xp_logs | Somewhere I Belong

Tandy's and Topaz's Saturday in the city is crashed by a ghost.

Blimey, it was crowded here. No surprise, New York was full of video game lovers. But really, did there have to be this many people?

Topaz crossed her arms tightly over her chest, pressing her lips together. Honestly, why did she let people talk her into these things?

"Okay when I said it would be two seconds I really meant two seconds. I wasn't expecting this many people here. But I'll make it up to you and go to any store you want. ANY store you want." Tandy had wanted to get Topaz out of the mansion and some how coaxed her on a trip into the city. "Oh no wonder why it is so slow, someone is buying gift cards."

"S'all right-" Topaz cut off as someone banged into her from behind. There were still three people in front of Tandy. "D'you mind if I wait outside?" She finally asked. "Promise I won't wander off or anythin'." No matter how tempting it was to go sit in the van until it was time to go back to the mansion.

"Hey...watch it." Tandy glowered at the boy who bumped into Topaz. "Yeah go ahead. I think they are about to open another register, shouldn't but five minutes."

"It's all right." Topaz shoved her hands into her pockets. "I'll see you outside." Her eyes swept over the line. "...Good luck."

She headed outside, for once thanking her small stature as she ducked easily in and out of the crowd and slipped outside, settling against the wall right next to the door, breathing easily for the first time since Tandy had dragged her in there. She hadn't really wanted to force Tandy to go anywhere, but after that, they were going to a bookstore next.

"Hello, luv." The man who had spoken had seemed to appear out of the crowd by, well, magic, dressed nondescriptly in a long coat, a scarf wrapped around his neck and chin. But his eyes burned into Topaz's with almost frightening intensity. "You're a tough one to find."

One second she was alone, the next a ghost was standing right in front of her. Topaz snapped up, standing straight, her entire body going stiff. "...Luca?" She managed to get out after a few unsuccessful attempts. No. That was impossible. This was impossible.

But he was standing right there.

"In the flesh." He smiled, but it seemed strained. "You all right, Topaz? These people are looking after you?"

Another moment of staring, and suddenly being pressed against a wall felt like a bad idea. Topaz jerked back, turning and taking a couple steps away, her eyes never leaving Luca's face. "What do you care? You left me. I thought you were dead."

"Of course you did. I had a bleeding building dropped on me." He seemed more amused than annoyed. "And with those Destine bastards still out there, being dead was a good idea. I didn't mean for it to go on as long as it has, but I wasn't expecting you to be hauled off to the United bloody States by a pack of weirdos."

"They're not-" Topaz cut herself off before the defense of Amanda and her mates could go any further. It didn't matter. "So what do you want, then?" Her tone was still unmistakably defensive.

"What do you think I want, Topaz?" He sounded hurt. "I want you. You're my little girl, I want us to be together, to be a family again."

Topaz opened her mouth - and promptly shut it again, not sure of what to say. She'd heard that before, after all. All that rubbish about getting out of England, starting over - and then he'd up and abandoned her.

He didn't know Amanda was going to bring you back to America, a small voice in the back of her head chastised her. She pressed her lips together, and after a moment dropped her shields a bit, enough to examine his emotional state. He really did seem hurt. But he knew how to trick her senses. But why would he need to?

In the end she settled for, "Why should I believe you?" But the defensive tone was gone - if one listened close enough, a note of begging was faint but almost distinguishable.

"I don't expect you to, not right away. I messed up, luv, and you got caught up in my mistakes. You have no idea how sorry I am for that." The sincerity was unmistakable. "I just want things to go back to the way they were."

Back to the way they were. How long had she been wishing for that as well? Topaz cast a wary eye at the store entrance. Tandy would be out sooner rather than later. Unless she wanted to walk away she didn't have time to debate this. And as much as part of her wanted to do just that...

"I..." She shook her head, frustrated. "I don't know."

"You don't have to know, not yet." Taboo dug in his pocket and pulled out a business card for a motel. "Here's where I'm staying - the number's on the back. Give me a ring when you've had a chance to think about it and we'll talk some more. Somewhere quieter." He gave her a sad sort of smile. "I really wish things had turned out different, luv."

Topaz took the card hesitantly, turning it over in her fingers. "Yeah," she murmured without looking at him. "So do I."

He glanced around and then bent swiftly, pressing a brief kiss to her forehead. "I'm sorry," he said shortly, before hurrying off into the crowds. In moments he was lost from sight.

Topaz just stared as he disappeared, not quite able to keep the shock out of her expression. Her head was spinning as she hurriedly stowed the card in her pocket.

Tandy put a hand on Topaz's shoulder, "Hey. Sorry about that the lady started to throw a stink about them not having an extra copy of some Pokemon game...are you okay?"

A slight jump, and Topaz whirled around to look at Tandy, quickly training her expression into something more apathetic. "Yeah. Fine. Where to next?"

"Are you sure? I mean the crowds aren't getting to you? We can go to a tea house or something." The blonde teenager suggested. "Like I said, we go to any store you want to go to."

"No - I'm all right." Topaz shook her head, forcing herself back to normal now. "Let's just...I dunno. Bookstore. That sounds all right?"

Tandy didn't push the issue as she nodded, "Yup bookstore sounds alright. I think there is one just down the block." Grabbing Topaz's arm and pulled her through the crowd. "This way."