Cabriolet

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LUCY NIELSEN
It was fortunate that she had found a way to work through the panic, because as soon as they arrived outside of the restaurant, her appetite had returned in full. The restaurant was stunning - new and fresh and bright - the first of its kind that she stepped into. She was accustomed to eating out, but never a place that carried with it so much reputation. She was glad, at the very least that she had dressed nice that morning.

Following Killian inside, she looked around, taking in the luxurious decor and charming appeal of the place. The hostess greeted them, before Killian even spoke, and she nodded when he looked to her for approval. Normally, she wasn't one to drink during the day - another rule - but after visiting the apartment and all the nerves bundled up, and reminding herself that sometimes change meant letting go a little, she decided it was worth bending.

At the bar, she sank onto a stool, and glancing to Killian, smiled faintly, "This is nice... Fanciest place I've ever been for lunch. Generally it's a Caesar from Salad Works... Or an extra cup of coffee." It was probably par for course with Killian, though. He didn't generally eat lunch at the house, and she couldn't see him slumming it through a drive thru often... unless absolutely desperate. Even then, it was an image she had a hard time bringing to mind's eye.

When the tender arrived, she ordered a glass of chardonnay. It wasn't whiskey... but after the night before, recalling her mortifying dart display, she wasn't quite ready for the hard stuff, again, "I meant to ask earlier... before... you know. Where is Maria going tomorrow?"
 
Killian Hopper
Killian slid into a bar stool, impressed with how packed the place was, even at such an hour. He couldn't imagine what it must have been like for dinner. Couple after couple, party after party, was turned away from the door because the place was "already completely reserved." There were still a few open tables scattered throughout, one of which belonged to them, and the rest he imagined they left open in the event a very important guest decided to stop by. The city of Vegas was full of high rollers that could walk into any restaurant, at any time, and get a table. Killian was pleased to know he was one of them.

"I'll have a Manhattan, please," he said when the bartender turn his eyes to him, rasping his knuckles against the bar top as he got comfortable. As their drinks were prepared, he returned his attention to Lucy and gave a smile. "It does look nice," he agreed. "I hope the food is as good as it looks like it might be." When their drinks arrived, Killian was happy to reach out and draw it to his lips, sipping down that first pleasant burn of the day. He didn't really drink before five PM. He didn't really drink, period, but there were days that called for alcohol.

And in the last week, it had been every day.

Setting it back down on the bar top, Killian leaned back and sighed, the first sign of a comfortable decompression. "Maria? Oh, tomorrow is graduation. Her son is graduating high school, so she's going to go to the ceremony and her family is going out for a celebratory dinner. Good kid, her son. He comes along sometimes to hang out in the theater or swim during the summer. He got into a college somewhere in Alabama, I think. University of Auburn, maybe?" He shrugged, he couldn't quite remember. Their conversation on the topic was so long ago.

He didn't mean to finish his drink as quick as he had, but one moment they were just serving it to him, and the next it was down to just a little bit of melted water and ice-cubes. The bartender asked if he cared for another, to which he shook his head. "Ready for lunch?"

 
LUCY NIELSEN
It was funny how there always something a little strange, sitting own with Killian in any sort of setting. A few days ago, if someone had told her she would be dining with him in a fine restaurant, let alone living in their home, she would have thought, without a question, they were out of their minds. Actually, clinically out of their mind. Yet there she was, at the bar of a stunning new opening, enjoying a quiet conversation with him.

Enjoying it... That was probably the most surprising detail of all. For the first time since meeting him, she wasn't cringing internally, expecting a fight to break out. Whether it was their mutual stress, or having simply found small, nonsensical things in common... or even just having grown tired of the alternative, their relationship had gone from something akin to Pompeii... to what she might have dared suggested was the blossoming of a friendship.

At least on her part, she certainly didn't hate the man anymore, and after the night prior, she had determined that he didn't hate her half as much as she assumed, either. It was a good feeling, and it made it considerably easier to be around him, "Oh! That's really nice... I didn't actually know she had a family. I mean, I suppose it makes sense. I've just not gotten a chance to sit and talk with her. How long has she been working for you? She really is wonderful."

As he finished and rose, she followed suit, taking her glass with her, with a nod, "I'm surprised I'm so hungry. I figured after the apartment, I'd be a wreck..."
 
