Then
"Do you think we're schizophrenic?" Cole wondered with his phone balanced on his shoulder.
Anna Jane scoffed at her own phone propped on her kitchen window sill.
"Are we hearing voices? Is this how you tell me Ethan never existed, cuz I'm gonna throw up."
"I may have my mental illnesses mixed up. Bipolar?"
"How offensive are you trying to be mon ami?"
"I just mean it seems to fluctuate by the hour. I'm either blitzed out happy or I'm down on the ground."
"You're a photographer, moody won't hurt. But I agree. I'd say blitzed out wins most days though."
In the smallest apartment of the converted old house she fastly fell in love with, Anna danced from corner to corner putting away groceries and arranging the fall decorations she found thrifting. Three hours away, Cole was editing the previous weeks photos on his laptop.
"And for the record I've only cried twice out of utter sadness, so we're crushing it out there."
"Was it because of I decided on a roommate?"
"Its like you have a whole new life separate from ours now!" Anna mock wailed.
"He seems like a nice enough guy. And having the extra money off rent will help during the slow times whenever I make the switch to freelance."
"We're grown as hell."
"Have you gotten many calls from Mr. Los Angeles?"
"Just that he made it there after getting your place set up, regular nonsense texts otherwise." Anna sighed. "It sounded like he wasn't quite ready to be back in the city yet."
Cole leaned back in his desk chair and glanced out the window. "He was ok so long as we were inside the apartment, but any time we went anywhere I swear he was looking for her. Even though I think we can all assume Caroline left the city."
"For now at least I think it's the last place she'd want to be yes. I do wonder where she landed though. Do you think she'll ever get in touch? With you or I that is?"
"Not any time soon."
"I think you're right. Wish you weren't."
"What else is new?" Cole chuckled. "Well I better finish this so I can get going."
"Night event?"
"Sort of. Boss wanted to get some planning in ahead of time and is doubling that as '30 day recap/get to know you' drinks."
"Michael." Anna leaned against her counter. "You're being downright social."
"I'm trying. Can't say I like it all the time, but the sooner I get experience and learn the business the sooner I can switch to doing it for myself."
"Fine, third cry of the move. I'm just so proud of you. Seriously. I mean all of us need to adjust back into normal world and finding our way but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried about you doing so."
"Funny, cuz you're the one I'm worried about."
"Split worrying about Ethan?"
"Goes without saying."
As the summer closed and fall took hold, all three attempted to find their feet. There were some successes and some set backs. Though the weeks and soon months of inaction of the Preservers was a relief, it also gave them time to process.
Cole found his chosen profession was a lucky one as it mostly hid his superstitions. Where he knew he was often scanning everyone he encountered and taking note of every buildings exits, others may only see a photographer lining up a shot. He felt the responsibility of his new roommate Keith's safety as well, and kept a go bag packed in his closet and a months rent saved in case he had to run without notice, he wouldn't leave Keith high and dry. Any freedom he was finally feeling was paired with the knowledge that any sense of attachment wasn't possible.
For Anna it crept in slowly. She mostly felt safe at work, believing it was too out in the open and herself too on display as a receptionist for anything to be attempted there. At her home at first she felt so at ease there were times she didn't lock her door if she was only going down the street, and soon really only locking it if she was going to be gone hours or going to sleep. On her window sills she displayed many rocks or bird figurines, not clocking that she was setting tells and she would look to them first whenever she came home. She never lost perspective on how lucky she was to have the life she was building, but the price was still there that she'd never know true safety or ease.
Ethan used the guise of training for security gigs for his uptick in gym visits, though the intensity was clearly to keep on guard. He didn't focus on a pattern or much of a routine and that reassured him. Often Ethan told the others all they could do was their best and not be dumb, the rest was out of their control. Yet he couldn't say the toughest part of their moves had been the unease that if something happened to either of them he wouldn't be there.
They all knew that nothing was going to stop a Preserver from coming for them if they wanted to, but how prepared they were to handle it was what mattered. So even in those times of silence, it wasn't a full reprieve. They always waited, prepared.
While the east coast settled past the coziness of fall and into a glimpse of winter, Venice Beach was a party. The attendees had finally shifted from tourists to mostly locals and while they loved it, the businesses that lined the boardwalks felt a mixture of relief and unease.
