The long walk home [[for Kaine]]

[adifferentlife]

The night had gotten late without Sybil realising it. The emergency room had been busy and she had stayed at the intake station well past the time her shift was supposed to be over. When it finally became quiet enough for her to leave the hour was nearing on three. All the girls that she would normally walk home with were gone, likely showered and in their own beds. The taxi that she called never arrived, and Sybil found herself frustrated, tempted to walk home on her own even though it was so late.

It was only after she remembered the murder that had happened so recently that she pulled out the phone and painstakingly pulled up Kaine's number. She tapped out a message, trying her best to not spell anything incorrectly and to use all the proper punctuation. A few minutes and she had sent it, asking if he was still awake and if he would walk her home from work. It was relief that she smiled with when the message came back that he would. She shouldn't be so dependent on him, she knew that, but who else was she to call? If this were Downton-

Sybil cut the thought off before it had time to fully form. This wasn't Downton and never would be. She'd adjusted to that, for the most part.

Comments

[adifferentlife]

Her hands fly to her mouth as she nearly squeals in delight. "You sound just like a cowboy must."

[badtotheclone]

Well great, I think I just opened up a whole can of worms here that I hadn't intended. I foresee lots of talking in a Texas accent for Sybil in my future.

"Not everyone in Texas talks like this," I say, still using the accent. "But enough of us do. Y'all probably think it's pretty weird."

[adifferentlife]

“Maybe somewhat strange, but nomoreso than some accents I’ve heard.” She’s still delighted, a skip coming into her step even at this late hour. “Tell me, is it like the wild west there?”

[badtotheclone]

"Uh, no," I say, shaking my head. Wally and Donald are always stressing to me how Houston is absolutely not like that. From what I've seen they're right, but it's still different form New York. Way different.

"Some parts are probably closer to it, but Houston is a modern city."

[adifferentlife]

"Hmmm. So rather like this one?" It's her only experience of a modern city and as such what she compares everything to. "That's rather disappointing."

[badtotheclone]

"That's like if I said it was disappointing that a bunch of people don't ride around wearing armor when you're from," I say.

I'm glad that it's not though, women were treated bad enough when she's from. Treated bad enough now.

[adifferentlife]

“I think that my American Grandmother has already gotten me used to that,” she teases. This is fun, she thinks, even though she’s tired and it’s so late. It’s that thought that drives her to kiss his cheek when they arrive at her building, just a peck but still a very forward thing. “Thank you for your company.”

[badtotheclone]

I feel my face flush a bit as she kisses my cheek but I know she doesn't mean anything by it. It's just a polite 'thank you' on her end. It's nice though and I don't mind it that much.

"Of course. Call me again if you get done late? I'll be up."

[adifferentlife]

"Or you will have your telephone nearby?" Her answer is teasing, squeezing his hand one last time before pulling keys from her bag.

[badtotheclone]

"Exactly," I say, smiling at her. I hope she does call me and doesn't worry about waking me up. I'd much rather lose a few hours of sleep than have her risk walking home by herself so late.

[adifferentlife]

She lets herself through the door, grateful for his friendship yet again. "Have a good night. Do get some sleep, or I'll feel awful about it tomorrow."