The scientist

[centerishome]

Having actually stayed the entire previous evening at the lab, Clarke was able to get of there at a reasonable time today. He still hadn't touched his personal projects but the evidence backlog was now at a reasonable level and the breakthrough he made at 1 am this morning was very important for one the cases. He felt like a success for all the

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[know_how_u_feel]

She had a choice leaving the hospital. She could walk home, shower, change and drive her own car to Clarke's. She could hail a cab to her place, shower, change, then drive over to Clarke's. Or she could just take the cab to Clarke's and wash up at his place. He wouldn't mind would he? It had been a long time since they'd seen each other. Of course, he'd probably already ordered the food. It would be cold if she took too long.

Ultimately, she said fuck it and just head over to his place. If he was weirded out by the idea of her showering at his place, she could just wash up a little bit at the sink and wait to shower when she got home at the end of the night.

Traffic was a nightmare. She knew it would be but the driver insisted on talking on his phone the whole time in whatever middle eastern language he spoke. It definitely effected his tip. As she walked up the stairs she called Clarke.

"What are the chances you'd come down and carry me up so I don't have to do all these steps?"

[know_how_u_feel]

She had to chuckle a bit though she did try and keep a straight face. "I'm sorry. I was just remembering how bossy I was when we were younger. I'm surprised you didn't pick up on that no thing much earlier. Maybe you're not the genius I thought you were."

"You wouldn't care? I mean I'd bring them back but it is a little random and what will you neighbors think? Some random hot girl walking out in your clothes. The building would be all in a twitter. Boyscout Clarke and his sexcapades. You might get a reputation."

[centerishome]

"I let you boss me around," he laughed with her. "I liked it. I was so much more passive. I was probably really boring. And you thought I was a genius?"

"I wouldn't want you to be in hospital-funk covered clothes when you just cleaned the hospital funk off you," He was already on his way to the bedroom. "And I don't actually know any of my neighbors so no one will notice."

[know_how_u_feel]

"You were the smartest boy I'd ever met. I made good grades. I studied science the way some girls study Cosmo or some guys follow sports and yet every time we talked I was learning something new. It was actually a little intimidating. I was so used to being the smartest one in the room. I just lucked out in being pretty and wealthy too because if I weren't I know I wouldn't have had many friends in school. Anyway, you were too nice for me to hate you, too smart for me to compete, I guess it was only natural that I would fall for you."

Getting up, she followed him back to his room, taking the opportunity to look around. "You know, this isn't New York. Your neighbors won't be angry if you try to get to know them."

[centerishome]

"Funny I really wasn't that smart. I just read a lot of books. I think Tyler was smarter than I was. I think he still is." He laughed. "I'm trying to picture you reading Cosmo. Not happening."

He sat on the edge of his bed and pulled some white gym socks out of the top drawer of his dresser. "I know. I'm not home all that often. I do say hi when I run into them in the hall." He pulled out another drawer and handed her some blue sweat pants and an NCIS t-shirt.

[know_how_u_feel]

"No. What's funny is that Ty probably thinks the same thing about you. I always got the feeling that he felt in your shadow."

The socks especially were going to be gigantic but she was going to swim in all of it. Thankfully the pants had a drawstring. "Why couldn't you have been shorter and scrawny?" She teased as she took what he was handing her and started getting dressed right there. All she had to do was put the shirt on first. It fit her like a nightgown so even when she dropped the towel she was still covered. Though it occurred to her after she put on the socks that she should have probably gotten dressed in the bathroom.

[centerishome]

"I used to worry about that. He really blossomed though. I mean you should see him with his boyfriend Shane. Who, by the way looks like an underwear model. They're so happy, it's cute."

He was looking at the curve of her breast when she changed until he saw his t-shirt fall to her knees. He couldn't help but laugh at how super tight she had to pull his sweats. By the time she had his socks on he was full on cracking up. "I have to hug you," he said, getting his laughter under control and hugging her close. "At least it's cozy?"

[know_how_u_feel]

"What's cute is how you're all proud big brother about it. Most guys might be weirded out if their brother started dating a guy."

