Sunnydale AU: careful of the curse

[americas_son]

Tina is finally asleep. Richard has been and gone, leaving a mild sedative so she can sleep between transformations. Cal closes the guestroom door quietly behind him, trying to think through his own physical and emotional exhaustion (and low blood sugar, and nicotine withdrawal) to decide exactly where Sherlock will be.

Comments

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"You can call out," Cal says. "Maybe you can get them to start scheduling you for day shifts."

Which happens to be something he's been wanting her to do anyway, precisely because of the possibility of something like this. He pushes that thought away guiltily; bringing it up won't help.

[take-youaway.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, I can try. Everyone wants the day shifts."

She hasn't been there long enough to get them. What is she going to do?

Okay, she can't deal with this right now. One thing at a time.

"I'll just- I'll go call."

She pulls her phone out of her pocket and leaves the kitchen.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

When she's out of the room, Cal sighs and rubs his hands over his face.

"I'll get her the damn day shifts," he mutters into his palms.

She doesn't have to have the job, not as long as she's dating him; he'd never let her go without. But he understands, kind of, that it's important she be able to depend on herself for money.

[if_inconvenient]

"With or without notifying her of your intervention?"

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

He shrugs.

"If she'd been working during the day, this wouldn't have happened."

It's not an answer, except that it kind of is. One less thing for her to worry about, right?

[if_inconvenient]

"That is a dangerous road to travel, I hope you realize."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

It's true. But Cal isn't in the mood. He rolls his eyes.

"It's a shitty job anyway," he says. "As long as her boss doesn't take it out on her, I don't care."

[if_inconvenient]

He shrugs, unwilling to pursue the point with Tina herself so close at hand.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

He'll think about it later. He has to save what energy (and calm) he's got left for Tina right now.

[take-youaway.livejournal.com]

She comes back into the kitchen, trying to smile.

"Lie two taken care of."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal does smile, reaching up to give her hand a squeeze.

"We'll figure out something more longterm later," he says.

[take-youaway.livejournal.com]

"Okay."

A real smile is slightly easier for her.

"We'll figure out something. I'm glad I have friends helping me out."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"Me too." He's glad to be able to help her, glad she has the help when she needs it.

(One thing about this year that hasn't sucked: Finding out what having real friends can do when everything is falling apart.)

[take-youaway.livejournal.com]

"So that database... it has good information? Are there a lot of, um, people like me?"

She is still a person, isn't she? Sort of?

[if_inconvenient]

"Yes, it does, and yes, there are." He smiles slightly. "And here is your dinner."

[take-youaway.livejournal.com]

"Oh my god, so good," she says, breathing in the delicious smells of the plate. Her stomach growls again and she digs in.

"It's delicious," she manages in between bites.

[if_inconvenient]

"Thank you. I do try."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal picks up his soda and sits back in his chair, giving Tina space to eat.

[take-youaway.livejournal.com]

She has two helpings.

When she finally finishes, she pushes back her chair and sighs.

"I needed that."

What she doesn't need is that weird, twitchy feeling to return, but the afternoon is winding down. She's starting to feel restless.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal's can is empty now; he fiddles with it idly as he smiles at Tina.

"Better?"

[take-youaway.livejournal.com]

"Yeah. A lot better."

She smiles back at him. It's easy to forget everything's changed.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal puts the can down, reaching up to run his fingers along the curve of Tina's cheek instead.

"Good."

[take-youaway.livejournal.com]

She closes her eyes and leans into his touch.

They'll have to talk, she guesses, about how they can't-

But not tonight.

"I guess I have a little more time before it happens again. We could, I don't know. Maybe relax and watch a movie? Or something?"

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"That sounds good."

It sounds normal, which Tina obviously needs right now.

"Jarvis can tell us when it's time for you to get upstairs."

[take-youaway.livejournal.com]

She thinks she'll know, but that's good. Jarvis will know for sure.

"Maybe something funny. Nothing serious."