#carmichael thorn | ▪︎ orphan au ▪︎ |

[clubsmarties]

Eli was quiet, he didn't have much to say to this. He didn't give his trust freely so he couldn't begin to know what that kind of betrayal felt like. The only other people he trusted were people who earned it through tears and sweat. "I'm sorry." Eli settled on that for the time being.

"Yeah, probably soon." Eli chuckled at her silly before he dropped his hand to land back on his side. Her skin was so smooth and soft. It invited him in like a moth to a flame. The party trick made his lip curl up in a smile. "That was a good night. Surprising to say the least. No," he laughed as the memory came back to him. "I had been making my way down the aisles of the library in the B section of the books when I overheard you talking. There wasn't anyone beside you so it looked like you were yapping to yourself which already made me curious to see why you were talking to yourself but as I leaned against the bookcase across from you, the encyclopedias hid me, it was then that I figured you had an earbud in. I noticed you tucked your hair behind your ear when you were nervous. Something on the other end of the line made you nervous. You laughed with that crinkle in your nose and then ended it with a I'll try, juju. Then you grabbed an astronomy book. It was smaller than the usual ones they had and left. When you moved you left a vanilla scent behind. I'd never had such a strong reaction to a perfume or lotion before. So, you had me curious. The party was coincidence. I didn't know you were going."

There was a slight blush on his features knowing that this could have made him a full creep in staring at her and not introducing himself before. "That was the first time I saw you."

He wore a smug smirk as she tried to plant the seed of doubt in Laurel. Somehow he'd end up murdering her or causing her harm. Jenny was desperate he could sense it. She wouldn't bend over backwards to try everything to disway her from going with him. When laurel spoke up he turned to look at her profile. She trusted him. That oddly made his heart warm. She didn't fully know him and yet was putting her trust in him.

"Don't worry about her. I've got extra towels and a shower that isn't shared if you really need it. I'll sleep on the floor and you can take my bed. I have a sleeping bag so won't be all bad. I really meant it about getting to know you and for that to happen, well, that can't exactly happen with her around. She's like the trivial pursuit wedge." A laugh escaped him as he got up and offered his hand. "I'll get us linner so we don't have to get up at dinner time. Have you had that shrimp skewer?"

Laurel couldn't pinpoint why she trusted each word he said. He said it himself, they were still (more or less) strangers, yet she found herself nodding along to what he was saying. She believed him. "No, I do." She shook her head in response, trying to stop that train before it went further. "Believe you, I mean. Can't explain why, but I trust what you're telling me. I'm...kind of wrapping my head around it still, and it's a lot." Processing the fact that her friend was saying such horrible things about her, and bullying others on campus? It made her feel so stupid for not seeing it earlier. She lived with this girl, how could she not? A laugh spilled past her lips at his statement, telling it like it is. Yes, Laurel could attest to that. "Yep, I got a taste of that earlier. Probably why I believe you, you have no trouble just laying it all on me."

The feeling of his fingertips against her eyelids was soothing. Was it wrong that her heart was beating with anticipation? Just like it had that day their lips met. Containing her smile was an impossible mission, not that she wanted to, but she could feel the corners of her lips turning upwards. No one else, he confirmed; it mattered to him enough to clarify. "A vacancy, I like that. Might need to submit my application soon," she hummed in thought, as if considering. Knowing damn well her mind was made up. “Oh no, wouldn’t dream of competing with your sister. That’s a whole other league.” Family was completely different, she knew that much, and he had made that clear earlier too.

His question amused her, because the answer came to mind fairly quickly. “Hm, yes and no. I had seen you here, in this building, a few weeks ago. My physics class is also here, but just saw you really quickly. I think I was going up the stairs and you were going down. Figured you were new, you had that look we all did back at orientation. But, party was first time I really saw you. Lucky you were gaining all that attention with your party trick or I might’ve missed you that night.” It was something she had been pondering over, how easily she would’ve missed seeing him, especially running around the party with Jenny. “I got lucky you gave the devil a chance,” she dared to nudge him slightly. “My turn, and hm I’ll ask the same thing.” Talk about lack of creativity. “Did I just barge into your life at the party?”

