idlehands

The Avatar Upstairs

Commando who would have guessed.

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What Are You Listening To?

Current Mood in One Gif

Post a random fact about yourself.

I miss my bully conflicts. Learned a lot about myself and others. But the lifestyle is shunned so I just feel disconnected now. Like some sort of intimate interaction is missing in my life. It's probably because I don't know what it means to let my guard down. Also, probably why all my girlfriends are brats.

@ODAberration

I love psychology.

Delta Green: Whispers in the Darkness

>LA QUINTA INN & SUITES
>3SEP2019
>2100...///

Laine found one of Avery’s small vodka bottles and took a sip, then downed the whole thing. She breathed out a hiss and tossed it in the trash then pulled on the undershirt, a plain black tank top. He was still gone, at the bar no doubt. She checked her phone, sending him a quick text to check in, to call if he needed a ride. It would likely be ignored in favor of an Uber but she had to try.

She rummaged through the new clothes, most she had bought for practicality rather than fashion but despite the self-denial she knew she wanted to look good for Donnelley. Laine was annoyed at that but found the cutest pair of panties anyway, a black lacy thing that let half her ass hang out.

“You are such a fucking sucker,” she muttered to herself, pulling them up and tugging at the snug fit. Over the underwear, she put on a pair of black jogging shorts with white trim. Her long legs extended down to the pair of Chucks she laced on without socks.

“It might not even get there, he’s hurt,” she said again, then paused. Talking to oneself was one thing but answering was another. There were more pressing matters that needed discussing more than her own feelings. She would keep it there, to the upcoming trip to Alaska. To Sobel and Muru and Renko. Keep it to Foster and Overman.

She went over the things she wanted to touch on even as she checked her reflection and added a little dark eyeliner and a touch of red to her lips. *Goddamnit,* she turned away from the mirror and tossed the tube of lipstick into her open purse.

Laine sat at the end of her bed, her hands clasped between her knees as she leaned on her elbows. The storm within was roiling, ever since the wedding, before that the phone call and the awkward goodbye. The moment outside the cabin of the killers. Everything tilted up and down, back and forth, on or off. She examined the cheap black nail polish she wore, Ava and she had given each other manicures after another shopping trip to Target.

Finally, she checked her phone once more but Avery had not returned the message and she tapped the Spotify app to silence Peter Steele howling about not wanting to be. Laine set her phone in her purse and stuffed it into the suitcase, taking only her key card.

After a stop at the soda machine, she held to Cokes, one regular and one diet, and went to Donnelley’s room. She tucked one against her arm and knocked, then took a step back.

The door unlocked and swung open, revealing Donnelley looking out from the doorway. Seeing that it was Laine, he opened it fully and stood there in nothing but his gym shorts. From the look in his eye as they roamed from her eyes to her thighs, it was clear that he approved. He looked at her again, giving her that smirk of his as he scratched at his beard, “Hope I’m not underdressed.”

He stepped aside and waved her in, closing the door behind her. It would have been appropriate to have candles burning and roses leading to the bed, but Donnelley had told himself that now was not the time. She probably would only want to talk business with the way he’d been so distant. But a bottle of whiskey- the same brand they’d drank together in another motel in another time- stood on one of the nightstands. “So…” he began, not quite knowing where to go from there.

After all the things he’d rehearsed in his head, the conversations he’d had and everything, he had nothing now. They’d just gone off and disappeared on him. Arguments he’d think they’d have, tearful reunions, warm welcomes, everything. He only stood across from her not knowing what to do, “I’m glad you came over… I missed you.”

Laine felt her breath catch, looking at him in his shorts and nothing else. His lean hard body that bore the marks of a life of war, the ginger trail down past his navel guided her eyes before she looked up quickly. She gestured to herself, “I figured it was motel casual tonight.”

She stepped inside, her hips swaying in an unconscious invitation as she moved over to the table and set the Cokes down. Laine glanced over at him, her own thoughts muddled by the emotions she had gone over and over through the time apart.

Laine met his gaze, biting her inner lip then nodded, “Yeah, I kinda wondered about that.”

Her hands rested on her hips and she took a deep breath, “You know, you make it really hard to be mad at you. You piss me off but then go get a hole put in you.”

She felt her voice catch at that, looking at the wound then to his face. “Fuck, how can I yell at you and call you an asshole now? You know my weakness, you almost dying.”

Laine rubbed her hand across her mouth then sighed, “I missed you, a lot. More than I thought I would. I was so worried, I couldn’t find out anything. After Ava had her vision, I don’t know how she sees things but after dealing with Muru and Sobel, and after knowing...I believe it.”

She took a step closer, her hands still resting on her hips as she gazed up at him, “I thought you might be dead…”

Laine dropped her hands and reached to swipe at her eyes and took a deep breath of determination to keep her shit together. Donnelley stepped forward and placed a gentle hand along her jaw, feeling himself tingle with the intimate touch. It hadn’t even been long since they’d seen each other, but it felt like it. He tucked Sobel’s name away for now, focusing on what mattered. On what was in front of him, “I’m okay,” he said softly, “I’m right here.”

Laine swallowed hard, pushing that lump in her throat down as his calloused fingers touched the sensitive skin of her jaw. Her green eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she met his gaze then dropped all pretense. She leaned into him, careful of the square of thick gauze taped to his ribs. Her fingers grazed over his chest, resting her hand where his heart beat. Laine stayed there for a moment, breathing him in, the whiskey and cigarettes, the underlying scent of whatever hotel body wash he used. And Donnelley, warm and still alive under her hand.

Like the last time, the anger and annoyances that had built up when she allowed her selfish nature to indulge itself melted away. It was just them now, not the Team or the Program.

Laine turned her face up, her lips parting slightly as she moved to kiss him. Their lips met, and Donnelley let go his breath. A gentle thing at first, feeling the plumpness of her lips against his, the soft brushing of soft, delicate skin. He held her close, feeling a growing need. It was both for her, and also to let out the stress of the desperation and fear and anger of Iraq. Like letting whatever, the world, fate know that he still lived. Both ecstatic triumph and desperate reminder. At the last second, he broke the kiss, looking down at Laine.

Laine pressed against him, closing her eyes as their kiss deepened, her own desire quivering through her body. The ache of missing him and the fear of what loving a man like Donnelley would bring her, even admitting such feelings to herself was met with a wall of self denial. It had been physical, she had told herself but her heart fluttered when she heard his voice or saw his smirking smile. As their kiss broke, she looked up at him, sighing soft.

“You’re my weakness,” she whispered, pulling back slowly. She glanced over at the cans of soda and the bottle of whiskey, recognizing the brand. Laine bit her lip and she turned away to regain her composure.

“We should catch up, have a drink,” Laine said, looking around for the motel supplied cups and ice bucket.

Donnelley let her go slowly, stepping back from her and sitting on the bed. He lay back and his reaching fingers found the whiskey, pulling it to him. To his credit, it was still sealed and he waited for Laine to return with the cups. As she retrieved them, he let his eyes drink her in, thinking about the things they’d done in motels. It felt a little taboo. Well, it was. If Foster found out about them he’d have Donnelley canned and some other fool at the helm of UMBRA. He couldn’t let that happen, not just because his ego told him he was the right one for them… he felt Laine was the right one for him. Maybe he was being presumptuous, jumping the gun when Laine was satisfied with quick, carnal, violent encounters in lonely motels where no one else could see.

He hoped not. Donnelley took the cup that Laine returned with, pouring about a shot’s worth into hers before his, “So,” he said, “Muru? Who’s that?”

Laine cracked open the Cokes, adding some from the silver can to her whiskey and drank it slowly. She sat beside him, leaving a gap between them. She crossed her legs, resting her cup against her knee as she answered, “Muru is what I called her, she is the girl you and THUNDER rescued. It’s just a Finnish nickname my Pappa used to call me. I know she’s Russian, a Ukrainian Jew actually, but anyway...we needed to call her something other than the girl.”

She paused, taking another drink and shivered at the whiskey fire, her thoughts on Muru and the tinkling glass sound. “We um, actually ended up finding her with Renko. That was a whole thing I’m sure Foster will fill you in on at some point. We met the team who were supposed to give us the van but they knew. I don’t know, Donnelley. I was afraid for Muru, she’s just a little girl. I bluffed the agent in charge, I’m pretty sure she knew it was bullshit but we got the damn van.”

Laine drained her glass and held it out for him, turning to meet his eyes. “I just didn’t want anything else to happen to her, Renko told us where she came from and how they used her.”

Her eyes closed briefly, the vodka and now whiskey starting to loosen her up, “I dunno, dude. I believed him. Despite my mistrust of Russians I don’t think he’s lied to us since he brought the hellhound into our laps. Renko said to be careful who I trust, I didn’t want to trust Sobel but he’s got a way about him. He had some answers and...well, it’s better Ava tell you that part.”

She looked at Donnelley again, “I saw you, in one of Sobel’s pictures. In the jungle somewhere. That’s the only reason I finally relented and had hope that I was leaving Muru with someone with the best intentions. It’s not a sound reason, but there it is.”

Donnelley nodded along, Renko having the girl was surprising and confusing. And Sobel’s involvement as well. “Africa.” Donnelley said, “That’s where I met him. Just before I was in Somalia. It was me, Peake, Guzman, Foster and Sobel.”

He knocked back the whiskey with barely a grimace, remembering Africa and remembering his two dead teammates. That place was a reminder that humans could be evil on their own, despite what they’d found in Somalia later. He turned to Laine, refilling their cups, “So, Sobel’s got the-... er, Muru?” Donnelley shrugged, “I trust him.”

Donnelley didn’t tell Laine that most of his interrogation techniques had come from Sobel. Not just the bits about physical pain, but mental games as well. The Program letting Sobel have the girl… or Muru, he told himself again, probably wasn’t related to what Sobel could do to a man for his secrets. More like what Donnelley had seen Sobel do with… well, there wasn’t any other word than magic. “What does that mean, though?” He asked, “What Renko said? Be careful who we trust?”

Laine took the whiskey but did not add soda to it this time, the recollection of Renko making her gulp the booze. “He said it, I don’t know how much he knows. Renko knows more than he was willing to share at that moment, time was of the essence. He’s used us, sure. But he’s not done anything to hurt us, not that I can figure out. He just wanted to help Muru. He knew enough to find Muru where they were keeping her for the hand off. Left a series of notes, all very mysterious and super spy stuff.”

Her lips quirked with a brief smile before she downed the rest of the whiskey, grimacing at the burn. “I don’t know, look, Donnelley,” she said, turning her head so she could face him. “I”m a psychologist, not a psychic but I also believe intuition is a survival instinct. I’m sure you have felt that gut feeling when something is off.”

Laine hesitated to tell him what she felt around Foster and Overman, he knew them she did not. But the whiskey and the urge to unburden herself to someone who understood this world much more than she took hold. “At the meeting we had before going to the handoff, it felt strange. Foster...I don’t know, I just got the feeling he was lying. Or holding back. Which I guess isn’t unusual since everything is need to know. But Overman, he gives me the creeps. I don’t trust him. You know we have a leak somewhere, I don’t think it’s anyone in UMBRA not just because I trust them but because we literally don’t know enough to be a leak.”