Wiping the top of the tiki style bar, Ethan was on the side of unease. LA had been the perfect move in the weeks after settling Cole into the new apartment in Brooklyn. He couldn't say he was looking to get lost in a city like Cole sometimes wanted, but he didn't want the quiet either. Not while he was still working on coming back to life.
Six months since he'd seen Caroline and while he was doing better at getting through the days, each morning and each night that he woke up without her next to him was still a gut punch.
"When is too early for a pina colada?"
Ethan's smile spread at the voice before he saw the owner. He let out a little whoop as he leapt the counter and grabbed Sylas by the shoulders.
"The hell you doing here son?"
"I gave an assist on some cabin work not far from the Redwoods. Figured that's close enough to justify a detour."
"Always appreciated." Ethan squeezed another moment and then moved back towards the bar. "You really want that pina colada?"
"A Dr. Pepper will do."
Ethan studied Sylas as he filled a glass with ice. While he certainly had looked worse, he had been looking a touch better than this over the summer. Doing some calculations he guessed he was probably approaching a record for how long it had been since Sylas had seen Anna. Ethan also guessed Sylas was analyzing him the same way. The eyebrow quirk he received when he slid the glass over confirmed it.
"What?"
"The hell you doing here?"
"Not a fan of lala land?"
"You're not either."
"I don't have to find it perfect, I'm only here for work and we'll see where that brings me." At Sylas's second eyebrow raise Ethan huffed. "I do have parents if you recall."
"And great ones, I'm just trying to figure out if Mr. Home Town is going to thrive in a gypsy life."
"Where is it you'll be roaming to then?"
"Well some of that depends on you."
"Color me curious. Pause." He held up a finger and moved down the bar to accept a delivery and chat a moment.
"See this is what I see you doing. I know you have your heart set on trying the movie scene and being security. You've done bouncing, I know you can do it. But you're social man. Its that Mr. Home Town."
"And?" Ethan leaned back against the counter with a shrug.
"And, security is seen not heard. Why you trying to hide?"
"Do you recall our lifestyle? Hiding in plain sight suits it."
"Maybe, but it doesn't have to be that way if you don't want it."
"I do want it. For now." Ethan amended. "Or at least I need it."
"Fair enough." Sylas tipped back the Dr. Pepper. "If and when that changes, I may be interested in another option."
"What option is that?"
"A bar."
"So a lateral move."
"Not if we own it."
Ethan leaned back with his laugh. "Sy, get real."
"I am. That's as real as it gets."
"You know being along for the ride while others go to college doesn't count as going."
"Who said anything about needing college? I'm talking about a place where people want to gather and let off steam. Not a dive, not a party spot. Not a tiki bar." He gestured with his glass. "Good ol fashioned drinks munchies and dancing."
Seeing the vision reluctantly, Ethan sighed. "And where would we put it."
"That's future us's decision I guess. When you're ready. I'm not going to change my mind. I can build one hell of a bar top."
"Well that I have no doubt on. What I'm wondering is where the hell this is coming from."
"I've thought about it off and on. I have money coming to me from the trust from my mother and I'd rather it go to an investment. Some of it I'll funnel into my wood working, but I can see the appeal of income coming in from another avenue." He grinned. "Can't say I see Anna ever wanting her own gallery or accepting a dime from me. Cole's the same way. But I don't see you minding that I'm not hands on past from some furniture building."
"What makes you think I'd be good at the hands on rest of it though?"
"Because you take care of what's yours. Because you get the importance of a place to just be. You'd rock it, simple as that."
"Simple as that." Ethan repeated with a laugh. "Well I guess its something to think about."
"You just tell me when and where."
Ethans smile turned somber. "Yeah I guess I have to know where I want to live in order to have a bar. I feel like home got knocked out of me."
Knowing he didn't mean from this move, Sylas nodded. "It's as good a reason as any to make your own but there isn't a rush either. I just want to make sure you don't close yourself off. Its advice I'm trying to adapt to myself."
"Is that so?"
"Not so sure how it'll work out but….." With his shrug a familiar spark returned to his eyes and had Ethan whistling.
"That's twice now she's gone a few months and you snap the hell out of it. She may lay you flat for that alone."
"And she'd be right to. She waited and she respected my choice and she only asked once if I was sure. But its one of those things I guess I wasn't letting myself look at head on."
"Bullheaded some may say."