Killian Hopper
He shrugged. "A few years now, I suppose," he said, having to think back. He'd grown so close with Maria, it felt like she had always been there, even though she hadn't. It had been Liliana who hired the woman initially after finding frustration after frustration with a come and go cleaning service. She turned her attention to a full-time housekeeper, and found Maria. She cooked, cleaned, did laundry, and puttered around the house, kind of like a mother would, Killian supposed. Sometimes, he forgot she was an employee at all and was surprised when she asked for days off, expecting that she would just come and go as she'd please, without needing permission.

"But, yea, she has a big family. They've joined us for barbeques and parties we've hosted in the past," he explained as he slid off his bar stool so they could be led to their table. It was still too early for his usual lunchtime, but since he wasn't working, he decided it didn't matter. They were settled in to a small, two seat table near the window that overlooked the strip. Waters were deposited on their table almost immediately, as were bottled water to supplement them, as needed. Handed a menu, Killian cracked it open to look over his options. The menu hosted a list of decedent and hard to pronounce, extravagant dishes of primarily French origin.

"I could eat," he mentioned, though he wasn't particularly hungry. He could eat, but he could also go a few hours longer before he felt true pangs of hunger.

"The chef would like to extend to you an appetizer to get you two started." A waiter appeared at their tableside, placing the pinched pastry sample between them. "A phyllo-wrapped brie with fig preserves and toasted walnuts, please enjoy." He bowed his head. "I'll give you a few more minutes with your menus."

"That looks interesting." Killian sat forward, resting the menu in his lap to take a fork and pierce the risen, golden brown pastry and pulled a small chunk on to his side plate. One taste had a gentle smile on his lips. "That is quite good. Try some."

He nibbled another bite as he returned his gaze to the menu at hand. "Any thoughts on what you may want? I'm thinking that Blanquette de Veau sounds delicious."
 
LUCY NIELSEN
Listening to him talk about Maria, Lucy smiled faintly. There were layers to the man that she had yet to peel away, but so far, this was her favorite. He spoke about the woman with a reserved reverence... It wasn't in the words he said, but the emotions behind them. As though she were a dear family member, and not in fact someone on his payroll. And seeing how Maria was around him, Lucy imagined the feeling was somewhat mutual. When they first met, Lucy was sure Killian was little more than a narcissistic flirt who hated to lose. But he clearly cherished his housekeeper, and that spoke volumes to his character.

Sitting back as the waitet arrived, she looked at the plate and smiled. It was certainly not a caeser salad... The smell alone was intoxicating, and plucking up a piece, she took a breath, nearly melting into her chair as the flavors blossomed in her mouth, "Oh... That is... Exquisite."

Before, food had neen a necessity only, and rarely did she allow herself to indulge or cheat. She would have waved the appetizers away with derision, annoyed that the chef had been presumptuous. The many thousand things she had missed out on in life, being a controlling snob...

Sparing a glance at the menu, she blinked, then laughed softly, "Ah. French. My one weakness... Save me the trouble of trying to Google translate this under the table? What do you recommend?"
 
Killian Hopper
Killian nibbled at the appetizer, peeling apart the layers with his fork, but always assembling them back together for each bite. He was incredibly delicate with the food, leafing through the menu all the while. The list of options were not extensive, but reading each one made him doubt his original choice, for all the brief descriptions sounded absolutely divine. Of course, he doubted there was a bad choice on the menu, if the main courses were anything like the starter. When Lucy asked what he'd recommend, he could only shrug. "I don't think there is a wrong choice," he concluded aloud his internal thoughts.

"If you're looking for something pretty classic, Ratatouille is always a reliable favourite. Duck confit is really delicious as well," he was mumbling because he was trying to settle on his own decision, now that he wasn't feeling as confident in the Blanquette de Veau. Ultimately, he had to close the menu and push it to the side, or he feared he'd never be able to make a proper decision. He would have stared at the menu for an hour, and still not have had a made-up mind.

A bluster of hot air blew in from behind him, ruffling his hair. The jingle of the door swinging open and heels clicking caused him to glance back over his shoulder. She appeared at the front of the restaurant with wind billowing her skirt. Her unmistakable curly brown hair falling in soft layers around bare shoulders. When she spoke, his sneaking suspicion was painfully confirmed.

