SIX. [RL with Elektra]

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[Bruce has been settling in well. It's been strange to stay in one place, somewhere he not only doesn't have to work but shouldn't work so as to keep a low profile - and even stranger to live with someone that knows everything about him. Bruce has tried to keep himself busy as well as he could, doing various housework and keeping up with his

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[namedfortragedy]

[She knew it was coming eventually. For as long as she could remember her father had done everything in his power to ensure his daughter was both intelligent and strong. Elektra could see where all of this was going and simply chose to ignore it. She was genuinely happy for the first time since her mother died. The last thing she needed to do was screw it up by thinking about it. Too bad she knew just looking at him where this was going. Ignoring it wasn't an option anymore.]

I'm listening. [She gestures for him to come in. Even in a good mood he practically needed a written invitation to come inside. She expected this time wouldn't be any different.]

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[She was right about that. He slipped inside and shut the door behind him, approaching so that they're close beside one another. The short kisses they've exchanged have been all they've done, and Bruce doesn't feel dissatisfied with that - far from it. But if he's going to leave, he doesn't want to make it impersonal; it'd feel like a slap in the face to everything they've overcome to be open with one another.

With her admonition not to hold back still in mind, he reaches out and takes her hand. Meeting her eyes, he says, unwavering,] I need to leave, but if all goes well, I'll be coming back.

[namedfortragedy]

[Logically she knew she should keep her guard about. It'd make things easier in the long run. When he standing next to her being so open about his feelings she couldn't help wanting to return it. It wasn't like she was following her better judgment about anything else lately.]

Do whatever you have to do. [She squeezes his hand.] You know I'll still be here if things go right or wrong.

[She makes it a point not to ask for details. He can tell her or not tell her though naturally she hoped he would.]

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[He feels compelled to tell her, so he takes a silent breath and starts.]

I know. It means a lot to me. I... need to go back to Virginia, to the university. There's someone here in New York that may be able to help me, but he needs the data from the accident, and the only place it might still be is Culver U.

I'm not planning on seeing her, but it might happen anyway. [No need to say who she was.]