Romancing the Slayer

Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous

Slumping down on the plush suede couch in the living quarters, Avery smiled as Cam and Conner did a sweep. I helped Ryan to a couch and looked over his injuries. It was hard to tell how he was doing; he seemed fine, but also like he was still in a lot of pain, and yet, looked like he was going to vomit. Ryan didn't look too well, but not too bad, either, for being shot.

"Did you say... home sweet home...? Do you know who used to live here?" I asked Avery.

"I'd hope so. Since it's my place." He smirked. "So... In a way... I knew him. Granted, he's changed a lot since then... Learned to fight... can kill a man with a straw in ten different ways... Got someone worth fighting for..."

"You're done. Shut up." I smiled. He smirked back and shifted a glance to Cam and Conner as they returned.

"How is your power still running?" Cam asked.

"The genera-" His face grew pale. "The generator... but it should have run out by now..."

"How's that possible?" I asked.

"...Aria..." He whispered into the air.

"Who's Aria? Should I watch my back?" I smiled. He shrugged. "Your girlfriend?" He shook his head.

"Room mate." He looked to me, pale as a ghost. "She's the only one who knows where it is and how to turn it on... She... She has to be alive, still!" He stood up.

"The stove is still warm." Conner said and Avery looked around.

"Ari! It's me! Avery! Come out!" We heard nothing. "Aria Marie!" He took off running.

"Avery, what the hell?!" I called at him.

"She's got to be alive!" He ran upstairs. Following after him, I stopped short as something fell from the ceiling, landing like a ninja before me. Looking back, Avery smiled joyously. "Ari! You're alive!" She stood and looked at him before turning to look at me.

She was beautiful. Long, blonde, hair, brown eyes, flawless skin, tall and slender... busty... Staring at her stole the air from my lungs. By Ave's reaction they had to have been more than just room mates at one point... Lovers? Engaged... Friends with benefits...? My heart sank thinking about it as he ran to hug her. Walking to me, my face pale and voice gone, Ave smiled.

"Jules, this is Aria. My partner in crime from pre-apocalypse." I nodded, still speechless.

"Ari, this is Juliet. My partner in crime post-apocalypse. She's the only reason that I'm still alive." He praised. It shouldn't have bothered me so much that I was introduced as just his post-apocalyptic partner in crime, instead of his girlfriend, but it did. A lot. Nodding to her, I turned around and walked back downstairs and sat down on the couch without a sound.

Conner could tell that I was upset about something, but he didn't ask about it. It was as though he knew something that I should have known. Looking to them as they walked down the stairs, his arm around her shoulders, I remained silent and stared at the glass coffee table. He'll tell me in time... I hope.

The rest of the day went by slowly as every got to know Aria as I wandered. Staying silent, I eventually walked outside to the back yard and stood in the rain. The back yard was fenced in with a tall privacy fence so the zoms couldn't see that I was here. I could hear them, but couldn't see them. Staring, unseeingly, into the empty space, I watched the rain clouds pass by. Hearing the door open and close behind me, I stood still.

"You doin' alright?" It was Conner. Shrugging my shoulders, I didn't know what to say. "I get it, Jules. I really do. A chick from his life before this hell comes back and you don't know what to think... What they were... or what they are..." I looked to him. He did get it.