After Brunch

[geeky_agent]

[Millitimed to Sunday morning.]

It was nice outside. Not too warm, which Chris was grateful for. Anything that made her choice of a sleeveless turtleneck look less odd, made her happy.

Chris hadn't eaten much at her brunch, something her dad had noticed more than what she wore. Her stomach was tied in knots it seemed. She had told him she didn't feel well, he had told her she could go upstairs and rest. That this could wait till another time.

Then she felt awful.

The guilt was overwhelming. She almost wanted to tell him or someone. But she wouldn't. Partly because Chris had a feeling she was only looking for reassurances that she'd never receive and partly because there was no point. It was a mistake and one she wasn't going to repeat.

She just wishes that made her feel better.

Comments

[http://users.livejournal.com/_chappy_/]

Ryan notices Chris has seemed distracted all morning. He asked her if she was all right, she hadn't eaten much at brunch, but she brushed it off. Told him she wasn't feeling well.

He wasn't sure if that was the truth but, then again, he has no idea what else it could be.

Hands in pockets as he walks, he looks around the lake. It's still early so there aren't too many people outside yet.

"It's nice out."

[geeky-agent.livejournal.com]

"Yes, it is." She agrees. Her attention is drawn towards the trees and the sky. She can't quite look at her dad, a man she has betrayed so deeply. And she knows it's a betrayal and one she'll never be able to take back.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_chappy_/]

Aside from not eating very much, she hadn't spoken very much either. He didn't mind quiet conversations but this was starting to worry him a bit.

"Did you know there's a squid in the lake. I think there might be two. One of them went missing a while ago."

Some part of his brain registers how this conversation would only be considered normal in Milliways.

[geeky-agent.livejournal.com]

She nods, glancing at the lake. But being here is only reminding her of that first kiss...that led to last night. And last night seemed like a great idea last night.

"Did you like brunch?" She asks, since it's something to say.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_chappy_/]

"Yes, I did," he says with a slight nod.

"You should have tried the food, it was pretty good," he adds, teasing her a little.

[geeky-agent.livejournal.com]

She gives him a weak smile. "Sorry, I wasn't very hungry. I think I ate something last night that didn't agree with me very much."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_chappy_/]

Ryan nods. "I haven't seen you much the past couple of days. Is everything ok?"

[geeky-agent.livejournal.com]

No, I think I've gone insane. I should be locked up. I slept with your killer last night. And I didn't even think of you before I made such a stupid stupid choice

"Yeah, everything's fine. Just someone came into the bar that I wasn't expecting."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_chappy_/]

He looks at her. "Who?"

[geeky-agent.livejournal.com]

"Lee Castle. I don't know if you ever met him..."

Oh, this is good, to distract from one thing you can't tell your dad, start another story with details you need to leave out.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_chappy_/]

The name sounds familiar. He thinks for a few moments. "He's an agent at the San Francisco office, right?"

[geeky-agent.livejournal.com]

"He was, but apparently he moved to LA. We dated for a short time," she admits because at least she can admit that and maybe he'll even think that her lack of appetite and guilty feelings are connected to Lee. And that's one misunderstanding she wouldn't mind promoting.

Even if she feels terrible about it.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_chappy_/]

"I see," Ryan says. Chris' demeanor made a little more sense now.

"How long has he been here?"

[geeky-agent.livejournal.com]

"A week, he came in...after his death."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_chappy_/]

And now it made a lot more sense.

He pauses and puts a hand on her arm. "Chris, I'm sorry."

[geeky-agent.livejournal.com]

"It's okay, we were never really close. It was just kind of a shock to see him."

I can't do this, I can't take sympathy from him after last night. I should have begged off this brunch, should go back inside and hide out in my room.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_chappy_/]

"Still." He frowns a little.

"Are you sure you're ok?"

[geeky-agent.livejournal.com]

"Do you think anyone's okay here?"

[http://users.livejournal.com/_chappy_/]

"Not really. I think they just get used to being here."

[geeky-agent.livejournal.com]

"Are you used to being here?"

[http://users.livejournal.com/_chappy_/]

He smiles a little. "Yeah. But I have to be."

[geeky-agent.livejournal.com]

Because he's dead. Because Jack shot him. Because the man you were kissing and caressing killed your dad and for a moment you willingly forgot that fact for your own pleasure.

"I guess that's true," she says after a few moments.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_chappy_/]

"I'm not unhappy, Chris. I mean..." he pauses, trying to think of the best way to describe how he felt about being here.

"It's not ideal, of course, there are a lot things I miss. But there are a lot of things that never would have been possible if I hadn't come here."

[geeky-agent.livejournal.com]

"Like Elaine?"

[http://users.livejournal.com/_chappy_/]

Ryan smiles. "Yeah"