Libby
new oceanic 815.
Take time to realise that I am on your side
Posts: 92
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Post by Libby on May 30, 2008 23:39:24 GMT -5
New Year’s Eve. It was New Year’s Eve and while everyone else was dressed to the nines and laughing with their friends, Libby was pushing her heavy cart of cleaning supplies through the hallways of the Roosevelt hotel, her drab uniform looking little better than a potato sack.
Some days she really hated her job.
It wasn’t like she would be out drinking or partying if she wasn’t working, but for the first year since David had... passed away, she actually had plans. Charlie was waiting for her in his room, Charlie and his whole family, to ring in the New Year together. It was a casual deal, so a fancy dress wasn’t necessary, but she had a fun outfit just waiting for her in her locker, practically crying her name. And the longer she took, the later it got, the louder it cried.
Checking her watch for the hundredth time, Libby pushed the cart a little faster. The quicker she finished her rooms and cleaned up all the odds and ends, the quicker she could clock out and join the fun. She could feel the excitement bubbling within her. She needed this. If she rang in the New Year with friends and family, happily and having fun, it was a good omen of the year to come. Nothing was going to get in her way.
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Ana-Lucia Cortez
new oceanic 815.
Everyday, everyday Houses full of no escape, no escape Runaway, runaway
Posts: 153
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Post by Ana-Lucia Cortez on Jun 1, 2008 19:36:51 GMT -5
There was no surprise really, the amount of security the building had, Ana wasn't used to the sight of pile burly men taking guard with a few police officers. Sure a few, as in one or two, were used to stand watch at the front while people that were invited to the shindig were separated from those that were not. And as she found out, it was mostly for all the reporters that were trying to slip in to get a story, disguising themselves trying to go that low to harass them when they were told they were not to be on the premises. Already they had picked out four that had managed to sneak in, and the party hadn't even begun.
"I shit you not, man. The security here is fucking crazy," the brunette spoke into her cellphone, her words ever exaggeratedly spoken as the small contraction was pressed against her ear as she moved down one of the various hallways in the hotel. There was a slight drunken swagger to the sway of her hip, a soft hazy and mellow air of her as she moved towards the elevator she saw in the distance. A few people passed her by, forcing her to tuck to the other side of the path, but she paid no attention to them other, as they didn't to her. "They got this place cracked downworse then Buckingham Palace."
"Yeah, I made it in all right, though, Drew let me in, heading over to Mario's room right now." However, a soft chuckle escaped her lips with the next words on the line. Mostly regarding her sobriety as she hit the button for the elevator, the door opening a second later. "Maybe a little over at the bar, Kevin insisted... and don't worry I took a cab over. If Wilson caught me in my car, he'd fucking kick my ass. Though if you decide to come over, Drew's at the side door. Just don't act a stupid shit."
"It's a 'If you're hear for the party you gotta make it all the way to el Tropicana bar and pool,' type of deal.... Seriously, they don't want people loitering in the halls and shit cause of the survivors." As the door's opened a little bit later, she walked out of the elevator. Shifting the phone to her other hand and ear. "All righty, see in a bit. Chow." Finally finished with the call, she rolled her eyes as she moved. However, she nearly go trampled when two kids came running past her, trying to move out of the way, she turned one of the corridors, crashing into a cart that she hadn't realised was there, in the process, knocking some belongings off it. "Shit..... Sorry."
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Libby
new oceanic 815.
Take time to realise that I am on your side
Posts: 92
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Post by Libby on Jun 2, 2008 8:48:03 GMT -5
Finally on her last floor, Libby was about to turn the corner to the last corridor of rooms when she suddenly felt a solid impact with the large cart she was pushing. Taking a step back in surprise, her eyes moved from the dark haired woman who had practically ploughed into the cleaning cart to the top of it now devoid of supplies then down to the floor where several bottles of cleaner lay, one of which had come open and was spilling it’s bleach filled contents all over the hallway carpet.
Letting out a horrified “Oh!”, the maid dove for the bottle, screwing the cover on tight and depositing it back on the cart before grabbing one of the dirty towels from the bin in front and trying frantically to sop it up. Why did they have to have such dark carpet? This was going to take the colour right out of it and Nancy... she didn’t even want to think about what that old bat would do to her, most likely in front of all her coworkers.
“Ever heard of watching where you’re going?” Libby snapped before she could stop herself, finally lifting her head to fix the brunette with an accusing look.
