After - The Society Fanfic.

20.

Grizz sat listening to Bean and Gordie go over the progress they'd made. Helena had church duties to do so couldn't make today's briefing. She'd sent Bean over with all her papers and notes. It's not a lot of progress. With no alibi for Luke, Allie or Will, verifying who's telling the truth is proving to be difficult. Everyone in this room seems as tired as Grizz. All have bags under their eyes and a constant expression that is a mixture between anxious and exhaustion.

Their main problem at the moment is Luke. He isn't opening up to anyone. The Guard's sticking with their own and no one has dared to approach Campbell since the party. The best way to win the case is to crack Luke. Everyone has tried. Well, not everyone. Grizz is waiting for them to ask him. He's been expecting it for a while now. He doesn't think he'll be able to get him to confess. If Helena can't do it, why would he be able to? It's still worth a try, he guesses. He's avoided most of his old friends for the past few days, dealing with his own shit and quite frankly, not really wanting to talk to them. He'd known for a while now that he wanted to distance himself from them all. Before the trip, Clark and Jason's chats had become increasingly grating on him. Luke had been the last one he was close with and then, he came back to that scene. Luke standing there, in the middle of it, helping, not questioning anything. He told Grizz to stop talking. Had that been for his own protection or his? Out of everyone, seeing Luke fall from grace is the last he expected. Honestly, Grizz is sadder and more disappointed than he is angry at Luke. He's hoping he'll see sense soon.

Will holds Ali's hands as she goes over statements and strategies with Bean, highlighting anything she doesn't think will work. Grizz can't help but feel a little jealous when he stares at the little bit of affection. He's never been able to do anything as simple as that with Sam. Now he never will. He shakes his head, stretching as well so as not to draw that much attention to himself. He needn't worry about Sam anymore. There is nothing there. There can be nothing there. Not even little sneaking affections between the two. Not since the other day. Grizz pushes the thoughts and feelings bubbling within him down as far as he can. Now isn't the time. There's too much going on. A pity party is not helpful.

He checks the time. It's about half twelve. Gwen will half way through her meeting with Kelly. Lord help Kelly. She'd been so eager to leave this morning, Grizz hardly saw her go. It was just a flash of hair and a coat as she whizzed through the house and out the door. He won't lie, he's a bit suspicious of this meeting. Don't get him wrong, Gwen has been super helpful the last few days, the last few months but there is just something about her mood today that put him on edge. Gwen didn't seem to have any plans or papers with her. She'd even left her notepad. He's assuming she was so eager to go to this meeting that she forgot everything but... It just doesn't sit right with him.

He's waiting for a text from either her or Kelly, ranting about how disastrous the meeting was. It's more a text from Kelly he's expecting. Gwen and Kelly were close but not as close as they had been. They'd grown apart as they fell into different roles in this new world. With Gwen curiosity for their new world, lead her towards exploration and Kelly's need to help others, lead her to the hospital. The two hadn't had much time to sit and chat. Maybe this meeting won't be disastrous and will help them reconnect. Grizz can't help but laugh quietly under his breath. They're not the same people they were before. Gwen and Kelly have both became fiercer, stronger. The meeting won't be disastrous. He's an idiot for thinking that. His phone buzzes. The others turn to him. Grizz grimaces, mumbling his apologises as he glances at the text lighting up his screen.

Disaster. Help. She'll only listen to you x G

Grizz places the phone down, rubbing his face with his other hand. Everyone is staring at him. He slaps his knees with his hands, staring back at everyone. "Well." He stands, everyone raises an eyebrow, "Apparently I can't leave Gwen alone for more than three seconds. I'm going to have to head. Fill me in later?" Allie nods towards Grizz. He's allowed to go.
After gathering up his things and shoving them next to his makeshift sofa bed, he grabs a coat, grumbling as he leaves at the responsibilities he seems to hold. Gone are the days where he can just sit and read a book. Now, he has to sort out the problems of New Ham.