[They'd been walking for days. Meals were scarce, but they managed. Mostly, they didn't talk; it was all they could do to keep warm without uncovering their faces
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[It's almost two hours before they return, sans John. Al doesn't look triumphant, but he's not in handcuffs and the sheriff's relaxed. Adler speaks up as they come through the door.] You two can't stay at that house. Gotta find yourself a place or move on.
[Calavicci stops and looks at Adler.] Well, wait, what about my sister? She's still sick. I think I've got a couple bucks, but we can't afford a room. And we can't move on -- not when she's like that.
[Kara emerges from the sheriff's office where she'd been pretending to sleep for Rita's benefit when she hears Adler's voice. She's limping pretty badly, but at least her ankle is wrapped. Her color has improved for the food and warmth, but she's still coughing and there are dark streaks under her eyes.]
I think we should go, Al. Please. [To Rita.] Not that we don't appreciate it, but -
But nothing, Little Miss! [Rita crosses to Kara, taking her by the arm and placing her firmly in a chair.] You're not going to spoil all my hard work on that ankle by going out to make it worse. My kids are grown, child, so you two can take my sons' bedroom. [To al, pointedly.] No argument!
[Al lifts his hands.] I agree, ma'am. Wholeheartedly. And since I'm the older sibling, what I say goes. [He shoots Kara a look bordering a grin. Hey, all's not back to normal, but at least they weren't in a shit ton of trouble anymore.]
[Rita nods and smiles.] Good! That's about the first real sense I've heard all night.
[Calavicci shrugs.] When family's all you got, you do what you gotta before it's too late. [...if you're lucky.]
[Kara pulls a face at Al while Rita's focusing on gathering her coat. Adler sees it and tosses her a wry grin.] Be good, kids. My apologies for putting you through this today.
[Kara shrugs under his scrutiny, looking down, and struggles to her feet once more. She crosses the room gingerly and once she finally makes it to her 'dear brother,' she leans heavily on the desk nearest the door and buttons her coat.
Rita's beside her a moment later.] Help your sister, son. My car's just outside - the blue wagon. [She pats Adler on the arm as she passes him in front of Al.] Did good today, boss.
[He tips a wink at Rita then grins at Al and Kara.] Thanks, Rita. Now I can sleep easily.
[Al does as he's told, obediently helping Kara out into the snow and the cold.] Just a night, okay? And then if you're feeling better, we can go. [Though he had a feeling she'd only admit to feeling fine no matter what.]
[A moment later, Charlie comes out carrying Al's bag.] Don't give Rita no trouble, all right? I gotta ask.
[Nodding, Calavicci takes the bag and offers it to Kara before sliding into the back beside her. He's looking very forward to sleeping whether his head finds a pillow or not. In the meantime, he goes fishing blindly in his bag, talking to Kara.] Did they give you anything for the fever or the pain?
[Kara nods. Her fever wasn't so much the trouble anymore, or even her twisted ankle - it was just her raw throat and the way she kept wheezing when she breathed. She feels terrible, but she'd keep her chin up - she'd been healthy enough until she'd taken ill, and there was no reason to think she'd be any worse off.
She, too, just wants a place to sleep for a few hours, and then she wants to get gone. Somehow, being looked after by kind people makes her feel worse than bunking in abandoned houses.
Rita puts on the radio and jabbers on at them about how her husband won't be surprised to see her bring home two strays, the rapidly dropping temperature and predictions of blizzard conditions that night, and the fact she still needs to get through her Christmas shopping, but Kara zones out about halfway to the woman's house.
They arrive in short order, pulling up to the curb at a tidy little two story. Rita pulls right into the garage and turns around, flashing them a grin that fades only slightly when it lands on Kara.] Well, c'mon, kids
( ... )
[After the car ride, Calavicci's warm and about ready to agree to anything. He helps Kara from the car and retrieves his pack before returning to her side.]
[The man who must be Rita's husband is in the doorway before any of them make it there. He waves them all inside.] Golly, Rita, you said you'd warn me the next time you were having the whole town over for dinner.
This is Kara and Al and they're not the whole town -- just a couple kids that shouldn't be out in this mess. [Rita plops a peck on his cheek in passing and heads into the warm house.]
[Al nods respectfully to the man, arm out-stretched in case Thrace needed his help.]
Go on upstairs and get yourselves settled, then. It's the first door on the left. Some fresh towels in the linen closet, if you want to get cleaned up. [Rita's husband gestures to the stairs.]
