[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]

His shoulders jerk at the sound of his name, and he twists to look up at her, red-eyed and blinking.



"Oh," he says almost soundlessly, after a moment.

[hadyougoing]

Ava's not far behind, definitely not wearing a gown of any description.

She glances between Andrew and Brix with a look of grim confirmation.

"Sorry I wasn't here to let you in," she says, Brix-wards.

[stilljustandrew]

His gaze flicks to Ava, and then back and forth between the two.

"I," he says, and starts to struggle to his feet, "I forgot, are we ...?"

[gothamsheiress]

"Are you all right?"

[stilljustandrew]

He's standing a pace or two back from the translucent barrier now, still looking back and forth between Brix and Ava. At her question, he swallows.



"No," he manages, on the second try.

[hadyougoing]

Ava frowns at him.

She wishes she had something to do with her hands right about now. Like punch something.



"I'm not surprised." Her tone is gentle, but a bit scratchy--like her empathetic register hasn't been tuned in awhile. "Baby told me you had a visitor."

[stilljustandrew]

He wraps both arms around his midsection, clutching his own elbows, and nods silently.

[gothamsheiress]

Brix looks between Ava and Andrew, her frown deepening, and addresses the obvious question to Andrew:

"Who?"

[stilljustandrew]

He shuts his eyes, and whispers "Meg."

[hadyougoing]

"Meg's a demon," Ava begins, before realizing Brix seems to know already.

"--Baby had an alert out for her, but I guess this all just happened."

Demons. They're masters of timing!!

[gothamsheiress]

Brix's expression has gone dark, her eyes sharp and hard as flint.

"Was she sent here looking for you?"

[stilljustandrew]

He glances up at her, and flinches back with an indrawn breath.

Shakily: "I, I didn't --"

[hadyougoing]

"It's okay, Andrew," Ava says quietly.

[stilljustandrew]

"I told her I wanted to come home."

He squeezes his eyes shut again, speaking with terrible effort.

"And, and asked her to help me get out of here."

[gothamsheiress]

Brix . . .

Puts a lid on her anger, her disappointment, even the momentary flare of annoyed hurt, as best she can. Breathes in, breathes out.

"I see," she says, quiet.

"Well. We had planned to visit the bar today, had we not? If we go out there now, what will you do? Or want to do. Truthfully."

[stilljustandrew]

"Is she ..."

He can't look up.

"Is she still here?"

[hadyougoing]

"No."

Ava frowns.

"I'll keep an eye out for her, though. You know she can't hide from me in here."

[stilljustandrew]

He sags, in relief, in despair.

"I just, I can't ... I can't let her see me out there."

[gothamsheiress]

"We won't let her." Brix glances at Ava. "One of you will have to tell me if you see her, though. Or if you have an image . . ."

[stilljustandrew]

Before Andrew can say anything, Baby's voice sounds from the middle of the air. "If it would be useful, Brix nó Balm de Marsilikos, I can display an image."

[hadyougoing]

Ava grimaces faintly.

"I guess it can't hurt. But Meg is a demon, so--she can always change suits."

[gothamsheiress]

"I would rather have some information than no information at all. Baby?"

[stilljustandrew]

The image forms on a square patch of the wall: a pale, dark-haired woman in a leather jacket, smirking into the cell.

"Begging for my help, Andy?" comes her voice, small but clear.

Andrew's own voice follows. "Whatever you want, just -- tell them anything, tell them you're from my old world --"

Meg's smile, cruel and delighted, shades slowly into calculation as she listens.

(In the cell, Andrew tenses and looks away.)

[gothamsheiress]

"That's enough," Brix says, short. "Thank you."

[hadyougoing]

Ava's expression doesn't change much--but her eyes narrow slightly at the playback.

Freaking bitch.


"Yep. That's Meg."