Seeing Sense (Kira)

[Deleted]

Grey was relieved as soon as he saw her sitting at her desk like normal. She was safe and alright. Or maybe not. The tone of her voice completely shocked him and he was taken aback. What was wrong? Why was she being so harsh? What had he done to deserve that? and why was she being so snide about Fontanna? Surely she was happy for him, wasn't she?

"Rae... I.. I... I don't understand? What's wrong?" He asked, a bit flustered. She had never sent him away before, even when she was busy. "Are you alright Rae?"

[Lotus]

Rae gripped the pencil tighter and fisted her other hand, glaring at the sketch in front of her. What had he done wrong? Surely he'd remember hurting his best friend, ex-best friend, right? Surely? Or maybe not. Maybe it just didn't matter to him now he had Fontanna back. Rae hated her. She hated her with a passion along the same lines as the passion that fuelled her hatred for the Games.

She took a deep breath and tried not to let him see how angry and hurt she was. That would just make him stay. "Yeah, I'm great Grey. So, if you don't mind just leave so I can get on with my work." She stood up and walked over to the door, gripping the handle and slowly pushing him out. He looked flustered as she caught a glimpse of his face, but seeing him just made her hurt more. He tried to protest and she shook her head, "I didn't think you'd mind if I told you to leave you alone. You clearly didn't need or want my company last night and I don't need yours now."

Her eyebrows furrowed and she didn't want to hurt him. Despite what he'd said about her she still cared for him. It hurt her to say such things to him, but inside she was hurting more than he could ever imagine. "Grey, get out of my house." With that she closed her studio door and leant against it.

[Deleted]

Grey was shocked. Confused. He stared at the closed door in front of him. What was happening? What had gotten into Rae? What had happened last night? He couldn't remember a thing and that bugged him because something must have happened. Surely something happened else she wouldn't be treating him like this. Pushing him out. Getting angry and upset, he knew she was trying to hide it but he knew her so well and he could still see those emotions in her eyes. Why? What happened? She was juts so hostile and he needed to try and sort it. He didn't think he had done anything wrong but obviously he had and so he would need to fix it. But how could you fix something when you didn't know what was wrong?

Grey stared at the door for a moment before knocking against it. "Rae? Rae?" He called out but there was no response. He sighed and rested his forehead against the door. "Rae... I'm so sorry... I don't know what I've done but I do know that I'm sorry for it..." Grey said, he waited but there was no reply. He turned round and slowly left the house.

He didn't know what to do or think. He didn't know what he had done wrong or how to fix it. Grey was feeling down and was going to head home when he passed Glamour Row and remembered about Fontanna. He was taking her to dinner tonight! But he didn't have any money.

Grey sighed and tried to push away his sad thoughts. He headed towards the square and set up his easel. He was going to try and make some money to treat his girl. But at the same time he was desperately trying to remember what had happened last night and how he could make things up with Rae. She was his best friend and he couldn't live without her around!

[Lotus]

Rae ran a hand over her face as her first tear of many fell. Did he really not remember how much he had hurt her last night? Did he really think he could come back and everything would be okay again? She sank down to the floor and let her tears flow freely when she heard her front door close. She wanted someone to tell her it was going to be okay. She wanted someone to wipe away her tears and hug her till all the pain was gone. But she'd just lost that person; he'd kicked her out.

When she finally calmed down she stood up and wiped her face. She had to get down to work and these sketches were proving a lot harder to design than anything she'd ever done before. She sighed as she sat down at her desk. Her head was already pounding but she needed to get these done; she only had a week left of her deadline.

[Deleted]

Grey sat in the square and tried to work. He drew landscapes of the Capitol in between doing portraits for the public. But his heart wasn't in it. He was painting out of necessity, out of the fact that he needed money for tonight but also for the future. He had nearly exhausted his savings during the months he hadn't worked and had been relying on Rae to help him. But now, after everything that had just happened he knew he could't do that any more. He knew he needed to pay Rae back for everything she had done for him. Grey just didn't know what he had done to cause her that pain. To make her think that he hated her. He didn't. She was his best friend and so important to him. But whatever had happened last night had seemed to change her opinion of him. Maybe he could ask Fontanna, she might remember.

