Tanya arrived at the rehab centre. She signed herself in and waited for admin to check their records as o where she would be most likely to find Christian. While she waited, one of the good doctors entered.
"Come to see Christian? Or Hugh?" he asked with distaste at the frequent visits and obvious favourtism to people she wasn't even related to.
"Christian," Tanya replied. "How is Hugh progressing?"
"We have hopes for the boy. I understand you're interested in taking up his guardianship when he's released?"
"Can you name someone better qualified."
The doctor deigned to answer, and the clerk gave Tanya Christian's most likely location. Leaving her thanks, Tanya made her way inside.
Christian
"Move it up a little," Christian pointed to where one of the kids should move the banner.
"Here?"
"That's great," Christian nodded, watching as they taped it to the wall, "we'll have this place rocking in no time."
"You must have been here a long time to have every other room," one of the younger kids said to him.
"I haven't done every room," Christian offered him a wink and a smile, "but I'm working on it."
"What's the plan for this one?" Shane came up behind him, folding his arms.
"I'm thinking windows," Christian said thoughtfully.
"We could draw windows, cut them out, and have different kinds of scenery to constantly change behind it. Depending on the season, or week if we make enough."
Shane nodded.
"You do realise we don't have season up here, right?"
Christian gave him a scornful look.
"In the end the object's the same. Brightening this place up. And if this is the only way to do it, so be it."
"You've become a missionary, you know that?" Shane smirked, turning and walking away.
Christian tilted his head as a few of the kids started drawing an outline on the banner.
"Yeah I know," he shrugged to himself.
Tanya
Tanya entered the common room and noted a number of kids hanging about one of the walls. It took her a moment to spot Christian amongst the throng. Well! That was certainly something she didn't expect to see.
"Christian?" she called, attempting to atract his attention.
Christian
Christian turned as a few of the kids instantly scattered.
"Tanya?" he smiled, walking over to her with his arms lightly folded.
"This is an unexpected surprise. How are you?"
Tanya
"Oh, I'm good," Tanya replied cheerfully.
She gestured around.
"What's happening?"
Christian
"I finally got them to let me art-up the common room," Christian said in a low tone.
"Only it can't be anything permanent. And since paint is permanent... well, you know. I figured we could use banners instead. So up they go. I'll give them a week to draw designs and then the painting starts."
Tanya
Tanya nodded.
"A creative solution," she observed. "You're certainly leaving your mark on this place."
Christian
"Yeah I guess I am," Christian shrugged, still watching the kids work.
"And hopefully when I leave they won't even remember that it was me. If I ever leave. I was thinking that if I ever did, I might have to get myself one of those really cliche'd artist studios. You know, like a rundown penthouse or the top story of an abandoned building. Cover it in canvas ans maybe sell stuff exclusively and in secret. Could be cool."
Tanya
Tanya smiled.
"Sounds nice," she said.
She looked around and sat down on a nearby table top. She absently tapped her fingers on her leg.
"How was Christmas?"
Christian
Christian shrugged, backing over to join her.
"It's just another day for me," he reminded her, "but a few of the kids were upset, sure. Missing their families and all that. Especially the younger ones."
Tanya
Tanya nodded.
"Yes, it would be hard," she murmered sotfly.
She hesitated for a moment before continuing.
"I spent mine with Kit, and Leroy."
Christian
"Did Kit get any cool Christmas presents?" Christian mused.
Tanya
Tanya grinned.
"Well, he's really into the Wiggles at the moment," she said. "I think he was just as much entranced by the wrapping paper as he was the actual presents. He likes his Big Red Car toy and Wiggles keyboard. Probably because it makes so much noise."
Christian
Christian hesitated, confused.
"The Wiggles are like an entertainment group, right?" he made sure.
Tanya
"Oh! Yes! Sorry," Tanya replied. "They're a children's musical group that's proven to be rather popular over the years. And they know how to capitalise on it, that's for sure."
Christian
"Doesn't everyone these days?" Christian smirked, unfolding his arms and putting his hands in his pockets instead.
"Everything's always about money. But hey, if the kids like it, why not?"
Tanya
"True. And they're a lot better than some of the other stuff out there that's supposedly for children," Tanya nodded. "A lot better."
She wondered - and not for the first time that day, that week, that month even, if she should mention Leroy's proposal.
Christian
"Yeah," Christan sighed, "so much for sensorship these days."
He stepped forward as one of the boys came to ask him something.
"Sure. Just go get one from the art room. I'll take it back when we pack up for the day," he nodded in answer, then stood back again.
"So how are things going apart from the home life?" he asked.
Tanya
Tanya hesitated.
"Leroy proposed," she admitted finally.
Christian
Christian looked across at her, as if to suss out whether she were lying or not.
When he got no reaction, he turned back and once again folded his arms.
"What did you say?" he asked, almost dreading the answer.
Tanya
"I needed to think about it," Tanya replied.
