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Post by Geoffrey Montgomery on May 18, 2009 20:34:30 GMT -5
Geoffrey thought it over for a minute, then nodded. "Yes. You can stay there tonight, but tomorrow you come with me. I can tell everyone that you're suffering from post-traumatic stress or something because of Roland's death, and I insisted that you stay with us so I can make sure you're OK. They'll believe it... it's mostly true, anyway."
He took a sip of the water that had been brought to the table what seemed like a year ago. Clearly the waiter had decided that the intense conversation should not be interrupted, since Geoffrey hadn't seen a sign of him since. "OK... now, let's say this plan of yours goes exactly the way you want it to. What happens?"
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Post by Riley Neves on May 18, 2009 21:08:13 GMT -5
Riley have Geoffrey a hard stare. She was not going through any kind of post traumatic stress, no matter what he said, and she really didn't like him pretty much telling he she was.
She didn't say anything, though, and finally nodded. "If it goes exactly how I want it to, one will confront the other and they'll kill each other. But I don't see that happening. My next best option, and the one I'm banking on, is that at least one of them will die in the confrontation. Then there's only one to deal with... And I'll figure out what to do with him when the time comes."
She couldn't think that far ahead yet. She had to see what happened first.
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Post by Hayden Ferrera on May 18, 2009 21:40:06 GMT -5
Hayden was relieved that Riley did give in and stay with Geoffrey. He knew that she would at least be safe there. Sure, he and Riley were not anywhere near close but he didn't think he could handle the idea of something else happening to anyone. The war had begun, and this was just a battle. Hayden knew that before the war ended, there would be more bloodshed, but he hoped that he could help delay that.
"Hopefully it will work out that way," said Hayden. "We can only hope it makes them turn on each other." They were going to have to go with the flow on this one.
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Post by Geoffrey Montgomery on May 18, 2009 22:37:50 GMT -5
Geoffrey noticed her annoyed look, but chose to ignore it. He didn't care how much she denied it; she was definitely having post traumatic stress. She had witnessed the death of someone she cared about, maybe even loved. No one expected her to be strong and happy right now.
She moved on to talk about what she hoped would happen. It sounded iffy to Geoffrey. It was a really big risk to expect that death eaters would react in just the way you wanted them to. There were so many other ways it could go. It was the uncertainty that Geoffrey didn't like.
But he'd already agreed to go along with it, and he was done fighting her on it. He was just going to have to hope that it went the way she wanted and ended quickly.
"OK," he said with a sigh. "I officially hate this plan and everything about it. But I'm glad you trusted us both with this. Hayden and I will make sure you stay safe. If anyone tries to hurt you, Riley, I swear... I'll do whatever it takes to protect you. I know Hayden will, too."
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Post by Riley Neves on May 18, 2009 23:22:04 GMT -5
"I know you don't," Riley said again. "I knew from the beginning that you wouldn't. But thank you for agreeing to help me all the same."
She took his hand again, which hadn't moved far away, and she squeezed it. "I owe you both so much. Thank you. Really."
She was extremely grateful to the both of them. "I will keep you updated on everything, I promise."
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Post by Hayden Ferrera on May 19, 2009 11:59:55 GMT -5
"I'll speak with Angelique after lunch," he said. None of the Ferrera's had returned to work yet, except for Hayden. Whenever he spoke to Cyrus, he said that he was going to be starting back soon. It was still going to take a little while longer for everything to somewhat level out. Nothing would be the same, Hayden knew that, but it never hurt to attempt to move forward. That was the only thing that they could do.
A grateful look crossed his face as he glanced to Riley. He honestly wouldn't have any idea how he would have been if Riley hadn't been Roland's partner and gone with him. She claimed that she owed them but he didn't really see it that way. He saw it the other way around.
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Post by Geoffrey Montgomery on May 19, 2009 15:31:59 GMT -5
Geoffrey was very quiet. He was still very unhappy with this situation, and there really wasn't anything that anyone could say that would make it OK for him.
He sighed and took another sip from his drink. Finally, he fixed his eyes on Riley and asked, "When do you plan on sending this letter?"
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Post by Riley Neves on May 19, 2009 17:32:30 GMT -5
Riley bit her lip, her eyes on Geoffrey and pretty plainly saying that he wasn't going to like the answer.
She wanted to get this done as soon as possible, and frankly, it was taking all of her will not to turn around and write out the damned letter right now. But she was carefully crafting it in her mind as it was, and she wanted to be somewhere crowded when she sent it.
"Before I leave work tonight."
