Dead on the Inside (JENY&SETH)

[GUILLERMO SALAS-ORTIZ]

He took the offered cig, lighting it and breathing it in slowly.
"Just figured it was about time to come home. If, you know, I'm still cool to be here."
"Of course, Seth. You're always welcome here."
"I heard man. That sucks."
Seth said, somberly.
Guillermo looked away from his friend, determined not to burst into tears again. God, he cried so much lately..
"So, what are you gonna do. Just sit in here until... something happens?"
He shrugged.
"Cause, I gotta tell you... you reak. Like, damn."
The corner of Guillermo's mouth lifted.
"I know. I really need to shower. And do my laundry."
He looked at Seth, his brown eyes dull and tired.
"I just don't have the motivation anymore. Other than the fact that I'll soon have to fumigate this room.."

[SETH FOXWORTH]

"Of course, Seth. You're always welcome here." Seth smiled a little, slightly surprised at Guillermo's graciousness. But he was filled with a great sense of accomplishment when he saw the corners of Guillermo's lips twitch upwards weakly. "I know. I really need to shower. And do my laundry." Seth nodded heavily with this sentiment. "I just don't have the motivation anymore. Other than the fact that I'll soon have to fumigate this room.."

The smoke and burgers seemed to distract the nose slightly from the body odor. Not enough to make it okay, but enough to make it standable. It made it easier to focus on what he needed to say. "You could go after her, you know." Where was the fight? Seth had seen Guillermo go through hell for Rose. Why was he so content to give up. "I mean, I don't want to pry, but did she... say why or something? What happened?"

This needed to be talked about. Obviously he wasn't dealing with it on his own, after all. Whether Guillermo wanted to discuss this was not the point. Yeah, it was uncomfortable. Yeah, it was heartbreaking. But stewing in it was not going to improve the situation. And, worse came to worse, as Guillermo had barely eaten, Seth thought he had a pretty good shot of pinning the sonofa if he had too.

But, as of right now, that was unnecessary. He just watched the smoke lick the air gently, curling until dissipating completely, waiting for an answer.

[GUILLERMO SALAS-ORTIZ]

"You could go after her, you know."
Guillermo scoffed lightly.
"I mean, I don't want to pry, but did she... say why or something? What happened?"
"She didn't give one damn reason."
He reached over and took Rose's note, handing it to Seth.
"She was acting so strange that day and we just fell asleep talking. I woke up and she was gone. I found this on the pillow. What the fuck is that? She's not even at her house anymore, unless she just ignored me when I tried to come after her."
Guillermo took another drag of his cigarette, sighing.
"I don't know what's going on, man. Everything was going great with us. I'm afraid it's my fault. I don't know, maybe I said something that freaked her out or... I don't know."
He glanced sideways at Seth.
"She missed you, you know. I missed you."
It hadn't been the same without Seth.

[SETH FOXWORTH]

"She didn't give one damn reason." Seth could hear the anger, the sadness, the confusion. All were well placed. He watched as Guillermo grabbed a picture, handing it to Seth, who took it, staring at it's painfully vague words. "She was acting so strange that day and we just fell asleep talking. I woke up and she was gone. I found this on the pillow. What the fuck is that? She's not even at her house anymore, unless she just ignored me when I tried to come after her." Seth stared at the note as Guillermo explained, finding it especially cruel. Why wouldn't she find a piece of paper or something? Fuck, why on a note where there all happy?

"Jesus Chicken, you really out did yourself." Seth sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.

Guillermo started the self blame thing. "I don't know what's going on, man. Everything was going great with us. I'm afraid it's my fault. I don't know, maybe I said something that freaked her out or... I don't know." Seth pushed the bag of food closer to Guillermo, determined to make sure he ate until full.

"More likely she has some backwards Rose reason." Seth took another drag of his cigarette, looking over at Guillermo. "Did you go to her Uncle's shop? She's probably been holing up there. She wasn't at her Ma's." Seth stared at Guillermo determinedly, barely believing the words that came from his mouth. "You can't just let her go. At least go demand an answer."

There was silence, before Guillermo spoke softly. "She missed you, you know. I missed you."

