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Who's he?

I'm not sure. He runs a school for mutants upstate, apparently.

...But you're not a mutant. [ Consider the obvious now stated. ]

I know. But...maybe I could get a job there. Or something. I don't know.

A job doing what? You can't even move things with your mind. Isn't that a requirement?

I don't know, Cole. But considering that they'll hire someone who can, as you say, move something with their mind, maybe -- just maybe -- they'll hire someone who has to drink the blood of others to survive. I'm tired of being treated like I'm some kind of dangerous monster that can't be trusted around "normal folk."

[She sighs softly, pushing her hair out of her face.] It's just a phone call, it probably won't come to anything. How are you, sweetie? [Look, she's trying to make up for how cranky she's been the last few days. See that apologetic smile?]

Uh... [ Cole's kind of scared of you right now, Els. If he didn't know any better, he'd think you were PMS-ing. ] good. Great. I'm great...

Yeah? That's good. Great. [Lalala, awkward pause. :\] Look -- I'm sorry if I've been weird lately.

If?

That.

Not if. You have been weird. The epitome of weird. But supposedly...so am I. So I can't fault your lapse in weirdness when it's my default setting.

In the interest of fairness, you are pretty weird. But it's almost endearing on you. So...kudos.

I just...I don't know what you want from me, Cole.

I'm honestly not sure what to do with that. I feel like I should thank you, but you're technically insulting me, with a hint of "but it's not that bad". On the other hand, I don't want to seem ungrateful. So...

I'm supposed to want something from you?

It's a compliment, doofus. Take it in the spirit it was intended.

...I don't want this to sound like an accusation, so if it does, I'm sorry. That's now how I mean it. But. Okay, first...we have this kind of flirty banter dynamic between us. Which is fine, whatever. I didn't really think much of it, since we seemed content on that level. And then you tell me that you've got two girls you're kinda-sorta fooling around with, one of whom you're hired to protect, so I kinda wrote you off romantically. Things are difficult enough for you as they are. But then you tell me that you can't stop thinking about kissing me, or that you hear a song on the radio and you think of me, which isn't really something you tell a platonic friend, unless it's something ridiculous and stupid, and I don't really think that's what you meant. So I kissed you, and you seemed totally on board, which was great, I was too. That was really nice.

But now we're acting like it never happened, and I don't know what to do. If you want us to go back to being just friends, with no romantic or sexual subtext, that's fine. But if you want something more, you have to tell me. I can't read your mind. And honestly? I'm really fucking confused right now, and it's making me weird.

So in the interest of me not being weird, I need you to tell me what it is you want from me. [...aaaaaaand, that's it. Time to let out a deep breath.]

Okay...lots of words there. I didn't -- I mean, I had no idea that this was effecting you. At all...let alone this much. And you didn't really include what you wanted in that little public service announcement. Only that you'd be fine with whatever I decide I want to do, which seems kind of backwards to me considering you're the one who's confused and upset.

Fine. [She doesn't believe that he's not even a little bit conflicted, but if he wants to play this game, fine. Whatever.] I like you, Cole. You're cute, and funny, and sometimes really frustrating, but I like you anyway. The only problem is that I don't know if you're available. And I don't want to commit to feeling a certain way if it's completely unrequited.

And there we go again with the backhanded compliments...

I'm going to be honest here, because it's the best policy. Or something. Despite the fact that you're, you know, dead: at your core you're just like every other girl. And that means, without a doubt, that you think you're too good for me. Which, I mean, I get. It's kind of obvious even as we're standing here now. I think...and I hope you don't take this the wrong way, that you're lonely. That you're afraid no one is going to want to be with you because you're a vampire and I think you realize that I don't give a shit what you are. That I like you regardless. And...I don't think you're sure that you're going to find too many other guys who feel that way.

Aside from that, I spend time with another woman for a living. Currently, that is. Which seems like it has already created problems and...more than likely will down the line. Unless I'm sent back to Iraq. Which is a whole other thing. So I'm sorry that I haven't been rushing to talk about this. I'm sorry you're confused. If it wasn't evident before, it should be now that I am too.

Why would you think that I think that I'm too good for you? I don't think that. You're a good man, Cole. If anything, you're better than me. And yes, I am lonely. And I am scared that nobody will ever want me again. But even though that's the case, and even though you don't care what I am -- which I appreciate, I do, really -- that's not the reason I like you.

[Tentatively, she reaches out and rests her hand on his chest, stepping closer.] I'm aware that things would be ridiculously difficult if we did attempt some kind of relationship beyond the one we've got. And while I know that your relationship with Sofie is...odd a best, the only reason it's causing problems is because I don't know where we stand.

Because you all think that. I hate doing that whole generalizing thing but it's true. I just wonder...if I had met you before you were turned, if things would have been different. I think they would have. But what the hell do I know? Evidently, not much.

...I know I just answered my own question, by the way. You don't have to tell me. And it's only odd because she's odd. Really odd. Just...a whole mess of odd.

Why would you think that? Maybe it's just that you never met the right girl. [She shrugs a little.] I don't know what things would have been like if I'd known you when I was still human. When I was human, I was engaged. We would have been friends, and nothing more. And it wouldn't have mattered, because I don't think I'm better than anyone. How could I think that?

Well then, I don't think it'll be a problem at all. I mean, unless you think it's going to be a problem.

It's not important. [ Nods slowly. ] We can be friends now too. Or not. I don't know. I don't know what I'm supposed to say, to be honest.

...Are you still in love with him?

I'll make it easy for you. [This does require a fortifying breath, however.] I want to be with you. I want the chance to be with you. Ball's in your court.

...He's dead. I'm not fully over it, but I've learned to cope, and I've gotten good at making myself accept it and move on.

Okay. I've never been very good at tennis though, just...so you know.

That doesn't mean anything. It doesn't just go away. It takes time. A lot of time, I know. You probably don't think I do, but...I do.

Okay? [That's it? That...was easy.] Well, neither am I. So, I guess we'll fumble through this together.

I know it doesn't. But it's the best answer I have.

Fumble? I don't fumble. You can fumble. I am studly and...solid.

Well. If you ever actually want to talk about it, I think you'd be surprised as to the insight I have on the subject. Otherwise, forget I mentioned it.