Though she told Melissa and Pam she wasn't allowed to see them off due to the security protocols in place, Judy had been taken aside earlier by a contrite-looking Lala who passed on Dee's orders.
“You have to stay in the building, babes,” said the other woman. “So the basement's off limits for now, I'm afraid.”
“The basement – Oh, you mean the car park?” She tried not to imagine the dull discontent in Melissa's eyes when she broke the news and failed dismally. She's already upset enough as it is.
“That's the one.”
She smiled begrudgingly. “I guess this means I didn't pass Dee's test?”
“His test?” Lala smiled back but the awkward angle of her body position revealed she was even less comfortable about the whole situation than Judy was. Dee should have told me himself. Why does he keep throwing everything on her?
“If he thought I was telling the truth, he would've let me go back with them if I wanted to.”
“Did you want to though?” Lala's brows raised. “I thought you wanted to stay here and look after Sinja anyway?”
“I do. Of course, I do.” She shook her head and folded her arms to avoid running an aggravated hand through her hair. “I just would've preferred to do it on my own terms, you know?”
“Dee's just playing it safe, babes.” Lala tutted knowingly. “He's probably waiting for Sinja to wake up and confirm your side of the story. We haven't spoken to the local police yet so there's still a chance you've got eyes on your clinic. Sending you back without protection right now could be dangerous.”
I doubt I'm the one they want to keep safe here.
“I know but I'm worried about my other patients too. I need to contact them and cancel all of their upcoming appointments. I don't even know if I can reschedule them because I don't know if he'll let me out of here and –” She stopped and took a deep breath.
“Yeah, that's a good idea,” said Lala with a small smile. “He must have been really rough on you, huh?”
I've never been interrogated like that in my life. The memory of Dee's unwavering gaze, the recorder placed between them, the tap of his pen on paper in between her answers, and the utter lack of feedback from his expression shouldn't have unnerved her as much as it had. Is it because I know I'm guilty?
“I can't really blame him.” Judy laughed under her breath and propped her heavy head up with a hand beneath her chin, arms still crossed. “I'm not entirely innocent either but I've never wanted to hurt Spy.”
“Hopefully we'll sort it all out once he wakes up.” Lala patted her on the shoulder but it rattled her like a threat.
She joined the agent as she left to escort Melissa and Pam back home. I should be allowed to say goodbye at least before they leave the building, right?
<><><><><>
Less than an hour later, she sat on a chair someone had so kindly placed beside Sinastar's bed and held his hand on the off chance it could help his mind reconnect with his body. You waking up might only make things worse for me but even so I still want to see you open your eyes again. She rubbed the fingers she had rarely been allowed to touch and didn't have to be an expert to know it had originally been the hand of a healer. Doing what you did to those men in the clinic and the one who tried to escape must have killed you inside but you did it, and you clearly spent a lot of time in a place like this too. The people here are fighters, not doctors. What did you do here with them before you found me? Or did you come to see me because of them?
Tasha's openly malignant expression flashed through her thoughts. They've got every right to suspect me. I know that. I know I was supposed to be your safe place. I said I never wanted to hurt but I knew if those men hurt either of the kids instead it would break you but – She lifted his hand to press her forehead against his knuckles, crumpling in her seat. – But they were going to kill you all if I didn't do what they told me to. What else was I supposed to do? Let you die? She ran a thumb across his smooth nails and angled her head to kiss his knuckles. I could never let that happen no matter what –
Someone yanked Sinastar's hand from her grip before her lips could touch his skin. She knew it was Tasha before the other woman spoke.
“What exactly do you think you're doing here, doc?” she demanded, moving halfway between Judy and the bed. “You're not allowed to touch people without their consent. Shouldn't a therapist like you know the basics at least?”
Judy stood up and couldn't remember hearing the door open. “You're the one touching him now.”
Tasha placed his hand back on the mattress behind her and side stepped until she had completely barred her way, waving her now empty hand. “Happy?”
“Far from it.”
“What's wrong? Does the therapist need therapy?” She grinned sharply. “We've got some mental health first aiders here somewhere. Or I could call Ken. He's a good listener.”
“Are you speaking from experience?” Judy could barely muster a faint smile.
“Pretty sure everyone here could speak from experience when it comes to him, whether they want to or not.” Tasha jerked her head at the man behind her. “Except Sinja. He doesn't talk to anyone.”
“Oh really?” Judy smoothed the dishevelled strands of her hair and twisted the end of her ponytail around her index finger. “I can't say I've had the same experience with him.”
