Chance rolled over, putting his arm around Trish, who lay on her side next to him. He leaned in and kissed her cheek and she smiled.
“Morning already?” she asked.
“Yeah. I was going to let you sleep though.”
“Oh no you don’t – I feel like I barely get to see you during the day as it is, and after being gone extra hours last week, you at least owe me a breakfast.”
“Okay, okay. you win. Let me get dressed and I’ll make breakfast.”
“I can make breakfast.” she said, and started to get up.
“No. Bedrest, remember?” she sighed stubbornly as he continued. “I’m not an invalid, let me do something for you.”
“Fine.” she said, flopping back into bed. Chance gave her another kiss and got out of bed, hunted up some clothes and dressed before heading downstairs to cook her breakfast. He may not be the greatest at it, but he could do some things.
He whistled a bit as he worked on some eggs and sausage for her and himself, then looked up when he heard her approach. He frowned.
“I am allowed to get up and move around.” she reminded him.
“I know, I know. Breakfast will be done soon, ok?”
“Ok.” she pulled out a chair and took a seat at the table, waiting for Chance as he finished cooking, plating, and pouring her a drink before bringing it to the table. She picked up a fork and poked at the eggs. She may love him, but he needed help in the cooking department, she decided. She cut into a piece of sausage, and was thankful to see that at least that was done all the way through.
The meal was relatively quiet. When it was over, she watched as he took care of dishes and loading the dishwasher.
“Chance?”
He looked up “Yeah?”
“What were you doing for Charles all this past week?”
Chance frowned a little, debating with himself as to whether or not he should say anything. He took long enough thinking that Trish started drumming her fingers before throwing her hands up.
“Nevermind.” she said with a pout.
“I wasn’t ignoring you – I was just trying to figure out if he’d be okay with me telling you.”
“Did you figure it out or did your brain stall?” she meant it teasing, but as she was irritated it came out wrong. “Sorry. I didn’t mean it that way.”
“It’s okay.” he said, and gestured for her to head into the living room, then followed her and took a seat.
“Charles acquired a new ghoul the Saturday before last.”
“Acquired?” she raised an eyebrow.
“Traded a magic ritual to a Tremere for him. He thought he could redeem him.”
“What’d he do?”
“As I understand it, he hurt and raped Mandy – broke her wrist even.”
Trish appeared horrified at the news. “Did he know that before he took him in?”
Chance nodded. “He took him to make him serve penance for what he did. Like I said, he thought he could redeem him.”
“I still don’t see what that has to do with you.”
“The idea behind his penance was to get him to learn that he doesn’t have an option – he gets no say. Mercy doesn’t give mercy, I can tell you that.” he said, recalling some of the things he’d seen her do.
“So what was your role?”
Chance picked up the cup he’d brought with him, and drank the last of its contents before speaking again.
“Non-consensual sex.” he finally said.
“Wait; wait. So you raped a rapist?”
He nodded. “Essentially.”
“How the hell does that make you any better than him?” she said as she stood in disbelief, anger and hurt on her face and in her voice.
“It was to teach him a lesson.” he said, getting up and moving to her. He tried to take her hand, but she batted it away.
“I don’t think that’s an excuse.” she said, fighting back tears. Stupid hormones she thought.
“I didn’t think you’d react this way.”
“Why shouldn’t I?”
“Trish, please don’t be upset with me. For what it’s worth, it worked.”
“Don’t tell me not to be upset. I’ll be upset all I want. After all, my boyfriend is a rapist!”
“Trish, c’mon.” he said, trying to pull her into his arms.
“No. Just go. Get out of here.”
“Trish – ”
“Are you stupid or just dense? I said go and I meant it. I want to be alone!” she picked up his keys and threw them at him. “Don’t come back until I tell you you can.”
He caught the keys before they could hit his face. “I don’t understand.”
“Oh my god. Really? I may have been manipulated into what happened to me since I was thirteen, but it was still rape.” she said, throwing his jacket at him.
“Trish..”
“Please just go already.”
He stood looking at her, feeling hurt. He pulled his jacket on and pocketed his keys. “Alright. I’ll wait for you to call or text then.” he said quietly, giving her a last look before heading out the door and making his way to work. He’d have to see about staying there until Trish let him back in. He sighed. Maybe Charles could talk some sense into her he thought as he turned into the outreach center parking lot.