Jenny was trying to maintain her composure, but she couldn’t help the glare that she threw his way. What the actual fuck. “Wait, you’re not coming back to the room?” All her questions directed at Laurel. Hearing from Eli was bottom of her priority list. “We find times to have fun, don’t worry,” she finally directed at him, biting her bottom lip to keep herself from rolling her eyes. One exaggerated sigh later, Jenny conceded realizing there was no way to beat this one. For now. “Okay, well I guess you’re finding new friends. Honestly, you guys can just use our room to study! Especially if it’s an all night thing. Safety and all.” No, he was determined. She could see it in his eyes. “Ugh, well fine. Lau, just be super safe. Wouldn’t want to see you on the campus news! Kidding, kidding. Take care of her Eli,” struggling to say his name without seething.

“Jenny, come on! I’ll be perfectly fine, I trust him. But thank you, and sorry about lunch. I’ll pay you back for it,” Laurel offered, but Jenny had already turned on her heel and was walking towards the building exit. “Were you serious about all night? Because it looks like I might be locked out of my room for the day.”

[clubsmarties]

Five Songs To Describe Orphan Boy ™️

Closing Time - Semisonic

Closing time, open all the doors

And let you out into the world

Closing time, turn all of the lights on

Closing time, you don't have to go home

But you can't stay here

I know who I want to take me home

I know who I want to take me home

I know who I want to take me home

Take me home

Closing time, time for you to go out

To the places you will be from

Even Flow - Pearl Jam

Freezin', rests his head on a pillow made of concrete, again

Oh, feelin' maybe he'll see a little better, set a days, ooh yeah

Oh, hand out, faces that he sees time again ain't that familiar,

Kneelin', looking through the paper though he doesn't know to read, ooh yeah

Oh, prayin', now to something that has never showed him anything

Oh, feelin', understands the weather of the winter's on its way

Oh, ceilings, few and far between all the legal halls of shame, yeah

Elderly Woman Behind The Counter - Pearl Jam

I seem to recognize your face

Haunting, familiar yet

I can't seem to place it

Cannot find the candle of thought to light your name

Lifetimes are catching up with me

All these changes taking place

I wish I'd seen the place

But no one's ever taken me

Plush - Stone Temple Pilots

Where ya going for tomorrow?

Where ya goin' with the mask I found

And I feel, and I feel

When the dogs begin to smell her

Will she smell alone?

And I feel, so much depends on the weather

So is it raining in your bedroom?

And I see, that these are the eyes of disarray

Would you even care?

Swallowed - Bush

Swallowed, followed

Heavy about everything but my love

Swallowed, sorrowed

I'm with everyone and yet not

I'm with everyone and yet not

I'm with everyone and yet

Just wanted to be myself

× tagged by @overnightheartbeats

× tagging but don't feel obligated to; @isleofmuses / @4fter-hours @thestoriesincoffeestains /

[clubsmarties]

This is the her picture: sent by @overnightheartbeats

Choosing just one proved to be harder than expected so have three! That first one just something angelic about it if we leave out the fact you smashed it at the air hockey table and wiped the floor with Aaron and Issac. I may also like that shirt too. You don't know. Third is obvious because I like stripes ( jk. It may be your smile who knows.) The second one is you in a nutshell. I say hey stand there let me take a picture and you pull out the camera to get a picture of a picture. 🤣 you're silly but I still haven't returned you. So, guess you're alright.

[clubsmarties]

plucked from chaos meme || @overnightheartbeats

"It's really killing you that you don't have any more details than that huh?" Eli laughed but knew he wouldn't budge. He had a pretty good poker face and even if they guessed correctly over why he wanted them to come down, he wouldn't confirm to them over their face time call.

Emma confirming their flight made him smugly smile. "I'll be there. I honestly can't wait for you two to grill Issac. There's a lot to catch up on. Also, because I'm so nice. Dinner plans have been made as we speak. Alright guys, gotta go. Laurel says hi. See you tomorrow."

—

It was a little early but as he checked flight status he knew being early would be an advantage. Kicking around the floor anticipation coursed through him. Seeing Inez and Emma in person made him giddy. He did have half a mind to ask them if they'd ever move down here but he knew they both had lives they needed to venture out to. Though with the news of the family expanding he could say that would be incentive enough. He'd get there after. Right now as he looked up he saw the two faces he had come learned to know as family.

Opening up his arms for them he grinned at them.

[clubsmarties]

@overnightheartbeats

Guy Madison & Robert Mitchum in Till the End of Time , 1946 dir. Edward Dmytryk

[clubsmarties]

​❝ let’s go get hot chocolate then go for a walk. ❞ - eli/laurel (following your theme of recovery era & shenanigans) @overnightheartbeats

Laurel must have sensed his jitteriness at being put on bedrest for the duration of his last week of recovery and for that he was grateful. He hardly complained as she tended to him which gave them slight domestic bliss. They had a lot of time to make up for, with his temporary memory loss and the fact that laurel saved his life being a match for the necessary organ. They took given a second chance to another level. So, as he watched her move around the room, his room which was now more like their room he couldn't help but smile.

