[reverse darkest timeline AU: rendezvous in cold blood]

[stilljustandrew]

[The morning after this.]

There is a note with Bar, for anybody who might inquire after Andrew Wells, saying that he is currently staying in the cells for his own safety.

No one has told Bar anything about people who maybe shouldn't get that note, even if they ask.

Comments

[stilljustandrew]

"Security," he says. "Any of them, there's, there should be somebody here at the front desk. Or coming in soon."

[mynamesnotmeg]

"Hmm."

Idly, she reaches out to brush her fingers over the clear surface between the two of them.

[stilljustandrew]

He can't help it; he flinches back, just a little, as she raises her hand in his direction.

The barrier is smooth and unyielding under her fingertips, neither warm nor cool.

[mynamesnotmeg]

Her sudden smile at his reaction is as sharp and bright as a blade.

"No need to cringe, Andy -- we haven't even started having fun yet!"

She sets the flat of her hand against the barrier and pushes, testing its strength.

[stilljustandrew]

The barrier sinks very slightly under the pressure of her palm, then rebounds back with enough force to shove her hand away.

On the other side of it, Andrew swallows, pale and silent.

[mynamesnotmeg]

She gives the cell a flat stare and a thorough look-over, then shrugs and turns away.

"I'll think about it," Meg tosses over her shoulder as she starts back down the hall. "Depends on if it's more trouble than you're worth. You know how it goes."

[stilljustandrew]

"But --"

He lurches forward again, flattening his hands against the barrier.

"You'll tell Him? That I'm here, that I -- Meg, please --"

[mynamesnotmeg]

She spins around on her heel and stares at him.

"You think He doesn't have more important things to do? You got yourself in a mess of trouble and now you're expecting Him to rush to your aid, leaving His work undone?"

If looks alone could kill, the searing heat in Meg's glare would melt him where he stands.

"How dare you?"

[stilljustandrew]

This time he flinches harder, almost recoiling, stumbling back from the cell wall.

"No," he says, his voice shaking, "I don't, I just -- I just want Him to know. That I didn't, I'm not ..."

[mynamesnotmeg]

"Capable? Competent? Able to get yourself out of your own mess?"

[stilljustandrew]

He swallows hard.

"Running away."

[mynamesnotmeg]

"I guess we'll find out just how much you matter to Him, won't we?"

This time her smile is hard and bright, showing all her teeth.

"Or how much you don't."

Meg starts toward the door again.

"Ciao, Andy."

[stilljustandrew]

I'm still loyal, he wants to say, I'm still His --

The words choke him, lodging somewhere deep in his throat, and all he can do is stare after her in silent desperation as she walks away, as the distant door to the Security office opens and shuts again.



Slowly he sinks to the floor, leaning one shoulder against the transparent barrier, clinging wretchedly to the steel rings in his cuffs as though they're his only hope of forgiveness.

Please, he whispers almost soundlessly, I'm sorry, please.

[stilljustandrew]

[Hours later...]