Ryan had just wobbled away from saying goodbye to Mike as he made his way to a room in the Mariner's Inn himself since Angie had insisted he not drive all the way home. He winced and rubbed at his temples, his hand over his face while he uncharacteristically rode the elevator up to India's room. He had composed about 4 texts to warn her he was feeling so rotten but deleted each because they got increasingly pathetic as the side effects of the rabies shot took hold. He stumbled to her door and leaned his head against it as he weakly tapped out his signature knock. A wave of nausea made him scrunch up his face in a horrific expression as he waited.
She wasn't expecting anyone. Just a nice Saturday night watching movies and maybe reading. Maybe a visit from Ryan when his shift was over. He'd call or text either way it went. She caught his knock, but it sounded ... off. So she was cautious when she opened the door to her room and saw him standing there, looking ... sick. "What happened to you?" she wonders aloud as, if he lets her, she helps him into the room, kicking the door shot behind them, if he comes with her. She'll put him on the closest bed if allowed and look down at him, noting he was actually still in uniform. "God, baby? You got the flu or something?" she wonders.
Ryan lets India help him and rolls his head slowly from side to side as he sinks to the bed and sits a bit slumped "Please don't freak out....I uh....got bit by a raccoon and had to get a rabies shot. Apparently these are the side effects. I feel like total shit Indy. I'm sorry to crash on you like this. I don't think I should drive home. I barely made the stretch from White Rock to here behind the wheel. Mike got bit too and Angie made him get a room downstairs. I can sleep in a separate bed....I don't want to be a pain."
India listens to him with her eyes widening bit by bit in disbelief with each sentence. "A raccoon?" she blinks and backs up a bit. Moving to his feet, she starts to take his shoes off, even before he got to that part of his narrative. "No sorry's remember? You can sleep here and you can sleep in the same bed with me." she begins to undress him. "Now who's Mike?" she asks, in many ways selfishly glad she has an opportunity to take care of him for a change.
Ryan lifts his feet as she pulls off each shoe, allowing her to help him and leaning back on his hands as he winces and then blinks hard "Oh god....Mike, Reinhardt, Officer Reinhardt, new transfer to the station. He's alright, pretty cool actually. This call came in, we've been getting them all week, some guy stuck in his car with a raccoon on top. I thought it was one or maybe two so I went alone. It was four of those fuckers and the guy's vehicle was like a trash bin with food wrappers. I called for backup and Mike and I had them on the run by putting the sirens on and then the asshole starts eating a hamburger and the last one was hanging around......it had red eyes....and it got Mike first on the hand and then got me in the leg before I could even pepper spray it......I was so pissed off."
India shakes her head. "Some 'welcome to Cedar Point' for Officer Reinhardt." she blows out a breath. She begins to take off his shirt and undo his duty belt, placing everything on the other bed. "You know I didn't see a live raccoon like out of a zoo until I came here?" she is a big city girl. she reaches for his pants. "I promise not to rape you, but you'll feel better in nothing but your boxers." she tells him. "So just the one bite and its a rabies shot? I thought it was more than one. My father had a partner who said hed rather go through a whole series of rabies shots instead of doing something he REALLY didnt want to do.
Ryan laughs and then grimaces and holds his abdomen "You wouldn't get much action from me tonight....god my stomach....fuck...." He lies back and lets her take off his clothes but nothing about him is remotely sexy tonight. "What could possibly be so bad that anyone would choose feeling like this over it? Christ....." he mutters.
India looks at him with deep concern. "Are you going to throw up?" she asks, concerned. She could deal with it, but she wanted to be prepared. Her hand inches towards the empty waste paper basket.
Ryan reaches up and grips a pillow like he's holding it for dear life and then curls into a ball on his right side "I dunno...maybe.....it keeps coming and going...."
India gets the basket just in case. She is wearing an over-sized shirt and sits on the bed beside him. "I'm here." he reassures him. "And the culprit got away? Shame. sOunds like you guys owe it some pay back."
Ryan gives her a slight smile "I did kick it...but it ran off." he sees the basket and mutters "Thanks....wow I'm a terrible date tonight."
India smiles at him. "Its our first crisis yet. A sick Ryan." she teases. "I get to find out how you are when you're sick. Good patient or bad patient or what."
Ryan half snickers but is careful not to belly laugh "I'll make sure to hit the bucket if I hurl. That's good right?" His phone plays the Star Wars Cantina song in his pants pocket from the other bed, indicating a call. Ryan looks at it for a second and then decides not to get up.
India laughs lightly. "That's VERY good, baby." she hears the phone and moves to get it, bringing it within reach if he wants to answer it. She won't presume to answer it for him.
Ryan fumbles for the phone since it's near and clicks to answer, not realizing immediately it's Garrett making a face time call when he presses the button.
"Dude, clothes....where ARE you? Angie called us and Mom and Steph went to your house. That mime guy answered and Steph said when Mom started asking questions he sat on the floor and boxed himself in with his hands." All you can see in the phone is an extreme close up of Garrett's face with the angle being very up the nose, almost Blair Witch project like.
Ryan groans and pulls his phone closer "Could you TEXT first? I'm....resting at India's. Tell Mom I'm fine...please. I just feel a bit shitty."
Garrett's huge face grins "Oh your girlfriend! Can I say hi?" He doesn't hesitate and just shouts into the phone "Hi India!" From the echo, Garrett might be in the cooler at Sakuras.
Ryan cringes and looks apologetically at India.
