Chapter 7 "What are you doin' here?"

Liz' breath was knocked out of her. She was confused and a little dazed but watched the scene unfold in slow motion. Her co-star brought her hands up in defense. The director and his second assistant looked shocked, slowly calling for security. Their assailant raised her hands, grabbing the unsuspecting co-star by the collar.

Liz could tell by the toned arms and tattoos who it was. Kris. She appeared to move with super human speed. Snatching the unsuspecting woman up and pulling her close, snarling.

"Don't touch my wife!" she yelled before throwing her to the side. "And you," directing her rage to Liz, "what do you think you are doing kissing someone else?"

Liz was confused. What was Kris doing in her dream? She hadn't dreamed of her in over a year.

"Wh-what?" Liz stammered. "I'm in the middle of filming a scene. What are you doin' here?"

Liz looked to her discarded co-star, stumbling away in slow motion. Security entered the room. Stern looks etched on their faces.

"Wait. Wife??? We're divorced. Or did you forget you left and wanted nothing more to do with me anymore," Liz' confusion turned to rage as she pointed to the door. "Get out!"

Kris looked hurt. She took an involuntary step back but made no move to leave.

"But... you kissed her. Are you two dating? Do you not love me anymore?" Kris was almost in tears.

"Love you? What are you talking about?"

Liz looked towards the two security guards. They were only halfway to Kris and Liz. The director was yelling cut, and the assistant was trying to get everyone off set until the interruption was dealt with. They all looked like they were moving through thick liquid. It would have been comical, except the very real Kris right in front of her was creating turmoil in her mind.

"You do remember you divorced me, right? I'm working. She's a coworker. We are actors. None of this is real. Hell, this is a fucking dream and you aren't even real!" Liz exclaimed, pushing past Kris.

Liz moved towards the door but Kris grabbed her arm. Liz spun on Kris.

"Let me go!"

"No!" Kris replied, "If I'm not real, then how am I able to stop you? This is my dream. I'll do whatever I want in it."

"Are you insane?" Liz was confused. This was definitely not Kris' dream. Was it?

Kris stepped in, pulling Liz to her and forced a kiss like she did whenever tension was tight abd she didn't know what ele to do with Liz. Under any other circumstances, Liz would have welcomed the intimacy. She did still have feelings for Kris after all and missed her every day. But Kris made it clear she wanted nothing to do with her anymore. She cut all contact after Liz reluctantly signed the divorce papers. It broke Liz all over again, just like the day Kris left. And this kiss brought back feelings she didn't care to have anymore. Ones that she repressed. With one quick motion, Liz pushed Kris away. A tear rolled down Liz' cheek.

Security grabbed Kris, pulling her back. Their threats were muffled as they walked to the door. Kris didn't fight them. Instead, she stared at Liz, obvious confusion showed. They shoved her out the door.

Liz woke instantly. Her eyes scanning the dark room. She could hear Elena's soft snores next to her. Liz leaned up on one arm, glancing in the darkness beside Elena for any signs of Kris. Her heart sank as she saw the empty spot on the bed. Elena shifted slightly in her sleep, murmuring something intelligible. Liz settled back down, wrapping one arm around her as she attempted sleep once again pushing the bizarre dream out of her mind.

***

Kris made her way into the bathroom. Her dreams were getting out of hand again; last night with Elena and now Liz. She ran some water in the sink, splashing her face. She grabbed a towel to dry off. Her phone lit up. It was a friend suggestion. Liz. What were the chances?

Kris picked up her phone. Flipping open social media. She clicked on Liz' picture. Her page was private, of course, but there were a few things she could see. Kris heard Liz took up acting. She saw a few candid photos on some film sets. One photo had a caption for her professional page. Kris clicked it.

Liz' acting career was laid out for all to see. She started small like most actresses. Background and extra parts. A few commercials here and there. But then, there were a few minor roles in indie films and two supporting leads in major movies featuring big time actors.

A few reels were uploaded. Kris played them.

"Wow," she commented out loud. "She's doing really well."

The last reel was from a recently released western. One of the scenes was from her dream. Kris played it again. Confusion set it. She had never seen this movie and was positive she never saw this specific scene before tonight. How was she able to recreate it in her dream so vividly?

Kris put her phone down. She recalled the dream. She could remember how angry she was and how hurt she felt when Liz pushed her away.

She picked up her phone again and opened her massaging app. She pressed a few buttons to the blocked accounts, clicking on Liz.

'Would you like to unblock this person?' the alert popped up.

Kris selected yes.

She began typing. And then deleting. And then typing. After the fourth time deleting a lengthy message, she settled on a simple 'hi.' Her finger hovered above the send button. She really wanted answers and wanted to see how Liz was doing, but to break no contact after over two years... Kris didn't want to seem needy nor desperate.

Kris sighed, deleting the two letters and closing the massaging app. She would have to get her answers another way. She didn't want to lead on Liz and give her false hope. Kris was in a happy relationship and didn't want to jeopardize that. At least, she told herself she was happy. She wasn't sad or hurt. Kris was content for once and her tattoo business was really picking up speed.

The dreams replayed in her mind. It would bother her for a while that she had back to back dreams of Liz and Elena. She decided she would visit her best friend this weekend and get her opinion on the situation. But for now, she needed to get back to bed. Sleep would not come easy tonight.