just ask alice

Tanya followed Ryan to the bar, leaning against it instead of taking a seat. She couldn’t tell if it was out of habit from working here, or because she was nervous, or simply because she didn’t want to spend her night off from work in her workplace.

"Tell us what? What’s happened?" Remy asks, crossing her arms over her chest. She always felt like the protective one of the group, but not knowing if something was wrong or not was worrying her.

"Calm down, Punzie.  I’m sure it’s nothing bad.  But then again, knowing Ryan…"

"That hurts, Finn. Almost makes me not want to tell you."

"Because contrary to popular belief…  I like to drink."

"Don't I know it."

"No idea." Tanya chuckled, leading the girl inside. "I mean, I probably don’t know much more than you about this whole thing. All Ryan told me is double date—I have to be honest, I didn’t know you and Finn were—"

Remy blushed at the mention of the situation. Finn and I aren’t anything… she thought sadly. Though, when Ryan and Finn walked through the door, her heartbeat quickened and her face brightened. Finn always seemed to have that effect on her. Smiling, she walks past Finn and hugs Ryan, just for a laugh. 

"Well it’s gotta be something important.  After all, prodigal son’s returned.  Celebrations are in order."

"Hey, Tan," Ryan said, hugging her around the waist for a moment. Ryan sat down at the bar, and the bartender, knowing exactly what Ryan liked from the numerous hours he spent here keeping a watchful eye on Tanya, walked off to get the scotch.

You left me with even more work. Of course I missed you.

Hurtful. You're just using me for my labor?

Really. You’re always in a good mood.

Yup.

"I can tell. You’ll have to teach me these new dances the kids are doing."

"I have no idea, I just do what I like."

Married…?

I still don't get it either.

Tanya looked up as he entered the room, giving him a stressed smile. “Sorry. I was working on it last night, but there’s a lot of stuff. I don’t even know what I’ll need. I mean, I have all my clothes here, but what about the kitchen?” She pointed out to the small kitchenette. “You probably have way more than me, but I don’t know what to do with all my things. And I have to be out of here by two.”

"Hey, hey, it's okay," Ryan said, raising his hands in surrender before looking around the apartment. "Let's take it one step at a time, yeah?" Ryan pointed towards the shelves he had just been neatly packing into boxes. "Find what you want and what you can get rid of in those, and we'll make a box to pawn stuff." He picked up one of the boxes and grabbed a pen from the table to write 'PAWN' in big letters. "We can put all the kitchen stuff in here, we don't need to worry about that."

Tanya sighed, checking her reflection in the mirror by her front door. Her outfit was just fine, in her opinion—a simple, elegant blue dress and her trusty old lace-up brown leather boots. Her hair was always a mess, but today she felt particularly self-conscious about it. After all, Remy’s hair always looked amazing.

For a moment, Remy doubted why she had even showed up after she had been waiting around for a few minutes. She absolutely hated being early; it always made her anxious that people wouldn’t show up and would leave her there alone. But when the blonde walked up to her, Remy allowed herself to relax. She wasn’t used to people actually being there and showing up, so to see this was real amazing to her. 

"Of course not.  It seems like it’s been ages since I last saw you."

"It has been ages. Only Mere and John knew where I was this whole time."

Darling we always have good tunes on. 

Tanya told you?

Yes...it does rain sometimes.

Well, it’s more personal, I suppose…. I mean, I don’t know about this stuff. So you were being spontaneous? Funny, I thought you were just a stick in the mud.

Oh, I'm a stick in the mud? Then why did you miss me so much?

Somebody’s in a better mood than usual.

What are you talking about? I'm always in a good mood.

"Those are some nice moves you got!"

"Thank you! I try my best."

'Have to agree with you there.

"And I'll have you know, I'm a very good dancer."