Breaking bread

[mid_nite_green]

Dough flops onto a flat, floured surface and Tara kneads the sticky mass. The last 18 months have started fading a little. Not fading exactly. Tara's memory is perfect, but there is something about getting distance and new memories that's just as soothing as baking. With Corrine back, the world feels more...organized. Dinner can be made for someone - multiple someones again. She's sorely lacked that focus - that target.

But can it really be what it was?

The dough flops down hard on the parchment paper again.

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[amityville_sweetheart]

By all accounts, it's been a long time since Corrine's walked these halls. There's a feeling of disconnect; like waking from a nap you hadn't realized you'd taken, or waking to find your alarm's been blaring for two hours while you've been obliviously sleeping. All in all, it was a lot like waking up.

Or maybe that's because she just woke up? Man, sleeping after you've been dead is weird. She's still in track shorts and oversized "Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers" tee when she wanders into the kitchen, blurry-eyed and toting some terrible bedhead, but there's some pep in her pink-bunny-eared step.

She peeks over Tara's shoulder with a grin. "If you put bananas in that I will love you forever."

[mid_nite_green]

"It's sourdough," Tara replies incredulously. But she knows her audience. The oven buzzer goes off and when Tara opens the over the smell of fresh banana bread fills the room.

"I'm surprised to see you. Thought you and the boss would be 'celebrating' for a few more days."

She's already getting a pan out to make Corrine a omlette.

[amityville_sweetheart]

Corrine claps and cheers, as is only appropriate. "Well, after--"

Then her face falls a little. She shrugs. "He's healing and resting. Being in his presence right now is celebration enough, but I was restless and he needs sleep. Besides, like I'm gonna leave all this food for the guys!"

[mid_nite_green]

"Hey, plenty to go around," she reminds. "After I tart this up I'm going to go look at the plumbing. The water pressure is 'off.'" That's Tara. Work, work, work.

"So the entity...I don;t even know how to ask."

[amityville_sweetheart]

Some things never change. Corrine wouldn't be entirely assured she was home if Caleb was not smarmy, Chimp was not deadpan, and Tara didn't cook like she was feeding an army and work like there were no hands on the clock.

As for the entity, Corrine throws her hands up and laughs. "You and me both?" No, she hadn't understood it when It first showed, and she still doesn't, not really. She knows she served her purpose, though, and maybe that would be all she'd get.

"It was always there, protecting me, even when I didn't know... All that time before me, with papa, and then my grandfather, and before that and before that and..." She waves a hand then goes to fussing with a tangle in her hair. "It needed me, I guess. And God thought so, too. Although if I never hear 'you will do as you were made to do' ever again, I'll die-- again-- happy."

[mid_nite_green]

"Not exactly the world's best pick-up line, no. Hand me that pan, would you?" As she starts stuffing in the dough she notes, "Maybe this means your family gets a little neutered in the power department?"

[amityville_sweetheart]

"Their power was never tied to It, not after It left them," she responds bleakly. "And Louie's always drawn from dark roots."

Corrine would rather be talking about anything other than her twisted family right now, and distracts herself going after the banana bread. So much of her family's horror had seemed to be a distant nightmare, but here it was again. Her family had plagued her to the grave and back, and it seemed like they always would.

She cracks up suddenly. "You know I still have no idea what that damned prophecy said? Good riddance! There and back, and me none the wiser."

[mid_nite_green]

Tara's Jersey comes out at that. "Well, shit." I mean, what else can you say?

"Oh could recite it, but what's the point. Sionara and all that. It's where it belongs. You are were you belong and all is right in the world." Tara says that like she's convincing herself just a bit.

[amityville_sweetheart]

"Caleb tried to tell me," she says around a mouthful of bread. "When I came back from the leylines? Told 'im... don't bother. S'not important."

She clears her mouth and continues. "But you're right. The plan is the plan, whether I know it or not, so I might as well just trust it. I mean, even after all this, I don't feel manipulated or coerced. I made my choices, and I took my leaps of faith, and I'm here, by some grace. I just-- I can't believe I'm saying this-- I did what I was made to do. I was exactly the person God thought I'd be. When you think about it like that, it's kind of humbling and amazing."

[mid_nite_green]

"The whole thing is important because it lead you here. That's...Well, that's God. It's a better explaination than all the religon in the world combined."

Tara mentally adds to the list of things she's not telling Corrine about. The other woman doesn't need to know about Tara asking for what was left of her to interceed with God, or that the success rate would have been enough to call Rome.

[amityville_sweetheart]

It's probably for the best. Corrine's having enough weirdness adjusting to the whole having been dead thing.

"The prophecy didn't lead me anywhere but confused. Add the angels to that list, too," she replies, eying up that omelet next. "It was you guys who led me here. And there. And back again. Anyway, enough about me. What's up, Doc? For, like, the past humongous amount of time I'm not thinking about?"

[mid_nite_green]

"I graduated, fixed up a house and chased ambulances. You would not believe how many people attack paramedics." She begins washing her hands and starts eyeing her french press. Coffee sounds tasty.

