Fic: Lies (Adelle/Claire)
Title: Lies
Author: gsr_rocks
Pairing/Characters: Adelle/Claire
Rating: PG
Spoilers: Spoilers for 1x11 "Briar Rose"
Disclaimer: Not mine.
Word Count: 720
Summary: Adelle finds Claire after Alpha's departure.
Author's Note: First attempt at this fandom. Suggestions for improvement are welcome.
You don’t wait for security to clear the floor before going down to inspect the damage. Really you’re going to find her, because you could only catch glimpses of her on the monitors in your office and you need to know she’s okay. She’s not, you already know that, but you need to see her in person and not over a high speed connection. Alpha didn’t touch the cameras; he wanted you to see what was going on the moment it was too late to do anything. His plan had been executed perfectly.
With the sharp click of your heels echoing down the hall, you make your way to her office. You listen intently for any signs of her; a cry, scream, anything, but it’s silent. Even with your nerves of steel, the hairs on the back of your neck stand up as your long fingers grasp the doorknob. You had promised her she was safe after the last attack. You had stayed with her through the night, partly out of guilt but mostly because you cared, and whispered to her as she cried in her sleep that he wouldn’t hurt her again. The weight of the lie was almost unbearable, even for a woman who lies every day as a part of her job.
She’s on the floor, exactly where she had been five minutes ago. Lying on her side with her hands over her face, she doesn’t move as you enter. She appears physically unharmed but you know that emotionally, the brunette doctor is suffering more than you can imagine. ¬You close the door, wordlessly but effectively telling the crew trailing behind you to back off. No need for the entire security staff of the Dollhouse to see the best doctor at her worst.
“Claire?” Has your voice ever sounded so soft or caring?
She whimpers at your voice and your heart, that icy block in your chest, thaws. A grown woman, so strong and independent, reduced to a childish noise by something you created. If your guilt grows any more, you’ll need a permit to keep it.
“It’s Adelle.” You daren’t move from the door. Wouldn’t want to push her any further than Alpha has. When she wants you closer she’ll tell you. And until then, your Prada heels will not budge.
Now a sob, muffled by her hands, and her shoulders start shaking. “Claire, are you injured?” Comforting people has never been your strong point. It’s like driving a new car for the first time after you purchase it; you know where everything is and how it works, but your body cannot cooperate with your thoughts. No answer from her and while you’re not surprised, it certainly hinders your plans. As you approached the office, you had visions of a swift rescue. Walk in, help her up, and find her a place to rest. You had obviously forgotten how terrified Claire was that Alpha would return and now that he had, she was not going to be receptive to plans of moving anywhere that he could be hiding.
You crouch down, your back against the door, to get a better look at her. She is crying rather hard but you also notice something else, something behind her. Another person? You furrow your brows as you try to decipher the puzzle right in front of you. The mysterious shape gasps for a breath and a knot forms in your stomach as you realize what, and who, it is.
From that point on, you act upon instinct. Rise from your position on the floor, open the door, and tell the nearest person to get the on-hand medical team. Before they arrive, you turn back to Claire and make a hasty decision. You approach her, sit on the floor behind her, and pull her into her lap. As people enter the office with stretchers and toolboxes of supplies, you cradle her. Whisper into her ear that he’s gone and won’t hurt her as you stroke the damp hair away from her face.
“I’ve got you.” You shield her from the sudden rush of movement, rest your cheek over her eyes to calm her, promise it’ll be over soon and that she’ll be okay.
You’d rather not lie to her but it’s the only thing you can do without thinking.
Author: gsr_rocks
Pairing/Characters: Adelle/Claire
Rating: PG
Spoilers: Spoilers for 1x11 "Briar Rose"
Disclaimer: Not mine.
Word Count: 720
Summary: Adelle finds Claire after Alpha's departure.
Author's Note: First attempt at this fandom. Suggestions for improvement are welcome.
You don’t wait for security to clear the floor before going down to inspect the damage. Really you’re going to find her, because you could only catch glimpses of her on the monitors in your office and you need to know she’s okay. She’s not, you already know that, but you need to see her in person and not over a high speed connection. Alpha didn’t touch the cameras; he wanted you to see what was going on the moment it was too late to do anything. His plan had been executed perfectly.
With the sharp click of your heels echoing down the hall, you make your way to her office. You listen intently for any signs of her; a cry, scream, anything, but it’s silent. Even with your nerves of steel, the hairs on the back of your neck stand up as your long fingers grasp the doorknob. You had promised her she was safe after the last attack. You had stayed with her through the night, partly out of guilt but mostly because you cared, and whispered to her as she cried in her sleep that he wouldn’t hurt her again. The weight of the lie was almost unbearable, even for a woman who lies every day as a part of her job.
She’s on the floor, exactly where she had been five minutes ago. Lying on her side with her hands over her face, she doesn’t move as you enter. She appears physically unharmed but you know that emotionally, the brunette doctor is suffering more than you can imagine. ¬You close the door, wordlessly but effectively telling the crew trailing behind you to back off. No need for the entire security staff of the Dollhouse to see the best doctor at her worst.
“Claire?” Has your voice ever sounded so soft or caring?
She whimpers at your voice and your heart, that icy block in your chest, thaws. A grown woman, so strong and independent, reduced to a childish noise by something you created. If your guilt grows any more, you’ll need a permit to keep it.
“It’s Adelle.” You daren’t move from the door. Wouldn’t want to push her any further than Alpha has. When she wants you closer she’ll tell you. And until then, your Prada heels will not budge.
Now a sob, muffled by her hands, and her shoulders start shaking. “Claire, are you injured?” Comforting people has never been your strong point. It’s like driving a new car for the first time after you purchase it; you know where everything is and how it works, but your body cannot cooperate with your thoughts. No answer from her and while you’re not surprised, it certainly hinders your plans. As you approached the office, you had visions of a swift rescue. Walk in, help her up, and find her a place to rest. You had obviously forgotten how terrified Claire was that Alpha would return and now that he had, she was not going to be receptive to plans of moving anywhere that he could be hiding.
You crouch down, your back against the door, to get a better look at her. She is crying rather hard but you also notice something else, something behind her. Another person? You furrow your brows as you try to decipher the puzzle right in front of you. The mysterious shape gasps for a breath and a knot forms in your stomach as you realize what, and who, it is.
From that point on, you act upon instinct. Rise from your position on the floor, open the door, and tell the nearest person to get the on-hand medical team. Before they arrive, you turn back to Claire and make a hasty decision. You approach her, sit on the floor behind her, and pull her into her lap. As people enter the office with stretchers and toolboxes of supplies, you cradle her. Whisper into her ear that he’s gone and won’t hurt her as you stroke the damp hair away from her face.
“I’ve got you.” You shield her from the sudden rush of movement, rest your cheek over her eyes to calm her, promise it’ll be over soon and that she’ll be okay.
You’d rather not lie to her but it’s the only thing you can do without thinking.