"If you're not going to be bullheaded about your wife's chances what else?"
Ethan took the empty glass from Sylas and began rinsing it in the small sink.
"I'm only going to say this once. I came to understand why you left. Even appreciate it as I watched you make a safe space for her. That being said, the damage it did to you both, I don't think either of you can survive another time."
Ethans hands clenched for a moment. "And I don't think Cole or I could either. I know I can't have another person run off."
"I wouldn't."
"You're telling me you wouldn't have to?"
"She and I would have a hard time being around each other, that doesn't extend to you two. That doesn't stop this."
Without checking to see if passersby could see, Sylas waved two fingers from right to left and slid glasses into place from the drying rack to a shelf.
"That means we're in this. No matter what. And Caroline leaving didn't change that."
"Don't."
"She's young Eth. I'm not excusing it, just like I'd never excuse what I did. But we can only be expected to buck up so much. She's scared and she's young and she ran. You don't think once she's done running she's not going to realize who she needed to run to most?"
"I can't go there. I can't let myself wonder if she's going to wake up like you have. I can only hope she's ok and that maybe one day I will be too."
Sylas nodded and muttered "Ok, ok" as Ethan's breathing sped. He reached over the bar to tug Ethan down, gripping the back of his shoulders and knocking the side of his head to Ethans.
"No matter what happens, you'll be ok. You'll always have us."
Ethan nodded and leaned back to grab his water when Sylas sat back.
"If anything, at least you've come to the conclusion that it doesn't matter how far you travel or how many of them you get away from her. They're always going to gun for you to get to her. They're always going to use what you have to get her off her game. And better yet if you're the one that does it for them."
"Because she's the woman I love. Because she's the one who loves me."
"Two for the price of one. So when the dreams start again?"
"It will be different this time. I'm going to be different this time. Starting with this."
He reached into his pocket for a ring box. Not opening it, just turning it in his hand. Ethan's answering smile eased the tension in both of them.
"We went into our marriage pushing against so many traditional aspects. No engagement ring was one. I don't want to miss as many this time. I don't want to miss a single stage of us."
"Then I don't know what the hell you're doing here, you got a plane to catch or a hell of a lot of driving to do."
Sylas put the ring box back in his pocket and stood. "Driving. A few work detours along the way but I should hit there before Thanksgiving."
Ethan came around the bar for a proper hug and tapped a fist on Sylas's back. "We're not gathering again til Christmas. You call me before then?"
"Geall." Sylas grinned, and walked away looking a hell of a lot better than when he walked up.
"What would we name the bar?" Ethan called after him.
"Holm Bru." Sylas shouted back. "Goes without saying."
Ethan rocked back on his heels with his laugh and felt lighter himself as he returned to tending bar.
Just over a week later Sylas pulled his truck into the small town outside of New Yorks capital. He felt that buzz he recognized as when he was near one of the others. Especially when it was Anna Jane. The months without her made him eager to rush, but he forced himself to stop and get a feel of the town around him.
She'd enjoy that it was more populated and stocked than Forks, but not anywhere near a bustle of the city. And in that knowing, he saw what their lives together could be here.
He left his truck by a park and walked the side streets until he found the skinny woods behind her house. The sight beyond had him leaning against a trunk.
Anna Jane stood on the deck railing, balancing precariously as she struck her wind chime to sing a song. Her hip against a post kept her steady enough as she lifted some bird food to a copper feeder. Sylas grit his teeth as she wove her way just the same. Her humming barely reached him, yet he felt it as if they stood back to back.
As she leapt down she raised her face up to the sun, its warmth bringing a flush. She bit her glove, yanking it off and reaching for her phone as it rang.
"Why Mr. Bruan."
Across the woods Sylas sighed with her answer. "Afternoon there Anj."
"How are you, where are you."
"I was going to ask you the same."
"I'm enjoying the cold. Summer heat went on entirely too long here, I like bundling up a bit. You'd love the fall decorating I did."
"Oh I just bet."
"I love it here Sylas." She did a little spin. "I know its early days still, but I just feel it. Work has been maybe a little adjustment with all that talking, but I seem to know what I'm doing. You wouldn't believe some of the words that come out of my mouth."
"You're taking to it."
"I sure am. And I've gotten friendly with some there. Some around town. I have breakfast once a week at the diner, even if my budget hates it. People are going to know me here."
