RP for senseofliberty: An eventual first visit

[genetic_fate]

Mohinder paced the short length of his apartment's living space, one hand to the back of his neck, playing idly with his hair. It had been hours since Rachel had sent that last email, saying that she would be there later that night. He had told Matt and Molly, explained that she wasn't well and needed his help, before starting on a mission to get

Comments

[gotbottle]

Rachel found a parking spot around the corner from Mohinder's building, and cut the engine. She reached up and grabbed the rearview mirror, tilting it toward herself so she could study her reflection, making sure she was presentable. She smoothed down her hair, but not a lot could be done about her face, which was pale and drawn from worry and lack of sleep, dark circles under her eyes.

Slowly she got out of the car, retrieving her bag. She slung it over her shoulder and started toward the building. She climbed the stairs, searching for his apartment; when she'd found the door she paused outside it for a moment before raising her hand, knocking as quietly as she could in deference to the late hour.

[genetic_fate]

Mohinder had the door open immediately. Acute hearing borne of anxiety had meant he had heard her footsteps from a way down the corridor, so he practically had the door open before she even had a change to knock.

"Rachel," he smiled, standing back from the door to let her pass. "Welcome. You... you found me alright?"

He wanted to jump straight to business, to ask what was wrong and how he could help. To offer her food, drink, a bed to rest in. But, at the same time, he didn't want t crowd her. Though it hurt him to hold back, they needed to deal with the small talk first.

[gotbottle]

Rachel mustered a wan though still very happy smile at the sight of Mohinder, stepping through the door. "Hi," she said, nodding. "I did, yeah. Thank you."

She stood there as he closed the door, fidgeting nervously with the strap of her bag. "Thank you for having me here, especially so late. I really appreciate it. I got here as soon as I could."

She watched him for a moment, trying to think of how she could possibly begin to describe the last week to him. She had no idea where to start, so, instead, she held out a hand for him to take. "It's good to see you."

[genetic_fate]

"It's no problem, honestly," he told her, at pains to make her believe that. He had been looking forward to her visiting for a long while... it was just a shame that the circumstances couldn't be happier.

He took her hand, when she offered it, thumb brushing gently and soothingly over the backs of her fingers. "And you." His voice was low, both with the need to be quiet, and with suppressed emotion. He wanted to lean in, to kiss her like the last time they'd been together, but he wasn't a fool. She was obviously shaken, for whatever reason, and he didn't want to spook her.

Instead, he let his other hand reach for her shoulder, fingers gripping at the strap of her bag and gently lowering it from her arm, and onto the floor at her side. That done, he reached up to gently caress her cheek.

"Are you alright?"