Lurking - Station 19 Fic

Worsen

Travis was glad when he left from work that morning, because since he was leaving Vic's house, he didn't have to worry about running into Zack again. But he still felt bad about last night, lying to Vic and worrying her so.

Checking his phone as he waited for Vic to grab her coat, he knew there would be so many new text messages from Zack, not having checked it all last night. Sure enough, 38 new messages.

Travis's eyes got narrow and he shook his head, putting it away as Vic came back, smiling faintly at her as they walked out, not mentioning a thing. How could he, when her safety was all he could think about....?

At least Travis was allowed to work calls that day, what with his face not being as battered up as previously, to which he was glad, needing the work to help take his mind off Zack.

Spending the day with Vic yesterday had also put him in a good mood and he felt more like himself, talking more to the others though he was glad nobody had brought up anything about his bruises or 'whom he was getting beat up by' as Jack had so rudely announced.

After a long, tiresome call working on engine, they arrived back at the station, hungry and hoping for a good lunch break, Travis hopping out, still wearing his gear, following Miller and Warren. Passing the window that looked out to the front desk, he spared a glance, spotting someone with Sullivan.

When he looked out and saw that the person was Zack, Travis felt his stomach drop, feeling the blood drain from his face. Clearly he was here to see him. Panicking, Travis turned away before Zack could see him, rushing past Warren and Miller hurriedly.

The two raised a brow, pausing. "What's the matter with him?" They mused quietly.

Travis raced to the turnout room, breathing heavily with fear, scared, unable to believe that Zack would dare show up while he was at work, getting inside, closing the door behind him and leaning up against it, hands shaking as he felt like he couldn't breathe, heart racing.

'Please Sullivan, don't tell him I'm here, please send him away, I can't let him see me here, I can't get mixed up with him at work too, please don't let him be here, just make him leave!'

Legs all wobbly, Travis got away from the door, leaning against one of the turnout lockers, trying to compose himself, reminding himself he was still at work, he couldn't let anyone see him like this. 'It's okay, you're gonna be fine; he wouldn't be able to hurt you here at work anyways, it's okay.'

The door behind him opened and Travis jumped, letting out a yelp as he whirled around, expecting Zack. Miller and Warren eyed him quizatively. "Everything okay?" Warren chuckled lightly, walking inside, Miller following.

Backed up against the locker, Travis just grinned with a laugh, feeling his ears redden with embarrassment. "Oh, oh yeah! I was jus' pretending guys, ya know, to be funny and all....." He looked away, voice trailing off, not even believing himself.

Miller and Warren seemed to buy it and just slapped him on the shoulder, walking past to put away their turnouts and Travis couldn't help but let out a deep breath of relief.

He could not let Zack interfere with his sense of mind at work too; surely the rest would figure it out and then everything would be ruined! They could not see him like this nor could they see Zack here, that could not happen.

Travis was worrying about it so much as he snuck hurriedly after the others to the beanery, he could hardly eat, feeling anxious to the point where it made him feel sick. Watching the door for Sullivan, fearing he or Zack would walk in, he hardly paid mind to the others, though he wasn't trying to be rude.

"Hey, ya gonna finish that?" Jack eyed Travis's barely eaten sandwich, already having finished his. Travis tapped his foot repeatedly, watching the door without looking away, fumbling and wringing his fingers together nervously in his lap.