India listens to the conversation, looking bemused. She sits on the bed when Garrett asks to speak and then DOES to her. "Hey, Garrett!" she calls back, rather friendly looking. "Nice nostrils! Now Ryan got to GO, cause hes not feeling well ... and NO I ain't the one got him sick. He'll tell you everything later. You take care! Bye" she twiddles her fingers and boldly pressed the screen to end the call, looking at Ryan with amusement.
Ryan looks relieved as she clicks Garrett's wide eyed grin off at her reply "You'll fit in with them perfectly Indy...." he says as he stretches out his legs and switches his phone to silent before putting it on the bedside night table. The left ankle has a small bandage where the bite happened. He rubs at his temples again, trying to release some of the headache.
India laughs softly. "I know that type. If you don't cut him off he just go on and on and on. But he sounded happy. Isn't he the one that had the breakup?" she looks at his bandage, but won't touch it. "I know you have to have some sort of "This is how you take care of yourself" note. Where is it?" and without waiting for his reply begins to go through the pockets of his uniform.
Ryan nods weakly "Yeah he's getting better. Just time. Left shirt pocket."
India nods and takes out the sheet, scanning it. "OK, imma get you some tylenol for your head. Then if you want you can sleep or we can lay and watch the movie you know the best ... so well you don't have to watch it to see it. Just chillax, you know." and she gets up and heads into the bathroom or the Tylenol.
Ryan closes his eyes and leans his head back on the pillow "Thank you..." His tone emits absolute gratitude for India's care and kindness right now.
India comes back with the Tylenol and a small glass of water. Handing him the pills, she says "If you decide you are hungry, I can get some broth or something from the bar downstairs." she sits again, a little worried but not terrified for him.
Ryan sits up slowly to take the pill and reaches for the glass "Thanks. I don't think I can deal with food. But if you didn't have supper yet, please don't not eat because of me. "
India smiles. "Maybe later." if he was feeling nauseous, she was willing to wait until he was asleep at least. She arranges the sheets and covers so he can get under them and then joins him, holding his head to her chest and humming softly into his hair.
Ryan settles in and relaxes into her "Mmm now I'm spoiled.." As the tylenol begins to kick in he becomes noticeably drowsy. He starts making less sense as he mumbles, starting to drift off "Shoulda let the raccoon have the hamburger....they like those...their grubby little hands....hamburglars...." He chuckles a bit as he exhales and then lets out a last sleepy mumble "I love you Indy...." before his breath deepens and he is fully asleep.
India is amused by his rumblings, but tries not to laugh and disturb his falling off into sleep. His last words make her smile and she stays, humming another song before she carefully gets out of the bed. She orders room service from the bar and eats while she watches a movie with a single earbud in her bad ear, so she can hear Ryan if he stirs. She selected something good, but not too funny so her laughing wouldn't wake him. Once it is over, she powers down her laptop and cleans the room a little before carefully getting into bed beside him and catnapping herself.
Ryan stirs with a sad little moan. He's slept at an odd time and woken up in the middle of the night and is self consciously aware of India seemingly sleeping peacefully beside him. The Tylenol has worn off and he sits up in bed too quickly as his bladder alerts him of an urgent need to be drained. He endeavours to be quiet about his motions but his body fights him at every turn. As soon as he's vertical a wave of nausea hits him full force and he makes a series of truly disturbing heaving noises that produce nothing offering any relief from the sensation. With an exasperated grunt he stands and lumbers unsteadily to the bathroom.
India feels Ryan move almost immediately, but it takes her a while to wake. The noises he makes bring her fully awake, and she is sitting up as he is going into the bathroom. While he is in there, she shakes out her locks and sits on the edge of the bed, bringing herself the rest of the way out of sleep. She watches for him to come out of the bathroom.
Ryan managed to find the Tylenol bottle in the bathroom and is opening it as he walks out, shaking two into his hand "Shit I was trying to be quiet. Sorry." He says as he reaches for his still partially full water on the night stand.
India watches him come out. "You lucky you got the bottle open." she comments and shrugs. "I didn't know I fell asleep. But I was sleeping light. So no biggie. How are you feeling, baby?" she asks, still watching him. She'd done a little research while he slept and realized he was not going to turn into some frothing biting monster, but she still knew he was in for a rough time.
Ryan sits down on the bed and pops the pills, followed by drinking the rest of the water before he answers.
"Gross, a bit less than earlier, but gross. I wish I'd brought pajama pants.." he says before standing and pulling on his t shirt that acts as an under shirt for his uniform with a small shiver. Ryan crawls back under the covers and looks at India "You win the girlfriend of the year award for putting up with my sorry ass right now."
India smiles. "Your own fault for not leaving an extra pair of sweats over here ...." she chides him with a grin. Striking a pose, she laughs. "This year and every one after!" then she crawls in with him. "Snuggle up if your cold. I'll keep you warm ... not in THAT way, either."
Ryan chuckles and then winces, but less than before sleeping. He rolls towards India and wraps his arms around her "We'll have to think of other reasons to nominate you because there's no way I'm getting a rabies shot every year." Ryan isn't feeling well enough to have his usual level of body awareness and after the dry heaves, his breath could possibly kill a small horse.
India seems to consider. "Well, none of the usual cop things ... you already got bit by an animal that may have been rabid, so no following that up with stabbings, shootings or anything like that." she lifts her head a bit, saying nothing about his breath, because she isn't that sort of a person, especially when its not due to neglect. "Maybe I will rent this hotel room every spring just for us or something." she looks at him. "Maybe I will rent it forever so no one can ever sleep in it but us." she giggles a bit.
