I didn't see Chris much over the next week.
He popped in and out of the club at unpredictable times. We had a few pleasant conversations but nothing substantial, he always seemed distracted and focused on something else.
Paige had complained to me a few times already about the number of demon hunts he was sending them on, but I'd always try to remind her he was helping them to save the future. She would only scoff at me in reply.
After being unemployed for over a year, she was contemplating getting back into the workforce by way of temping. I was happy for her and told her as much, pushing her to go for it. It may not bring as much happiness as her last career as a social worker, but at least she would have more flexibility to go save the world at a moments notice.
I had only been back to the manor once since the orbing incident to let Paige know about my broken phone. While there, I told Piper that I was here for her if she ever needed a babysitter for Wyatt so she could have some slone time. She brushed me off with a too happy grin and said she, Pheobe, and Paige had it covered.
Her demeanour still made me unsettled. Piper was a strong woman, there's no denying that, but I had seen the state she was in after Prue's death and knew her emotions ran deep. Especially when it concerned loosing a loved one, which was practically what happened with Leo becoming an Elder - or so Paige had said once during a late night at the bar.
Speaking of, I was there getting ready to close. It had been pretty busy because one of our best employees, Rachael, had finally graduated with a masters in education and moved away to start her new life. We were all sad to see her go, but couldn't waste any time in hiring someone new to pick up the slack her absence had created.
Fortunately the shift had passed without incident, so decided to let my co-worker Maleck go home early. It was pretty close to closing time, and there were only a few regulars still lingering around. I tried to encourage Ray, our bouncer, to head home early to his family but he refused to leave until every single patron had left.
I tried to encourage Ray, our bouncer, to head home early to his family, but he refused to leave until every single patron had left. Finally, it was closing time, and we were able to herd them out pretty quickly. Ray left me with a warning to be careful and I assured him I would.
I hated leaving the club in such disarray, it wasn't fair to our janitors - they already had enough maintenance to do here. To help them out, I went around the area collecting the hidden cups to put in the sink and sweeping up the few broken ones out patrons had so lovingly left for me. I made note of how many had been broken tonight so Piper would know when it was time to restock the collection.
I had almost finished washing the dishes, absorbed in battling a particularly subborn lipstick stain on the rimm of a glass, when I hear a voice from behind me ask, "What a you still doing here?"
The suddent noise makes me jump, causing the glass to slip from my hand. It smashes into a bust of glass on the side of the sink. I yelp as a bit rebounds and slices through my hand, blood seeping from the wound immediately. Well, there's one more tally to add to my notes for Piper.
I whip around to face the intruder and am greeted with the sight of a smirk. "Chris!" I exclaim, "Don't sneak up on me like that!"
I reach for a paper towel not seeing his face fall at the sight of blood slipping through my fingers, I'm too busy applying pressure to the wound and checking it for lingering glass.
I don't even notice him approaching me until he's standing right infront of me. I can feel his breath on my face as he brings a clean teatowel down onto my wound. Aww noo, that was one of my favourites, now it's going to be stained forever, I can't help but pout.
I'm grateful he doesn't see my childish expression as he's too focused wiping the blood from my wound. It's quite a small cut, but because my hands were covered in water it had looked a lot worse than it was.
"I wish I could heal you," he murmers lowly.
I cock my head with a smile and say, "But that's only for demon attacks, right? It's okay, we have a first aid kit by the phone."
He looks a little guilty as he nods before instructing me, "Here, keep pressure on it. I'll get this cleared up." He gentley grips around my waist and the warmth of his hands seeping through the fabric of my shirt makes me tingle. It reminds me so strongly of a time when I had been nothing but floating atoms, and he was my only constant. My guiding light pulling me forward.
I loose my breath as he quickly hoists my small frame up onto the counter top next to the sink. He makes quick work of orbing the shattered glass to the bin before quickly orbing the first aid kit to his hands.
His movements of cleaning my wound and patching it up seem rehearsed, I wonder how many non-demon related injuries he's had to fix up in the past- wait, future. Its so confusing.
Does he have any scars? Paige told me once that whitelighters can't heal themselves, only others. Maybe that's how he got so good at this.
As I ponder this, I realise he's finished and staring at me with that same look in his eyes. The one that reminds me of Leo, of lo-.
I don't allow myself to finish the thought as I quickly look away. I really shouldn't be letting myself get so caught up in his gaze. But his green eyes are so pretty! It's not fair.
"All done, then?" I ask, wanting to move out of this position; but he's standing so close if I got of the counter now I would practically be ontop of him. The thought is tempting, but I definitely shouldn't because... because... I loose my train of thought as those georgeous green eyes come up to meet mine. What was I thinking about?
"Uh, yeah," he mumbles, but doesn't look like he'll be taking a step back anytime soon. He brings a hand up to my face and pushes a loose strand of hair behind my ear, reigniting my skin pleasantly with sparks where he touches me. "I'm really sorry for stating your earlier..." his voice trails off like he wants to say more. I lean into him without thinking, wanting to hear more, wanting to be closer to him.
His eyes flicker up to mine as if asking permission for something, but I don't know what. They flick down to my lips, as his tongue darts out.
Oh! Does he.. surely he doesn't want to kiss me?
It's a startling thought, but not an unpleasant one. It's so temping to lean in further, I want to feel more of him. If just the feeling of his skin makes me light up I wonder what a kiss would feel like. But I shouldn't, really... Why shouldn't I, again? I'm really struggling to find a good reason here! My internal struggle is cut short by the sound of my new phone dinging cherrily from inside my bag.
It's like a spell has been broken, and my body, which I had not realised was leaning in so completely, snaps away suddenly as if he had burnt me.
I see a glimer of disappointment and frustration in his gaze before he shoots a deadly glare at my bag. If looks could kill my new phone would be a goner!
"I better go, it's really late," I say, wanting to tap his shoulder to let me out of the position he had me pinned in. His arms were on either side of my body, trapping me infront of him, but I did not trust myself enough to touch him.
He doesn't say anything but clearly isn't pleased as he steps back and gives me room to jump down.
I avoid looking at him as much as I can as I grab my bag and throw a "Thanks for your help! Have a good night!" Over my shoulder at him, waving my bandage covered hand up at him with my back turned.
I'm already up the stairs before he can respond.