Seven days. It only took seven days for the entire world to crumble and the walls of civilization to fall. One day for each continent. She sat in her office staring out into skyline of what was in location only, Los Angeles. It hadn't been Los Angeles for almost a month now and she hadn't been sober since. They had called her everything. Those who didn't understand and never did. She was a monster and a savior for both bringing the end of the world and providing a place for those who escaped to stay and live. She was of course neither. What she had worked so hard to appear otherwise both to the rest of the world and to herself, she was in truth, just like them. Just another human being. Always was but it was now more apparent than ever as they were forced to hide underground in their "safe haven".

She moved away from the window to sit beside him. Sitting on the couch both hands grasping the drink she had poured for him. He hadn't been himself since it had happened but he was beginning to come around and to accept what was. He didn't even glance at her as she sat down. "Topher, you don't have to drink that"

"No it, it's fine. Doesn't help but...doesn't hurt"

He smiled and looked over at her

"Doesn't hurt. What, what part of me honestly believed that this ... this tech wouldn't hurt?"

"You couldn't have known, none of us knew."

"No, I should have known. I built the plans! I should have known I'm supposed to be a genius. I'm supposed to know these things."

She put her arm around him and he sunk into her shoulder

"Nobody could have known Topher. You must not put this on yourself. You don't have to know everything"

"But I do. If I don't know...if I don't know things then what do I have? I can't fix it Adelle. I can't fix it. I've always known things and I've always been able to fix it but the one time it mattered, I couldn't and didn't do a thing. I have nothing."

"None of us do." She swallowed the rest of her drink and pried his from out of his hands. "You really shouldn't be drinking right now."

He laughed. She was the only one at this point who could still make him laugh even in irony. "Says the person whose body has more booze than blood in it at this point."

She didn't chide him for his cheek she just took a swig from his drink. "You need sleep".

"You need sleep too."

"I'm fine"

"Then so am I."

"Topher.."

"No, it doesn't work like that anymore. We're equals now."

She scoffed into her drink "Oh in everyway."

He pulled the drink out of her hands "No more Adelle. I'll sleep when you're sober."

"Then you'll be awake for a long time I'm afraid. You're coping with this through a slow descent into insanity and I'm coping with a slow descent into alcoholism"

It was harsh but he didn't even recoil "There's nothing slow about your descent. Clean it up Adelle."

He was much more aware now and was gaining lucidity through her mistakes. "You don't get to judge my decisions. This is what I need." She moved over towards to bar to pour herself another glass but he met her hand and pulled the glass away from it.

"Well what I need is you and if you drink yourself into a coma then...then there will be no one left so, so no more Adelle."

He was looking up at her with such pleading. She thought that if it was anyone else she might not have listened, but she owed him this much at least. "I make no promises." She pulled her hand away from his and went to collapse back down on the couch now her head was between her hands. He came and sat back down next to her. He took her hand into his.

"Stay awake with me."

It wasn't a demand. It was a request. Neither of them were ready to face the demons in their own heads. She pulled the blanket over them.

"Of course."