rp for laws_of_dawes

[nottome]

It had been too long. Billy practically lived in the hospital, spending as much time around Rachel as he could. She was awake longer and could get up to move (was made to, really) for bits at a time. Which was why he was with her now, to help her along

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[rattle_thecages]

She braved him a half-smile, placing her smaller hand on top of his.

His other arm went about her waist as he helped her up.

"Let's do this," Rachel said decisively, the way she always said anything. She ignored the jolt of pain that went through her.

Then she eyed him critically. "Have you slept any?"

[nottome]

The question didn't surprise him, but he laughed anyway. "You get hit by a car, and you're worried about me. Typical. If I hadn't gotten any sleep in the week and a half it's been, I think they'd have me in a bed here by now."

[rattle_thecages]

Okay, so he had a point.

It didn't stop her from slapping him in the arm lightly. "I know how you get. You worry as bad as I do, that's all."

[nottome]

"And why shouldn't I worry about my dearest little sister to the point of insomnia? You get into trouble way too much. Am I going to have to put you under some kind of surveillance?"

[rattle_thecages]

"I...okay, so I can't particularly argue the trouble factor. It should be noted, however, that it finds me. I am not a fan of it at all."

And trouble didn't seem to have an end in sight, not that she mentioned it.

They stop at a bench within the hospital gardens. He helped her sit, and she sighed. "I'm okay, Billy. Or, I will be."

[nottome]

He shuffled his feet awkwardly for a few moments before sitting himself down beside her. "Yeah, that's what the doctors say. I know you will, I just...want to hang around 'til you are. I mean, well enough to leave, anyway."

[rattle_thecages]

"I'm lucky to have friends like you," she said softly. Billy and MJ hadn't left her side. Pepper had to go to the wedding, and Rachel understood.

"I don't want you missing work over this."

[nottome]

"Hello, I'm the uber-geek, remember? I'm practically wired from head to toe. ...Okay, not true, but I have a laptop and a cellphone, what more could I need to keep up? It's like I never left sometimes. Besides, I had to come as soon as I heard."

[rattle_thecages]

She could imagine it must've been quite the shock.

"I know." She gave him a small smile. "I'd have done exactly the same thing." It's who they were. It's what they did for each other. "Besides, I'll need you to entertain me now that I'm supposed to actually rest for a good while."

[nottome]

"Yeah, how come I don't exactly see that happening? I bet you'll still want to take part in the criminal justice system even if you're stuck in bed all day."

[rattle_thecages]

Alfred had already hidden her books. Everyone had already given her fair warning.

Rachel only managed to smile innocently. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

[nottome]

"Of course not."

He remained quiet for a few moments before he asked, "Hey, um, y'know, I wanted to know--you've probably been asked this a lot, but--what happened, anyway?"

[rattle_thecages]

She was quiet as well, trying to find the words, what she could say and what she couldn't.

She always had to be so careful now.

"He wasn't drunk, like they're reporting." She bit her lip. "But we were arguing about a case I was considering. We didn't notice a van was tailing us. Sent us to the other lane and toward an unloaded lodge truck."

[nottome]

He wasn't sure whether to be relieved that Bruce didn't seem to be to blame or terrified that someone had purposefully done that to them. "So...so someone did this. Tried to kill you. ...Fuck." He went with terrified. "At least your boyfriend's off my hitlist now."

[rattle_thecages]

"No one believes me, though." She frowned. "When video feeds were retrieved there was no sign of the van."

She glanced over at him. "I wouldn't lie. I know he's not your favorite person, or anybody's but that's what happened."

[nottome]

"I'm not saying I don't believe you. Of course I believe you. After all the crazy shit you've been through, you think I wouldn't believe you? I just kind of wish it had been something as simple as Bruce's fault so I could start berating you for dating a jackass in my oh-so-lovable brotherly way."