Hey guys, so I just wanted to give a shout out to a few people for there reviews.
Yora15- I'm so glad you loved the scene between Lauren and Jay! It was touching and I think this will bring them closer together. OYvAi33- Yes Jay doesn't seem to know what he wants yet does he? I wonder what you guys are thinking are you leaning towards shipping A-Jay?, or is it separate relationships, or single-dom for the pair?
LAL- Yes the relationship with Micah and Andy is special isn't it? I'm not surprised you nearly cried sweetie, I nearly cried writing it. I so hear you. Timothy1989- Yes Andy does cry a lot doesn't he? I think that's mainly because of what he's going through though. He seems overwhelmed with it all, doesn't he?
Ok well again thank you all for the reviews I love you all so much! I'll let you get on with the next chapter then…
A/N: Profanity used in this chapter.
Cold in the Rain.
CHAPTER NINE – Legal Advice.
An hour later and Andy, who was still getting over the shock of what had just happened, could be found handing out some last orders.
"Andy! Closing warning!" Chef Veroan called from the kitchen.
Any smiled relieved and yelled out to the customers.
"Alright everyone, just a warning that we're closing in the next half hour. Thanks again for choosing the Liberty Diner, you're all awesome!"
Surprisingly the crowd of patrons applauded Andy's closing speech, to which he just smiled and made his way to the bench to do some cleaning in preparation of closing for the evening. So much had been going through his head about what B had done and though it was not surprising hearing about him do something like that at Babylon, having him do it here at the diner without consent was something that had his mind spinning. Then again, should he have been surprised? Maybe with everything that had happened between them and Jay and Edward, B had finally lost it. It wasn't that hard to believe, especially when his Aunt had only told him this morning that Edward had gone off the deep end.
As he cleaned he heard the sound of the door's bell and looked up to advise the person that the diner was closing, when he noticed who it was.
Dressed completely out of character for him, Edward strode in to the diner looking quite gothic. Dressed in an all-black get-up with chains and a pale complexion with black eye-liner and yes, even black shadow. This almost freaked Andy out more than him being here let alone what B had done. Edward strode up to the bar and seemed about ready to order when he noticed Andy staring at him.
"Oh," he said surprised. "It's you."
"Yeah, it's me." Andy simply replied. "Edward? Is that you?"
Edward smiled.
"Yeah. Different huh?" he laughed lightly.
"I'll say," Andy replied.
"Listen Andy, I actually want to apologize for all the crap that's gone down since our last talk." He started.
Andy recalled the last time they had spoken. It was when he had advised Edward to admit to the affair he'd had with B to Jay. Edward didn't seem so inclined to do it and so a screaming match had broken out between the pair, Edward had even gone as far to accuse Andy of stirring up trouble all because he wanted Jay to himself. Andy couldn't help but smile. Despite everything that had happened from the moment he had gotten to Pittsburg last time, it was refreshing to see someone actually apologize to him straight-up and not look like he wanted to start something.
"I shouldn't have acted that way and I realize that now."
"Thanks Edward, I appreciate it. Looks like you've been through quite a change." Andy replied.
"Yeah, believe me I have. I quit the violin…-"
"No!" Andy responded in shock.
"And I just decided to start doing things for me. I feel like everything I've done all my life was because of someone else. My Grandfather, Jay, B for a while too. But now my life is about me and no one else."
"Sounds good to me," Andy smiled. "So what'll you have?"
"Oh, um…" Edward paused. "I really just came in because I heard that you may be in tonight and just wanted to apologize."
"Well thank you sweetie," Andy smiled. "But come on, least I can do is get you a coffee. I'd love to hear more."
Edward smiled back and ordered a long-black. Just as Andy was finishing up the drink he noticed that the customers were leaving and so he encouraged Edward to go on, while he bused the tables. Edward went on to advise him that he had moved out of the apartment he lived in and had moved into a much nicer place that he shared with a house mate ('Don't get any idea's, it's a woman'). With the money he'd made on selling his violin he had also started up his own business, though what kind of business he had not said.
"I'm even managing to avoid B," he smiled. "Oh and I had some counseling for a bit, but stopped going after a while."
"Some things therapy can fix, others… let's just say I hear you," Andy finished taking the bussed tray to Chef Veroan.
"That's everything for now Andy," the Chef informed him. "Can you do tomorrow night also?"
"Maybe," Andy replied. "I have to check on something first, but I'll let you know later if that's ok?"
Chef Vermoan just nodded and so that he would not be roped into doing anything else, Andy simply left him to lock-up as he motioned for Edward to join him outside.
"Well I'd better get home," Edward said wrapping a scarf around his neck.
"Ok, well it was really nice seeing you and I'm glad there's no bad blood or anything between us."
"Not at all man," Edward smiled and started walking away. Before he was fully out of sight Edward turned back to Andy.
"Hey, would you mind not telling Jay about this?" he asked. "I'd rather talk to him myself first… when I'm ready."