Sam could feel his eyes on her and it made her warm but it confused her. Ever since they met again, she knew he saw her but she didn't think he was really looking. He only had eyes for Jen. Tonight felt different. Tonight she felt seen. So why didn't that make her want to strut around in front of him like any other guy? Why was her stomach in knots?

"Glad you're so amused." She replied with a smirk, letting him pull her into an embrace. "I feel like the incredible shrinking woman."

[centerishome]

"It was unexpected but Tyler never does anything the way you'd expect him too. Besides, Shane is a really cool guy."

Clarke would be the first to admit that he shut down in some ways around Sam initially. He was preoccupied with Jen yes, but there were other things involved. They had history. She was doing so well. She had really grown up well. It was a lot to process.

"Have you seen that movie?" He was still hugging her. "With Lily Tomlin? It's funny."

[know_how_u_feel]

"Sounds like he's doing really well. I'm proud of him. He was such a goofy kid."

The knots seemed to get tighter the longer they hugged. Then the standard hug time came and went. It was no longer just a hug. He was holding her and her confusion turned to worry.

"Clarke...?" She ignored his question and pulled back enough to look at him. "Is everything okay?"

[centerishome]

"He still is a goofy kid."

"Oh." He hadn't even realized how many moments had passed just that he felt peaceful and he liked that feeling. He stood up, embarrassed. "Hey we should eat before the food gets cold."

[know_how_u_feel]

"That's not exactly an answer." She replied, not moving. She wasn't trying to embarrass him. It's just that the last time she saw him for any length of time he was telling her that the love of his life was dying. Now he's giving long hugs and acting weird. Not sad necessarily but that actually worried her more.

"Look, you don't have to talk to me if you don't want. You can tell me to back off and I will. Just tell me something. If you're not alright just tell me. I won't make you elaborate."

[centerishome]

He just looks at her blankly. He doesn't know how to respond. He's not dying a slow death from disease, he's not touch and go in a hospital in San Diego, he's got both his arms. He's angry and hurt and lonely and annoyed with himself. He is definitely not okay.\

"I'm not alright." He turns and heads for the living room where the food is. "But I will be."

[know_how_u_feel]

Sam nodded quietly and followed him out into the living room. She'd let the subject drop but only because she told him she would. Otherwise, she'd be pestering him for details. Her best guess was that it had something to do with Jen and Sam was guessing that it wasn't that she passed away. This felt like a different kind of sad. Maybe a little bitter. Definitely tired. Maybe she finally talked Clarke into letting her go.

Oh god, poor Clarke. He was so determined to be there for her even if it was making him miserable. Even if it meant sharing her. Sam's chest felt a little tight. She had no idea if her assumptions were even close but if they were it was just so sad. Even if it was what she'd been rooting for since she first heard about the whole mess with Jen.

Coming up behind him while he was sitting on the couch, Sam wrapped her arms around his shoulders hugged him again. "Yes, you will be." She whispered reassuringly and placed a little kiss on his temple.

[centerishome]

He gladly accepted the hug. He badly wanted to open up to her but he didn't know how much he could. Jen was never Sam's favorite person to begin with and he didn't want her to think he only wanted to spend time with her because Jen was off the table. He wasn't sure he wanted her to know about Le Tetard at all, and she hadn't commented on the new alignment of his nose (or maybe it just wasn't as noticeable to everyone else as it was to Clarke.)

If he tried to open up to her without mentioning those things, she wouldn't buy it anyway. Still, he lingered in the hug, sweeping some of her hair behind her ear. "Thank you."

[know_how_u_feel]

She gave him one last squeeze before she finally let him go and moved to join him on the couch. The food was getting cold and it would be a shame to waste it so she grabbed a carton and dug right in again. There would be time for heart to hearts. He said he wanted to see her more. It didn't just have to be today.

"Oh hey, do you know anyone looking for a place to live? One of my roommates moved out at the beginning of the month and it's been crazy trying to replace him. I mean it's a great house! The rent is a little high but you can't beat the location."