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April Kepner ([info]april_kepner) wrote in [info]omega_reality,
@ 2012-11-23 19:51:00

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Entry tags:*complete, 2012 11, character: april kepner, character: eliot spencer, dead: nathan ford

RP: Nate, Eliot and April
Who:April, Eliot and Nate
Where:Cool Springs Inn
When: November 23
Summary: They're planning for jobs and housing

Thanksgiving had been different this year. No people, no cooking, no full day event. On the one hand she was grateful that they'd managed to find a place at a restaurant and eat properly, taking the time to say thanks for the things in their life. Since they left she'd been preparing herself for being without a celebration and the discovery that they could still celebrate was a tremendous relief - but it still left her thinking of what Thanksgiving should be like. She was trying to convince herself that they'd done the right thing by leaving, but when she was by herself she really wasn't sure that was the case.

The rest of the group would have spent Thanksgiving without Savannah. Was there anyone else pulling the strings? Had anyone cared enough to make sure there was a celebration, or even just the food? Had they even wanted a celebration without Savannah and John around? Probably not? It was hard to remember what to give thanks for in times of great grief.

Today wasn't Thanksgiving though, but a time for planning. In addition to driving around the area, they'd spent the days talking to people, getting to know the area, deciding if it was where they wanted to settle. Now it was time to find somewhere to live and work. The people running the inn had been very helpful with advice and their knowledge of the local area, and it seemed they were the kind of people who liked to know what was going on. Or rather the woman running this place was. Though it was a bit out of the way, she had family in both Michigan City and La Porte and was more than willing to share her knowledge of both places (and some of the people who lived there too.) She'd also provided them with papers and some hand written notes on people who hired, all of which was spread out in front of April on the bed in their room at the moment.

"Okay, so where to we start?" she asked. "Jobs or houses?"


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[info]_eliot_spencer
2012-11-23 07:24 pm UTC (link)
"I'd say jobs. Then we can find a place close to where we work, if possible. It'd save on gas if we could walk. Wouldn't need a car for each of us, either," Eliot said, sitting in one of the two chairs by the small table. Cody was zonked out by his feet. They'd gone to the Santa Parade that morning, which was a hoot. It was in the thirties, but a lot of people had turned out, bundled up and talkative. It would've made Eliot suspicious if a few folk hadn't been rude to them. It was impossible that all people could be nice and friendly.

Eliot took a drink of coffee and looked over at Nate for his opinion.

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[info]april_kepner
2012-11-23 08:10 pm UTC (link)
Nodding, Nate took another sip of the coffee (spiked with whiskey) that he had in his hand, however it was needless as April was already pulling out the papers she had on work places.

"There are quite a few in sales," she said, handing Nate a stack. "Not quite so many in our areas," she said, handing Eliot a considerably smaller stack of papers. "Mrs Russell recommended this place," she said pointing to the top paper - a hand written note. "She says they're looking for someone who can start immediately and apparently she goes to church with the wife of the owner and can put in a good word. Or maybe we can even go ourselves, meet the woman in person." April hadn't been to church for anything but weddings and such since she got here, well no, she hadn't been to a proper service since the last time she was at home in Ohio. She missed it.

Nate looked up from perusing the papers she'd handed him. "You're welcome if you want to go, but I'll stay behind." He had no interest in putting his feet in a church unless he had to.

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[info]_eliot_spencer
2012-11-23 08:26 pm UTC (link)
"First, you'll have to read this to me. Still nothing but gibberish on that front," Eliot said, giving the papers a scowl. They had been memorizing their Vance-provided IDs and background information on the trip east. "Second, I ain't too fond of going to church of any faith. Helping them out, sure, but worship services..."

It didn't sit right with Eliot. It would be like making a mockery of their faith to do so. He was a murderer, and though he could hope for salvation at the end, going to a worship service felt like it was stepping over the line.

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[info]april_kepner
2012-11-23 08:50 pm UTC (link)
"Still no clearer?" April asked. She had hoped for a faster improvement when it came to clarity. The way Eliot kept staring at her the last few days had her blushing from the intensity, but most of all it left her impatient to see an improvement. She was certain he was only days away from seeing perfectly again.

She was just about to read the note to him when he continued, leaving her with her mouth open. "You can't not go to church," April said. "If for no other reason, church is where you get to know people, it's where you become a part of the town, where you gain people's trust and friendship. If we want to fit in we need to go to church. We're not hiding this time around, we're working to fit in, church is the easiest way to do that."

It was bad enough that Nate didn't want to go, but then she knew that he was Catholic, or had been at least, and so she didn't expect him to go to church with them. "Even disregarding that fact, with Eve's birth coming up, we need to start thinking about what we want to teach her about religion," she said. "I don't want her growing up without going to church." It was one thing at the farm, but here - no here she wanted to be a part of that kind of community again.