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Ana-Lucia Cortez
new oceanic 815.
Everyday, everyday Houses full of no escape, no escape Runaway, runaway
Posts: 153
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Post by Ana-Lucia Cortez on Jun 2, 2008 20:51:53 GMT -5
"Ever heard of dodging a pack of trampling elephants?" the Latina quickly retorted, sparing a look over her shoulder. Behind her the same two kids, a boy and a girl, both blond were running up and down the hall, of course they were both oblivious to her presence and the fact she nearly got clambered over by them. Damn kids. Probably if she hadn't been ever slightly intoxicated she might have been able to avoid it better. Sighing some, she knelt to the ground, picking up some of the bottles from the floor and trying her best to place them neatly back into place. Might as well help her at least, considering she made the mess.
Once a majority of the bottles were put back on top of the cart she grabbed what she assumed and hoped was another used towel before she helped getting the spill under control. "Again, Sorry," came the almost sarcastic retort, as she pressed the towel down hard into the carpet, hoping it would be salvageable. Although, she did feel somewhat sorry.
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Libby
new oceanic 815.
Take time to realise that I am on your side
Posts: 92
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Post by Libby on Jun 3, 2008 9:40:54 GMT -5
Watching the woman momentarily as she unsteadily placed the fallen articles back on the cart, Libby rolled her eyes and turned her attention back to the spill. Lifting the towel slightly she could already see how the carpet was becoming discoloured due to the bleach. This would probably come right out of her paycheque, and all because some people couldn’t keep their little brats on a leash and others didn’t know when to stop before ‘one too many’.
Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath to get those thoughts, those dangerous thoughts, under control, she coughed slightly as the smell of the cleaner filled her nostrils. She had to literally bite her tongue at the sarcastic tone the Latina woman used with her ‘apology’. It would do no good to talk back; it would probably cost her her job. It wasn’t her job to speak, she was here only to clean and to cater to the needs of every stuck up yuppie in the building. And they were always right, of course. Talking back would not do. She was better off just laying on the ground and scrawling “Welcome” across her back.
“It’s fine. Just leave it. I’ll get it, thanks,” Libby bit out, her voice sounding strained. She was going to be so late.
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Charlie Pace
administration.
I calculate what I had done, like jumping from the bow yeah. Just to prove I knew how, yeah.
Posts: 196
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Post by Charlie Pace on Jun 3, 2008 11:54:05 GMT -5
"Hey, Li, did you hear that Dick Clark had a stroke? You know, this Seacrest bloke can't hold a flame to Dick Clark. Litterally, even. I really think this Seacrest guy's a big giant poof."
Charlie glanced towards the door, fingers tapping against the chair before he turned back to the television. "You know, it shoulda been us on the Rockin' New Years Show. That woulda been tops, instead of all this...rap." Charlie said the world blandly, a disgusted look crossing his face before he looked towards the door again. Where the bloody hell was Libby?
"Hey, I'm gonna go see if I can catch Libby." Charlie told Karen as he stood up and moved out of the hotel room. He walked down the halls, peering into the open rooms, looking at all the maids. "Hey, love, have you seen Libby?" he asked one of the maids, only to watch her shake her head. "Bloody hell--"
He turned a corner, and saw Libby and a woman standing up ahead. He moved up behind her, peering at the growing bleached stain with slightly wide eyes. "Oh no." he said under his breath, and then glanced behind him to see a rug. "Here. Here, move." he told Libby, shooing her out of the way before he backed up, glancing around him before he lifted the long rug up and drug it over, covering the bleached spot. "There! Fixed. Now come ON! Yyou missed the fireworks in London!"
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Ana-Lucia Cortez
new oceanic 815.
Everyday, everyday Houses full of no escape, no escape Runaway, runaway
Posts: 153
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Post by Ana-Lucia Cortez on Jun 4, 2008 2:15:15 GMT -5
Ana couldn't help but glance back at the woman as she tried to help her, she was a bit put off by her tone. Sure, she bumped into her, but it wasn't exactly her fault. Though, Ana's retort at her wasn't at all that much friendly either. However, as the woman told her that she go it, she backed off, straightening up before putting the towel on the cart. "If you're sure..." Ana replied, but couldn't help but notice that she seemed to be in a rush, with the way she was trying to clean up with really letting the towels soak up the liquid.