When Grey had made enough money to pay for tonight he packed up his equipment and headed home. It was almost 7 meaning he had very little time before needing to pick up Fontanna. He really hoped she didn't mind walking to the restaurant because he didn't have enough money to pay for a taxi.

Grey made it to her house just before 8 and knocked on the door. He was so nervous about tonight that he forgot all about what had happened with Rae.

[Lotus]

Rae was still working long after the sun went down and she had to switch her desk lamp on. She'd finally come up with a design but however she drew it, it just didn't seem right. She needed to make this a good design. She couldn't deal with it if she got on the wrong side of Tristan again. He'd hated her when she'd found out about his cheating and when she told him it was over; and they hadn't talked about it since. She'd been left broken and alone. She really had loved him.

She rested her head on her desk as she let out a long sigh. She was tired and her wrist ached and she hadn't eaten anything all day. Just to clarify that, her body complained via the rumbling of her stomach. She sighed and stood up, switching off her desk lamp. She needed to eat and she had more designed than yesterday.

She'd wandered into the kitchen but she wasn't in the mood to cook. Instead she got out any and every snack food she could find in her cupboards and used that. She settled down on her couch and flicked the T.V. on. There wouldn't be much on other than the recent news for the Games. She hated watching it normally, but maybe it would help drown her thoughts out.

[Deleted]

Grey was trembling by the time Fontanna opened the door. But it was worth it because she was even more beautiful then before. She smiled at him and his heart did a somersault in his chest. Grey was suddenly filled with an inexplicable happiness. He had gotten his girl back. And tonight would be amazing.

Despite Fontanna being a bit annoyed that they were having to walk to the restaurant she seemed to be in a good mood. They spoke as if they were on a first date again, which Fontanna kept reminding Grey that they were. At the restaurant she ordered expensive wine that made Grey panic about the price, but he would do anything to please her. The whole way through the meal Fontanna spoke about how great her life was going now. About her career and all the parties she was going to and also about how good hers and Grey's relationship would be. How they would do all of these great and wonderful things.

When they left the restaurant, Grey having even less money then he did that morning, Fontanna rejected his idea for a walk through the city.

"Oh no darling!" She protested, "That's so cheap... I want to go to a party! There's one on buttercup... come on! They know me there.. it's a very civilised place, you have to get invited to go in and all of the people who attend are of a certain... class..." She babbled on to Grey. She looked him over. "If anyone asks you what you do for a career you tell them that you're in the creative business and then refuse to explain any more... I can't have them all think that you're just some common street artist!.. oh and of course, if you've done any of their portraits just tell them you were experiencing what it was like to work in a very different artistic environment to the one you are used to... do you understand baby?" She chirruped away. Grey just nodded his head and smiled, happy that he was with Fontanna again.

[Lotus]

It was a dragging night and the sound of the pointless T.V. chatter was not helping her in the slightest. She needed something to do rather than stuff her face with snacks and hope everything would just get better. She groaned as she began clearing away all her snack items; this week couldn't get much worse.

Just as she finished packing away there was a knock at her door. "What now?" She grumbled as she trudged to open her front door.

"You look rough." She recognised the voice and then the chuckle. Patrick. It wasn't her best friend, but it was someone that was willing to be nice to her for once. Slowly, she felt herself responding to his smile as she looked down to his hands. He was carrying basket and a bottle.

"What are you doing here?"

"Making someone feel better?"

[Deleted]

Fontanna dragged Grey into the party. "Put your arm around my waist!" She hissed at him as they walked through the door and Grey did as he was told. He smiled awkwardly. He didn't recognise a single person in the room. The music was loud but not fast or dancy, it was slow and soft. There was smoke in the air and no detectable smells of strong alcohol like at most parties they went to. This was a very different sort of place. But one where Fontanna seemed to come alive, but then she was like that at all parties.

Grey soon found himself with a drink in his hand and two men talking to him. No, not to him. To Fontanna. Grey just stood by her side and smiled, sipping his wine. He didn't like this place and he didn't know if it liked him.

But he was doing this for Fontanna and that thought made everything else in his day more positive.

