Because I am such a kind, lovely author I am giving you another chapter yay!
Also because there is quite a build up to the climatic Saw 3/4 we are taking a little action break while clueing up some huge plot points etc.
Enjoy!
Chapter 23
Ivy and Allison both decided to clock out an hour early continuing their discussions in the car while Allison drove reminding Ivy once again that she needed to get on with buying a car for herself now she had the money. Pulling up outside Ivy's apartment the two women took the lift and on opening the door Ivy found a note attached to the fridge from Adam.
Went out to see about a photography job be back later for dinner with Larry.
Ivy smiled and dropped the note into the bin as Allison peered over her shoulder. "Woah you mean you have a boyfriend who is actually attempting to get a job and working through things?" Her voice ladened with sarcasm, "Where do I buy one from?"
"Hmmm I do know an oncologist who is recently divorced." Ivy laughed causing Allison to crack up too.
"It's actually a decent idea, can we double date tonight?"
"Haha no." Ivy said quickly, "No offence but he was really upset about it when it happened. Came stumbling over here drunk as a skunk, smashed my bottle of vodka on the kitchen floor and then had to come to terms with Adam still being alive." The memory of Lawrence's pale face and gobsmacked eyes as he looked upon Adam, brandishing Ivy's scalpel flicked into her mind and Ivy shrugged at Allison who looked disappointed.
"Well mention me tonight at least." Allison asked and Ivy nodded. Deciding that Adam would most likely want her ready by the time he returned she began leafing through her wardrobe wondering what on earth to wear to a somewhat casual dinner with a Doctor, who appeared to have a taste for the expensive like herself and a boyfriend who preferred pizza at the local bowling alley. Allison was skipping behind her claiming how 'she never had a sister to dress up and so Ivy was going to be her barbie doll.'
"I am not good at the whole model thing." Ivy said worriedly peering into her wardrobe for her dresses and pulling them out onto her bed when she saw them.
"Then it's a good job that I came with you tonight to help you. I'm not exactly Tyra Banks being surrounded by guys 24/7 but I know a couple of things."
"I can dress okay, it's just I don't know where we're going. Do I go for a dark colour or a print but then if it ends up formal then the print might be too loud." Fussed Ivy holding different dresses in front of her before rolling her eyes and chucking them all messily on the bed.
"Calm down just send Adam a text and ask, you might not even need a dress." Allison winked closing the bedroom door and getting to work.
They re emerged later to hear Adam banging about in the living room as the TV was switched on. "Ivy are you home?" He shouted and the two women paused as Allison zipped up Ivy's dress, they had decided on a subtly pale pink dress that dropped a little low to emphasise her assets without appearing too daring, for lack of a better word.
"Yeah I'm with Allison in the bedroom." She called.
"Oh what are you doing?" Adam's voice drifted through the door his tone shining with happy torment. "Can I join in?"
"Ew no!" Ivy cried seizing the door handle and nearly crashing into him on the other side. "Peeping Tom." She shouted slapping him playfully on the arm.
"What's that?" He asked looking thoroughly confused.
"It's a british phrase for a voye...nevermind." Ivy quickly changed tact and kissed him on the cheek causing Adam's eyes to light up. "How come you're here and not at your own apartment now it's all Jigsaw free?"
"Because I realised I left the uh, pricy clothes here with you." He said with an awkward shrug and pointing back to Ivy's wardrobe where some of his clothes still lay. "So who's your friend?" Adam asked eyeing Allison who was still standing in the door.
"This is Allison, she works with me as my 'boss' but you know." Ivy introduced and Allison stepped forwards to shake his hand.
"Oh yeah I saw you around while I was being questioned this morning again." He gave Allison a smile before his eyes slipped back onto Ivy.
"How did it go?" Ivy asked sliding out of Adam's reach to pack her handbag.
"Yeah okay was questioned by that big guy who came round when I was...you know upset that you were missing." Adam styled out his eyes flicking to Allison who was pretending to examine the pictures of Ivy as a child on the wall, one depicted the day she graduated from FBI Training with her award in her left hand being clenched like an oscar.