"Table for two under Liliana, yes, thank you," she smiled to the hostess, eyes wandering through the restaurant's interior. He could feel her gaze prickling against his back before she called out to him. "Killian, is that you?" she called, stepping around the hostess and proceeding to the side of their table. "Killian and Lucy, out for lunch. That is splendid, indeed. This is my business associate, Julie Mayor," she said, motioning towards the young, mousy girl that had followed her in.

"Hey, Lil," Killian replied, looking up to his girlfriend as she stood, weight on one leg. "Nice to see you again. Do you want to join us for lunch?"

"Oh, oh no, I'd never dream of interrupting you two, plus, I have business to talk about, and I'd hate to spoil the conversation. You two have a nice time," she said, eyes switching to Lucy as her hand rested on Killian's shoulder, nails trailing down his back as she moved to return to her acquaintance.
 
LUCY NIELSEN
A lioness. That, decidedly, was what Liliana reminded Lucy of. Cool and calculating and dangerous. The woman was remarkably good at concealing it... But the subtle touches, here and there, she could see it. She thought the day before that maybe she'd seen indications of something, a jealousy behind her eyes, but she was good at hiding her emotions, and pushing her and Killian together could be nothing less than a ploy.

"Good to see you, Liliana." Shifting, smiling politely, Lucy nodded to the woman, but as she disappeared to her own table, the smile faded and she turned her attention back to the menu, her appetite diminishing in a bundle of nerves and irritation.

She hated being manipulated, and she thought Rob had been bad at it... But Liliana was a master. She was tugging string Lucy didn't even know she had, and she'd never felt more used. But it didn't have to stay that way. The jealousy was unfounded. Even if Lucy thought there was anything between them... which was laughable considering they'd only just stopped screaming insults at one another, she wasn't interested in being the other woman in any relationship, but she also wasn't going to be tugged around like a marionette for the woman's enjoyment, either. Killian was a friend. Just a friend... But still, a friend. And she would not be controlled in her relationship with him by a woman who didn't have the decency to stay by his side during what had to be the most difficult endeavor of his life.

Gnawing on her cheek, she set the menu down, and forcing past her emotions, she smiled again, "Duck confit. It sounds marvelous."
 
Killian Hopper
"Yea, see you later, Lil," he said as she turned to depart. His good-bye caused her to flash a flirtatious smile over her shoulder, but she didn't respond, taking a chair at a table on the far opposite side of the restaurant. His eyes followed her until she sat down, he couldn't help it, and the decision of duck confit pulled him back to his current conversational engagement. "Yea," he agreed, snapping his thoughts back into the present. "Yea, that sounds great."

The waiter arrived shortly after Liliana's departure and took their orders, then their menus, and informed them their meals would arrive shortly. Killian thanked him politely, grabbing his water and downing about half of it before he finally seemed to relax. If he didn't have to drive them back, he probably would have had a second drink, or a third, fourth, because damn that woman had gotten her hands up in all of his cogs and gears, and he did miss her.

His mind grappled for a change in topic now that the menu was no longer a proper discussion point, but he came up with blank after blank. Liliana always did that to him, from the day they first met.

"Anyways," he cleared his throat, picking up his fork to take a few more bites of the appetizer. "So, uh, when this is all over, are you going to go back into psychiatry? Or what?" She was still technically renting a building space from him, though he didn't expect the rent to come through any time, as she'd severed her only means of making a living wage. "When this is over, I think I'm pretty serious about selling off all the properties and going somewhere else, starting somewhere new. Something new."

With the amount of liquid money under his possession, he could quickly invest in other business ventures. Resorts, hotels… anything, really, and he wasn't sure it really mattered. The events unfolding had him realizing that he wanted to get out of Las Vegas, with or without Liliana.
 
LUCY NIELSEN
It shouldn't have bothered her, the way he watched as Liliana made herself comfortable across the restaurant... The sad puppy dog look that came over his expression when he turned back again. It was his girlfriend, after all, and it made sense that he should dote on her that way. But damn it all if it bothered her anyway. He was a decent man, Killian, and what he was going through was painful and difficult, and Liliana had abandoned him. She had abandoned him, and now she was mocking him, keeping him at just enough of a distance to let him feel isolated and alone, then doing little tiny things to drag him back in... a hand to the shoulder, or a phone call, concerned about his well being. It was cruel, and Killian didn't deserve that.