[Lotus]

Rae had let Patrick in and he set up everything he'd brought with him on the living room floor. She chuckled softly at everything he'd done. "Y'a know I've known you less than one evening right? And here you are setting up a picnic in my living room 'cause you think I need cheering up?" She smiled softly down at him as she sat down on the blanket where he'd patted his hand.

"I needed to check up on you after what happened last night. It may be true that we've known each other less than a night, but that doesn't stop me caring about someone that had the rip taken out of her when she was only trying to help out a friend. So, I assumed you wanted cheering up." He smiled and Rae just looked shocked. "You do, don't you?" His face now looked slightly worried.

"It's not that. It's-don't worry. But yes, cheering up would be nice." She smiled softly and they started their picnic. It was relaxed, it was fun and it helped take her mind off everything. Not once did he ask about what had happened the previous night and not once had he tried to be consoling and touchy feely. He had just been there to have a laugh and made her feel better that way. For that she could not be any more thankful.

When both of them finally checked the clock they swore silently together. It was twelve am, which was probably why Rae had started to feel tired. Patrick packed everything up and let her keep the bottle he brought with them. Before he left he gave her his telephone number and apartment address in case she needed cheering up again. She smiled softly and thanked him for everything he'd done; hugging as he stepped out the door.

When she was finally alone again she couldn't help but feel slightly better. She felt like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. She switched off the lights downstairs and made her way up to bed. Work was going to be difficult in the morning.

[Deleted]

Fontanna seemed to enjoy the party. She laughed with everyone, she had interesting conversations and she drank glass after glass of wine. Despite them having finished a bottle in the restaurant. Grey stood by her side the whole night smiling at the people she was speaking. He was happy just being by her side but he was relieved when she said it was time for them to go.

Grey walked Fontanna home, listening to her drunken ramble. It was only as they neared her house that he remembered about Rae and the fact he needed to know what had happened at the party. The only thing was, Fontanna was in no state to tell him anything coherent. Grey would ask tomorrow.

As he was unlocking her door for her she grabbed on to him. "Greyson! Darling!... Tonight was just divine and you were fun!... and Rae wasn't mentioned once!" She giggled then. "I'm going to give you a kiss goodnight Greyson... but that's all you're getting you naughty boy!" She giggled again before kissing Greyson sloppily. "I'll call you! Or you can call me?... you will call won't you darling? You won't be one of those boys that says he calls but doesn't? Good! Nighty night night!" He smiled and helped her into her apartment.

Grey walked home, happy that the date had gone so well. But at the same time he was confused about what Fontanna had meant about Rae. He was worried about Rae and how she had been acting today, and now waht Fontanna said confused him even more.

[Lotus]

Rae groaned when her alarm clock started beeping. She was exhausted, but her night of laughter with Patrick had sort of been worth it. She smiled sleepily as she got up and wandered into her bathroom. She showered and changed into her usual work attire; tight, black trousers, a white sequinned top tucked in, a black blazer and stilettos. She loved dressing in her own design of clothes and her blazer was the item she possibly loved the most. She left her hair loose and smiled softly at her reflection after applying make up. She looked tired, but she didn't really care.

She walked into her studio and collected all her work and placing it in her design folder. She slung her purse over her shoulder and set out for the day. It wasn't a long walk to the office complex and the sun was shining so it made her happy mood from last night come back.

That was until she got into the office and set down her folder on her design desk. There was a knock on her door and she looked up to see one of the receptionists.

"Oh, Miss Odell. I've been asked to give you the notice that Mr Parker has moved his schedule for the designs forward by three days."

Rae ran a hand over her face. "You mean he wants the designs completed and finalised by tomorrow evening?" She saw her receptionist nod before she walked away. Screw Tristan. What was he playing at?

[Deleted]

Grey woke up groggy. He hadn't drunk much last night and so he didn't know why. But then he thought back to everything that had happened yesterday and he didn't know what to make of it. Things had been good with Fontanna, they had had fun and things were going well between them again. It was exactly what he had wanted. But then there was Rae and the fact that she was so upset with him and Grey still didn't know why. It was troubling him. He wanted to pay her another visit and try and talk things out but it was monday and that would mean she would be at work.