"I knew Mark would be the one." Ivy sighed ensuring she packed some make up in case of any emergencies. "I had a lovely run in with a smart arse who basically had a go at me instead of actually questioning me."
"What did you do?" Adam asked seeing Ivy exchange an evil smirk with her friend.
"I stormed out and wouldn't go back in. Then we both clocked out early and will probably get in trouble tomorrow." Ivy answered cheerily while Allison sniggered as if they were on a sleepover. Adam looked surprised.
"Wow I thought you would have punched the guy or something but I like it." He replied with a toothy grin leaning against the back of the white sofas next to Allison.
While Ivy turned to the mirror to examine her reflection once more Allison hissed in his ear. "She's waiting for you to say something about the way she looks." She advised not wanting him to get in any trouble.
"I was waiting for her to be done with her hair." He whispered back seeing Ivy fussing with a hairband before giving up and deciding to leave it down and slightly wavy. The credit went to Allison for her hair and make up that night. At Adam's cry of indignant pain she turned round.
"Don't tell me you're beating him up already?" She said happy the two were getting on, it was certainly better than when he had met Mark.
"Only to mould him into the perfect boyfriend." Allison replied innocently while Adam rubbed his shoulder.
"One, that was my bad shoulder. Two, I already am the perfect boyfriend and three; I know a certain Doctor that might just like you." Adam began and Allison burst into a fresh set of laughter. "What?"
"I approve you two are great for each other." Her friend grinned heading over towards Ivy who was looking at the two in mild amusement her bag now swinging from her shoulder.
"You need to get ready." She instructed Adam who looked down at his current appearance which was a little smarter than his normal get up of jeans and a t-shirt but could still be improved upon judging on where Lawrence was taking them.
"I know, I know." Adam said, "Good job you bought me new clothes from that store. I had to use scissors to cut the labels off, couldn't just rip them like usual."
"Massimo Dutti?"
"Yeah that one." Adam shrugged and Allison stared at Ivy.
"Jesus Christ." Allison said, "You can afford that?"
"Parents have a hotel in Australia where they live and shares in a casino too." Ivy threw over to Allison who raised her eyebrows in interest. "So how do I look?" She asked the two who both looked her up and down Allison nodded eagerly while Adam just stared.
"Say something about the dress." Allison whispered vehemently to Adam whose mouth was slight open as if he wasn't capable of forming words as his eyes dipped to her inviting assets and then towards Allison.
"It's pink." He said bluntly staring into Ivy's eyes. She held the eye contact with him for a moment but was unable to hold it for any longer. Adam's eyes widened in case he said something highly offensive.
"Alright why don't you go and get changed and in the meantime you can be thinking about that line again." Ivy offered pushing him towards her bedroom and shutting him in.
"Okay." He shouted from behind the doors and Ivy turned round spreading her arms out towards Allison like a magician at the end of an impressive trick. Allison began clapping and soon enough a "Hey!" Came from behind the bedroom door. "No mocking me!"
"I like him. Somehow I thought he's be the reflective moody sort of guy." Allison remarked watching the bedroom door with interest as her eyes checked her watch.
"Haven't you seen his texts?" Asked Ivy shaking her head as if Adam was some sort of loveable dog. "Which reminds me I'm going to ask my landlord whether this apartment allows pets or not." She mentioned.
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah with so much happening I was thinking maybe it was time I got a dog or something to held guard the place. And me." She added as an afterthought.
Allison chuckled, "If only you could have one of the guard dogs at the station."
"I know, I like German Shepherds."
"And you have to ask Adam remember, if it's okay to get a dog." Allison reminded but Ivy frowned.
"Why?"
Allison paused to lean forwards, "Well because he's living here isn't he? You can't just get a dog if he hates them or has an allergy or something."
"Allison, Adam isn't living here. He has an apartment, I mean he had. It's all up in the air and he wants to get a new one. But he's not going to be living with me, it's way too soon for something like that. And I don't have the space." Ivy explained quickly, panicking slightly at how far along the road Allison's mind had travelled.
