Marion's Penthouse Apartment

[Marion]

Marion looked in the fridge and with a frown realized that Andrew had polished off the last of the milk when he'd made coffee that morning while they went over the last notes in her current case file.

Full moon's obviously got him all mixed up too.

She glanced at her cup of tea and sighed. She'd have to drink it straight while she got ready for bed. But actions had consequences. She turned to her counter and picked up her cell phone. Speed dialing Andrew's number, she waited while it rang.

[Marion]

Conversation viewed in The Onyx thread

Marion hung up the phone, an amused smile on her face. It sounded as though there would be juicy details to get in the morning, as well as a hangover to be delicate around. She pulled out her brightest colored shirt to wear under her best black blazer. The contrast would kill him. She gave another wicked laugh, then grew serious again.

He'll be fine. You should be more worried about how Mara is settling in with Cole... or why Heidi hasn't called you in a few days...

She made plans to go see the pack in the next few days - but she'd call Heidi first to see if it was a wise decision - she never went at full moon without permission.

Giving a yawn, she threw herself onto her queen sized bed, and curled up around a pillow - envying Andrew his company for the evening for a moment and even for a shorter moment, wondering if she needed a cat, since a man was obviously not written in her cards.....but she was asleep before it could spend too long in her mind.

[Marion]

Marion awoke with sunlight streaming across her face - she'd forgotten to pull the blinds completely shut. Mumbling, she rolled over and peered blearily at the clock. 8:30. Damn. She pulled herself out of bed, but unhurriedly - she knew that Andrew would not be on time this morning. He'd be lucky if he was still standing upright. After a quick shower, she pulled on the clothes she'd laid out and headed into her kitchen. "Damnit." There still wasn't milk.

He better get here soon. With an evil grin, she began getting breakfast things out.... eggs were not good the morning after...

[andrew]

Andrew definitely was not in prime condition when he dragged himself into the building, forty-five minutes later. He was tired and still a little ill from the previous night, his head pounding with every little noise and light. Damn . . . I gotta remember next time about those drinks. After picking up the milk for Marion, he'd been too tired and drained to ride his bike in, like normal, and so he'd paid to have a cab bring him this far, though he was loathe to part with the money necessary. Grumbling to himself, he dragged himself up the stairs and to the front door, fishing for his key before he managed to get the door open and slip inside.

He looked, to be perfectly honest, like hell. His hair stuck up far worse than usual, though he'd tried to get it manageable when he'd woken up, fifteen minutes late. He was wearing his suit for the meeting, having at least had the presence of mind to take a shower and clean up before coming over. However, he was definitely not in a condition to really be considered an effective legal presence. His tie was very loose, having obviously been loosened on his way here, and his shirt was completely untucked. He was completely and utterly rumpled, and couldn't bring himself to care as he stumbled into the kitchen, dragging his feet the entire way.

"Hey . . . Brought your milk."

[Marion]

"Well hello sunshine." Marion was facing the counter, cracking eggs into a bowl. "Scrambled okay with you?" She waited til he put the milk on the counter, then poured herself a cup of coffee. The trick was, she drank it black - and his state last night obviously proved he remembered very little detail. Taking a sip, she turned around slightly from the pan and nearly choked on her next sip.

"Good lord." She stifled a laugh. "You look ...like hell."

[andrew]

The little greeting did little for his mood, and he grimaced faintly at the sound of her voice. Dammit, why did she have to sound so LOUD, right now? Then again, everything was extremely loud, to his oversensitive ears, including the sound of the eggs cracking. When her question registered, he balked a little, wrinkling his nose. "No, thanks . . . I'm really not hungry." That, ladies and gentlemen, was the understatement of the year, right there. He was pretty sure that if he put something into his stomach, it wouldn't stay there long . . .

When she turned to look at him, he couldn't help but grimace and close his eyes at the color contrast of her clothes. Was she just TRYING to make his headache worse? Of course not, but with his mind the way it was right then, he couldn't be sure. At her words he rolled his eyes slightly, rubbing a hand over his face in a tired manner. "Thanks, really. And here I thought it was my best look."

[Marion]

"Nah, your best look is confident lawyer - sadly you don't bring that one out to see much at all." Marion took pity on his pale face and took off the bright scarf from her neck. Tucking it into her pocket, she put two pieces of plain toast on a plate and handed them to him. "Here - chew slowly and thoroughly - and have a cup of coffee after you - " she poured a huge glass of water and handed that to him to - "down this." Pointing to the table where two aspirin sat, she smiled a little. "I've been there a few times. You'll feel almost human again soon."

