Outside Work We... •[TNN One-shots]•

Helping Hands •|| MARJORIE + MIA ||•

Prompt: When something happens to Carly, Mia and Marjorie are forced to put their differences aside to help her.

The door to Marjorie’s office opened abruptly, the sound of Carly’s chair scraping against the floor echoing through the quiet hallway. Mia, leaning casually against the wall with her arms crossed, raised an eyebrow as Carly bolted out. The younger woman looked up briefly, her face flushed and tears threatening to spill.

“I’m sorry,” Carly mumbled hurriedly before brushing past Mia and rushing down the corridor.

Mia straightened, her smirk fading as she turned to see Marjorie stepping out of the office in pursuit. For once, Marjorie’s usually composed demeanor was cracked, concern etching lines across her face.

“What’s going on?” Mia asked, her voice laced with mild curiosity.

Marjorie sighed, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “Not now, Mia,” she snapped, but it lacked her usual bite.

Mia was about to retort, something cutting and sarcastic, but the rare vulnerability in Marjorie’s tone stopped her. Instead, she tilted her head, watching as Marjorie glanced toward the direction Carly had gone.

“Is it about…?” Mia trailed off, gesturing vaguely, her sharp gaze softening as realization dawned.

“Yes,” Marjorie admitted, almost reluctantly. “She’s not eating again. Charlotte noticed, and…” She trailed off, the rest unsaid but painfully clear.

For once, Mia held her tongue, shoving her hands into her pockets and nodding toward the exit. “Come on, then. She ran outside.”

Marjorie hesitated for a moment, surprised by Mia’s uncharacteristic lack of snark, but followed as Mia strode down the hall.

The winter air was sharp against their faces as they stepped into the car park. It didn’t take long to spot Carly, huddled in the far corner, her arms wrapped tightly around her knees. Her sobs were quiet but wracked her small frame.

Marjorie took a step forward, but Mia held up a hand, stopping her.

“Let me,” Mia said softly, an unexpected gentleness in her tone. Without waiting for a response, she walked over, crouching down beside Carly.

“Hey, kid,” Mia said quietly, her voice surprisingly warm. “Rough day, huh?”

Carly sniffled, glancing up at her. “I didn’t mean to upset anyone. I just… I don’t know how to talk about it.”

“I know,” Mia said, her voice uncharacteristically patient. “But running away doesn’t fix anything. Trust me, I’ve tried.”

Marjorie joined them, kneeling on Carly’s other side. “We’re not angry, Carly. We’re worried. That’s all.”

The three of them stayed like that for a while, sitting in the cold, the tension easing as Carly’s breathing steadied. For the first time in a long while, Mia and Marjorie shared a glance—one that carried no hostility, only a shared understanding.

They could bicker all they wanted later. Right now, Carly needed them.

[A/N: Just a friendly reminder that you are not alone! There are people in your life that want to help you, so please, let them.]