About to ask her if she really could handle herself, she opened her mouth but didn't get a second to ask before another person came on the scene, quickly putting a rug over the bleach stain. Though there was a nagging feeling as she got a good look at the woman and the man, a strange deja vu came overtook her, and she squinted her eyes in confusion between the two of them. Something was strange in this scene indeed. "I'm sorry... but do I... do I know you guys?" Both of them. It was hard to describe and it deeply irked her that she couldn't place if she knew them or not. Though, she was sure she'd never seen either of them before really.
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Libby
new oceanic 815.
Take time to realise that I am on your side
Posts: 92
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Post by Libby on Jun 4, 2008 20:12:08 GMT -5
Libby was grateful when the woman backed off and gave her some room. It was easier to stay cool and focus when someone wasn’t right there making a bigger mess of things. Although, the rational part of her brain argued, at least this guest had tried to help clean up the mess she had made. Usually they just leave it, or aggravated the maids while they watch them clean it up.
And this was not cleaning up well.
Luckily the cavalry had arrived. Sitting back on her heals and looking up in surprise at Charlie’s sudden appearance, Libby couldn’t help but laugh at his tactics for taking care of the mess. Out of sight, out of mind.
“Oh, Charlie, I can’t just leave it like that! And I still have to return my cart and go to my locker and change,” she said, her voice somewhere between amused and regretful. Brushing her hair back from her forehead, the bottle redhead looked from Charlie to the Latina woman, who was looking at them strangely. Her words were nothing unusual, they could be passed off as the ramblings of a drunk, or just anyone who might have seen them. Charlie was famous, after all, so it was highly likely that this woman had seen him before, and if she was a guest here, she could have seen Libby as well.
There was something else to it, though. Looking into this woman’s eyes, there was a sense of familiarity, but much more. Respect, trust, admiration, shock, loss... all these feelings shot through Libby and her hands immediately moved to her midsection. The last time she’d felt anything like this had been in Australia...
No, it’s not the same. Everything is fine. Not the same. Nothing to get upset about. It’s fine. Never seen her before. It’s the fumes of the bleach. You’re just upset. It all means nothing. Breathe. Breathe.
Closing her eyes tightly, she shook her head quickly back and forth.
“I don’t... I don’t think,” was the reply.
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Charlie Pace
administration.
I calculate what I had done, like jumping from the bow yeah. Just to prove I knew how, yeah.
Posts: 196
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Post by Charlie Pace on Jun 4, 2008 21:55:42 GMT -5
The way Libby was speaking, the tone between amusement at Charlie's words and regret made Charlie frown. "Look," he said, almost as if to put an end to any further discussion. "You run yourself downstairs, return your cart, get beautiful--as if that's much of a hassle--and I," Charlie said, lifting the rug slightly to see the stain bleaching more, "will find a way to clean this up."
However, the latina spoke, asking if she knew the two, and Charlie found himself smiling slightly. "Well, maybe, love, I'm--"
However, Libby's words, the sound of her voice made him stop, and his brows narrowed at the now red-head. No. No, Charlie thought, he wouldn't let whatever happened to Libby, whatever was wrong with her ruin the night. She needed to be happy. This was a new year! New years meant happiness and resolutions that Charlie was sure he wasn't going to break. He wasn't going to break his promise to Libby to always keep her safe and protected, even from her own mind, and he damn well wasn't going to break his promise to nearly everyone that he'd stop using. And if Libby had a bad night...he knew the drugs wouldn't be far away.
"Hey," Charlie said, looking away from Ana to Libby, moving to bring a hand up to brush the strand of red hair that had came from her up-do while taking her hand that smelt strongly of bleach. "It's New Years, then, eh?" he asked, a slight yet sad smile on his face. "And even though we won't have a trace of alcohol on account of Liam being a prat like that, I don't want to see a frown on your face. We're gonna have the best bloody New Years and I'm not going to let it be ruined by those thoughts. So you go down there, get bloody smashing looking, and don't you worry about the bleach." He moved, kissing her on the cheek quickly. "Now go! Shoo!" he told her, pushing her lightly and playfully towards her cart. "I want you in my room in 20 minutes!"
However, as he looked back at the Latina, the nagging feeling of deja vu crossed his face, until it hit him. "Oh wait!" he said, moving to point a finger at Ana. "You were one of the cops at our show at the Spider when we were here back--back when we were here last! Yeah! You threatened to arrest my brother when he wanted to beat that wanker's head in!"