"You've done enough, come take a seat." Eli patted the side of the bed willing her to come to him. He reached out for her and pulled her in as he left whisker like kisses against her lips. The idea she came out with made him smile. "Yes," he breathed into her mouth and nodded. "Lets go get hot chocolate and put cinnamon on it. Also maybe ice cream. Can't have hot without the cold. But first," he nibbled on her lip before he sucked on it and gave her a kiss. "Stay here for a second." His voice was low like the room would get their secrets if he spoke any louder.

"Just a few more minutes." Eli murmured as he enjoyed the feel of her lips against his and had a vague memory of wanting to do this when he laid there in bed out of commission.

[clubsmarties]

❝ i’ll race you through the corn maze! ❞ - isaac/eli (sorry....isaac insisted)

"That one right there?" Eli asked as a smirk quickly formed on his features. A glint of mischief since Issac always fed him. One more quick glance at their girls and he nodded. "You're on, just don't get lost." He nudged into him and flicked his nose to get an advantage and took off.

Reaching one end of it he looked up and saw the sun was angled to the south which meant taking a left would have him crash into a bush and taking a right would get him to the other end before Issac so that way he went.

Slightly out of breath he tried to steady his breathing before he leaned against one of the ends of the maze and twirled his ribbon he had gotten from one of the other booths and grinned. "Damn, you're losing your touch. Might need a round two in front of your girl so you can run faster."

[clubsmarties]

He smiled softly at her as his face leaned into her palm. It seemed in the moment that it was just more than their relationship had fractured. Their friendship suffered along with it and for that he was going to spend his lifetime trying to make it up to her. "Because your kisses need to be judged. We've been at this long how long?" He asked, clear smirk on his features. "You should know by now." Two of his fingers pressed into her wrist and rubbed small circles around it. "Took me long enough. I was always in there but I was my own block. I should have done a better job at making this work." This included coming back from the dead. Too bad that they didn't sell books on how to reestablish a life after seeing it flash before your eyes.

"I am ready. We've been apart for far too long. We missed our anniversary, your birthday. It's time to make it up to you. While I don't think we can ever go back to how we were. I think we can look for something better in the future." With that he caressed her ring finger, the thought was a terrifying one. Now was something he could see but not soon. "To be honest, my neck was suffering on that sofa. We need to buy another one. Better one."

Laurel was listening to whoever was on the other end of the line, but she couldn't bring herself to concentrate on their words. Her mind was going back to her earlier action. She had promised him time, but her heart got carried away. It wasn't anything crazy, just a kiss on the cheek, yet she felt bad for even that.

Thoughts interrupted. Her mind was already a frenzy, but his touch set her soul ablaze. Awakening every part of her. The grip on her phone loosened, and she pressed the side button to turn it off, setting it down on the counter behind them. It had been months that she felt his lips on hers. But, most importantly, the first time in months that she didn't feel a barrier between them, keeping her miles away from him despite sharing an apartment together.

If she wasn't so caught up in the feeling of his kiss, she probably would've teared up, just thinking of his closeness. The love she had kept for him all this time, was a wilted flower returning to life the moment he accepted it once more. Nothing held more importance in this moment. It was impossible to hide her joy and eagerness to return his kiss, arms wrapping around him as he rested his hands on her waist.

She was in a daze, a loose smile drawn as her fingertips brushed her own lips. That had really happened. A million thoughts ran through her mind, as it had been on pause, and the play button was pressed the moment he pulled back. But, none of it made it out. "You are always judging my kisses," she playfully complained, thinking of the first kiss..or peck, they shared. He still maintained that wasn't an 'actual kiss'. "But, I like that you correct me. I've missed you too," her hand reaching up to softly caress his cheek.

Laurel shook her head, leaning in to rest her forehead against his. "It's not your fault, I'm just glad you came back to me," she confessed. The thought of losing him had crossed her mind at some point during those months, a thought that shattered her heart each time. "Really?" her breathy voice full of surprise. Was she sure she wasn't dreaming? "Are you sure? I would love that, but we don't have to move so fast if you're not ready."

[clubsmarties]

@overnightheartbeats

“There are some people who could hear you speak a thousand words, and still not understand you. And there are others who will understand — without you even speaking a word.”

