For the Love of Gav

Thursday

When it came time the next day, they all filed down to the single meeting room in the Super 8, Nashteth carrying the protesting Crusoe, who was writing rude things on his Ziploc. She had informed Leo and Nina that once the Tribunal started, he would be released, but under a temporary dampener that would not allow him to utilize any of his abilities until the Tribunal allowed.

They got to the door and Nina could see five others, already seated and waiting, looking nervously at each other. She guessed they didn't do these very often. Nashteth and Ed went in, but Gav stayed back for a moment.

"You'll have to wait out here." he told Leo and Nina.

"What? I want to be in there. We can speak on your behalf, support you!" Nina protested. Leo nodded eagerly in agreement.

"No humans. I'm sorry. They won't allow it."

"Rocky..."

"I know." He gave her a big hug. "I would never have gotten this far without you two. Whatever is ahead, I owe you everything. I'm lucky to count you as friends."

Leo put a hand on Gav's shoulder, squeezing it with emotion. "Good luck, buddy."

Gav put his hand on Leo's, returning a little squeeze. He smiled gently, and then turned into the meeting space, closing the door behind him. Nina watched, and continued to watch, even after the door had closed. She wiped a tear away. Why did it feel like goodbye? Why was she so worried for him? This should be a slam dunk. Crusoe would be punished and Gav restored.

A hand on her shoulder broke her out of her daze. It was Leo, looking down at her kindly. "Come on, we might as well get comfortable." He led her across the hall, where they sat down on the floor opposite the door.

They had no idea how long a Tribunal would last. It was hard not to worry. They tried to pass the time by talking about other things.

"It will be weird to get back to normal after this." Nina said.

"You're telling me. I'm going to have to go back and teach classes all the while knowing that Ed is out there transforming into any bird he wants."

"They won't need us anymore, you know."

"I hate to say it, Neens, but I'm not sure they ever did."

Nina grew quiet, and when Leo looked over he saw her eyes brimming with tears.

"Oh hey, I'm sorry, I didn't mean it."

"You're right, of course you're right. I mean, we helped, but they could have managed without us. It's just... I'm going to miss him, you know?" Uh oh, this level of emotion was dangerous. When you start admitting things like that, other things fall right out of your mouth. "I don't have a lot of people in my life.. Not close people." She clamped her jaw shut, feeling it ache with tears++, regretting her vulnerability, but unable and unwilling to take it back. She buried her face in her knees.

"You've got me."

"You're Chris's friend."

"I can be Chris's friend and your friend. In fact, I'd say we've been friends independent of Chris for years."

She nodded silently.

What the hell, if she could be vulnerable, he could too. "We could even be... More than friends."

Her head snapped up.

Abort abort abort. Leo backpedaled, "Or just friends. Friends is good too. Hey, you want something from the vending machine? I saw one on the second floor..." He stood up and started walking backward to the stairway, turning as quickly as he could, waiting and also not waiting.