Seth bit down guiltily, sighing. "Yeah, sorry about that. I mean, I missed the shit out of you guys. And my fucking parents were driving me up the wall, but damn... I'm sorry. I wish I had been here too-" He sighed. "I just needed to sort some shit out. And I did, and it's sorted, and the box you and Rose go in are the same one. So don't fuck up the system, go shower, we'll go to the shop, and figure shit out." Seth was ready to do this, ready to repair this.

It just needed to be better.

[GUILLERMO SALAS-ORTIZ]

Guillermo took another bite, to please Seth.
"More likely she has some backwards Rose reason. Did you go to her Uncle's shop? She's probably been holing up there. She wasn't at her Ma's. You can't just let her go. At least go demand an answer."
Guillermo shrugged.
"Yeah, sorry about that. I mean, I missed the shit out of you guys. And my fucking parents were driving me up the wall, but damn... I'm sorry. I wish I had been here too-" He sighed.
"I just needed to sort some shit out. And I did, and it's sorted, and the box you and Rose go in are the same one. So don't fuck up the system, go shower, we'll go to the shop, and figure shit out."
Guillermo complied. Why not, right?
He showered, lingering to make sure he smelled normal again. He dressed in clean clothes and shook his head a few times, mussing it up to dry it a little. He joined Seth in the living room afterwards.

[SETH FOXWORTH]

Seth waited as Guillermo showered, gathering up his dirty cloths, pretreating his blanket, mostly keeping himself busy. He was pleased that it took little to convince Guillermo that this was the best course of action. But, Seth had a feeling, this had more to do with Guillermo wanting answer, than any sort of savvy Seth had with words.

His friend looked considerably better, when he got out of the shower. His face still had stubble, and his face still had the hollow look in it, but otherwise he looked good. Seth nodded in awkward approval, as any man would telling his friend that the styling was approved of, and gave a gruff: "Good. Let's go."

Technically, Seth wasn't suppose to be around Rose's Uncles Autoshop. But this was a quest of love. And with Fernando liking Guillermo so much, Seth was certain he wouldn't cause too much fuss. Seth got into his car, opening the passenger side from the inside, as his piece of shit had taken on another turn for the worse and refused to open from the outside of the car. He wouldn't have minded taking Guillermo's car, except for: One, he never drove another guys car. Nothing good came from it. Two, if Rose was in the mood to be a twit, the truck would tip her off. His car wasn't fancy, but it was at least quiet.

"Do you know what you're going to say to her?" Seth inquired, as he got out on the street. This was the problem with fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants planning, there was a lacking in the planning part. But perhaps Guillermo was a few steps ahead of him.

[GUILLERMO SALAS-ORTIZ]

Seth assessed him swiftly.
"Good. Let's go."
Letting Seth lead the way outside, he got into the passenger side of the car when he opened it.
The drive to Fernando's garage was quiet, in which Guillermo contemplated his situation.
What the hell was he doing? Rose wasn't going to want to talk to him. She had made it clear that she wanted time away from him. He should just go home.
She didn't want him.
She left.
Seth could go and he would just stay home.
But they were already there.
Seth exited the car and, though shaking, Guillermo got out as well, going to stand beside Seth.
He was Guillermo's rock right now.
"Do you know what you're going to say to her?"
Nevermind.
"No fucking clue."

[ROSE MERCER]

It had been a long couple of days for Rose. If not for work, she would have probably gone crazy, even if it was interrupted by the inquisitive looks of her coworkers. Even though she said nothing to them about the situation, they knew something was up. She had been sleeping on Fernando's couch, she had been almost silent, and in fact did not leave the garage except once to go to a mysterious appointment.

She immersed herself in work, drowned herself in it really. Bruja seemed agitated that there was still a lack of progress on the Dorothy situation, but what was Rose to do? It wasn't like there was a girl with pigtails, a yappy dog, a plaid dress, and glitter shoes just running amok in New York. "Well, perhaps she's in her land of Kansas." Bruja was out of her mind if she thought Rose was driving all the way to Kansas, though there was a slight amusement when she explained to her mind-tenant that Kansas was a state.

