He's With Me (Riley)

[Cecilia Light]

At the door, Cess knocked. She really had thought she would have been used to this. Well, she had been a ghost channeler since she was 11, and had been helping ghosts since. But now she had to help a guy contact his boyfriend, and tell him that he is fine, and to find love again, and tell him a secret. Cess had met him in an odd situation. When she stepped out of the shower and saw him, and screamed. She then went to slap him but not being coporeal, went straight through. Great, another case upon all her homework.

He knew her from rumor in the spirit world, and wanted her to go to tell his ex somethings, stuff he has to tell. She accepted, with a sigh and then took a train into town and to the guys apartment. His name; Riley Adams. And his ex's name; Michael Knowles. So at the door, before knocking she turned to Michael.

''What if he isn't home?''.
''He will be, I just know''.

With that she took a breath, turned back to the door and knocked three times.::.

[Riley Adams]

He had just finished his shower when he heard the knock at the door. Frowning, he wrapped a towel around his waist and grabbed the first t-shirt he could get, walking to the door while pulling the shirt over his head.

Riley answered the door with a smile even though he wasn't expecting company. Stephen was out on a recruiting mission so that crossed out a surprise visit from the man he had been seeing on a regular basis. Whether it had gone from casual to something more than that, Riley didn't know but for now, he was enjoying Stephen's company and attention.

So a petite brunette was not something he had expected. "Hi." He gave a short bark of laughter. "Can I help you?"

[Cecilia Light]

She could see what Michael saw in him, he was cute. She was really nervous, which was weird. She had helped a woman find a message hidden in a locket attached to a corpse, a horny teenager looking for someone to care and her roomates parents haunting her all in the one week. Go Cessy! But this one seemed different. By the looks, this one was going to be harder.

''Um, hi. I am Cecilia Light. I - uh - Have just come by to ......... Do a sensus for a school assignment and I wanted to do it in this neighbourhood. May I come in?'', she asked, glancing over at the ghost who smiled excitedly. That was the worst cover she had ever come up with. Actually, she had had a lot of covers in her history of helping ghosts.

''He's still as cute as the last time I saw him'', said Michael and Cess smiled at him. They must of had a pretty tight relationship, and Michael took a step forwards, putting his face just in front of Riley's. Cess then looked to the floor, feeling a bit awkward and emotional and then taking a breath looked back to Riley for an answer.

[Riley Adams]

The smile still present on his face, the girl's cover wasn't exactly the worst he'd ever heard but she seemed harmless enough. And besides, Riley wasn't too worried about being attacked at any point in time so the girl was welcomed into his home anyway. He still had one pie left from all the others he had already given away. The girl might like some pie and milk.

"Sure why not." He smiled, stepping aside to let her in, noting the smile she had as she turned her head. He frowned slightly at that but chalked it up to nerves about being in a stranger's apartment. The cold from outside made Riley shiver a little as he closed the door. "Would you like something to drink? We can go and sit in the kitchen if you want." He pressed a hand on the girl's upper back to guide her in the kitchen's direction.

[Cecilia Light]

He seemed nice enough, gladdly not to high sprung. It was making the situation easier and looking to the side at Michael, made a small nodding gesture for him to enter after her. Walking in, he closed the door. It was a nice apartment, much like her uncles. Then turning she then saw Michael phase through the door, looking casual. Looking casual herself, Cess then smiled to Riley as he offered her some refeshments to the kitchen, directing her their.

''Sure, thanks'', she said as she walked towards the kitchen. Seeing a seat at a table she then sat down. And as soon as she sat Michael appeared in the blink of an eye next to her. She then sighed and then looked to Michael.

''Okay Riley....'', she was saying but was then cut off by Michael. She was about to get straight to it, but Michael Spoke up.
''Cecilia, don't be to direct. You have to do casual conversation and gain his trust before.... I can talk. Just talk about things for a bit'', he insisted and she then glanced from Michael back to Riley. Wow, awkward.
''......I would like a glass of water please. Dry throat'', she said and then put on an innocent smile. Looking to Michael, she gave him a slightly frustraited look.

''Keep a lid on it please'', she mumbled to Michael, hoping Riley didn't hear.

[Riley Adams]

Riley paused a while before he got out a pitcher of water he usually stored in the fridge because Michael loved cold water but was too lazy to make ice. The girl had mentioned his name but he never introduced himself. Odd.

