&&A DEBT REPAID - Chance

[*Alayna [x]Marten*]

<sup>Alayna was free. She couldnt believe it, finally after a little over two weeks in the hospital she was FREE. Alayna was the type of person that hated to be cooped up concidering that she was cooped up for most of her life in that horible place her mother called home. Alayna just loved to run outside barefoot and cause as much havoc as she could. The hospital was the one place she hadnt really wanted to be for two weeks. The food was terrible and they wouldnt let her do anything. That alone almost killed her right there. Chance had stayed with her the first night until she had finally convinced him to leave. He was so sweet and yet so tortured. She could tell by the look in his eyes. His changed color due to his emotion like hers did. Though her colors were allot more complex than his and that was mainly because she was a hormonal woman. For some reason Alayna couldnt get Chance out of her head. She had never really had this feeling about anyone else before. Even the man she had had the baby with. There was just so much that she couldnt explain about him. Why she felt this way. Nothing. Alayna had only just met the man but he was so sweet and those eyes were hypnotizing. Alayna walked into her apartment and was immediately greeted by Ruben. The little bundle of retriever jumped on her leg and Alayna winced slightly in pain. It wasnt as painful anymore but she was still sore and she would have to take it easy for awhile. Ruben seemed to tell that he had hurt Alayna so he just sat there whining and wanting some attention.

Alayna picked up the little bundle and Ruben immediately started licking her face. Alayna's face was still tore up a little though most of it had healed so Ruben was being very gentle with her. Alayna laughed before she put him down again and gave him some food. Apparently Syd had been taking good care of her since she had been gone. Moving into the kitchen she started getting a little picnick basket. That alone only took her about 25 minutes with some sandwiches, chips, 6 of every kind of soda she had, and a blanket. Alayna picked up her basket and grabbed Ruben's collar. Putting it on she picked him up with the other hand and headed out the door. The park wasnt very far from her house so as soon as she got tired she put little Ruben down and like a loyal puppy he walked right beside her. Reaching the park she found a nice comfortable spot and laid out the blanket. She didnt know exactly when Chance was going to arrive so she wanted to spend some quality time with her beloved Ruben. Ruben knew that they were going to play and the pup bounced around eagerly. Alayna laughed her mouth wide open and showing her pearly whites. There were very few people or things that could make he smile like that and Ruben was definetely one of them. Grabbing a stick she threw it as far as her arm would allow. It was painful but she knew she would have to work her muscles to get them good again. Sitting on the grass Ruben came back and jumped on her stick in his mouth. Knocking Alayna over. Ruben...get off! She said it in sort of a pained voice but she had a large smile on her face all the same. She knew that Ruben didnt know any better. Ruben jumped off of her and ran around her barking like mad. Alayna obediently threw the stick.</sup>

[&.chance traven;]

Chance had ended up writing an article on the dangers of society just not caring about each other anymore. He had sent it to his supervisors, and they had written back, saying they liked the story and that they were going to publish it. Chance had been pleased with that, but wasn't too psyched seeing as the paper he wrote for wasn't published here. It didn't really matter though; at least he got a good pay check for it, in addition to the hours he logged at The Emerald, waiting tables. What a life. He was almost thirty and his career was pretty much at a standstill, he wasn't in any relationships, and he only had a few friends, though that was excusable seeing as it had been only about a month since he had moved to Los Angeles. Lately he had been worrying over his inspiration for that article; his inspiration being the woman he had saved from bleeding to death in an alleyway after she had been mugged. That was perfectly rational, seeing as how after saving someone’s life you were apt to develop some sort of bond with them. Chance just wasn't quite aware of how strong this bond actually was. He wished he could have visited her in the hospital again, but even though his schedule wasn't hectic, he just wasn't sure how they stood. I mean, sure, you couldn't fault him for visiting someone he saved, but he was afraid he’d get too attached and something would happen that he just wasn't ready for, this of course, was all subconscious, and he just chose to believe he just hadn't gotten a chance to go back up to the hospital, busying himself with trivial things to keep his mind off Alyana. And he actually had no clue he was doing all that to keep his mind off of her, he just… well, he just lived.