What Rose wanted to do was go home. Pretend it was one of her fucked up games, and try and make everything okay with Guillermo. She wondered how he had been holding up. Well, she hoped. It ached her heart to think of him in pain, but it was to protect him. What else could she do? Bruja had shown the extent of her power that day, and if Rose couldn't stop her from doing that, then there probably wasn't much Rose could stop.

Perhaps she would give Seth a call- Hold the phone. Rose peered out the window, wondering if she was hallucinating. Seth? Seth! Seth was here! Dropping what she was doing, Rose bolted outside, ready to jump into her childhood best friends arms, wanting to apologize for having somehow lead him on in the past, wanting him to let her cry on his shoulder and ask no questions. But as she got closer, her smile faded to a look of shock, as Guillermo stood next to him. Rose stopped her run at Seth, staring at Guillermo's face. He looked like hell.

Guilt.

"Stay strong, Rose. Tell him to go away." Rose ignored Bruja, looking from each boy's face.

It was an ambush.

There was a lump in her throat, and a burning in her eyes. She forced herself to talk through it. "H-hey? What's- um... what's going on?" God, this must be what it felt like to get one of those interventions. Except, drug of choice was bitchiness. Shit. "This isn't really a great time to- to do this. I'm at work." It was a logical excuse, though both boys knew she never had qualms about visitors before. She avoided Guillermo's eyes, her stomach twisting like when you swung from a swing to fast.

[SETH FOXWORTH]

"No fucking clue." Seth let out an empty laugh, as his friend stood next to him, looking frightened at what laid ahead.

Seth offered what he could, resting his burly hand on Guillermo's shoulder. "Don't worry about it, Man. Winging it is probably the best option anyway-" Rose seemed to have seen them, rushing out of the garage, though her pace seemed to slow considerably when she spotted Guillermo. Her face was like that of a kid who ate all the cookies before the party. Guilty and sick.

Seth offered a greeting smile, noticing that she looked like shit as well. He had known Rose was going to have some Rose reason for this shit. "H-hey? What's- um... what's going on?"

"Not a whole lot, Chicken. Just came for a bit of a chat, really." Seth spoke casually, leaning against the hood of his car.

Rose seemed ready to bolt, as is what Rose's did when nervous. "This isn't really a great time to- to do this. I'm at work." Really? She was going to try and pull that? Hell, the way he heard it, work at the Shop was like a constant party, minus the booze. Laughing, mingling, chatting.

"Yeah, I'mma just call bull shit on that one, Chicken." Seth shoved his hands in his pockets. She probably hadn't been expecting this, any of it, but Seth being on Guillermo's side here. But, really, on being on Guillermo's side, Seth was also on Rose's. She just didn't know it. "Listen, you two need to- powwow, or whatever the fuck. Now, Rose, that's going to happen, one way or the other, because no one is leaving until some shit is dished out. So, you're choice Chick." Seth brought himself to his full height, staring at Rose sternly. "Are you going to do this the easy way, or the fun way?"

[GUILLERMO SALAS-ORTIZ]

"Don't worry about it, Man. Winging it is probably the best option anyway-"
He watched Rose jog happily out of the shop. She slowed when she caught sight of him, looking much less excited. His insides squirmed unpleasantly.
"H-hey? What's- um... what's going on?"
Her question was more polite than friendly and she directed it at Seth.
"Not a whole lot, Chicken. Just came for a bit of a chat, really."
Seth spoke casually, leaning against the hood of his car.
Guillermo was silent, staring at his feet lamely. Everything he had gone through that he would say, the questions he would ask her, were gone.
"This isn't really a great time to- to do this. I'm at work."
B. S.
She could talk whenever the hell she wanted.
His mind played out a scene of him yelling at her. Another of him on his knees asking her to come back. Neither would be effective.
"Yeah, I'mma just call bull shit on that one, Chicken. Listen, you two need to- powwow, or whatever the fuck. Now, Rose, that's going to happen, one way or the other, because no one is leaving until some shit is dished out. So, you're choice Chick. Are you going to do this the easy way, or the fun way?"
Guillermo stared at Seth and Rose. He didn't want to be here. He didn't want Rose to know how messed up he'd been since she left.