She laughed bitterly, then held the cheap plastic cup out for another shot, her green gaze taking in his reaction, “Is this how it always feels?”

Donnelley shrugged, “More or less. Didn’t even feel like this in Afghanistan.” He shook his head, throwing back his whiskey, “This is a different world than the military, or being a Fed. Renko’s an agent, there has to be an end he’s working towards.”

“As far as Foster goes, I know. Ever since that magic prick showed up things haven’t been the same.” Donnelley shared a glance with Laine before looking back at his empty cup, “Like there’s a game bein’ played. We’re just the pieces on the board.”

He had a quizzical look on his face then, “Foster didn’t want me digging too deep in Iraq.” He sat up, like something struck him then, “The prison… maybe it’s nothin’. Coincidence. Was Overman at the briefin’ you had?”

“He was very short with me when I called him about Ava’s vision, basically said not to call him again,” she shrugged, tipping her cup back and forth like a cat switching it’s tail. “Which is just great to hear when we’re sitting out here in Buttfuck, Idaho waiting around to see if the Russians sniff us out. I figured it was him getting annoyed at me calling him about some dream but he knows, he knows what Ava’s visions are or at least knows enough that he fucking recruited her not just because she’s a tech genius.”

The mention of Iraq made Laine snap her head up and she gasped, “Oh shit, I almost forgot. He said you activated Jason, is he alright? Where is he now? Ava didn’t mention him, she only saw you.”

The mention of Overman brought her back and she nodded, “He was there, hovering around Foster.”

“Jason’s better off than me. They were shootin’ at him, but got me.” Donnelley fell quiet then, staring at the cup before he cleared his throat and filled it. It wasn’t the first time he got shot, or shot at, and it wouldn’t be the last time either. “Anyways, he wasn’t there when I woke up. Spookin’ a spook. We got what we needed there.”

“Overman’s an unknown. I don’t like unknowns. Renko seems to show up every time I’m not there, seems… off.” He said, he threw back another shot and rubbed at his face, “I don’t like chasin’ my tail over these things.”

He went back to laying down and placed a hand on the small of Laine’s back, his thumb rubbing circles in the muscle there. He smiled softly at her, then it turned to a frown as he sighed, “I’m sorry.” He said, “About the wedding. About not showin’ up. I don’t have an excuse, but…”

He sat up again, placing a hand on her exposed thigh and searching her eyes, that green emerald that seemed to shine into his blue and pull things out of him no one else could. He spoke soft and sincere, “But I want to make it up to you. Just tell me how and it’s done.”

Laine felt a slight disappointment that Jason was not joining them, they had lost so many from their team to attrition but at least he was still in their fight. “That’s too bad he’s not coming along, I’m glad he wasn’t hurt,” she said, then looked at Donnelley, she held her cup for him to fill and took a drink. “I wish you hadn’t been hurt, how bad…”

She cut herself off, he was alive and that was enough for now. His touch on her lower back made her shiver slightly, what she was going to say about Overman falling away from her thoughts. His mention of the wedding made her turn towards him, “I would have liked you there, I got too drunk and was mean to the best man.”

Laine laughed at the hazy memory then shrugged, “I...uh, I didn’t you know, do anything with anyone. I kept thinking about you, I was pissed off at you but you know, like…”

She raised a hand and let it fall against her thigh, a light slapping sound issuing before her hand slid back off to the bed. Laine drank her whiskey, “I figured you had your reasons, it’s just after that phone call, I guess I got ahead of myself.”

Her gaze raked over his outstretched body as he lay beside her, the curling warmth of lust making itself known in her core. She traced the lines of his abdominal muscles and the pelvic bone until they vanished under the waistband of his gym shorts. The gray material gave an outline of what was underneath, the contours of which she could still recall.

When he sat up, she looked back up at his face, smiling at his offer and the sensation of his hand on her pale thigh. “How to make it up to me?” she took a deep exaggerated breath, pushing out her chest against the flimsy undershirt. “Remember when we talked about the beach in Mexico or the fields of France? I’m joking, but I wouldn’t mind going to see where Donnelley raised hell. I’ve been to Texas before, just for work. El Paso, San Antonio, Houston...a couple of small towns.”

She gave him a wry grin, “On second thought, maybe you could come to LA with me next time we have some down time?”

Laine blushed a bit and put her hand over his, “Honestly, I don’t care. I just want some alone time with you, without having to worry about hiding so damn much.”

“Deal.” Donnelley smiled. He scooted closer to her so their hips touched, “I’d love to show you my old stomping grounds. Lookin’ at them might not be much, but I have memories in there.”

“And I’d love to follow you around LA. Am I gonna have to be a good boy if I meet your parents?” He chuckled.

Laine bit her lower lip slightly, then lifted the cup to sip the last of the whiskey out. “Well, at least be nice to my Dad, he’s a good man. My Mom...she’s a handful. She’ll definitely be passive aggressive and attention seeking so fair warning. I won’t hold you back.”

She laughed a little, the heady feeling of intoxication starting to take hold. “I’d like to see where the long haired, eyeliner wearing Donnelley made his mark. What did they call you back then? Joey? Joseph?”

“Joey.” He shrugged, “When I came back and became a Sheriff Deputy, they called me Robocop.”

He laughed, “I used to be a straightedge back then. A good cop, not that there was much corruption in a small town like Dalhart. A lot of assholes takin’ advantage of others.” He sighed, “I learned it doesn’t take alcohol and a violent temper to make someone’s life hell. Cruel at home, Christians in church. I seen it all, or at least I thought I did back then. Before this.”

He moved his hand up her thigh, until his fingertips disappeared under the hem of her shorts, dangerously close. “Ain’t all bad, though.”

“Joey...baby,” she sang softly in her smokey voice, “Don’t get crazy… I like it, it fits you.”

Laine smiled at the idea of him being a straightedge cowboy cop with the wide brimmed hat that came to her mind, a younger clean shaven version of the man beside her.

“How strange it must have been for your old friends to see you in such a wholesome way,” she said, then gave him a wry grin that faded a bit, “I thought I’d seen it all, profiling killers and studying their victims is knowing them intimately, knowing what people can inflict on each other. I can’t imagine actually knowing them all personally.”

Laine gazed at him as his fingers slipped under her shorts, the lace of the boy cut panties would greet them soon. She leaned in a little closer, dangling the empty cup from her fingertips. “You wanted to save the world. I remember.”

“I did.” He said, slipping his fingertips from under Laine’s shorts to grab the whiskey, pouring her a shot and one for himself, “Still do.”

When the whiskey met his tongue, it burned the thoughts creeping in about Iraq. He set his cup down on the nightstand, now behind Laine, he walked on his knees across the bed and placed his hands over her shoulders, kneading the muscles in her shoulders. His hands moved to her neck and they brushed her hair aside as he leaned in to kiss the soft skin just under her ear. With such closeness, he could tell she’d put on a scent. Not that she had anything to cover up, to Donnelley, there wasn’t a thing she could do to herself that would make him turn away from her. His lips plodded along from her neck to her jaw, rough hand gently going around her neck, turning her head to the side so his lips could reach hers. He locked lips with her for a long moment and then broke away, Donnelley moving from the bed to close the drapes over the window, cutting off any light seeping out from between the blinds to the parking lot outside.

“I’d say we’re caught up with the meeting.” He smirked, “Anything else on Doctor Laine’s agenda for the night?”

Laine closed her eyes at the feeling of his hands rubbing the tension she carried in her shoulders, shivering slightly when he kissed her neck. The sensation from it made her inhale sharply, arching her neck back as he caressed her. Her eyes closed and she turned to meet his kiss, tasting the whiskey on his lips.

She reached down to kick off the Converse sneakers, her toenails painted black like her fingernails. It was a silly teenage thing but when she was alone with Donnelley she felt like a girl again. Laine watched him close off the blinds, hiding their meeting from any prying eyes.

“I can’t think of a damn thing that can’t wait,” she said, looking at him in his gym shorts.

>2200...///

He rolled onto his side to face her, searching her face. He smiled at her, looking her naked body over as they basked in the afterglow with each other. He stayed silent, not knowing what else to say that they haven’t to each other. The way they looked at each other, how much they cared. They even talked of the future with each other. It was a dangerous game they were playing with so few ways to win, but so many to lose. He didn’t want to remind her of that, nor himself. He decided to switch subjects from themselves, at least for a bit. “I saw him do it this time.” He smirked, “I mean, we’re doin’ this, but… he kissed her. Right there.” He pointed at the foot of the bed.

“Should we just start doin’ shit like that?” He had to admit the openness of it, the brashness made him jealous.

At first Laine was not sure who he was talking about then the realization hit her and she smiled a bit, “The luxuries of not being the boss.”

She sighed, “Or the one wanting to be with the boss man.”

“I remember Ava telling me about how she didn’t feel arousal,” she paused, glancing at Donnelley, “It was a private conversation, of course. She said she was on the asexual spectrum. I guess Dave found a way.”

She chuckled and lifted herself on her elbow to look down at Donnelley, “I mean, he’s very pretty. But I’m glad they’ve found solace and happiness in this bullshit. Lucky for them they don’t have to worry so much.”

Laine kissed him lightly against his lips and nuzzled her soft mouth against his cheek, “We can’t do that.”

She sighed then, resting her head against his shoulder. “Unless we were not on the same team? Even then...I know how the government can be with relationships between subordinates and supervisors. It’s no go territory.”

At the mention of Dave being pretty, Donnelley rose a brow and fixed Laine with a neat dose of side-eye before accepting her kiss. He let go a breath feeling her soft lips against his cheek, “Should know me by now. I like breakin’ rules.” He chuckled, “I’d never wanna be on another team. Away from you.”

He looked at her with sincerity then, searching her eyes, “Laine…” It wasn’t all he wanted to say, but for a few long moments it was all he could get out, “I, uh…”

He sighed, turning away from her to stare at the ceiling, shaking his head at himself, “I haven’t felt this way with another person for a long time.” He left it at that, not wanting to risk anything at all with such serious words as the most infamous three. He didn’t even know if she felt that way either, “I’m glad I met you. Maybe it could’ve been more romantic, but… we did meet.”

Laine touched his chest, grazing the fresh bandage of his wound and looked up when he said her name. She hugged her arm around his waist, snuggling closer as he spoke. Instinct told her what he wanted to say, the same thing she danced around, both of them tiptoeing along a razor’s edge. “I don’t want to be on another team, either,” she said, “You’re one of the big reasons I even stay, because I trust you. And I want to...be in this world with you.”

She touched a scar and traced it, tilting her head up to look at him as he stared at the ceiling. At his admission, Laine held her breath, thinking for a moment of Alex but it was not the same. There was more to Donnelley, a complexness that fascinated her and drew her in and kept her there with a warm companionable feeling. Her heart fluttered when he said it and she drew her leg over his, pressing her warm full thigh against his muscled leg.