Looking up again, she bit her tongue to keep from expelling a sigh of frustration, shaking her head, instead, "I'm no sure, to be honest. I've been thinking about it a lot... Last night, it was sort of a window on my life, you know? Looking through it, I'm not sure I liked much of what I saw, and I know I can change some of it... but there are parts of it where that isn't so easy. But I don't know that taking the easy way out is for the best. Not how I thought it was. I was content, before... settling for what I had. I don't want that anymore. I love my job, like I said last night, but there are things about it that definitely need to be reworked."

Smiling dryly, she shrugged and reaching for her wine glass, took a small sip "Starting over though, it has it's appeal. I've always been very good at making decisions when they come to other people's lives. But when it came to my own, altering course was always just a bit much to deal with. You can't control the unknown... what's new. And you know how I feel about control." Chuckling, she ran her fingertip along the rim of the glass, "But I don't want to be afraid of taking control, either. I just don't want it to own me, anymore. It's a balance, I suppose. And I'll find it." Biting her lip, she plucked up the glass again, shaking her head, "Long way to say I'm putting a pin in the idea. You should do it though, Killian. If that's what feels right. After what they've been putting you through, all that's happened. You deserve a fresh start."
 
Killian Hopper
"I'm just sick of the desert." And that was certainly a part of it. He liked the warmth, but not the brutal, baking heat and the wind that whipped up desert sands. He missed ocean-front most of all, like the ocean, or even a sea would work. All in all, his enchantment with Vegas lights had run its course and he was ready for something new. Unfortunately, bailing out on Vegas now would not look good for him, he realized, and damned if he was going to let Rob win. He needed to sit still a while longer and pray more murders didn't happen, and the investigation didn't drag out any longer.

So far, it seemed a little promising. The hotels had been mostly closed, or were in the process of slowing down. The casinos operated well, under a much heavier presence of guards and security, and there hadn't been any news of any further problems. He only hoped it stayed that way.

Killian acknowledged Lucy's ideas with a small nod of his head, sipping his water a few times. "I don't know if I deserve a fresh start necessarily, but I can afford to make one. That, and I miss the ocean. I love sand, just not desert sand, I'm coming to find." It would mean leaving behind a house he loved, and Maria, but sacrifices would have to be made, and he would teach her how to use Skype before he left. The plans were all but set in stone in his head, though he'd have to figure out where he was going. It didn't really seem to matter the where, as long as he had the when.

Their food arrived promptly and his appetite surged at the sight and smell. A gnawing hunger built in the walls of his stomach and, upon thanking the runner, he opened his napkin across his lap. "Well, enjoy. Hopefully, it's half as good as it looks, because that'll make for a good lunch."
 
LUCY NIELSEN
Laughing softly, Lucy nodded, "Oh, I hear that one. There are days where I walk outside my apartment and wonder how anyone does this for their whole lives. How anyone would choose to is just beyond me." She hadn't chosen Vegas for the scenery, that was for sure. It was loud, hot and messy... It was a den of vice, that made her skin crawl, and if it weren't for her practice, she'd never had set foot in the city...

Their meals arrived and she looked down at her plate with a small smile, a brow quirked at the sight of the fancy plating... impossibly smooth potatoes mingling with a slightly green-tinged olive oil... a catamala tapenade, glistening with a rich, sugary glaze. The duck itself was a crisp shell of deeply browned skin that smelled of fat and butter and everything right with food. It wasn't a caesar salad, either... and she was glad.

Almost afraid to touch it, for fear she'd somehow ruin the effect, she nevertheless picked up her knife and fork and got to work on the meal, looking up at Killian with a nod, "Oh, it's more than half as good. This is probably the best thing I've ever eaten. I'm never going to be able to go to Salad Works for lunch again." Chuckling, she shook her head, before with a another bite downed, she picked up on where they had trailed off, "I've never actually been to a beach, believe it or not. There wasn't a lot of traveling when I was younger, and after that, I just got so focused, I never built in time for it... I've always wanted to go, but I guess I just never did."
 
Killian Hopper
"Salad Works is a thing?" It didn't sound like a thing, anyways. It sounded like a made-up restaurant, in his mind. What sort of place could make enough money to keep its doors open on nothing but salads? Those must have been some over-priced salads. He snorted and returned to his own meal, eating deliberately, but not necessarily slowly. When he took a pause to wipe the corner of his mouth, he continued. "Someone usually brings me lunch, or I go out, because I'm entertaining business partners or clients."