Ryan grins a bit at that thought "The tabloids can call it the India Tor love nest. We'll have to wear sunglasses all the time and get one of those obnoxious purse dogs for you. We'll have to give our kids weird names like Apple and Moonbeam just so they stand out in the headlines."
India laughs. "NO purse dog! PLEASE .. a real dog or none at all. Maybe a police doggie dropout or something." she she smirks. "Oh you do NOT want to know some of these African American names. Shaquanda and Alegrineia and TopRamenisha." she shakes her head. "But I don't think the tabloids care. At least I HOPE not."
Ryan snickers "Way better than Apple and Moonbeam. Although we could name a dog those. You want a dog that flunks as a sniffer? That would be hilarious. No Moonbeam that's Shaquanda's koolaid powder, not coke! Put your fucking shades back on you stupid mutt." Ryan's humour is a good sign that he's not so horribly ill as before.
India smiles. "Exactly. Kool-aid .. sugar ... old woman with cheap perfume. But ... a police dog might be fun. Or one of the breeds they like. Keep us safe." she smiles softly, glad he's feeling better. "I'm glad you came." she smirks. "You could have got another room and I never would have known."
Ryan gives India a little squeeze "Even feeling like crap, I couldn't have been down a hall from you without wanting to see you. You want that award, you're stuck with me good and gross." He teases.
India laughs. "Good answer and I want that award and I want YOU ... well or sick." she kisses his forehead. "You need to check that dressing on your leg?" she wonders. "I mean you seem alright ... you don't have to go in to work tomorrow .. I mean .. today ..." she wonders.
Ryan smiles as she replies and kisses his forehead and then yanks his leg out of the covers, lets her go and sits up to look at it. The bandage has been mashed around in his sleep and there's a tiny bit of seepage.
"It'll probably hold until I need to shower. Indy, I know this is a crazy question, but do you drive? I want to go grab some stuff from my house in a few hours....you know I'll probably be OK to do it, but would you consider coming with me for the ride? You can say no and I won't push my luck."
India looks as well and nods. "Yes, I drive. My license actually doesn't expire for a couple years. Maybe I'll get a Canadian license once I get that place. But sure, I'll come with you." like shed let him go alone. "I better put on something besides this...." shes still in a long t-shirt. She moves to her dresser and finds a pair of sweats, slipping into them. She holds her arms out. "Dress for success.' and she winks at him.
Ryan looks genuinely surprised she's agreed to come with him but smiles and take the arm, getting up a little slower than usual still. However he looks determined to be a little more self sufficient and reaches for his work pants on the other bed after standing and steps into them with only a bit of obvious imbalance. He piles his duty belt on his uniform shirt as if he intends to simply carry those and then checks his pockets for keys, nodding as they jangle. Ryan casually swipes for his phone and then glances at it "Jesus I missed a few texts.....from Steph....and oh no....my Mom. I shoulda called her myself.....dammit, my bad. I'll call her at seven. She hates texting, sends them like emails....." He scrolls though and then looks awkwardly at India "My parents want to meet you."
India looks at his surprised look. "You aint goin out there with that raccoon on the loose. I'm like your body guard." she poses like a body builder. "I'll turn that rat into a hat like Davey Crocket." she threatens the animal. She puts on some socks and is knocking her locs around in the name of styling her hair when Ryan mentions his mother. Then she freezes, one hand at the back of her head and one at the front. "Like .... BOTH of them?"
Ryan licks his lips and the purses them and nods quietly before saying apologetically "Well and Steph... She's conspiring with Mom and Dad to get me to bring you to the restaurant on a Monday when they're closed for a private dinner. I know this is a lot to take in. They just get excited. I mean you've seen Garrett... Kinda like that times 5 if you include the kid..."
India's hands freeze in her hair and she stares at him. "And Steph ...." her eyes widen a little with each word and realization. It was one thing to ride shotgun while he gets a change of clothes in the dead of night. But this ... "Private dinner .... " and then she tries to get a visual. "Like Garrett .... times five plus the kid ...." she blinks. "I .... I don't know ... Ryan. I mean ... I ... do they KNOW about me?" she releases her hair and motions around the room ... her isolationist home for the last nine months or so.
Ryan pockets his phone and walks over to her, reaching out to smooth a hand along her locks on the right side of her face "You don't have to do any of it. And yeah they know. Steph tried to explain it at least. My parents are a bit sheltered to be honest but it is why they're suggesting a private dinner. And my mom also said no rush. They don't want to scare you Indy.... If you want to do this, you get to decide when OK?"
India leans into his comforting hande, although her eyes are still wide. "You mean I an the private dinner." the words didn't come out QUITE right. "Can.... I maybe ... one .... or two at a time. Your sister and her son ... your parents ... Garrett on tranquilizers?" she swallows hard and covers his hand on her locs with hers. "I want to ... I REALLY do ... and .. if they know I'm this weird isolationist prima donna singer ... ugh ... Americans ... " she moves forward and rests her head on his shoulder. "Let's go . get my mind off of them ... take me to the mime." part of her plans to stay in the car ... its progress in her mind.
Ryan hugs her "I'm sorry I stressed you out. I'm not firing on all cylinders here myself yet. You can take on Yamadas in whatever combination makes you comfortable. You're not a weird prima donna and my family loves Americans. Let's go. I'm hoping Mark and Sean are fast asleep..." He lets go and looks around for his socks and shoes and then spotting them, puts them on before grabbing his shirt and belt to carry.