"Of course," Andy replied.
Edward smiled and Andy started walking away.
"Oh and Andy?"
"Hmmm." Andy said turning around.
"What do you think of the get-up?" he asked spreading his arms and twirling. "Not too much is it?"
"You know what Edward? It becomes you." Andy smiled.
"*"
An hour later and Andy was still walking around Liberty Avenue. The snow was falling more heavily then earlier but with everything that was going on Andy hardly noticed it. He had not decided on what to do and was playing through a couple of options in his mind.
Deciding that ethics would win out eventually anyway, Andy headed over to Mel's place and lightly tapped on the door.
"Coming!" came the unmistakable sound of Mel from inside. "Just… let me… OW!... One moment!"
After the sound of a bang a bump and crash, Mel opened the door looking completely haphazard.
"Andy?" she questioned, completely caught off guard that he was there.
Andy contemplated apologizing for just showing up out of the blue, but then decided there was no point in going around the mulberry bush exchanging pleasantries when he actually came here for something urgent.
"I, ah, I need some legal advice." He stammered.
"Oh, for the love of god," Mel sighed pulling the door open to let Andy in.
Once inside Andy could see what all the sounds were about. Laid out everywhere were boxes. Some that had been taped and piled and others that had stuff piled so high into them that they were spilling out of the top. Clothes, Bedding, electronics and many other things were easy to make out and Andy wondered whether she was intending on having a garage sale.
"Sorry about the mess," Mel said having now closed the door. "I know they're going to have Linds and I divide our assets and so I thought it would be easier to just have things ready to go."
"How very pragmatic," Andy started. "Oh wait, look who I'm talking to."
"Gee Thanks," Mel spat.
"You know I love you for it."
"Yeah, yeah," she waved dismissively, shoving magazines from one of the chairs in the living room and inviting Andy to sit down.
"So what sort of advice do you need?" she asked.
"Well as much as I wish I was coming here to ask you if I could sue a company whose terms and conditions vary online to in-store…-"
Mel looked quizzically at Andy.
"We'll talk another time," he waved her off. "This is less small claims fun and much more of a mess then Mr. Mackey's office in that hoarding episode. You know, the one where he and Stan have hoarding problems, they even wrangle up a sheep-herder and even though he tries to explain…" He stopped at the perturbed look on Mel's face.
"My god Andy!" Mel replied. "New Haven has turned you into a rambling mess my heading is killing me, oi vey!"
"Oh it's not New Haven. It's my best friend Lauren…again another time," he finished quickly noting yet another quizzical look from the brown-haired lady.
"Ok why don't you just get to the point?" she asked.
Andy took a deep breath. He didn't know where to begin. Did he explain the entire situation or did he just get to the legal side of things. Once again realizing he was talking to pragmatic Mel, he just figured he'd go for the latter.
"Does sexual assault qualify someone for an intervention order?" he put as simply as though asking her about the weather.
"Woah!" Mel couldn't help but say. "Ok, um, well…yes," she said at last being completely thrown by the serious topic of question.
"Though it depends on a few factors, Andy who got sexually assaulted?"
In his mind Andy was telling Mel everything that had happened once Ted and Emmett had left, but somehow the words were just not finding their way out of his mouth. It was as though he'd suddenly become mute. He wanted to tell her every little detail. Less for emotional comfort more for legality reasons. But try as he might, it just wasn't happening.
"Ok, Andy I know this is hard, so just nod or shake your head kay? Was it you?" she asked directly.
Even moving his head seemed hard, but eventually Andy found a way to raise his chin and lower it, sufficiently nodding even if only the once.
"Ok, sweetie. I'm going to make some coffee and I'll be back," Mel replied, bustling out of the living room to make some drinks.
Not too much later Mel came out from the kitchen with two hot mugs of coffee and pressed one into Andy's hands allowing him to take a sip, while picking up a pad and pen for herself.
"Ok Andy sweetie? I know this is hard, so I'm just going to ask you some questions okay?"
Again Andy nodded.
"We're you raped?" she asked.
Andy just shook his head.
"Ok, we're you verbally assaulted?"
Andy nodded.
"Ok, well first of all, verbal assault and sexual assault can be two different things…" Mel started, but this was enough for Andy to respond and he cut her off right there.
"I was violated!" he screamed.
Mel backed up a little at his tone, but didn't say anything and allowed him to keep talking.
"I was just standing there making coffee and he, h-e, h-he t-t-touched me…inappropriately."
"Who did Andy?" Mel questioned softly.
"Who? Who?" he replied, looking at her as though she was an idiot. "What's the second letter in the alphabet Mel?"
"The second letter of the alphabet is Buh…" she had started, but then it hit her.
As much as she desperately wanted to scream something along that line of What did the fucker do to you? She reeled it in and simply said "Oh".
"Now I know that he is one of the most beloved people around here and that EVERYONE'S…" Andy stood up so suddenly that papers on the dining table in front of him flew in all different directions.
