A History Of Violence - Violentine AU

Chapter Thirteen: Eclipse

Clementine rapped her knuckles on the laminate table. She leaned out of the booth, checking the entrance to the Denny's. When she didn't see who she was looking for, she slumped back into the chair and sighed. She should have expected this, Gabe wasn't known for his punctuality. She sipped the cheap coffee out of the mug, it was terrible, but she had to order something or she wouldn't be allowed to stay.
"Hey!"
Clem looked up and saw Gabe wandering over to the booth. He unzipped his puffer coat and sat down opposite her.
"Clem, god how long's it been?" He lamented, crossing his legs.
"It's been... a while."
"How are things with you? How's AJ?"
Clementine was somewhat surprised, not expecting him to actually ask about her life. She figured he would have tried to use their meeting as an excuse to 'win her back', but she was relieved by his maturity.
"I'm okay, I guess. AJ's great. He's growing up so fast, reminds me a lot of myself, which is a little scary." She chuckled.
Gabe laughed as well before getting the attention of a passing waiter.
"Can I get a latte, half sugar?" He asked.
The waiter scribbled down his order and left, taking it to the kitchen.
"You look great, by the way." Gabe said after a few moments of awkward silence.
Clem sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose.
"Gabe... you've severely misread the situation. I'm not here to get back together, I need your help."
His face fell somewhat.
"Are you seeing someone then?"
"Gabe..." she said sternly.
Gabe turned his head to look into the kitchen, avoiding her gaze.
"Ok, sorry. What did you need help with?" He mumbled awkwardly.
"Joan. I need help with Joan."
Gabe rapidly turned back to face her, a look of shock and confusion on his face.
"Why are you dealing with Joan again? I thought you quit." He whisper-yelled across the booth.
"Yeah, so did I. Joan went back on our deal, said I 'owed' her."
Gabe put his hands on top of his head and sighed deeply.
"Shit. What does she want?"
"She wants me to-."
Clem stopped talking, seeing the waiter approaching with Gabe's coffee. Once he was gone, Clem continued.
"She wants me to help her pull a score. They're hitting some armoured truck outside the city, twenty million she said."
Gabe's eyes widened.
"Twenty million? Jesus, that's a lot of money."
"I don't care about the money, Gabe. I quit for a reason, I need to get out of this."
"Well, how can I help?"
"Talk to your dad for me, see if he can convince Joan. They used to work pretty closely back in the day, maybe he can change her mind." Clem implored, leaning forward and gesturing with open hands.
Gabe blew on the surface of the coffee cup, taking a sip once it was cool enough for his liking.
"I don't know, Clem. My dad doesn't hold the same amount of power in The Frontier as he used to. I'll talk to him, but I'm not sure how good the chances of him convincing Joan are."
Even his minor reassurance was enough to lift her spirits, she cracked a smile.
"Thanks, Gabe. Really."
"Don't mention it. But uhh... are you seeing someone?"
Clem rolled her eyes, still smiling. Gabe was nothing if not incorrigible.
"Yes, I am."
"What's his name?" He probed.
"Her name, is Violet."
Gabe's eyes widened in surprise, he let out a small 'hm' noise and slowly nodded his head.
"I was that bad, huh?" He chuckled.
"No Gabe, this has nothing to do with you. I like her, that's why I'm dating her."
"I was kidding. Nah that's cool, you happy with her?"
"Very.." she gushed, grinning at the mere thought of Violet.
"Then I'm happy for you."
They both finished their coffees and left the booth, walking in opposite directions to their cars after saying goodbye. Clem drove to her apartment, knowing Violet would be heading there soon. The two of them had planned to stargaze and catch the lunar eclipse that was scheduled for later in the night. Clementine allowed herself to relax, Gabe's dad would talk to Joan. When she was still with the New Frontier, Joan and David had been close partners, running the organisation together. If anyone could talk some sense into her, it was him. With that in motion, she could enjoy an evening in with her girlfriend.

"Alright, AJ's in bed. How's that popcorn coming along?" Clem asked quietly, stepping into the lounge.
"Nearly done, could you grab the beers?" Violet replied from the kitchen, keeping a keen eye on the microwave.
Clem flashed her a thumbs up and opened the fridge, removing the two cold beers and popping the caps off with a bottle opener. The timer on the microwave reached one and Clem pushed the stop button so as to not disturb AJ. She poured the popcorn in a bowl and waved Violet over to the balcony door. With her free hand, Clementine slid it open and stepped out into the crisp night air. She put the bowl of popcorn down on the tiny folding table and sat down on the outdoor sofa that was leaning against the brick wall on the balcony. Violet joined her, sitting close and resting her head on Clem's shoulder. Clementine put her arm around her and took a swig of the beer, letting out a happy sigh. After everything she had to deal with earlier, it was a nice end to a rather shitty day.
"What time was the eclipse meant to be?" Clem asked.
"Like ten or something." Violet mumbled, calmly nestled in Clem's arm.
Clementine glanced through the open glass door at the clock in the kitchen. Ten o'clock was still an hour and a half away, an idea popped into her head. She gently tapped Violet who let her get up, confusedly watching her as she returned to the lounge.
Clem grabbed her guitar from the stand that it rested on and brought it back outside, returning to her seat next to Violet.
"Why the guitar?" Violet asked.
"To kill time." She smiled.
Clem began picking away at the guitar, Violet sat cross legged next to her, watching with intrigue. It was a favourite pastime of hers to sit out on the balcony, strumming away to her favourite songs. It helped her unwind after a tough shift, sending her into a state of relaxation, despite the sounds and lights of the city permeating the night.
Violet gazed lovingly at her as she played, it never ceased to be amusing to her, the way Violet could make her blush, in spite of the fact that they had been together for over three months.
Violet noticed the pink flush in her cheeks and giggled quietly. Clem changed songs, playing the opening of the new tune. She focused on the strumming, hammering her fingers on and off the strings along the fretboard.
"Oh shit, I know this one!" Violet suddenly burst out, excited, "can you go back to the start?"
"How come?" Clem asked.
"I wanna sing it while you play."
"Huh. I just realised I've never heard you sing before."
"Oh yeah? Well I guess you're about to." She chuckled.
Clementine began playing the beginning of the song again, Violet waited for her cue. When it was time, she began singing, quietly at first;

The way your mind works
Drivin' so fast, carving your way
Through the city

Well, you can't tell me
You get what you want
You've figured it out
And you're just fine

'cause you're talking to yourself
You don't hear a thing
And all history unfolds before you

But you shut your eyes
But you shut your eyes
It's not happening

Violet smiled at her, taking a breath between verses. Clem smiled back, nearly missing the chord she was trying to play, distracted by her girlfriend. Violet's euphonious voice was far different from her usual speaking tone, only a trace of her husky lilt was noticeable when she sang.

But you keep on racin' and runnin'
Like something is chasing you
Like something's gonna get you
Well, something's gonna get you one day

But you shut your eyes
But you shut your eyes
It's not happening

They played out the rest of the song together, when she was finished, Clem put down the guitar.
"So how'd we sound? Think we've got what it takes to quit our jobs and start a band?" Violet jested.
Clementine kissed her gently on the lips.
"Hey, say the word and I'm there." She laughed.
Violet pulled Clem closer to her, wrapping the shorter brunette up in her arms. They cast their gaze upwards, watching the moon and waiting for the eclipse to begin.