And then a thought hit him. Oh god. They were going to arrest him. Drug possession--no, it couldn't be drug possession because he had snorted most of it and whatever he had left, Liam had flushed. No, it wasn't drug possession--could they arrest you for overdosing??
He took a good look at Ana, and realised quite quickly, that she was drunk as all hell. But that still didn't stop her from pulling the cop card, and if Charlie got deported, he would really be screwed. "Y-Y'know, I should, um...I should go. Li's waiting."
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Ana-Lucia Cortez
new oceanic 815.
Everyday, everyday Houses full of no escape, no escape Runaway, runaway
Posts: 153
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Post by Ana-Lucia Cortez on Jun 10, 2008 14:43:06 GMT -5
Slowly, it felt as though her head was starting to ache again, and it had nothing to do with the alcohol she was sure. Sure, she got hangover's and whatnot, occasionally, but she wasn't even that drunk nor was she about to get off the high that came with it. But yet there was this odd feeling, the feeling of a brick wall in her way and no matter what she was doing, she couldn't knock it down.
Glancing over to the guy again, recognition dawned on her, but still didn't feel like that was it. "Right..." she drawled out some, frowning slightly. It couldn't have been just it had it? Unless she was losing her mind, paranoia wasn't uncommon when she was intoxicated... but something just didn't seem right. Even as she glanced at the woman again, did the feeling seem to trickle away.
Running her hand through her hair, she shook her head, trying to dislodge the feeling. "If you say so," she told them, but mostly said it to herself. "I gotta go... Have a happy new year," she told both the maid and the Brit before she started moving down the hall again, feeling the buzz she had slip from her mind, but still there in her body as she sluggishly started to move. She needed another bottle of Mr. Daniels... and soon...
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Libby
new oceanic 815.
Take time to realise that I am on your side
Posts: 92
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Post by Libby on Jun 14, 2008 17:34:36 GMT -5
Just when the black hole seemed to be opening up, just when she felt her mind starting to slip away, something pulled her back. It was him. His voice was like a lifeline, pulling her back to shore, saving her from the deep and endless ocean that would drown her in madness.
Squeezing Charlie’s hand, the look Libby gave him was most grateful and full of more emotions than she could ever express with words. The simplest form of everything she felt for him was that she didn’t know what she would ever do without him. Closing her eyes when he kissed her cheek, she smiled, even laughed a little, as he tried to hurry her off.
“I’ll be there,” she promised, turning to smile brightly at him. “And... thanks, Charlie.”
For so much. Everything.
Turning her gaze to look at the young Latina, even though that strange sensation remained it wasn’t so bad, so debilitating as before. At least Charlie had an excuse for the recognition, although now it was his time to start stuttering and acting strangely. Obviously cops were not his favourite people, and with good reason. Luckily the cop was off duty and far too drunk to worry too much about any of the musician’s illegal actions. Watching her wander off, Libby’s attention was instantly back on her best friend. A searching gaze.
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Charlie Pace
administration.
I calculate what I had done, like jumping from the bow yeah. Just to prove I knew how, yeah.
Posts: 196
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Post by Charlie Pace on Jun 20, 2008 23:38:07 GMT -5
Charlie's gaze followed Ana as she left, and he arched an eyebrow. "She," Charlie said, pointing to the place where Ana once stood. "was drunk. I miss it." Sure, he could go out somewhere, run away from his brother and get plastered, but then he'd have to face Liam with a hangover (and his brother knew just what pitch to yell at to make his head explode like that guy from Scanners, Charlie thought), and he would probably be right back in the hospital, or worse; a rehab centre. And in Rehab, he wouldn't be able to do the things that he was doing now, and he'd have to talk about his feelings and all that other shit that Charlie didn't feel like doing.
But he really, REALLY wanted a drink. Or a smoke. And Liam had denied him both, however, Charlie had managed to not listen to him, because if he hadn't smoked, he'd be dead. The thought of alcohol filled his senses, and he turned to Libby, taking both of her hands. "You and me, we're gonna go out tonight after Karen and Liam are asleep. I seriously must get away from my brother before he drives me insane. Please say you're going. Yes? You're coming with me, right?" he asked quickly, and watched her smile. "No! No, you can't smile. A smile and a pause is longer than a yes!" Charlie told her honestly. "Soon the Methadone is going to run out and this cold turkey shite is going to drive me to...well, not to drink because I can't, but...but I'd do something totally wrong! I mean, what's a New Years bash without alcohol? Not alot of alcohol, just--just enough."
