Immortal's End

Provoked (7.)

*later that day- afternoon rehearsals*

[Oak.]

Two weeks. Two weeks and all I can do is wait. Daveed keeps her too close for me to get to her, or keeps her locked away. All the damn time. I'm usually a very calm person, but watching him love my girl... no.

"Lin, I swear I'm going to end him for this." I growl, leaning against the cabinet in his dressing room.

"We'll get her back. Don't worry. We can do this."

"The only person he'll let close to her is Chris! She won't even look at me!"

"Oak, easy. Take a breath. Yelling isn't going to help." He sighs, scratching his chin.

"I miss her, damnit. I miss her. I miss her so much..." Time moves so slowly without her. My mornings feel incomplete without bringing her tea. My heart feels empty of pride when I don't catch her working. I feel alone when I can't snuggle her on breaks or tuck her in after she works. "Has Chris found anything new?"

"Not that I know. Daveed's been keeping her on a short leash lately." It's my turn to sigh. "Oak, you know she's in there somewhere. I know that. There's hope."

I shake my head, heading out the door. Maybe a walk in the city will clear my head. "I'll be back in an hour." I call back, hearing a faint response from Lin.

"Hey ladies, can you three do me a favor and take Eva out on our next day off? She's been cooped up for a while." I overhear Daveed, I guess talking to the Schuyler trio.

"Gee, I wonder why." I comment, not so subtly. Daveed took exception to that.

"Got a problem, man?" He asks, turning his attention to me as I pass.

"Yea, actually. You." I spit in return, turning around to face him.

"Oh forgot, you're mad because Eva is in love with me now." He smirks, and I'm so close to knocking him on his ass.

"She doesn't love you, and I know you're up to something." I start towards him, but a hand on my shoulder pauses me.

"He's not worth it, Oak. Come on." Leslie says, tugging me to away from the bastard, but I shake him off.

"Better listen, wouldn't want Eva to see you act rashly." His shit-eating grin brightens as he looks past me. I give in and look, seeing Eva at the entrance to the costume room, talking to someone else. She must have felt us watching her because she glances our way. God, she's beautiful. She deserves so much better.

"Is everything alright, guys?" She asks, concern crossing her face.

"It's alright, Doll, just chatting. C'mere." Daveed nods over, and she bounds to him, glowing brightly. She hugs him, nuzzling into his chest, like she use to with me. I shake my head as he twists the knife in my back.

"Come on, Oak. Let's go." Leslie leads me away, but I can't help but listen behind me.

"You wanna go out with the girls? You can go to the salon or get your nails done pretty for me."

"That'd be nice, thank you, love." She purrs back to him.

"Leslie, I swear I'm going to beat him." I whisper, and Les shrugs beside me.

"Can't do it now. Maybe later. Get some air and try to cool off." He nods, opening the door for me. "We all are watching her. We'll find out what's up."

I look over his shoulder, watching Eva kiss the traitor, his hands cupping her cheeks. He smiled into it. She didn't. As they pull away, Daveed glances over to me, that grin returning to his lips. She cupped his cheek, bringing his lips back to hers, kissing him eagerly. I shake my head and walk out into the cold city.