In the Cabriolet alone, below his office, he had six restaurants to pick from. That didn't include all the luxury eateries a block up and down the strip from the casino. His eating options were endless everyday at work, and he'd never once seen, or heard of, Salad Works. Maybe it was a poor person thing, he thought, only realizing the crudeness of that thought after he'd thought it. He liked salads well enough, but never as a whole meal. He'd starve to death on nothing but rabbit food.

"I grew up on an island. Beaches were everywhere. I couldn't have avoided them even if I wanted to." The island was small enough that you could drive the width of it in only a few hours. "From almost everything in the city, you could the beach. Everyone hung out there." He shrugged. It was sort of like the strip in Las Vegas—everyone from business executives to casual, fat tourists in floral print swim trunks spent their days lounging near the ocean boardwalk.

Eating seemed to help him forget his interaction with Liliana and by the time he finished his plate, dabbed his lips, and returned his linen to the top of his plate, there was a contended smile on his face. "Have room for dessert? Or does your stomach only have so much room from eating salads your entire life? You don't have to participate, but I will be getting something sweet, so you can either chose to participate or hit the showers."
 
LUCY NIELSEN
"Sounds nice..." She'd seen beaches plenty - in pictures and movies, but never actually having been to one, she could only imagine what it would be like. The warm sand between her toes, the salty, briny scent of the ocean, the whispering rush of waves against the shore... Sitting in a lounge chair, making faces at the single solitary cloud that dared to pass across the brilliant, hot sun, "I should plan a trip. I've never actually done it... Just gone away for a few days. Not unless you count conferences or field trips with my patients." She had missed out on so much, but maybe it was time for a vacation.

Grinning as he continued, she shook her head, wiggling her fork at him, "Oi. Listen... not all of us own eighty-five casinos, or can afford to go to fancy french restaurant for lunch. I'm not one of those private therapy practices that charge four-hundred bucks for someone to take a nap on the couch." In truth, her pricing was abysmal, compared to most psychiatrists, but then... helping people, in her opinion, shouldn't ever come with a price tag

Looking him over, she chuckled, "Nor do I have perfectly natural, impossibly tight abs. So you leave my salads alone." But without hesitation, she reached for the dessert menu in the center of table, scanning the list with a thoughtful expression, "...Oh Creme Brulee... Don't need a translation for that."
 
Killian Hopper
In his usual fashion, Killian shrugged. "It's nice," he agreed, "I didn't really appreciate it until I packed up and decided to move to a desert though. Not sure that was one of my wiser decisions, but whatever." Looking back on it, aside from the wealth he'd built, Las Vegas had been mostly a bust. He didn't like living there, for one. The people were rude and always on a mission, whether it was to get to their next business meeting, or to get to the next bar and casino. The tourists were loud and drunk, the thunderstorms non-existent, and the sense of urgency to constantly move from one thing to the next overwhelming.

Killian had formed himself to the ideal, working a lot, taking few breaks, but he'd grown up with a concept of island time, where things happened when they happened and no sooner. "Yea, I guess," he agreed. "But salads? Really. At that point, I'd buy something a little nicer in the grocery store and bring my lunch, instead of going out to buy an overpriced, probably under dressed salad from a place called Salad Works." He probably wouldn't have, knowing him. He didn't often cook.

"You shouldn't bash those psychiatrists, though. Those ones? They're no eating at Salad Works for lunch." He motioned towards Liliana at her table across the restaurant. "Just saying."

Lucy snatched away the dessert menu before he had a chance. Their entrees were lifted away, and they were left to decide on their desserts. "Crème Brule? Is that what you're getting? Good. Decided. Give it here." He reached over and snatched the menu away from her, straight from her fingers, so he could take a look at him himself. "I think I'll get the Madeleines," he announced, reaching over to place the menu back in front of Lucy.

Again, the waiter breezed by and took their orders, refilling their water glasses as he did so. "You ready to go back after this? Or is there something else you need to do first?" He hadn't any other plans and assumed that, after lunch, they'd return to the house, though he realized he'd never gotten Lucy's input.
 