Grey sighed and rolled out of bed. He wondered into the kitchen. He would give Rae a call at work and see if she wanted to talk and then he would go into the square again and try and earn some more money. He needed it.

Grey went to pick up the phone and call Rae when he noticed he had a message. Much to his delight it was someone from the party last night, they wanted a portrait done of themselves and they wondered if Grey could go over and start it today. Grey was ecstatic and called them back straight away. He had some decent work again, something steady to do and try and earn money.

Grey was so excited to start work that he forgot to call Rae.

[Lotus]

It was a long, tiring day and Rae was far from stressed. She was nearly toppling off the edge of the building she worked in with the worry and stress flowing through her. How was she supposed to get all the designs completed by tomorrow evening when nothing she was doing was turning out the way she really wanted them to? Along with the fact that she thought she might have had at least one phone call from Grey, but didn't receive any was hurting her even more. Did she really deserve all of this?

She looked at the clock and noticed the time. She sighed and ran a hand over her face before looking up to see her receptionist packing away her things. "G'night Miss Odell. I'll see you tomorrow. Try not to stress over the designs." She smiled softly before walking away with a nod from Rae herself. It was easy for her receptionist not to tell her to worry.

She stood up and walked to her window over looking one of the many squares. It was dusk outside and she loved this time. The time where all the majority of workers had gone home for a relaxing night in and the party go-ers were still getting ready. It was peaceful. She rested her head against the window and sighed again. She needed to finish these sketches if it was the last thing she did. It didn't help that her brief from Tristan was as bare as anything so she had nothing to go by.

She walked back to her desk and sat down. It was going to be another long night and she was already yawning.

[Deleted]

Grey had been at the clients house all day. She wanted him to start that day and Grey was more then happy to oblige, he got away with charging more and he had to admit that she kept him well fed. The portrait was by no means finished but that only meant more work and more money for Grey. He really hoped she liked his work because then she might spread the word and he could get back in business, earn some money and pay Rae back.

Rae! He'd forgotten to call her. All of Grey's worries and fears just came rushing back and he began to panic a little. It made him pack up faster, he had to get home and call her. He needed to talk to Rae and try and sort things out with her. But he still didn't remember what had happened and he didn't know how he could find out.

He rushed home and went straight to the kitchen. Dumping his art supplies in the hallway. Grey ran a hand over his face when he looked at the phone and saw he had no messages. So, neither Rae or Fontanna had tried contacting him. Well he was going to change that.

Grey paused before dialling, should he try Rae at work or home? He didn't know. He took a shot and decided to try her work, he remembered that she had been stressing about those designs yesterday and knew that would most likely mean she would be at the office trying to finish. Grey held his breath as he waited for the call to connect.

[Lotus]

Rae was finally finishing off her second sketch out of the five when the phone started ringing. It was a shrill sound in the quiet office building and it would be a lie to say she didn't jumped. She cursed when she realised it was the phone and checked the clock. Office hours were over so who would be called at this time? She sighed and pressed the button to connect the call to speaker phone.

"Hello, this is Miss Odell speaking. I hope you realise it is after hours, but how may I help you?" She heard the sharp intake of breath on the other end of the phone and wondered who it was. The phones in the office didn't show caller ID's very often and tonight was one of those nights. "Hello? If this is a prank call I will not be best pleased as you've disturbed me from very important work."

She sighed and was about to click the button to end the call when she heard the voice. She stopped midway and listened. Grey. She shook her head vigorously. Had he finally remembered about her? She sighed.

[Deleted]

Grey was shocked but in a good way. He honestly hadn't expected Rae to have been at work let alone to actually answer his call with the way she had been yesterday. But she had. Maybe things weren't as bad as he thought. Maybe they could work things out. He really hoped so.

Grey realised it was his turn to talk and snapped back to reality. "err... hey Rae, it's Grey... I'm sorry to disturb you but I really need to talk to you, I know you're busy right now what with this order and stuff but I need to talk to you, but before we talk please can you hear what I have to say?

"Rae... I'm so sorry, I don't know if you'll believe this but I honestly cannot remember anything that happened saturday night but I realise that I must have done something to upset you and whatever that is, I am so dreadfully sorry because you're my best friend and I hate being without you..."

Grey held his breath and waited to see if she would say anything.

