Nostalgia is a seductive liar.

-George Wildman Ball

Emma

"Don't blame Will too much," Blake says, "he is that way because of things that happened to him. He's not always such a jerk, I promise."

"Don't I feel special now," I mutter.

Blake grins. "I didn't take you for sarcastic."

We're sitting in his sleeping space that's not so far from mine and Burns'. We're both at opposite ends of the mattress.

I'm turning a compass in my hands that I picked up from a makeshift shelve. The needle is slowly moving from left to right. Apparently there is some sort of magnetic field in these tunnels.

Blake's sleeping space is slightly larger than ours. If you try hard enough, you could even call it cozy. He made an effort of giving it a homely appeal.

In the corner he has a makeshift cabinet with planks and stones. The few clothes he owns hang over a bar above it.

A few ornaments, of which the compass was one, adorn the shelves. Some he brought from home, others he found on raids.

There are no pictures, but when I asked him about it, he told me there was no use in keeping reminders of people that are no longer there.

Maybe he's right. I don't know.

Much to Blake's credit, he's not trying to cheer me up. After my earlier break down he brought me here so I could cry my eyes out in privacy and we've been here ever since.
Surprisingly enough, I feel calmer now. Not for the first time I wonder why it could never be this way between us before.

And not for the first time I get the feeling that it might have been my fault. I never allowed myself to lower my guard around him. Though in all fairness, he never gave me much reason to.

"Feeling better?" Blake asks.

I let out a sigh and nod. "Yeah. Thanks."

He leans his head back against the wall and smiles at me. Again, it holds something sad. "You know what this room needs?" he suddenly asks, "decoration."

I blink "Decoration," I echo.

He nods. "Yeah. I was thinking some pictures on the wall. You know any artist?" he grins.

I look down. My sketches are personal.

"Come on," he says, "you've done commissions before. You forget I saw your mural."

"I don't know," I say hesitantly.

He pouts. "I'll pay you."

A laugh escapes me. "With what?"

He nods at my hands. "How about that compass?"

"But it's yours," I protest, "you won it at that contest. The one hosted by my father's Observatory."

"You remember that?" he asks surprised.

The heat rushes to my cheeks, but he doesn't comment on it for once.

"It must have sentimental value," I say, "or you wouldn't have brought it with you."

He nods. "It does."

I wait, but he doesn't elaborate. "Why part with it then?" I ask.

There's a vague smile around his lips. "The reason for its sentimental value is no longer a reason to keep it."

"You're not making sense," I state flatly.

He chuckles and shakes his head like he has a secret I can't know about. "So," he says, "payment accepted?"

I sigh. "What would you have me draw?" I see no point in arguing. I can do a drawing. No big deal.

"I'll leave it up to you," he says.

It's silent for a moment and I bite my lip. "I guess that party Nate planned is off now."

"Oh no," Blake says, "it's still on. Even more so now the others have returned."

I frown. "How so?"

"Some of the things they brought from the raid will spoil quickly," he explains, "so they'll be eating them tonight."

"Shouldn't you be there then?" I ask.

"And leave you by yourself?" he says.

I shrug. "I'll be fine. I should probably check on Burns."

"We'll do that on our way to the others," Blake says, "but he probably wants some time alone."

Reluctantly I give in and I follow Blake down the tunnel to the space I share with Burns. He's not there.

"Hey," Blake says, "don't worry. There's nowhere he can go. Even if he finds the entrance the guys won't let him leave."

My face pales and Blake turns my face so I look at him. "They wouldn't harm him, Emma, I swear. They would only bring him back. Trust me, okay?"

I nod quietly, not completely convinced yet, but I let Blake lead me towards the common room.

...

Almost everyone is there. Sophie and Kim are munching down some bread rolls. The good kind, not the hard flat loafs we usually have. I smell eggs and bacon and Evan is holding a box of chocolate.

For a moment I can only stare. It's like they've already forgotten what happened earlier.

"Sit here, okay?" Blake says, "I'll be right back." He pushes me down on a chair and disappears further down the room. I see him hand over my guitar to Logan before walking up to Nate.

I look around the room. Burns isn't here.

"Nate says he saw him leave towards the eastern tunnel," Blake appears in my vision, holding out a bottle of coke, "he sent Carlos after him, but he wanted to be alone. Carlos's staying close, so don't worry okay?"

I sigh and accept the drink.