— Yasmin Mogahed

[clubsmarties]

@overnightheartbeats

[clubsmarties]

@overnightheartbeats

[clubsmarties]

@overnightheartbeats

[clubsmarties]

@overnightheartbeats

unbuttoning anything for someone is… incredibly intimate and cinematographical, oscar worthy to say the least

[clubsmarties]

"Yes, really. Why are you so shocked? If it came down between them or you. There is no question that I'd choose you." There was a small smile at that. "There would be no need to recruit me." He rolled his eyes dramatically at her and sighed. "I forgot to spell one little word one time and I never live it down." Nothing but a playful tone displayed when he looked up at her. 'That very one. Funny how when I put in the dryer, it never comes out in my basket. Think it has grown legs and walked itself over to your room? Poor hoodie probably confused since our bedrooms are literally next to each other. Wow. Way to inflate your own ego." He knocked on her head just for good measure. "Its a little bit like a watermelon."

He shrugged. "I mean yes but also you weren't like the others. There was something about you that didn't want to hang out with me because I was the shiny new thing. Some people were off putting. That's very true. I hated public speaking so I was grateful you took on those presentations. It wasn't like I didn't help with them. I think I did most of the visuals you just talked." A team they were back then. Nothing had changed that.

"Maybe she talks to me. Ever thought of that? I'm a good listener after all. Not my fault that they're all ladies who love to gossip. One of them says I'd be perfect for their granddaughter if she wasn't married. Says we got the same sarcastic nature. But I say two deeply sarcastic people in a relationship is boring. There's no balance." He nodded his head and laughed. "Sure is and you've already been signed up. It was in the friendship contract."

"Really?" Her surprise was genuine, She knew this was just conversation, but his swift response stunned her. The thought of him not leaving her behind, even in a hypothetical world, made her feel a different kind of special. He'd still choose their friendship, being chosen was a rare commodity. "You know, I'm pretty sure the agency would have something to say about that - the company you keep and all. Unless I recruited you to my side, or something," she joked, her amusement growing, just thinking of that imaginary world. After a second, her lips turned upward, an appreciative smile forming. "I'm glad though, that you and I wouldn't change." Appreciation came and went, her eyes rolling at the resurgence of the old nickname. "You should spell it out for me, just to make sure you can still spell. Okay, Mr. technicalities. Stealing adjacent, fine - I lost any shame in that a while back anyway. Purple one, you mean my pajamas, slash loungewear, slash late nights working sweater?" It had quickly become a favorite of hers, so Laurel used it for everything. Especially when working late at home, that sweater was like a warm blanket. "Hm, I will. Someday, when I'm convinced you can handle the thorn experience." Leave it to her to hype something up without knowing if she can truly deliver. She just hoped those words would not come back to bite her in the ass.

Her head tilted slightly as she listened, using her fork to take a small piece of his dessert. Hey, he wasn't the only one who could steal dessert. "Hm, that's fair. Invade your space, so I really had a 50/50 shot that you were completely thrown off by me then." She didn't necessarily invade his space, or she didn't think, at least. But, she was definitely persistent in getting to know the new kid in her class. "Uh huh, you said the same thing in class. I think you were just glad I did most of the talking during our group presentations."

Laurel's smile grew at his married comment. Was this going to become a running joke between them - the old pact to get married if they didn't find anyone else? Possibly, though he didn't laugh. Maybe, plan C was going to be a thing. No harm in going along with it? "Okay then. When we're married. How do you even know all this? Have you been talking to Betty in HR again? You basically have an internship there at this point." It was entertaining though, to see how the HR ladies flocked to him. "Oh, snuggling included. Is this part of the full Eli experience? I might just sign up."

[clubsmarties]

"He is pretty easy," his smirk became more prominent as he spoke. "I just buy him two of everything so he has no idea which one is bogus and which one is the real deal." Eli nodded his head as if the question had become silly. "There's not much I don't tell him. He's my brother." The statement was simply put. Issac had been a brother to him since he was in his pre teens. That boy would forever be part of his DNA. "He doesn't judge so don't worry. He just finds it funny because as kids I used to steal his hoodies too. Didn't really have many clothes when I first came to live with him and I liked hoodies." They were and still acted as his security blanket when he wanted to hide in plain sight. "I talk about you to him all the time. He knows how important you are to me too."

He laughed and shook his head. "You're ridiculous you know that? I don't know what you're complaining about. Your curly hair is my favorite. The ringlets frame your face so perfectly." His eyes glanced over at her curls and couldn't help but smile at her. The rush of adoration colored his features as he really took her in.