She looked at the note. "It's a possition as a line cook and a place called B&J's American Cafe," she said. "It's open seven days a week, six am to two pm."

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[info]_eliot_spencer
2012-11-23 08:58 pm UTC (link)
Eliot noted the employment, and dragged his hand through his hair. How to explain the rest delicately? "It might be good for covers, but it ain't right to fake a person's faith. I don't want to lie to people about that," he said.

Eliot hadn't thought about Eve and religion. Mostly, he thought about keeping her both normal and safe. "Isn't it a little early to be talking about Eve?" he hemmed.

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[info]april_kepner
2012-11-23 09:08 pm UTC (link)
"But you believe in God," April said, because that she knew. "It's not faking it if the faith is there, even if the name is fake. God knows your name, whether the people in that church does or not."

Nate cleared his throat. "I think this is my cue to head out for a breath of fresh air. I'll look through these there," he said bringing the papers with him, along with his phone, he could do his own research.

April waited for him to leave. "I know it's early, but we still need to think about it. If we're staying here I want her to have what I had growing up. The community, the church, the faith."

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[info]_eliot_spencer
2012-11-23 09:24 pm UTC (link)
With Nate gone, Eliot felt a bit trapped. "Yeah, I believe, and hope. But religion's a personal thing for folk and to have someone like me in their midst isn't right," he said.

"Eve should have those things. I don't want her to be blinded by it - that leads to bigotry and wars that have gone on for thousands of years. I'd like her to believe that life has more meaning than just being alive."

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[info]april_kepner
2012-11-23 09:44 pm UTC (link)
"Someone like you?" April asked, moving so that she was kneeling in front of him, taking his hands in hers. "Someone who is there for people when they need you? Someone who is willing to put other people's, strangers', faith ahead of his own? Someone who'd give his life to protect someone else? Someone who believes?" She lifted one hand, stroking his face. "They'd be lucky to have someone like you in their midst."

"Listen to me, you are not the man you used to be. He was despicable, but it's now who you are. It's who you were. Another man, another life, another dimension. You are not that man. You're a good, hard working, caring, family man with a past you're not proud of."

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[info]_eliot_spencer
2012-11-23 09:57 pm UTC (link)
April believed in him so much, it was humbling. Eliot bowed his head. "You really are too good for me. I'm a criminal. Nate may have gotten us using our skills to help people, but that doesn't change the fact that I'm still a criminal. One who's...," he paused before finishing, "...killed a lot of people, and not in war." The number of innocents was very low, but that didn't change anything.

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[info]april_kepner
2012-11-23 10:27 pm UTC (link)
"No," April said firmly. "I am not too good for you, and you are wrong. You are not a criminal, you were one. Past tense. You do not commit crimes any longer."

She frowned at the not in war comment. "What do you mean not just in war?" But then she shook her head, because it wasn't important and because she wasn't even sure she wanted to know. "You know what, it doesn't matter. None of it matters because it's not who you are. I know the man you are, I can see him in your face, I can feel him in your hands. He is real - you are real. You are not a killer, or a criminal, you're a cook looking for work. A husband wanting to take care of his wife and a father to be who loves his unborn daughter very much."

"That's all I need to know."

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[info]_eliot_spencer
2012-11-23 10:33 pm UTC (link)
Eliot scooped his hand around the back of her neck and rested his forehead against hers. "I love you, you know that?" he said. There wasn't a speck of doubt in him about that, and he'd do everything in his power to live up to what she saw in him.

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[info]april_kepner
2012-11-24 01:42 pm UTC (link)
"I love you too," she said softly. "And luckily for you, I have enough faith in you for the both of us."

"So church this Sunday?" she asked, not giving up on that point. If they were going to live here, they needed to be a part of the community for real.

Before he had time to answer however, her computer pinged, signaling mail. "That's odd," she said, looking at it. "Why would anyone be emailing me?"

Disentangling herself from Eliot just a bit, she pulled the computer closer putting it in her lap and opening up the email from Jill Valentine, whoever that was.

When she'd read it however, she gave a shriek because name or no name, she knew who that was from. "Savannah is alive," she said, reading the email to Eliot in an excited voice. Later she'd allow herself to think about how different her choice might have been had she known that, but right now she was just happy that her friend wasn't dead.

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[info]_eliot_spencer
2012-11-24 01:57 pm UTC (link)
The shriek broke Eliot's eardrums and Cody's head popped up. "Wait, what?" he said, when she read him the email and proclaimed Savannah alive. "That could be anyone. It doesn't sound anything like her. Especially since she's dead."

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[info]april_kepner
2012-11-24 02:43 pm UTC (link)
"What do you mean it sounds nothing like her? Who else could it be? The the facts are true, the chosen email sounds just like the kind she'd choose, the cryptic message of 'things aren't always what they seem', the part where people care and the more or less open invitation to return? She put the laptop aside, despite her wish to answer straight away and turned to Eliot.

