[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]

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."

[stilljustandrew]

The image vanishes.

"If I may venture an observation," Baby says, "I note that Andrew Wells is entirely aware that the cells are monitored. I do not believe Meg is similarly aware, as she took some precautions to keep from being interrupted or overheard."

Andrew looks up swiftly, in something like alarm.

[gothamsheiress]

Her first thought, followed swiftly by a rush of annoyance at herself, is Then why did he not call for help? Has she not defended the very same thing?

"Yes. Thank you."

She doesn't understand Andrew's alarm at Baby coming to his defense; she doesn't have to now, she supposes. Nor does she need to point out that being observed has not kept Andrew from lying to them before.

Elua, did they not have enough already?

She gentles her tone, although her expression is still more on the "carefully blank" side than the "warm open listener" one. "Do you have anything to add to that, Andrew?"

[stilljustandrew]

He swallows.



"She hates me," he says, barely over a whisper, not looking up. "She'd get me in trouble with our lord, if she could."

[gothamsheiress]

Brix nods slowly. "I understand."

All right. She rubs the bridge of her nose, considering, then asks, "Well. What would you like to do now, then, Andrew?"

[stilljustandrew]

"I was going to change," he says, his voice small and somehow remote.

And then, flushing: "I, I mean ... put on a clean shirt. Before we .... Can I still do that?"

[gothamsheiress]

She inclines her head. "Of course. You'd still like to make a visit to the bar, then?"

[stilljustandrew]

"If, if she's gone," he says, "yeah. I don't --"



He looks away again, blinking hard.

"I don't think she's coming back."

[hadyougoing]

"Well, if she does, we'll be ready."

It's the most comforting thing Ava can think to say.

"And, you know, I still don't have anywhere to be."

[stilljustandrew]

"Okay," he half-whispers.

And draws a breath, and straightens up with visible effort. "Just give me a minute?"

[gothamsheiress]

Brix nods.

"Take all the time you need."

[stilljustandrew]

He nods, backs a few steps before turning away, and slips behind the privacy screen.

It isn't much more than three minutes before he emerges. He's hastily brushed his hair, put on a blue button-down shirt with sleeves long enough to cover his cuffs, and put on socks and shoes for the first time since his initial imprisonment.

Slowly, he comes toward the front of the cell, and hesitates.

[gothamsheiress]

In spite of her banked anger at the absent Meg, Brix gives Andrew an approving smile. This is more care than she's seen him take with himself since they met.

"Very well." Glancing at Ava for confirmation -- and receiving a nod -- she asks, "Baby, if you please?"

[stilljustandrew]

"Of course." The barrier shimmers and vanishes.

Andrew swallows, and makes himself take a step, and another, until he's standing in the hallway with the cell behind him.