“You know, how many girls can say they met their man while going on a scavenger hunt for a zombie maker,” Laine said, huffing a small laugh then reached to stroke his face, “I don’t care, I’m just glad we met and at a time where...well, both of us being single.”

A blush touched her pale face, “But anyway, what would you have preferred, what sort of romantic meeting do you imagine?”

Donnelley smiled at that, moving his hand to touch her thigh and slowly massage the muscle there, thinking. He clucked his tongue, “I don’t know, maybe…” he worked his jaw, “Maybe I’m on vacation in Barcelona, seein’ the sights. I’m on a walk and spot a nice restaurant, go in and wait for my table, I get brought back and get seated outside.”

“The warm sun’s shinin’ down because it’s summer, it’s warm. I’ve got shorts on and my button-down is buttoned tastefully low. I’m lookin’ over the menu and tryin’ to remember the lessons in Spanish I had before comin’ to Spain. You know, Rosetta Stone.” He chuckled, “But I get a sense that someone’s lookin’ at me. I’ve got a sense for it, bein’ the man who works for who he works for. I look up, just over my menu and scan the faces of the other people sittin’ down and havin’ lunch.”

He looked at Laine, holding her gaze as he spoke, soft and gentle, “And then I see these deep green eyes lookin’ over their own menu at me like a cat lookin’ over some tall grass. And these eyes, they’re beautiful. I can’t look away, I don’t even wanna blink because that’d mean not seein’ ‘em for even a fraction of a second.” He came closer to her, their faces inches away and he whispered, “I drop my menu, get up and sit with this woman, because somethin’ about her makes me brave. And even if she is there to honeypot some secrets out of me, those eyes make me helpless to stop her. Stop you.”

“By the end of our meetin’ we’ve laughed and we’ve shared emotions. I walk you back to your hotel and we hover by the door.” He closed the distance and kissed her, a gentle thing, soft and pulled away, “Until I do that.”

“Not like I think about it a lot.” He smiled at her, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear and gave her another kiss.

Laine gazed at him as he told the story, her eyes sparkling with affection as she watched the expressions play across his scarred face. She laughed softly at the idea of being a honeypot and brushed her hand against his chest where his heart was, returning his kiss. “What a romantic scene, like a movie.”

She smiled against his kiss, closing her eyes for a moment then said, “It’s beautiful but I’ll still always remember that moment when you covered me with your jacket and made sure I was safe and kept me from falling apart.”

Laine looked at him, her eyes searching his, “I’m not usually the kind of person that feels like...vulnerable, I try to cover it at least but with you... you do that but you make me feel safe. You’ve always made me feel safe.”

He looked at her with a small smile, “You make me want to. Keep you safe. I know you’re no damsel, but,” he shook his head, “You do the same though. Make me vulnerable, you know how many psychologists and counselors try to dig around in my head and get nothin’?”

He chuckled then, a full smile showing his teeth, “In Baughman’s apartment, you remember? You just kept askin’ questions. Me, tryin’ to keep it business and all mysterious.” He said, looking at her laying there beside him, “You wouldn’t let the questions go. Maybe that’s why. Or somethin’ like that, but somethin’ about you just makes me feel like it’s okay to spill.”

He sighed, “You want a cigarette?”

Laine laughed softly at the memory, her eyes rolling a bit before she said, “You fascinated me right away, a new and unique specimen. I just wanted to know more about this Joseph Donnelley and I still do. And I’m very humbled that I helped you feel safe to tell me what’s inside. Because I will keep digging until you tell me to fuck off. Maybe.”

She grinned at him then nodded, “Yes, please. I forgot my smokes earlier then went swimming. I’m craving...at least one thing that hasn’t been satisfied.”

Laine pushed herself up on her elbows, unashamed of her nudity and reached for the offered cigarette. “While we have this time and feel like talking, I want to know more.”

She thought about asking about his childhood but remembered the story of the sausages and the deal with his dad. Laine veered to another path, giving him a playful smile,“What was your best day ever?”

“I’ll tell you about it outside. I ain’t about to pay the exorbitant smokin’ fee.” He kissed her again and rose from the bed, rummaging around in his luggage for clothes to put on. He settled for the same ratty jeans he wore into the hotel and an Adicts shirt he’d cut into a tank top. Stuffing a cigarette in his mouth, he walked with Laine outside. The night air was cool and felt refreshing against his skin, he closed his eyes and breathed deep.

He lit his cigarette and took the first draw, “my best day ever…” he mused, kicking the toe of his Vans into the concrete of the parking lot. It was empty at this hour, and the moon shone bright down on them, bathing everything in pale white. “I know a good day, maybe wasn’t the best. Wasn’t close. It’s a long story.”

“I remember I was seventeen, my best friend went to Dallas to try to score some codeine. Everythin’ was fine when he left, asked him to get me some and bring it back. I guess the guy he was buyin’ from had some trouble on his head.” Donnelley frowned, taking another drag, “Some guys drove past his house and shot them. Heard about it from someone I knew in Dallas, went there soon as I could. There was enough spent brass on the street you’d have to go at it with a push broom. His name Was Eric Tingles, I shit you not, cops never believed him whenever we got arrested.”

“I went back, mad as all hell. Was gonna steal my dad’s gun, go out and shoot the first person I saw I thought could’ve done my friend.” He looked off at the road, eyes following a lone car passing them by into Washington. “‘Fore I could get goin’, my dad calls the cops about his gun. Deputy caught me on the road out of town on my bike, speeding. He found the gun, matched the description of my dad’s.”

“His name was Deputy Gracy, he knew my dad way back. Didn’t like him too much, and he knew how me and my pops were. Or more like how my pops was with me. He also knew it was my friend got killed a few nights ago.” Donnelley chuckled, looking at Laine as he took a drag and felt awkward as all hell to be answering her question like this, but he continued when she showed no signs of judgement, “Made me a deal. I give him the gun, he makes a phony arrest about some phony crime. Has me sit in the jail until his shift is over and then takes me out to breakfast.”

Donnelley took another drag, but couldn’t hold it, almost coughing out the smoke. He wiped at his eyes and cleared his throat, “He told me I was a good kid. Told me I didn’t deserve even half the shit done to me by the people that done it.” Donnelley swore under his breath and fell back against the wall wiping at his wet eyes again and spoke while looking down at his shoes, “Told me to make somethin’ out of myself, because he knew I could. Right after my eighteenth birthday, I went to the nearest recruiter. He came to my Graduation day, Deputy Gracy. Only one who did.”

“Only one who ever called me a good kid.” Donnelley said, quiet. “I’d like you to meet him if you ever do follow me to Texas. Closest thing I got to someone I could call dad.”

Laine listened quietly, watching him as he told his story. She held her cigarette between two fingers, letting the ash grow while he told her about Gracy and the encouragement he provided, the safety he never had before. She wanted to embrace him instead she crossed her arms, stepping closer until her elbow brushed him.

Laine lay her free hand on his arm, she leaned closer to him, glancing out at the empty parking lot. “I’m sorry about your friend, too. That’s rough, really rough.”

“I’m glad you told me,” she said, “I would really like to meet Mr. Gracy, he sounds like a wonderful man, someone that gave you the support and love that you didn’t get at home. We all need that person.”

After a moment of silence, she took a drag and flicked the ashes away from him, “Do you go back to see Gracy much? Between all your spook jobs and the Program?”

Donnelley smiled at Laine’s hand and then looked her in the eyes before taking a drag, looking at the empty road of this sleepy town, “Emails mostly. Old asshole won’t get a smartphone or a plan. Smart, if you ask me, but I’m pretty sure nobody’s gunnin’ for an ex-small town sheriff.” He chuckled, shaking his head at the memories of serving under him as a Deputy, “I should go more often though.”

He looked at Laine, “What about you? Doctor Heather Laine’s best day ever?”

Laine smiled at that, bringing the cigarette up to her lips, “Reminds me of my Dad, he likes to call and talk, won’t use texts or anything. It’s not like he can’t, he’s computer competent, but he just likes to talk to me.”

She blew out a stream of smoke and pondered the question, “That’s hard to pin down, but I can tell you what my favorite day was when I was a kid. Sundays. My mom didn’t like going to church, she liked mimosas and sleeping in. So my Dad would take my brother and I to church, not just the local Methodist but Catholic, Baptist, spiritualists, Hindu temples...I think he just liked seeing the flair of it, he’s a big fantasy nerd, you know. Sometimes it wasn’t church, we would go to a museum or some place of interest. Then we’d go to the beach and get ice cream. Us three, just walking along the shore and dodging sea gulls. Didn’t matter if it was summer or winter, if it rained we hung out at the boardwalk and he’d just talk to us. He never talked much at home, my mom...well, she’s difficult. Classic narcissistic personality.”

Laine smiled slightly, “My brother kinda outgrew it after awhile so then it was just me and Dad. He’d tell me stories, you know? About his life, his parents, and just whatever came to mind. We’d hang out, even when I’d come home from college. Those were my favorite days, no matter what I could count on those Sundays.”

She stayed quiet for a moment then glanced at Donnelley, “Was that cheating? I know it’s not just one day, but it was something I remember fondly.”

Laine finished her cigarette, dropping it to grind it against the concrete with her sneaker before picking it back up.

“I like it. I like your dad, sounds like a good person.” He smiled, taking his last few drags one after another and pinched the cherry out, “Now I’m lookin’ forward to meetin’ him whenever we do that.”

He looked out at the parking lot, at the Chevy Malibu parked there and smirked at Laine, “If you’re wonderin’ where Avery is, he’s in my car. Figure he could use some time alone.” He yawned, stretching until his shoulder popped, “I should turn in soon. I haven’t slept much. You, um, sleepin’ with me tonight or you got a room?”

Laine smiled at that, “He is a good guy, just...well, he’s been a good father, even with all the work he does. He always made time for us. I’m sure he’d like you, he likes a quick wit.”

“I was wondering,” she said, stepping out to see where the car was, “He’s been drinking a lot since we got here. I tried talking to him, he’s having a hard time with...well, with everything. Feeling like he’s not doing a good job. Everything we’ve all felt. He’s internalizing it, medicating himself with booze. I don’t think I helped much, he needs you...needs another man who has been through it, I think.”

Laine moved back over to him, a slight wry smile turning up a corner of her mouth, “A man’s ego can be fragile.”

She glanced up, surprised at his offer and she looked over at the car, “Avery and I have been sharing a room, Dave and Ava took one together.”

Laine glanced at him at that then rubbed her shoulder against his as she moved beside him, “I’ll set my alarm early, he won’t notice I’m not in my bed.”

She turned on the ball of her foot, glancing over her shoulder at him, “Should I bother getting my pajamas?”

“We plannin’ on needin’ clothes?” Donnelley smirked.

