The Meridians

Chapter Six

Katherine leads the two of you to her home on foot, after insisting that you leave the truck behind. Not wanting to be rude to a woman with a gun, you slip out from the wheel. And follow closely behind her. She doesn't say much to you, but you can tell that she's sizing you up. You look over a Finn hoping that he would say something to make the awkwardness go away, and explain something. But he trails a few steps behind you looking into the woods with an absent stare. After what seems like an eternity of silence Katherine looks back at Finn.

"Who hates me enough to have you come here?" She frowns. You initially think she is joking, but something in her eyes lets you know she really doesn't like Finn.

"Yeah, well this isn't ideal for me either," He grunts. "But Rune needs a place to stay and you're the best at...whatever it is you do. Besides they told me the kid's here and he might want to see her."

"Ah, so we're supposed to have a big family gathering and hug and share stories?" She fakes a gag and looks back at Finn.

"I know family isn't your cup of tea." He mutters. "Not like heartless bitches like you know what a family is."

"I know what six hours of labor feels like and I didn't like it." She counters.

"Whose fault was it that you got in that situation?"

"Yours."

You listen to them bicker back and forth about whose fault it was that they had a kid. Normally you would have laughed uncontrollably but there was so much tension in the air you were sure one was going to snap and shoot the other. You try thinking of something that could defuse the situation.

You look over at Katherine and tell her with a straight face: "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make things difficult for you." She looks at you surprised, but she quickly resorts back to her cold and calm look.

"I have no problem with you." She looks over at Finn and her face falls deeper into a frown. "But I am curious, what caused you to marry a Meridian? Did no one tell you that their idiots?"

"Watch it." Finn warns.

"It's true, the boy isn't always up there." She shrugs.

"Well, at least he isn't a—"

"Dagen has a good heart." You cut Finn off. "I know sometimes he doesn't think things all the way through but he always tries to do what he thinks is best."

"So, you would forgive him for faking his death?" She raises an eyebrow.

"No, I'm going to murder him." You say seriously. "But when I resuscitate him I'm going to allow him to explain himself, and then I'll hold it over his head until he dies."

"I like you." Katherine smiles.

As you approach the house, you feel your heart start to race in your chest. You still have not figured out how you would react to seeing your husband. You quickly decide you would hold him close, and let yourself drown in his scent. You could almost smell the pine and sandalwood on his skin, it was his favorite cologne. Once you were sure that it was real you would have his head on a platter. Of course, the closer you get to the house the more you decide to water down your argument. You just want to touch him and know that he was okay, that you were okay.

As the three of you leave the woodland you see the house is completely lit up. You see many well-dressed people drinking and socializing with one another. Finn doesn't seem to pay attention to it but you feel as if the two of you are underdressed. Katherine leads the two of you to the door, nodding at a couple that is coming out. They smile until they notice you, you watch their smiles become looks of confusion. You feel your face start to tug into a frown, but Finn places his hand on your back and "guides" you forcefully into the door. Once inside Katherine gives her gun to one of the men standing in front of the door. They nod and disappear, not before giving you a curious look. You look at Katherine, who is now standing in an arch way looking out at the guest. You walk over and stand next to her, you already knew what she was looking for. You find yourself looking too. But you felt your heartbreak into two when you see him.