"Just going to think I'm making all this up because I'm Andy, Jealous-Boy! But when you are standing there minding your own fucking god-damned business making fucking coffee for his royal-fucking highness and he comes along and grabs you in the crutch and spanks you from behind wouldn't YOU want to make sure that son of a bitch learned a lesson and NEVER DID IT AGAIN?!"
This time Mel rose to her feet too. Not to scream at Andy, nor to even silence him. Face turning from concern to serious battle mode.
"Judge Granger is always available before 9. We'll go tomorrow morning." She said.
Andy was stunned. He was expecting many things from Mel. More questions, advice that it would not qualify, even lack of belief. But he certainly had not expected her to jump right into his case just like that.
"Thank you" he said neutrally not knowing what else to say. "Thank you Mel."
Mel walked over to him with the same stern look in her eyes.
"Don't worry Andy, we'll get that son of a bitch. I promise, we'll get him."
She then hugged him as he wept.
"Andy," she asked softly. "Have you told Jay?"
"*"
Meanwhile Jay could not be living a more opposite life to Andy. Despite being away from his hometown Jay had never felt more comfortable, more at ease then he had at that moment. Lauren had given him a job working as an all-rounder at the Dètendez-Vouz and Jay absolutely loved every minute of it. So much so that he was always begging Lauren for more work after hours. Not that he needed the money, he just loved his job.
But now was the hardest part of the day, the last 30 minutes. What most people in business would refer to as the hour of power for Jay was more the hour of torture, as instead of counting down to freedom he was counting down to alone time at Andy's house. Not since Rick and John had shown up had anyone come over. Sure Lauren had picked him up for work one day here, one day there every so often, but he had been lacking in the visitor department and Jay did not do well alone.
The phone rang and Jay's face lit-up. Today he was working as concierge which was his favourite of all the jobs here at the Dètendez-Vouz.
"Reception," Jay smiled into the phone.
"Ah, yes hi this is room 203. I'm just wondering if it's too late to order room service?"
"No, not at all, room service is available until 10," Jay replied. "What can I get you?"
"Andy?" came the voice chuckling slightly.
"Yeah," he replied.
"It's Rick man, how are you?"
Though they had been in the room since he had moved out Jay was yet to run into the pair since seeing them off that night.
"Oh hey," Jay replied. "Wow I feel like I never see you guys anymore."
"Yeah well, we mainly go out or just stick to the room. This place isn't really our scene," Rick said before hastily adding "Not that we don't appreciate it, because we do…"
"Rick, it's all good," Jay said. "What can I get you?"
"Well we're off tomorrow, so I was just thinking something light and simple, pasta maybe?"
"Sure, we have two types Bolognese or Napoletana?"
"Napoletana will be fine. Just the one serve though, John's not here right now, he'll get something later."
"No problems I'll deliver it personally." Jay smiled.
"Awesome man," Rick said. "I'll just get back to packing."
Jay hung up the phone and then went to the kitchen to place the order. Coming back to reception he noticed Rein had arrived and knew end of day was getting nearer and nearer.
"Hey Rein," he smiled at the girl.
"Oh hey Jay," Rein said. "Have you seen my note book? I left it here this morning by mistake and can't find it." She replied clearly rummaging around looking for it.
"Oh no," Jay mocked. "How will miss never-fail-to-study get along without her precious book?"
Rein smiled, she had enjoyed her time working with and getting to know Jay immensely. And though she would never cop to it, she certainly felt that he would be the perfect guy for Andy.
"My mother's influence has certainly rubbed off on you I see."
Jay reached down to grab his bag and pulled out the missing notebook.
"I put it in my bag so that no one would run off with it."
"Thanks Andy. Urgh! We have to get the paper out tomorrow and we are so far behind."
She quickly took the book from Jay smiled before leaving the area as the phone rang and Jay was advised that the pasta for 203 was ready.
"Thanks Shane," Jay replied hanging up the phone and heading to the kitchen.
Meal in hand Jay stepped into the elevator and made his way up to the room. In one way he was sad that Rick and John were leaving, though he hadn't seen them since dropping them off, their presence reminded him of Andy and the longing he had to have him back.
Jay stepped off the elevator and walked promptly to room 203 and knocked. But when the door opened Jay's jaw just dropped.
"*"
Ooooh I wonder why?
So I big chapter as far as Andy's story is concerned and though it may not seem like it this is the start of Jay's big story. The more I write the more this book is coming together and I am loving it more and more chapter by chapter. But again I'd be remiss if I didn't say how much you guys and your reviews have motivated me also. Thank you and please keep them up.
Do you ship AJay? Is AJay a good ship-name? What do you think about Andy's situation? Anything you want to see but haven't seen yet? Just click on the speech bubble/Review button just below this and let me know I can't wait to hear.
So that's the end of another updating session. To whet your appetite for next week – How does Andy's trial go? And what has Jay on tender hooks? Find out in one week when Cold in the Rain goes double-digits and presents chapters 10 and 11!