"Oh." She said awkwardly, "I just assumed I suppose."
"Well maybe later on if things are still happy between us but it was hard before anyway. I can't confine him to the sofa forever."
"No I mean I thought you were past that stage..." Allison trailed off awkwardly and Ivy's eyebrows shot up at once. "But you never know." Her friend's voice had suddenly taken on a new, light and teasing tone, like what she used when they were at the bars together.
Ivy narrowed her eyes, "What?" She asked cautiously.
"Well, new apartment that allows a pet, or a house." Allison prompted, Ivy continued to look baffled however and the woman began exaggerating, "With multiple bedrooms, maybe two to begin with one for you and one for Ad..."
"Alright I see where you're going now." Ivy caught on and Allison rolled her eyes at how slow she was being. "Maybe." Ivy whispered very quietly as the bedroom doors opened again and Adam stepped out looking rather suave in a ochre blazer which highlighted his trim form nicely alongside a white, crisp button down shirt and a black tie slung casually over the top and paired with black trousers. He was freshly shaven and those blue eyes she so loved were shining brightly with enthusiasm.
"You two okay?" He asked sensing the slightly tense atmosphere and Ivy and Allison both nodded at once. "Okay well Lawrence said he had booked the reservation for seven thirty so we'd better be going." He told Ivy who nodded and turned to Allison.
"I need to go home too." She told Ivy glancing between the couple, "Going to listen to the tapes recovered from the Nerve Gas House to see if there is anything we haven't yet discovered on them."
"Such a boring night in." Ivy remarked and Allison shrugged.
"Can't all have a new swanky boyfriend to take us out to dinner." Allison said sounding a little glum but she headed towards the door anyway, Ivy just behind her.
"You call me that a lot." Adam pointed out and Allison smiled at him.
"Have a nice night."
"Thanks, I hope it will be." Adam nodded and Allison began to head down the hallway and called the lift. Ivy looked back to Adam and gave him a good long sweeping stare making sure her eyes had mentally captured every inch of him. "Why are you x-raying me?"
"There type of clothes really suit you Adam." She complimented and Adam brought a hand to his neck. She could tell he wasn't used to being complimented on what he wore.
"Thanks, perhaps in another lifetime..."
"No, stop speaking as if you'll never be anything but what John saw you as." Ivy told him walking over and placing her hands on his shoulders, smoothing down his blazer. "You are already better and you will keep on becoming better. Look at how you approached Lawrence today and made all this happen." She reminded him. "I don't think the old Adam would have done that would he?"
"No he would have stewed away on his own." Adam admitted tilting his head from side to side, "But old Adam didn't have you to help him."
"And that's why the two of us have to help Lawrence now." Ivy said firmly and Adam nodded. He pocketed his wallet, Ivy made sure she had her bag and they took the same path as Allison, making sure they double checked the apartment was locked securely. "Remember that woman who said she would give you a couple of days." She began.
"That Vanessa woman yeah?" Adam answered glancing at Ivy as he pressed the button multiple times for the lift.
"Did you ever manage to do anything about sending those photos over to her on my macbook?" She asked and Adam nodded with a grin.
"I took some randomish shots basically walking around the city and sent the ones I liked the most or I thought looked edgy and cool. But before I sent them I sent an email saying that my girlfriend had gone missing and I might be a little late sending them over to her. When your story came on the news again about all that had happened she sent a reply giving me another week so now I can also add in some shots of you." He told her happily Ivy's head snapped to him.
"Why do you want a picture of me to send to an agency? I'm not a model." She told him quickly wondering what on earth Adam did have in mind.
"No but you are one of the most beautiful people I know." He said and Ivy looked at him wondering if he was being genuine or if it was said as a joke.
"Do you mean that?" She asked him as they stepped inside the lift and pressed for the ground floor.
"I do." Adam said softly pulling her towards him so he could encircle her arms around his waist. "Otherwise I wouldn't have said it."
