going to keep on insisting otherwise," Walter shook his head. "Or worse, just turn up uninvited at night. I'll be fine by myself for a few hours."

"Are you sure?" Laurie grinned. "You won't melt while I'm gone, will you?"

"Maybe," he pouted. "I'll claw up the furniture and go in all the corners, too."

Laurie laughed and kissed him.

"I really wish I could spend time with you instead," she told him, mournfully.

"I know," he said, with warm eyes. "But you're going to get sick of me if I'm always around."

"No, never," Laurie said to him. Walter gave her a big smile.

Dinner went pretty smoothly for Laurie, even considering the rocky beginning. After a little non-committal chat, Sally went straight to business even as they picked up their menus.

"So, are you going to marry this man?" Sally asked her.

Laurie froze, face still hidden by the menu.

"Who, Walter?" Laurie asked without moving the menu away.

"Yes, of course. Who else would I be asking about?"

"Well, you didn't use his name--"

"Don't be facetious," her mother snapped. "So are you or aren't you?"

"Yes, of course," Laurie said. She was rewarded with a deep sigh from Sally that seemed to stretch on forever.

"Well, I suppose that's your decision in the end," her mother told her a little bitterly.

"You're making it sound like I'm marrying someone who is going to use me. Or, I don't know, for money."

"Laurie," admonished her mother. "Well, we all know how my stance is on your...Walter."

"I never really understood why you feel the way you do towards him," Laurie sighed. "You seemed to like him at some point, even. What happened, Mom?"

"Nothing," she said, "Just that I glimpse more and more into his personality each day."

Laurie finally put down her menu, feeling too wounded to conceal herself. She gave her mother a pained look.

"I love him, you know," Laurie pointed out. "It really hurts when you say that. I don't even know why you have to be like that -- Dad isn't."

"Well, Eddie is Eddie," Sally waved at her. "But dear, there's no need to be so dramatic."

"Dramatic? I keep worrying that one day you'll say the wrong thing to him, Mother," said Laurie. "You're so awful to him."

"And he's going to have to live with it if he wants to marry you," sniffed Sally.

"Maybe not so much if this continues and we leave," Laurie said in a soft voice. She wasn't sure if her mother had heard her, but when she looked up she found that she was watching her with an indiscernible expression.

"Yes, well," said Sally, after a moment. She avoided Laurie's eyes. "Why don't we eat?"

They finished dinner without much incident, but Laurie found herself returning home feeling drained. Upon arriving, she closed the door behind her and looked up to find Walter hanging up the phone.

"Hi," said Laurie, smiling weakly at him. "Who was that?"

"Dan," he told her.

"Really?" she said, astonished. "What did he want to talk about?"

Walter said nothing, but he gave her a mysterious smile and winked at her instead.

"Fine, be that way," she told him in a good-natured tone as she sauntered up to him and threw her arms around his waist.

"So, do I want to know what happened with your mother at dinner?" Walter asked, after a kiss or two.

"No," said Laurie, "In fact, let's forget about my mother."

Walter nodded in a noncommittal manner until Laurie tugged on his hand and pushed him towards her room.

"Ah, that kind of forgetting," he joked, but he ran after her in any case.

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To be continued...