But to Corrine? She can tell the doctor is editing. Maybe not too much, but enough. There's a sadness to her voice when she doesn't want to bother anyone.

[amityville_sweetheart]

"Congratulations! But while it all sounds fascinating, it also sounds incredibly hum-drum, and I know you."

Corrine gives Tara that 'please' look. "C'mon, this is me. I know a lot has happened with me-- dying and stuff and before that, too-- but I'm still me, Tara. You're still my best friend. And I'd really love it if folks stopped walking on eggshells around me already."

[mid_nite_green]

She blows some bangs out of her face. "You missed the zombie hordes." Remembering Kenton, she amends the statement. "The bigger worldwide zombie hordes."

"Some adventuring with the JSA...Travis picked up the squirrel. You saw that." She makes a face. "There was also relationship drama - but this IS Travis and he came to his senses...kinda."

[amityville_sweetheart]

"Let me get my scorecard-- both of them, I guess," Corrine jokes-- an old one between them.

She lowers her voice. "Seriously, though, between you and me? Travis is sweet, well-intentioned, and incredibly oblivious. He's like the brother I should've had-- but damned if I know how to staple him here or even get it across to him that we don't just need him, we like him. Is it any better?"

[mid_nite_green]

"He decided to take a ring that feeds off want, a ring that runs off will and use them both to clean up Alphabet City - completely. Like Sinestro would have golf clapped. This was after being drug around half the galaxy trying to finish up the stuff the Outsiders started."

"Basically, we get back. The War of Light is still going on. I'm just in his way, so I get dropped off. Then he does one of his no food or sleep runs to make everything 'better.' Does a B&E number on my kitchen, blows me off completely, takes off, deals more with his old hood. Then, the zombies come because the War of Light didn't work or something and next thing I know he's saving my life and asking me to run off and et married!"

"If I figure that boy out, the world may end."

[amityville_sweetheart]

"Well, saving your life is g-- wait, what?"

Did Corrine hear that right? Her hands fold in front of her chin as her head slouches down and her expression becomes a mix between sympathy and confusion. "So I'm guessing from your reaction you already know that would be a bad idea? At this juncture, I mean."

She throws her hands up defensively. "That isn't to say I'm not rooting for you guys-- I totally am! But, y'know, someone wise once told me that you kinda need to trust the person you're sleeping next to," she replies slyly. "You get a little more faith in yourself, and he develops a little better with it in others, and I'll be the first one pelting you guys with rice."

[mid_nite_green]

"Uh, yeah. But this leads to the whole, 'where is this relationship going?' stuff. With Travis, you're off or you're on. Problems in his world mean 'off,' and having toured his world, I can't much blame him."

"I do trust him," she huffs. "I just know him too well to lay on too much at a time."

[amityville_sweetheart]

"Okay," Corrine responds simply, obviously unconvinced. She also didn't miss that there was no mention about Tara trusting herself. There's certain responses that beg one to keep their opinion to themselves, lest it fall on deaf (or unreasonably determined) ears. This conversation-- and any involving the Zukovs-- is one of them.

"So what now?"

[mid_nite_green]

Oh, she noticed. That answer is incredibly complicated.

"One day at a time. With the War of Light off, maybe we'll actually figure out if there's enough of a relationship to build from."

"Speaking of which, all this cannot be easy on your couple time." Hey, she's utterly glad her and Caleb moved onto saner relationships for them both, but there were several times where she wondered if stupid was going to fall from the sky and drag them back into a "torrid relationship" status.

[amityville_sweetheart]

Torrid relationship? Almost. Tara doesn't know how close that came, that night after Corrine had left the JSA. She'd called him, blindingly drunk, looking for hope or comfort or maybe to take it all back in one stupid action. Caleb always showed up whenever she called, and this time was no different, but he was smarter than she had the ability to be just then. He dumped her into bed, alone, made her breakfast in the morning, and then walked away from her for good, to the fortune of them both.

"Being dead I think did more there," she says with a smile. "But there's honestly no problems. You can stop worrying. We come back for each other-- that's what we do-- and now we're together again. That's all that matters in the end."

[mid_nite_green]

"Uh, huh. When's the date?"

[amityville_sweetheart]

"Geez, vying for the bouquet much?" Corrine's only kind of joking. Tara had always been a little pushy about Corrine and Sand achieving happiness. Corrine couldn't blame her; the girl's scorecard probably desperately needed a "1" in the win column. Still, being shoved into matrimonial bliss is probably not the best idea.

"I was dead, and he came for me. If that doesn't say true love--" She shrugs. "The date, the flowers, the dress, the guest list... there is time for discussion on all of those things once he's rested, healed, and I've had time to properly thank him and get my head on straight. C'mon, it's been years now. I don't think you have to worry about us getting our heads turned by anyone else; either of us."

[mid_nite_green]

"Pttt, no." She's completely sincere on that score. More importantly, she knows these two.

"Eh, probably not. I just get the sense he just...done."

[amityville_sweetheart]

"I kinda was under the impression he'd decided that before he asked me," Corrine says. She'd certainly decided when she said "yes." That was all the assurance she needed. She goes digging in the fridge for bottled water and yogurt. The bottled water nearly hits her in the head, and for half a second, she misses the entity. It wouldn't nearly have gotten clocked by a bottle of water.