Looking up into those blue irises that shone with unmistakable truth Ivy felt her heart take a giant leap of pure, childish excitement and in her haste she snaked her arms up Adam's back to pull his neck towards her as she claimed his mouth quickly in a hasty, yet passionate kiss. The two broke away quickly when they heard the lift's familiar beep telling them they had reached the correct floor and Ivy went a bright red as she quickly, self consciously adjusted her dress to make sure it didn't seem like anything had happened despite the man and woman now getting in the lift's knowing smiles. Adam on the other hand didn't bother to straighten his tie at all and grinned cheerily catching the other couple's eye as he followed behind allowing himself a small amount of swagger as he casually slung an arm round Ivy's waist as she tried to hail a taxi. "When are you getting a car again?" He asked earning a dig in the ribs probably due to her previous embarrassment as a yellow taxi finally pulled up to them spying the expensive looking materials they were wearing.
"Jesus Christ." Adam swore under his breath as he stared at the waterfall in the corner languidly trickling away as if it had nothing better to do. The host however still heard him and cast a look over to Ivy who was waiting patiently as he checked for their reservation. "This is fancy."
Ivy hushed him placing a hand on his wrist as Adam's eyes flicked all around him taking in the regal view over most of Manhattan, then jazz pianist playing on a white yamaha in the corner, the low mood lighting and most important, the amount of incredibly busy people. "You know those two behind got turned away because he was wearing jeans right? All I own is jeans." He hissed in her ear vehemently.
"Now you're glad I bought you those aren't you?" Ivy whispered back tugging one at his trouser leg and Adam nodded looking grateful. She turned back to the host who eyed her dress before smiling.
"Dr Gordon arrived a few minutes earlier and is already seated. I shall bring you over to him now." The host informed the couple and Ivy gave a short note of thanks as she pulled Adam along so he would stop staring at a waiter bringing out an entree of smoked salmon and asparagus.
"Ivy I feel really out of place here." Adam whispered again and once more Ivy shushed him and smiled brightly when she saw Lawrence perusing the menu looking casually elegant. He rose to greet them as the two sat down with a smile of his own.
"Ivy, Adam I am very glad you could make it. I was worried that perhaps Adam..." Lawrence began pulling out Ivy's chair for her as she sat down. Before he could reach Adam however, the photographer had already sat down.
"No I came through, it is about time we were all civil." Adam nodded his eyes still roaming around the restaurant as menus were handed out by their host.
"I'm glad you feel that way." Lawrence replied seating himself once more before eying Ivy who was wondering whether or not she should have brought a jacket with her. "It is good to see you again Ivy and on pleasant occasions."
"Yes it is, I was so happy when Adam told me about this earlier." She smiled and tapped Adam's shoulder and pointed to the menu that she and Lawrence had both picked up. He caught on and quickly hid himself behind it.
"I take it you've never been to a place like this before?" Lawrence asked Adam smirking a little at his unease.
"Not on your life." Adam answered at once, "I can't remember the last time I had anything like champagne. Or could afford it." He added glancing at the wine list. "And looks like I won't be able to now either." He said bitterly once his eyes had raked through prices.
"Now don't be silly, this is on me." Lawrence told the two and Ivy and Adam both looked up at him in surprise.
"Lawrence..." Ivy started only to be silenced by his hand.
"I insist. I know it was Adam's idea to meet up like this but I feel like I owe him at least this much."
Adam and Ivy looked at each other, Adam considerably brighter than he was a moment ago. "I'm gonna order the biggest steak I can find." He smirked at once and Lawrence sighed.
"I suppose I deserve that." He said and Ivy gave him a sympathetic glance which told him Adam was still Adam, perhaps just a little more humble. His eyes stayed on Ivy however who realised he was still watching her and gave him a confused look. "I like your dress." He complimented and Ivy found her cheeks burning a little, Adam put down his menu to watch the exchange.
"Thank you." Ivy smiled.