Eric, get them an extra blanket, too. He'll bring it up. [Rita points at Kara and then Al.] And watch that ankle.
[Whether she wants it or not, Al helps Kara with the stairs and he's glad for it because even he's
( ... )
[Kara follows suit, though a lot more slowly. She's a bit dazed by the combination of exhaustion, illness, and Rita's generosity - not mention the prospect of an actual shower. When at last she's down to a grubby tee-shirt and jeans, and not wearing boots or socks for the first time in... well, she can't recall how long, she sits on the soft bed, tempted to close her eyes.
Rita bustles in at just that moment carrying some spare clothes.] Go on, then - the bath is across the hall. And what do you have those blankets on the floor for, son? [She laughs and scoots Kara gently over, unlatching the bottom of the bed and pulling out a trundle mattress.] Used to have bunk beds, but my Jimmy kept falling out, and Thomas never liked the top.
[To Kara:] You'd better go first, Little Miss. You look like you're ready to drop. [She deposits a soft nightgown in her arms and shoo helps her to stand, practically carrying her across the room. Kara tosses Al a helpless look and just goes along as she doesn't seem to have much choice.]
[Al took a long, deep breath, shrugging himself out of all but his pants and an undershirt. He felt tired and ready to just drop, but he suspected it was more because Rita's house was safe than the exhaustion itself
( ... )
Yes. [She yawns on the end of the word, stretching it a bit.] Not Navy-bound, though, so don't worry 'bout me gettin' in the way. [Kara laughs and it only turns into a cough a little bit. Still, she feels all the better when she sits on the bed, gesturing with one pale foot toward the en suite.]
Off ya get, kid. And unless you're Montgomery Clift under all that dirt, I probably won't wait up, all right? [Her toes were already disappearing under the heavy counterpane, so she was sure to be snoring when he returned from his shower.]
[He laughed, following it up with a nod.] Yeah, okay, don't wait up. 'S'not like there's much ta talk about, anyway, life bein' so boring and bland. [Al faked a yawn and tossed in a grin before disappearing out the door.]
[The shower was not brief. In fact, Eric stopped by once just to make certain Al hadn't fallen asleep (or worse.) For as long as the warm water lasted, he stayed, finally returning to the spare bedroom to find Thrace sleeping buried under cover.]
[Al stood watch as long as his eyes would stay open (not even five whole minutes,) but he felt good about his decision. Rita and Eric were nice people, kind and willing to help without stipulation, and Calavicci thought they could both use some of that.]
[Sleep took him quickly under too-many blankets. He could probably sleep a day if left to it.]
[And they were left to it. Kara didn't open her eyes until well past ten.
At some point, Rita left a note under the door there was lunch in the fridge and to call if they needed anything. A little surprised their good luck was holding on, she began gathering her and Al's things as quietly as possible.]
[Al was hardly a heavy sleeper, but he was taken with the need to stay warm and cozy under the covers (even if Kara's movement around the room frequently got sleep-hushed by Calavicci, warning off the quieter kids he must have been dreaming.)]
[When he finally returned to the waking world, it was with a jolt. He blinked, pawed at his eyes, and settled them on Kara. The sun had warmed the room considerably and Al felt too hot under all the blankets.]
You okay? [Wasn't much voice behind it, but he figured she'd heard him, so he didn't repeat himself.]
[Truth was, Kara was a bit jumpy, and the sudden sound of his voice made her start and turn guiltily as though she were thieving. She forced a smile and it was (unsurprisingly) accompanied by a small cough.] Good as I'm ever gonna be.
[That was true enough, too. She wasn't about to enter a marathon, but she felt worlds better for having slept.] How 'bout you?
[He nodded.] Better'n I've been. [Pushing a hand through his hair, Al once more look around the room and then tossed the blankets aside.]
I could do with some breakfast. Bet I could find somethin' downstairs. [Perched on the edge of the bed, he stifles a yawn tries his best to will himself awake and alert.]
[Calavicci stops and looks at Adler.] Well, wait, what about my sister? She's still sick. I think I've got a couple bucks, but we can't afford a room. And we can't move on -- not when she's like that.
I'll put you up. [This was Rita.]
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I think we should go, Al. Please. [To Rita.] Not that we don't appreciate it, but -
But nothing, Little Miss! [Rita crosses to Kara, taking her by the arm and placing her firmly in a chair.] You're not going to spoil all my hard work on that ankle by going out to make it worse. My kids are grown, child, so you two can take my sons' bedroom. [To al, pointedly.] No argument!
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[Rita nods and smiles.] Good! That's about the first real sense I've heard all night.