Delta Green: Whispers in the Darkness

>MOSCOW, IDAHO
>JOHN’S ALLEY TAVERN
>3SEP2019
>1900...///

Avery left the hotel an hour ago, though it really had been more. He’d barely been back to his and Laine’s room for some time, instead going from bar to bar until he’d come to rest at John’s Alley Tavern, lured in by raucous live music muffled by the brick walls and windows. He wasn’t even sure what time it was, but he figured it was getting close to the time he’d have to go back. He stood up, leaving his shot glasses and beer bottles to fend for themselves, stumbling back into something solid. He turned around and struggled to focus his eyes, and when they barely did, they settled on a huge man. Bald, bearded, his shoulders almost as wide as Avery’s wingspan. Or at least wider than his.

“Watch the fuck out, fat fuck!” Avery spat up at the larger man. The anger he felt at leaving Muru to her fate, at himself for letting Ava slip away, or for being a piss-poor agent all mixed into a venom that slurred out of his mouth.

The last thing he remembered was toppling over. He found himself in glimpses afterward, first on a dark street, second pissing in an alley, and then finally looking at the sign for the hotel they were staying at with the moon high above…

>LA QUINTA INN & SUITES
>31AUG2019
>1100 - BEFORE...///

[It is assumed the team has already paid for their rooms and split up. Ava and Dave are sharing a room, as are Laine and Avery. Avery is fine spending his time at the pool or the under equipped gym instead of alone with Laine.

Enter Ava...]

Ava’s eyes snapped open and she let out a sharp gasp, her skin drenched in a cold sweat and her heart racing in her chest. She sat upright and eyes darting frantically around the room in search of Donnelley around the hotel room, panic and fear rising in her chest. Her sleep fogged brain was confused for a moment, wondering why she wasn’t in a moving car with Donnelley next to her, but eventually the realization settled in that it was just a dream.

“Not a dream.” She muttered.

“What’s huh?” Dave’s voice was thick with sleep, his eyes blinking owlishly in the darkness of the hotel room. He sat beside Ava, roused by her sudden movement; one arm was raised protectively across her, the other clutched his Sig, outstretched in search of whatever threat had startled her. After a moment he lowered the weapon, turning concerned eyes on Ava.
“Dream?” He said, his brain still catching up. “You alright, sugar?”

Ava shook her head, rubbing at her eyes as the vision played over and over in her mind. She took in a deep breath and turned to Dave, giving him a tired and slightly forced smile. “It’s nothing,” She leaned over and kissed his cheek. “Go back to sleep, I’m just going to take a shower.” She glanced over to the cheap little alarm on the nightstand. It was barely 11, they hadn’t gotten their rooms more than two hours ago. Dave was exhausted, she didn’t want to keep him from sleeping.

Dave frowned at her, his brain finally working again. “You sure? I can stay up. Talk a bit.” He returned his pistol to the nightstand and crossed his legs beneath the blanket, biting back a yawn. “We ain’t doin’ anything tomorrow. I can wait a bit to sleep.”

She looked up at him, the conflict clear on her face as she wrestled with the offer. Underneath the conflict was a strand of worry and fear.

“...It can wait.” She said, poking him in the chest. “You need to sleep, Mountain Man.”

"Uh-huh, so do you," he said. He frowned, but eventually relented. "You get your shower. But we're gonna talk soon, okay? I ain't gonna let you just keep things in."

“Only if you get more than,” She looked over at the clock. “2 hours of sleep.” She turned back to him. “You’re our security, it’s important you get as much rest as possible.”

Dave narrowed his eyes a little, but sighed. He leaned over and kissed her on the forehead. "Tomorrow," he said, his voice gentle but his tone final. "I'll see you in the mornin'."

She nodded. “I’ll tell you everything, I promise.” She patted his hand and smiled. “I’ll take a shower then go check out that waffle bar. Reconnaissance, for waffles.”

"I do like waffles," Dave murmured, laying back down. "Quick shower. You need sleep too." He yawned and, a few moments later, was dozing lightly.

Ava smiled, leaning over and kissing his cheek. Then she carefully got out of bed and headed for the shower, her smile fading as her mind played over the images of her dream.

>...///

Avery sighed, wearing a pair of swim trunks he’d bought at a nearby Walmart. He was weightless, floating in the lukewarm water of the pool, not sure how long it had been since he’d been to his and Laine’s room. She didn’t seem too bothered by his leaving, not that he could tell. So, he just floated here, sure that there were no Bratva in Moscow, Idaho. Ironic, he smirked to himself, hiding in a place called Moscow from the Russians. The first time he talked to someone around here and called it Moscow, they said that that wasn’t how it was pronounced. But he called it that anyway, it was more fun for him.

Even if the girl at the Walmart checkout counter didn’t find it half as humorous as he did. Oh, well. He started humming to himself Around the World by Red Hot Chili Peppers, listening to it echo in the pool room. This was the first time he felt content in a bit.

Laine draped a towel over her arm, the sound of her cheap flip flops slapping the tile around the pool echoed in the enclosed space. She was in a black one piece but one that was overly complicated and she would never admit how much time it took her to figure out the straps. She strolled over to the edge and tossed the towel onto a plastic chair and kicked off her shoes.

She observed Avery floating in the water, her hands resting on her hips as she thought over the young man, how he vanished from the room first thing in the morning and came in late. Taking a deep breath, she dropped her arms and swung them back and forth, stretching before she dove forward into the water.

The water was heated despite it being the summer, her entrance enough of a splash to hit Avery as she swam down. Her hands brushed the bottom of the pool and she flipped over, pushing off with her feet to shoot up to the surface. Laine gasped as she surfaced and reached up, swiping her hair from her face and rubbed her eyes, the waterproof mascara not quite performing as well as she might like.

“Morning,” she said, smiling slightly at him, standing up in the water.

Avery let his legs sink into the water until he was standing as well, looking at how Laine’s hair fell being wet. Then to the muddled image of her onepiece underwater until he realized he might’ve taken too long to answer, “Good morning,” he smiled back, trying not to think too hard about what the onepiece really looked like, “How do you like Moscow so far?” Still pronouncing it like the Russian Capitol.

“It’s quiet, which is nice,” she said, “I’m hoping it stays that way.”

She let her knees bend and dipped down to her chin in the water then bounced back up, enjoying the buoyancy. A flash of memory of talking to boys in backyard pool parties made her smile again. “Find anything to keep you busy? I haven’t seen you much. I hope I’m not snoring too loud.”

“You don’t.” Avery shrugged, then chuckled sheepishly, “I don’t listen or anything, just saying. I didn’t sleep much. Figure swimming might tire me out a bit, but…”

He shrugged, “I dunno. What about you? Anything cool for you here?”

Laine looked at him, his youthful face did show signs of sleeplessness but they had all been tired from the long trip and the emotional wear of Muru and leaving her. The sound of the glass tinkling had haunted her dreams, a small hand in hers slipping away into the darkness. She took a moment then said, “That’s to be expected and with waiting it lets us dwell on things. I have tried to keep busy, mostly alone as Dave and Ava...well, you know.”

She paused then shrugged, “I went to the Appaloosa Museum, did you know they are a spotted horse breed created by the Nez Perce Indiginous people right around here for over 300 years?”

A hint of a wry smile touched her lips, “Then I bought some cowboy boots. I might go for a trail ride or something. The scenery is nice.”

Laine bobbed up and down again, feeling the weightlessness when her feet lifted from the pool bottom. “So, swimming huh? I did a lot of that when I lived in LA. Naturally.”

A slow grin grew on her face and her dark green eyes glinted, “I know I could beat a Bay area kid.”

She pushed the water at him, “Come on, let’s wear each other out. You call the number of laps.”

Avery snorted, the thought of exerting that much energy already weighing heavy on his bones. He shrugged, “Maybe later.” He said, quiet. He tried to perk himself back up for Laine’s sake, “I could go for a trail ride though. Ride one of those Nez Perce horses.”

“You’d probably win. Swimmer’s legs.” He smirked, “Surfing’s my thing anyway.”

Laine raised an eyebrow, then nodded with a tight smile, “Robbing me of my victory. Well, I’ll hold you to that trail ride then.”

She looked at him for a long moment, staying silent, the sound of water lapping at the filter echoing off the high ceiling. “We can talk, just between us. I know it’s not easy, that things have been stressful. Distraction can be nice, but so can getting it off your chest.”

Avery’s brows perked up and he looked away from Laine, starting to pick under his fingernails, “This conversation took a turn.” He remarked, chuckling humorlessly, “I don’t know…”

He frowned tight, lips drawn thin, “Why?” He said, still not looking at Laine, “Muru… everything. Maybe if I knew more about this case, you know? Or something.”

“Everything’s… everything’s a lot.” He shrugged, shaking his head.

Laine took the opening he gave her, reaching up to adjust the strap on her shoulder, “I know, it’s frustrating. Like groping in the dark and occasionally a flash of light reveals just a glimpse of what we’re up against.”

She looked at him then dropped a little lower in the water, “It is a lot, sometimes I wonder why I still do it. I could have gone home and not come back, my mind might be more at ease but then again. Would it?”

Laine dropped then, going under water to sit cross legged for as long as she could on the bottom like when she was a kid and she and her brother would play underwater tea party. She held her breath then bounced back up, gasping and blinked water out of her eyes, “We’re in this, you’re in this with us. We’re a team and we help each other to keep from drowning. I’ve been close, after seeing things...my brain still has trouble accepting. But all I know is we are on the right side of things. What those Russians did to Muru, what they turned her into? We might never understand but we can try to stop them from doing it again or worse. We can try to keep another Maria from happening. It’s the only thing that makes sense to me.”

She met his eyes, then looked away at the windows that poured sunlight into the pool room then pushed her wet hair back from her face. “It is a lot, Avery.”

“I just wish it all never happened.” He stopped fiddling with his hands and looked down at himself in the water, “I keep thinking and wishing something never happened, taking inventory of my life.”

“Trying to find the root of where things went wrong.” He shook his head, “The one place where I could’ve made a different choice and never got here. But that’s not… it’s just something I never see any of you doing. Dave is a brave man, Donnelley always seems like he knows exactly what to do all the time.”

He chewed at his lower lip, then looked back at Laine, “You refuse to look away from it. Even Ava… she’s got a worse time of all of this and she’s still here.”

Laine turned to look at him, her brow furrowing slightly. Her face shifted from the practiced cool expression of the FBI agent, softening with empathy. "Avery, you're not alone feeling that way. I've felt like walking away, that I couldn't handle it. I've laid awake nights, I've had nightmares and I would guess that everyone has experienced it. I think most anyone who knows what we know wishes they didn't at some point. That we had not stumbled upon this great darkness."

Her low slightly husky voice amplified in the pool, and she reached out, laying her hand on his arm for a moment. She smiled, remembering her father's favorite story and how he could quote it from memory, "*So do all who live to see such times; but that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.*"

She smiled, her green eyes warm but sad, the thought of the last of the innocence had been taken from all of them. "Just remember you're never alone with us, Avery."

