A Surprise Visitor Ch. 2 (Izombie)
“You don’t even wanna know how much I spent on that Uber,”Clive announced as he stepped through the door.
“Shhh” Dale motioned to the sleeping zombie.”
Clive chuckled and moved towards his wife, giving her a peck on the lips.
“Hi.”
They moved into their bedroom so as not to disturb the girl on the couch.
“I’m sorry, it took me so long to get here,” Clive apologized.
“It’s ok. We had some girl talk.”
Clive raised his eyebrows at that.
“Really it was fine. I think she needed a little company.” Dale said in reply to her husband’s confused glare.
“She’s about how you would expect.”
“I think that’s something you’d have to ask her.”
“That’s fair. Come on it’s late,” he said motioning to the bed.”
“Yeah. Just let me check on her real quick.”
“You getting soft on her?”
“Maybe a little. I’ll be right back.”
She walked out as quietly as she could so as not to wake Liv. This proved pointless because rather than lying peacefully as Dale was expecting Liv was tossing and turning. Dale ran over and put a hand on the other girl’s shoulder.
“Liv. Honey, wake up,” She shook her gently.
The zombie sat straight up, breathing heavily. She confusedly looked around her.
“Hey.” Dale said gently. “You’re ok.”
The girl looked at her and seemed to calm down.
“God. I’m Sorry. I forgot where I was for a second.”
“That’s ok. How are you feeling.”
Liv chuckled “I haven’t been this hungover since I passed my MCAT.”
“Well. I can’t do much about that, but our guest room is a lot comfier than the couch.”
Liv shook her head “No, I should go. I’ve overstayed my welcome already.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“Olivia, I will handcuff you to the bed.”
They began to walk toward the guest room. They had gotten about halfway there when Liv got a strange look on her face.
Liv swallowed “Is there a bathroom in this hallway?”
Dale suddenly understood and sprang into action mode. “Shit Ok.”
She grabbed the other girl’s arm and half led half pulled her to the bathroom. As soon as she’d opened the door Liv threw herself in front of the toilet. Dale turned around to give her some privacy. She grabbed the water glass and filled it. After about a minutes it finally got quiet. Dale turned back the zombie in front of her.
“God, I didn’t miss that,” Liv remarked and took the glass. “Thanks.”
“Sure,” Dale replied. “You just can’t catch a break. Are you Okay?”
“Once again I’m completely mortified, but I’ll live.”
Liv chuckled “My ex used to joke me about that too.”
“No. It was before you came here. His name was Lowell” she smiled. “He was British and in a band.”
“Yeah. We actually met when I was on a case.He was a suspect.”
“I assume he was innocent.”
Another laugh “Yeah. But the girl who was murdered was in my sorority. We were actually pretty good friends back in college. Anyway I went to the funeral and he caught me creeping around looking for clues and he said he wouldn’t tell anyone if I had a drink with him.”
“I don't know if that’s cute or creepy.”
“I didn’t either. But then he told me he was a zombie and I hadn’t ever met another one before> Besides Blaine who’s well Blaine. And I guess Marcie but she…”Liv’s face fell and she trailed off.
She smiled but it didn’t reach her eyes.”Yeah. Well anyway we dated for a couple months He was my first boyfriend after I broke off my engagement, so we decided to take things slow, but I guess that didn’t really work out.”
“He was.” The same look came on her face as before.”But then I screwed up.”
“No. I went on soldier brains and decided to deal with Blaine myself.”
“By deal with him you mean…”
“I got a sniper rifle and waited on the next roof over. All Lowell had to do was distract him so I could get a shot. But I couldn’t do it. I gave Lowell a signal to leave, but he grabbed a knife and came for Blaine.” Her breath caught. “But Blaine was too fast. I guess he figured something was going on and he pulled out a pistol.” She looked at Dale “God I just told that to a detective.”
Dale touched her arm gently. “Hey, you didn’t kill him. That’s all that matters. I’m really sorry that happened to you.”
She smiled sadly “It was a long time ago.”
“Well, I’m still sorry. You’ve been through some tough shit.”
Live chuckled “Yeah I guess I have.” She started to stand up and Dal grabbed her arm to help. “Thanks. Uh. Do You think you could give me a minute? To get cleaned up,” Liv asked.
“Of course. We keep extra toothbrushes under the sink there should be a new one.” Liv nodded.
