I've Got the Strangest Feeling This Isn't Our First Time Around

73

Destiny's out for a run when she takes a breather, and a car stops a few feet behind her.

She starts running again, and when she sneaks a look, the car's following, until she stops, then it stops again.

Instinctively, she runs right towards it, which makes the car peel away and disappear down the street.

"Embrace the unknown with courage, let fear dissipate, face the future, meet your fate." Merlee says on Luigi's laptop screen. "In life's grand tapestry, dreams yet to be spun, love is your sky, your heart is the sun."

And that, inevitably, makes Luigi think of Molly, yet again.

"I want to be alone." A young Luigi tells Molly, sitting up in his bed.

"Okay." She replies, not even faze. "Then be alone. That's not a bad thing."

"Why do people always want to be together?" Luigi asks, looking at her.

"You're wise beyond your years, you know that, kid?" Molly replies. "Wherever you go, you're gonna be brilliant. I know it. And someday, you'll find people who think so too, and want to be with them."

"Then why didn't you?" Luigi asks.

"I did." Molly corrects him. "Long time ago. But who knows? I might get lucky again. Never say never, right?"

"Helloooo? Anybody home?" Destiny's voice coupled with her waving her hands in front of Luigi's face startle him out of his flashback.

"You're back." He notes. "How did your run go?"

"Not so great, if I'm honest." Destiny says as she goes to the kitchen. "I think someone tailed me."

"Uh oh." Luigi jokes. "Do I have competition?"

"I'm talking about a creepy stalker van with tinted windows." Destiny clarifies.

"Did you get a good look at who was driving?" Luigi asks.

"Peeled away when I got too close."

"Hm. Weird." Luigi shrugs, but Destiny's not ready to drop it.

"Yeah, so weird, it had me wondering if you were behind it." She accuses.

" Me? " Luigi would laugh if she wasn't glaring at him.

"What am I supposed to think with all the sneaking around to somewhere you won't tell me and now this weird tail?" Destiny puts her hands on her hips. "No more lying, what is your real job?"

Luigi's phone has impeccable timing, as it goes off right at that moment, and Destiny, naturally, is beyond pissed. "You have got to be kidding me."

"Look, I'm sorry, okay?" Luigi tries to placate her, but it's clear that's not gonna work anymore.

"No you're not." Destiny says flatly. "You're just pissed I have the nerve to ask you anything about your so-called augmented reality game when you just want me to shut up."

"I don't know how to answer that." Luigi says, eyes pleading.

Destiny comes closer, "You'd be surprised by what I understand."

When Luigi just shakes his head, Destiny goes on the attack.

"We're supposed to be a team, remember? We don't lie to each other about important things."

"You think I don't know that?" Luigi says, voice drained.

"Then tell me. Right now." Destiny orders.

Luigi can only stare at her, so she walks towards the door.

Luigi gets up, trying to stop her, "Des--"

"No, you don't get to ask me where I'm going." She snaps, then slams the door behind her.

Luigi sinks down on the couch then after a moment, reaches up and messes with his hair, until the slick is all but gone, then sighs.

"You tailed Destiny?" Luigi accuses as he bursts into Snoozemore's office. "Don't bother playing dumb, denying it or begging me to trust you, either."

"Fine." Snoozemore shrugs. "Have a seat."

Luigi all but shoves himself into the chair and snaps, "Leave her alone. You're chasing ghosts. Destiny is the most honest woman I've ever met."

"And what if she is?" Snoozemore challenges, making Luigi pause mid rant to look at him in confusion. "Say she is a saint you can trust with your life. Can she trust you with hers?"

"I don't know what that even means." Luigi says flatly.

"Was she with you when I summoned you here?" Snoozemore asks. "What did you tell her? Not the truth, no doubt. Even if she isn't lying about anything, you are. She knows nothing about this part of your life, and sooner or later she's going to get sick of being left out of it."

At the look on Luigi's face, Snoozemore sighs. "She's already there, isn't she? One of the many consequences of the job. Trust me, the moment they suspect anything, it never goes away until you ultimately drive them away."

"That won't happen." Luigi says confidently.

"I hope you're right. Really, I am." Snoozemore says. "Even the most honest relationships are hard when they know everything."

"Favorite color?" Pauline quizzes Spike.

"Red." He replies.

"Allergies?"

"Pollen and wheatgrass."

"How did we meet?" Pauline pushes.

"Wait, don't tell me." Spike closes his eyes, thinking. "Volunteering for the Women's March."

"Nice." Pauline grins. "And when I was there, you noticed me right off the bat, but what was I doing?"

Spike hesitates a second too long, so Pauline has to remind him, "Handing out buttons!"

Spike winces.

"I literally made it its own slide!" Pauline holds up her tablet.

"Is all this really necessary?" Spike asks.

"It needs to convince my dad." Pauline reminds him. "Meaning you can hold my hand now and then, but that's it. And say absolutely nothing about us having sex."

"You mean the only thing that isn't a lie?" Spike points out.

The rebound alarm goes off, so Pauline says, "After we're done, onto table manners.", and leaves for her station.