fandomhigh | Library, Monday (11/15)

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Library, Monday (11/15)

By some strange, twisted, and quite frankly a little bit mean coincidence, there was a book about the history of Stonehenge in the returns dropoff today, full-color panoramic photo of the standing stones in prominent display on the cover.

Gabrielle took one look at it and flinched, immediately deciding she should put it away as soon as possible . . . but she couldn't help looking at it, instead.

Half a chapter into the discussion of the possible history of the monument, she was frowning in a but that's not how it happened way, and rather than putting the book away, she'd gone to get more for cross-referencing purposes. It was sort of like picking a scab. A very perplexing one.

It did nothing for her mood, but that was something she wouldn't be taking out on anyone. And anyway, there was coffee; that might be the important thing.

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"No," Jaime agreed quietly, finding it hard to get the word out past the massive lump that seemed to have appeared in his throat.

Which was why she had never said too much to 'Jaime' until it was all over.

"I'm sorry. That's totally the reason we were chosen do this, to protect people, but sometimes... sometimes we just can't."

Jaime nodded, almost surprised that his attempt to swallow the lump that was keeping him from speaking didn't get them shushed for being so loud.

"Still my fault," he managed to get out in a whisper.

Momoko stared at him, not really sure if he was simply saying that because he felt guilty or not.

"How was it your fault?"

"I got distracted," he admitted, voice choked. "And then..."

Jaime trailed off, blinking rapidly as his eyes began to well up.

Okay, fight or no fight? A crying Jaime meant she needed to be nearer, and Momoko didn't hesitate to shift her chair over to his side of the table. Hopefully he wouldn't mind how close.

He didn't even notice. Jaime's attention was far too focused on not breaking down in the middle of the library as the memories came rushing back.

~~Well, that makes a girl feel special~~

"That's why they're supposed to leave. Or not be there." She leaned against the table, looking at him. "But there are people who just can't, you know? If we didn't have powers, we'd totally still try to help; it's who we are. Only... only some people get lucky enough to have powers."

"That doesn't make it okay," Jaime mumbled thickly. Which, well, he knew Momoko knew, but...

"No." Momoko was remembering her relief that Priestly hadn't been hurt during the Shiva fight. And her feelings of self-loathing that she hadn't been able to save Leda's kidnapper. "No. But I think we have to make it okay by doing better next time. I think that's how we have to pay them back."

Jaime nodded slowly. That made sense. It didn't make it hurt any less, but it did make sense.

Momoko didn't know how to make it hurt less.

"I'm sorry. About what I said on Wednesday, getting so upset." She sat up and fiddled with her fingernails. "You came in just after... something, and, well. I would have felt the same way, but I probably wouldn't have told you."

Somehow Jaime managed a tiny twitch of his lips. It could almost be a smile considering the mood he was in.

"Hey, I deserved it." He wasn't entirely sure that was true, but... it was at least partially true, so he might as well give her that.

"Only some of it," she grinned softly, then reached into her pocket. "And uhm. You kind of left this in my room. I found it under the bed." Where the chocolates had landed when she threw them.

Momoko pushed a blue and (ugh) black cell phone across the table towards him. "Sorry."

Jaime blinked, then managed an actual smile. He was a bit hesitant as he reached out for the phone, but he still reached for it.

"Couldn't just leave it alone, could you?" he asked with a sound that might have been a short chuckle.

She looked down at her hands, blushing. "Mostly I had to cover up the score marks. I did put the phone numbers back in, though. And added mine."

The smile wasn't getting any wider, but it wasn't going away either. Because, really, that was so Momoko on so many levels.

He looked up, finally allowing himself to focus on her face instead of his lap. "I really am sorry, you know. I never wanted to hurt you."

"That was kind of clear the whole fight. But you did. I still feel betrayed, even though I know you totally didn't mean it"

Jaime nodded.

Then he fell silent.

Then he asked, "What can I do to make it up to you?"

"I don't know. We're still friends, right? That's important to me, and I totally don't want to mess that up. Ever." She looked up at him. "You really weren't making fun of me, right? When I talked about stuff with you? I mean, I need to know if you're you."

"You're stuck with me for as long as you can put up with me," Jaime assured her with a wry half-grin. "And, no." He shook his head. "I'd never do that. And there wasn't anything to make fun of you about." Not that he had seen, anyway.

"It's you who'll get tired of me first, I promise." She took a moment just to smile at him, then reached across the table to turn her laptop around. "Oh! How's your stomach? I'm sorry I punched you so hard."

Jaime shrugged easily. "Like I said, I deserved it. And I heal pretty quickly..."

"You didn't deserve to be punched out the door," she snorted. "So is healing one of your powers? That's good! Ah! And that totally explains the black eye I gave you that one weekend!" She blinked. "I hit you a lot. I'm totally sorry!"

"It's part of your charm," Jaime countered, finding it hard not to fall back into the old, comfortable patterns of banter with Momoko, despite everything that had happened.

Re: NFB FROM HERE, PLEASE! :: Re: Mod Your Library [11/15]

Re: NFB FROM HERE, PLEASE! :: Re: Mod Your Library [11/15]

Re: NFB FROM HERE, PLEASE! :: Re: Mod Your Library [11/15]

Re: NFB FROM HERE, PLEASE! :: Re: Mod Your Library [11/15]

Re: NFB FROM HERE, PLEASE! :: Re: Mod Your Library [11/15]

Re: NFB FROM HERE, PLEASE! :: Re: Mod Your Library [11/15]

Re: NFB FROM HERE, PLEASE! :: Re: Mod Your Library [11/15]

Re: NFB FROM HERE, PLEASE! :: Re: Mod Your Library [11/15]

Re: NFB FROM HERE, PLEASE! :: Re: Mod Your Library [11/15]

Re: NFB FROM HERE, PLEASE! :: Re: Mod Your Library [11/15]

Re: NFB FROM HERE, PLEASE! :: Re: Mod Your Library [11/15]

Re: NFB FROM HERE, PLEASE! :: Re: Mod Your Library [11/15]

Re: NFB FROM HERE, PLEASE! :: Re: Mod Your Library [11/15]

Re: NFB FROM HERE, PLEASE! :: Re: Mod Your Library [11/15]

Re: NFB FROM HERE, PLEASE! :: Re: Mod Your Library [11/15]

Re: NFB FROM HERE, PLEASE! :: Re: Mod Your Library [11/15]

Re: NFB FROM HERE, PLEASE! :: Re: Mod Your Library [11/15]

Re: NFB FROM HERE, PLEASE! :: Re: Mod Your Library [11/15]

Re: NFB FROM HERE, PLEASE! :: Re: Mod Your Library [11/15]

Re: NFB FROM HERE, PLEASE! :: Re: Mod Your Library [11/15]

Re: NFB FROM HERE, PLEASE! :: Re: Mod Your Library [11/15]

Re: NFB FROM HERE, PLEASE! :: Re: Mod Your Library [11/15]

Re: NFB FROM HERE, PLEASE! :: Re: Mod Your Library [11/15]

Re: NFB FROM HERE, PLEASE! :: Re: Mod Your Library [11/15]

Re: NFB FROM HERE, PLEASE! :: Re: Mod Your Library [11/15]