Thread: The break-in (Nyoko-Padinfain)

Ross lay there, his brow furrowed as she came back with a glass of water, licking his lips uncertainly. He sat up on his elbow with an aching groan and picked up the cup and took a few sips from it, looking at the TV as he did so. What was that? An animal show? He looked at her with a small frown. Manta was gone and here she was...watching TV? You're still here? he asked in his raspy voice as he sat up and leaned against the headboard for support. Really he had expected her to leave the first chance she got, not because he didn't realize how deep in this she was--he knew she was basically associated with him and his gang now--but because he didn't think she'd stay. People ran from trouble didn't they? And from the way their relationship had started and how it was now, he considered himself to be the definition of trouble. He didn't know where her loyalties lay and he doubted they rested with him at all. So it perplexed him a bit to see Manta gone and her still here. It was only a few moments later when Manta returned with a bag from a local fast food place and his eyes opened wide to see Ross sitting up and awake. Boss! he said with a smile as he came into the room shutting the door behind himself. It's good to see you awake. Hope you got a good rest? Ross's lips twitched in what could have been a small smile as he nodded at the larger man. Manta nodded back, before turning to Elle and reaching into the bag and handing her the burger she'd wanted. Hope that's alright, he said with a small smile. Watching the exchange, suddenly Ross realized the relationship between the two. From the look of things it was platonic, but he cursed himself for not seeing it before. She wasn't staying for him, she was staying for Manta! He chuckled to himself quietly as Manta came over and offered him a burger as well. The thought of food made him feel sick so he shook his head and held up a hand, but Manta sighed with a disapproving frown and set it on the nightstand right by his cup of water. Ross stared in amused shock. So, the man was trying to take care of the girl and he was going to try and mother him as well? How interesting... Somewhere along the line in the past few days, a change had come over his right-hand man and he hadn't even realized it. Course there had been the drugs and the cops breathing down their necks... Ross crinkled his nose at the burger still in its wrapper right by the bed, the smells assaulting him and making him feel ill. But he thought to himself, 'Fuck it' and picked it up and unwrapped it, taking a bite of it anyways. Fine. If Manta wanted to put on this 'mother hen' act, then he'd play along too. Surprisingly, taking a bit of the sandwich didn't make him sick but eased that discomfort in his stomach. Manta was already seated at the foot of the bed Elle was on and eating his own burger and the room fell silent. Feeling somewhat more revitalized after a few bites, Ross sat up a little more and cleared his throat. So, what have you guys been up to this morning? Just watching National Geographic the whole time or was there a game of strip poker that I missed? He laughed a little, in a good mood for the first time in several days. Manta stopped mid-chew and glanced at Elle and looked back at Ross guiltily. He finished his bite and swallowed before responding in that deep rumbling voice. We've got a bit of a problem, boss, he said cringing inside. Whitemore. Ross gave a derisive snort and took another bite of his meal. That pissant detective? What about him? He seemed unconcerned for the moment but from the look Manta was giving him he got a serious look on his face. What? Well, I took Elle back to the house to get more of her things, he said and Ross's eyes nearly popped out of his head. And Whitemore was there... He questioned Elle on her porch and she got him to leave. But I don't think he's gonna leave us alone. Ross's heart was hammering in his chest now and the sandwich in his hand was completely forgotten as he stared angrily at the other man. You did what? he wasn't yelling but his voice was loud and full of anger. What the fuck? I go to sleep for a few hours and you screw everything up! See? This is why I don't... he trailed off as his face contorted in fury for a moment. Then he turned to Elle and tossed the sandwich aside as he stood and came over to her bed quick as lightning, all grogginess and good humor gone now. What did he ask you? What did you tell him?