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Post by Geoffrey Montgomery on May 19, 2009 19:00:52 GMT -5
Geoffrey squeezed his eyes shut. He'd been afraid that was what she'd say, but hearing her say it didn't make it any easier. He began to rub his head, feeling the beginning of a tension headache building behind his eyes. "You know, I'm beginning to think he's possessed you," he said. "This is just the kind of crazy stunt he would have pulled, although at least you've learned from his mistake and are asking for backup."
Looking up at her again, he continued, "I really should make you come home with me tonight. But I won't. We'll wait and see if he responds first. But if hee threatens you, then you're coming with me. Between Hayden and myself, we will not let you out of our sight until we know you're safe. Is that clear?"
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Post by Riley Neves on May 23, 2009 14:39:36 GMT -5
Riley's gaze fell from Geoffrey's as he mentioned that this was a stunt Roland would have pulled. Maybe he was doing it this way in his memory. Or maybe he had more of an affect on her than she ever realized. But Geoffrey's words pulled her down considerably.
"He did ask for back up," she whispered. "He asked for me."
She didn't even nod to the second half about keeping her in their sights. Her mind was back at that warehouse, back on that kiss before the battle. She wished she had been enough for him, that she could have saved him.
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Post by Geoffrey Montgomery on May 23, 2009 19:20:38 GMT -5
Geoffrey frowned. He knew her so well, and he could tell by the tone of her voice, that she blamed herself. She thought that she had failed Roland, that she hadn't been enough for him.
"Riley..." he said softly. He reached across the table to take her hand in his. "This wasn't your fault. You had enough to deal with, and you were lucky that you got out with your life. It was just... there wasn't anything you could have done. Please... if you're doing this because you think you have to make it up to him, then don't. He wouldn't want you to put yourself in danger again. It's not going to bring him back."
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Post by Riley Neves on May 23, 2009 23:26:49 GMT -5
"You weren't there, Geoffrey," Riley said. "You don't know that there wasn't something I could have done. I just fled.... I should have been in the building looking for him."
Her eyes flashed to Hayden, her look apologetic, but she believed him when he told her that he didn't blame her. It was nice, because she blamed herself enough.
She shook her head. "And anyway, it's not to get revenge or anything. It's to serve justice, and isn't that what being an Auror is about?"
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Post by Geoffrey Montgomery on May 25, 2009 0:54:31 GMT -5
"If you had gone in there to look for him, you probably would have died, too. Someone had to survive and tell us what happened... and he wouldn't have wanted you to die trying to save him. He probably never felt a thing. You can't beat yourself up about it."
Geoffrey sighed heavily. "You can say you're just doing your job, but we both know it's more than that. This is personal. And I just hope... well, I hope you don't get too reckless. I know you think no one will miss you, but I will."
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Post by Riley Neves on May 25, 2009 10:53:40 GMT -5
Sometimes, it was a disadvantage that Geoffrey knew her so well. She sighed. "Okay. Maybe it is sort of personal. I was supposed to be there to help him, and I couldn't do it. So maybe the only thing I can think to do now is to avenge his death, and get rid of the still existing threat to his family. Any other Auror in my position would do the same."
Her eyes flashed to Hayden, asking if at least he understood, since he was an Auror. "This isn't a suicide mission. It's one owl."
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Post by Hayden Ferrera on May 25, 2009 16:51:43 GMT -5
Of course he understood. "I know," he said. "And I'm not going to stop you from doing anything. Like you said, any other Auror would do the same." Hayden wouldn't call what Roland did as insane, he was trying to protect his family. He did what he saw fit and didn't want that many people involved, Hayden understood that. He knew that Roland would go near insane if something bad happened to his family while he had the chance to stop it.
Now, Riley was going to try and finish the job and he couldn't tell her not to. "I want you to know that I do appreciate what you are doing. It means more than you would ever know."
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Post by Geoffrey Montgomery on May 25, 2009 23:43:48 GMT -5
Geoffrey sighed. He supposed that there was a reason why he wasn't an auror. It wasn't that he was a coward, but he didn't like to take such big risks. And he didn't really want to make enemies of powerful, dangerous people. But it was Riley's job, and ultimately she was doing the right thing. And the mere fact that they were having this conversation was proof that she was trying to be safe about it.
That still didn't mean he liked it.
"Just remember, Riley. I'm your best friend, and I'd be devastated if anything happened to you."
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Post by Riley Neves on May 26, 2009 6:40:43 GMT -5
At least Hayden understood. Maybe she should have only told Hayden, but Geoffrey was her best friend. If anything happened, she didn't want it to come out of nowhere for him. "It's because you would miss me, Geoff, that I even told you." She understood, really.
Looking back to Hayden, she gave a little half smile. "Thank you."
It was one owl. She didn't even have to meet him face to face. Everything would be fine. Right?
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