Chapter 7: Words From a Friend

By the time Cadence reached her hotel room, she was very near to tears. It had been a long, busy two weeks, and she seriously thought her road trip was just about over, and she needed to return home at last. Though it would have been very simple to multi-task, she changed into pajamas, grabbed a bottle of water and made herself comfortable on the bed before she sent her first message. "Hey! What's up?" she asked, attempting to keep her tone nonchalant. Despite the fact that the IAC worked through their eyes, they could actually hear the other person's voice, which included tone.

"Well, if it isn't my long lost pal. What's going on, kid?" Elliott replied almost immediately.

Cadence took a deep breath. The sound of his voice made her feel both comforted and fragile at the same time. "Oh, you know, out saving the world," she responded. "And you?"

There was a chuckle before his response, "Out ruining it."

She laughed. "I don't doubt that. Any interesting hunts lately?"

"Nah, just the usual. Got a bloodsucker last night, though. One of our new Hunters went with us. Seems to have some talent. We'll see."

"That's good," Cadence said, not really as interested as perhaps she should have been. "Any word on the whereabouts of our primary objective?"

"Negative, Ghost Rider," Elliott replied. "I am sending some folks into the rainforest, though. I'm not just sittin' around. And don't bother to point out to me that I am actually just sitting around."

"Okay," Cadence said, wondering what that was all about. "If that's where you think they are, why not?"

"Exactly! See, someone who gets me!"

"Ha, you wouldn't have always said that," she reminded him.

"No, but I say it now," he shot back. There was a time when Elliott couldn't stand Cadence. He had actually asked Aaron to remove her from the team. However, since that time things had changed drastically. Cadence was like a little sister to him, and being apart from her for so long was almost intolerable.

"It looks like we may have an interesting hunt coming up," Cadence offered, taking a sip of her water.

"Oh? That's cool. Where are you anyway?" Elliott asked, realizing he wasn't even exactly sure of her location.

"Reno," she replied. "We met with a local team tonight. They want us to help them catch a group of Rogues who have been causing some issues. Apparently, they are all Giovani's offspring," she added.

Elliott was quiet for a second. Eventually, he asked, "Who did you meet with?"

Cadence found his silence suspicious. "Why do you ask?" she shot back, cautiously.

"Just curious," he replied.

"Well," she began, "we were initially contacted by Dr. Cale Ryan. We met with some of his team members."

"And him?" Elliott probed.

"Yes?" Cadence stated, though it sounded like more of a question.

Elliott was quiet again for a long moment. Finally, he asked, "And what did you think of the good doctor?"

Cadence played it cool. "He... seems nice..." she admitted.

"Mmm hmm," Elliott came back. He knew her too well. But he also knew that Cale Ryan's reputation of being extremely good-looking, charming, and an all-around good guy could potentially spell trouble for his little fairy tale image of Cadence and Aaron getting back together. "And?"

Cadence was beginning to get a little offended. "And what?" she asked. "What are you implying?"

"I'm not implying anything," Elliott replied. "I just want to know what your impression was of the Reno Area Leader, that's all."

"I think you're getting at something," she chided.

"What is it that I could possibly be getting at?" he pushed back.

"Well, I have no idea."

"Well, then maybe you're mistaken."

"Well, maybe you are!"

"Well, maybe you're a five-year-old!"

Cadence groaned. "I don't want to fight with you, even if it's fake fighting. I miss you too much."

"I miss you, too," he said, his tone changing. After a few seconds he added, "Come home."

She sighed loudly. "I can't. Come out here."

"Can't. Too busy searching the rainforest."

She chuckled, shaking her head. "Search it from out here. I haven't seen you since Indiana!" He had caught up with her briefly when they had done a hunt in the Terre Haute area in the middle of March. At the time, they were both convinced that they would find a way to see each other every few weeks. But they were extremely busy, and plans began to get shuffled and dismissed. Now, it had literally been months.

"I wish I could, but I would have to get permission, and you know how that goes. I'd have to talk to what's his name about you, and you're a sore subject, so I could get in trouble, then I'd get fired, and the next thing you know, I'm selling hot dogs on Coney Island."

Cadence was glad he couldn't see the look of confusion on her face. "What? That doesn't even make sense... just ask. He'll let you come out here. "

Elliott knew she was right. But, though his absence had not been intentional, he secretly hoped that it might bring her back home. However, the longer she stayed away despite not seeing him, the more he began to think there was nothing that could bring her back. "I'll see what I can do, kid. You be careful, though. Don't go breaking the good doctor's heart now, you hear?"

She snickered. "What are you talking about?" she asked, as if Cale Ryan's extreme attractiveness had gone completely unnoticed.

"You know what I'm talking about," he replied. "Y'all might not know it yet, but as far as I'm concerned, you are spoken for."

"Okay, Bubba," she answered, shaking her head. "I guess I'll get some sleep. Be careful," she added.

"Hey, you're the one that can die," he reminded her.

"You can, too, if I kill you," she teased.

"Come on over here and try it." It was almost a request, rather than a chide.

"I wish I could," she said, the solemnity in her voice reflecting her wish to come home, not to exterminate him. "I'll try to talk to you again tomorrow. Two weeks is too long."

"I agree."

"All right," she said with a sigh. "Love you!"

"I love you, too," he replied slowly and meaningfully.

Cadence let him go and pulled the covers over herself. For a brief second, she contemplated contacting Aaron. She hadn't talked to him for so long. Surely, she could check in with him, just ask about Giovani or Laura, without it meaning anything more than that. Maybe she could even ask his advice about the case she was getting ready to work with Cale. But, as much as she longed to hear his voice, she couldn't bring herself to do it, and like so many recent nights, she rolled over, hoping to dream about him instead. However, like most nights, Aaron wasn't the ex she dreamed of, and she spent several hours tormented by the ghost of Jack Cook.