Running away from home. Just like kids.

[neverwrongagent]

Briefings with Saul were getting more and more tense. Carrie could feel the strain on all of them as a real, palpable thing. Beside her, no one had ever had much faith in Brody, which was largely her fault. How could she explain her change of heart without explaining it was exactly that. What was harder was not telling him about how bad it was. Every time she was vague it was a physical pain.

The final straw was a heated conversation about what they would do if he were found out, revealed to be on a mission. They had escape plans, but it was clear very few people in that room gave a damn if they worked. Or if they even existed. She'd been through hell for the man they were dismissing like so much dross and all because... She wasn't that sure why because at this point. It was about Saul, really, and she knew that. That's why when he made a passing comment that made it sound damn like he'd made his decision and Brody didn't figure into it at all, she felt her stomach lurch so badly she almost had to leave the room.

She didn't go to him that night, that would be stupid. She waited a day, all of which was spent wondering when she would throw up. She got there late, just before dark, and sat back to watch the men finish up before meal break. He looked good. Better than when she saw him last, even.

Comments

[neverwrongagent]

She woke immediately at the whimper, rising up on one elbow to watch him for a moment. "Water on the table next to you. I'll get pain killers." She made herself go slowly so she didn't get sick again. After a moment she groaned with relief. She wasn't feeling dizzy or anything. Much better than him.

She sat on his side and held the pills out. "Take these."

[posterboymarine]

He dry swallowed the pills with another whimper. "Thank you." He got his eyes open and looked at her, then at his watch. "Should get the room for another night. SO we don't get kicked out before I can move."

[neverwrongagent]

She reached over him for the glass of water, handing it to him with a shake of her head. "I'll call up in a little while. Maybe go up and get some crackers or something." She should probably leave him long enough to get some groceries.

She didn't much like the idea of staying in place another day, but maybe it would throw off anyone following them. If there even was anyone following them.

[posterboymarine]

Drinking the water meant sitting up and that was not a pleasant experience. He managed, barely, to not spill the water on himself before collapsing back down. "I'm gonna go back to passed out now."

[neverwrongagent]

She laughed softly, kindly, and petted his cheek. "You do that. Sleep all you need. Then we'll get a shower. I'll make sure the glass is full in case you need more. And you should drink as much as you can stand." Not that he didn't know that, but it bore repeating.

She sighed softly. "We are some pair."

[posterboymarine]

He snorted softly, then rolled over and buried his face in the pillow. That lasted for about 10 seconds before he realized that made him dizzier. "We're something, anyway." With that declaration, he closed his eyes and rather promptly fell back asleep.

[neverwrongagent]

She burst out laughing, softly, when he fell back asleep. It was good he could sleep. She didn't think she was going to much. First she needed to get them food, even just burgers, and then she needed a good long shower.

Or maybe reverse those. Either way, she ended up sitting with him for almost an hour before she finally dragged herself off to wash.

[posterboymarine]

His sleep was still dreamless, but it was more restful this time. The pills started to work, chipping away at his headache. He ended up on his side, clutching his pillow when she got up to run their errands.

[neverwrongagent]

He looked downright adorable when she finally left him, leaving her smiling for most of her run. She brought back food for dinner as well as snacks and drinks for the next day's drive. She also found a decent state guide book, which they'd need once they stopped. It listed real estate agents.

She set the groceries down and headed to the bathroom without waking him. Let him sleep as long as he could.

[posterboymarine]

He woke not long after she returned and managed to actually sit up. He spotted the bags she'd brought back and made his way to them, immediately starting to rummage for something to eat. He was famished.

[neverwrongagent]

She was ridiculously glad to see him sitting up, even if he was hunched some and not looking so happy. "Save me the chicken. The burgers are for you." She curled up next to him and held out her hand. "And there are cookies in a bag over there."

[posterboymarine]

He found and immediate tore into a burger before he noticed her hand. "You want cookies or chicken," he said around a mouth full of beef.

[neverwrongagent]

She burst out laughing, so hard she had to gesture towards the bag in his lap, not the one across the room. First things first. Once she had it, she tucked in just like he was, groaning happily. She patted his leg while she chewed by way of thanks.

[posterboymarine]

Some pair, indeed. He nodded as he finished one burger and started on the next. This one he ate slower, so that he could actually talk. "How's your walking?"

[neverwrongagent]

She blinked at the question. "As in can I walk miles through the snow uphill. Both ways?" She shrugged. "As long as I'm not puking, I'm fine. And that was the first time I've done that since well before we left." She shrugged. "I'm not an athlete, but I'm in decent shape. I never sit still long."

[posterboymarine]

He touched the light bruise that poked out of her shirt on her neck. "I mean how's your walking?"

[neverwrongagent]

That took her a good long minute to figure out, even with the reminder, and then she blushed furiously. She leaned into his touch. "I'm a little...sore, actually, but not as bad as I could be." She laughed softly. "Guess I'm built for it or something. At least with you."

Not that she got anywhere near as rough with casual pick ups. That sort of thing needed more trust than that.

[posterboymarine]

"Might have to test that, after I get a shower." He wanted to make sure she really still wanted him, after that stunt he pulled. The previous night had very much been all about him and his wants. He had used her, there was no doubt about that. Now he needed to make amends.

[neverwrongagent]

She could have stopped him with a word. Maybe two. And he'd have been well able to tell if she didn't enjoy it. Still, she wouldn't mind reconnecting in a more low key kind of way. She groaned softly at mention of a shower, but she wasn't up to going in with him. "Do me a favor? Get me the cookies on your way in?"

[posterboymarine]

He was laughing as he got to his feet. "Cookies. Yes, ma'am." He trudged his way to the other set of bags and found the cookies. They got tossed to her before he started peeling off clothes that he'd like to go ahead and burn.

[neverwrongagent]

She watched him much more hungrily than she attacked the cookies. Maybe she would get into the shower with him after all... Then she bit into a cookie and groaned happily. "You hurry back!"

She shook her head at herself. Cookies over sex. She must be getting sick.

[posterboymarine]

He laughed at her comment, then got the shower going. It was going to feel good to take the layer of drug and alcohol sweat off, to be clean again.

He got under the hot water and groaned loudly, practically wilting at how good it felt. They were in a motel and he knew the hot water tank was huge. He could stand there for a very long time, which was his plan.

[neverwrongagent]

She heard his groan and burst out laughing. It was a sign of life, which was good. When he came out, he might actually be in a good mood, which would be nice. If not, she would work to put him in one before they got on the road. They needed a good, easy day. They needed a couple, but she was only going to ask the universe for one. No point tempting fate. More.


She had the thought of following him in, but really she wasn't ready to get up. Instead she grabbed the guide book off the end table and started flipping through it idly.

[posterboymarine]

He kept expecting her to turn up and was disappointed when she hadn't by the time he had run out of hot water. Now a pale, prune looking creature, he made his way back into the main room with a towel wrapped around his waist and a smirk. "How are those cookies?"

Then he noticed the guidebook and perked up a little bit. "Busy girl."

[neverwrongagent]

She offered him up one of the few remaining ones. Then she took in his pink, wrinkled skin and popped one in her mouth to keep from laughing. She waved the book at him as she chewed. "Looking for a town that looks reasonable. Something with at least a community college."