In Pursuit Of ✔

Coast to Coast

Standing in the hotel room bathroom, Henley finally took in the state of it and was not impressed. Usually, she and Nick stayed in relatively nice places that were, most importantly, clean. This was anything but, and not because of the major first aid operation that had taken place the night before. The room was just gross.

But Henley felt grosser, so braving the shower was necessary. She had woken up on her own, sunlight streaming into the room and onto her face. Nick was already up; Henley was grateful. She didn't particularly want to face the fact that they had slept in the same bed right at that moment. She didn't regret it, and she believed that it helped her sleep better, but it wasn't a discussion for the current moment.

Nick helped her get her bandages off and stitches protected by a waterproof covering so she could more easily wash off the grime that remained from the previous night.

Despite the grungy shower, the water refreshed Henley just a bit and she turned off the water feeling clean for the first time in a long time. Combined with a clean pair of jeans and a t-shirt, hair brushed and pulled up into a ponytail, Henley at least began to look a bit like herself again, despite her still very obvious mental and physical injuries

After wrapping up her injuries in fresh bandages, Henley went out to find Nick ready to go. He held out a plate of breakfast food for her.

"I called down for them to bring this up," he said.

On the plate was a variety of some of Henley's favorite hotel breakfast foods. "I'm surprised they have such variety here." Henley's heart warmed slightly at Nick's thoughtfulness, and how much he paid attention to her preferred foods.

He glanced around the room. "Yeah, I think it's time to leave this place." He grabbed both of their bags, and Henley followed him out of the room, picking at a slight stale cinnamon roll.

"Where are we going?" The two were back to driving on an endless freeway, still heading north.

"D.C."

"Are you sure that's the best idea?"

"Why not? We don't know exactly who's with Tayson, but based on what he told you, it seems very unlikely D.C. is a part of it, and even if a few people there are, they won't be able to do anything when you're surrounded by other agents."

"I meant about you. If Tayson called them and said you were the traitor, won't you be public enemy number one right now?"

Nick's eyes flickered briefly off the road. "You're worried about me?" he asked in disbelief.

"Well, if there's a chance we're going to walk into the D.C. office and you're going to get shot or arrested or something, yeah."

"Given that you'll be walking in with me, they're certainly not going to shoot me. They'll most likely take us both in for questioning, separately, and given that I assume you'll vouch for me, they'll determine that our stories match up and I'll be in the clear. But, honestly, it doesn't really matter what happens to me."

"Yes, it does."

"No, it doesn't." Nick's voiced began to get slightly heated. "You need to be safe. That's the whole point of getting you to D.C., where we know that Tayson can't touch you. Nothing else matters."

"What happens to you matters to me," Henley said stoutly.

"It shouldn't." Nick's voice was bitter. "I failed you."