Don't Say a Word

Seventeen

Robert eyed her on the ride home. She sat silently chewing her lip lost in thought as she stared out the window. "Spill it" "Hmm?" Nic only half listening turned her gaze to him. 

He frowned. "What's wrong with you? That didn't wear you out, hell you'd kept going if Jason hadn't lost it." Nic shrugged and looked back out the window. "I don't know, I guess I'm tired of being a circus freak with you guys. When can I get my own place? Some resemblance of my own life? I've played along, I've worked with you, but I'm tired of being tested constantly. I'm tired of being locked up on a daily basis."

She glanced back at him, staring back at the road with a scowl on his face. "I didn't realize you were so unhappy." She sighed and looked back out the window. "I honestly don't feel like consoling you right now Robert. I know I should, but right now I just don't care." 

His scowl deepened but the ride was silent the rest of the way back to his home. She slipped out of the truck before he had it in park and walked up to the door. Her hand brushed over the door unlocking it before she turned the nob and walked inside. Locked away, what a joke. She could leave if she wanted, but what good would that do her? 

Robert followed behind grumbling as she magic'd the door open. He locked it behind them and silently retired to his room, pausing at the door. "We will go to the Elysium tomorrow. Be ready when I get up." 

Nic waited till he closed the door to roll her eyes.  "be ready when I get up... yes master" she mumbled on her way to the shower. Being completely aware that her maturity level just dipped 5 years she didn't care. She'd clean up and go on to bed early so she could get up early and plan out her meeting tomorrow.

Her alarm went off at 5pm. She yawned and stretched, feeling a little stressed. She hadn't slept well worrying about how she would handle today. She got up and got ready for the meeting. She'd decided to wear a pair of jeans a cream tank with a plunging neckline that had a thin jacket of the same material to match. She wore matching cream stiletto heels for Madeline, she knew she appreciated someone who was willing to "dress the part".

Eating breakfast at dinner time was weird for a while, but she was getting use to it. At least when she was with Nicolas she could go out during the day. She was beginning to miss the sun. As she sat at the kitchen table she thought over her argument for Madeline.

When Robert came out of his room he glanced at Nic before walking out the front door. Obviously still upset over her words, he had retreated back to his anti-social self. Nic pushed out of her chair and followed him out, locking the door before running to get into the truck. He never spoke a word to her as he drove and she didn't push him.

When they arrived at the Elysium Nic followed him inside. She walked different now around those that filled these walls. Before she had been frightened, unsure, but now she walked as if she was fearless. Because, even though the side effects had worn off from the night before she was fearless. She knew she could burn this building down if she wanted and that knowledge made her feel more secure and unafraid.

Robert raised his hand telling her to stop before they reached the stairs. She simply nodded and turned away walking off to the side toward the displays. She figured he would meet with her first so it wasn't a surprise when he told her to stop. Though it was interesting that he wanted her to wait down here. She waited for what felt like hours in those shoes, before she stopped to stare at a painting. She was imagining what Raven would tell her about it, smiling at that thought, when she felt him behind her. He hadn't spoken and she didn't hear him approach but she knew he was there, she was pretty sure she knew when he entered the building.

She reached a hand back to his and leaned back against him. "Nicholas" His other hand slipped around her pulling her closer to him, his cheek brushed against hers. "You look lovely as usual Nicolette. I'm pleased to see you are not in combat boots today. Not fighting crime tonight?" He teased her.