"It's an understated Roberto Cavalli isn't it?" He asked her and she blinked once before slowly nodding. "Allison was spying it the last time we all went shopping together." Lawrence elaborated making Ivy smile at the Doctor. "But I believe it does look better on you." He finished with a wink as a waiter came over to take their drinks order. Ivy lent back feeling comfortably surprised at the Doctor's finesse and charm indulging herself in a red wine. Adam on the other hand was glowering at Lawrence, his grip so tight on his menu the poor waiter had to struggle to remove it from his grasp.
"That is how you do a compliment." Ivy told him only to receive a similar glare of her own to which she gave her boyfriend a cheeky smile and took his hand under the table knowing how it felt to be jealous.
"I didn't peg you down as one to know his labels." Ivy remarked as Lawrence sipped an expensive champagne. "I didn't think you would have time with your job."
"I've always been slightly interested in fashion, not to any extent that Allison was, but I could appreciate it." Lawrence answered and Ivy nodded satisfied with his answer, Lawrence turned to Adam. "How is the photography going now?"
Adam shot Ivy a look that begged her to allow him one sarcastic remark but Ivy merely shook her head and inclined him to play nicely. "Better. I got an agent from Lucid Photography, I'm sending some pictures to see if they will take me on."
"Well I haven't heard of them, but I'm not much of photographer at all so I'm happy for you." Lawrence said earnestly. "It seems that despite our misfortune that brought us all together..."
"Nice euphemism." Ivy noted and Lawrence's lips twitched in a knowing manner. None of them fancied being bothered in a public area, not with them all together.
"Well it does seem that no we have this new outlook on how we should live, that we, well we are all better people benefitting from it." Lawrence finished giving the other two food for thought.
"I think I've said similar things before." Ivy agreed as her fingers played with the corners of the menu.
"I don't quite follow." Adam said looking a little confused. "How are we any better off? I mean I'm still jobless right now, you are still going through the legal stuff over Diana and Ivy got fucking targeted again by the same guy who we have all found out is now her Uncle."
Ivy had to admit that Adam had a point but Lawrence seemed prepared for an answer, as if Adam was one of his medical students and he already knew this question would pop up."You're thinking about the negatives too much and that is life Adam. Life is full of negatives and positives but think about it. Ivy has the job she has always wanted, or damn near to it with an amazing salary; I checked that out." He added to her and she smiled at his respect. "While the marriage with Allison did end and I don't have custody over Diana I get to spend much more time with her now the hospital has limited my hours, which to be perfectly honest I badly needed. My relationship with my daughter is healthier than it ever was, I still enjoy my job, I hopefully will have two new friends to share this new chapter I have..." He gestured to the both of them, "And I'm finally happy which is something I haven't been in a long time. And Adam you yourself just said about this development in your photography, your seeing Ivy and..."
"You haven't smoked once since we got out of that place." Ivy said quietly making both men look at her. Lawrence gave Adam a shining million dollar smile and Adam who seemed surprised by Ivy's news as Lawrence gingerly returned it.
"I guess when you say it like that. Hey, why is Ivy dating me a good thing for me and not for her too? You didn't add me onto her list." He pointed out quickly making the others laugh and a couple neighbouring tables whispered about their volume levels in the high end restaurant.
"It is a positive for me." Ivy reassured him.
"I'm sorry Adam, I didn't mean anything by it." Lawrence apologised but continued smiling at him. "I know how badly we got off on the wrong foot in there..."
"Literally." Adam quipped at once and Ivy snorted ungracefully into her glass of wine.
"Haha, but this is what I mean. I think if we had met in a normal situation we would have got on very well together." Lawrence smiled extending the olive branch.
"Not that I would ever have associated with the two of you if it didn't happen." Adam pointed out. "Should we do that cheesy movie thing of starting over?" He asked and Lawrence nodded holding his hand out.
"Lawrence Gordon pleased to meet you."
"Adam."
"Oh come on."
"Okay Adam Faulkner nice to meet you too." Adam rolled his eyes at Ivy and she gave him a happy wink pleased as punch that the two had decided to reconnect. It was then the waiter came to take their orders.
"Has Daniel Matthew been released yet?" Ivy asked Lawrence who nodded.
