BR   ...

BR   Oh, it's you

You jump. Damn it, you should’ve expected this. Even if she was half-conscious, she would’ve felt a presence. That’s just how perceptive she is.

BR   Why are you here?

MR   Uh. Well.

MR   Jus’... checkin’ somethin’.

BR   Checking something

BR   Here

MR   It's a bloody coincidence, okay?

MR   I've got lots'a business in places like this.

BR   I would hope you wouldn't o_o

MR   Get any sodden ideas out of your head.

MR   I ain't a monster.

MR   Jus'... know people who go through it.

MR   But hey, while we're on the subject...

MR   You look like shit.

MR   What've you been through to look all knackered?

MR   Tried to duke it out wit' a tornado or somethin'?

BR   ...

She stares at you, searching you for… something. Seemingly satisfied, she looks down.

BR   Nothing that bad

BR   Or strange

She starts coughing violently into her shoulder. It's making the IV drip attached to her, as well as the elaborate mechanism beside her, tremble and shake. It sounds like someone is throttling her.

BR   ...

BR   So, remind me

BR   Why I have your company all of a sudden?

You scoff, making strides toward the bed.

MR   Bullshit.

BR   What?

MR   Bullshit that it's not bad.

MR   You look like a bloody mess.

BR   It's not that bloody o_o

MR   It's a figure'a speech, you blue bellend!

MR   Shakin’ like a leaf, coughin’ up all kinds’a… just look at you!

MR   The fuck have you done to make you like this?

MR   A harsh word would put'ya down, for Christ's sake.

There's that lovely glare you're so used to seeing these days. What a treat, to have it up close and personal.

BR   As you’ve said plenty and I’m still conscious, I think I’ll be fine

Then she averts her eyes again. Like the bedding or the sterile scenery is more worth her attention.

MR   ...

You grab her by the arm. It's enough to make her jolt back and wince.

MR   Yeah. You’re in a damn fine state, right?

MR   That’s why you’re not even botherin’ to bat my hand away.

MR   Means you’re all better now.

MR   Hell, in your prime, even.

MR   Bet you could beat me now, eh, Brigadier?

BR   ...

BR   Let go of me

It’s that damn stubbornness keeping her from even trying to wrench her arm away. From fighting back. Well, two can play at that game.

MR   You know who you’re talking to?

MR   If I could afford it, I’d have spent most’a my life in beds like this.

MR   Beaten raw. Beaten real bloody.

MR   'nough to make the crimes scenes you're used to look like playgrounds.

MR   I've been through the damn wringer.

MR   I know what the body can take.

MR   And unlike me, you can’t take a beatin’.

You jut a thumb at yourself. And when she responds, it's louder. Like she's been waiting to say it.

BR   Yes

BR   Yes, I know exactly who you are

You throw her arm back, ignoring how she grits her teeth to stifle any cries of pain. A barbaric part of you hopes it left a bruise. Something she can look at and feel to remember this encounter. You want it to hurt.

MR   You bloody goddamn self-righteous tosser.

MR   Don't act like you know all that's goin' on.

MR   You don't know what the hell I've been through.

MR   What I've had to do to survive.

BR   Survive?

Her smile is bitter, angry. Good. You were getting sick of that blank expression of hers.

BR   You could have lived, Maura

BR   A normal life, with everyone else

BR   Even with what happened -

MR   Yeah?

MR   You wanna talk about it?

MR   What the fuck do you know about that, huh?

MR   Everything was taken from me! Did you want me to sit an' accept it?!

BR   Even then, you should've known better

MR   Oh, so it's all my fault, then?

BR   You were the one digging yourself a deeper and deeper hole

BR   Until all that was left was the mess you made

BR   The mess you're still in

BR   The mess people like me have to clean up

BR   So, maybe I don't understand what you've been through. Not at all

BR   But I know who you were

BR   And that person could've made the right decision

MR   ...

She doesn't get it. She doesn't get anything. And she's taunting you, sitting there all battered and broken. The world has already had its go at her. What could you add to it?

So, all you can do is match her glare. It's as if neither of you can muster the words you want to say.

BR   ...

Finally, she closes her eyes and leans back, her head resting on her pillow.

BR   Please go

MR   ...

BR   If you don't leave, I'm calling the nurse

MR   ...Pfeh.

MR   What's wrong? Don't got the stones to get rid'a me yourself?

MR   You're missin' a perfect chance.

You put your wrists out, as if primed to be cuffed.

MR   I'm right in front'a you, aren't I?!

MR   It's never been easier!

MR   C'mon! Get what you want!

MR   Put it all to an end, for fuck's sake!

BR   ...

BR   A hospital is a place of peace

BR   And you haven't hurt me

BR   No, you wouldn't hurt me. Not here

BR   I have no obligation to take you in

She looks at you, your outstretched wrists, like you're the scum of the earth. Like you're not worth anything to her, not anymore.

BR   But once I'm out, and I see you again

BR   I will stop at nothing, absolutely nothing

BR   To make sure you are caught and tried justly for all you've done

BR   Everything

There's a sick taste in your throat. You turn around and spit into the garbage can on your way out.

MR   ...dunno why I bloody bothered.