Getting Back to Normal Who: Zania and Lance Where: Lance & Kenzie’s Place When: Evening
Zania had slept better that day than she had since Clementine disappeared, finally able to relax now that her friends were safe. There was still a plenty to be concerned about, thing and people she wanted to look into, but no one that she knew was in immediate danger. It also meant she had to get herself back on a normal schedule, sleep-wise and work-wise. She wasn’t thrilled about leaving Clementine alone and hoped that Skylar would stay with her during the night, or one of Clementine’s other friends. Zania was up and ready to go into work, but with some time to spare. It gave her the chance to drop by Lance’s house, to see how he was doing and ask about Kenzie.
They’d spent a lot of time together the last few days, but hunting wasn’t the same as quality time. She was impressed with Lance’s ability to defend himself, but missed falling asleep in his bed. Neither of them had gotten much sleep while the girls were gone. Knocking lightly on the back door, she waited, hoping not to wake anyone up.
Lance had slept, here and there when Kenzie did, but he was awake again after he’d gotten her to go to her bed to sleep properly. He was sure she was tired, but it left him alone to consider what had happened and what it meant. It was a strange thing, a weird thing, but he didn’t know how to face it other than the relief that he felt that Kenzie was okay despite being set on fire.
When someone knocked on the door, he looked up, then headed to it, opening the door for Zania. “Hey, how’s Clementine?”
“She’s… alive. Traumatized, but that’s expected.” Zania said, stepping inside. Her eyes automatically searched the room for Kenzie. She wanted to see Lance, but she didn’t want to do anything that might upset his cousin. “How’s Kenzie?”
“About the same, but sleeping,” Lance said, shutting the door behind her. “She could be worse, but damn. That crazy bitch tried to kill her.”
“Yeah,” Zania sighed. “I gave Clem some of my blood to heal the bruises on her neck, so she looks healed, but I don’t know if she’ll ever feel safe again. I don’t blame her.” If Zania couldn’t protect her, then who could? “I still want to hunt down the guy that took her.”
“Still seems like an option, the hunting,” Lance said with a nod. “I think Kenzie’s just...ignoring it. Or coping silently. Which should bother me, but I don’t know what to say to her.”
“I think it’s easier to cope silently than talk about it,” Zania said, remembering her conversation with Clementine. “I know Clem wants to move on. That’s hard to do with reminders. With people asking questions. I know, for me, that guy needs to die. Maybe Clementine doesn’t need it, but I do.” She was the one that had been left for dead, choking on her own blood for hours.
Lance found himself nodding again, going to sit at the kitchen table. “I guess...I don’t want to lose her again. She’s been there forever. I’m not sure what I’d do without her. And that part, that part scares me. I didn’t even realize it until I found her again.” He sighed and ran his hand through his hair. He wasn’t out for blood. Before, sure, but not now. Now he was just glad Kenzie was home and he wasn’t keen on leaving her side until he had to.
Zania nodded, following Lance to the table. Listening to Lance reminded her of listening to Mickey, but then she reminded herself that Lance and Kenzie were cousins. It wasn’t like that. It was better to think of the two of them like she and Justin, even if they weren’t as close. “She’s not going anywhere now,” she told him. “She’s home and she’s safe.”
Lance nodded. “She is. And mostly in one piece.” He was quiet for a moment. He wanted to tell Zania about the part where the crazy bitch had set Kenzie on fire, but he’d promised not to. Which meant he was still mulling it over in his head with no release. “Are you going hunting tonight?”
“No, I’m going to work,” she said with a little laugh. “It sounds so normal. I don’t know what I’ll do with myself.” The idea of sitting in the diner all night, serving coffee to idiots who were out after dark, was not the least bit appealing. She wanted to be hunting, but she also knew that without an income, Clementine wouldn’t have any money. Zania might not need food, but her roommate did. “I thought I’d give it a day or so, then go hunting again.”
“Serve coffee and pie?” Lance suggested with a smile. “Good. I wouldn’t want you going out there alone and I can’t leave just yet.” He reached for her, pulling her closer. “Give it a day or two.”
