Concerning Freedom

[retrieverchef]

[Eliot wanders through the greenhouse. It's been almost three weeks since they'd last gone out. Soon, they'll go again. He doesn't know whether he looks forward to seeing the world outside this building again or dreaded what they'll do while they're out. They almost never just take a walk or just go to the store. No, everything has to be combined with some piece of this... Well, this war it seems Pamela can't stop fighting.

He sighs, trying to ignore the way her plants seem to try to follow him as he walks past them. It feels eerie, almost like something out of a horror movie. Idly, he wonders what his family is doing. There's a three hour time difference between Gotham and Seattle, so they're probably still rushing around the house, getting Alec and Parker ready for school. He wonders if they still think about him anymore.

He's broken out of his thoughts by the sound of crashing pottery.]

Comments

[retrieverchef]

[He hangs his head.]

Yeah. I'm sorry. I shouldn't've. But I came back. Couldn't let anythin' happen to you.

[pretty_poison]

[There was a large noise outside. The men were having a lot of problems getting past the plants. And so, were firing off their guns into the greenhouse. Which didn't do much, as the bullets just hit the plants]

[Pam cried out softly. She could feel the pain from her plants. And still was in pain herself. But it did make her senses more alert to their surroundings]

I didn't hurt them. I promised not to hurt anyone.

[retrieverchef]

I know you didn't. And if you did... [He shrugs.] Well, they hurt people just because they can.

[pretty_poison]

[A sharp ache of pain ran through her, and Pam clenched her hand on his hip.] They are outside.

[retrieverchef]

I know.

[He sighs.]

Are you going to be okay for now?

[pretty_poison]

[Her eyes filled with fear] No... you can't leave. They will hurt you.

[retrieverchef]

No! [He shakes his head firmly.] I'm not leaving you. But we still have some Tylenol or Asperin, I think. Unless you know of something better?

[pretty_poison]

Check the first aid kit. [Pam tried moving, but couldn't. She hissed in pain] Help me to the bed?

[retrieverchef]

Yeah. [He picked her up gently, cradling her in his arms.] I'll check the first aid kit when you're settled.

[pretty_poison]

[She rested her head against his chest. Her hands going gently around his neck. A part of her noted her was shirtless.]

Did you get hurt?

[retrieverchef]

What?

[He blinked at her question. Then he followed her gaze to his chest. Oh. He grinned.]

No, I'm fine. I just... Well, the first thing I could grab was my shirt. Guess I'm gonna need a new one next time we go out. Do we have a needle and thread in the first aid kit? I'm afraid you need stitches.

[He set her gently on the bed.]

[pretty_poison]

[He had a nice smile. Pam would say something flirty normally right about now... but another shock of pain took that away]

We should. Have you done this before?

[retrieverchef]

Yeah. [His voice is much quieter than usual and his smile faded.] I had to do this a lot before I went to live with Mom and Dad.

[pretty_poison]

What do I need to do? [She was trusting him a lot right now]

[retrieverchef]

[He bit his lip nervously. Stitches hurt. He'd given himself enough stitches to know that.]

You just lay there. Hopefully, there's some opium left.

[He left to get the first aid kit.]

[pretty_poison]

I should have some... grown... [Pamela tried to remember where]

[retrieverchef]

[Eliot returned with the first aid kit. He rummaged carefully through it, pulling out the needle and thread.]

It should be in here somewhere, then. I think I can find it.

[pretty_poison]

They won't hurt you [Pam whispered, referring to her plants]

[retrieverchef]

I know.

[His voice is barely more than a breath against her cheek. He keeps rummaging through the kit until he finds the small, dark vial. He pulls it out and pulls out the stopper.]

[pretty_poison]

[She reaches out to touch his face. She is touched that he came back. That he is here. Especially since the pain is so unbearable]

[retrieverchef]

[He carefully puts the vial to her lips and pours just a tiny amount into her mouth.]

That should feel better soon.

[pretty_poison]

[She can feel the drug enter her system. The warmness of the drug washed over her. And she sighed]

I think I am ready

[retrieverchef]

[He threads the needle and pulls down the edge of her waist band.]

You can take my shirt away, now. I'll try to make sure it don't hurt too bad.

[pretty_poison]

[She removes the shirt, but holds it by her face. It gives her something to cover her mouth and muffle any screaming. The drugs also help.]

[retrieverchef]

[He holds the edges of the gash together as gently as he can and forces the needle through the skin, pulling the thread through. He pauses briefly to tie a knot in the end before continuing stitching the wound as fast as he can.]

I'm sorry, Pamela.