India nods. "I'll be alright." she assures him, returning the hug. But she is getting an idea. "After I get the stones to REALLY leave here ... then I will be ready to meet them." she pauses. "Can I invite a friend? Almost like family?"
Ryan stops at the door and opens it for her "Sure anyone you want. Who are you thinking of Indy?"
India moves out of the door then holds it for him, waiting to see if he will take the stairs or the elevator. "Kagiso. I think I told you about him ... had you send him that letter? He's in Alexandra now ... and ... we're working on something ... that I think I would like to show you along with your family ... but I need him to do it." she says it casually but her heart is pounding.
Ryan nods, starting for the elevator and then pads at his pocket as his phone buzzes "The secret envelope guy?" he asks with a smile.
He presses the arrow down button and casually looks down at his phone "Oh for fuck's sakes..." he mutters at it, chuckling a bit.
India nods. "Yea, that guy. He's sort of retiring too and he liked my poem or song and we're ironing it out." she looks at him when he looks at his phone. "What?"
Ryan rubs at his face, shaking his head "Adum got wind of my raccoon bite through Tams. Wants to know if I was foaming at your door threatening to turn to bestiality if....well the rest is even cruder...you get the idea....jackass." he laughs.
India listens and her eyes get round again, but this time it is accompanied by a wide grin. "Your friends have some very interesting minds." she teases. Then she considers it. "Does that mean he doesn't know youand I have ...." she shrugs, even though she is not all THAT modest .. she isnt overtly crude either. "You know." part of her is curious who knows they have progressed to a sexual relationship.
Ryan rolls his eyes and pockets his phone and then reaches to take India's hand, if allowed, as they're about to step into the elevator.
"He's being an ass Indy. I did tell him we're together but I'm not the kind of guy who tells all in the locker room. He might be assuming though because he and Megan are like rabbits. And HE didn't tell me that, just you know, headphones...." he chuckles and then his hand goes to his stomach as the elevator begins to move "Ugh..."
India takes his hand and boards the elevator. She smiles and nods a bit. "I think that makes sense" she looks at him as he clutches his stomach. "If you need me to drive ....." she volunteers.
Ryan puts moves his hand from his stomach to the wall of the elevator as if steadying himself "We'll see. I don't usually get motion sick..." The elevator dings and the door opens. The 20 something clean cut looking male Chinese front desk clerk on the night shift glances up from gaming on his 3DS as they come into view and nods with a smile.
India nods and walks with him past the clerk, who she is pleased doesn't recognize her. They leave the hotel. "You're parked at the station?" she is still getting used to the term 'cop shop'.
Ryan nods and inhales the fresh air deeply as they move through the front doors to the street, it's cooler temperature helping ease the nausea somewhat "Yeah just in the lot across." As they walk down main to the corner Ryan looks at India, aware this may be the farthest she's intentionally gone from seclusion outside their runs "Indy....are you cool?" He asks carefully. The street light above them flickers a bit. A slight breeze brings the scent of the ocean inland and rustles the leaves on the trees. Across the way you can hear a door shut in the upstairs interior of one of the bachelor apartments. A pizza delivery car turns in front of them, returning from it's last run and somewhere in the distance there is are cats yowling at one another.
India also takes in a deep breath. She only leaves the hotel now to run with Ryan. The fact that she is with him now means something. But she is scanning the street like a cop at the scene that could potentially become explosive. "I'm cool." she tells him and leads him towards the car. She isnt jumpy. The car she watches to make sure they don't get hit and the sound of the cats she completely ignores.
Ryan's car is a little black Chevy Sonic hatch back with some red detailing on the sides and back. He steers them towards it as they walk and fishes for his keys. Letting go of her hand he double clicks the key fob and it makes a little "blip blip" sound. He pops open the trunk and starts to put his shirt and belt in there so they're out of the way.
"Should be open!" he calls out to India as he shuffles some things around. The car is immaculately clean on the inside. It's a few years old but so well kept that it still has a hint of the new car smell.
India chuckles at the look of the car. She had seen it as her room overlooks the cop shop. Getting in on the passengers side she arches a brow at how clean it is inside. She glances back to make sure Ryan gets around and behind the wheel and only then does the CLOSE the passenger side door and put on her seat belt.
Ryan settles in and buckles himself. He starts the car and the stereo connected to his iPhone cues into the last album he was playing and one of India's songs starts playing. Ryan laughs self consciously "I dunno if you want to listen to yourself....." he says as he shoulder checks and backs up.
India chuckles as her own voice comes from the speakers. "I don't mind." she admits. "I'm flattered you bought the album." she teases and takes in a deep breath. "I havent been in a car since June." she looks at him. "Thanks." she glances around. If not for him, she wouldnt have made THIS much progress.
Ryan smiles at her before straightening out and shifting from reverse to drive "We could make it a habit, night drives. Ease you into going out again." He gestures at the stereo "I uh might have bought...a few...albums..." he says, downplaying that he has all her music in his iTunes library now. He drives to the edge of town and then just outside it to a newish housing development that's starting to encroach on the edge of Cedar Point's limits. There is a section of tall white town houses and Ryan pulls into the second street of them and drives to the fifth attached house. There's a huge filthy truck in the carport with an assortment of rakes and other garden tools in the back. A decal on the side says McGee Tree Care and Landscaping.
"Damn, Sean's home and got the good spot. Oh well, whatever. Do you want to come in? They're probably asleep."
India smiles. "All SEVEN?" she is flattered. She's made only the seven albums in her dozen or so years recording. "The next one is on me." she tells him. She looks up at the place and considers. "Yea." her tone is decisive and yet a little defensive. "I want to come in." its hard to say i she is talking to him or herself, but she is determined to beat her agoraphobia.
