EXSILIUM - contact.

[hostage]

UNIT№409



_“ Hey, it's me. Wait for the thing. _”

Comments

[controlledvariable]

[All she does for a long moment is watch him, still hurt, but she's searching for something, too.

And then it clicks, because it hurt her, too.]

It was good enough for me.

[She doesn't know what else to say.]

[hostage]

[He doesn't believe her.]



I'm not giving it back.

And everybody's gonna fuckin' pay for this.

[controlledvariable]

[It sends a chill through her, the same way it did when he promised he made Saul sorry.

But she doesn't flinch, what she does is close the distance between them, and if he'll allow it, she'll take his hands.]

Don't let them make you the bad guy, Jesse.

[hostage]

[Jesse gives a bitter, guttural laugh.]

Too late.

[He holds her hands, anyway, and his touch is gentler than his voice.]

You got your chance, you know. Right now. Before it gets worse.

[controlledvariable]

[She opens her mouth to tell him it's not, but the rest of what he says confuses her.]

Chance to do what?

[There's concern in her voice, but it's for him.]

[hostage]

To stop me.

[controlledvariable]

[It feels like someone just punched her in the chest.]

Is that really what you want from me?

[Can he really ask her to do that? It was different, when they barely knew each other, when she was just Batgirl, but she thought maybe things had changed.]

[hostage]

Who cares what I want?

[controlledvariable]

[quietly, but firmly:] I do.

[hostage]

[Jesse tugs her hands lightly to bring her closer, leaning to whisper in her ear:]

Then get me outta here.

[controlledvariable]

[She lets him pull her closer, but she shakes her head, just a tiny bit, at the request.]

It'd just make things worse for you.

[hostage]

[He lets go of her, sitting back again.]

See what I mean?

[controlledvariable]

[She nearly reaches out for him again, but stops herself, wrapping her arms around herself instead.]

I'm still just trying to help. What would you do if I got you out? Spend the next month playing hide and seek with the cops?

[hostage]

Aristeas is still down, right?

[controlledvariable]

[Cautiously:] Yes. Why?

[hostage]

[Does he have to elaborate?]

[controlledvariable]

Jesse.

[He needs to elaborate.]

[hostage]

I done more for this place than any one of 'em and now they're trying to nail me for the one thing I didn't fuck up. They got no right to hold me, and if they step to try, I'll do what it takes.

Understand now? I earned my life here. Nobody's taking it from me.

[controlledvariable]

[...

Jesus Christ.]

You have to stop this.

[It's sharp and focused, not harsh, just... he needs to listen to her.]

Most of the people here don't even know what's going on, so stop talking about everyone like they're all out to get you, okay. No one's taking your life from you, but you need to just - take a step back. Everything's gonna be fine if you just trust us. Please.

[hostage]

Because trusting people is working out so great for me.

[controlledvariable]

You know what, fine.

[She spreads her arms out, almost like a offering.]

You think we're all gonna turn against you? You wanna hurt people? You can start with me. 'Cause I can't watch you do this, Jesse. I don't know where you go, when you turn from the person who held me and told me I was a good person into someone talking like you are now. And I don't wanna break my promise to you. So--

[Her voice cracks a little, and she has to swallow roughly.]

So if you're so set on being the bad guy, you better start with me.

[hostage]

[Jesse stares at her, incredulous, for maybe a full ten seconds.

There's seriously only one response to this:]



What the hell's wrong with you?

[controlledvariable]

[And she waits, holding her breath for those ten seconds as she tries to work out what he's going to do next.

She manages to hide how relieved she is when all he does is speak; Saul would've killed them both if Jesse really hurt her.]

That's what I'm asking you!

[hostage]

Jesus Christ...

[He buries his face in his hands and just... Yeah, he's going to stay like this for a while.]

[controlledvariable]

[It's hard to hold onto her anger in the face of that, and she shrinks in on herself a little, watching him like she's not sure if she should reach out and try to help or if that's... not allowed, anymore.

After she did that.]

I'm sorry.

[She sounds like she means it.]