[ROSE MERCER]

"Not a whole lot, Chicken. Just came for a bit of a chat, really."His words were light, but Seth's tone held a certain amount of ominousness to them. Like Rose didn't have a choice. Her jaw set petulantly. What the hell? When did he go from supposedly being in love with her, to full on on Guillermo's side? How long had Seth been talking to Guillermo, and ignoring Rose? "Yeah, I'mma just call bull shit on that one," Rose's eyes narrowed, annoyed by the Doctor Phil act. "Chicken. Listen, you two need to- powwow, or whatever the fuck. Now, Rose, that's going to happen, one way or the other, because no one is leaving until some shit is dished out. So, you're choice Chick. Are you going to do this the easy way, or the fun way?"

Rose took an instinctive step back, remembering this. Easy way vs. fun way was an old Seth move, where he was letting someone know that his way WAS going to happen, and nothing could be said about it one way or another. Well, Seth Foxworth was messing with the wrong girl. "Seth, don't threaten me," Rose growled softly, planting her feet. "And mind your own business. This is between me and G-Guillermo, so butt out."

She glanced over at Guillermo, feeling a slight pang of jelousy. Seth was suppose to be her best friend, not Guillermo's. He was suppose to be on Rose's side. And even as the order to butt out escaped her lips, she knew that had Seth been on her side, she wouldn't be nearly as offended. But, then again, it didn't really seem like Guillermo was in too much control of what was happening here. He was just staring at his feet, looking wounded.

Rose was the wounder.

Rose wanted to comfort him, just as anyone who saw the person they loved in that state would. She wanted to be comforted by him, just as he always had when she started to feel scared, when she started to pull away. He was her undoing, the ender of her emotional Houdini escape attempts.

But that couldn't happen. It would just take them three step back. Rose had to see this pain through.

[SETH FOXWORTH]

Rose had her hard head face on. So, basically, she looked how she always did, but kinda pissed. "Seth, don't threaten me," He grinned at her, like say 'who, me?'. It would probably be more fitting to the situation if he had a grave face on, but it was all too ridiculous. Anyone with a set of eyes could see they loved each other, after all. They were obviously meant to be, a fact Guillermo seemed to have accepted, but Rose had to draw it out. This was just the prologue. The long, stupid, ridiculous, prologue. "And mind your own business. This is between me and G-Guillermo, so butt out."

Fun way it was.

Sighing a little laugh, Seth cracked his neck, stepping forward. "Chicken Little, you really are your biggest enemy, you know that?" With that, Seth scooped up his best friend, the former lover of his imagination, the person he still cared most about in this whole world, and simulated the act of carrying a very angry sack of potatoes. Ignoring her protests, he waved Guillermo forward, entering the shop.

They were greeted by curious stares from Hiro and Stefano, who Seth had only met briefly before. "Hey there." Seth greeted politely, as though he did not have a very pissed off Rose trapped over his shoulder blade.

Hiro looked amused by the whole thing, where as Stefano looked nervous, like foreseeing rage in the near future. "Yo man." Hiro said easily, nodding the greeting mostly at Guillermo. "What's all this about?"

"Huh? Oh, this? Rose needs to talk feelings and, well," Seth grinned as his back was used as a punching bag. Hiro laughed a little, as Stefano shook his head, making a wise choice not to get involved. "Any place these two kids can chat in private. Preferably something with locks on the outside."

"Boss man's office is thataway." Hiro pointed, only to be scoffed at by Stefano.

"Dude, not in there. Too much breakable shit. Sides, lock is on the inside." Stefano pointed at the supply closet, looking annoyed as if it should have been the first choice. "Right there. Don't worry, we know the pad lock combination.... sorry Rose." He added the last bit as an afterthought, almost sorry to have become involved.

"Perfect." Seth said, pushing Guillermo gently on the back to the closet, all but placing them both inside. Rose would thank him later, he was sure. And Guillermo, well, Seth had done all he could. It was on him now. "Right then. Have a good talk." Seth said, closing and locking the door on them.

Now all that was left to do was wait.