Ryan turns off the car once it's parked and reaches for her hand to give it a squeeze "You don't have to Indy. I won't make you do anything you don't want to do. I'm cool either way, seriously. You set the pace." He says earnestly.
India turns from the building to look at him. "Wanting to and having to are two different things." she tells him. "I have to do this or I'll be in that damn hotel room the rest of my life." she winks at him. "So this time, we do it fast and furious." she straightens and puts her hand on the car door handle.
Ryan smirks at her and says cheekily "Baby!" before opening his own door and heading out. He grabs his stuff from the trunk and heads for the front door trying to open it as quietly as he can with his keys and then looking back to make sure India's behind him.
India follows, scanning the street and telling herself to think logically. It only partially works, but she manages to NOT step in Ryan's shoes as he unlocks the door, following him inside.
Ryan tiptoes in and quietly removes his shows at the door. The entry way is a jumble of men's footwear. Ryan puts his work shoes on a rack that are clearly his designated spot and the only area of order in the mess. His shoes are lined up there in tidy pairs. In the random array around it are work boots, clown shoes, a pair of very muddy rain boots, and several pairs of sneakers.
He beckons to India down a hallway that leads to a set of stairs, heading up the stairs. At the top is a bathroom in the middle flanked by two rooms on either side. Rounding the corner there is another set of stairs leading to a small attic style bedroom that is clearly Ryan's. He clicks on a small lamp and a well kept space is revealed with a futon bed, made perfectly with a nondescript black quilt and matching pillows and sheets, a black veneer computer desk and chair containing a laptop and a few gaming consoles. There is a treadmill by the window for days when the rain is too extreme for outdoor running. It faces a flat screen TV and behind and slightly to the side is a small black leather couch. On the wall are pictures of Ryan's family and friends interspersed with Marvel Comics and movie posters. The Yamada family portraits are in the mix and he was not exaggerating how extreme some of them are. There's a matching black veneer bookshelf and a dresser, all dusted and tidy. Ryan opens the dresser and pulls out a couple of pairs of fresh boxer briefs, 3 rolled up pairs of black sports socks, a few tshirts, a pair of black track pants, and a pair of jeans. From his dresser he takes what looks like some sort of hair pomade and a stick of sports deodorant. Opening his closet, he screetches through some hangers for a hoodie.
India blinks at the array of shoes and slips her sneakers off, setting them neatly in the area of Ryan's. Moving up with him, she looks around his room carefully, trying not to look as nosy as she is being, but as he gathers things, she finds herself moving around the room looking at, but not touching, everything. She makes all kinds of mental notes about his tastes but doesnt turn away from her examination until she hears the hangers screaming in his closet.
Ryan winces and lifts up the hangers more quietly muttering "Damn."
As if on cue there is a male voice moaning in protest of the noise from the floor below and then movement from the room to the left of the bathroom. Floor creaking and a few grunts later the bathroom door closes and the distinct sound of a male human standing and urinating can be just made out through the walls, doors and floors.
Ryan sighs "Sean..." he notes to India "I should warn you, he doesn't always wear PJs.....and he won't care that you're a stranger or a woman." As if the word PJs reminded him Ryan walks over to the dresser again and pulls out a pair of grey flannel pajama bottoms before grabbing a duffle bag from his closet and beginning to fold the clothes and stick them inside.
India's eyebrows lift at the sound of another human being in the house. She listens to Ryan's warning and nods, not moving ... turning only on her axis to keep looking around the place. But suddenly Ryan's packing is noisier than a rap concert.
Before Ryan zips the bag he decides to change, having no shyness about stripping down in front of India and putting his dirty clothes in a hamper in the closet, after switching the contents of his pants pockets to his dresser. He dons fresh boxer briefs, socks, a plain black t shirt and the track pants from the open bag. He swipes the deodorant on under the shirt and then casually checks his breath by breathing into his hand and looks suddenly horrified "Holy shit that's nasty. Indy, why didn't you say something?! I'm so sorry...." Ryan grabs for his signature cinnamon gum and pops a piece in his mouth rapidly and then holds out the pack to her if she wishes for a piece herself.
India listens to his exclamation and shrugs. "Because you're sick. It's not your fault and BELIEVE me, I've smelled worse." she tells him and takes the cinnamon gum offered. "If you have an extra toothbrush, I have plenty of toothpaste. If not you can just use mine." she did note he hadn't packed them.
Ryan smiles at her "You're too nice. I hate smelling bad...kind of a thing with me." He listens down the stairs "I think Sean went back to bed...I can grab my toothbrush and razor from the bathroom on the way past."
He shoulders the bag and starts for the door, waiting for Indy to pass him before turning out the light.
India smiles. "Not TOO nice." she argues, and begins to proceed him through the door.
Ryan reaches the bottom of the stairs and takes two steps towards the bathroom when he realizes the door is still shut, a strip of light showing from underneath it. He freezes and is about to back up when the toilet flushes oddly, with a struggling gurgle and Sean's voice yells "Mark!!! Did you pay the fuckin water bill?!"
The door flew open and a buck naked stocky hairy man emerged. To clarify, his hair was thinning on his head, which he compensated for with a near brush cut in the receding pattern. What he lacked on top he more than made up for with a bushy beard and a thick layer of fully covering brown body hair that gave him the appearance of a deranged baby grizzly bear. The baby bear didn't even notice Ryan and India but instead stormed to the bedroom on the right and pounded on the door "MARK!"