She shrugged slightly.
"I really... I have no idea what to say."
She chewed her bottom lip.
Christian
Christian nodded slightly, without realising he was doing it.
"Do you love the guy?"
Tanya
Tanya shrugged.
"I've loved Leroy for a very long time. I just don't know if that's enough."
Christian
Christian frowned deeper.
"How can love not be enough?" he asked with almost childlike innocence.
"Isn't that kinda the whole point?"
Tanya
Tanya blinked, stared at Christian, then laughed.
"You're right. That is the whole point."
Christian
"Love is what wrecks lives and slaughters countries," Christian added.
"Love is what people constntly lay everything on the line for. So I'm just saying, if you think you love him, that might be something worth fighting for. Some people will never find it. And if you've already got it..."
He shrugged.
Tanya
Tanya smiled.
"I always knew you were a smart kid. Well," she correct herself. "Not really a kid any more."
Christian
Christian smiled a little, before starting to pack up some nearby art supplies.
"No, not really anymore," he agreed, "though around here it does feel like it. Maybe because I never really was one and a place like this gives me time to be... well, juvenile."
Tanya
Tanya sighed regretfully.
"I'm sorry," she said. "I should have gotten you away from Craig when I had the chance."
Christian
"It doesn't matter," Christian shook his head.
"Regrets, I mean. I'm not gonna lie and say I regret that Craig took me in, I don't. I'm glad he did. I never would have met you for a start. Things could have been a whole lot worse, he could have left me in the gutter for dead. At least I have some portion of a life, and he's to thank for that. And he taught me a lot of valuable life lessons."
He sighed.
"Just not all of them."
Tanya
Tanya nodded slowly.
"True enough," she replied. "It's just that... well, we are the sum of our experiences, and all that. And I will regret not giving you the opportunity to enjoy a normal life when I had the chance."
Christian
Christian shrugged again.
"Well, I kinda have one now," he amended.
"And maybe one day I will."
Tanya
Tanya smiled.
"I hope so," she replied. "Did you want a hand packing up?"
Christian
"Nah, the kids will get it," Christian insisted, closing up a box.
"I think you just scare them away."
He chuckled.
Tanya
Tanya laughed.
"And I suppose it'll do no good telling them I won't bite, huh?" she mused.
Christian
"I doj't think so," Christian mused.
"You seem to have quite the reputation around here. Half the time the newcomers don't believe you actually come here on a regular basis. I could have made a lot of money with bets on that."
Tanya
Tanya cracked up.
"Well, it's nice to know people still appreciate my hard work even though I'm not in the field any more."
Christian
"I don't think a lot of them know you've retired as such," Christian grinned.
"Not that I really understand the reason to run and hide in a place where you can't... well, run and hide."
Tanya
Tanya shrugged.
"There are probably all sorts of operatives up here, despite our security precautions. Petty crime is practically non-existant though," she mused. "No point: they always get caught. I figure I'm probably safer up here from potential assassins than I am on earth."
Christian
Christian nodded.
"True," he agreed, "though I was talking about the centre in particular."
Tanya
"The centre... oh!" Tanya replied, realising her misinterpretation. "Oh, yes, of course. Good point."
She grinned.
Christian
Christian nodded, amused.
"Though my interpretation of the mentality of this generation is pretty skewed to begin with," he shrugged, "I can't help but see things differently. And different things matter, you know."
Tanya
"This is true," Tanya nodded. "All about perspective."
She paused for a moment.
"If... if I could arrange it, and if I do decide to accept Leroy's proposal... would, would you like to come to the wedding?"
Christian
The question caught Christian off guard. He folded his arms over his chest with a thoughtful look on his face.
"I might have to get back to you on that one," he nodded slightly.
"It's not a 'no', it's just something I'd have to think about is all."
Tanya
Tanya nodded slowly.
"I understand," she replied.
She would life for him to be there, but she also knew there would always be animosity between Christian and Leroy.
Christian
"Thanks," Christian nodded.
He looked over her shoulder to where one of the guards was tapping at his watch. He nodded, then turned back to Tanya.
"Don't let it cloud your judgement though," he insisted, "by any means."
Tanya
Tanya spotted the same guard, and shrugged.
"I think I have enough of the Leroy and Me thing to figure out without involving, errr... outside factors," she replied.
Christian
"Good," Christian nodded.
"Not the figuring out part, but the keeping it to yourself thing."
He glanced over at the guard again who was raising his eyebrows.
"I guess that's my cue. I'm probably late for a therapy session or something. They swapped my days so I'm a bit confused with the schedule."
Tanya
"Fair enough," Tanya nodded. "Well, I guess I'll see you next time."
She gave him a smile.
Christian
"I only say that because if it's a class, they're not usually as persistent," Christian said in a low tone, starting to walk past her.
"I'll see you next time!"
Tanya
"See you," Tanya said.
And on that, she left.