[GUILLERMO SALAS-ORTIZ]

"Seth, don't threaten me, and mind your own business. This is between me and G-Guillermo, so butt out."
Rose's voice wavered with rage that Seth was involved in this whole scheme. She obviously was not in the mood to talk.
Seth advanced on Rose, regardless of what might happen to him.
"Chicken Little, you really are your biggest enemy, you know that?"
Tossing Rose over his shoulder easily, he beckoned Guillermo forward and entered the shop.
Guillermo ducked in behind him, noticing the surprised looks from Hiro and Stefano.
"Hey there." Seth greeted, and Guillermo lifted a hand, waving weakly at them. He was glad to see them, though not under the circumstances.
Hiro smirked and Stefano took on a I-don't-want-to-know expression. "Yo man. What's all this about?"
Guillermo let Seth answer.
"Huh? Oh, this? Rose needs to talk feelings and, well, any place these two kids can chat in private. Preferably something with locks on the outside."
"Boss man's office is thataway." Hiro pointed out the door, while Stefano rolled his eyes.
"Dude, not in there. Too much breakable shit. Sides, lock is on the inside. Right there. Don't worry, we know the pad lock combination.... sorry Rose."
"Perfect."
Seth headed to the supply closet, nudging Guillermo inside, then he set down Rose beside him.
"Right then. Have a good talk."
The door closed and clicked as it was locked.
There was a silence.
"Sorry.." Guillermo mumbled.
The dim light allowed him little viewing pleasure of her most likely irritated expression.
"Look, I didn't want to ambush you. I just wanted to know.."
He sighed, covering his eyes with his hands and slid them down his face. "Why did you leave? You just disappeared without giving me a reason. Don't you think I deserve to know?"
He didn't sound angry, more resigned.

[ROSE MERCER]

"Chicken Little, you really are your biggest enemy, you know that?" Seth spoke ominously, igniting an urge in Rose to run. Not that she had enough time, as he scooped her up over his shoulder. SON OF A BITCH! Rose beat on Seth's back, not bothering to yell, putting forth all her effort in the struggle. Damn Seth, he had a grip like an anaconda. She didn't need to listen to the boys talk to know that they were ALL TRAITORS, and soon found herself in the supply closet. "Right then. Have a good talk."

As he shut the door, and she heard the lock click, she kicked the door angrily. THIS WAS SO NOT FAIR! Seriously? This was going a bit far? Holding her hostage until she talked, what the hell? After a moment of silence, Guillermo spoke. "Sorry.." Rose shot him a glance, in between rage and annoyance. He should be sorry! This was completely unacceptable. Still, he looked so fragile and tired.... "Look, I didn't want to ambush you. I just wanted to know... Why did you leave? You just disappeared without giving me a reason. Don't you think I deserve to know?" Sighing, Rose pulled the pull string switch, turning on the yellowish light.

Rose leaned against the door, letting her copper hair fall in her face. "You know, for you not wanting to ambush me, you did an amazingly good job..." Rose growled, stalling a little. A part of her wanted to tell him, to confess that she didn't want any of this. She wanted to hug him, and say she was sorry, and beg for forgiveness. "Guillermo... it's really complicated... and... involved. Okay? I just have some shit I need to sort out." She couldn't help the annoyed tone that emitted from her, though she tried to soften it. "There Seth, we talked! Let me out now!"

Silence.

She looked at Guillermo, frustrated and cornered. "Please, tell him to unlock the door." Despite saying please, it came across as an order.

[GUILLERMO SALAS-ORTIZ]

"You know, for you not wanting to ambush me, you did an amazingly good job..."
"Hey, Seth was making the plans, not me. And Seth wouldn't have made the plans if Jeny hadn't called him. So really, it all comes back to her."
He gave a small smile in spite of the situation.
"Guillermo... it's really complicated... and... involved. Okay? I just have some shit I need to sort out."
Rose was looking and sounding extremely aggravated.
She threw a nasty look at the door, hollering through it.
"There Seth, we talked! Let me out now!"
If Seth was there, he didn't reply.
Rose glanced back at him. "Please, tell him to unlock the door."
Her voice was demanding.
"No! Rose, please! Stop running from me. What's going on?"
He grabbed her shoulders.
"Why are you doing this to me? I can't stand not talking to you. I can't stand you being angry at me. God, Rose, I love you."
He kissed her, his eyes shutting tight, waiting for her to hit him.