Laine let her hand slip down and splash the water, such an odd place for the conversation but it didn't matter, as long as he was talking. Her own dark thoughts haunted her, how she almost refused the call to meet up this time. Her anger and mistrust over the handling of West Virginia had lingered, it was easier to help someone else than confront her own weakness.

Avery nodded, smiling weightily, a sad thing. “A lot to think about.” He said, turning to walk through the water and pulling himself up to sit at the pool’s edge, “I just wonder when my hero complex is gonna show up.”

He lifted his feet out of the water and smoothed some of it out of his pants, wrapping his towel around himself, “Just let me know when that trail ride is. Maybe nature’ll help me clear my head.” He nodded at her before turning around walking towards the exit, “Thanks, Laine. Really.”

Hero complex. Laine struck out, swimming laps back and forth across the small pool once Avery had left. She had never thought of it as personally heroic but her own stubborn sense of duty. Once she swam until her arms ached, she hauled herself out of the pool. She tugged the swimsuit down where it rode up and grabbed her towel, wrapping it around herself to head back to her room.

>...///

One could probably hear the plastic clunking around against each other in Avery’s hoodie pocket. One probably wouldn’t be able to tell what it was until he took a shot bottle from his pocket, the tiny airplane servings of alcohol, and downed it. He stealthily threw the empty bottle into a trash can as he passed it on his way towards the breakfast bar, hoping it hadn’t closed yet. He couldn’t remember when they said the bar closed, just that he was swaying back and forth and ready to collapse by the time they’d arrived at the hotel.

Right when his ass touched the bed in his and Laine’s room though, sleep and the thought of it poofed into thin air. Walmart it was, and then the pool. Swim trunks weren’t the only thing he’d gotten from there though, as evidenced by the alcohol on his breath under a thin veneer of toothpaste. He rounded the corner and looked around the room, nobody there and neither were there anything for him to satiate himself besides bagels and Cinnabon toast. “Damn.”

He went to seat himself in the corner and opened his phone. No messages, no calls. Not that his mother or sister really knew what he was doing, thinking he was still in the Army on some dangerous assignment. Well, technically. He thought being a spy was cool at first, until the very real dangers of it reared its head in the form of a Russian agent threatening to kill himself and then a demon from hell trying to kill all of them. He sighed, emptying another bottle into his mouth. And his empty stomach, the vodka making it feel like his stomach was getting a hole burned into it. But there was the warmth too, and the looseness, and he couldn’t deny that he liked being loose for a little.

Ava blinked at the selection of teas offered at the breakfast bar, humming in disappointment as she eyed the meager selection. After her shower, Dave was still peacefully sleeping but she was too awake to join him. So she had dawned a pair of comfortable leggings she got at Target, swiped one of Dave’s flannel hoodies and headed for a quick walk to the breakfast bar. She wanted to let Dave sleep without being disturbed and she was curious to see if the waffle station was still an option.

Disappointingly it was not. So she wandered over to the tea section to find a nice tea to at least try and calm her roiling nerves. She didn’t know if it was the dream or the lack of medication or both, but she was feeling strangely cold and clammy; which was the reason she had grabbed the hoodie.

The hood was pulled up over her head, offering extra warmth and shielding her eyes from the harsh glare of the lights.

She finally turned away from the teas with a shake of her head, not finding any that she felt she could keep down. She walked over to one of the tables in a corner with a bit of a shadow and sat down, taking out her phone to try to find a cafe or even a Starbucks nearby that might have better tea.

She glanced up noticing a person enter and perked up slightly as she recognized Avery. “Hey, Avery.” Ava called out, a small smile on her lips as she waved her hand to get his attention.

Avery’s eyes caught onto movement in the unfocused beyond that was the space around his screen. He refocused and saw a little girl waving at him, his brow quirking in confusion. It took a bit for him to recognize the hooded, Ava. A smile involuntarily tugging his lips as he strode up to her, loosely plopping down in a seat next to her. “Hey,” he said, “You get any sleep?”

“2 full hours.” Ava snorted, shaking her head in frustration. “Dave is still sleeping up in our room though, so I came down here to let him sleep and to see if the waffle station was still an option.” She nodded her head over to the two waffle irons on the counter. “Apparently this hotel doesn’t embrace the concept of all day waffles.” She smiled at him. “How about you? Did you get some sleep?”

Avery lifted his sunglasses and perched them atop his forehead, revealing the drooping eyes ringed with sleeplessness, “Nope.” He smirked, “I guess we’re comrades in arms, huh?”

He replaced his sunglasses and retrieved another shot bottle, dangling it out for Ava, “Might help.”

Ava blinked and leaned back in her seat in surprise and confusion. “I...don’t drink.” She said slowly, her brow creasing in concern as she looked at Avery more closely. “Avery, how much have you been drinking?”

He recoiled with a smirk and a snort, as if she’d asked something ridiculous. For a moment, his temper flared behind his sunglasses, somehow thinking that she thought she was better than him for not. Or just not wanting to drink with the likes of him. But this was Ava, he couldn’t see her doing that before this, so why now. He softened a bit, but avoided the question altogether, “So, we could go somewhere with all-day waffles. Think there’s an IHOP?” He mused, “Gotta be. Get something for everyone else too.”

Ava continued to study Avery with concern. “Avery,” She said, her voice gentle. “Are you okay?”

He snorted, shaking his head and looking out the window, “Yeah, of course. Just tired.” He chuckled, “You can relate, I’m sure. Preaching to the choir. So… waffles?”

Ava frowned, but slowly nodded, rubbing the back of her neck under the hood as a knot of tension started to form there. “Um, yeah...Waffles. Sure.” She held up her phone. “I’ve got Postmates on here so we can order some waffles for lunch.” She pointed in the direction of the hallway. “I’ve got my Switch and my laptop has just...all the streaming services on it. We can hook either up to the TV in your and Laine’s room and hang out. If you want?” She suggested, trying to give him the best smile she could.

“Yeah, I guess we could.” He shrugged, downing the shot he’d previously offered and left it out on the table, “That sounds cozy, going out might risk exposure or compromise us or something.”

Although his tone was mocking, he quickly pulled himself in line, “Which is something I take seriously. How long are we going to have to sit on our thumbs here for?”

Ava shrugged. “Your guess is as good as mine. Remember, they didn’t mention this would be a multiple day thing and Laine and I had to get a whole wardrobe from Target.” She sighed and rubbed her hand over her face, trying to will away the sudden headache she felt starting to form. Maybe food will help.

She stood up from her chair, adjusting the large hoodie she wore. “Alright, let’s go bum around for a couple hours.”

“Let’s.” Avery made to stand and had to lean into the table for a second, steadying himself and hoping not to be obvious about it. They made it through the hotel and when they got to the door, Avery fished around for his wallet. Swaying in place slightly, he finally retrieved the key card and stuck it into the door.

It took a couple tries until he realized he hadn’t oriented it right and finally opened the door. He pushed the door aside, stepping in and throwing his arms wide, “Mi casa… your casa.” He fell backwards into the bed and bounced there, “So, what’ll it be, IHOP?”

“Uh, maybe.” Ava said, staring down at her phone as she walked into the hotel room with her laptop bag over her shoulder. She had grabbed it on their way to the room and also left a note for Dave telling him where she was when he woke up.

She set down her bag and sat in a chair, staring at her phone with her hand on her face. She read the e-mail again and again and one more time to be sure she got it right. She pinched the bridge of her nose. “This is not my week.” She whispered to herself.

“Huh?” Avery lifted his head to look at Ava, quizzical look over his face, “What’s up now? Case Officer do something?”

“No, no.” Ava shook her head and sat herself down in a chair, heavily. “I just got a notification that it’ll be a day or two until I can get more of my medication.” She waved her free hand in frustration. “They want to make sure I’m me before they start passing out Klonopin in the middle of Idaho.”

“Oh,” Avery sat up, cringing to himself, “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t know, I just thought you didn’t want to drink with me and here I am being an ass.”

Avery chuckled and slouched forward, sighing. It was a bit relieving. But then he felt sheepish, being the only drunk one. If Ava wasn’t sure about him as a person before, she had to be unsure now. Dave probably never got drunk and acted like a prick around her. “Yeah, I’m sorry though. I hope they get things straight soon. Is there anything I can do to help?”

Ava glanced over at him in confusion. She considered his words before shaking her head and deciding to let it slide. She wasn’t in any shape for that kind of discussion. “No, it’s alright. I’ll make do until I can get my refill.” She picked up her laptop bag and moved it to her lap. “So are we watching Netflix or playing a video game?”

Laine flip flapped her way back to the room, the noise of the cheap sandals seemed loud on the quiet afternoon. She had her towel wrapped around her, the keys in hand as she approached the door. Out of habit, she paused and looked around, a wary creature now after so many motel mishaps.

The door swung in and she was surprised to see the bright red head of Ava sitting with Avery around the blue light of the laptop.

“Good afternoon, kids,” she said, glancing at them. “Don’t mind me.”

She went to her bed and pulled the brand new suitcase out and pulled some clothes out of it so she could shower off the chlorine and dress for the late start to her day. Once she was done showering, she dressed in skinny black jeans and her Converse shoes, and a gray Buffy the Vampire Slayer t-shirt.

She stuck her head out into the main room, “Sorry, gotta blow dry my hair.”

It only took about five minutes but she was conscious of the time and the noise as they were trying to watch something on the computer. It was enough and she finger combed down the short dark strands that were still damp underneath. She looked in the mirror and applied a little eyeliner and lipstick but left everything else in her makeup bag.

Laine moved to the room and flopped onto her bed, glancing at them to see what they were watching before taking out her phone. “So I found this stable that’s pretty close by, I am going for a trail ride tomorrow morning. Really dude it up. Avery you still down? Ava, you think you’d want to go, maybe Dave?”

She looked at them, “I don’t know the rules of what we can and can’t go or how many of us, but fuck if I’m going to be stuck in this motel.”

“Amen.” Avery chuckled, fingering the last two shot bottles in his hoodie pocket, “Either of you ever rode a horse before? I haven’t.”

Ava lifted up her hand, staring at the laptop still. “I have, it’s fun.” She let her arm fall back down over her head. “I don’t think I want to go though.”

“You and me then.” Avery smiled over at Laine, pointing his finger guns in the air, “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.”

Laine glanced over at Ava, raising an eyebrow at her reaction, “Still feeling icky?”

She flashed a brief smile at Avery, then gave her best impersonation of Donnelley’s own Texas twang, “Shore thing, pardner. Bright and early, before it gets too hot. I’ve ridden a few times but it’s been awhile, this should be fun. The ranch has some nice views I hear.”

“Yeah, I liked seeing the scenery when we were driving in. It’ll be cool to be in it, plains for days.” He smirked, spreading his arms wide to imitate the vastness of the beautiful nothing around here. “We should take Dave and Donnelley on one, those two cowboys.”