“Coffee and pie,” she said, her eyes lighting up as he pulled her closer. She’d missed this closeness with him. It was hard to cuddle and be happy together when they were both in panic mode. Maybe now things would get back to normal. “I wouldn’t ask you to leave. In fact, the only reason I’m willing to go tonight is because Skylar’s with her.”
He smiled running his hand over her stomach. “You’ll have to come by soon then. We haven’t had any down time.” Lance leaned in to kiss her stomach. “Skylar’s with her? Is that a thing now?”
“I want to,” she said, moving closer to him, her fingers running through his hair. “If Sky’s with her, then I can be here. She just doesn’t want to be alone and I don’t blame her.” Which made it difficult when Kenzie was going through the same thing. “I don’t know if they’re a thing. I just know he was worried about her when she went missing, and he’s there tonight. Otherwise she was going to come into work with me.”
Lance ran his hand over her hip, then leaned into her hand in his hair. “I’d like it if you were here.” He missed her in a way, maybe because it had been a little while. “Kenzie might not be amused, but she’s not really the type either.”
“I want to be here,” she said softly. “Maybe tomorrow? Let things settle a little?” Things felt safer in the daylight, so maybe she could come over then and Clementine would be okay. She hated to leave her friend alone at night and she wanted hours with Lance, not minutes. Visiting him before work wasn’t going to be enough. “Once things get back to normal, I’ll open my club. You can both come to work with me.” And she could keep an eye on one while having fun with the other.
“I thought you were going to hire me,” he said smiling. “But yes, tomorrow. Please. I don’t have time to do everything I want to do to you before you have to go to work.” It wasn’t enough, not when it had been as long as it had, though it was an odd thing to think that a few days was too long.
“I am going to hire you,” she grinned. “Both of you, actually.” It was going to be perfect, having her two favorite people working with her. While she enjoyed her time at the diner, this was what she’d been dreaming of for years. “Tomorrow then,” she said, sliding into his lap to steal a kiss. Once she started, it was hard to stop. She’d forgotten how addictive Lance could be.
Lance wasn’t about to let her leave right away, pulling her in for a deeper kiss, his hands sliding around her lower back. “You know this makes it harder to wait right?” he asked after breaking off the kiss.
Zania moaned softly, scooting closer to him. It was her first day back to work. She really shouldn’t be late. But it was going to be so hard to leave. “I know,” she said, her lips still against his. “But it’ll be worth it. We get into it now, you won’t even get to start on that list.”
Lance knew she was right, but she was still tempting. He knew he wouldn’t get enough out of a few minutes but it was hard. He pulled her closer again, and kissed her again. “Fine,” he said finally. “Fine. But hurry over.”
“I will,” she said, her voice a bit lower than before. It was hard to break away from him, but she could do it. Apparently her willpower hadn’t run off on her. “Tell Kenzie hello for me?” she asked as she climbed off his lap. “I know we’re not friends or anything, but if there’s anything I can do… even if it’s just pie, I want to help.”
“She’d appreciate food, that much is for sure,” Lance said, holding on to Zania’s hand even as she moved away. He didn’t want her to go, but he was glad she did or she wasn’t going anywhere. He didn’t have her will power.
“Then I’ll bring her food. Pies from me and I’ll see what Devin can cook up,” she said, leaning down for one more kiss. “I know Skylar’s with Clementine, but keep an ear out for anything strange? Neither of them are fighters.”
Lance nodded. “She’ll appreciate that. Promise.” He cut his eyes in the direction of her house and found himself nodding again. “I’ll keep an ear out. Just in case. Though hopefully, everything’s alright.”
“Thanks,” she smiled, then wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug. She couldn’t have gotten through this without Lance by her side. For someone that wasn’t boyfriend material, he was doing an amazing job. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Be good while I’m gone.”
“When am I ever good?” Lance asked after returning her hug. Then he turned her towards the door with a pat on the ass. “Go. Or you’re skipping work.”
Zania laughed, shaking her head. “You’re always good to me, baby,” she said, blowing him a kiss as she headed for the door. Coming back in the morning would get her through the night. It was something to look forward to, and that itself was good to have back in her life.