#bergen_county

He ponders "Though, yeah, the girls of the lodge are kind hooked up. Let's see... Sylvi with Colton, Gerd is dating that nocker guy, Eden is weirdly obsssing with Tikki and vice versa, oh well, there's Leya and Lola... but I know, history there." A snap of his fingers "Ramona! Dude, once you go boggan you never go hungry again"

Good heavens.... look, quick! There's a very tiny, lonely, smile ghosting across Adam's lips!! "Yeah. She's..... ok." he admits.

"Lucia.. not sure if she's dating but she's a cheerleader boggan with wings. I think Ramona's more your speed though. Lucia's in real tight with Sylvi.. and you know Romona got invited so.. maybe " A smile "Who knows?"

Adam sighs again. "Yeah, but.... she's going to be hanging out with Piper. So."

"Dude, she's not that tight with Ramona. Not her go to girl pal"

"Yeah, but.... Beltaine." A shrug. "Just figure Piper'll have the first shot, there. And that's not counting if Ramona is more into her than me or anything."

"Dude. How many people do you think Piper is sleeping with?" Dubious brow

"Dude, that doesn't matter! What the hell.......?"

"Kind of what I was thinking...I ask because you act like she's gonna chase after Ramona or any other single girl in the pool party...." He says "Dude, she's on a dating break I think. Honestly? I think there's only ONE girl who could get into her pants right now ,and that girl is in Missouri"

"No, I'm saying that Ramona might be more into her than me. That's all. Not a damn thing about what Piper might or might not do." Firmly. "And you know as well as I do that a dating break doesn't have to mean a sex break. Not that it matters to me a damn bit because we broke up and we weren't exclusive even when we WERE dating, mostly."

"I'm not sure man.. .she seems to want to focus on her music and.. I guess herself" He says

"Yeah." Softly. "And that's good. She should. I wish.........nah. Nevermind." Adam pulls up at the Wayburton house and parks.

"Sorry man, seriously it'll get better" and he gets out

"Yeah." Adam follows him in.

Zane calls out "We got company"

"Oh? who? "Marsha/Mrs. Wayburton says

"Adam" Zane says

"Oh wonderful, Adam would you like something to eat our drink?" Mrs. Wayburton says

"ADAM!" Another voice booms and Nab races into the main hall to stare at him then she blushes "hi"

"Hi, Mrs..... " he interrupts himself. "Hi Nab." staring back.

SHe's dressed in a lovely sundress "You look.. nice"

He stuffs his hands in his pockets. "Thanks. Got showered and dressed. Chief made me."

"Well, " Nabuni looks him over "Good." A nod "But you're still depressed, I can tell"

He lifts his shoulders. "Little. Still hurts. Might go to this thing, Zane told me about. Rooftop party."

"Well, I hope it goes well and you get the real girl you need" She says "i'm not holding you back so you do all the things... laugh at each other's jokes, dance, that kind of thing. Candles and music and stuff." A look at the Wayburtons "He's good at that"

"I'm sure" Marsha nods

Zane sighs "Nab.. he didn't send you away"

"I didn't." Adam agrees. "You left."

"I was upset about it, too."

"I want to do that stuff with you but -you- don't want that stuff so I don't."

"Wait.. what?" Nab says "But I asked if you'd be better off without me .. or something like that and you said yes, probably"

"I didn't." Adam folds his arms. "Nab, I was trying to figure some stuff, out, hard stuff, and I needed to think. I had to focus. Like.... like, when you're on the foul line and you have to hit the hoop, right? Even cheerleaders are quiet."

Nab shinks, even as she facepalms "I'm an idiot"

"Happens to changelings too," Marsha assures

"Nab?"

"Adam, I'm so sorry. I only left because I thought I was keeping you from a girlfriend and happiness... and I.. I thought you meant like 'the bigger picture' not just ..writing" She is blushing with embarrasment

"Well.... I mean, yeah, I was writing about hard stuff and ..... I guess it's all part of a bigger picture but...... listen..... are we still bonded?"

"Yes" She says "Definitely absoultely and... " A pause "you. .you stil lwant to be?"

"Yeah. Of course."

"So if we're still bonded, anyone else I'm with has to be ok with that. So you're not holding me back from anyone. Or anything. Ok?"

"Okay" She grows SLOOOOWLY

Adam can't help but appreciate, to some extent, the view.

Wings spread and, she rushes him

"W..hey......!" He catches, and hugs her.

A BIG squeeze

He holds her. "Sorry. I've been.... caught up in it all and.... it hurts but.... I'm sorry."

"I know" She snugggles "I was just trying to help , not make it worse"

"I know." He pets her, stroking her hair and back. "S'ok."

"I like you better when you're showered" She admits

He... chuckles! "Yeah. Well. I guess I'll have to do that now."