Ava grumbled under her breath and pressed her face down into the pillow she was currently hugging to her chest. The idea of going with Dave on a horseback ride sounded amazing, but she wouldn’t be in any condition to go out in public until she got her medication.

And Donnelley…

She hugged the pillow tighter.

Laine smiled more at the thought of all of them going out, of seeing Donnelley as a real Texas cowboy. She almost laughed but Ava’s reaction made her pause. She moved over to sit on the bed, watching her hide in the pillow.

“Maybe you should try? Not to sound cliche, but maybe some fresh air will do us good. We’ve spent enough time in motel rooms and who knows what we’ll be facing next,” Laine said, then reached over to pat her back. “Just get out there and think about riding and not about anything else.”

Ava looked up at her. “I’d like to, I just...I don’t know, it’s going to be hard the next few days.” She sniffed and shifted on the bed. “I won’t be able to get any of my medication for 2 days, they have to verify my identity.”

“Well, you know,” Avery shrugged, not knowing what else to say, “I already said so before, but if you need anything, we’re all here. Dave wouldn’t leave your side and neither would we.”

He tried at a smile for Ava, “Not like we have anywhere else to be right now.”

Laine rubbed her back lightly in a circle briefly before reaching for her phone, “Damn, what good is it being part of a super secret agency if you can’t cut through bureaucracy like that. Maybe I can help? I have a friend that’s a psychiatrist.”

She glanced over at Avery, who seemed in much higher spirits than when they spoke in the pool. Laine looked at him for a long moment, then back at her phone. She wondered if Mariana would even help, after the way their session ended with distrust and secrets kept. The cool departure after drinking too much at the wedding reception.

Laine looked again at Avery, at his eyes and then at Ava. She sighed inwardly, the sudden memory of Jason and Donnelley at the diner popped up in her mind. It had to be hard for Avery to be around Dave and Ava now, if the symptoms of a crush she had observed were real.

“Hey, Avery, did you have boots?” she asked.

“Shit, no. Where’d you get yours?” Avery asked.

“Palouse Leather Goods,” she said, “Downtown, kind of expensive but they’re made by hand imported from Texas and Italy.”

She smiled slightly at that, “Or there’s Target.”

Ava looked up at Laine, eyes sparking with hope. “Really? You think your friend can help? Would she need any of my information?”

“Maybe, it doesn’t hurt to try,” Laine replied, “Yes, send me your details and I’ll give her a call. We’ve been friends since our junior year in college, I trust her.”

Except with all the things she could not tell Mariana when she had tried to help Laine and as she scrolled through the contacts she wondered how badly she might have burned the bridge. Once she had the details, Laine stepped over to the restroom to make the call.

“Dr. Laine?"

Laine rolled her eyes at the formal voice on the other end, the tried to smile as she replied, "Pity I can't make the Dr Jones joke anymore. How are you Mariana?"

There was a pause then a voice slightly relaxed, "Heather, I'm fine. Just a little busy, we're still moving into the house. It's a pain, all the stairs...but what's up? You didn't just call to chat."

"I could be," Laine said, feeling suddenly defensive.

"Heather, look. If you want to talk, then let’s talk but I am really busy.”

“Right, I’m sorry about drinking too much at the reception,” she said, “And for what I can’t tell you.”

“You weren’t the only one drinking too much, it’s fine. I was just stressed and everything, family. But it was you know, so much. I swear, it seemed more for our parents but the honeymoon made up for it. We did Bora Bora.”

“I saw your Instagram, it looked amazing,” Laine said, sitting down on the lid of the toilet. “I am happy for you, I was just...I don’t know, it was a weird time.”

“Anytime with you is weird, especially lately.”

“Fair, but look, we’ll get together next time I’m free. I need a favor though, for a friend,” Laine said, cutting to the point.

A silence. “A favor? What is it?”

“Can you authorize some pharmaceuticals? I have a coworker who forgot her medication, we’re out in the middle of buttfuck nowhere and they’re hassling her about getting an emergency script. It’s all legit, I’d never ask if it’s not but I’d rather not have her suffer the withdrawals then getting readjusted. We’re working on a case,” Laine explained.

“A case? Anything juicy?”

“Can’t talk about it, but juicy is...one way of putting it. It’s important, can you get your prescription pad out?”

“Give me her information, I’ll see what I can do.”

“Thanks, Mari, I owe you,” Laine said, smiling in relief. “Let me know what happens.”

“Sure thing,” Mariana said, then hesitated. “You sure this isn’t for you? You were very anxious la-”

“No, I’m fine, it’s for her. She’s been taking it for years,” she said.

Another silence, “Fine is a stretch, but alright. Take care, Heather.”

The call ended and Laine sat for a moment, then left the restroom. She went to her suitcase and dug around in it, the crinkle of the Target bag could be heard. She brought out a box of chocolate chip granola bars and took one out then tossed it towards Avery.

“Heads up, if you want a snack for your movie,” she said, then turned to Ava. “My friend Mariana is sending in your prescription, she has her own practice. I should hear from her soon, see if it went through.”

She peeled the bar and took a bite, sitting on the edge of her bed. It was not long before her phone buzzed and Laine grabbed it, checking the message. A rare bright smile crossed her face and she pumped her fist in the small victory.

“She says they’ll be ready for pick up at the Moscow Walgreens tomorrow morning by 8 AM. Goddamn, that’s my girl,” Laine said, “You won’t need to wait so long.”

Laine bounced up from the bed, then went over to Avery, “Next, boots for you. Want to do that this afternoon?”

When she got close, she caught a whiff of something familiar, then looked at him closer. His eyes seemed a little glassy. Laine said nothing but raised her eyebrow at him.

Avery’s smile faltered at the corners as he sensed the atmosphere get just a hair more weighty. Laine knew, he knew she knew. For a second, he had to remind himself he was a grown man and didn’t have to explain himself. He looked to Ava and then back to Laine, hand going to his hoodie poc ket, “I... got enough for the class…” He brought out one of the shot bottles of cheap vodka and dangled it by its tiny neck for her, his smile still unsure, “Celebrate the success?”

Laine decided against another lecture for the poor kid, the young man, she reminded herself. He had a boyishness that caught her off guard, compared to the steadfast Dave or veteran Donnelley. She reached out and plucked it from his fingers, “Celebrate a drug deal gone right. You got my favorite.”

She unscrewed it and took a sip, then sat on her bed. Laine glanced at the clock then shrugged, one mini bottle would not hurt. They were stressed and bored at the same time, a little edge taken off would be alright. Laine drank the rest, hissing from the burn of the vodka then took a sip from her water bottle.

Ava brightened up as soon as Laine announced her success with filling her prescription. She smiled in relief, getting up from the bed and walking over to Laine with her arms out for a thank you hug. “Thanks Laine, you’re a lifesaver.”

Laine stood up and gave Ava a hug, pulling her in tight for a moment. It was a small but important victory and one she was grateful for. She laughed as she lifted her chin to playfully rest it on Ava’s curly hair, “I’m just glad it worked. So no more stressing over that alright?”

She stepped back and smiled down at her, the big sister feeling she always had when it came to Ava still strong. “It’ll be fine. Have you guys eaten? I’m starving after all that swimming. I need a sandwich with some Doritos on it.”

Finally having good news lightened her mood, along with the double shot of vodka. “How about I go get some food? Ava, you need some sleep and Avery...well, you keep an eye on her.”

She got her keys and her wallet, tucking it in her back pocket, tugging the gray t-shirt over her ass. She glanced at them, “Any suggestions or you up for a surprise?”

“Well there was a lot of talk of waffles.” Ava said, her stomach curling at the thought of going to sleep. The images of her nightmare played over her mind; sleep wasn’t a comfort. “Uh, Laine, before you go there was something else I needed to talk to you about.” She said, her hands tucked into the pockets of Dave’s hoodie.

She didn’t want to ruin Laine’s good mood, but Dave was still sleeping and Avery...On top of being tipsy, she didn’t know him all that well. Laine was the only person she could talk to about her strange visions.

Laine looked at her then nodded, "Walk me to the car."

"I should be fine making a food run on my own, Avery. I'll pick you up some orange juice so you can day drink properly," Laine teased him, smiling slightly. "Nothing like screwdrivers at brunch."

She paused, then picked up her Glock and slid the shoulder holster on, then put on one of the long sleeved light weight jackets she bought for Alaska over it. Laine opened the door, gesturing for Ava to go forward. Once they were outside, she looked down at her, "What's on your mind?"

Ava looked up and down the hallway to make sure they were alone. She looked back up at Laine, the dark circles under her eyes seemingly growing heavier with worry. “I had another one of those dreams, but this time it was about Donnelley.”

Laine crossed her arms under her chest, feeling the gun snugged against her armpit. The mention of Donnelley in one of her supernatural dreams made her stomach knot but she pursued it, keeping her eyes on Ava.

"One of those, huh," she said, pausing a moment to glance around the parking lot then looked back at her tired face, "Tell me what happened."

Ava looked up at her with concerned eyes and took in a deep breath. “I was looking through the eyes of someone else, I don’t know who. I remember, they were in a car and feeling like a life and death situation amount of stress. There was what looked like a desert zipping by at high speeds and,” She paused and bit her lip, her eyes welling up with tears. “I saw Donnelley, next to them, clutching his chest with this big blotch of blood growing on it.” She cleared her throat as her voice wavered and she rubbed her eyes with her sleeves. “Then the person I was looking through the eyes of looked forward and the dream ended when they were about to crash with a white pickup truck that pulled out in front of them.”

The description of the desperate flight across the desert, Donnelley wounded again this time in the chest left her with holding her breath. Her scalp prickled with fear, the last dream she had described had been true. Laine breathed out a trembling breath and patted her jean pockets for her cigarettes but realized she had left them in the room.

She rubbed her hand across her mouth, unable to look at Ava right away. "Tell me honestly," she said,her words slightly muffled. "Do you think...uh, feel that he...uh, that Donnelley is still alive?"

Laine blinked hard and swallowed, taking a moment. "Or did the dream end because…?"

She finally met Ava's gaze, "We need to find out."

Ava shook her head, her throat tightening after finally speaking the words out loud. It felt like a dam was bursting now that the knowledge had left her and was out in the world. “I don’t know,” She said, her voice hoarse. “It was so quick, I didn’t see where he was hurt. I-I don’t know how this works Laine.” She said, tears now falling down from her eyes as the exhaustion and the events of the past two days began to overwhelm her. “I don’t know why I see certain things and not others. I don’t know how to control whatever it is that’s happening. I asked Sobel but he didn’t have answers for me, because fucking no one has answers for me!” She said, her voice raising slightly before cracking with emotion.

Laine reached out, unable to give her any answers either but put her arm around Ava's narrow shoulders so she could pull her into a hug. It was as much for her own comfort as for the young genius who could not answer these questions.

She held her, thinking about Donnelley in the desert, shot through the chest. Laine's throat ached with unshed tears and she did not trust herself to speak right away.

She could call Foster, if anyone knew he would and despite her feelings about his honesty she could do little else. Then there was Overman and something about him made Laine's internal warning go off.

