Misunderstood Monsters

Chapter 59: Little One

Billy sang at the top of his lungs while waving a sign over his head reading "Molly Loves Lawrence".

"MOLLY AND LAWRENCE, SITTING IN A TREE, K-I-S-S-I-N- Ow!"

Simon backhanded Billy. "Oh my God, shut the f*ck up, we know already!"

Dr. Collingwood lunged forward and slammed her left fist into Billy's face. It didn't turn out like she expected. It felt like punching a brick wall.

"Ow!" She clutched her hand, tenderly rubbing her knuckles.

"You didn't break your knuckles, did you?" Billy stretched a hand out tentatively.

"I-I'm fine. I don't think I broke any - ow! - fingers."

Lawrence poked his head into the room. "Is Molly okay? I heard her yell."

"I'm fine- ergh. I just..."

Billy cut in. "I spooked her and she punched me."

Out of the corner of her eye she could see Simon swipe Billy's sign and begin quietly shredding it.

Lawrence glanced at the two, then left. Dr. Collingwood glared at Billy. "You're lucky I played along with that."

"It was just some friendly teasing! Everyone can see it anyway!"

"If everyone can see it then you didn't have to pull that stunt!"

Charlie set a hand on her shoulder and whispered into her ear. "Leave this to me, little one."

The scarred 939 went over to Billy and spoke in a low, firm voice to the sloth. A few moments later Billy left. Charlie slowly padded back over to her.

"Why did you call her 'little one'? She's a grown woman!" Simon snapped at Charlie.

Charlie grinned sheepishly. "Old habits die hard," he explained.

Dr. Collingwood raised an eyebrow at Charlie. " 'Little one'?"

"Well, that was what I called you for the longest time before I found out what your name was. But I still couldn't shake off the habit. Even after you came to work here, I still thought of you as that little girl I watched over so long ago."

"Well, don't... actually, I'm fine with the nickname, just don't call me that in front of my coworkers. Especially Dr. Buck. Or Carson. He'd never stop teasing me about that if he ever found out."