POI fic: Gift exchange fic - Pain
TITLE: POI fic - PAIN
AUTHOR: whomii2
SUMMARY: for 2013 summer gift exchange for ettoby
PROMPT was: Finch's constant pain comment
While Finch waited for the results of his latest search to print out, he removed his glasses and rubbed his tired eyes, which were burning from long hours spent staring at his computer screens.
Their current number was tucked up in bed, presumably safe. Mr. Reese was lurking in the vicinity of the numbers location to keep an eye out for any trouble. Finch mentally shuddered and refused to consider how Reese might be spending the long vigil. Their brief stakeout together was more than enough for Finch (no bathroom breaks!).
Finch had used the downtime not only to seek out possible threats to their number, but also to perform some maintenance on his systems and software.
Glancing down to where Bear lay patiently in his bed, Finch pushed back from his workstation with a groan. The dull ache that had been his constant companion since the explosion flared to stabbing agony across his shoulders and neck, reminding him of the consequences of spending too much time hunched over his PC. His vision swam with the pain, and he caught his breath and hoped his body's screaming would soon fade back to its usual throbbing ache.
Waiting for it to be safe to move, he blinked his eyes and let his gaze wander around the room, struck once again by grief over Nathan's death. The library served as a constant reminder of his fallen friend (the friend Harold had let down so immensely). This library and its brethren had been a gift from his best friend, acquired despite the expense merely because Harold had said he wanted them. But Harold had been too self absorbed to even notice the thoughtful present. While Harold had been reveling in his blossoming romance with Grace he had paid no consideration to how Nathan's life was spiraling downward. All he had felt was irritation at his friends incursions into his plans for the machine.
It was only at the last, when Finch believed he would finally have everything he had ever dreamed of with Grace that Harold belatedly made an overture to his estranged friend. They had drifted apart, caught up in their own concerns and further alienated over their disagreement regarding the Irrelevants and the Machine.
Harold's desire to share his good fortune with Nathan made him realize how much he missed his friend and still wanted him in his life. He had vowed to make up for his recent neglect of their relationship, and the fateful meeting at the ferry was to be the first step in healing the breach and rebuilding their friendship. Instead, it had been the final ending to the longest and perhaps most influential relationship of Harold's life. Not only did he lose his past, embodied by Nathan, on that fateful day, but also the bright future he had dreamed of when he was forced by circumstances to sever all ties with Grace.
The library served as a constant reminder of Nathan's loss and also as a monument to Harold's failures: not only his failure with his best friend but also his failure with all of those Irrelevants he had not saved. Their pictures stared at him from his montage in silent accusation. The guilt over their loss ate at his soul, a constant burning more debilitating than his physical suffering.
Trying to shake himself out of his dark brooding, Finch asked Bear to go fetch his leash. One unforeseen advantage to the dog's presence was that it forced Harold to take a break periodically and go outside.
He set out with slow measured steps, having learned from painful experience how far he could extend the muscles in his leg before cramps set in from the pull. Unfortunately, his awkward gait exacerbated the ache in his neck and shoulders. Fortunately Bear was well trained, matching his stride to his Master's and never pulling on the leash or bumping Harold.
Putting his self-flaggelation aside for the moment, Finch took his newest friend out into the night while calling his Reese to see if his partner was bored and would perhaps like a little conversation.
AUTHOR: whomii2
SUMMARY: for 2013 summer gift exchange for ettoby
PROMPT was: Finch's constant pain comment
While Finch waited for the results of his latest search to print out, he removed his glasses and rubbed his tired eyes, which were burning from long hours spent staring at his computer screens.
Their current number was tucked up in bed, presumably safe. Mr. Reese was lurking in the vicinity of the numbers location to keep an eye out for any trouble. Finch mentally shuddered and refused to consider how Reese might be spending the long vigil. Their brief stakeout together was more than enough for Finch (no bathroom breaks!).
Finch had used the downtime not only to seek out possible threats to their number, but also to perform some maintenance on his systems and software.
Glancing down to where Bear lay patiently in his bed, Finch pushed back from his workstation with a groan. The dull ache that had been his constant companion since the explosion flared to stabbing agony across his shoulders and neck, reminding him of the consequences of spending too much time hunched over his PC. His vision swam with the pain, and he caught his breath and hoped his body's screaming would soon fade back to its usual throbbing ache.
Waiting for it to be safe to move, he blinked his eyes and let his gaze wander around the room, struck once again by grief over Nathan's death. The library served as a constant reminder of his fallen friend (the friend Harold had let down so immensely). This library and its brethren had been a gift from his best friend, acquired despite the expense merely because Harold had said he wanted them. But Harold had been too self absorbed to even notice the thoughtful present. While Harold had been reveling in his blossoming romance with Grace he had paid no consideration to how Nathan's life was spiraling downward. All he had felt was irritation at his friends incursions into his plans for the machine.
It was only at the last, when Finch believed he would finally have everything he had ever dreamed of with Grace that Harold belatedly made an overture to his estranged friend. They had drifted apart, caught up in their own concerns and further alienated over their disagreement regarding the Irrelevants and the Machine.
Harold's desire to share his good fortune with Nathan made him realize how much he missed his friend and still wanted him in his life. He had vowed to make up for his recent neglect of their relationship, and the fateful meeting at the ferry was to be the first step in healing the breach and rebuilding their friendship. Instead, it had been the final ending to the longest and perhaps most influential relationship of Harold's life. Not only did he lose his past, embodied by Nathan, on that fateful day, but also the bright future he had dreamed of when he was forced by circumstances to sever all ties with Grace.
The library served as a constant reminder of Nathan's loss and also as a monument to Harold's failures: not only his failure with his best friend but also his failure with all of those Irrelevants he had not saved. Their pictures stared at him from his montage in silent accusation. The guilt over their loss ate at his soul, a constant burning more debilitating than his physical suffering.
Trying to shake himself out of his dark brooding, Finch asked Bear to go fetch his leash. One unforeseen advantage to the dog's presence was that it forced Harold to take a break periodically and go outside.
He set out with slow measured steps, having learned from painful experience how far he could extend the muscles in his leg before cramps set in from the pull. Unfortunately, his awkward gait exacerbated the ache in his neck and shoulders. Fortunately Bear was well trained, matching his stride to his Master's and never pulling on the leash or bumping Harold.
Putting his self-flaggelation aside for the moment, Finch took his newest friend out into the night while calling his Reese to see if his partner was bored and would perhaps like a little conversation.