Dimensions

"Could be worse. I could be good looking, someone you are trying to impress. Luckily I have neither of those two qualities." I glanced at her for a moment then ushered her into the kitchen and deposited her in a chair. "Either way. Food."

Veronica:

I glanced up at his face. “Well you have called your own self attractive on many occasion, so I call bullshit. I hope that doesn’t mean you think I’m trying to impress you. Those days are over,” I said and protested slightly at going to the kitchen instead of the garage. “I’ll eat at home, I told you,” I said but I didn’t try to get up on my own.

"Who says I'm doing this for you? You are just my prisoner until I take you home and I'm going to get every bit of enjoyment out of this that I can. Not everyday that I can hold something against you like this. Is this what it means to hold power?" Rubbing my hands together with glee I went through the cupboards and fridge to pull out what was basically leftovers. Simon was a decent cook, I was only an alright one. But I took pleasure in taking his meals. It was the little things today.

Veronica:

I put my face in my hands and groaned. “Tobi, I told you I wasn’t in the mood for your antics.” This was actually on the lighter side of what he usually did. “Look, I’m sorry I was short with you earlier, I know how sensitive you are. And I’m sorry I broke the glass, but can you please just take me home?”

Throwing the leftovers in the microwave I frowned at her. "I'm hungry. Stop complaining." I ignored her until the timer went off then walked over to drop the Tupperware of brown rice and teriyaki chicken down in front of her. "All your complaining has ruined my appetite. So you are going to eat this, then I'm taking you home."

Veronica:

I glowered up at him but eventually, I took up the fork and started picking at the food. I was actually fairly hungry. I ate about half before I pushed it away. "I'm full," I said, crossing my arms. my foot throbbed, and my other one was cold. This wasn't how I had imagined my evening to go.

While she ate I yawned, folded my arms, and let my eyes close.  But the second she declared she was done I cracked open an eye and nodded.  Stretching slightly I moved over to offer her a hand up.  "Shall we?"

Veronica:

I took his hand and stood up, balanced on one leg. "Why are you being this nice to me?" I asked, looking at him sideways. My heart tugged a little. It was hard when he was this close. Why did he have to be so damned attractive?

I looked at her and my brow furrowed. "Why? Because I can. Look. No matter what happened, I'm not that big of an asshole." Sliding an arm around her shoulders to help lead her out of the kitchen I continued, "And I'm not blind or an idiot. Someone has not had a bad day and I know for damn well the last thing I want is to be kicked even on days like that."

Veronica:

I put my arm around his back for support and limped awkwardly at his side. "I got stood up earlier," I admitted after a moment of silence. I wasn't sure why I said it. Maybe because even after a divorce and hardly speaking to each other, he was still my closest friend. I didn't make friends, only acquaintances. There was no one else to tell my problems to.

"You were going on a date? Explains the outfit." I did what I could to help ease her painful journey but I couldn't give her painkillers. Taking some with alcohol certainly wasn't going to be a good combination. Inwardly however I felt the smallest lurch in my stomach. Veronica was moving on with her life. It was good, for her. But it still hurt the tiniest bit.

Veronica:

I looked down at my outfit but I didn't see much past the cleavage. "It was pointless. Shouldn't have bothered dressing up. It's stupid." I shook my head. The only person to comment on my appearance had been Tobi, and I certainly hadn't done it to impress him. I had worn less for him before and barely got a reaction.

"Did you feel you looked good? If yes then it was worth it. If no...well then why the hell are you dressing up? Look. From a man's perspective we enjoy seeing you dressed up. But so too are we going to be spoiled by it so easily. Wear whatever damn well makes you feel good about yourself at any given time. If you decide you want to look extra special for someone else, make sure you feel good wearing it too." I berated her as I moved her carefully down the lobby steps to the front door.