[Calavicci shrugs.] When family's all you got, you do what you gotta before it's too late. [...if you're lucky.]
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[Kara shrugs under his scrutiny, looking down, and struggles to her feet once more. She crosses the room gingerly and once she finally makes it to her 'dear brother,' she leans heavily on the desk nearest the door and buttons her coat.
Rita's beside her a moment later.] Help your sister, son. My car's just outside - the blue wagon. [She pats Adler on the arm as she passes him in front of Al.] Did good today, boss.
[He tips a wink at Rita then grins at Al and Kara.] Thanks, Rita. Now I can sleep easily.
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[A moment later, Charlie comes out carrying Al's bag.] Don't give Rita no trouble, all right? I gotta ask.
[Nodding, Calavicci takes the bag and offers it to Kara before sliding into the back beside her. He's looking very forward to sleeping whether his head finds a pillow or not. In the meantime, he goes fishing blindly in his bag, talking to Kara.] Did they give you anything for the fever or the pain?
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She, too, just wants a place to sleep for a few hours, and then she wants to get gone. Somehow, being looked after by kind people makes her feel worse than bunking in abandoned houses.
Rita puts on the radio and jabbers on at them about how her husband won't be surprised to see her bring home two strays, the rapidly dropping temperature and predictions of blizzard conditions that night, and the fact she still needs to get through her Christmas shopping, but Kara zones out about halfway to the woman's house.
They arrive in short order, pulling up to the curb at a tidy little two story. Rita pulls right into the garage and turns around, flashing them a grin that fades only slightly when it lands on Kara.] Well, c'mon, kids ( ... )
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[The man who must be Rita's husband is in the doorway before any of them make it there. He waves them all inside.] Golly, Rita, you said you'd warn me the next time you were having the whole town over for dinner.
This is Kara and Al and they're not the whole town -- just a couple kids that shouldn't be out in this mess. [Rita plops a peck on his cheek in passing and heads into the warm house.]
[Al nods respectfully to the man, arm out-stretched in case Thrace needed his help.]
Go on upstairs and get yourselves settled, then. It's the first door on the left. Some fresh towels in the linen closet, if you want to get cleaned up. [Rita's husband gestures to the stairs.]
Eric, get them an extra blanket, too. He'll bring it up. [Rita points at Kara and then Al.] And watch that ankle.
[Whether she wants it or not, Al helps Kara with the stairs and he's glad for it because even he's ( ... )
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Rita bustles in at just that moment carrying some spare clothes.] Go on, then - the bath is across the hall. And what do you have those blankets on the floor for, son? [She laughs and scoots Kara gently over, unlatching the bottom of the bed and pulling out a trundle mattress.] Used to have bunk beds, but my Jimmy kept falling out, and Thomas never liked the top.
[To Kara:] You'd better go first, Little Miss. You look like you're ready to drop. [She deposits a soft nightgown in her arms and shoo helps her to stand, practically carrying her across the room. Kara tosses Al a helpless look and just goes along as she doesn't seem to have much choice.]
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Off ya get, kid. And unless you're Montgomery Clift under all that dirt, I probably won't wait up, all right? [Her toes were already disappearing under the heavy counterpane, so she was sure to be snoring when he returned from his shower.]
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[The shower was not brief. In fact, Eric stopped by once just to make certain Al hadn't fallen asleep (or worse.) For as long as the warm water lasted, he stayed, finally returning to the spare bedroom to find Thrace sleeping buried under cover.]
[Al stood watch as long as his eyes would stay open (not even five whole minutes,) but he felt good about his decision. Rita and Eric were nice people, kind and willing to help without stipulation, and Calavicci thought they could both use some of that.]
[Sleep took him quickly under too-many blankets. He could probably sleep a day if left to it.]
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At some point, Rita left a note under the door there was lunch in the fridge and to call if they needed anything. A little surprised their good luck was holding on, she began gathering her and Al's things as quietly as possible.]
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[When he finally returned to the waking world, it was with a jolt. He blinked, pawed at his eyes, and settled them on Kara. The sun had warmed the room considerably and Al felt too hot under all the blankets.]
You okay? [Wasn't much voice behind it, but he figured she'd heard him, so he didn't repeat himself.]
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[That was true enough, too. She wasn't about to enter a marathon, but she felt worlds better for having slept.] How 'bout you?
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I could do with some breakfast. Bet I could find somethin' downstairs. [Perched on the edge of the bed, he stifles a yawn tries his best to will himself awake and alert.]
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