I've kind of given up the whole keeping each of these under a page, because this one is almost two pages. Oops.
"What's up with you?" Sara asked, standing in Leonard's doorway.
She'd let herself into his room. She always let herself in now. He always put on a bit of a show whenever she came in, rolling his eyes and asking why she never knocked, but it was just an act.
Today, he was sitting on his bed with his legs stretched out in front of him. He was staring stiffly at the opposite wall, glancing up only when Sara spoke.
The Waverider had crash landed in Fort Worth, Texas after a particularly gruesome battle. It was May 5th, 1995. On that day, the worst thunderstorm in U.S. History took place, one that would cost Texas millions in repairs. Rip had assured the team that they were perfectly safe inside the Waverider, that the timeship had endured much worse than some hail and a bit of rain.
They had all been on the main deck, watching the storm from the safety of the Waverider when Sara noticed that one member of the team was missing.
She found Leonard in his room, blasting 70's music so loud she could barely think.
"Hey, cut the music, will you Gideon," Sara called. The music stopped was replaced by the sound of heavy rain and hailstones hitting the Waverider from all sides. "What's up with you?"
"Wasn't in the mood for a show," Leonard replied, tipping his head in the direction of the main deck where the team was watching the storm. He closed his eyes as thunder rolled overhead.
"Aw, is the elusive Captain Cold afraid of a thunderstorm?" Sara hid a giggle behind her hand, but there was no mocking in her voice.
"I'm not afraid of them," Leonard insisted, flinching as another quacking crash of thunder shook the Waverider.
"Yeah, I'm sure that was more convincing in your head." Sara raised her eyebrows, "Funny, I kind of had you pegged as a thunderstorm kind of guy."
Leonard shrugged. Sara crossed the room and sat on the edge of the bed, one foot on the floor, the other leg stretched out next to Leonard's. She'd gotten into his space. She knew it, he knew it. Now, it was his move.
He decided — hard as it may be — to give her a bit of what she wanted.
"I've told you about my dad." Leonard began. Sara didn't reply, just let him say what he needed to say. He appreciated that. Others would try to sympathize with him, or expect him to want to discuss his feelings. Not Sara. Sara just listened silently and when he was done, he was done. They would move on. "Yeah, my dad liked a good thunderstorm. It meant he didn't have to be as careful. He could yell louder and hit harder and all without worrying about the neighbors catching on."
Leonard flinched again as thunder rumbled. Sara took his hand, lacing her fingers between his. She sat for a few moments before she took away her hand and reached for the deck of cards she knew Leonard kept in his bedside table.
"Gideon," Sara said, handing the cards to Leonard, "Turn the music back on."
I'll be back soon with number 3!