“Oh yeah? Did you tell Dee about all your experiences?” Tasha balanced on the edge of the mattress, close to Sinastar's hand. “Or did you lie to him like you lied to your friend and her kid?”
“I didn't lie to them.” Not telling someone something isn't the same as lying to their face. “We all have things that are, ah, how did Dee put it? Classified?”
“Like how you double crossed the one guy that shouldn't be betrayed by anyone?” Tasha smirked. “The one guy who'll tell us the truth if he needs to and who hates people who lie.”
“He's a lot better at keeping secrets than you think he is –”
“– Ah please, doc. Almost everyone here is a walking secret. We've all got crap we don't want anyone else to smell.” Tasha leaned forward and her skin seemed to strain around her shoulder muscles. “The only difference between us and you is we don't spray ourselves with perfume to cover it up. We wipe it off with Dettol.”
“That'd explain why I've felt sick ever since I got here.” Judy swallowed and forced a smile wider than her mental defences. “Clearly not everyone has access to this Dettol of yours.”
“You think that's the only reason you feel sick?” Tasha laughed shortly. “It's probably because we're all as honest as we can be outside of our secrets. An environment like that wouldn't ever sit right with a fake like you.”
She's not going to give me a chance to breathe. Judy tried not to hug herself and let her arms fall to her sides. If I want an air, I'll have to make a hole for myself.
“Do you have a thing for Spy?” She tiled her head to the left. “Is that why you can't stand me?”
“Ooh, I didn't think you had it in you, doc.” Tasha clapped several times with the meanest glint Judy had ever seen in her cobalt blue eyes. “Attacking because you've can't defend yourself? I almost like it.”
“I can't help noticing how you just avoided the question.” Judy smiled. “Does that mean you do?”
“Even if I didn't fancy him, I still wouldn't trust someone who falls for their patient and then stabs them in the back.” She shook her head but leaned back, distancing herself from the sudden threat of Judy's words. “You've clearly got the hots for him so why in the world would you do that? It doesn't make any sense.”
“Oh? Are you actually trying to discuss this with me like an adult?” She's trying to throw me off with all these questions so she won't have to answer mine. It's okay. Loads of my patients do the same thing.
“I can use other methods if you like?” Tasha looked at her nails as if she had just buffed them. The feminine gesture seemed totally out of place in the picture she clearly wanted to paint of herself. “Though I might have to run it by Dee first.”
“So you do like him?” Judy sat back down and tried to pretend she was joking with a friend instead of flipping an informal interrogation on its head. “And now you're worried because there's a chance he might like me too?”
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“I hate liars as much as Sinja does. Maybe even more.” Tasha ran her thumb across the tips of her short, blunt fingernails. “But something's not adding up and I want to work out what it is. That's why we're talking instead of doing the things I prefer to do.”
“If you're going to be that insecure about it, why don't you try putting in a little more effort?” Judy wetted her lips. “I'm sure even Spy would spare you a glance if you did.”
“Wow, it's like I'm back in school,” sneered Tasha. “You sound like one of those skinny cows with rainbows all over their faces who smell like they showered in the Fragrance shop. The ones that said no one's ever going to fancy me unless I look like them.”
“And how did that conversation end, dare I ask?”
“I'm sure you can imagine.” She started scratching the wood and metal frame of the bed lightly like a trapped rat. “So are you going to answer my question or just waste my time?”
“Hmm.” Judy placed her hands on the arms of the chair and leaned back. “If there's something you need to do, I'd say you might as well go and do it.”
“And leave you here alone with Sinja? Pssht!” Tasha smiled crookedly. “You must think I'm stupid.”
“Just so we're clear, you said that out loud, not me.” Judy straightened her dress. “And I'm not going anywhere. Spy needs to know where he is once he wakes up.”
“He will. You think this is the first time he's woken up under one of these ceilings?”
She really isn't going to let up. Or leave. I'm too tired for all this. She almost wished she had gone home with Pam. Even if those people find me, I'd deserve whatever they do to me but if anyone deserves to punish me for what I've done, it's Spy. He can decide whether I should be forgiven or not. Until then –
“Was it your mum who made you insecure?” She injected fake compassion into her voice which filled out like lips subjected to Botox treatment. Tasha's eyebrows flitted upwards even before she finished the question and Judy pressed her lips together to contain a triumphant smile. “Or your dad?”
“Pulling out all the stops, are we?” The edge of the other woman's chuckle gleamed. “Trauma is the last thing I ever want to share with you but I'm guessing your dad was the one who didn't make you feel like a princess and that's why you're after Sinja?”
