Influenced

Chapter 14 -- No One Left to Run To

"Come on Williams, just let me have it!" Jenner bounced up and down in his seat, whining like a small child.

"Look, Costas, I already told you you can't have it!" Williams pulled his cruiser up to the curb next to Jenner's house and sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I'm already gonna get in enough trouble as it is. This diary is evidence and if I let you have it after everything that's happened today I might lose my job."

"Do you honestly think your job is more important than what's happening here?"

"I don't know." Williams shook his head. "I have no idea what to believe anymore, but I do know I got a mortgage to pay so I'm gonna have to choose my job today."

"I dunno man," Lena said, "this guy's in trouble, real big trouble, and that book might be able to help us."

"And once we've had a chance to look it over, and decide that it's not breaking any laws, I will personally see to it that it's released to Mr. Costas. Until then, you can't have it. Now get outta my car, and don't go away anytime soon. If we need you we'll need to be able to get in touch."

Jenner sighed and resigned himself to giving up. There was no way to get that diary from Williams now. Lena and Jenner were left standing alone as Williams sped away.

"So. . . Where are you staying?"

"Wherever I can find a bed." Lena didn't look at Jenner as she spoke, but he could tell she was embarrassed.

"You don't have a place to stay?"

"Most nights I can find something. The shelters downtown are okay if I make curfew."

"That's ridiculous, don't stay at a shelter. You can sleep here."

Lena scratched her head and looked away from Jenner as if she was waiting for someone to come towards her over the horizon. She cupped the back of her head and said, "that's awful nice but. . ."

"But nothing!" Jenner said, "you gotta stay here. I mean, one of my roommates is hospitalized, the other one put her there. I need someone here with me, not to mention I'd feel much safer with you here."

Lena turned her head slowly, trying to keep her smile restrained. "Really?"

"Well, I've got a vampire after me don't I? And you hunt vampires, right?"

Lena chewed her lip and nodded. "Okay, I'll stay. Just til Duchess is back though!"

"That's fine." Jenner smiled. "I'll be glad to have the company."

Jenner climbed the stairs into his apartment and waited for Lena to join him. The kitchen was still a mess, but he didn't bother cleaning it. Instead, he went straight for the pantry and inspected his groceries.

"I could make us dinner, what do you like?"

"Uh. . ." Lena shrugged. "What ever."

"I don't have much, but I'm sure we could make something delicious." Jenner started taking things out and placing them on the counter. "How are you with onions?"

"Pardon?"

"Onions, you can chop them no problem? Some people can't take it, they cry too much."

"I'm sure I can do it."

Jenner set up Lena at the counter with a cutting board and an onion half the size of his head. He laughed as tears streamed from her eyes and left streaks in the dirt on her face.

"Why do people do this to themselves?" Lena asked, holding a dishcloth to her eyes.

"It's worth it in the end, I promise." Jenner and Lena sat down for dinner and laughed together as they ate. Jenner told stories about old jobs he'd had while Lena shared tales of her exploits as a hunter.