"Hungry?" he asks and he hands me a bread roll. I shake my head and Blake sits down next to me. "You need to eat, squirky." He sighs. "Come," he says while getting to his feet, "dance with me."

"What?" I gasp.

He points at Logan who is playing songs on m guitar. Evan and Ellen are already dancing.

Blake pulls me to my feet. "It will take your mind off things."

"You know I can't dance," I say pointedly.

"We've had this discussion before," Bake grins at me. He catches my look. "I promise I won't kiss you this time."

I glare at him and he laughs. He has pulled me to the center of the room now and holds me tightly.

"What part of me not liking attention did you not understand?" I whimper.

"Just humor me," he says and I sigh. He takes it as consent and moves one hand to my waist while the other holds my hand.

"This is ridiculous," I mutter, but I give in, because it's easier than arguing. His comment about kissing me brings back memories of another dance we shared. It was at a New Year's reception at the Observatory. Blake's family was there too, because his father was a big investor.
He almost kissed me then. But at the last moment he decided to be a jerk and peck my cheek.

I ran out on him.

"What are you thinking about?" Blake asks.

I look up. I had almost forgotten we were dancing. "Nothing," I blurt out, but his grin says he knows exactly what was on my mind. His hand on my waist pulls me even closer to him.

"Don't be nervous now," he says with a playful smirk.

***

"You want a real kiss, squirky?"

My breath stocks as he leans closer. The fact that he's smirking only makes me angry again and I push him away. "Piss off, Blake."

I practically run out of the room. There's no way I'm staying here now. Not with both Andrew and Blake to drive me crazy.

I weave my way through the crows and find my mother. She's conversing with a few other women, probably lobbying for bigger investments.

"Mother," I say, "can we go home?"

She gives me an annoyed look. "It's rude to interrupt a conversation, Emma."

"I'm not feeling well," I try again.

She sighs. "Go find your father. I am in conversation." She turns back to her little group and ignores my presence.

I sigh and turn to find my father. Instead I find Blake.

"Come on squirky. Don't be that way. It was just a joke."

"I didn't' laugh, did I," I say while I keep walking. He follows me. I find my father with some of the investors. He's explaining something about the project he's been working on. He smiles when he sees me. "Emma." He turns to the group. "This is my daughter Emma."

I nod as they greet me and bite my lip. I've never been good with small talk. "Dad, can we go home?" I ask.

He smiles at me surprised. "It's not even midnight yet. Aren't you enjoying yourself?"

"I have a headache," I say.

My father's eyes are filled with sympathy. "I'm sorry sweetheart. I can't leave now. I have to hold a presentation in half an hour."

"I can drive her, mister Dupree."

Blake appears at my shoulder and I narrow my eyes.

"How thoughtful of you, Blake," my father says happily. For some reason he likes Blake.

"It's no problem," Blake smiles politely.

"Wonderful," my father smiles. He pats my cheek. "Let Blake drive you, sweetheart. And when you get home, go lie down, alright? Try to get some sleep." He has turned away before I can protest.

"Well then," Blake says, "shall we go?"

"Why are you doing this?" I hiss.

He holds a lazy smile. "Just making sure you get home safely."

"Right," I say.

He smiles. "Are you coming or not?"

...

We pull up at my house and I sit in the car a moment longer. It's snowing again.

"I'll walk you to the door," Blake says.

I nod. The car ride has been silent, but not uncomfortable.

The house is dark, but the porch light flicks on hen we reach the front steps. I stop and turn to face him. "Thanks for the ride," I mutter.

"Don't mention it," he shrugs.

I nod and glance at the house.

"Looking for mistletoe?" Blake grins. His eyes are filled with amusement and I glare at him.

"Why do you always have to be such a ..." He cuts me off with a kiss. It's soft and sweet and sends a shiver through my body. And for a moment my mind is completely blank.

He pulls away and a soft smile plays on his lips. He smirks and winks at me. "Good night, squirky."

I hardly notice him leave.

***

I flinch when I realize how close I've come to Blake. Subconsciously my arms have found their way around his neck. His arms are loosely wrapped around waist. He watches me calmly, but offers no comment.

Heat rushes to my face and I break away from him. "...I'm gonna... look for ehm... Burns."

Blake nods quietly and I turn around. As it appears I don't have to look very hard. I can just see his ginger hair disappear out of the room.

With Rachel.