“I'm not sure how you got to that but if you're going to hang around now you might as well show me your workings.” She sighed and zeroed in on the twitch in Tasha's jawline. “You know, like how you do it in Maths. Or is that not a process you're familiar with?”
“I tend to show my workings in different ways.” Though she didn't rise from the mattress, Tasha straightened up until her shadow fell across Judy's face. “Never did like the school way.”
“So you're more of a hands on student?” She nodded sagely. “That's okay. Luckily there're all different kinds of intelligence.”
“I'm not your patient, doc,” said Tasha. “You don't need to waste your fake empathy on me.”
“Yeah, that's what some of my patients thought too.” She paused and smiled. “Thankfully Spy wasn't one of them.”
“And you still betrayed him.” Tasha shook her head. “This is why I never liked therapists.”
“So you've been to one before?” She didn't conceal her lack of surprise. “Or are you still jumping to conclusions about people without any supporting evidence?”
“When you've been around so many crappy people, you start recognising the smell.” Tasha inhaled deeply before baring her teeth in a cold smile. “And with all due respect, doc, you stink.”
“Crappy people? Oh dear, did you disappoint both your parents?” Judy covered the circle of her mouth – and her triumph – with a hand. “That must have been rough on you.”
“Did you even know your parents or did they just not teach you how to pick your fights because you're a girl?” Tasha started to get up off the bed. “No matter how many clever words you wrap it up in, you can't hide stupidity forever.”
“Is that what they told you –?” Judy flinched as the humour vanished from the other's entire demeanour and she lurched forward. If she hits me, I can file a complai-
But Tasha froze as if she had forgotten why she was angry and twisted towards Sinastar right before he spoke.
“Don't – fight –”
<><><><><>
The voices of the women inside the room were so loud Ken could easily hear them from outside it. He waited, back pressed to the wall beside the half open door, as their interact crept closer to violence. I haven't seen her get this annoyed at anyone. Not even Rich. She must care for Sinastar more than I thought.
“Did you even know your parents or did they just not teach you how to pick your fights because you're a girl?” Something creaked, most likely the bed Natasha was sitting on. “No matter how many clever words you wrap it up in, you can't hide stupidity forever.”
Ken started to turn into the room as Judy spoke up once more. “Is that what they told you –?”
Doesn't she have any survival skills? Why would she provoke someone who's clearly stronger than her? Is it because Natasha's a woman? I guess she's not that smart after all. Before he could intervene and stop his mentor from pummelling their guest into a pretty paste, a voice beat him to it and he stopped dead in the doorway.
The fragments of the past that had rattled in his veins for years momentarily settled.
“Don't – fight –”
It should have sounded pathetic. Like an admission of weakness or an inability to handle anything else besides peace. But the plea behind his words sank its fangs and claws alike deep into the spirit of all who heard it and resonated with a power that simultaneously stilled his frantic muscles and lit up disregarded pathways in his mind. Sinastar's voice was completely different, deeper yet somehow softer than it had been when could still claim the innocence of childhood. Although his youth, chained at it was by strict routines and towering goals, had never been completely pristine. Those veiled marks on his psyche had drawn Ken's attention to him in the first place.
“Sinja,” said Natasha as if she had a thumb pressed into her jugular notch.
“Spy!” exclaimed Judy at the same time, their near collision clearly forgotten at the moment.
Ken sent Des a quick text, then watched as his mentor slid off the bed to face the man lying on it, effectively preventing Judy from getting any closer with her body. He had a feeling the movement wasn't entirely deliberate.
“You're at headquarters,” she told him. “We found you at the kid's house and brought everyone back here. The kid and her mum left about an hour ago though.”
The blatant concern in her voice tightened and she sounded like she was reporting to Des instead of speaking to someone she hadn't seen for several years.
“Thank you,” said Sinastar.
Though he wanted to shift sideways until he could see the latter's face between the two women's bodies, Ken found himself glued to the floor until the rapid thump of feet on tiles preceded Jason down the corridor. He got here fast. Wasn't he in the office?
He side stepped smoothly to let the red-haired boy rush past him into the room, followed by Des who paused before entering. “When did he wake up?”
“Just now.”
“Is he okay?”
“I haven't had the chance to check.” He nodded at the occupants of the room and Des sighed before joining them.
He walked in the older man's shadow and stayed behind him, inhaling deeply. Silently.
And then his heart started to race.