"I know they will. I'm happy to hear it."
And in watching that joy shimmer around her Sylas felt his own take a hit. She'd done it. Was doing it. And found it herself without him. What was he doing about to throw her off kilter again?
"What about you?" She asked, turning her back and looking towards the street ahead.
That's how she saw him. On the move and away. And he had no one to blame for that but himself. He shifted away from the trees and back towards the road.
"I'm doing just fine. I wanted to check in and also let you know I probably won't be around for Christmas this year. I'm still finding my way."
Anna nodded and steered the conversation more towards pleasantries and catching up rather than to say what she'd hoped to see everytime she looked down her street was him walking home to her.
After they hung up Sylas walked down the road a ways, weakly smiling when he came to the town square. The church across the street glinted in the sunlight while the aged bronze of the clock seemed to glow. She'd walk here he thought. Not when the families or children would. No, she'd come here at night just to feel that hush. To take it home with her. And then she'd be able to sleep no matter what was going on. Yes, he could feel how this town could be her peace.
Could use a bench here, was his final thought before turning back to find a grasp on peace himself.
Now
"You got something you want to say to me?"
Hayley started at Anna's command but recovered quickly enough to roll her eyes.
"I got something I'd like to say to him."
"Same difference."
"But out of respect that there may be more to hear, I'll refrain."
"There is indeed." Anna stretched and her hands came down to rub Cole's knee. "And if we're going to tell it, I'm going to need something sweet to motivate. I'd bake, but that's a lot of rattling to wake the neighbors. "Come help me break into the diner. Meg's bound to have left the day old muffins for me knowing you lot were in town."
"We give it another few hours she'll likely be at the kitchen baking a fresh batch and we won't have to add a B ." Ethan put in.
"That's entirely too far away. I need something chocolate and bready now."
"Seconded." Hayley added. "Though I'm partial to blueberry."
"Thirded." Cole sneered at Ethan. "He's just defaulting to the voice of reason because he's jealous she never taps him for a B anymore."
"Does so!"
"I'm just telling myself if doesn't count if these are baked goods that are set aside for her anyway." Hayley waved her hands in front her head. "Nope. It's fine."
Cole stood to grab his shoes. "Just remind yourself we're in a place that barely counts for a town and she's like halfway towards being mayor."
"And not for nothing if you get arrested, just beam yourself out of the cop car."
Anna chuckled as she got to the door. "Your understanding of our abilities is charming."
"Goes without saying." Cole tipped Hayleys chin up for a kiss and followed Anna out.
Ethan rolled his neck and rose to put on the coffee. "Any questions?"
"Only a thousand." Then with a frustrated breath she added "I wish I could shake him" before thinking better of it. Quickly her face paled. "Ethan, I didn't mean to…."
"Speak ill of the dead." But his eyes were smiling as he turned. "Sylas would be the first one to tell you to lay it all out. He gets some grace in some aspects, but he knew where he fucked up and should have stood his ground." He leaned against the counter and considered her. "And I have a feeling you're this level of angry at him because you feel it."
"Feel what?" Hayley sighed when Ethan only stared back at her. "I've known Anna for such a short amount of time and I was still ready to tell myself it was on her behalf but that's not just it. It's on his. I understand him. I understand the childhood he had." An apologetic look came back. "I'm a ways from understanding Caroline but I feel a connection to her too if I'm being honest."
"I know you do. You're one of us. We fought the things we were told about us when the idea of there being six was still only a concept. Now that its real, I don't doubt you feel you know the others you didn't get to meet."
Could still meet one of them, Hayley thought to herself, but didn't press her luck with saying out loud.
"It's so surreal. To go from never really feeling connected to another person before and envying the way Cole spoke of the two of you. And now all this."
"Let's just hope by the end of this you don't envy the simpler days."
Anna Jane nudged the front door that had been opened a crack and duck and rolled across the kitchen floor, a bag of muffins clutched in her arms.
"I would have come through the living room window to keep the B effect going, but I fixed the screen ages ago."
"It's not a B when Meg left a note for you." Cole strolled in a bit more calmly. "Get off the floor you lunatic."
Ethan came over and handed a mug, the coffee already doctored the way Hayley took it. Her smile warmed her face as she aimed a light kick at him as he sat.
"Simpler days." Hayley snorted. "Not on your life."
