Man Down (rp with meet_thunder and on_jennys_terms)

[dc_knight]

She's just about to wake James up from his nap when her cell phone rings. It's her generic ringtone and she'd let it go to voicemail but Leroy isn't the only one with instincts and her gut has been churning since that day he came in and told her Vance wanted him undercover. She barely trusts Jenny any more than she does Vance right now and since

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[on_jennys_terms]

As soon as the scene in MTAC had fallen apart and as soon as she could get away, Jen was on a plane to California. It was not a trip she was looking forward to by any means. If things were the same as they were a few years ago, she would feel differently. After he'd been blown up, she'd sat by his side all night. Worrying. Waiting. But now, she knew her sister and their brat would be there.

As she waited for the elevator to arrive at the right floor, Jenny felt like turning around and going back to Washington. That would send a message. You don't need me; I'm not going to kill myself for you anymore. She stares at the numbers overhead as they light up one by one. She shoves her hands in her pants pockets and puts on her best Director face as the elevator door slides open.

[dc_knight]

Heather has stopped looking over when the elevator doors open. She's tired of seeing family of other people and agents coming and going. James is getting fussy and she needs to feed him but she's not going anywhere until she knows how Leroy is. At least one of the agents has taken pity on her and is helping to occupy her son's attention. She's curled up on one of the chairs, her knees tucked up to her chest, her head on her knees. All she can do is stare at the red doors, waiting for the damned doctor. All she can think that this is somehow her and Leroy's fault and the universe is punishing them for their actions.

[on_jennys_terms]

The first thing Jenny sees when the doors open is her sister. Not much about her has changed since they last saw each other. And the last time they'd seen each other, they'd been best friends. Now, the sight of Heather just makes her angry. She steps off the elevator and ignores the younger Shepard, going straight for the nurses station.

As she gets out her ID, she says, "I'm here to see Special Agent Leroy Gibbs." Jen makes sure her voice projects enough that Heather can hear her from where she sits feeling sorry for herself.

[dc_knight]

Heather's head shoots up when she hears her sister's voice and staring at the firm set of shoulders and the red hair, she wants to run over and put her arms around her sister and cry and cry. But that moment passes just as quickly as it hits her and she flashes on red while her breathing calms down. Seeing her sister washes away the brief moment of self-pity that had descended on her and she's herself again. The real her. The her that her sister doesn't really know

[on_jennys_terms]

Jenny thinks about calling up Hilary to get this nurse to open the door, but really, Jen just doesn't care that much anymore. At least she gets some enjoyment out of knowing Heather won't be getting in, either. Feeling a presence at her back, she turns around slowly, like she owns the place and is greeted with her sister and the littlest one. Momentarily, she wonders where Daniel is, but then she realizes he has no reason to be here. Why should they include him at all? Her hands go back in her pockets and there's not a trace of emotion on her face.

"Heather."

[dc_knight]

Heather wishes she had her sister's skill at hiding all emotion. But she's the crier in the family and for as angry as she is, the tears that touch her eyes are as sad as they are furious. She clutches James closer to her and his arms are tight around her neck. "Mommy I'm hungry," he's murmuring and she remembers the applesauce and carrots in his bag. At least he can snack.

She's torn between storming off and focusing on her son and getting in the last word. But now that Jen is here, she isn't going anywhere. If she does, she won't be getting anywhere near Leroy. Somehow she'll call up the fucking White House and pull some string thanks to Hillary or Condi or some fucker. How many names can her sister drop tonight?

"What the hell are you doing here, Jenny?"

They aren't the words that she intends to have come out of her mouth, but they're the ones that do. She cuddles James closer. Food is coming.

[on_jennys_terms]

It's easy to ignore the kid. They've never met before now and she has no intention of getting to know him any time soon. She tips her chin just slightly and raises her eyebrows. "What does it look like I'm doing here?" She thinks about claiming him as her partner, or even just her agent, but she can't get the words past her tongue. She doesn't want to claim him even slightly. So what is she doing here? Besides being able to check on Vance herself. It's the part of her that she's trying to forcefully quash, the part of her that still loves this jackhole. That's why she's here instead of spending the night with the man who makes her happy again. And now, it's about making her sister miserable.

[dc_knight]

James is wiggling and Heather gives in and lets him off her hip. But he clings to her leg and looks up at her, his big eyes scared. He gets that people are scared and angry and he gets that Mommy is really upset. Ignoring her sister, she kneels down and strokes his cheek. "There's applesauce in your bag, James. Go on and look for it, okay

[on_jennys_terms]

She watches the scene in front of her with one eyebrow raised, almost amused that both of them have the balls to ignore her. Well, it doesn't really surprise her that Heather is, but this agent... Jen makes a mental note to fire him tomorrow. Her attention shifts to James and she watches him for a moment. It really is too bad they'll never get to know each other because he is a cute kid.

Looking back at Heather, she says, "If that were the case, I wouldn't be standing out here with you, now would I?"

[dc_knight]

Heather stares at her sister for a long moment, taking in the resigned set of her shoulders and the way her eyes didn't gleam with their usual spark. Jenny doesn't know why she's here, why she's standing in a hospital waiting area with agents she'd never see again. And then it hits her. It hits her hard enough that she has to cross her arms again, not in defiance but just to keep her ribs in one place

[on_jennys_terms]

Jenny watches Heather, realizing the younger woman is putting out there the opportunity for Jen to take the next step, to potentially open lines of communication. But Jen wants no part in anything that could even be mistaken for amnesty. She has no desire to get any closer to Heather than she has to, nor does Jen want to have any kind of conversation with her sister. She views Heather with such deep-seated spite and burning hate, but Jenny won't admit--even to herself--that what burns in her chest like a knot in flames isn't so much hate but jealousy

[dc_knight]

The nurse gives her a look. "The Doctor is in with this guy that you're so worried about. When he's done in surgery, he'll come talk," she checks her sheet and then decides to not weight into what is clearly family drama. "He'll come explain what is going on. Until then, Miss Director, you might want to sit down. It could be a while

[on_jennys_terms]

Miss Director. She's tempted to make the nurse's life hell for a day just for that, but it requires more effort than it's worth, so Jen turns away without a word. If she'd gotten here before her sister, she might've made a stink about this whole not knowing thing, but the cards have been dealt the way they are and she's not about to ruffle her feathers. Jen crosses her arms and looks back into the waiting area, weighing her options. She can sit with the traitor or she can stand like an idiot in heels. Or she could leave, but for some reason, she hasn't done that yet. Moving past Heather, she decides to grab a seat, the one seat in the whole waiting area that gives her a view of everything. She crosses her legs at the knee, folds her hands in her lap, and waits silently. Ball is in your court, Heather.

[dc_knight]

Across the room, Heather stares at her sister, not understanding anything about her actions but not angry about them either. She wants Jenny here, even if her sister hates her. Even if they never speak, she wants her sister here. And what Jenny doesn't get is that Leroy would want her here too. He loves her

[on_jennys_terms]

Jenny just looks back coolly, but mentally, she's rolling her eyes. Sure, fuss over Heather the Hapless Victim and the Gallant Knight who saved her from the perils of a boring marriage. Fuck that. She uncrosses and recrosses her legs the other direction, wondering how long it'll take Heather to start in on her again.

[dc_knight]

Heather walks over to the coffee pot next to the nurses' desk and pours two cups of what she is sure is sludge. If Jenny says no, there's a very sweet agent who deserves a cup. Slowly, ignoring the eyes that she knows are watching them, she walks over to her sister and holds out the cup. She doesn't speak. Not yet. They aren't there yet. She isn't even sure if they're at this point. But it's a peace offering.