He leaned forward and gave her a small kiss as his thumb crossed over her cheeks. "Yeah?" he breathed against her lips and smiled as he went in for another tender kiss. "I do. He sometimes spends a weekend sleeping here so he can't just stay here for free." That was a joke but with some slight truth to it. "What do you mean? Like are we close like creepy close? No. He's just been my best friend since I was ten or eleven. I can't remember that now. But known him for a long time. We're just pretty alike so we end up having close to no boundaries with each other. But if you mean, have we showered or seen each other naked. No. We're not that type of bros." He shook his head and looked back at her. "What you and I did in there," he pointed to the bedroom and shower. "That was a first. Never has anyone else gotten that close to me. Nor have I let them." The supernatural talk made him smile. She apparently did pay attention when he talked. "We can start with the discovery Channel thing. Animals are cute. Maybe we will learn something."

He rubbed his palm on her back as she cozied up to him. "Are you sleepy? Already? You don't last very long do you?"

"You sound very confident about handling Isaac," she noted with a mischievous smile. Inappropriate thoughts quickly coming to mind, thinking back to his methods to get her mind in a whirl. Very effective. "How do you make him forget?" Laurel did not shy away from her obvious staring. He looked good like this, and she was certain she had mentioned this to him before, so no harm there. But, she wasn't just staring at his damp hair. Honestly? She was in a daze watching the way he licked the excess whipped cream from his lips. Was that hot? After a second, she concluded to herself. Oh yeah. It was hot. "You told him about that?" The disbelief was momentary. How embarrassing to be exposed, but she should've expected it. She knew those two shared everything between them. "That's funny though, that you tell him about me. Even if it's you complaining about the stealing."

Laurel's eyes shot up back to him, worry coloring her face. Had she really caught him so off guard with her comment? Her shoulders fell in relief once he spoke up. "I knew you would like that. You got me there though, eliminating laundry is like a dream come true for me. Because it's so unfair how you just have this beautiful hair, and some of us are spending hundreds of dollars and still, not as good." The feigned annoyance was her extra flair for the dramatic, just to mess with him. Her smile couldn't be contained, but she still rolled her eyes before she answered. "Oh, you know I love you too." It wasn't new, their friendly love and compliments. Really, falling back into that aspect of their friendship was comforting. It was almost like confirmation that things between them hadn't changed. Laurel didn't answer just yet, but she followed his lead and reached up to brush his damp hair away from his eyes. "Same goes to you, though I didn't mind the look."

It was only her first guess, because the cheesecake quality was better than the average grocery store cheesecake. "We should ask, because this one is really good. Agreed, he needs to start leaving more food for us. Nope, I'm okay just sharing this one, but next time he comes over, we should remind him to bring more. You really make him work for it, huh? Is there something I should know there, like do you do that to all your friends?" As the blanket landed on her shoulder, she held the fork between her lips, grabbing the remote from the coffee table and adjusting the blanket to cover both of them. Once he had leaned back on the couch, she scooted herself closer in order to lean on his chest. Could you blame her? It was cozy. "Five hours, you assume we'll stay awake long enough. But, okay I'm down for Jeopardy, that Supernatural show you showed me the other day, or whatever they have on the discovery channel." Now, Jeopardy was bold - not the best idea, unless he was ready to hear every incorrect answer fly out of her mouth. As she cozied up next to him, she semi-nodded. "Reminder, yup I got it. Looks like I might just catch a sunrise from your bedroom after all." She thought back to their move-in discussion when he listed all the perks to his room, one being the view from his window.

[clubsmarties]

The alarms had gone off. It seemed every department had its eyes on this mission gone horribly awry. If this was any other case, Issac would have just been kept up to date as it progressed but this one had become deeply personal and it was the one that hit a little too close to home. Ten million things had ran through his mind but they all came back to one. His brother. In the span of twenty four hours half of which he ran around like his own life depended on it, were spent agonizing over the decision he was forced to choose. Going back and forth on whether to include his sisters in this. The situation couldn't have been more dire than medically induced coma for 72 hours. Being called had plummeted his heart to the floor and getting the information back to back before having seconds to decide whether to let his brother live or die was a complicated notion to wrap his head around. This was a huge responsibility to bear but one he had shouldered on since the moment he became a brother.

Making his way past the red tape and not needing to show off his badge. He walked past as he thought about the extent of his injuries. Minimizing brain activity felt like this could go wrong at any moments time. And patience wasn't necessarily in high supply.