[Lotus]

Rae's grip on the edge of her desk tightened as she listened to him speak. He 'didn't remember a thing'. He really did have stacks of excuses shoved somewhere. She sighed and shook her head. She couldn't be dealing with him right now; she needed to get her designs sorted. She wanted to just end the call but that would only result in him calling her back and she had no time for these sorts of disturbances.

"I very much doubt your sorry for what you did. You got what you wanted after all and from what I know, people speak truthfully when they're intoxicated. So, I congratulate you on your attempt at trying to look innocent, but you haven't fooled me. If I were you, I'd just stay away before you lose what you tried for months to get back. Enjoy her Grey and thanks for everything. Bye now."

Her finger pressed the end call button and she tried not to let tears fall onto her designs. She looked up to her ceiling and took a deep breath. It was over. Her countless years of friendship with the man she had fallen in love with were over. It was all over after one Saturday night and an office phone call.

[Deleted]

Grey stared at the receiver in his hand. She had cut him off and now he didn't know what to think or do. He tried to make his way through everything she had just said. What had he done that was so awful? And what did she mean about what he had gotten? Was she talking about Fontanna? That was the only thing that made sense but if so why was she being so hostile. Grey had always thought that Rae was supportive of him getting back together with her. Wasn't that why she had always come to the parties with him?

Grey sighed and sunk against the counter. He out the phone back in the holder. He was just so confused and didn't know what to do. Rae didn't want to talk to him. She might not ever want to talk to him. That thought filled him with dread.

He turned round and reached into the cupboard above his head he pulled out a glass and then went to find another bottle of something strong and foul tasting. To help him wash this all away.

[Lotus]

Rae rested her head on the table and thought over his conversation. He sounded sincere, but then he'd tried everything and anything to get Fontanna back so she couldn't exactly go by how he sounded any more. She sighed and sat back up. She needed to get her head back to the sketches. Two were completed, she needed three more completed from their rough stages.

Eventually she gave up. She couldn't work any more and the third was now completed. It would just need a few touch ups tomorrow, but other than that it was done. That left her two for tomorrow. She was dreading tomorrow. She packed up everything and took home anything she thought could come in handy if she suddenly got inspiration at home. Switching off the lights and locking up she walked into the now crowded streets of party-goers as she tried to make her way home.

She was exhausted and by the time she got in she checked the clock on her wall. "Ten thirty. Are you kidding me?" She walked upstairs and placed everything in her studio before slipping of her stilettos and wandering back downstairs in her fluffy slippers. She checked her answering machine and was surprised when she had one message. She clicked on it and listened to the sound of Patrick's voice after he introduced himself. She smiled softly at his message about hoping she was doing better today and she had been until her call with Grey.

[Deleted]

Grey was sitting on the sofa with the glass in his hand. He was confused and upset. But he hadn't drunk all that much, he was aware of the fact that he needed to work tomorrow. Fontanna hadn't called him and neither had Rae. He missed her, despite it being such a short amount of time since Saturday. But he had always had her there to talk to, whether it be by phone or in person. She was the one who had encouraged him to become and artist and not some government official like his father wanted.

Grey sighed and put both the glass and bottle on the floor. He was tired and had to work tomorrow. He slowly trudged his way to bed. But he couldn't sleep, he kept thinking about Rae. Her smile and laugh, the way he used to comfort her when she cried. They had been so close and now he had gone and ruined that. BUt he just didn't know how. All of it was on his mind.

[Lotus]

The message had finished and she was feeling slightly better about everything. Not overly, just slightly. She went to her kitchen and grabbed a glass of water. It was too late for her to make anything so she looked in her fridge and cupboards. Nothing took her fancy. She wanted to talk to someone more than eat anything. She wanted to talk to her best friend but he'd made it quite clear he didn't need her any more and if he was to keep Fontanna around then he couldn't need her any more. That was the worst part.

After finishing her drink she washed it up and headed upstairs. She needed sleep if she wanted to get to the office early and finish her designs before Tristan needed them. She slipped into her pyjamas and snuggled under covers. She was exhausted and just before she slipped into a deep slumber, she set her alarm.

