Just to get her riled up.

[centerishome]

Clarke wasn't going home for Thanksgiving this year. His father hadn't been able to get off work so his family had decided to wait until Hanukkah and Christmas to do their festive thing. Clarke would also try to get up there before then if he could, at least overnight. He wanted to see his family but he was actually relieved not to be going home

Comments

[on_jennys_terms]

Jen fires back a quick text: No, I'm at my office. What do you need?

[centerishome]

He hesitated. He didn't want to go to the office in his present state - it would attract way more attention than he wanted. He and Jen were on good if uncertain terms right now, especially after what had happened when he went to her house the other night but he still didn't think she'd leave work just because he asked. Or maybe she would. He didn't know what she'd do for him anymore and Emile's little taunt about him being her soft spot and meaning more to her just made him more uncertain.

He sent her another text. RE Tadpole. Don't want to discuss in public. When will you be home?

[on_jennys_terms]

If it were important, he'd call. So she signs a few more documents before texting back. Probably late.

[centerishome]

He slips into a zip up sweatshirt while he waits for her response. He washes a handful of aspirin down with a bottle of water before dialing her number. He knows what late means and he doesn't want to wait that long.

[on_jennys_terms]

Well. That would be him calling. Maybe it is important. She answers on the first ring. "Clarke?" she says, skipping the greeting.

[centerishome]

He's almost surprised she answers on the first ring but pleased he has her attention. "Hi." He takes a deep breathe and it's audible on the phone. "He was in my apartment. I need to talk you in. In person."

At one point he would have apologized for interrupting her at work but tonight the thought barely crosses his mind. He's sure it would have annoyed her anyway.

[on_jennys_terms]

It would have annoyed her, but that would have been nothing compared to the flat out pissed off she is now. She'll fire his entire detail in the morning because apparently, they were useless. She can tell by the sound of his voice that it was more than just having a note left for when he came home. "Alright. I'm leaving now," she answers.

[centerishome]

Clarke didn't know what the security detail's deal was and as annoyed as he was with him he was more annoyed that Emile Renior was slick enough to basically pop in and out of his apartment.

"Thank you," He exhaled in relief. "I'll meet you at your house."

He hung up and covered his head with a New York Yankees ball cap before locking the door and heading out.

[on_jennys_terms]

She doesn't waste any time and packs up her things before heading home. Cynthia is already gone by the time Jen leaves. It's a short drive to her place, but as she pulls up in front of her building, she can see Clarke on her doorstep. Or, she thinks it's him under the ball cap. The shadows and the ball cap hide the bruises and she doesn't see them at first.

[centerishome]

He arrives at her house about 15 minutes before she does. By the time she's there a sharp headache has taken hold without signs of relenting. He's not sure what she expects him to do, maybe she doesn't even need to see this.

She does though and no amount of rationalizing on his part could change that. He hopes she doesn't fault him for not fighting back harder. Maybe he should have but Emile had the advantage the entire time. He stands up and walks toward her when he sees her car pull up. The glow from the headlights is enough to reveal his swollen features in all their glory.

[on_jennys_terms]

This is not what she was expecting. "Oh my god," she says, gently pulling his hat off so she can get a good look at his face. It's dark, so even with the headlights, she can't see much. With a deep sigh and a quick dig in her bag, she pulls out her keys and opens the front door. Taking his hand, she pulls him inside. She flips the lights on and turns to face him. Tilting her head, she says sadly, "Oh, Clarke," but quickly becomes all business. "Did you black out at all? I worry about you having a concussion."

[centerishome]

He wasn't sure which was worse, the sadness or the how fast she shed it. He followed her inside, sticking his hat in his pocket.

"I came close but no, I didn't black out. Or maybe I did briefly because I'm not sure how he got out of my apartment as quickly as he did."

He looks down when confronted with the light of her foyer. "I didn't know he was so good with his fists."

[on_jennys_terms]

She's all business because that's how she's able to function when things get hard. She watches as he turns his face away from the light and she frowns. "You don't know?" she asks, running her hand lightly through his hair. "You need to see a doctor." Clearly, she's worried.

[centerishome]

"Maybe."

He moves closer; her light touch comforts him. He doesn't otherwise respond to her mention of seeing a doctor because he's sure all a doctor would do is take a bunch of x-rays and then prescribe codine and that doesn't seem worthwile right now. He's sure that she's not keen on seeing doctors when in this position either.

"He said this was his way of picking at your soft spot. He's trying to make you angry."

[on_jennys_terms]

As not fond of doctors as she is, she's even more not fond of him dying in her house. "Yeah, well, it's working," she grumbles, meeting his eyes. He seems out of it and she doesn't like it.

[centerishome]

She meets his eyes and he turns away again, embarrassed. "He took me by surprise, I couldn't fight back."