Arriving at the nurse desk, they had been prepped to receive Agent Carmichael's family member. Issac was too focused to notice anyone let alone someone beside him. He had nodded his head as he got asked if he had gotten the latest update. "I have. Last update I got was that he'd been monitored and no change had happened in the last twenty four hours. Next forty eight would be critical. I talked to Nancy and she said that after I signed the papers they'd transfer him to the neuro icu department." Issac finished his last signature and he heard her.

Slowly he turned and slid the paperwork toward the nurse. The girl didn't look familiar. He couldn't recall a time he'd actually met her or knew who she was. But her demanding to know anything about Eli bothered him. Who did she think she was. "They wouldn't be giving updates to a stranger. Especially ones that I don't know." His eyes looked her over and knew she wasn't anybody that needed to know about Eli. "Deserve? That's some big talk for someone who isn't family." Another nurse came out and asked him if he wanted to see his brother before they transferred him over to the neuro unit. Isaac nodded and walked around the demanding girl. "Excuse me," he murmured and smiled at the nurse who was getting ready to show him to his room.

"He just takes time to open up," she said softly, half-answering her question and half-falling back into their memories. Thinking back to the first time they spoke, how quiet he was then. How much she talked and, as she joked, eventually wore him down. "Sense of humor is a big one, he is hilarious. You'll see. I think he is opening up to you guys. Knew Aaron being perfect was too good to be true, he had something. His sock thing qualifies. That laugh is pretty good, but there's been times that he laughs so hard and he's like..almost bending over the table. And even if you weren't laughing as hard, you can't help but join in, and then your stomach hurts. The whole thing."

Laurel looked over at Julia, another small smile on her lips before letting out a sigh. She brought a good idea forward, combining their heads. They did work really well as a team. Easier said than done, but she'd need to do it. She needed to be at 100% capacity for him. A hum followed, realizing she hadn't really mentioned much of Isaac to Julia. After all, he wasn't really her friend. "I'm..yeah, I'll reach him. Eli gave me his number." There was a brief pause, knowing it'd sound ridiculous. "Believe it or not, he's an agent too. Stationed elsewhere though, I haven't really met him yet"

The necklace felt heavy in her hand. It was beautiful, and it was something she had wanted for so long, but now it felt wrong to even be holding. She didn't deserve this, definitely did not deserve to wear it. "I guess I did, it's that necklace I had sent you a picture of, from the mall. I told you I'd buy it eventually, maybe like an early holiday gift to myself. Looks like he beat me to it." She set it back down on the desk, along with his note.

—

Fighting sleep was easier said than done. One bath later, and back in his sweater, she felt her eyelids get heavier. When her head hit his pillow, she caught that faint scent of his cologne, and it was not anywhere near the comfort his hugs brought, but it was enough to lull her to sleep after the day she had. Dreams were filled with him, each part of her willing him home, as if he could listen to her. She just had so much to say to him, starting with I love you and ending with please forgive me. Sleep was only good for a few hours, jolting herself awake before the sun rose. Laurel wasted no time, her first call being to the hospital. She'd be there soon enough, but she needed to know how he was doing first thing in the morning. Though, the last thing Laurel expected was for them to keep the call brief saying they couldn't provide those details to her. Next call only had a nurse tell her, there's no update, sorry. It was infuriating. It didn't take her long to change out of her pajamas and his sweater, grabbing her badge and keys. Part of her yearned for that familiar fabric, but that sweater would be safer here at home.

Reaching the familiar hallway from last night, she stopped the first nurse in her path. Once again, asking the same questions, feeling like a broken record with the same song 'Eli.' But, they were refusing her. It felt different. They had kept information brief yesterday, but overnight, this had gone from bits and pieces to nothing. "Can you just tell me if he's okay? And if it's possible to see him? Just for a few minutes, I promise." Another no. Frustrated, she walked away from the nurses' station to text Julia. She had stepped out before they woke up, it was only fair she updated them. While texting in the back of the waiting room, she caught the familiar FBI jacket, but thought nothing of it. Probably another agent injury. It wasn't until she heard Eli's name that her head shot up. What was going on here? Like night and day, she saw the nurses quickly typing away on the computer, another handing a variety of papers and a pen to the man standing there. Were they giving him information? What the actual fuck? Was he a superior? When the man stepped back with a clipboard in hand, she approached the station once more to confront the latest pain in her ass. The nurses. What was this, bat your eyelashes and flash your badge and that's it? It was bullshit, completely unfair. "You'll give him information and not me? We're both agents, you know. I deserve to know what's going on with him."