Moving Forward (Completed)

Chapter Twenty Four

The alarm went off at five thirty like it always did, but today Katherine struggled to get out of bed. After they left the precinct, Amanda had taken them by the hospital briefly so MJ would see her mom and then they stopped by MJ's apartment so she could pack clothes for the duration of her stay with Katherine. The apartment had been slightly larger than hers, still a one bedroom, but not nearly as well maintained... not well maintained... that was putting it nicely, the place was a dump. The floors had more gauges than smooth spots, the paint was peeling, and the closet door wasn't the only place with gaps were there shouldn't be. She had watched MJ pull all of her clothes from a small dresser that was kept along the living room wall and dump them in a trash bag. By the time they returned to her apartment it was well passed midnight.

"Morning Ms. Morgan." MJ yawned when Katherine exited her bedroom. She was sitting on the couch with the sheet and blanket still wrapped around her.

"Did you sleep ok?" Katherine asked as she started coffee.

"I did."

"I'm going to take a shower and you can take one after, ok?"

MJ nodded and Katherine slipped into the bathroom, quickly showering while the coffee brewed like she did every morning. She dressed in clean underwear, but put her pajama's back on before leaving the restroom.

"It's all yours."

MJ smiled and took a change of clothes with her as she disappeared into the bathroom. Katherine spent a few minutes gathering the things she'd need to take with her to work as she let her hair air dry a bit before styling it.

"Do you like eggs?"

"You don't have to make me breakfast, I'm used to not eating in the morning." MJ shrugged, her eyes lingering on the carton of eggs Katherine had pulled from her fridge.

"I'm making scrambled eggs for myself and can make a few extra for you if you're hungry."

"If it's no trouble..."

"It's not. Do you want to help, maybe toast and butter a couple pieces of bread?"

"Sure." MJ nodded, joining Katherine in the kitchen.

Katherine pulled the toaster down from its cabinet and handed MJ the loaf of bread. "Butter is in the fridge and knives are in that drawer." She gestured to the drawer just below the counter MJ was standing at as she cracked eggs into a bowl.

They both quietly completed their respective tasks, Katherine rinsing the bowl and pan once the eggs and toast were plated.

"Do you make breakfast every morning?" MJ asked as they ate at the sage table by the window.

"Usually. Sometimes it's just cereal, but I am extra grumpy if I wait until lunch to eat."

"Hangry?" MJ chuckled.

"Pretty much." Katherine smiled. She realized it was only the beginning of day one, but so far having MJ in her home had been fairly easy. That may have had something to do with the fact that MJ was so afraid of being placed somewhere else that she was trying to be as little of an inconvenience as possible.

After they finished eating Katherine began cleaning the kitchen, like she always did.

"Can I help?" MJ asked.

"Sure." Katherine smiled, handing her a dish towel so she could dry the dishes after Katherine cleaned them.

They were both dressed and ready for school when Katherine noticed how dirty MJ's clothes were.