[Deleted]

Grey woke up when the light hit his face. His head was groggy but he was still pretty aware of the fact that he hadn't closed the curtains last night. He groaned and rolled back over. For a brief moment Grey was happy because of three things; he had Fontanna back, he was working again, and he had Rae to talk it all through with. But then he remembered that he didn't have Rae anymore. She didn't want anything to do with him anymore and that hurt.

Grey rolled out of bed and went and got showered. He dressed in plain black jeans and a grey t-shirt. He didn't like to dress in anything too bright or even interesting when he was doing private portraits. It distracted him too much. Working on the street was another matter, you needed to be bright to be noticed.

Grey made his way downstairs. As he passed the sofa he realised that the empty glass and bottle of alcohol weren't where he left them. His brow furrowed as he entered the kitchen where he nearly had a heart attack on seeing Fontanna standing in the middle of his kitchen.

"Oh morning baby... sleep well?" She shrilled away at him.

Grey was so confused and didn't quite understand what was going on. "Fontanna! What are you doing here? In my kitchen? At 9 in the morning?"

She turned and looked at him with a smile. She stepped closer and took both of his hands and pulled him towards her. "I was coming to see you silly!" She said, leaning down and kissing him.

Grey was still confused. "yes... but how did you get in?" He asked, it wasn't that he wasn't happy to see Fontanna he was just a bit shocked was all.

"Oh! I went and got a spare key off of your landlord!" She trilled. she lent forward and kissed him again. "I'd love to stay baby but I've got to go to work... come meet me for lunch?"

"Er... I'm doing a portrait... for your friend Kiki today"

"Ahh yes!... well I'm sure she won't mind you popping out for an hour or two. Good! I'll see you at 1" She said excitedly before kissing him again and exiting the flat. Grey just stood frozen in the middle of the kitchen staring after her. It was too early for this much to be happening at once.

[Lotus]

Rae rolled over and hit her alarm clock before bolting upright. She had no time for a little lie in this morning, she had to be up and out of the house in less than half an hour in order to give her enough time for the days work ahead of her. She showered in a record time and slipped into something presentable and smart; a grey pencil skirt, a light pink t-shirt and grey cardigan that matched her skirt. She slipped her feet into a pair of grey heels; lower than the day before, and pinned her hair up. She applied make up and briefly looked herself over; she would do. She rushed into her studio and grabbed everything she needed for the day.

She grabbed a cereal bar on the way out of the door and didn't notice the flashing light on her answer machine. She was out of her house in just under twenty five minutes with everything she needed and the sun was once again shining. She could get through the day. She could meet Tristan and be professional. She could do this.

She got to the office early and only her receptionist was there. They nodded in acknowledgement and smiled briefly before her receptionist; Ingretta, piped up. "Mr Parker will be here at five to go over and assess the designs." Rae groaned and nodded her head.

"Dear lord help me now." Ingretta smiled encouragingly as she entered her office. She set everything out and got to work instantly. Five minutes later Ingretta came in with a cup of steaming coffee.

"Thought you might need it today. I'll keep you topped up and notified on Mr Parker."

"Thank you so much Ingretta. As soon as he's been this afternoon, you're free to go home and do as you wish. I'll ask the powers in charge to see if you can have a pay rise this month for all you've put up with with me." Rae smiled at the beaming grin that spread across Ingretta's face before she walked away, her heels clacking.

Sipping her coffee, Rae finally got down to business.

[Deleted]

Grey managed to pull himself together enough to actually make it into work. But his heart was a whole mix of emotions. He was ecstatic that he had Fontanna back and that she genuinely seemed eager to have him back in her life. It was like nothing had happened between the two of them. But this thing with Rae was hanging over Greyson's head and making him feel down. He wanted his best friend back but he didn't know how.

Kiki, the client and Fontanna's friend, tried to flirt with Grey the whole time whilst he was painting her portrait. As much as this annoyed him it did assure Grey that she would pay well, give a good reference, and most likely let him get away with taking a long lunch with Fontanna. Grey was looking forward to the lunch because it was something they used to do as a couple, before they broke apart. It would be nice to be able to sit and talk to Fontanna without alcohol getting the way. Lunch seemed to be the only time that she didn't want to drink and party.