"You've always kind of been shit at lock picking spells, Laney..."  Nora said, as a visibly frustrated Lane tried to open the door to James' apartment.  Nora stood next to the door, her arms crossed in front of her, looking casual and calm as Lane attempted to coax the look into opening.  Lane figured James probably had his own wards and spells protecting the place, but her anxiety had gotten the better of her and she just didn't want to see him yet.  Even now, as she thought about him, the image of the way he had looked at her in their last moments together haunted her mind.  Lane felt like an idiot.  She should have known better, she had always known better.  Guys like him wanted what they wanted and she was discarded in the process.<br/><br/>"We should just knock.  If you don't want to deal with him, it's fine, I'll do the talking." Nora said as she pushed off the wall next to the doorway and turned to face it.  After three more attempts, Lane finally gave up and straightened, frowning as she lifted her hand and knocked gently on the wood of the door.  She then stepped back a little, allowing Nora to take the lead.  She would still have to see him, to interact with him, but maybe this would soften the blow.  Nora had always been good to protect her when they were kids, to help her leave her asshole exes and figure her life out.  Lane figured it helped Nora too.  She had been different since the loss of her husband, so maybe she needed an anchor as well.<br/><br/>"Don't punch him or anything, okay?"  Lane asked, her nerves obvious.<br/><br/>Nora looked back at Lane over her shoulder and smiled a wicked grin.<br/><br/>"No promises."