The headlights were coming at him head on but he couldn't move. He was trying, but something held him down, something stronger than he was, and the yell that had started in his chest died on his lips. The pavement was hot beneath him, and it was entangled in his limbs, swirling over him in a dangerous mixture of mist and sticky liquid. His wrists were clamped tight by a hand, and he could barely move his head. When he managed to clear his vision, the first thing he saw was her, it looked like Calisto, and it sounded like her as she crooned softly to him, but had no feeling of familiarity with her, nothing at all. Like she was a stranger, and that realization scared him more than the oncoming car. He took a breath, and steeled himself for the impact, no longer wondering why he was lying in the intersection, why he wasn't moving, he had just accepted he was going to die. The sound of the engine was right atop him now, and just as the black vehicle nicked his arm the car horn erupted in his ear.

Chance awoke with a start, the sweat dripped off his forehead and off the bridge of his nose. He was covered in a cold clammy layer, and his heart raced. The sheets were tangled around his form as he sat upright, and tried to claw his way out of them, not fully calmed from his nightmare. Finally, the sound of his alarm clock broke through his stupor, and he settled slightly, and he slammed his hand on the button to silence the noise. He swallowed thickly, and pulled in a deep breath. A few more moments and he shifted so his feet touched the cold wooden floor, and a chill raced up his spine, his body bare except for his boxer shorts he had slept in. He rubbed a hand over his eyes and swept his dirty blond locks from his forehead, before he got up and padded into the bathroom. The shower water had already begun to heat up as he got undressed and stepped inside, the steady stream comforting on his skin, even if it was a bit hot. He went through the motions of the shower, and was halfway through washing his hair when he remembered why he had set his alarm and it was at that moment some shampoo drifted into his eyes and he let out a yelp of surprise before he began to rub at his eyes. He squinched his eyelids up tight, and tried not to rub them anymore, seeing as how he still had soap left on his hands. A moment later, he was calm enough, and had rinsed off his hands, and he tried to open his eyes, and couldn't help but blink wildly at the sting. After regaining his senses, he flushed the soap out of his eyes and finished up.

The air was cold on his skin, but he quickly dried himself off with a towel and wandered back into his small room, the colors dark but comforting to him. He pulled on a pair of boxers, then dark denim jeans, and finally a black long-sleeved, collared Frou Frou shirt. It was nice, and wasn't girly, no matter how girly the name sounded, Chance actually liked the band. He ran a comb through his hair, but knew it would dry and look slightly better than bed hair, no matter what he did to it. Then, he went back into the bathroom, peered in the mirror with squinted eyes, and brushed his teeth. He was tired, but he’d wake up eventually. Plus, he had set his alarm later than he had originally wanted, and so now he was pretty sure Alyana was already at the park.

He bit his lip as he looked around for his keys, and found them under a pile of bills. His brow furrowed as he noticed the growing amount of envelopes, but shrugged and made a mental note to take care of it later. He locked his apartment door behind him and headed out to the parking lot, his dirty blond hair still a little wet, which made it look darker than usual. He unlocked the driver side door to his small car and got inside, put the key in the ignition, and then drove off toward the park.

He had scoped it out the day before, so he knew the route fairly well, and he made it there in about twenty minutes. The park was huge, so he had no idea how exactly he would find Alyana, but he thought he’d manage. He maneuvered his small four door into an empty parking spot and got out of his car, but not before he took out his cell phone, lest they were mugged, hah, or his supervisor called, as she said she would. He attached it to the back of his pants, and let his shirt cover the phone. His black Converse were ever present on his feet, and he began the walk down the path toward the park entrance. The green grass was lush, and Chance let his icy blue eyes, as the sun hit them that was the color they appeared, roll over the expanse. Five minutes down the path and he heard an incessant barking, but paid it no mind, figuring someone had brought their mutt with them. Chance liked dogs, he really did, but because he had never had one, had the chance or even the want for one, he liked to admire them from a distance, lest he do something stupid and get his hand chewed off.

It was only when he lifted his gaze and looked across the park that he saw Alyana and the dog who was barking, puppy was more like it. A small smile tugged at his lips, and he stepped off the path and onto the grass, and toward the woman. When he neared he stopped a few steps away. “Hey.” he greeted lightly.