Shaking his head minutely, Riley grabbed a glass from the overhead cabinet and poured the water in, serving it to her on a coaster, a piece of kitchenware Riley amusingly remembered Michael never using. It was something Riley always reprimanded him playfully for when Michael left watermarks on the tables and counter tops.

He served her the drink and cut a piece of pie for her before excusing himself to put on some pants. He heard her say something but it was a low mumble he did not comprehend. Shrugging, he slipped into his bedroom and put on sweatpants before going back into the kitchen to help the girl with her school project. At least...he hope it was just that.

"So, what is the sensus on?"

[Cecilia Light]

The pie smelt great and it made her mouth water. Riley had left the room for a bit, so that gave her a chance to think. Gain trust? How the hell was she supposed to do that? She would do a bit of conversation but her mind was screaming for her to just tell him. It would be better for her and Riley but Michael didn't think it would pan out good that way, so Cess sighed and decided casual convo would be better. Michael then turned to her and she saw he had a big smile on his face.

''Oh my god, you should have seen that. I always loved having cold water, so we got the pitcher because I couldn't be bothered making ice. And coasters, I never used them and it would drive insane. Gosh, he's so cute'', he said and Cess smiled at him. They really did have a perfect relationship. He walked back in and she then turned he attention back to Riley who entered, asking about what the sensus was about. Awe Crap!

''Sensus? Oh, the sensus. Well, it's about......I am doing a sensus about how many people in Vermont roughly have - uh - lost a loved one to cancer. It is a whole personal health thing'', she said. It was a hint, a big one. Not really legit or convincing but might have worked. Really it is a perfect opening. So she just looked forward to Riley, trying to avoid the death stair she was getting from Michael.

[Riley Adams]

The smile on Riley's face froze and warning lights started to blink in his mind. It couldn't be a coincidence. He didn't regularly have teenagers come to his apartment to do a sensus. No, people generally never come to his apartment unless he personally invited them. Girl scouts sure - on a random note, he should bake a peppermint chocolate cake for when Stephen got back - telemarketers, maybe but no one else. Certainly not girls who so happened to be doing a sensus on the thing that killed his ex.

For a school project?

"Who are you?" He asked, suspicion lacing his soft tone of voice. "Not your name but...just who are you?"

[Cecilia Light]

When his expression just changed, she knew she pulled herself into the line of fire. He was now suspicious and Michael was a tad bit pissed at her. Okay, very pissed. She was stuck on words and knew she just had to come out clean. So sighing she then looked down at the table, figuring the best way to put it. Their really was now best way, but maybe an easier way if possible.

''Um, I am a student at Hammel. I - uh - well I have this gift. A gift that allows me to see the dead, communicate and what not and, um, your ex Michael came to me a few days ago wanting to talk to you. I know this is hard to believe but it's true. He is here right now Riley, sitting right next to me'', she said and then looked to Michael who was no longer glaring but smiling up at Riley. Then suddenly he moved at light speed in front of Riley, looking at him.

''Tell him he still remembers the basement'', said Michael his face very close to Riley's, so close they could have met lips. Cess then smiled but was confused. It must be metaphorical.
''He said something about a basement, that he still remembers'', she said with a sadened yet strong expression and waited to see if this was working. Michael was here, he did want to communicate with Riley, but it is sometimes harder for some people to believe. Sometimes it takes more then one attempt. She really hoped that wasn't the case here.

[Riley Adams]

Yes, he was sure there were people who had this ability. He was sure of it. Bizarre was part of his world so there was no doubt in his mind that what the girl was telling him was true. But why in all that was pure would Michael come to her...to him now? It was- he paused in his train of thought when he felt a chill on his face. His head whipped to the window and then to the fridge door and then to the front door. Everything was closed.

The mention of the basement clutched at Riley's heart. Besides Michael, nobody else knew about the basement. It was filled with photos and little reminders of his past. Some pertaining to his mother, some of it of even his father. Michael knew Riley only went down there when his depression choked him. It wasn't often but it was enough to cause concern when Michael first realised it.

Riley had to take deep breaths at the realisation that Michael was indeed around. Or had at least contacted the young girl beforehand. This felt so unreal and Riley was trying hard to keep cool. Oh was he lucky Stephen wasn't around or what?

[Cecilia Light]

Riley was obviously breathtaken by the news. The biggest burst of realization is when the ghost gets close, and its energies transend with the living, and that cold chill seeps through. Cess knew, too many ghosts had felt her touch. She then saw Michael putting his lips onto Riley's. Not really on but pretty close to it. Cess felt sad and he bottom lip began trembling, trying to hold onto the tears. Sniffing, she then wiped a loose tear and saw Michael take a step back.