But Charlie knew more than anyone that he had a problem with the world enough. It was always more. He needed more sex, needed more drugs and needed more booze.
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Libby
new oceanic 815.
Take time to realise that I am on your side
Posts: 92
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Post by Libby on Jun 21, 2008 12:16:53 GMT -5
Libby was relieved when the strange encounter was over and the awkward moment had passed. Looking down at her hands as they were suddenly clasped within Charlie’s, though, the feeling didn’t last. Tonight was supposed to be a quiet, family New Year’s free of drugs, alcohol and other such devices. Just the fact that she had been invited to join in on this family affair had left her elated. To her, it sounded like the perfect night.
Until now, as it seemed Charlie was not nearly as excited about the whole thing as her. Of course it was understandable, and she should have expected it. For years he had ‘partied hard’ probably most nights and now it had been a week since he’d been able to touch a single one of his vices. She could understand it, but that didn’t mean she liked it.
Smiling slowly as Charlie asked her to go out with him later on, she was about to politely refuse when he quickly continued and now it wasn’t just to get away from his brother for a bit of fun; now there was desperation in his voice for even just a taste of the life he used to lead. Her smile turning to a frown, Libby lowered her eyes back to their hands. To be completely honest, the whole idea terrified her, both for his sake and her own.
“Charlie...” she started, squeezing his hands gently. “I don’t think that would be a good idea.”
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Charlie Pace
administration.
I calculate what I had done, like jumping from the bow yeah. Just to prove I knew how, yeah.
Posts: 196
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Post by Charlie Pace on Jun 21, 2008 15:17:07 GMT -5
"N-No, y'see," Charlie started, trying to quickly make up some sort of explination for his asking, "No, see, I want to go out with you. Liam and Karen, they're...well, there smashing but--" Charlie watched as her smile spread into a frown. "Love, I just wanna go out with you, is all. And," he drew the world out slightly slow, before a sigh escaped his lips. "I can't stand feeling like this." he whispered. "I would seriously kill someone for the residue on their straw, okay? Okay, there, I admit it. But--but I know if I'm around you, I won't. And it's not that I don't like Liam, 'cause he's my brother and a mate and all, but..." He shook his head slightly. "He just looks at me like I'm something that he needs to fix. And I just want to be around someone that looks at me as a person, not some fuck up."
Charlie looked from their hands, to Libby's face. "We don't even have to drink! I won't! I just--I just need to get out of here because I know that soon I'm not going to be able to even hold my own head up out of the toliet, let alone hang out with you, and I want to hang out with you because you're smashing. You're the best thing that's happened to me. "S-So, please? Please, lets go out. I know a guy at this posh place, he can get us in. We can have a proper dinner, we've never had a proper dinner together."
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Libby
new oceanic 815.
Take time to realise that I am on your side
Posts: 92
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Post by Libby on Jun 22, 2008 12:12:21 GMT -5
His desperation nearly broke her heart. Closing her eyes, Libby could feel the tears starting to burn behind her lids as his words tore down her resolve. This was a very bad idea, she it would not turn out well no matter what his intentions, but she also knew that she had to give in. If she refused and made him promise to stay in tonight, there was no guarantee that he wouldn’t go find a party somewhere after she went home. At least if she was with him she could keep an eye on him. She could be there for him and make sure the temptations wouldn’t become too great. If she wasn’t there...
She didn’t even want to think what could happen. She had turned her back on him once, letting him destroy himself when she could have gotten him help sooner, and she would not do it again.
” You're the best thing that's happened to me.”
That was the clincher, and Libby felt herself smiling even as the tears threatened to fall. David had told her that once, at their wedding, and it had meant more than any other words he had ever said. The meaning had been tarnished over the years after what had happened and everything that everyone else had said, but hearing it again from Charlie’s lips... they never ceased to be the most beautiful words she had ever heard.
Blinking a few times to push back the tears, she finally raised her head and met Charlie’s eyes, her smile small, but warm and soft. “Alright, yes,” she replied, a simple answer. If what they had wasn’t so special and didn’t mean so much to her, if she wasn’t so terrified to risk destroying it... she could really fall for him.
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