"Greg-- the first boyfriend-- was a junkie. He was nice enough to take me in, and I was drunk most of the time anyway, so I thought 'well, maybe there's hope for both of us together.' He kind of held a job, he didn't beat me, and he spent more time sober than not. None of that lasted long and we broke up after three months to the tune of me stabbing him so he didn't break my neck.

"Then there was Caleb; everything Greg was not and more than I thought I deserved at the time. Everything was great unless it wasn't, and eventually we settled into this pattern of-- well, to be honest, 'fuck and lecture' with a side of 'yell until the problems go away.' I didn't so much break up with him as leave the JSA, move back to Kenton, and change my number. The last hurrah went up the night I drunkenly threw myself at him and instead he put me to bed with some 'have some eggs and get some help' thrown in the next morning.

"Trevor was..." She double-checks the doorway outside the kitchen. "A fun distraction, but a distraction none the less, and he didn't deserve that. Half the time I didn't know whether I wanted to sleep with him, deck him, or just go get drunk. Or maybe all of the above; it was like that.

"After all that, if I passed up on the most honest, down-to-earth, kind, honorable, loyal, beautiful man I have ever met, I'd be insane. And there'd probably be like some amulet or spores or other whackiness involved, because that's always how it goes. But I am not insane. I mean, how many girls out there get proof that their love transcends death?"

[mid_nite_green]

"First mission I got? It was getting Troia back to life. First thing out of Arsenal's mouth upon seeing her was asking her on a date. Sand's that kind of believer, but thank God he isn't that..." She frowns. "Got a word for that? I'm blanking on a good pick."

[amityville_sweetheart]

"Impatient? Blunt? Abrasive?" Maybe that's just Corrine. 'Dinner and a movie' is not the first question a girl wants to hear when she's just been dead, but then again, the only thing she knows of Troia and Arsenal was how adorable they were together and with the various kids at the Outsiders party.

"Still, the count seems to be 'incredibly frickin' rare.' Nope, I hit the lottery. Besides, Caleb spawned and married before any of us. I think we all lose points for that one."

[mid_nite_green]

"I was moving toward 'crazy.' I like your list better. More descriptive."


"No, the world gains a few points. Caleb needs something to do, or he finds things to do, and that demon blood or his dumbass parents gave him a penalty against finding outlets for his restlessness that don't involve him becoming a pincushion."

[amityville_sweetheart]

"But I think any of us would've recommended golfing over spawning, but there it is. He's happy. We're happy. Everybody's happy."

Corrine gets her on tip of the nose with some flour. "And you worry too much. You'll have time to do plenty of that while you're helping me plan my enormous, flowery, hero wedding."

[mid_nite_green]

Tara has to laugh, and she throws her arms around her friend. "Damn, lady. You have no idea how good it is to have you back."

[amityville_sweetheart]

"I'm awesome. It's a fact. I think it's the 98% glittery magicstuffs," she quips and returns the hug.

She breaks the embrace and claps her hands together excitedly. "Soooooo, how much do you know about the superhero 'ex' history, oh gracious one who will maybe pretty pretty please save me from the drama of bad seating charts?"

[mid_nite_green]

She winces. "Do you remember one of the reasons the Outsiders looked like a good idea? Don't sit Ollie by Doc. If you don't call Dinah about the flowers, she'll be pissed. Other than that, I've been out of the gossip mill for a while." She shrugs. "We all really kind of dropped out. Well...maybe not Chimp. He'd know everybody's business."

[amityville_sweetheart]

"Duly noted," Corrine replies with wide eyes and a thumbs up. "I wouldn't dream of doing any of this without Chimp's organizational expertise. And Sand knows literally everyone and their brother. Anyone he doesn't-- well, we have someone on island with friendly relations to."

Then she has a thought. "Do you think Batman would show up? I wonder how well Sand knows Batman. That'd be weird... Batman at my wedding." She shrugs. "Anyway, I was thinking that I don't have anyone to give me away, and it'd be kind of weird if it was Caleb. And I'm not sure how his wife would take it. Or Sand. Or Amelia. Oh, merciful kittens, do I have to invite Amelia?"

[mid_nite_green]

"Does Batman take a break, ever?" Tara shrugs. "I know he's human, but that guy makes me look laid back. Amelia is a question of will it be more drama or less to invite her."

"How about Chimp? He's pretty much that cranky-ass grandfather type."

[amityville_sweetheart]

"I've only met him a few times, and never really like--" Corrine uses her sleeves like 'Batman' and 'Merlynne' puppets. "'I am the Bat.' 'ZOMG HI SCARY MAN.' Just, like, 'Hey, look, Batman's over there!'"

She drops the puppet show. "As for Amelia, I can't think of any reason to invite her, and the drama I foresee is great, so... yeah, I'm gonna hope it doesn't come up. And Chimp is a great idea. If it wasn't for his help at Kenton, and calling you guys together again this time, I might not be here two times over. He's earned it as part of my family."