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 Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2015 1:41 pm
Maia nodded. Things would get better. And if Dari was right and her going away did help, she'd be back soon. "Alright," she agreed. An official declaration, that didn't sound so temporary. "I'll Skype you every day," she informed him. Email and phone calls weren't quite the same as being able to hug; but if things were going to get better, maybe this was the best way.
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Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2015 1:45 pm
"Yes, of course," Dari replied with a nod, "We can't really be in contact during work hours but once we get home you're free to call. It's nice. We can see each other's faces. I don't imagine Toby will want to take part much, though. Don't let tat discourage you."
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Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2015 1:54 pm
The fact that Toby probably wouldn't want to talk to her much did make Maia pause. "That's alright," she said after a moment. "He needs time. It'll be alright." It would be, she'd talk to Dari regularly. "You'll have to tell me what time you get off, Oregon has a different time zone than we do. It'll be different, adjusting to that again."
"You'll take care of my goldfish, won't you?"
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Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2015 1:56 pm
"Of course, we can figure that out easily," Dari said with a nod. "You'll continue to receive your monthly stipend, and I wouldn't suggest looking for a job. It shouldn't take long, and the hope is to have you back here as soon as possible." He smiled then and rubbed Maia's shoulder.
"Of course I will. Toby and I both."
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Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2015 2:05 pm
Maia gave another nod. "Right," She agreed. "I'd rather come back here and look for one," she said. She was interested in working for the FBPI, even if she didn't want to end up being an agent. "I don't think I'll feel safe shifting there," She mused. "The seals won't recognize me. Its better they don't though, I don't want to risk one of them getting hurt."
She gave the alien a small smile. "Thank you," she said. "Make sure you give Seamus plenty of treats."
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Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2015 2:14 pm
"Of course," Dari agreed again.
The paperwork had been filed and signed off. Preparations were being made back in Oregon for Maia to return home, which as far as anyone outside of her circle of friends knew was what she had been aiming for all along. Toby knew better. He had wanted at first to ask her why she was leaving, but of course he already knew. In order to avoid any more sadness than necessary, he didn't ask. He just helped.
"When are the movers coming?" he asked, arms stacked with boxes as he took them down the stairs.
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Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2015 2:20 pm
"In a few days," Maia said, packing up another box. She followed Toby downstairs. The closer it got to the day, the harder it was to keep a grip on her emotions. This was her home, it'd become that a few short days after Toby had invited her to stay.
"Thanks for helping me," she said, setting her box down. "I should go looking for cooking stuff," she said. "Tomorrow, probably."
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Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2015 2:25 pm
"Sure!" Toby said, trying to sound continually upbeat, "I know a chef's supply store just outside of town. They'll have everything you need. Do you want to take the waffle maker?"
He hadn't made waffles for a long time before Maia, and he didn't imagine he'd be making them again any time soon.
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Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2015 2:29 pm
"Okay," Maia agreed. She'd doubted she'd use it. They'd bonded over making pancakes, and waffles were the same thing in a different shape. She paused and turned to hug him. "I'm going to miss you," She said. So, so much. She wished Dari could have found an easier way to make things better.
"You'll take care of them, won't you?" she glanced towards the fish tank. He'd take care of himself, wouldn't he? That was the most important thing.
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Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2015 2:32 pm
Toby put down the boxes so Maia could hug him properly and returned the gesture. She seemed reluctant to go, but she probably felt forced out as it was. He closed his eyes to remember the way her arms felt around him. He inhaled softly to remember her scent. God, he hated to see her go. He held her extra-hard for a second and then released, smiling as if it hadn't hurt.
"Of course I will. They'll be fine."
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Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2015 2:41 pm
Once released from the hug, Maia used a finger to brush at her eyes before giving Toby a small smile. She'd miss him. And Dari had said he suspected Toby wouldn't participate in Skype calls. She'd have to call him separately. "Thank you." They needed someone to look after them, but she'd given him the task to help keep his mind on something as well.
"I guess we should go back to packing," she said, looking towards the stairs.
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Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2015 2:43 pm
Was Maia crying? Th poor thing. He really did feel like an a*****e, but this was all for the best. A pretty girl like Maia would have no problem attracting some other guy to fall for. His smile turned a bit sympathetic and he touched her shoulder. He was so sorry.
"Sure. What next?"
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Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2015 2:49 pm
"Just clothes, I think we've got everything else," Maia said, heading up the stairs. "Oh, and something else," Maia took a small box out from her dresser and packed it in the bag she planned on taking with her.
Was it too late to change her mind? Could she pretend to leave and stay with another agent-Lori for instance? "I almost forgot my pelt. That would've ended badly."
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Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2015 2:52 pm
"Oh. Yeah. Don't forget that," Toby said. "You should keep out some clothes for the next few days and for the flight, remember. Just in case the movers are late."
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Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2015 2:56 pm
"Right. I'm keeping this bag with me, until the flight." She hated airplanes. One flight had been enough to convince her of that. It'd be harder without the boys there to distract her. She gave him another small smile, looking him up and down. She wanted to memorize everything about him.
"When I'm gone, can I call you sometimes?" she asked. "Dari taught me how to skype, we could do that. I could tell you if I see anything interesting."
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