The door opened a crack and a tall pale thin terrified looking man with a shaggy mop of bleached blond hair stood cowering. The remains of black mime makeup clung around his pale blue eyes and he wore a faded purple David Bowie tshirt and a pair of black cotton shorts. He didn't answer with words but sat down on the floor in the doorway and shifted his hands creating four walls in the air and then a roof above him.
"Not the box you mute little shit!" Sean said as he lunged for his roommate.
"Guys!" Ryan interjected before anything worse happened. Why did his house have to be such a freakshow...now?
Both the roommates suddenly looked and saw Ryan and then India. Mark turtled further into his box and Sean smiled "Jesus Ryan, a little warning before you bring girls home. I'm in no fit state to entertain." He broke into a smile and gave India a wink, clearly having no shame.
India freezes as the door opens and a bear .. or bear of a man appears. Naked as the day he was born, but with more hair, he was yelling and pounding, which brought out the mime roommate. Ryan calls for order and the bear ... Sean ... speaks, but the whole things gets to India. She tries to contain it, but fails. First she starts giggling and then she starts laughing. Apparently at both, but possibly at the hairy man ... but the mime is sort of in this invisible box and it is the funniest thing India has seen in years. But to the bear and the mime ...maybe not so much.
Ryan starts laughing too, India's reaction becoming contagious and moves past Sean to the bathroom "I'm just going to get my toothbrush and razor and pretend this never happened. Mark you can pay the bill online and they'll reconnect us tomorrow.....Sean...pants! Oh by the way this is India, my girlfriend. She might never want to see either of you again. Don't take it personally. It's not her, it's you." He's in the bathroom now opening the cabinet and rustling around.
Sean smirks and clears his throat and then steps into his room and hops into a pair of baggy grey sweats cut-offs, not bothering with a shirt. He comes back out and starts to extend a hairy hand and then looks at it and retracts "Right no water...I'm Sean and your boyfriend's a cleaning nazi and a prude. Don't say you haven't been warned." He stands back and folds his arms chuckling.
Mark stands briefly, gives India a nervous smile and then closes his door again.
India watches and stares at Seans hand until he realizes the water has been cut off. "Hello Sean." she greets him, still giggling a bit. "And both are alright with me." she tells him, adjusting her grin to a more serious stand. "See people as clean as he is don't even like the mess of sex, so we have decided to live a chaste and clean life." and she watches, wondering if anyone would actually fall for this.
Sean looks India up and down and then exhales with a smarmy grin "I meant he was a prude about seeing my naked ass. He'd have to be blind not to want yours."
From the bathroom Ryan's protest to Sean's flirting can be heard as one stern word "Hey!"
Sean laughs and continues talking "No if you want chaste we can set you up with handy Mark. I don't even think he jacks off, just mimes it. I mean can you imagine two mimes talking dirty?"
Ryan walks out of the bathroom and smacks Sean on the back of the head now "Dude seriously." but then retorts in jest "Better question, what happens when they put on the latex gloves?"
India nods, canting her head in acceptance of what she planned to take as a compliment. Ryan's protest was also flattering. She liked a certain amount of possessiveness in a man ... just not to Dion's extreme. As she begins to imagine mime sex, she looks at Ryan when he comes out. "One of them bends over and grabs the imaginary bar?
Sean leans back and laughs heartily before saying "I like this one Ryan. You gotta keep her."
Ryan shakes his head at India and laughs "And here I was worried about them." He looks between Sean and the now closed door where Mark resides, possibly building himself an imaginary raft to sail away on imaginary water since there is no real water. Ryan looks more seriously at Sean with a twinkle in his eyes "I plan on it if she'll let me." and then more severely he says "I'm off for a few days. Got bit by a raccoon at work and had to get a shot. The side effects are super shitty. You work outside. Be careful man. It's a bad year for them. And if Mark doesn't pay that bill, text me please. You might have to drive to Sev if you need to take a dump before then but there's some water bottles in the pantry and here..." He tosses a small bottle of hand sanitizer at Sean "Use this for now."
Sean catches the bottle and looks warily at Ryan "Fuck, are you rabid?"
Ryan shrugs and smiles "Hope not, but they are treating me a few times just in case."
India grins both at Seans approval and Ryans interest in keeping her. She listens to the conversation, only looking like she doesn't understand at the word Sev, wondering if that was a friend or theirs or something. But she DOES know about the rabies shot process. "Four shots over the next two weeks. I THINK they're letting him back to work. Aren't they?" as much as she loved the idea of nursing Ryan back to health over the next two weeks, she did NOT like the idea of Cedar Point being short two officers for that time. "Can they get .. substitute officers?" she tries not to look worried. Her father was a big city cop ... there were thousands of them to take over if one got sick.
Ryan nods "Yeah I'll be back in two days and on lighter duty when they give us the other shots. It shouldn't be as bad once my system has had a dose or two and figured out what to do with it."
Sean finally tunes into India's accent and her confusion "American?" Then he looks at Ryan "Sev is a Canadianism for 7/11. I lived in Cincinnati for a year. They like to worsh their cars down there and leave their shoes on in the house. K if people are getting bit, are they calling in conservation?"
Ryan steps closer to India and intertwines the fingers of his free hand with hers as he answers "Sorry about that Indy. Angie called conservation. There's going to be a big thing about this all from City Hall in the next day or so too. I guess they might offer vaccine in the clinic but seriously don't do it unless you HAVE to."
