The Unwanted Relic

Chapter IV

06:03:2024 16:14

Jay had perched himself along the entrance of the medical bay with a rattled mind. There had been so much to comprehend over the last 24 hours. Racket Landings had been confirmed dead, along with a discovery of the fried remains of Insta-Hell Aven. Zora Zone had returned from a sudden trip rather scratched up, while a flighty and incoherent Lenny Kovac had been flown in under vague pretenses. Luckily, no one would paint Mickey Z at the scene. Thanks to the darts now being little more than ash, there was no proof she had ever set foot at the scene. A rumor had already centered her location around a small town in Norway. Svëna and Grëig had supposedly jumped with glee when this tale blew their way.

Jay had finished his check-up over an hour earlier. Kitty, a grandmotherly doctor who insisted on going by her first name, had asked many questions about Jay's numerous cuts and bruises. He'd been able to pass off some through an excuse of an odd shuffle, and another few under the classic "flight of stairs" trope. Even his deadened, but recovering leg was passed when he joked about not keeping up with his physical therapy. The cut above his ankle though was not well-accepted.

"This is rather deep, Jay." Kitty clicked her tongue. "How far was that nail sticking out from the pew?"

"Must've been like, three-eighths an inch, maybe half?" Jay crafted the tone of his voice to give off a more casual, unknowing air.

Kitty then moved back to her monitor. "Have you already reported the issue to Ground Services?"

"Yeah," Jay pretended as he groaned. "I forgot how unnecessarily complicated those forms are. I mean is it really important to ask about things like the 'Nature of Concern'? I wouldn't be reporting it if I didn't think it was a problem, you know?"

Thanks to his role as an assassin, maneuvering out of any conversation was a strong suit. Twisting through a lie was a simple manner, and Jay's specific reference would be enough to lead the doctor off the trail.

"Doctors have the ability to provide further details and witness to the forms." Kitty's response was flat. "I'll make sure to add my name when I see it."

She got back to work, placing the last of the bandages around the six stitches he had received. Neither of them called attention to the fact that Kitty had called his bluff. It had been a rookie play. But for some reason, Jay knew she would not pressure him on it further. Once the doctor was finished, they exchanged the typical farewell pleasantries and he was out.

Jay had planned to give Lenny a visit, and possibly an apology, but it had been difficult for him to reach the operative. First, he was given wrong directions by the receptionist. Then, a nurse distracted him momentarily before bringing him to Spectre's room. He had apparently requested for a "catch up." After all the walking, he was beginning to feel the ache of the newly-sewn wound. When he had finally made his rounds to Lenny's room, he found Zora stationed outside the door.

"Zora," Jay started softly as he approached. Her eyes met his, still holding the reddish tinge they had adopted in the aftermath of Eugene.

"Jay," Zora chose her words carefully. "I think it would be best to come back at another time."

Jay blinked, holding back any emotion that could have displayed on his face.

"If I can ask..." Jay watched as Zora's face twisted just slightly. That was all the answer he needed. He meant to ask who she was speaking on behalf of–Lenny or herself–but her expression had been enough. Instead, he exhaled with a simple: "When may I return?"

"Try again tomorrow," Zora's response was not optimistic, but honest. Both her and Lenny needed time to recover. Having a partner for so long, one that matched as perfectly to the other as they did, was hard to come by and much more difficult to maintain. Even if Zora and Lenny had agreed to help, Jay had still in some part risked that kinship. He understood the temporary damage that had been done, and he did not take offense to it.