Gone and Reborn

BAR

A week had passed since Ally´s accident and Jo was driving to pick her up from work. She´d kept thanking her about it effusively every chance she got and that made her secretly smile.

Truth was she couldn´t be happier doing it. It had given her purpose and another thing to add to her list of activities. So she was loving it! And she dreaded the day the insurance money came through and Ally could afford another car. Cause that would mean she wouldn´t need her anymore and she´d have to find something else to fill her days with.

She parked at Ally´s office´s entrance and a moment later she came out the door and jumped inside the van.

-Any plans for today? – Jo asked as she got in the van and buckled herself up.

-Not really- Ally answered tiredly.

-It´s Friday, I´m going out with Saul, Oliver and Jess… I think Christie is gonna be there too, do you want to tag along? Do you prefer me to drop you at Gus´s place? Or maybe you can both join us too.

-I don´t know- Ally bit her lip uncertain- I really want to see him but he seemed a little tired all week… let me call him and see if he´s up for it.

Ally went on the phone with him and they made plans for Ally to go to his place as he was entertaining some folks from work. So Jo dropped her at his apartment and then she left for the bar.

She was dying to see Saul and just sucking the life out of him cause she was craving him so badly. He had been pretty busy the entire week and they hadn´t really gotten a chance to see each other. So, when he´d called her earlier with this plan she´d rushed to agree, all too eagerly.

Jo stepped out of her van and started walking towards the small pub, located at the corner of a busy street. She entered the crowded place and soon found Oliver and Jess sitting on a table in the back, her eyes landing on Saul, who was talking animatedly with both, wearing a Star Wars T-shirt and some old blue jeans, his hair down his shoulders and his head resting calmly against his chin.

She smiled and walked to where they sat, Oliver nodding happily at her and making Saul´s head turn towards her and smile, waving cheerfully.

He stood up as she approached him and pulled her by the waist, kissing her softly and clouding her senses.

-Hi baby!- He greeted her, smiling- How was your day?

-Fine, Cookie- she replied- I´ve been keeping myself busy for a change.

She eyed his T-shirt and nodded at it with amusement. A playful grin extending on her lips.

-I didn´t know you were a Star Wars guy- she chuckled- Never thought of you as a nerdy kid.

He looked down his shirt for a second, then broke laughing loudly, making a cute Chewbacca growl that cracked Jo up.

-Are you kidding me?- he said, taking a chair out for her to sit- It´s literally one of my favorite things in the world!

-Really?- Jo frowned looking at him with interest-That´s so geeky! I´ve honestly never seen an entire film. Never cared for them.

-Oh Sugar, you don´t know what you´re talking about-he scoffed, running his finger down the back of her hand-Now we´re definitely having a marathon to binge watch every single one of them plus the Clone Wars series. It´s gonna be awesome! I´m showing you the ways of the force, my lady, and that´s final.

-Ok master- Jo smiled, rolling her eyes- But it´s gonna cost you some persuasion, if you know what I mean.

-Do you want us to leave?- Oliver asked with a snarl of fake disgust- You seem to be doing too good on your own.

-Nah, Pal… Sorry about that- Saul chuckled, taking a sip from his beer- Just trying to reeducate my girl here, “I’m just a simple man trying to make my way in the universe”.

-She´s right, you know?- Oliver grinned at him- You´re geeky as f**k.

-Yup, no offense taken there, buddy- Saul shrugged, throwing a peanut into his mouth-I´ve made my peace with that since high school so I couldn´t care less what you think.

They all laughed and ordered some more beers before engaging in a lengthy chatter, Jess and Jo gossiping around and making plans to get their nails done the next week. Christie joining them a bit later and striking into conversation with Saul, both talking about their projects.

-You look kind of tired, Saul-Christie commented, scanning his face deeply-Is business being a b***h or what?

-Yeah- Saul sighed- I´m kind of lost to be honest. I´ve been struggling with the bookkeeping lately. I can manage the creative part just fine, but when it comes to finances it gets a little too rickety and I don´t know how to get my way around that.

-Oh, I feel you boy!- Christie laughed heartily- Never been much good with numbers myself either… you should just hire an accountant and focus on your thing.

-Well, right now I don´t know anyone trustworthy enough for the task- Saul replied nodding in reflection-But I´ll make sure to give that some thought.

After a long night chatting and drinking, Saul decided it was a good time to leave and took Jo´s hand into his. They said their goodbyes and walked through the door, out into the chilly night.

-Did you drive here, Sugar?- Saul frowned as his eyes landed on her van, parked a few feet away.

-Yeah- Jo replied, slurring her words with a tipsy smile- Why?

-Cause you don´t drink and drive sweetie-pie- he answered, extending his hand to her- Hand me the keys. I´m not letting you go.

-Why not?- she stubbornly puffed, making a sad face.

-Because you´re drunk. So, we´re taking a cab and we´re going to my place. Then I´ll make love to you and you´ll catch some rest. I´ll drive you here in the morning to get it back. Sounds good?

-Sounds perfect, cookie- Jo smiled, finally reaching inside her pocket, taking her keys out and placing them on his palm.