Dale had her hand on the doorknob when she heard “Hey, Dale?”
She turned back to face the zombie.
“Umm. When Lowell died no one knew I was a zombie except Ravi. Not even Clive. I was the main suspect so we had to declare it a suicide. And it’s been years now so..”
“We’ll keep it between us.”
Dale gave her a smile before walking out the door. She immediately saw her husband pacing the living room.
“I hate it when you do that.” She stated.
Clive turned around to face her.
“Hey.” he pulled her into a hug.
“Have you been out here worrying this whole time?”
“After 15 minutes I realized something might have been wrong. I wanted to make sure you were both okay.”
“Apparently after enough drinks even zombies can make themselves sick. But I think she’ll be fine, tomorrow. Or today? what time is it?”
“Damn. I guess I’m not going to work today. Do you think you’ll have to go back to the conference?”
“No. I told them I had a family emergency.”
She hit him lightly. Then she remembered her previous conversation. “Did you know Liv used to be engaged?”
“Yeah to Major before she became a zombie, I thought you knew that. Didn’t it come up when you were investigating him?”
“Yeah, right. I forgot they were that serious.” She paused “I really don’t know much about her.”
“Maybe you two should hang out more.”
“Yeah.” Dale worried her lip.”
“What did you two talk about in there?” Dale was about to answer when Liv walked out.
“Hey partner.” Clive said “that sweatshirt’s really making its way around, huh?”
“Yeah I guess.” Liv replied “I didn’t know you came back. I hope I didn’t ruin your conference.”
“Are you kidding?” Clive answered “I sat through four presentations today. You did me a favor.”
There was a long moment of awkward silence.
“The guest room is the fourth door on the right, honey. Do you want me to walk you?”
It was already half past eleven when Dale shuffled into the kitchen. Clive was already in there and there was bacon sizzling on a pan and eggs cooking in another, several pieces of toast sat on a plate next to the stove. She walked over and gave him a peck on the lips
“Morning.” Her husband replied “There’s coffee on the counter.”
“I’ve never loved you more.”
After she’d poured herself a cup of coffee she grabbed a piece of cooling bacon.
“What’s all this for?” She asked her husband.
“We just haven’t both had a day off in a while. I just wish we had a better reason.”
“Me too.” She took a bite of her now cool bacon.
Clive started to doll out the eggs between two plates. “There’s enough for Liv, too. If she ever gets up.” He handed her a full plate and plac
ed the other on the table and sat down.
“Well she deserves to sleep in. She had a rough night.”
As if on cue the zombie appeared in the doorway.
“Speak of the devil. Hey, partner.” Clive said to the white haired girl.
“How are you feeling? There’s breakfast. It’s brain free but we have plenty of hot sauce.” Dale remarked.
“Hey. Bit of a headache but I’m okay. And no thanks. But I wouldn’t mind some coffee.”
Dale got up and poured a large mug of coffee this time adding in a generous splash of hot sauce before Liv could protest. She also grabbed the aspirin bottle and handed both to the zombie, who mumbled a thank you.
“So you don’t bleed, but you can get a hangover?” Clive asked
“I bleed a little,” Liv retorted. “And the zombie virus slows my heart beat enough so my blood barely circulates. But the pain receptors are still perfectly intact.” A car honked outside and Liv winced “unfortunately.”
“Wow. You learn that from Ravi?” Clive asked.
“That or the decade of studying to be a brain surgeon.” Liv replied
Dale shook her head. “You sure you don’t want anything to eat? It might make you feel better.”
“Yeah I’m not sure. I’m not sure I’m up to real food yet. I have brain tunes at home.”
“What?” Liv asked seeing her face.
“I just realized this is the first time you’ve been you around me.”
Liv laughed “yeah I guess it is.” Just after her phone dinged. “That’s my uber. Hey, Dale could you text me the info. For that thing we talked about last night.”
Dale smiled “Yeah of course.”
Clive got up and hugged his partner. “Text me when you get home.”
“I will.” Liv replied, but rolled her eyes. Dale got up too and for a moment they both stood without knowing what to do.
“Come here.” They shared a quick embrace.
“I’m glad your okay.” Dale said as she let her go.”
Dale and Clive watched her walk out and get into her uber.
“You think she’ll be alright?” Clive asked.