"He was released not long after you left that night. I enjoyed our talk, he's an intelligent boy just seems to be rather misunderstood in this world." Lawrence pondered and Ivy nodded.
"He seemed the complete opposite to his father."
"His dad sounds like a right dick." Adam remarked, "He was absolutely horrid to Ivy when she was only being kind. Thank god the other cops are sane that you work with, well apart from that woman I met tonight. She's as insane as you are." Adam jabbed at Ivy who looked at Lawrence.
"Yes because I'm the insane one in this relationship." She directed at Lawrence, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
"I can see that you are." The Doctor sided and Ivy's mouth fell open.
"I thought you were on my team." She pouted and Adam gave Lawrence a casual low five.
"But listening to Daniel got me thinking." Lawrence began his voice becoming much more serious than it had before. "There are quite a few survivors out there in the world that are now as lost and confused as Daniel and there are bound to be more because, although I don't like to say it...I don't think these mad games of your Uncle's are going to stop."
"Neither do I." Answered Ivy morosely thinking of Amanda, Mark and Lawrence himself to an extent. She shot him a meaningful look and he shook his head very slightly. What does that mean? That he doesn't want Adam to know he is somehow involved like me, or that he isn't helping construct the games. She prayed for the latter.
"So that means that there are people in the world, people like Amanda Young, Daniel and others who don't have anyone to talk to. People that might need to share their experiences with someone else who has been through it. We all know that therapy is useless. It did nothing for me and Ivy didn't even go." Lawrence glanced at her. "But I understand why now, people who haven't been there don't understand, of course they wouldn't. And I don't know about you two but I was scared of embracing this new way of living, it was still so experimental, we are fundamentally still guinea pigs, the results of a successful test that the survival instinct is alive in us and that we should live by it. The other survivor's minds must be in fragile states without having the closure that we have got from each other." Or John himself, Ivy couldn't help but think for it had been Jigsaw himself who had explained it to both Ivy and Lawrence. "And they have physical scars on top of it all that is a daily reminder of what we went through. I can't help but look at my false foot and thank my lucky stars that I'm still around today. We have let go of habits that are hard to break because we were forced to and it has worked so far." Lawrence finished his monologue a little awkwardly when he saw Ivy and Adam both gawping at him with wide eyes, Ivy with her wine glass motionless mid way to her mouth.
"And I'll say it again you sound like you admire Ivy's Uncle." Adam said incredulously. "I'm sure everyone would have rather it hadn't happened to them. I certainly was happy not knowing I was such a little shit y'know ignorance is peace kind of thing."
"You've read 1984?" Lawrence asked in high surprise.
"It was one of my assigned reading books." Adam nodded, "Good book, one of few."
"My favourite." Lawrence shared and Ivy nodded remembering when she was treated with the exact same quote by Lawrence himself. She did not want Adam to become a more sarcastic version of Lawrence. "But the problem is that it is happening and they have no one to talk to that can even remotely help them."
"So what are you suggesting every survivor should befriend another so they can feel like they are not such an odd ball in the world right now?" Ivy asked not sure at all where Lawrence was going with this.
"No quite although the odd ball thing is correct isn't it? Don't you get people staring at you too. This guy wouldn't stop tonight, you both know what I mean."
"What then, a therapy session for all the survivors like 'Hi my names Adam' and I nearly starved to death in a bathroom?" Adam mocked bowing to Ivy to enhance his impression.
"Exactly Adam." Lawrence grinned and Adam's mouth fell open once more, only to fall open again when he saw the size of his steak that was placed in front of him.
"Is that it?" He whispered to Ivy who laughed at the tiny portions they had all received.
"I thought I'd been here before with my Aunt Jill. She said the same thing." Ivy told him kindly. "But go one Lawrence I really don't understand you."
"So I thought what if there was a place the survivors could go to to talk to other survivors about what they'd been through and we could all talk about it as a group. They'd realise they are not alone, it would be like an alcoholics anonymous group but instead for Jigsaw Survivors only."
