The much anticipated common day off had arrived for both Zas and Ezza. Ezza wished to go back to Oasis Springs and do some more fishing and collecting. Zas however, knew it was to see if she could find more of the plant people. She had become obsessed with how they functioned and how it all worked; plus it would get rid of the damned stump from under the bed. Zas had whacked his toes on it several times while trying to get changed.

Zas was just happy to be getting out of town, trying to avoid people was exhausting, Akira came over to their house looking for Cameron almost daily. Once he had even tried pushing the door in. Cameron had then decided it would be better to go to another friends for a bit. Ezza had seemed a bit lonelier now that he was gone. Penny, well she kept turning up like a bad one. Zas feared for the state of his loins now.

Zas was straightening up their living room when Ezza came bursting out of the bedroom excitedly, her cell phone in her hand. She ran over to Zas and started waving it in his face. Leaning back so he didn’t get knocked out by her enthusiasm he glanced at the phone.

“What?” He asked. Ezza beamed at him.

“I just got promoted. See!” She chirped thrusting the phone towards his face again. Zas stepped back and then smiled at her as he took the phone to spare himself some bruising.

“Congratulations on becoming a Public Relations Coordinator.” He said patting her on the shoulder. She smiled and threw her arms around Zas. He wrapped his arms around her and began rubbing her back in small circles, she was so happy it was making him feel happy, and she felt good in his arms. Realizing what he was thinking about, Zas shrugged off her arms and stepped back. Ezza looked at him in disappointment.

“So, shall we go?” Zas asked. He went into the office and picked up his keys. Nodding a bit sadly, Ezza followed him out of the apartment.

*******************************************************

The cheers went up from those at the bar, as Ezza performed another trick at the bar. It felt good to lose herself in what she loved. She missed working the bars for Make-A-Dish? she thought as she poured the drinks out. It had been a mostly pleasant day. They had come to Oasis Springs and Ezza had done some fishing, and looked for frogs. Zas had wandered off and started a game of chess at one of the community tables. Ezza hadn’t minded, in fact the smarter Zas got the less trouble he might cause.

When she had tired of fishing and frog hunting, Ezza had seen a lonely child at the climber. Ezza had played a space monster for her.

As other children had arrived at the park, Ezza had slowly started backing away and that’s when she spotted one. Another plant person! Walking boldly up to her, she found out Moira was very playful. After a few harmless jokes she gave Ezza another magic bean: the playful one. Ezza nearly tripped over her feet as she spotted Sonny across the park, imagine two in one day! I wonder if they work in Pairings too? Ezza started to giggle at the thought. A few minutes later, she was the new owner of a confident bean. Ezza decided to show Zas her new treasures and started looking around the park for him.

She spotted him talking to Penny. At first she was happy her friend had come to the park, they could all hang out together. Then she noticed the way they were standing. Ezza had always wondered why Zas seemed angry whenever Penny came over, now she knew why. Penny had her body practically pressed on Zas’s like…like tape! And she was stroking her hand down his body, to his..! How dare she touch Zas like that! In public! With no sense to use the washroom or a closet. What was going on? Ezza watched as Zas reached his hand down and cupped her face, he pulled her a little closer and then kissed her. Ezza felt sick to her stomach. Was this why he didn’t want her? He liked human woman more? Feeling dejected Ezza made for the hut in the park. When she entered she saw the bar and it just seemed like she needed some time to be alone and practice her skill.

****************************************************

Zas entered the room to cheers from Ezza’s crowd. She had always been a talented bar back since learning the mixology skill. Zas smiled and watched as she zipped through one trick after another. Placing the fish he had cooked down, he approached the bar, only to have Ezza look at him with that sad look full of anger from earlier. He still wasn’t sure what he had done to earn that look, but he’d like to fix it. Ezza didn’t look like herself, and he needed Ezza his best friend and Pairing to be herself right now. Penny had stalked him to the park and practically forced herself on him. He was going to have to do something about her soon. He had placated her with a kiss, and managed to make her leave, but then Ezza wouldn’t talk to him the rest of the time they’d been there. Zas ate some of the fish he’d fried as he waited for Ezza to finish.

 

They had just pressed the button on the elevator to go up to their apartment when the doors opened and there was Cameron and Akira standing there staring at them.

“Muffin!” Cameron hollered, lifting his arms. Zas backed away and Akira hit the close doors button almost in sync with each other.

“Really now! How petty!” Cameron’s muffled voice came from behind closed doors. Ezza leaned over and pressed the button again. When the doors opened, she walked and gave Cameron a hug, glaring at Akira over his shoulder. Zas stepped in behind her and they began making their way up.

 

The boys were sitting on couch in the living room and Ezza had excused herself to go get drinks from the kitchen.

“Well now Muffin. What have you done to my Pretty Baby?” Cameron asked Zas.

“Why do I have to have ‘done’ anything?” Zas asked indignantly. Cameron gave him a level look.

“My Pretty Baby only acts like that when my Muffin has been a bad boy, and not the naughty kind.” Cameron said. Beside him Akira huffed a little in warning. Already he’d had enough of the two of them.

“I- “ Zas started.

“Zas! This is it! I’m done!” Ezza screeched from the hallway. She came stomping in the living room her left side soaking wet.

“What happened?” Zas asked.

“The pipes broke again. I hate this place. I don’t care how great the rent is!” She yelled as she went into the bedroom to change.

Zas and Cameron broke down in laughter.

“She looks good wet.” Cameron said. Zas laughed his agreement.

“That she does, that she does. I better go make sure she’s okay.” Zas said stepping around Cameron as they both got up. Just as he was passing, Cameron reached out and touched Zas arm; he was going to tell him to be gentle, but he felt his hand being violently yanked away. He registered Akira yelling at him in a jealous rage. He’d never seen Akira so angry before, and just after they’d made up too.

Ezza’s voice cut though the whole din as she came running into the living room.

“Get out! I told you once before! Now get out!” Ezza pointed at the door. Akira got up and headed for the door. He looked at Cameron and held out his hand. Knowing a choice was being made, Cameron looked at his friends and then at Akira. He reached out and took Akira’s. The last thing he saw through the open door was Ezza crying and Zas holding her and trying to comfort her. Then the elevator doors opened and he was yanked in.