India nods, relieved. She looks at Sean. "Thanks for the translation." she places her hand on her chest. "I am a Chicagoian. The A takes precedence in that part of the midwest. The shoe thing sort of takes getting used to but I was always barefoot in the house ... and out of it the second I could convince my parents it was spring." she gladly holds Ryans hand. "Conserving what? They ain't gonna round the raccoons up and euthanize em?" she looks really confused now. "A rabid animal is a dead animal walking." and if she could identify the raccoon that bit Ryan she'd beat it to death with her shoe like a cockroach. "You can get a full series of rabies shots BEFORE somebody get bit?"
Sean snickers "India you got one house trained but no shots. I guess if they can do it to dogs they can do it to us right?" He stretches and yawns, his body hair bristling at them as he moves "Ok I need to get some more beauty rest kids. Nice to meet you India. If he starts foaming, call me OK? I'll come throw the mime at him. Night Ryan, don't do anything I wouldn't do.." he teases before wandering back to his room, which through the door looks like a tornado hit it.
Ryan shakes his head at Sean "Night Sean." and then answers India "No they don't kill them unless they're sure one is rabid and a danger. They're probably going to set traps and try to relocate them into a more appropriate habitat like a forest." He starts to walk with her hand in hand towards the first flight of stairs leading to the door.
India chuckles softly and nods as Sean says his goodbyes. She listens as Ryan heads for the door with her. "I guess that makes sense." she gets and slips back into her shoes. "So do you want me to get vaccinated?" she asks, very casually.
Ryan lets go of her hand to pull on sneakers and lean down to quickly tie them. As he stands up, he looks a bit light headed, still feeling the effects. He swallows and grimaces "Well I don't imagine the regular shot is as bad as this but it's your choice. Even though I got bit, this is a serious fluke. Raccoons are here every year and attacks are extremely rare Indy. Either this one WAS rabid or it was a female with babies nearby. I don't think the whole town should panic over it. I really hope they don't anyway...." He took a few deep breaths and opened the door. It was the pre dawn haze outside in the sky. Birds were starting to chirp and the breeze was shifting in the air.
India considers it. "I'll ... try." she promises. "Either get in early or come in late ... I don't want to sit in the crowd waiting ...." she swallows. "I mean .. it didnt just bite YOU . it bit ... the other officer too. Mike, was it? Thats like .. habitual .... biting ..." she comes outside with him and glances up at the sky. "May I take care of you while you heal?" she asks as they approach the car. "Or am I too much of a rabid bitsh?" she teases and moves to kiss him. If she can manage it she will even swap gum with him.
Ryan gets so distracted by her moving in to kiss him he doesn't totally hear everything she says and blinks before saying "Who? Oh yeah Mike...." He's clearly feeling a little better because he drops his bag on the ground and wraps his arms around her, kissing her fully, chuckling as the gum swaps like they're teenagers making out behind a school. Afterwards he grins at her "You can take care of me all the time if that's how you want to do it.....not rabid at all. And Indy, you've just survived the full Sean McGee and Mark the Mime experience. After them, my family are a walk in the park."
India giggles. "Yea .. Mike ..." she shakes her head and chews HIS gum thoughtfully. "That's how I want to do it." she confirms. "And I think .. after the mime and whatever Sean is ... I can take on your family. Tell me when? I'll get to working with K about when he can come down. He's ... probably all I got for fam myself now." she smiles. "Want me to drive you back?"
Ryan gives her one more sweet kiss on the cheek and then steps back to pick up his bag "Pick a Monday, any Monday. And don't let me forget to call my Mom at seven." He hands her the keys to the car before going to stash his bag in the trunk "Do you remember the way back?"
India relishes the kiss and lets him go when he steps back. "Seven it is. We'll be back by then." she gets behind the wheel. "I was paying attention." she is good with directions. Once hes in the car, she'll buckle up and they can head off.
Ryan slides into the passenger seat and buckles himself in. And then looks curious to see what kind of a driver India is as they take off.
India has a slightly rocky start, but within a few blocks seems to have remembered how to drive. She's a little bit slow, having not driven in over a year. But she gets them back into Cedar Point proper and back in the same spot his car was parked in before. She turns off the engine. "Not bad for nearly four hundred days not driving." she winks at him. "Back in bed with you, young man." she unbuckles and makes to get out of the car.
Ryan looked a little nervous at the beginning of the drive but visibly relaxed by the time they parked "You did well." He smiles at the bed comment "Keep your expectations LOW." he jokes, but knows he's likely still not able to perform that way, or at least not well. He steps out and heads for the trunk and calls to her "Click the top button to lock it." after closing the trunk with a click.
India chuckles. "We will play old married couple. Watch Wheel Of Fortune and other game shows that have been on the air since the beginning. Maybe I'll knit something in my rocking chair and later we can figure out whose false teeth are in which glass again." she teases. Sex is the LAST thing on her mind. She does as bade and moves to his side for the short walk back to the hotel.
Ryan is walking a little slower than his normal brisk pace and as they go through the door to the Mariner's he's still joking "Hey careful now, I kick ass at Wheel of Fortune."
Michael Reinhardt is leaning heavily against the front desk, dressed in uniform shoes, socks and pants, but with his "wife-beater" undershirt the only thing on his torso. His uniform shirt and duty belt are folded on top of the counter. The carrot red hair is obviously finger combed and he desperately needs a shave. Overall .... he looks hung over. His left hand is bandaged, apparently freshly from the night before. But the young female clerk is smiling at something he just said to her when the opening door catches his attention. "Yamada!" he half calls, half groans. Then he sees India and both his brows lift. "Private nurse?"
