Claudia slumped on the couch. She was having a horrible day. It had started out just fine, Pete was sober, H.G. and Myka had bagged another artifact, and Artie wasn't being overly grouchy with her. The new agent had ruined it all though.

It had started out simple enough, her and Alexandria, the new agent, had been sent to check out on one of the artifacts. Claudia and Alex had been getting along fine, which was new. At some point, Claudia had to reach up and grab something down from a high shelf. She hadn't been paying attention close enough, and her shirt sleeve slid just enough to show the ugly bruise she had gotten late the night before. Claudia hadn't notice till she had the artifact in hand and turned back around to Alex. It was then that Alex questioned her about the bruise. Instead of calmly saying she had fallen, Claudia freaked out and said that nothing was wrong. Alex dropped the subject, even though she wasn't completely convinced.

Alexandria Jamie Scott, the new agent. She had been introduced when H.G. had been reinstated as a full agent again. Of course, she wasn't a secret agent. She was only about 3 months older then Claudia, something Artie loved to rub in Claudia's face. Most of the team had been happy to have her aboard the Warehouse 13 team. Claudia was just about the only one her hadn't given Alex a warm welcome.

So, that's why Claudia was slumped on the couch, waiting for Leena to finish up making her a quick snack. She had run into the B&B shortly after she had given Artie the artifact. Leena always had a way of cheering her up when she was down, and she didn't normally ask to many questions.

"Claudia, what's wrong?"

Except for today. "I'm fine Leena; I just wanted some of your delicious cookies!" Claudia replied with a grin. Leena narrowed her eyes, obviously not amused by her lie. "Claudia, you came running in here so fast you nearly knocked me over. Now tell me, what's wrong?" Leena firmly told the red-head. Claudia resigned to her fate with a sigh.

"I had to re-find an artifact for Artie-" Claudia started.

"So? You do that all the time."

"-with Alex."

Leena gave Claudia a stern look. "Why do you hate her so much?" Claudia shook her head; she wasn't quite sure how to answer the question. She didn't exactly hate the newest member of Warehouse 13, but she didn't quite like her either. Having H.G. back was enough, even if the older woman saved her life. "She just doesn't set well with me. She came here the same time H.G. did. Maybe they're both evil or something." It wasn't exactly a lie, but it wasn't the truth either. Leena shook her head and set the tray of cookies down. "I'm pretty sure the 'or something' is what Alex is. You should go apologize for running off." Leena said as she walked back into the kitchen.

Claudia looked down at the plate of cookies and back at the Inn's front door. Leena was right, she should go apologize. She wasn't though. Claudia picked up the plate of cookies and started toward her small room in the inn.

Once inside the safety of her room, she pulled her long-sleeved shirt off and put on a black tank top. She made sure the door was locked and took a good look at her arms. A good amount of purple bruises littered her right arm, while her left arm only had one or two. The night before Pete had gone out to drink after a hard case, and came back completely wasted. He had yelled a few nasty insults at her and then pushed her to the ground. Things had gotten worse from there, he had left a variety of bruises as well as a slightly bruise around her cheek area. Thankfully, the one on her face had been easy to cover up. Everything was fine, because when she woke up the next morning Pete had apologized repeatedly.

Of course, she forgave him. Thinking back on it now, Claudia probably shouldn't have forgiven him so easily. She sank down on her bed, ready for a nap. She really needed to sleep off this stress.

A/N: I'll make this one short. I really would like some feedback about my writing. I know I'm not that good, but I'm trying to make my writing longer. If you have any questions about this story, feel free to ask me! Also, I do not own Warehouse 13.