livejournal fics//joncer

Part Two

  *

"So you're not dead yet?" Brendon's voice is small and faraway, and Spencer misses him already.

"Not dead," he replies uncertainly. "Although I'll let you know in about ten minutes."

He glances over as a tall guy wearing a bright purple shirt comes over, keys jangling on his finger.

"If Vicky catches me with these, we are so dead," the guy says, but he's grinning at Spencer and Jon and turns to the sealed gate, shoving the key in the lock.

"What?" Brendon asks on the phone and Spencer's feel his stomach sink as the door creaks open.

"I have to go," he says nervously and hangs up before Brendon can finish his first word.

The zoo is busy for a Wednesday, but there is no one where they are, hidden away behind the fake plants and boulders behind the tiger exhibit and Spencer has absolutely no faith in the guy in the purple shirt who's whistling a tune that sounds suspiciously like the whistle song from Kill Bill.

"Are you sure this is safe?" Spencer whispers to Jon as they slip in through the door and the other guy locks it behind them again. "How did you get us in here?"

"Gabe's a friend," Jon replies and Spencer is about to question just what kind of company Jon keeps when Gabe pops up behind them, laying a hand over both of their shoulders.

"Now," he says slyly, grinning at Spencer, who does not feel comfortable. "Normally, I wouldn't do this, but Jonny, here, is a good friend, gets me into the shows and that. I like to keep near my babies, but I've left them in Nate's care for the hour. Meanwhile, Vicky better not catch us playing with her kitties or the claws will really come out, and the Will of the Cobra can't fix everything."

Spencer stares after as Gabe does ahead.

"A friend?" he repeats dimly, and Jon grins.

"He's not crazy... much. He's the reptile guy usually, but I called in a favor."

"Maybe this was a bad idea," Spencer says slowly. Maybe it was crazy for wanting to finish some list that's not even his. Who will even know if they finish it? Absolutely no one.

"It was not," Jon replies confidently, and his hand is on Spencer's back again, urging him forward.

Spencer isn't sure what's he's expecting as they walk through a maze hallways, clean and beige-colored. He swears if he makes it out of here alive, he'll do whatever's next on the list without question.

"Come on," Jon whispers in his ear and nudges him forward as Gabe opens another door and slips in.

"I had to get Victoria very drunk to get these," he confides in Spencer. "Of course, Vicky is the champion drinker of the mammals exhibits, so I may have, accidentally, tripped her on the way out of the bar and swiped the keys. But, Jon asked, so here I am."

Spencer is having second – and third and fourth and fifth – thoughts about this, but it is on the list and he said he was going to do the list, even if it means meeting weird snake experts and sneaking in the back of the tiger exhibit at the zoo.

"You know," Spencer says as Gabe gestures forward to a barred gate and Spencer lingers back. "The list only says to go behind-the-scenes and I think we've made it. We don't need to go further."

Gabe scoffs. "I don't know what list this is, but you can't come this far only to back out now."

Spencer glances at Jon for help, but Jon is leaning against a wall, looking thoughtful. He shrugs when Spencer gives him a look.

"Might as well."

"It doesn't say 'pet a tiger'! It says to go behind-the-scenes, which we are."

"It's boring back here," Gabe scoffs, already reaching for the lock on this gate, and Spencer is pretty sure he's going to have a heart attack.

"It'll be fine," Jon assures him, and Spencer stares.

"Then you go out there!"

Jon opens his mouth, looking reluctant, and they're both saved as another voice, sharp and clear, echoes through the hallway.

"Gabriel Eduardo Saporta!"

Gabe doesn't squeak but he tosses the keys to Spencer.

"Totally yours, dude," he says and grins winningly at the woman who appears down the tunnel, hands on her hips and eyes flashing dangerously.

"I know you stole my keys," the woman (Victoria, Spencer guesses) growls, stalking down to where they're standing. She barely casts Spencer and Jon a cursory glance. She seems more intent on tearing Gabe to shreds.

"Vicky," Gabe says, tone smooth and calm. "Why would I steal your keys? You know I hate cats, even the big ones."

Vicky's eyes narrow. "How did you get down here, then? Where are they?"

Gabe makes a few hand gestures for a few seconds while Vicky's expression darkens, and even Spencer is a little afraid. Carefully, he holds the keys out, and Vicky glances at him for a second before snatching them away.

"You're not getting away with this this time," she threatens, the keys jingling in her hand as she pokes a hard finger into Gabe's chest. "I'm going to the director."

"What?" Gabe cries, and Spencer's almost positive he squeaks this time. "Vicky, my sweetie, baby, I'm sure we can work something out."

"Well, you better work something out fast because I'm going there right now, and I doubt he'll be as forgiving as I am."

Turning on her heel, she strides off down the corridor with Gabe following after, trying to schmooze his way in.

"Maybe we should go," Jon suggests, and Spencer agrees quickly, glad to get out of there and as far away from huge tigers with giant teeth as fast as he can.