[Marion]

After the skip

Marion curled on the couch, impatiently wondering where Andrew was. He'd left over an hour ago for a video and to run an errand he'd had planned... "I should've made him take the car..." She absently rose and began to make some popcorn, not really watching the news.

[Marion]

Reaction to phone call in Hyperion thread.

Popcorn crunching under her bare feet, Marion ran for her closet, finding the closest pair of shoes she could find - a white pair of sneakers, and threw the nearest sweatshirt she could find over her head. She didn't realize it was Andrew's sweater until she was halfway out the door, but she didn't care.

He was her family, and he was hurt. And she'd be there, woe to any who got in her way.

Continued at the Hyperion

[Marion]

Post Time-Skip

Marion stood in the shower, wishing that it would take away the aching feeling as it flowed down the drain. She and Billie had finally gotten Andrew home to her penthouse apartment, and had made him comfortable in the extra room in her office. He'd protested so strongly to staying in her apartment that she didn't have the energy to fight. There was a bathroom and shower stall in the back room of her office, and between herself and Billie they'd made the pull out couch up and she'd stocked the fridge. He said if he needed her, he'd call - but she was going to check on him later on no matter what.

It had rocked Marion to her core that he'd been hurt. Maybe she'd go to the police station and see if the report was being properly filed... putting her head back under the water, she sighed.

First, get coffee. There would be time for more thought later. She'd call Heidi after she finished here and check on things at the Hyperion first.

[Marion]

Her daze was interrupted by her cell phone's chirp. For a moment, she just stayed, then realized that it was the divert from the office line. It could be important. Shutting off the water quickly, she stumbled from the shower and swore, nearly dropping the phone in her haste. "Barnes Law, Marion speaking."

"Hey there Marion, it's Justin at the courthouse library," said the voice on the other end. "I was trying to reach Andrew, is he in yet?"

Pulling her robe on, her mind worked for a moment, then she remembered Justin. "Justin! No - no. Andrew is going to be out of commission for a little while." She related the night's events to him quickly.

"Oh, man, I'm really sorry to hear that," said the librarian. "He's going to be all right, though?"

Marion tied her robe and wiped the phone before answering, swinging her wet hair around to the other side of her head. "He'll be fine, he's staying downstairs in the office til he's feeling better - at the very least until the stitches come out." She opened the bathroom door and padded into the kitchen, turning on the coffee maker. "Can I help with something?"

"I just wanted to let him know that the books he was looking for came in this morning. I'll hold onto them for him."

"Which books? Can I come get them?"

He rattled off a brief list of titles. "Of course you're welcome to swing by. Or I could meet you someplace -- maybe for lunch?"

"Surely. I haven't seen you since the ugliness passed over. How are you, by the way?"

"I'm hanging in there." The voice was very slightly sad. "My brother's moved in with me now, so at least I'm not alone anymore."

"Oh, he's in town? That'll be wonderful for you." Marion smiled. Justin was a dear man - his former wife had been a real piece of work. It had only been Andrew's quick work that had kept her from making off with everything he'd owned. "You should get yourself a pet."

"Might look into it," he agreed. "If Jon's up for it, that is. He's here permanently, or at least long-term. I'll have to introduce the two of you."

"As long as you promise to call me Marion, not Bulldog. I blame you for that nickname."

"Guilty as charged," Justin admitted. "I'll let you tell him about that yourself. Tell you what -- if Andrew's feeling up to leaving the house, why don't you both come out to our place for dinner? I'll take the books home with me."

"Andrew's set up with Billie tonight - she's going to make him dinner and I think he's best to stay put. If you'll take just me, I'll come along tonight and bring a bottle of Shiraz."

"Sounds great. Give the bookworm my best, will you? We'll see you around seven."

"I certainly will. See you at seven."

She hung up and breathed out slowly. It would be an ideal evening. She'd finish getting dressed and call over to the Hyperion.. but.. after she had her coffee.

Co- Written with Mayhemme, taking Justin's role

[Marion]

Marion drained her coffee mug, dressed quickly and went to her car - heading over to the Hyperion. Cole would want to know how Andrew was - all the wolves would... especially Annelise, who had been there when Andrew first came in.

She left, slamming the door behind her. She knew where to find everyone too, on the morning after - there was only one place to congregate.

Continued at The Hyperion: In The Kitchen