<><><><><>
“Sin!” Jason pressed a hand to his chest and tried to calm his breathing. “You – okay?”
Sinastar smiled faintly at him as if he had been fighting demons for the last week. Knowing this guy, that's way too possible. But he's alive and awake. He had been buried alive beneath boulders but the one that crushed his face lifted and he smiled through an invisible nosebleed. He's okay, Tara.
“Better than I was before.” Although his voice wasn't as strong as it had been, he seemed to be telling the truth. “You?”
He seemed a little more vibrant than he had been during the days that led up to his collapse. As if he only needed a bit more zai – or perhaps more time only – to become the person Jason had met at the MMA hall. Someone had removed his hairband and he looked several years younger with his hair hanging around his face instead of being pulled away from it. Jason suddenly realised he had pushed past both Judy and Tasha on his way towards the bed, and vaguely remembered passing Ken at some point. Aaawkwaaard.
“Better than I was before.” He grinned and shuffled sideways, unsuccessfully rubbing the colour from his face as Tasha half smirked at him.
“Morning, partner,” said Dee as he approached Sinastar from the other side of the bed and tapped his watch. “And what time do you call this?”
Why didn't I think to go that way instead? Jason covered his lower face and grimaced behind his hand.
“Will fifty press-ups tomorrow suffice?” asked Sinstar as he lifted himself up on both elbows.
“Give me a hundred and I'll let you off this once.” Dee placed an arm around his shoulders and helped him into a sitting position.
“Yes, sir.” Sinastar paused mid-salute him and glanced at the IV cannula in his arm. “How long was I out?”
“Approximately seventy two hours.” He felt Sinastar's forehead with the back of his hand and nodded. “Looks like you don't have a fever but you should get a check up just in case.”
“I'll do that.” Sinastar's gaze swept from him to Natasha and back again. “How have you all been? Is everyone else out?”
Judy's face crumpled as his eyes skipped hers and she stepped back quietly. Ah crap. I still can't believe she set us up.
“Toya went to drop the girl and her mum back home, Damon's around somewhere, and the others –” Dee glanced at Jason who remembered with a gulp what they had been discussing before Ken's text interrupted them. Toya? Damon? Do they all have different names like Sin or something? Wait, that's not the most important thing right now – “We'll let them know you're up while Ken checks you over.”
“Ken?” Sinastar scanned the room, then looked at Dee with his head tilted as if there were an invisible person present that only he couldn't see.
“My student,” said Tasha, following Dee's gaze to the dark-haired boy behind her and moving sideways. “He joined soon after you left.”
Her smile seemed genuine as Ken stepped forward to take her spot, his eyes fixed on Sinastar as he nodded deeply. “Your reputation precedes you, Sinja. It's an honour to finally meet the legend in person.”
What a kiss up. Jason found a new reason to despise the other guy. You're not trying to hook up with his daughter or anything so why're you trying so hard? Gosh.
“It's nice to meet you too, Ken,” said Sinastar after a moment.
Perhaps it was because they had spent a long time together over the past few days but something about the long-haired man's delayed smile reminded him Satara and how she stared before completely avoiding eye contact whenever she had to disguise a lie with the truth.
Ken's face was devoid of all emotion. Even his signature closed-eye smile. Another tell that didn't match the situation and he recalled the way Ken had bowed to him back at the mall. His thoughts creaked painfully. Is he really from –?
“May I examine you?” Ken stayed where he was until Sinastar nodded at him.
He fussed with the almost empty IV bag and followed the tube down to Sinastar's forearm, studiously not meeting his gaze as he checked the cannula. Are his hands shaking? Jason frowned but Sinastar switched his attention to the captain as the man spoke again, breaking the uncomfortable lack of speech and action surrounding the check up.
“I expect a full report before those press-ups though. Should I get a chair or are you tired of lying down now?”
Sinastar drew his knees up and relaxed them in turn before answering him. “My legs seem to be working fine.”
“Yeah, you could probably do with some cardio.” Tasha folded her arms as he looked at her. “Once you're done reporting and doing your press-ups, how about some training? It's been ages since I had a good sparring session.”
“I'm sure Latoya's kept you on your feet,” said Sinastar with a knowing yet faint smile. His gaze wandered around the room. “But I'd be glad to workout with you later.”
“Good.” Tasha stifled a smile and stiffened as Judy stepped up behind her again.
Before the therapist could talk to him, Sinastar's eyes flitted to Dee first, then landed on Jason. He tensed right before the older guy asked the dreaded question.
“Where's Satara?”