Hi! Really sorry for the massive delay. Hopefully more updates are on the horizon!

She's got a list of does and don'ts in her mind as she returns to Zane's flat.

Alexis knows her old friend well enough to know that he isn't likely to be dangerous, but there are certain subjects which are likely to annoy him. Annoy him too much, and he'll either push them away, or leave himself. Subjects to avoid are his lifestyle, where he gets what little money he has, suggesting that he goes to a hospital, or take it easy, asking him when he last ate… It's quite a list, for a man whom, when she knew him best, was always rather unflappable.

"Syrus?" She questions her brother.
"You can talk about him. Just don't suggest that they meet up." Atticus tells her.
"Why not?"
"Zane doesn't want his brother seeing him like this. I've tries talking to him about it… He won't budge. Last time he threw me out, for a whole week."
"You're saying Syrus doesn't know?!"

She's not sure whether or not she should be surprised. The Truesdale's relationship was unconventional to say the least. She hasn't kept in touch as much as she should have with Syrus. Although, they have spoken a few times, and she knows he's still on the pro-circuit. He'd been there with Zane for a while. Then the eldest of the brothers had disappeared and Syrus had soldiered on. Somehow, she hasn't thought of him as much as he should have. She'd assumed that he was aware, that he knew just where Zane was and what he was doing. The idea that he doesn't causes her stomach to churn.

She considers calling Syrus, just to let him know that Zane is safe. That he is still alive. Surely the younger of the brothers must at least wonder…

"Zane cut ties with him a while ago." Is all that Atticus can offer. "Syrus knows he's alive. He's probably smart enough to know that his big brother doesn't want to talk to him."

She wants to argue, and might yet. For the time being though, she opts to focus on just one of the Truesdales. As it turns out, there's a good and valid reason for her going there. In fact, Aster had been intending to go along anyhow.

"He's got to go see his cardiologist. Your job is to make sure he goes."
"Why wouldn't he?" Alexis can't help but ask.
"Because he's stubborn, and doesn't like to do what others tell him."

Alexis doesn't struggle to believe that. Zane has always been terrible when it comes to looking after himself. If he doesn't want to do something, he usually won't. She doesn't envy her brother and Aster having to do battle with him over such things. She's not entirely sure how she's going to convince him to do anything. It's not like she can physically drag him there. Maybe she can, comes the morbid thought within her mind, he'd been so weak last time. The woman isn't convinced that he would be able to put up much resistance, even if he'd wished it. It won't come to that.

She brings a little bag with a few carefully chosen supplies, and then they're off.

She also has some backup. It's Aster, not Atticus. The latter is still a little bit weak, not quite incapacitated, but certainly not capable of running around the city. So it's just the two of them. They travel quietly. Aster has made the effort to dress down a little. It works quite well. If anybody recognizes him, they don't show it. Therefore, Alexis assumes that they don't. From time to time, he offers her a reassuring smile. She wants to believe it, and maybe it does ease some of her fears and doubts.

Aster surprises her by suggesting that they use public transport. She hadn't figured him for the time to use anything other than private vehicles. He seems at ease though. They don't say much as they travel along the road. Alexis contents herself with looking out the window. She wonders how her childhood friend had managed to find his way into this neighborhood. How is he surviving? She guesses she'll be able to ask him that in good time.

As they arrive back at Zane's apartment block, Alexis is reminded of what a dump it is. It stands right on the border of Satellite, crumbling. She would be surprised if it's still standing in a few years. It's where he lives though, and as she follows her companion through the building, she forces herself not to dwell on her surroundings but rather repeats to herself just why she's here and what she's doing. The closer they get to the door, the faster her heart beats. She's certain there's an irony to be found there.

It's Aster who knocks, and so begins the terrible waiting game again. To her surprise though, Zane is a lot faster to answer this time. He opens the door fully. There is no smile for Aster, and she gets a stunned look. She can't help but wonder just why it is that he's surprised to see her here after she left yesterday. She offers him a gentle smile which he makes no effort to return. Instead, it's towards Aster that he directs his attention:

"You brought her back?"
"I wanted to make sure that you were alright." Alexis explains herself, knowing better than to take offense at his tone.
"Yeah. There was no stopping her."

Aster gives her a knowing smile. Zane glances between the two of them, his attention still split between them. After a brief moment however, he relents and stands to one side. Which is probably a sign that whilst he might well be better, he still isn't well. Regardless, they enter.

She's disappointed to find that despite being on his feet. He still hasn't done any cleaning. It's very unlike the young man that she had once known. Once more though, Alexis chalks it down to the fact that he likely lacks the strength to do anything else. The television is still on, so at least he'd been able to distract himself, by watching duels it would seem. Zane closes the door behind them, but opts to remain standing. The woman opts to offer him a smile, as she considers him:

"You seem better today." She speaks, not quite daring to hope.
"You caught me on a bad day." Is all that he answers. "Why are you here?"
"Like I said, I wanted to pay you a visit, make sure you were better."

She feels his dark eyes coming to rest upon her. They seem sharper, more aware than they had been previously. She does her best not to back down, acutely aware that it's what he might well want. Zane doesn't need to speak, or articulate his feelings – in fact he rarely does – in order to get them across.

It's not like she hadn't entirely been expecting something like this. She's been able to spend the past few hours readying herself mentally for this confrontation. So she doesn't back down, nor does she challenge him. Instead, it's a smile that she offers.

"I also wanted to catch-up a little. It feels like it's been a lifetime."

Zane looks at her oddly. She does her best not to allow herself to be bothered by it. He moves stiffly around the room. With three of them, there isn't much space. Alexis assumes that he's going to move to settle down on the couch, and tries to make some space for him. She does so carefully, worried that she might bump into any of piled up pots, plates, or empty packaging. He doesn't though, preferring to stand in the corner, his arms folded across his chest.

"Catch-up?" Zane repeats "What's changed? You're still teaching, aren't you?"
"Yes, but you know what I mean." She allows her tone to become a little drier, reminding him that she's not someone he can push away. "You just vanished, one day. You had the rest of us worried, you know."
"I just needed some space..."

She wants to scold him. She's no fool, she knows why he's cut off all ties. She knows that he's aware of that much. This dancing around one another, and matters is enough to irritate her. She doesn't act on it though. Forcing herself to remain calm. Losing her patience with Zane will, at best, be counter productive. He might well be waiting for it, an excuse for him to either take his leave, or push her away. Alexis is determined not to give it to him.

Her reward? That same odd, distant, and vaguely frustrated look which willed her away with every second.

"How long have you been living here?"
"A few years. Is this really all you're here for? I have an appointment. He told you that, right?"
"Of course..." Aster offers his old friend a grin. "She's going with you."