"I wish I could help you," Laine said finally, "I can only imagine how frightening it must be."

Ava leaned into the hug, wrapping her trembling arms around Laine. She sniffed into her shoulder, taking in deep breaths to try and bring her emotions back under control. “I’m scared for him too.” She whispered, her breaths hiccupping slightly.

Laine closed her eyes tight, "So am I. But Donnelley is tough, they ain't killed him yet."

Her fears and doubts rolled around in her gut and finally she asked, "Should I call Foster then, I should probably call him."

“I don’t know, maybe?” Ava sniffed again, pulling away slightly so she could wipe the tears from her face with her sleeves and not on Laine. “If he’s on some kind of mission, he might now know or tell you.” She looked back up at Laine. “I’m sorry, we were having a nice time for once but...I had to tell someone. Someone sober, at least.”

Laine shook her head slightly, absently petting Ava's curls, "You don't need to apologize, I'm glad you told me. I have to admit, I am hesitant to call Foster. I don't know why, I just...I'm worried about the leak. I got a bad feeling at the meeting, just a gut feeling. It's probably nothing but...you know what? Fuck it."

Laine let her go so she could pull her phone out, scrolling through to Donnelley's number. "It's worth a shot," she said, shrugging to throw off the tension that gripped her.

“You think you’ll be able to reach him?” Ava asked, perking up with hope that was tempered by a surge of doubt and uncertainty.

"I doubt it but I have the try," Laine replied, waiting to hear the ringing.

It rang and rang but no answer, the short message played and she said, "Hey, Donnelley, it's Laine...uh, Ava's worried about you. Call me back when you can. So don't be dead or anything."

Laine almost face palmed at her own message and sent it, looking at Ava. "Well, we tried. Let's see what happens. It might be late over there."

“Where is there?” Ava asked with a frown.

"Who knows? He could be anywhere," Laine said, then toyed with her phone and puffed her cheeks out. "If I call Foster, he'll want to know why we're suddenly concerned with Donnelley's health."

Ava shrugged, walking over to lean against the car and tugging her hood down to keep the sunlight out of her eyes. “He already knows I have dreams.” She said, still sniffing occasionally. “Would it be that bad to tell him I had another one?”

Laine shook her head, "No I guess not. This is important, alright. I'll call him."

She found his contact and tapped it, crossing her arms and resting her elbow in her free hand. The phone clicked and Foster answered, “Steve Foster.”

"Foster, this is Dr. Laine," she said, glancing at Ava who huddled against the flu like chills that wracked her small body.

She paused for a moment then went forward, "Is Donnelley alright? Has he been hurt? Ava had one of her...dreams for lack of a better term, last night."

Laine sighed inwardly at how it sounded when she spoke it out loud but he at least understood her meaning. Ava's visions, her seeing through the eyes of someone else.

“She’s having them still?” A pause, “What about Donnelley?”

"She had one, she said she saw him bleeding from a chest wound, in some sort of vehicle in the desert. They were driving fast and…"

Laine glanced at Ava, "She said the vision ended when a white truck pulled out in front of them."

She tensed and rocked in her heels, "I tried calling his phone, just...you know maybe it was *just* a dream. No answer. I'm worried, Mr Foster."

“All I know is that Donnelley is gathering intelligence and building a case in Iraq.” Foster said, sounding like he was putting to rest a troublesome employee coming to him with a rumor. He didn’t sound worried, “He activated Jason some time ago and that’s all I know. We haven’t heard anything through our channels to indicate something dangerous.”

Laine grit her teeth but reminded herself she was new at this and Foster and Donnelley went back. "I understand but she just had this vision not a few hours ago. I'd be the first one to be skeptical if I had not witnessed it before. Just check in with him or whatever you can do. Please, they might be in danger."

Laine rolled her eyes and rubbed the bridge of her nose, the feeling of speaking to a wall was quite strong at the moment.

Ava watched Laine speak on the phone, guilt gnawing at her to be putting her through this much stress. She reached out and touched the side of Laine’s arm, a comforting gesture.

Foster sighed on the other end of the phone, “Fine. I will when I can.” He conceded, before adding in a stern manner, “And don’t call this number again. We’ll call you.”

click

Laine looked at her phone when he disconnected, "Asshole."

She glanced at Ava beside her and sighed, putting an arm around her shoulders. "I don't know how seriously he took that but he didn't sound happy at being bothered. Told me not to call him again, well fuck him."

Laine frowned, the mistrust she had felt at the meeting churning back up. "You think he'd take this more seriously, knowing all he knows."

She sighed then looked away, catching her reflection in the tinted car window. "Maybe it's us he doesn't take seriously," Laine muttered, "Or maybe it's me, after that bullshit I pulled with Agent Karen."

Ava looked up at her with a frown, reaching up to pat the hand resting on her shoulder. “The only bullshit that got pulled was on their end. The location was compromised long before we arrived on the scene and if it wasn’t for us, they wouldn’t have gotten Muru back at all. Agent Karen got hostile real fast with us, I don’t know how else we could have reacted to it.” She furrowed her eyebrows in concern. “There’s something going on, a breach or a mole and it sure as hell isn’t any of us.”

"I agree," Laine said after a moment of silence. "Look, there's not much else we can do. I can try Jason's phone, he's apparently in Iraq with Donnelley. Foster hasn't heard anything and didn't seem interested."

She sighed and looked down at Ava, "I should go get food."

“Food would be nice.” Ava smiled up at her as best she could. She wrapped her arms around Laine in another hug. “It’ll be okay.”

Laine smiled a little and rested her head briefly against Ava's, "I hope so. I'm concerned about Donnelley after what you saw, that he might be...hurt. And Jason, too. If you see anything else, tell me right away, alright?"

She dropped her arm off her shoulders and reached for the keys to the truck, "Keep an eye on Avery. He's having a hard time with it all, not unusual but he thinks we actually have our shit together."

Laine chuckled humorlessly, then said, "Alright, I won't return without waffles."

She waited until Ava went back inside before getting in the truck.

>OUTSIDE MOSCOW, ID
>3SEP2019
>1900...///

Red eye flights, no sleep, just walking from one terminal to another and elbowing his way to the front. After a while, his body was doing it all on autopilot while his mind fixed itself in worrying degrees on what he’d seen in Iraq. Even if he did get tired, the drugs that Jason had given him and the constant stream of worrying and thinking wouldn’t let his eyes close. It left him feeling empty, barely a person, just a bundle of meat and bone reacting dumbly to stimuli. But, Iraq. That prison. Anzor on the streets of Baghdad. He didn’t know if it was real or some waking dream.

The aching hole in his ribs told him it was all real. It wasn’t another one of his nightmares of Pakistan or Chechnya. It was really a few days ago. Only a few days ago when his meddling and his dumb chase to erase everything Anzor and his like had made in Chechnya finally boiled over. Like Anzor had grabbed his face, taken ahold of his very mind and forced him to look into his eyes. See that nothing he did was for anything. For naught. For shit and blood and death, and darkness. Peake and Guzman were taken from this world by him, the scar on his cheek a constant reminder of Chechnya and the tiny failures that picked him up and dropped him here.

He jumped as he heard the car horn behind screaming again. How long had he been sitting there? The light was green and he pressed the gas pedal down, making the black Chevy Impala lurch into an acceptable pace. Anger took hold of him and he flashed his middle finger behind him, but nothing happened. Nothing came of it. He looked down at his phone’s screen, the reminder that he was looking for the La Quinta at the edge of town, just before the road out to Washington. And then he thought how easy it would be to just pass it by and disappear. But where would he go?

He finally got to the entrance and saw someone standing in the middle of the road, swaying back and forth as he stared at the sign. Something about the way he swayed brought to mind Farhad. His praying, his screams, his quiet mewling to be put back in his cell. Before Donnelley knew, he was closing the door of his car and stomping over to the other man, not quite knowing what he’d do when he got there. But just as he did the past couple days, he let his body do all the work. His hand lashed out and grabbed a fistful of hoodie, teeth bared and growling as he cocked back a fist.

“Get the fuck off me!” He screamed and Donnelley was taken aback to see it was Avery. Avery looked a bit taken aback too before he went slack and fell into him.

The impact of Avery’s deadweight jostled his wound, but Donnelley kept him upright, dragging him to the car despite how it hurt to be lugging that weight. He threw him in his backseat and shut the door, going back to finding a parking space. He knew he was drunk, the smell of him just laying in his car told him that. His hands gripped the steering wheel tighter, maybe he should’ve hit him. Knock some sobriety back into his head. Where the hell was everyone else, then? After he parked, he went to the front counter, waiting for someone to come and help him and feeling his patience drawing thin already. He hadn’t even been there for longer than a minute. Another person came through the door and looked at him, though his friendly smile disappeared when he took the full picture of Donnelley in.

Tired eyes that told everything they looked at to fuck off, a faded black Metallica shirt and ratty jeans, messy hair and a beard that had gone on too long without being properly taken care of. The Postmates driver took care not to see him as he left the bag on the counter. McDonalds. Donnelley was tempted to take it, but there was already a witness walking up to him and giving him a well-practiced smile that every customer here since he was hired had seen. “How may I help you, sir?”

“This a hotel, right?” Donnelley’s drawl growled out from his throat.

“Yes.”

“Then help me by setting me up with a room, one night.” Donnelley slid his license and his credit card over to the other man, younger than him by more than a decade. He’d never be able to tell the license was a fake, and the credit card was connected to a government agency.

“Alright, let me just do that.” The other man proceeded, not realizing Donnelley’s anger or just ignoring it. “I’m going to have to ask you to sign these forms.”

Donnelley snatched the paper away from him and produced a pen, scribbling his details down where it asked for them. When he was done, he slid them back and took back his cards, stuffing his wallet in his back pocket. “Thanks.”

“Thank you!”

Donnelley rolled his eyes and mouthed an insult as he turned, bringing out his phone and searching for any messages or missed calls. None. So, what, did they just think he should be spending more time with Avery? He shook his head.

There was the sound of a paper cup hitting the floor and a splash of liquid in the lobby as well as a loud, sharp intake of breath. “Donnelley?” Ava’s quiet voice called out.

He looked up to see a girl standing there a few steps from him, water seeping into the carpet at her feet. His tired mind took a moment to process who he was looking at, but when he did, his lip quivered. Dressed like she always was, that certain dash of youth and innocence. She look at him like she didn’t believe he was here. Donnelley barely could as his breath hitched in his throat at the sight of a friendly face. He took a second to regain himself and said nothing. Just a wordless nod of his head.

Ava stared for a second before she ran forward and threw her arms around Donnelley in a hug of pure relief. “You’re okay! You’re okay!” She said into his chest, her arms wrapped around him firmly, but not overly tight; being careful and conscious of the injury she had seen him suffer. “We were so worried, but you’re okay!”