LUCY NIELSEN
"Perspective is a funny thing like that, isn't it?" She added, with a nod, "I recall thinking how great the challenge of a big city would be. How the intensity would drive me to be a better therapist. I don't miss home... There's nothing there that was worth missing, but I do wonder what it might've been like if I had gone somewhere different, after school."

Chuckling, she shook her head, "I happen to like salads just fine. They're not thrilling, but they hit the spot. Though I can't argue Salad Works is definitely a touch overpriced. The dressing, though? Spot on." Her eyes followed his gesture and she bit her lip, fighting a teasing laugh, "Oh. You would like the expensive ones... But you don't even believe in therapy, so I'm not sure you get a say."

Finishing off her wine, she handed over the menu, and after the waiter had taken their dessert order, she nodded, "I'm set." The smile twitched away a little as she considered the question a little deeper. There was no where she wanted to go, especially because there was no guarantee she wouldn't run into anyone she knew, "It's warm enough, I think I'll go for a swim. Maybe do a little reading. Been a while since I had a day to just... do nothing, at all."
 
Killian Hopper
"I went to therapy once," he replied, "I ended up sleeping with, and dating, my psychologist. That's why I don't believe in therapy. It doesn't make any sense. People are just people, prone to humanness just as much as everyone else." The only reason he'd gone to a psychologist at all was because several of his business friends recommended it, praising Liliana and her efforts. They didn't mind spending an endless fortune on their appointment and he supposed if they believed they got something out of it that was worth it to them, then so be it. He did end up getting something out of his psychology appointments, though it was nothing good for his mental health. For his physical health, however, that was another story.

That had been a long number of years past, and he hadn't ever returned to one. Liliana had offered to get him in touch with a few of her colleagues, but he refused. The last thing he needed was another twisted relationship with a psychologist but, looking across to Lucy, he realized that was just a theme of his life. Psychologists, and screwing up relationships with them. One he ended up dating, and the other he ended up harboring in his house like a fugitive. He decided psychologists were a crazy bunch of people that he didn't need any more of in his life. Ever.

"Alright, we'll head back after this then. I can probably do a little bit of work from home." He'd been discouraged from going into the office because putting himself physically near crime scenes was a bad idea, but there would be nothing wrong with doing a few things from home, he decided. He was bored and looking for something to do, desperately. He couldn't think to watch another movie or take another swim.

At very least, going out to town helped kill a few hours of his time. It was already twelve-thirty, and they hadn't even received dessert yet. They weren't meant to wait long, though. On silver platters, their desserts were brought out and deposited before them. Nothing came to mind that could be better for his stomach, in that moment, than those delightful, rich brown pastries and melted chocolate.

He didn't pause for a moment to pick one of the pastries up and break it into two, just to hear the delightful crunch of well-baked tartlet. "I am enjoying this place, I must say."
 
LUCY NIELSEN
Her cheeks flushed, unbidden at his words, and Lucy looked down at her glass for a moment as she shook her head with a small, dry smile. She couldn't judge Liliana. Not when she had done the same thing with Rob, really... Sometimes, you couldn't help where feelings stepped from, and it wasn't the worst thing in the world, a relationship with a patient. But knowing that was why he had opted not to continue... She wouldn't lecture him - she'd sworn off nagging - but it surprised her that Liliana would give up so easily on trying to help. Then again, she was the sort of woman who willingly walked away from him, when he was being accused of a horrible crime.

Dessert arrived, and she was glad for the distraction, as she dug into the caramelized crust to the luxurious, rich custard beneath it. Glancing up again, a brow lifted and she smiled, "Don't say that, too loudly. You're supposed to be taking a break from work, remember?" But Lucy couldn't have cared less if he worked or not. He was a business man, and he loved what he did. If he wanted to work from home, it wasn't her place to tell him not to. She agreed it was better he steer clear of the hotels, but he couldn't be expected to go through the remainder of the investigation living like a hermit.

Finish off the creme brule, she pushed her plate aside and leaned back with a soft, satisfied sigh, "It was wonderful... Thank you, Killian. I know ... gratitude. But shut and take it for what it is. This was nice. Didn't realize how much I needed the distraction. It's good, not to think about everything that's been happening for a change." She brushed a hand to her neck, and her smile faltered, just slightly, before she cleared her throat, nodding, "Anyway... definitely beats Salad Works."
 
