Brodi was having one of those days where getting out of bed was just a bad idea. He had overslept, something that had been happening more frequently since his hospital stay. He knew is body was trying to heal itself, that the oversleeping was a sign that he was not giving himself enough time to sleep. However, considering that he had been unconscious for three weeks, Brodi really didn't WANT to sleep. He wanted to just enjoy being alive, being with his friends, being with Elise, being AWAKE. He knew, of course, that he wasn't being logical or even giving his physical condition time to correct itself. Still, he had this aversion to sleep, an aversion that wasn't helped by the knowledge that his original injuries had been perhaps moderate but nowhere near severe enough to warrant his being in a coma for three weeks.

Further knowledge that this coma was the result of a doctor's misguided practice—suffice it to say that Brodi had a firsthand understanding of why Psymon hated hospitals so much. Nonetheless, Brodi had kept a doctor's appointment in the hopes that he'd be taken off of medical leave, but the doctor had extended it for another two weeks. He knew, of course, that he wasn't doing all he could to take care of himself and that was one of the reasons he had not been released. To make matters worse, he'd had to skip his morning meditation just to make this medical appointment because he'd overslept. Once or twice wasn't going to matter much, but he'd skipped meditation several times recently and that wasn't going to help him get back on track, either. The season was going to be over by the time he got back out on the slopes, and he was just itching to get back out there. He supposed he should be glad that Rahzel and Atomika were setting up appearances for him so that he could supplement the disability, but he was left itching for a good race. So yeah, frustrated would be the mildest thing he could say about how he felt right now.

Then he'd felt, all morning long, like he was being followed. He'd caught a glimpse of someone once, but was praying he was wrong. He was probably just feeling antsy because of the appointment he'd had, because of his lack of sleep, and because he was letting his spiritual practice slip, but it felt good to get back to the lodge and be headed for the safety and familiarity of his room.

"So, I know you recognize me. I can see it in your eyes every time you notice me. Why haven't you had security remove me yet?"

Brodi froze in place in the alcove, his hand on the inner doors. He hadn't heard anyone come up behind him, but he didn't have to turn around to know who was speaking to him. Well, that put an end to ideas about his just being paranoid. And judging from the time of day—it was just after 11am—the lodge was going to be deserted. Everyone was at a race or practicing and wouldn't be heading in for lunch for at least an hour, so he truly was alone at the moment. Doubtless there was no one in the lodge but administrative staff. He took a deep breath while considering how to answer this creature who had been stalking him.

"You can turn round and answer honestly. You won't hurt my feelings."

Another deep breath. He could do this. Slowly he turned around to face her. "Lauryll. Hi. Yes, I had noticed you were around. But believe me, my dear, fear of hurting your feelings had not entered my mind."

The woman standing behind him scowled.

"Ouch. But yes, I deserve that. You still haven't answered my question, though."

Brodi tilted his head and looked at the petite brunette. She was still pretty, still possessed an air of innocence he knew was a façade. "I can certainly arrange for your removal if you prefer. But, since I'm not in the habit of leaving my drinks unattended anymore, I have friends and an employer who would notice if I'm missing for more than a day, and I lock my door now, I haven't been overly concerned. No Coby and Daniel, either. Unless they're hiding."

Lauryll shrugged. "Dead? In jail? Don't know, don't really care. I'm just…look, I know I'm the last person on earth you want to talk to. But let me say my peace and I'll just walk away."

Brodi leaned against the wall with a casualness he didn't feel, crossing his arms over his chest. "Go on."

Lauryll took a step forward, then stopped, apparently deeming it wise to stay beyond arms' length.

"I know--I know that sorry isn't enough. But I am. Sorry, that is. For what they—for what we—did to you. I swear I didn't know Coby was going to do what he did. Not that it matters, because I did go along with it. He knew I wanted you, Brodi, so he was adamant that I have you. But, uhm, " Lauryll looked down briefly, then looked back up at him. "His own ego was going to make damned sure you paid for it. Do you remember the last conversation I had with you?"

"Highly doubtful, Lauryll. My mind was a little foggy between the dehydration and the drugs." He actually did remember, but damned if he was going to let her know that.

"Coby was going to kill you. Did you know that? Would've been easy, too—surfer boy gets lost in the ocean, no one would've known the difference. The last time was to be the farewell carnival ride, so to speak. When I finished with you," Brodi closed his eyes as she said those words, " I kissed you, and when you didn't respond, I remember crying and asking you why it was so hard to love me."

Lauryll seemed to feel braver now, and took another step towards him. He willed himself to remain casually leaning against the wall. He was in no danger from her—there was no way she could hurt him since he had a clear head free of drugs—but he still had no desire to be anywhere near the woman.

"It was always your eyes that got to me—such beautiful eyes. And you opened your eyes when I asked you why, and even after all you had been through, you said only one thing. "Look at me, Lauryll," you said, "This isn't love. You don't do this to someone you love." That's when I really, really looked at you and saw what we had done to you. Your face was so swollen and bruised, your hands were covered in blood from fighting against the restraints…"

"Lauryll, I remember enough of it quite well. I don't need a grocery list. Go find some other way to cleanse your soul."

"My point," she spat, her eyes flashing with enough anger to tell Brodi all he needed to know about her claims of remorse, "is that I saw your injuries clearly for the first time. Your words broke through to me. I lied—told the guys I'd dosed you up again—and convinced them that we could party some more before finishing you off. I gave you back your life, Brodi Ford. I can't undo those three days, but I gave you back your life. I protected you. That should make up for something, shouldn't it?"

Brodi closed his eyes momentarily to center himself before speaking.

"Lauryll, I've heard enough. This conversation is over. Come near me again and you'll get slapped with a restraining order. Come near any of my friends, and you'll wish you'd never laid eyes on me. And if you come near any of the kids—you won't have time to regret it. In short, it is in your best interest if you leave right now and don't come back."

Brodi turned his 6'4" fame and willed himself to walk away before he got sucked into any more conversation. As it was, he'd heard enough that he was probably going to have nightmares again for the next six months.

"Brodi, wait!"

He kept walking, though he wasn't sure where he was going. He damned sure wasn't going back to his room, at least not yet.

"Brodi, I protected you! Doesn't that mean something?"

Abruptly he made a left down the hall instead of going up the stairs, trying to ignore the desk clerk whose attention had been grabbed by the hysterical woman he had left in the alcove. The Gravitude, he decided, would be full this time of day, various staff members trying to get in an early lunch and get back to work before the chaos of the circuit riders arrived. It would be the perfect place to chill out for a little while. It wasn't so much that he wanted company. He really didn't. He just didn't want to be alone.