#fenixtj

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A knock on Jessica's door

"Quien es?"

"It's me, Bonita" Duff says "Come on out"

There's a pause that's almost to long... but then the locks slowly click open. "Come on in."

(BRB)

"Okay, but picnicking in here defeats half the purpose" he has an honest to god Picnic basket? It smells..good, though the food is not Mexican

She shakes her head. "Thanks Duff... and thanks for just coming by. I'm not... I just need some time alone."

"No, you need time away. You seem to think all I want ffrom you is sex half the time" He frowns at that "That..stung. You seem to think I am insensitive. I can be. But I AM trying to help. "

"I know, but I can't be alone and with you at the same time, right?" She leans against the door, looking... tired.

"I still don't think being alone is the way to go. I was thinking miles and miles outside the city, maybe overlooking the sea. Sunshine, quiet. If you want, i'll drive you there and leave."

A wry look. "Thanks anyway."

"you look tired" He observes "As indelicate as that is to say. How much sleep are you getting?"

"Enough."

"I doubt that" he says

"But it is your life, Jessica." he says

She shrugs. "Enough. I can nap, here, if I need to."

He stares at her, then kens her, "Are you worried about Bedlam?"

"No. But everyone else was." Grumpy!

"After Mitra got snagged can you blame them? From our perspective, you return from a holiday visit with your folkks, miserable. I show you a gift... and it sends you spiraling into a depression you won't talk about with anyone, not even me. Not in full. You're hurting. The hurt gets worse when I mention your family"

She closes her eyes, almost turns away, but doesn't. "Well. It's done now. So... I've been doing a lot of patrolling, trying to ID potentials to get up north. And thinking, journaling, stuff like that. Running. It's been good."

"So... you're saying you don't need me"

A shake of his head "Forget I asked that. Selfish"

A sigh. "No. Not... "

"No Jessica, I'm Unseelie and sometimes it's hard not to see things from the lense of my passions. Just as you view all through the lens of duty. I love you, and I'm not used to that, and it throws me off. You would think Love would make me less Selfish, but sometimes I wish you did need me. And that's a horrible selfish thing indeed. ' He strokes her hair "Mostly, with or without me, I want you happy. I don't expect a vapid smile on your face at all times , but in your heart? I'd like you happy. And it frustrates me that I can't do more about it.'

"I wish... I wish we cared the same. I don't know what's wrong with me, Duff. I'm sorry you're caught up in all this."

"Jessica, unrequited love will make a better poet of me or something" he shrugs "You didn't invent that. It doesn't mean something is wrong with you. What, am I some 'nice guy' who should whine 'why doesn't that bitch loooove me I respect the hell out of that harlot'? Please. What am I? A man child?" A snort "Whatever is 'wrong' not with you, but right now, I am pretty sure it's more between your family and you, not me so much. Aand my ego will just have to roll with that. I'll survive it. But I am not going to throw a fit and dump you or demand we settle 'us' now or whatever. It can wait. But you Do need a change of scenery I think, and II'd like to arrange it, even if you prefer I not be along for it. You seem to be burning out, Jessica. Maybe I'm wrong on that"

"It's getting better, Duff." She promises. "Thanks for the offer, and I'll reciprocate sometime but... haven't you ever needed to be alone for a while?"

"I like being in the eye of the storm, activity around me, watching, yet above it all" He says "Remember my ant farm gift yo ugot me? I liek being near the ants but the one who can shake them. Who knew I would run into a girl who shook me up iin return? so this is Karma... I don't think I like it" humor in his tone

A wan smile. "Right. So... different ends of the spectrum. I think we work well together but.... this is part of it. You need a party, or someone else, go find it, or her. I'll come out eventually and then... we'll see."

He looks startleed, "You're telling me to go bang some chick? Am I ..hearing you right?"

She shakes her head, leaning against the doorframe. "No. Just saying I get that I'm not a lot of fun right now and you should be able to have fun, you like activity around you and if you want that, you should have that."

"I don't want fun, Jessica. I want you."

Then sigh "Honest to god, there was a time I knew how to talk to women . you know what I mean."

Another small smile. "I think so."

"Good" He smiles "Enoy the food. It's more standard Ameican fare. I figured you might be tired of Mexican and so on"

She looks at the basket. "You want to save it for when I can leave the apartment and share it then?"

"I can get more, please, with my compliments" he says

She takes it a bit reluctantly. "Thank you, Duff. I wish.... " She shrugs. "You know."

"I don't know. What do you wish?"

"I wish it were better. I were better. Anyway. Thank you."

"I hope it gets better for you," he says "You're welcome, mi amour. " he gives her a kiss on the cheek, and then leaves her , the roar of his motorcycle tearing through the streets shortly after

The locks click shut again.

Food includes options of very American hotdogs, and a PBJ sandwich

And one of her favorite conviencee store snacks! One that you don't get in the area (be it gummy bears or french roast peanuts etc)

Something with chocolate....

Oh hello chocolate delight... how he got these she's not sure but... well.. he's connected. She takes her ffood and with draws.

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