"There is no way you are going to get everyone to come." Ivy told him at once thinking of Amanda.
"I'm not trying to reach everyone at once, just a few people. A person they can speak to in confidence if they need to, someone who has gone through what they have."
"But until Jigsaw kidnaps a therapist there's no one like that who could even lead it." Adam said finally accepting his steak and digging in.
"Well I was sort of thinking maybe I could do it." Lawrence broached tentatively.
"Really?" Ivy asked beginning to brighten at how much Lawrence wanted to invest in this idea.
"Well yeah, I'm a Doctor I understand what it's like. There would be no outside people, just survivors comparing, swapping stories and hopefully in some kinda group therapy style way we can help others accept what has happened to them and help them get on with their lives. The worst things would be to see one of the survivors put back in a trap because they didn't learn their lessons."
"In case you've forgotten I was in one only yesterday." Ivy snarked heatedly.
Lawrence broke off looking aghast. "I'm so sorry Ivy. I didn't mean it like that, we both know you have learned your lesson. Though in my opinion your latest test was just to make sure, you weren't really being tested Eric Matthews was."
"Hmmm." Ivy couldn't help but wonder if John and the others thought the same way as the Doctor before her, her feathers were rustled for good.
"But it's a viable idea don't you think?" Lawrence asked opening the question to both of them.
"I think depending on the type of person you are then yeah it could help. I don't know what I would have done if I didn't have Ivy." Adam said, his steak nearly gone. "Some people are going to want to handle it on their own and some people will need help overcoming certain aspects of their games."
"I think Adam's right. There's certainly no harm in giving it a go. I think you could really help some of the survivors like that Sydney woman and probably Daniel, I mean he's going to be so lost until we find Eric." Ivy rolled up some of her linguini pasta and Lawrence pushed his now empty plate of fish away from him.
"I'm glad you both think so. And I was hoping that perhaps you two would come along and join in. It would be a great way to show the other survivors how they too can move on with their lives." Lawrence asked his eyes fixed on Adam and for good reason. The photographer pushed his own plate away and shook his head fiercely.
"Listen Larry it's a good idea and all but I am not one of those people to open up their feelings. I wouldn't be of any help..."
"But you'd be helping me a lot by doing this, and maybe others." Lawrence insisted ignoring Adam's old nickname for him completely though Ivy saw his mouth twitch whether it was in amusement or annoyance however she was unsure.
Adam looked towards Ivy asking what her answer was when Lawrence glanced at her he shook his head. Ivy hesitated, did she really want to get herself involved in what could wind up as another commitment she couldn't get out of? "I don't know Lawrence." She muttered letting how eyes show her insecurities.
"Come on Ivy." Lawrence was beginning to whine now as he leaned in closer the moment their waiter had cleared the table seeing as they were all finished. "You never know, it might go completely south, I just need some support at the beginning then I should be okay when I have a table amount of people going."
Ivy sighed biting her lips and looked back to Adam whose expression changed at once. "Ivy no. Come on just say no, you do so much already and I hardly ever see you and this on top of it? I know that look of yours by now."
"Well technically if we both went, then we would be spending time together." Ivy murmured looking suddenly hopefully as she made she to capture Adam's eyes with her own. Lawrence beamed again.
"Please?" Adam carried on as if she hadn't spoken, "No offence to you Lawrence, none at all I think your idea is great just not for me. I'm already past that stage where people need therapy styled help."
"Well can you at least think about it? Thank you so much Ivy, I really appreciate it. And I appreciate tonight, I had a wonderful time now please let me pay."
"Only if you'rr completely sure." Ivy said once more and Lawrence nodded handing over his credit card.
Adam gave in. He let his body hit the back of his chair creasing his blazer and he closed his eyes for a moment, the slinky jazz music washing over him before opening his eyes and letting out an overly dramatic sigh of his own. "Okay Larry I'll come along to the first one and see how good you really are at all this."