[*Alayna [x]Marten*]

^{Alayna happily played with Ruben. Her little golden retriever was full of energy the poor thing. Smiling at her little bundle of joy Alayna reached into the basket and pulled out a dr. pepper and began scarfing it down. Alayna was definetely a junk food and soda person but you would never tell. She was skinnier and much fitter than the skinniest and fittest model in Los Angelos. She just had a high matabolism and she definetely loved to eat. Alayna didnt know what she would do if she hadnt had the high motabolism. She definetely would not be model. Though there was one thing that was on her mind even when she was playing with Ruben. Chance. She just couldnt get him off her mind. Though it wasnt unusual that the victim had a sort of connection with thier rescuer but this was different. And yet she couldnt put a finger on it. Waiting for Chance to arrive she grabbed another stick and tossed it as far as her arm would allow. Her cracked ribs made it almost impossible for her to throw it very far but it was just far enough for the little Ruben to run pretty far. Alayna busted out laughing holding her gut for it was a little painful, for the little Ruben was practically dragging half his body to get the stick back to Alayna. Looking around to see if Chance was around her smiled got wider when her hazel, honey hued eyes met his icy sloud ones. Hey, how've you been? Ruben had allready dropped the stick and took off running. But alayna knew he was going to try and run towards Chance and though her reflexes werent great at the time she still managed to grab him just in time and scoop him up in her arms. Ruben barked and immediately began licking his mothers face. This little wonder is Ruben. Anyone could tell that she loved her puppy.}

[&.chance traven;]

Chance shifted and put his hands in his pockets, the dampness of his hair sending a slight shiver up his spine when the cool breeze danced past. Mixed hued eyes flickered over the dog, who he had now assumed was Alayna`s, not with distaste, or any emotion similar, but rather with caution. Yeah, it was a puppy, but that didn't mean it couldn't take a good sized chunk out of him if it tried. Yeah, sure it may look all innocent and cuddly… but what happened when Chance did something stupid and it got angry at him? Yeah, you could totally see those repercussions couldn't you? The trials of journalism were, first and foremost, finding your story. That always seemed to be the hardest part for Chance, even if his boss lined it up and spelled it out for him. He needed the right angle, and the right facts, and without those, even if he turned in a grade A article, he wouldn't be entirely satisfied with his work until he knew he did the best he possibly could do. That sort of attitude really would have benefited him in his teenage years, but it wasn't one he acquired until he came back from Australia the second time; after his grandfather’s death. Now he was sticking with it, and so far it seemed to have worked for him. Eyes danced over her and the dog with a slight smile over his lips, and he shook his head, his still damp hair making it stick to his skin. “I’ve been fine, but the real question is how are you.” He managed a small grin and kept his gaze on her eyes without dropping his eyes to the ground beneath him. He took his hands from his pocket to reach up and rub the back of his neck, a gesture that could mean many things if you knew Chance well, one reason being he was slightly nervous, but somehow he managed to keep his expression pretty cool and stoic. “He's cute.” Chance admitted, looking at the puppy with a close eye and a slight smile.

[*Alayna [x]Marten*]

^{Alayna held her little puppy you could tell that she was proud of him. Ruben was like an oversized teddybear. Alayna could do anything with him and he wouldnt so much as growl. Ruben even loved strangers. Though there was this one time he had given Talan a warnging growl when they were pillowfighting. Ruben licked her face then looked at Chance whining for attention. Alayna put the poor pup down and grabbed another stick throwing it as far as she could. Turning back towards Chance her kind smile could make anyone melt. Though she didnt wish it she just happened to have a nice smile. Alayna never dropped Chance's gaze her eyes slightly narrowing for a second when she saw him figet. Allright so he is still nervous around her. Giving him another kind smile, Come one Chance loosen up. Joined again by Ruben Alayna had to fight for the stick before Ruben finally gave it up soaring in another direction as Alayna threw it. Turning back to Chance as she heard him talk once again keeping his gaze. Very glad to hear that. Ive been pretty good concidering. Healing is too slow. She added with a little laugh before Ruben joined them again. Oh ya adorable until you dont play with him. He wont hurt you & its ok if you pet him. He likes stangers. As soon as Alayna said that as if to second her motion Ruben walked right up to him and leaned on his leg and whined wanting even more attention. Alayna looked at the little picnic she had made and gave Chance another of her kind smiles. Come on lets eat.}

[Andy Rentson]

chance dear...