The Trouble With Slaying

The Trouble with Normalcy

Shaw and I were washed, dressed, and getting back off the bus as Liam and Sawamura wandered in, hand in hand. Shaw just shook his head as Lissi laughed on his shoulder, amused at Sawamura's shy blush as Liam yanked him past us with a growl of possession. I just smirked and followed Shaw to the nearest twenty-four hour place.

We got a booth and I worried when Lissi went darting through the restaurant to wing under the table. I felt her come in for a slightly harder landing than usual on my knee before taking a seat there. We ordered some breakfast and I filled Shaw in about the Selkie we had met. He told me the abbreviated version of how they had run into trouble.

"We don't really need Liam and Sawamura to talk to Ruth do we? I feel like Sawamura might flip if she propositions Liam again." I pulled a piece of melon out of the bowl of mixed fruit on my plate and passed it to Lissi. She quickly took it from me.

Shaw shook his head. "I doubt she would cross Liam once she smelled Sawamura all over him. Even if she was dumb enough to do that, Liam would let her down politely and sneak in a few flattering comments about his mate to calm Sawamura down. He's good with words when it counts."

I smiled. "I think I'll be trading rooms with Sawamura again."

"Wonderful. Love the kid to death but he snores something terrible." I chuckled and we finished off our breakfast. Shaw ordered a couple things to go and we headed back to the same place we had met Ruth before. The place hadn't opened quite yet, but we certainly didn't want to go back to the bus and interrupt so we found a place to sit and quietly talked until Ruth arrived. She looked surprised to see us, then looked around eagerly.

"Where's the handsome loner? And your Vampire friend?"

Shaw shrugged. "They had some things to attend to. I think we've fixed your problem. Had a pack of Merfolk living just offshore. They attacked us first so we ended up killing enough of them I doubt they'll stick around. On the off chance they do, feel free to call us again and we'll do a follow up, free of charge."

Ruth looked rather impressed as she handed over the agreed upon amount. "That fast? You work quickly. I shall certainly hang onto your number, just in case anything else comes up. Thank you. Oh, and, I don't suppose the Wolf thought about my offer?"

Shaw smiled. "He's got a mate, but he appreciates the offer." Shaw wished her a good day and started to leave before snapping his fingers as he remembered. "Oh, there's a Selkie living offshore as well. She's harmless, just looking out for her kids. I'd appreciate you leaving her be."

Ruth nodded and Shaw tipped an imaginary cap to her in thanks. "Ma'am." I waved once and followed Shaw. We walked back to the bus and listened carefully before climbing on. Shaw dropped the food on the table and glanced into the back. He turned back for the front with a slight smile and patted my shoulder as he passed me.

He kept his voice low. "It's safe. Get some rest. I think I'll get us pointed home and try to establish normalcy as quickly as possible. At least, as normal as we ever get." He slid into the drivers seat and started the engine.

"Just don't push it. Have Lissi come wake me if you need a break." Lissi grinned at me from her perch on the back of the drivers seat and gave me a salute. Shaw just waved me off, pulling out a cigarette and lighting it before putting the bus in gear.

I headed for the back, eager to get some rest. After all the running, swimming, fighting, CPR, and general fear, I was bone tired. I quietly stepped into the back and glanced up at Liam's bunk. He was facing the wall, apparently asleep, with Sawamura's arms wrapped around him. The Dhampires fingers were gripped in the back of Liam's shirt like it was a lifeline.