Lawrence smiled, "I wondered if you'd be a tough cookie to crack but it looks as if Ivy has made you soften after all." Adam mimicked the Doctor's slightly patronising tone and Lawrence laughed again. "Trust me that's a very good thing." He finished as Ivy began to rise from her seat and dug in her purse to retrieve her phone to see a new text blaring up at her.
I am outside waiting for you outside that restaurant you're at NOW. Why the fuck didn't you show up? 9:04
It was from an unknown number. Frowning Ivy ran a hand self consciously down her dress and folded her arms glancing around once, Adam flashed her a look of concern.
"You okay?"
"Yes I think so, someone might have sent a text to the wrong number." She replied as they began to walk out, however she showed the text to Lawrence wondering if it was someone they were equally acquainted with. He peered closer at the text, without Adam noting for he was far too concern with getting one last good look at the white yamaha piano.
"I have a feeling it might be a certain female survivor we both know." He muttered very quietly and Ivy shot him a confused look which made the Doctor roll his eyes. "Who is very loyal to your Uncle." He murmured so she had to lean in to hear him.
"You really think so?"
"The language fits her well. Were you meant to do something for him?" Lawrence asked her now they were out of shot from everyone else and Adam had finally torn his eyes away from the pianist and was now curiously staring at his two companions.
"You two okay?" Adam asked cautiously.
"I probably was and forgot." Ivy told Lawrence quickly who nodded as they straightened up as soon as they heard Adam's voice. "I have to meet an informant who is waiting for me here." She invented quickly, "I'll only be a few minutes."
"And have you taken away from me again for the third time I don't think so." Adam said at once taking her hand. "God Ivy you said it was an unknown number you have to think if this is a trap."
However much Ivy didn't want him to be, she had to admit Adam could very well be right. If it was indeed Amanda waiting for her then this might very well be revenge for freeing Adam. "Lawrence is going to come with me." Ivy told her boyfriend, "Just wait inside by the host incase they are trying to lead us away from you if this is something bigger than we think it is." She instructed and Adam although looking thoroughly confused and was looking between the two as if he had seriously missed something; but he nodded and began to head inside before pausing and taking off his blazer and handing it to Ivy. "Here, don't pretend you're not cold anymore I can see you shivering from here." He told her gently taking it back from her hastily and draping it round her shoulder. Ivy smiled and gave him a soft kiss on the cheek of reassurance before leading Lawrence round the side of the restaurant into a dark alley.
"I'm glad you don't need your cane so much anymore." She said to her friend with a smile as she watched Lawrence managing rather well on his artificial leg.
"I do need it occasionally when I've had a busy day, but I hate carrying it around with me it's so impractical and everyone gives you sympathy." He confessed as they walked side by side both peering round in case anyone decided to attack them from the shadows.
There was a figure leaning against the restaurant wall, it was so dark the person was nearly encased within with the shadows. Ivy nudged Lawrence who nodded and flashed her a gun stowed tightly away inside his pocket. Her eyes widened at the sight but showed him the pepper spray she carried around everywhere she went and his eyes shone with approval. "Amanda?" She ventured edging closer and closer towards the figure and pulling Adam's blazer tight around her. The figure did not answer and Ivy's heart rate spiked uncomfortably as she looked back at Lawrence who placed a hand on her shoulder to steady her in her heels and together they peered into the gloom. The figure leapt out its arms flailing wildly and Ivy couldn't suppress the scream that tore its way out of her mouth.
The figure in front of them began laughing cruelly as they stepped into the patch of light cast from a wayward streetlamp. Amanda was so doubled over in her own hysterics she was holding a stomach with one arm, her eyes were shining with the mischief she had just created as Ivy and Lawrence both glared at her hatefully Ivy trying to calm her heart which she was sure had jumped out of her body and run away. "Now your face there was absolutely priceless, I so wish I had brought a camera along with me." The dark woman's smirk was plastered all over her face, however her self inflicted amusement quickly died when her eyes fell on Lawrence standing beside Ivy.
Love her or hate her, everyone wants to see some more Amanda. She's a great character to have, I'm gonna miss her.
I wonder what she's here for? Hmmmm
Read and review to find out haha! xoxo