AN: Oh, things are getting interesting! Hope you guys are liking this. Please enjoy :)
Cassie was asleep when Scott got back to the hospital. Maggie was asleep next to her and Paxton was gone. Either at work or making a stop at home, Scott simply grabbed one of the smaller chairs and pulled it up next to the bed.
He fell asleep with his hand tangled in Cassie's hair, using her as an anchor to his already messed up life.
When he woke up, he had a mini panic attack as he was slumped against the bed with no girl in it. He looked around wildly before finally spotting Paxton who was sitting in the large recliner in the corner.
"Where's—"
"It's fine Scott. Maggie went with her for another test. Tried to wake you but you were conked out. Had to untangle your hand from her hair."
Scott yawned and stood up. He was calmer now that he knew where Cassie was. "Are they coming back soon?"
"I think so. Doctors are offering a lot more options for treatment. Thanks to that friend of yours."
"Yeah, talk about luck," Scott chuckled nervously. He wondered if Paxton would press him for more information. Instead he said something worse.
"I know."
Well shit. "Wait you—god damn it Maggie I told her not to say anything," Scott cried out. His face dropped into his hands.
"If it makes you feel any better she didn't. At least not all of it."
"About…" asked Scott hesitantly.
"Well I knew you were a prostitute from almost the point you reentered Cassie's life."
Scott wrapped his arms around himself protectively. He almost asked how but threw that away. He was a cop. It didn't matter how. What mattered was why he hadn't done anything about it. "You didn't throw me in jail."
"No. Mostly due to Maggie, so I'd thank her for that, but also because you were still trying. To get out that is. Seems like you've found a way."
"You don't approve," Scott muttered, noticing the look in Paxton's eyes.
"Not exactly. It's great that you're getting out. But with Darren Cross—"
"Oh god, don't tell me you're playing the mother hen to! I can handle myself," stressed Scott.
Paxton sighed and moved forward. "He's a dangerous man. And what he's offered you doesn't make any sense. I mean, what is he forcing you to do?"
"Nothing!"
The other didn't look convinced.
"Listen," growled out Scott, "it doesn't matter. Okay? Cassie will get better this way without anyone hurting from it and—wait what time is it?!"
"Just after seven thirty," replied Paxton
"Shit! I need to get to Pym Technologies by eight!"
He quickly threw on his jacket and grabbed his keys. Paxton remained where he was and said, "I'll tell Cassie you said hi. Be careful Scott."
"I seem to be getting that a lot," he muttered. "But I will. I'll be back tonight."
Scott made it to the place right on time and was thankful Darren was waiting there. The looks he was getting were weird enough as he walked up to the man. The looks would have been even stranger if he'd had to ask someone where he could find Darren.
The man gave a rather distasteful and amused glance at Scott's attire. Somehow, Darren looked perfectly well rested and collected, his suit crisp and his posture perfect.
"You made it just barely on time," Darren said. "Good. Follow me."
Pointing to the metal detectors and security measures, Scott began, "Shouldn't I—"
"Not today. Once you're officially instated here you will but as of today, there is no need for that."
Scott walked with Darren around the building. He was positive that at least half of the facility remained behind closed doors to him but never the less it was spectacular. He'd never been in an area like this and it was difficult to keep the bug eyed expression off his face. However, it soon all had to end and Scott was being guided back to the front.
Darren followed him out of the building, along with a stream of watching eyes, and into the car that was waiting for them. It was actually a bit of a shock seeing Darren not driving (the times that Scott had been with him it seemed like one of the few things the man really enjoyed) but Scott supposed it had to do with keeping up appearances of a CEO.
"So, what did you think?" Darren asked, his gaze almost suggesting that he should watch what he said.
"The place was…beyond what I expected. I mean, I knew it would be impressive but it was so different seeing it. I don't have anything to compare it to but god it was breathtaking."
Darren seemed pleased with this but zoned in on a specific word. He asked, "The place?"
"Well yeah…it's just that the…well the people were just…they stared quite a bit."
"Did it bother you?"
"Some," admitted Scott grudgingly.
Darren smirked. "Not use to people taking an interest in your looks?"
"I'm used to that," Scott joked. "I think we both know my looks were not the problem."
"Oh I wouldn't say that. Your looks are precisely the problem," Darren replied. Before Scott could even think about being insulted though, Darren added, "Which is why we're going to fix it now. Right after lunch."
"Seriously? Why lunch?"
"Well last time I checked, humans do require sustenance."
"I know that you asshole but—wait a sec. If that's true then how come I've never seen you eat something? Not dinner or breakfast. Are you a robot?"
Darren rolled his eyes as he ignored Scott's suspicious and silly look. "We're eating. That's the end of it."
"Uh huh. I know you have some place you plug up to."
"An amusing thought but I would think our nights would prove I am no robot."
"Alright, point goes to Darren Cross. But back to how I look I'd just like to say that I'm perfect the way I am."
"Of course you are."
"Don't be so god damn sarcastic. I know I don't match up with your perfect idea of business and crap but at least I have style."
Darren made a rather disgusted face. "Oh yes, clearly."
"Whatever. Listen, the point is you can dress me up in something but even if I looked like someone who belongs at Pym Technologies, and even if my excellent looks didn't distract people, I think it's the fact that people saw me walking around with you, the CEO, for half of a day that will cause me to never be looked at the same. And I mean wholly hell! Most saw me get in a car with you after all that!"
"Do you worry about what people think of you?" asked Darren curiously.
"Not usually but I am human. Unlike someone," Scott responded with a pointed look. However, instead of pressing the idea of Darren as a robot, Scott commented, "You're the CEO. Don't you worry about what people think of you?"
"I worry about what they see and what they see is not me. Therefore there is no need for me to worry about how people think of me."
"Do you worry about what I think of you?"
"You don't know the real me."
"Really? Or are you just saying that so I believe that and therefore by knowing the real you I don't think you I know the real you and in the end don't know the real you," Scott finished.
"You're overthinking this. If you want an honest answer, there is only one man who I care what he thinks of me and I assure you, you are not him."
"Glad to know I'm so important," muttered Scott as he leaned back and crossed his arms. He kept the pouting face where it was as he growled out, "You know what? I don't care about the 'real' you anyways. I have to much to deal with anyways."
"Of course you do. The doctors are being courteous and helpful."
"Yeah," Scott replied, his frown deepening. Was Darren actually being kind? Was he really curious if everything was going alright for Cassie?
"Good. I would hate to hear of them being disrespectful. And just remember, nothing is out of price range."
"Understood," Scott replied, a little uncomfortable by talking about the entire thing.
Darren probably noticed but thankfully didn't mention anything. Instead, he asked, "Is there any place you would prefer to eat?"
"Well seeing as I'm sure anything I actually said would earn me a disgusted look, and I doubt your driver has been going around without a destination in mind. So with that in mind, surprise me."
"You are refreshing from those pointless business men in their suits with their white collars and dull tones."
"Really? What about your suaveness and charm? I'm sure that can make things amusing for you."
"You'd be surprised." The car slowed to a stop. "We're here."
"Seriously?" Scott followed Darren out of the car and gasped. "Oh god are you serious? I mean, these cloths aren't even that bad but I'll look like a hobo in here!"
Darren smirked. "I'm sure if you work your looks then they won't even notice the cloths."
"Funny. But then again I'm with you. There's a chance they'll never notice me."
"Do you really think that?"
"What?" asked Scott. "Just trying to be positive."