"Trust me, it's Savannah, it can't be anyone but Savannah. With that said, I'll be careful and take as many safety precautions as she has. I'll even clear my answer with you first, okay?" she said.

"And you definitely need to go to church, you need a bit more hope and faith."

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[info]_eliot_spencer
2012-11-24 03:02 pm UTC (link)
April was mistaken. It couldn't be Savannah. Savannah was dead, as was John. They'd all been torn apart with grief since getting the news.

From Vance.

"That sonofaBITCH!" Eliot slammed his fist against the table, making his coffee cup jump and tip, spilling its contents. Cody scrambled out of the way, taking refuge between the two beds, as Eliot shoved out of his chair.

Eliot saw red. Any misgiving he'd had about leaving vanished. He would not follow a man who had no compunction about destroying lives.

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[info]april_kepner
2012-11-24 03:08 pm UTC (link)
April jumped high when Eliot slammed his fist into the table, grabbing her computer out of the way as he got up so he wouldn't step on it. Or kick it, the thought occurred to her that he might.

Putting the computer on the bed, April went to calm Cody down. "Eliot, calm down!" she said firmly. "You're scaring Cody."

"Now go and get some paper to wipe up the coffee you spilled." She wouldn't debate with him when he was in this stage, he could calm down first and then she'd talk some sense into him. Make him see that the important part of the news was that Savannah and John were alive, not that they'd been lied to.

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[info]_eliot_spencer
2012-11-24 03:22 pm UTC (link)
Eliot growled explicatives that peeled wallpaper as he stalked to the bathroom, grabbed a towel, and returned to wipe up the mess with rough movements. His vision flickered back and forth between x-ray and normal.

"I'll be back," he said, knowing he had to get out of there, to redirect his fury. He threw the used towel in the tub as he passed the bathroom and slammed the door on the way outside.

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[info]nate_ford
2012-11-24 03:35 pm UTC (link)
Nate had spent his time using his phone to check on jobs when he heard a shout from the direction of their room. He hadn't had time to even get there before Eliot came stomping out in a rage. Watching he waited to see if April would follow but she seemed to stay clear for now, so it was Nate who approached him just as he was hitting a tree.

"I don't think the tree has done anything to deserve to be beaten up, care to share who has?" He doubted it was April, not with how smitten Eliot was. It was almost embarrassing to watch, if Hardison had been there Eliot would have never heard the end of it.

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[info]_eliot_spencer
2012-11-24 03:47 pm UTC (link)
"Vance," Eliot snarled, taking another hunk out of the tree bark with cross punch. In the back of his mind, he knew he was going to get squawked at by April for scraping up his knuckles, but punching bags didn't grow on the tree he was hitting.

"Savannah's not dead. Probably not John either." Eliot glared and the world fluctuated into black and white. "Vance should be."

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[info]nate_ford
2012-11-24 03:53 pm UTC (link)
Nate looked at the house where Mrs Russell was no doubt looking out at them. That kind of women always saw - and heard - a lot more than they should.

"I see," he said. "Though I'm still not sure Mrs Russell's tree has done anything to deserve this. Why don't we go inside where we can talk instead," he said, placing a hand on Eliot's shoulder and squeezing it.

"Or would you rather go for a run first? Kick off some steam before you get back?" Unmentioned - out of the prying eyes of the woman who seemed to know everything about everyone in town.

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[info]_eliot_spencer
2012-11-24 04:07 pm UTC (link)
Eliot cut a look at Nate, saw his expression, and grunted. "Meet you back inside."

Eliot returned to the room in an hour after his run, sweaty but no longer raging. "Sorry," he apologized to them both. He didn't like it when his anger overflowed onto them.

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[info]april_kepner
2012-11-24 04:24 pm UTC (link)
April knew better than to go after Eliot, instead she'd spent the time cleaning up the towel in the sink (the coffee stains would not be easy to get rid of otherwise), drying off the table until there were no traces of the spill and filling Nate in on the news.

When hearing about his run in with Eliot she knew she'd have to spend some time with Mrs Russell later, but that could wait for now. Instead she set up a new email account to email Savannah back. Maybe it was superfluous, especially since Savannah had already created a new account, but she would not be the reason anything happened and better safe than sorry. She also typed up the response, asked Nate his opinion on whether or not she was writing too much then waited to send it since she'd promised Eliot he'd get to take a look as well.

When Eliot returned she got up from the bed and went over to him and hugged him. "Better now?" she asked, looking up at him.

"April filled me in on the details," Nate said from where he was sitting. He didn't add anything else, nor acknowledged the apology, there was no real need. No need to make a big deal of it.

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[info]_eliot_spencer
2012-11-24 04:31 pm UTC (link)
"Yeah, I'm good." Eliot kissed April's forehead. "Read me the response I know you've already typed up, and then we can get back to looking at job prospects. We aren't going anywhere."

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