Donnelley grunted as Ava jumped at him, having to take a step back from her thudding into him. He had his arms around her and didn’t know what to do, except stand there. His loose embrace tightened after a moment, his heart beating faster and sweat prickling at him. His breath hitched again as he spoke, “Yeah, of course I-“ he swallowed his nerves, “I’m okay.”

His breath quivered on the last syllable, the pent up panic and dread of the prison bubbling up to the surface, the reminder that he was a step away from dying on any given day. “I’m okay.” He said again, almost like he was telling himself, “Y’all don’t need to be worried ‘bout me.”

“I had another dream.” She said quietly. “I saw you hurt in the back of a car racing through the desert and it looked like you were going to hit a truck, then the dream ended.” She shook her head and looked up at him, her lips parting to say more when she saw the expression on his face. “Oh, I’m sorry! Did I bump your injury? I was trying to be careful, I’m sorry, I’m just so glad you’re alright.”

He chuckled, wiping a corner of his eye and touched the bullet wound at his side, making out like she’d pressed it too hard. “Yeah, I am too.” He cleared his throat and scratched the back of his neck, “I need to get me some rest though. You wanna walk me to my room? Could use the protection.” He smiled.

Ava stepped away from him, embarrassed and concerned about accidentally hurting him.“Right! Of course, um,” She glanced past him to the McDonalds bag on the counter and shuffled over to grab it. “Want some chicken nuggets?” She offered with a small smile as she held up the bag slightly.

“That sounds better’n anythin’. Iraq has the worst chicken nuggets, you believe that?” He said as he motioned for her to follow him in finding his room.

Laine floated in the pool, staring up at the ceiling, the bright lights glaring down. It was empty, the only sound was the lapping of water against the filters. The sound went in and out, muffled and clear as her ears submerged then came out of the water. She took deep breaths, letting her mind clear but it worked only for so long until doubts and worry clamored back to her consciousness. Finally, she dropped her legs and shook the water from her ears, wading out of the pool.

Her hair was towel dried and she wrapped the black and white striped beach towel around her waist. Laine sat for a while, reading a second hand copy of Return of the King until her stomach rumbled and she spotted a laughing couple chasing each other into the water.

She stood up and gathered her things, leaving the indoor pool area, peace eluding her as it had on the trail ride and in her bed. Laine's sandals slapped the carpeted hallway, and she checked her phone, noticing a flashing message from Ava from thirty minutes ago.

Laine wondered briefly if she and Dave were "busy" and it made her smile wistfully for a moment before the pit of loneliness sank in her stomach. Avery was off again, no doubt drowning his trouble at a bar but nothing she could say would change it.

She tapped Ava's message open then nearly dropped her phone. She caught it and began to rush, running towards the room number given. The ridiculous sound of her flip flops echoing in the hallway and she bounced too much, causing her to slow down to a quick walk.

Laine paused outside his door, hesitating to knock. She looked like shit without makeup and her hair a mess. And he had not texted her, Ava had. Ignoring the petty annoyance at that, she still wanted to see him, that he was really alright and if Ava's vision had been true. She knocked, three raps with her knuckles in quick succession.

The chain rattled behind the door and the knob turned, the door opening. Standing there with a nugget and a beer in hand was Donnelley. Swallowing a mouthful of McDonalds, he smiled at the woman standing in the doorway, appreciating the sight of her. He cleared his throat and spoke, “Can I help you, Miss?”

Laine looked at his wild gingery beard and met his eyes, he looked tired but still managed to have that glint. The annoyance she felt melted away for the time being and she smiled slightly, "Yes, sir. Apparently you're eating my nuggets."

She felt herself smile wider with relief, looking him up and down, "I heard you were alive, I had to see for myself."

As cheekily as he could, he posed in the doorway, leaning against it and tussling his wild hair, “Do I disappoint?”

Laine crossed her arms across her chest, considering his question. "You are indeed still alive, so I'm not completely disappointed."

She raised a brow, then shrugged, looking away from him as she said, "We were really worried about you. Especially after Ava told me about her dream."

Her green eyes flickered sideways at Donnelley, "I tried calling you and Foster, I guess I have to learn to be more patient. But anyway, I'm glad you're back."

Laine turned to look him fully in the face, searching his features from the cocky smirk to his scar. She lowered her husky voice even more as she continued, "I missed you... your guidance. For the team."

"I should probably go shower and change," Laine said, glancing down at herself. "Enjoy the nuggets."

Donnelley stepped out of the doorway and into the hall before Laine left, leaving behind the cocky smirk for a bit and looking at her with sincerity. She must have been worried, they all must have, “Come see me after. If you want.” He shrugged, knowing she’d have some words for him, “I missed you too.”

He gave her a small, tired smile before he turned and opened the door, speaking to Ava, “So, then what’s the point of that Minecraft if you can’t win it?” And the door clicked shut.

----------

Dave breathed heavily as the exercise bike wound down, his legs slowing until he was able to come to a stop. He’d done a decent body-weight workout, then hopped on for some cardio; treadmills killed his knees, but without a mountain to hike he had to do something to keep his heart rate up. He was drenched in sweat, courtesy of the UA Razorbacks hoodie he wore, mostly as a place to keep his gun. He knew the Sig would need cleaning after the amount he’d sweated into it.

Getting down off the bike he winced at a twinge in his knee, biting back a bit of creative profanity as he took out his phone. A text from Ava lit the screen and he grinned, his exhaustion forgotten in the face of her news.

The walk back to his room took no time at all, and he was beaming as he approached the door and banged on it, standing habitually off to one side rather than in front of the door.

“Hey, it’s me!” He called.

The chains and lock on the door worked behind it, and a still moment passed before it opened a crack, “What’s the password.”

Dave snorted, recognizing Donnelley’s voice, and started to speak, but a familiar smell hit him. “Y’all got food in there?” He pushed on the door a little. “C’mon man, I don’t wanna go through you to get to a cheeseburger, but I ain’t too proud to admit I will.”

Donnelley threw open the door and stood with his arms wide, or as wide the tiny doorway corridor would let him, “Behold, my spacious luxury quarters. Come a long way from a double-wide in West Texas, eh?”

He thrust his thumb over his shoulder to Ava sitting cross-legged on the bed, “She’s got some Disney movies on, I like Mulan so far.”

Ava looked up and smiled at Dave, waving to him with the spoon she was using to eat her ice cream. There was a noticeable lightness to her demeanor compared to the last few days. “Hey Dave,” She pointed over to Donnelley. “I found him at the front desk.”

“She takin’ in strays.” Donnelley chuckled in his thickest drawl.

"Yeah well, I'm glad." Dave pulled Donnelley into a firm hug, both arms and a few pats on the back for good measure. "Glad you're still with us, man."

“Yeah, me too.” Donnelley chuckled, clapping Dave’s back in turn.

He walked next to Ava, giving her a grin and a quick kiss on the forehead so she could eat in peace before bee-lining for the McDonald's bag. Grabbing his burger, he dropped down onto the bed beside her and tore open the package. "Toldja he'd be alive. Country boys don't die easy."

“Mhmm.” Donnelley had his smirk as he eyed the two on the bed, though if it was just because he liked to smirk or if he was doing it because of what he just saw between Ava and Dave was anyone’s guess. He looked at the pair of them before rummaging around in his luggage, “I hope y’all have been gettin’ along nicely in my absence. Anythin’ I should know about?”

He brought out two beers, biting off the cap of one and offering the other to Dave, “Like if anyone’s taken an oath of sobriety,” he shrugged, “Or anythin’ like that.”

Ava smiled when Dave kissed her forehead, eyes brightening from the gesture of affection. She turned her attention to Donnelley and frowned in thought. “Uh, well I think I told you everything that happened on the mission that brought us here.” She creased her brow in thought. “Sobel said you’re rubbing off on me too much.” She thought back to her behavior the past few days, including when she glared at the ‘Wake Up On The Bright Side!’ mural in the hotel canteena on a particularly rough morning. She might have flipped it off or just thought about flipping it off, she couldn’t remember. “Which probably isn’t wrong…”

Donnelley smiled at Ava, “He sayin’ I’m a bad influence?” He leaned against the wall and watched Mulan for a few seconds, “Doin’ things ol’ Joey wouldn’t approve of?”

“I dunno what he was sayin’,” Dave grunted, accepting the beer and then taking a large bite of his burger. “No offense, I seen that picture and know y’all worked together, but… Dude was kinda creepin’ me out.”

He swallowed hard and frowned over at Donnelley. “Ain’t sure if anyone’s told you yet, man, but this whole gig was kind of a shit-show.”

Donnelley’s smirk was gone and he took another swig. Another reminder of the dicking around his team had to endure in his absence. “Yeah, well,” Donnelley frowned in turn, shrugging, “You get enough Ops under your belt and you’ll start to realize they’re all shit-shows. No one died and the kid’s safe.”

He raised his beer, “In my experience, that’s the least shit-show way a shit-show can show itself.” He drank deeply from the bottle until it was gone, going for another, “Enough about the goddamn gig though. I know it’s fresh, but dwellin’ all over it until your brains rottin’ out your ears ain’t the way to go about it. I’d rather talk about nicer things. Like flowers and rainbows, bunnies, bumblebees…”

He shrugged, “Findin’ love or some shit like that.”

Ava glanced over to Dave sitting next to her, her cheeks flushing as she looked back down at her ice cream with a small smile.

Dave met her smile with a grin and a wink. “Well, we do got some serious shit we’re gonna need to address, but I guess we can keep it light for the reunion, right?”

He raised his beer in automatic response. “So what’s your favorite kinda bunny? I like them big ones. The Norwegians.”

“Holland lops are really cute.” Ava chimed in. “They’re little dwarf bunnies with the droopy, lopped ears.”

“Those black ones we got in Seattle. Those ones.” Donnelley nodded, “Somebody set a couple rabbits loose one day just because. Now they’re fuckin’ everywhere… literally and figuratively. Reminds me of someone. True story.”

If they asked, he’d say Queen. He wouldn’t be lying, but if Dave and Ava could go about their business like teenagers kissing and hugging on each other all the time, he could have his fun too, but that’d have to wait until they left. Already, he was thinking about Laine’s visit once this little TV party was over, a small grin on his face remembering the last ones they’d had.

Ava reached over and checked her phone, frowning at the screen. “I texted Avery you were back, but he hasn’t gotten back to me yet.” She glanced between Dave and Donnelley. “I’m starting to get worried about him.”

Donnelley shrugged, “I wouldn’t worry too much. We talked.”

Dave grunted. He'd liked Avery since they met, but that was beginning to wane. The drinking was wearing on Dave's nerves, and he couldn't help resenting the younger man. Every time he got drunk he left Dave shouldering the burden of their safety alone, and Dave was getting tired of it.

"Glad to hear that," he said, biting back a more aggressive remark. “Maybe it'll...help his attitude."

“Hopefully,” Donnelley muttered, “If it don’t, I’ll set him straight.”

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The Gunslinger's Bible: A role-player's guide to guns and the arts of gun-fighting

I had no friends either, even though I've been around forever. That's a shame.

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