A real bed. No sleeping in chains or on the ground like she had done the past several days. A mattress, sheets, covers and in a heated room no less. She didn't even care about having to share it. Almost immediately Brooklyn's fatigue from the tumultuous day hit her like a ton of bricks and she sank into the bed. She kicked off her boots, set her gun on the bedside table and tossed a terse, "Don't look," at Sebastian. Then she quickly stripped to her underwear, slipped between the blankets and pulled them up to her chin. [i]This must be what heaven feels like,[/i] she thought. Her eyelids grew heavy and she was soon drifting into a deep sleep.

---

The rooms at the lodge were small yet comfortable. He didn't relish the thought of being in such a closed in space (and being in the crush of such a massive city didn't help much) but in this case it meant less space to keep an eye on. Gabe entered the room after Annabelle and shut the door gently.

"Something you need to talk about?" he asked.

"No." She didn't make eye contact with him and kept her eyes turned downward.

He ground his teeth together and folded his arms before leaning against the wall, "Sure acting like it."

"I hired you to protect me and kill enemies. Not to ask questions about my past or my mother. Leave now before I cancel our contract."

She went to the dresser, pulling it open and placing a few things inside, including weapons and extra clothing.

"Didn't say nothin' about your past or your mother, Lady," he paused for a moment and watched her closely, "I only ask questions because I'm not fond of the client surprizing me. Personal stuff stays personal if that's how you want it."

"And that is how I want it."

"Alright. You best be putting that behind you though. Livin' too much in the past never solved nothin' and it'll keep you from thinkin' straight. Not much I can do for clients who don't think straight. Focus on what we need to do now."

"I have been focusing on what we must do now." She turned to him, her eyes defiant. "I am allowed to remember the past when it comes up, Gabriel. I do not need you to worry about me."

He didn't flinch at her retaliation, "Ain't that why you hired me? And it seems to me the past comes up an awful lot while a certain IVT is around. How much longer you gonna let it get to you?"

"It's not getting to me, and you need to stop asking questions. Now leave."

"Of course it's not," he sighed, "Whatever you want. If you've got somethin' to say you know where to find me." He opened the door, stepped outside and closed it behind him. Instead of heading back to the bar he opted to stand sentinel outside the room albeit leaned against the door frame with his eyes closed.