Killian Hopper
Dessert was consumed, unsurprisingly, in almost complete silence. Killian almost forgot about Lucy as he was wrapped up in each divine pastry finger and chocolate. When he finished the last one, a pang of disappointment hit his heart. It was almost strong enough to make him want to order a second dessert, but for the sake of his health, he decided against it. Both of their plates scraped clean and taken away, with the billet deposited, Killian grabbed it and slipped his credit card in the slot.

"You're thanking me?" he asked, handing the check off to the waiter as he passed by, "I thought you were paying for lunch." Considering their lunch, and two drinks, just happened to be scoring just under two-hundred dollars, he hadn't expected her to pay, or even pitch in. He had, after all, been the one to invite her out and select the restaurant, as he'd rather foot the bill than end up in a Salad Works. The check return, the slip was signed, and Killian rose.

"Ready?" he asked, though was already beginning to head for the door. The valet retrieved his car with promptness and once they were both in and buckled, he pull out and took the long drive back towards home. Content, warm, and a little sleepy from lunch, he considered laying down for a nap when they got home. It had been years since he'd last taken a nap, but it sounded like an incredibly appealing option. He couldn't work… and there was only so much he could do from his home office, none of which was absolutely necessary for the business to run effectively. And if Lucy was going to go off and swim or read, he really wouldn't have much else to do.

The drive home hardly improved his sleepy state and by the time he pulled into the parking garage and killed the engine, he yawned sleepily, and slumped against the seat with the car keys in his hand. "I'm really tired all of a sudden. Is this what happens when you stop working? You just become a lump?"

It took every ouonce of his energy to force the car door open and pull himself out. It was either laziness, or the thoughts weighing heavily on his mind, but he tried to ignore those. He hadn't done anything wrong—he hadn't killed anyone, and he was still holding on to the disillusioned hope that Liliana may return home soon.
 
LUCY NIELSEN
By the time they arrived back at the house, Lucy was a little tired herself, though not nearly enough to warrant a nap. A quiet afternoon by the pool, though, sounded like a reasonable course of action. Looking over to Killian, she smiled faintly, shaking her head, "I think so... That's gonna be us in a few days, Hopper... two lumps, lazing by the pool. Eventually, we won't be able to move anymore, and we'll bake in the sun... become people-rocks."

A simple, quiet afternoon. It seemed like something she'd only ever dreamed of. Really, not even something she'd dreamed of, because it wasn't something she actually realized she wanted. She wasn't interested in that sort of life before, simply because it sounded like a lazy way to spent one's time - but relaxation was recharging, and it was time she took a moment to herself.

Her gaze shifted, slightly as she looked at him, nearly struggling to pull himself out of the car. The lethargy seemed fairly intense, even for a hot day and a fulfilling meal. Concerned, she slipped out as well, glancing at him from over the roof of the Audi, "You alright, though? Maybe a nap isn't a half bad idea... you look exhausted."
 
Killian Hopper
"Just tired," he assured her. "I don't usually take afternoons like this, so, I think my body is all out of whack." He locked the car behind him and made the slow, sauntering walk through the double doors and into the house.

"I thrive on schedules and routine, and now my routine is messed up." He got the same way during the start of holidays, too. No matter where they went, he was usually okay for the first day or two, would fall terribly ill on day three, and be fine again by day four. His body just seemed to enjoy rhythms, and once that cycle was broken, it messed with him.

As such, he was desperately looking forward to returning to work. He liked that his alarm went off the same time—everyday. He liked knowing when he was going to arrive at the office, when he'd take lunch, and when he'd get home. He liked system and order above all else, and everything about the murders ripped that away from him. His mind wandered to those events, wondering how the police were doing.

They'd seized all of the security footage from the hotels in question, questioned guests, hotel employees, security a hundred times over… and no further information. He'd gotten in touch with his lawyer a few days ago, but so far, there had been no news. He hadn't dared checked any news sources for articles.

Making his way up the steps, he ambled towards his bedroom. "Help yourself to whatever, or whatever," he called back over his shoulder to Lucy. Even with the air conditioning running, the house couldn't cool down fast enough to fend off the glowering heat from outside. It was almost comfortable, but just a couple of degrees too hot, lending him to ripping off his shirt and throwing it in the laundry bin before collapsing on his bed.

Remaining awake for all of about thirty seconds thereafter, Killian dosed off, not to awake again until plenty late in the afternoon.
 
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