''Is their anything you want to say to him?'', asked Cess. Maybe this was enough for him to pass over. How Cess saw it, Michael had been a lost spirit; lost in limbo or the void between life and death. Cess had come across them before, kind of rarely. But for years it seems he had been lost, but found out about Cess and came to her so she could find Riley and channel to him. Just maybe seeing him now and how he is, that he is safe.

[Riley Adams]

The back of Riley's neck tingled and caused his eyes to burn. His chest got constricted and his hands trembled, beads of perspiration started to form at the back of his neck and his whole body caught on fire. This was too strong a reaction for him to be having over finding his dead ex boyfriend was in the same room as him. But he wanted to burst into tears, curl up into a ball for days and just let his feelings consume him.

No he wasn't sad. He was angry. At himself for not even trying to save Michael eventhough it was Michael's own decision not to be saved. Michael knew the implications to Riley's power. There was a huge chance that Riley could get severely hurt from trying to heal Michael. Riley knew that but Michael was his first love, no matter how he spun it, there was no way he could ever get over the fact that his Michael died before he knew exactly how much Riley loved him.

Cecilia's question was met with bloodshot eyes as Riley tried hard not to let the tears fall. "I don't know," he croaked, trying hard to see if he could even catch a glimpse of Michael if he was actually there. But this wasn't the movies where your dead loved ones suddenly appear in a ray of light smiling at you. He got up, surprisingly not toppling over as he went to the drawer where he had kept Michael's framed photo on that first date with Stephen.

It was all it took for Riley to start bawling when the photo showed a smiling Michael, reading their favourite book. "I'm sorry I never told you...how much I love you, Michael." There was no doubt in Riley's mind that his love for Michael was not just when he was still alive. He still bore those feelings now. And as much as it hurt him to admit it, his feelings for Stephen, however major they were now, couldn't mask his feelings for Michael. "I haven't forgotten you." He said, looking down at Michael's photo. "It's been ten years...it still hasn't changed."

[Cecilia Light]

When he made his way across the room Cess stood. She wasn't really sure why but she did, holding her hand bag with both hands fiddling with it. She then looked over to where Michael was. At any other time, she would have been a bit on edge about Riley accidentally walking straight through Michael but it didn't both her, she was sad about all of this. Their was nothing worse then loosing a loved one, she knew this now. He then began to cry and as he did so did she. Not rapidly but a tear dribbled down her cheek. She cried most times she had to cross spirits over and contact the living with them. She then whipped a tear, as he then spoke. When he said it she then slowly looked over to Michael who himself was crying. She wanted to walk over and give him a hug, it would be hard for him. He then continued, Cess could see he was looking at a picture of him and Michael.

He continued and Michael cried even more and he then walked over and stood next to Cess as she looked to him. He smiled to her and then looked to Riley.
"Tell him that, that I love him too. And that even though I am gone, he should find love. Find it and never let it go. And every year on Christmas, leave a chair in the corner near the bay window where I loved to sit. And to remember that kid we wanted to have; Eva. And to remember all the good times, we have together and to share them with someone else. Don't let me hold you back from being happy. I love you", he said bawling and Cess's bottom lip trembled in sobs. It was going to be hard, but she had to tell him.

"Riley? He um, he said he loves you too. And he wants you to find love, he doesn't want to hold you back from being happy. He wants you to remember every good moment, every one of them and to share them with another love. He wants you to move on, Ri. But never forget him. And to leave a chair by the corner near the bay window every Christmas. And remember Eva; the kid you wanted to have. He just wants you, you to find love and never let it go Riley. But remember that he loves you", she said and then whipped a tear. She felt the breeze, the light was here. The light to the other side; the light for Michael. Turning to him, he was smiling but he then looked into empty space. Looked towards that corner by the window.

"What's that light?"

"You see the light? That's for you. For you to go onto where you can find peace. Where you can watch over Riley every day, and a place full of love and hope. But you have to say goodbye", she told him sadly and then he blinked over next to Riley. He then touched his hand, or in the spirit world came close and his energy went with his. She remembered that feeling. A warmth, just that knowing that someone is there. She then looked at them hugging herself with her arms crossed.

"Goodbye...", he said.

"Riley, he is ready to cross over now"...