India chuckles as she leads Ryan through the door and sees a giant of a man at the front desk, speaking to Ryan.
Ryan grins at India and then nods towards Michael "Hey Mike. Yeah I won't brag but I got the best care in town." He turns back to India and then says "Mike, India. India, Mike. He's my blood brother now."
Michael shakes his head and chuckles. "Braggart." he offers his hand to India. "Michael Reinhardt. Fellow victim, at your service, ma'am." he offers her a charming, rough around the edges smile.
India smiles and, after the briefest of hesitations, shakes Michaels hand. "Well he came over because I was closer than home. I'll take care of him and get him ready for work again." she promises and takes her hand back to herself. "Is it Mike, or Michael?" she asks, looking between the two officers.
Ryan laughs "Geez I never even asked did I? There's a Michael Chen at the grocer so to me he's Michael...but if it bugs ya..."
Michael smiles, impressed she even asked. "Most people call me Michael. I was Mike when my brother wanted to annoy me. But Ryan ,.. he can call me anything he wants after yesterday." he touches the side of his head with his good hand. "Now that the techno band has calmed down a little, I'm going to drive home. We're not on duty again till Monday? Or is it Tuesday?" he looks at India again. "Forgive me for not being really all there ... its been a rough weekend ... and not in a GOOD way."
India smiles. "Michael it is, then." she then falls quiet a bit, only looking at the clock. Theres a few minutes left at least.
Ryan pats Mike on the back "Tuesday. Now don't go tying one on tonight with all this time off." He teases. In reality he's still pretty queasy and run down himself but the time with India has helped his mood about it all.
Michael snorts. "I think I might actually take it easy. I was supposed to go out with my nephews, but if I am sick, maybe my niece will come take care of Uncle Mikey ... " he levels a finger at Ryan. "Only SHE can call me that. Shes been my nurse eve since shes been old enough to tell me to sit my ass down and take my medicine. Sometimes even using those words. My father taught her before me or John could do anything." he nods at India. "Pleasure to meet you and hopefully the next time I'll be closer to human." and he grabs his receipt and heads for the door.
India nods. "You too. Take care, Michael." she watches him go then turns to Ryan. "Upstairs, in bed and on the phone." she reminds him. "It's almost seven."
Ryan waves "See ya Mike. Take care." He gulps at India's reminder "Shit, thanks." he heads for the elevator.
India giggles and gets in the elevator with him. Using it is a sign to her how truly bad he is feeling. She gets him in the room and once the door is locked she nods to the bed. "Call a few minutes early. It won't kill you." she knew how males can be about calling RIGHT at the appointed time .. or worse .. later .. and later ... and later. "Want me to unpack your things?" she offers, already primed to listen to at least his side of the conversation.
Ryan puts his bag down near a dresser "Oh you don't have to. It's not that much stuff...." He sighs and pulls out his phone "Ok, here goes." He presses the button to dial and then hold the phone to his ear waiting. After a second he says "Hi Mom." Followed by a long pause and the sound of a slightly shrill woman's voice talking fast at him. Ryan pulls the phone slightly away from his head and the words "visions of you in the morgue..." and "your father's heart condition" are clear in the rant. Better keep that bag packed Yamada, you're going on a guilt trip.
India shrugs and does it anyway. She divides the drawers evenly. He is not likely to confuse her cotton briefs with his. She listens to the shrillness and grins. In a way she can't blame her ... if she had a child she thought she might go off the same way.
Ryan starts stammering "Mom I'm sorry. I just crashed. I'm OK. Didn't Garrett tell y.......no I know it's not the same.....I'm sorry....." He sits down, letting her storm just break over him until it dissipates and he exhales "Yeah she's here...." his eyes lift to India who is putting away his stuff despite what he said. He chuckles silently and nods "We're picking a Monday.....I'll tell her. I love you Mom. I really AM sorry I didn't call." He clicks the phone and then leans his head back tiredly "Indy my mother thanks you for putting up with me and gives you full permission to kick my butt if I don't express myself with proper manners and gratitude. Just so you know......"
India grins as she puts away the few pieces of clothes int he bag while Ryan is verbally chastened by his mother. When the call ends, she moves over as he speaks. She cups her chin. "Hmmm .... I appreciate the thanks. And your very polite, although I don't think I will explain to her how you apologize if you cum faster than you think you should or eat me out with more enthusiasm than I like. But you ARE learning, so I think I am justified keeping that to myself. The last time was nearly half an hour .. you're getting teasing down cold." she pauses. "Unless you THINK I should put that in an editorial to every Japanese newspaper in the country...." she says it all innocently.
Ryan chokes a bit and looks at her wide eyed "You're a little evil sometimes Indy." he says, his cheeks turning a bit pink "And I appreciate the discretion.." he starts to laugh and shake his head "Thanks for taking care of my stuff there, an me. You are...awesome."
India winks at him and places her arms around his neck and setting her forehead against his. "And you LOVE it, Ryan." she loves hos pink he gets in his blushing. "And of course I would take care of you. What was I supposed to do. Tell you I was sorry to hear about the attack, call me when you heal, then slam the door in your face?" she arches her brow and shakes her head. "Ain't happenin, baby." she lets her diction slip a bit. Then she seriouses up. "Now how bout we get this wild raucous weekend started. Might be better NOT to order Japanese this weekend ... or Chinese, in case we wind up starting a war. Pizza ... burgers ... laying in bed relaxing as we watch Wheel and ... whats that one where you have to guess the words ... whichever. A no brainer weekend."
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