A man unwilling to fight for what he wants gets what he deserves

I had been sent to North America for work. The ministry felt I was going to be useful to the ministry there. I was going through files at my desk when someone was saying how Regulus black had been seen around the area, a big debate started on where he was. I stood up, " I worked on that case....Regulus Black is dead." I said to them as I seemed like everyone needed to know. Feeling like I needed to prove he was truly gone. I left the office to go to my car. Opened the door and was headed over to my car as I opened the door and peeked inside as I was searching for some paper.

I hated living in a slightly secret manner... I had the money to live large if I wanted to.  I took all that was mine when I moved to the United States... but I wanted to lay low.  I hated my flat -- well, they called them apartments here -- it was grungy and dingy, but perfect for people ignornig me.  I had been living like this for a few years... I couldn't believe I was twenty years old.  I tried to live by a Muggle appearance... which always brought a smile to my face thinking what my parents would think of me now.  I was walking and digging in my wallet to pull out some money so I could go into my favorite coffee shop and definitely was not paying attention to where I was really going.  I bumped into someone who had been leaning into their car.  Not a bad sight, but I still felt horrible.  "Oh, I'm sorry... I wasn't watching where I was going.  are you alright?" I asked, pretty sure that I had heard her hit her head inside the car.

I fell into my car hitting my head, I landed on the ground with a light ooph on the ground. I looked up, thinking I was seeing a ghost. I rubbed my head and flinched slightly when I noticed a cut on my forehead. " I know who you are.." I got to my feet as my folder was on the ground in between us. " It can't be.."

I knew who she was, too.  Aimee Thomas... I swallowed slightly and wondered if I could play it off.  I was sure as hell going to try.  I tried to chuckle and bent down, picking up the folder for her and offering her my hand to help her stand up.  "Yeah, it can't be... because, I'm sorry, you don't look familiar to me at all," I lied, getting concerned when I saw that she was bleeding.  I pulled a handkerchief out of my coat pocket -- which I swear was clean -- and put a hand on her cheek as I went to wipe away some of the blood.  "Careful... you're bleeding," I said softly, as I dabbed some of it away.  I stopped and dropped my hands and stared at Aimee, feeling like I was probably being way too forward to someone that I just injured.

I raised my eyebrows at him, " uh huh..." I said skeptically. Not believing a word he said other than that I was bleeding. " Sorry I tend to stick my ass out far more than necessary. " I said with a laugh. I tried to ignore the feeling that was coming up. He seemed so concerned it was awkward for some reason. Oh yeah it's because I thought that he was dead. Taking his hand to help me up. watching his hand go to my forehead I smiled briefly, " Thanks." I said.

I really did not like the fact that it felt like my heart was pounding in my chest.  I chuckled and shook my head.  "Well, it would have helped had I not been so hell bent on getting my favorite cup of coffee," I said apologetically.  "You gotta let me make it up to you for giving you a cut on your forehead... I feel like a horrible person."  No, damn it Regulus.  What was wrong with me?  I did not need to make it up to her... I needed to run.  I was dead to everyone in Europe.  I did not need to get mixed up with someone from Europe... especially Aimee.

I laughed, " You're not a horrible person, I guess I could have you buy me some of that terrific coffee..." I said with a smirk. " Let's see whats great about it...I mean you don't have to buy it or anything...just company?" I suggested. God damnit Aimee....relax.

I smiled and shook my head.  "I think it's the least I could do is buy you a cup of joe," I said, walking with her to the coffee joint.  I always had to get the caramel flavored lattes, but I knew they always had seasonal flavors, too.  "We could always post-pone this if you have to get back to whatever you were doing... It looked like you were digging for gold.  I'd hate to interrupt that," I added, realizing that not everyone just could get coffee on a whim like me.

I shook my head, " No, I only have to head to the office to hand in a folder than I can join you. I will do that and than I will join you for coffee after that?" I suggested. " Only digging for a folder that needed to be reentered. " I explained. " I am out of europe for a purpose." I said with a grin. Realizing I didn't need to explain that I was not anxious on heading back to England.

I nodded, figuring that was fine.  "I'll wait for you if you'd like?  That way you don't have to go on a mad hunt for the coffee shop," I suggested.  I really should be running from her.  Going into hiding... getting away from her.  I really should go away... leave her standing there to never see me again.  But I couldn't.  She was the closest thing to home.  I missed home... I missed everything.  But I needed to protect everyone back in Europe.  They needed me to be dead to them.  It was better that way.

Smiling, " I'll be right back.." I said as I should maybe grab a sweater. I was wearing a low cut shirt and a pencil skirt. I didn't want him to get the wrong idea. Laughing, I got in and put the folder on my desk and took my sweater and went back to meet him. " Had to change the shoes. Heels are good...but when you can wear flats...makes it so much lovelier. " I said as I smiled.

She looked so cute whether she was in heels or flats.  She always looked great no matter what she was wearing.  She had always thought I was crazy.  "And that's why I like being a man... we don't have nearly as high of standards as what women have for clothing," I joked as we walked.  "I'm Reese, by the way," I lied.  Giving fake names came so easily to me.  They always had to start with an 'R' though.  I did that just in case I nearly slipped.

I smiled, " Well, you pull that off very well." I said as I laughed a bit as I noticed his expression. I raised my eyebrows at him when he called himself Reese. " Hi Reese...I'm Aimee..." I said to him knowing I will make him tell me in a little bit and he knows it. I don't know why he's trying to be a tough guy. We got to the coffee store and he opened the door for me, " Thanks." We walked up to the counter, " So, you order it for me?" I asked him seeing as I had no idea on what I was ordering.

I could see it in her eyes that she did not believe a word coming out of my mouth.  It killed me not to tell her, but I had said my goodbye to her when I disappeared a few years ago.  I thought I was going to die... I knew that -- well, thought that, I was going to die at the time.  "I hope you like flavoring," I said, as I ordered my normal times two.  We waited a copule of minutes for our coffees and then I led the way to a little table.  I wasn't sure if she'd like it... but it was my new addiction over in the states.  When I was in Europe I hated coffee, but now... I was constantly drinking it.  It was horrible.  I took a sip of mine and handed the coffee to Aimee.  I was sure the questions were going to start coming now.  I knew she knew exactly who I was right now and I had no idea how to handle this.

" Thanks....so Reese where are you from?" I asked him, figuring I would go along with this a little bit. " I'm from Europe but god forbid if I go there anytime soon." I said simply. " I had a hand ina few things and now some not so nice people want to talk to me." I said as if it were nothing.