Opposites Attract

Stars And Moon Part Three

She sat quietly in one of the seats in Two, content to watch the boys and not have to think too much about the conversations she'd likely have to deal with when they got back.

She knew in her heart that although they likely weren't going to treat her any differently, at least not in a negative way, they would definitely see her in a different light. But that didn't stop the voice in her head that was nagging at her, reminding her that she'd been here before, had people she cared about, people she loved, who had turned on her when they realised just how different she really was. It was easy to know that someone was different in an abstract way, but when it was shoved in your face feelings could change.

She listened with half an ear to the conversation that carried on around her, though it was understandably more subdued than she was used to. She closed her eyes, leaning her head back against the seat, somewhat soothed by the deep bass rumble of Virgil's voice and the sweeter softer tones of Gordon and Alan.

She jumped when she felt a hand on her arm and opened her eyes to see Alan staring at her. She took his offered hand and held it tight, grateful for his presence, for all of them really.

"You OK, Selly?"

She squeezed his hand. "Yeah, I'm fine, sweetheart."

"You sure?"

"I'm sure, don't worry about me."

He didn't look like he believed her and neither did Virgil when he glanced over his shoulder at her before returning his attention to the skies.

She didn't really expect John to be sitting waiting on one of the couches when they got back, she'd assumed he'd turn up at some point later in the evening, but she was more than happy to see him.

He was there in an instant, his arms wrapping her up in the world's tightest hug. She clung to him, breathing in the scent that was uniquely his, letting him surround her in his warmth and security. Gods she loved him, he just made everything better.

She enjoyed the closeness for a minute before she pulled back.

"Everyone's tired and hungry, I'm gonna throw something on to cook for when they finish up and then take a quick shower, I feel icky."

"You don't have to do that."

"Yes I do, I touched some things today, things I don't want to think too closely about and I need to feel clean."

"I meant cook."

She waved away his comment.

"It's not a big deal, you've all had a long and emotionally draining day, food helps. Food shows you care, it's one of the things I inherited from my Nan."

John, wise man that he was, knew that arguing with her was beyond pointless, she saw some things in a very black and white way, and this was one of them. People needed food, you care about them, so you fed them. It was the same mentality that his Grandma had, Selene was just less likely to poison them with it.

"OK, then I'll help."

Boy was definitely a keeper. She gave him another grateful squeeze and put him to work chopping and frying some chicken and keeping an eye on a big pot of boiling pasta while she had a quick shower.

Ten minutes later she was dried and dressed, wet hair held up in a clip, wearing comfy yoga pants and a baggy sweater. She hadn't bothered with any makeup, they had all seen her barefaced by now and honestly she just couldn't be bothered.

She took over from John, keeping an eye on the chicken while she made a simple cheese sauce and chopped up a little bacon to fry and set aside to sprinkle on top later.