Veronica:

I looked up at him uncertainly. “Where were these words when we were married?” I said, accusatory. It was unfair. He had done so much to help me with my problem. To make me feel better about the way I looked. To keep me from running to the restroom after a heavy meal. But then he was also the reason it came back. The reason I had to leave. The reason I had gone a week without keeping anything in my stomach long enough to absorb the nutrients.
But I was better now than I had been before I was with him. Now it only happened on occasion. Would I be able to say that if it hadn’t been for him?

"In here. Lost among data and research." My free hand tapped the side of my head before I dug into the pocket of my coat and drew out my keycard. Placing it at the slot to swipe I paused. "Question. How much trouble will I be in if I leave the DH unattended and alone? If I take you home then she is alone. If I dont take you home, you wont make it home."

Veronica:

I blinked having completely forgotten about her. “Ah, well…. I’m not going to stay here. So…” I sighed and a crease formed between my eyebrows. “I suppose just this once,” I said, he probably did it on a regular basis. “As your boss, I’ll allow it, but only if you come right back. No detours.” I eyed my heels, then stooped to pick them up. I wouldn’t be wearing these for a few days.

"Excellent, you gave me permission. It's on your hands now." Swiping the card without further comments, the doors slid open and I carefully led her out the door and to the car parked off to the side of the entrance, tucked away.

Veronica:

I settled into his car with his help. This was awkward. What an idiot I was to act so comfortable in his house, it was unprofessional. I looked out the window while Tobi got in the car.

Moving around to my side I sat down and sighed while starting up the car. We drove in silence to her place, a place I'd never been inside and only knew the address because for a while I had to mail off her letters. That wasn't even accounting for the few times I had gotten drunk and drove by. Parking outside I climbed out and opened her door. "Shall we?"

Veronica:

I looked up at him then climbed out. I didn’t question how he had gotten here without asking for direction once. He walked me to my door where I paused and turned to him. “Thank you,” I said softly, then I leaned in to hug him. It was different than just having an arm around each other, it was closer, more intimate, and I knew immediately that it was a mistake. As soon as I had him wrapped in my arms and my face was against his shoulder, I didn’t want to let go.

"Of course. I'll give you a few days before I hold all this against yo-" I cut myself off as she turned and hugged me. Slowly, carefully, like the moment was fragile and would evaporate at the slightest movement I returned the hug while my throat grew thick. It was hard to admit that this was something I missed. That I missed her. But I did. I missed her far more than I could admit.

Veronica:

My arms tightened and shrank into him. It was going to far, I had to let go. But he hugged me back, he didn’t shrink away like he wanted nothing to do with me. He had helped me today without much of his usual dark sarcastic humor. After a moment that lasted too long, I sighed and pulled myself away from him. I looked up to his face. “Thank you, again,” I murmured turning to unlock the door.

The hug went on for too long, it was dangerous. Rationally I knew this hug was just sending endorphines through our body. But the small part of me that knew feelings, that knew us...it told a different story and as much as I enjoyed the hug I wasn't sorry that it ended. After watching her go inside I turned and slid my hands into my labcoat making my way slowly back towards my car. It would be so easy to turn around, to go back and knock on the door and tell her I wanted to be sure she got settled okay, that I wanted to pet my dog. But it was all excuses and I cast aside the impulse and instead focused on driving home to where I knew I had a solution to what I was feeling inside. The answer would be found at the bottom of a bottle tonight.

Demi:

I was curled up on my bed when I heard the doctor come to my door. I sat up as the door swung open. “What time is it?” I asked looking at him suspiciously, it had been evening when Veronica came, but that was at least a couple hours ago. Usually the doctor had us working until late, from what I could tell anyway, but once he left, he didn’t come back.

"Late....maybe Early? Doesn't matter. Come on. Got a test, shouldn't take too long then you can go back to bed." Nodding I walked out, swaying just a tiny bit. I took a moment to pause next to my bottle to take a swig before I stopped beside a treadmill. "Endurance and reflexes. You'll sleep like a baby tonight."