Title: Second
Author: csiAngel
Rating: K
Disclaimer: I do not own these characters.
Summary: Set between s1 and s2. He would not allow her to cope alone with something that could be shared…
A/N: You know when you're new to a 'ship and everything inspires fic? That's where this came from. My mind has been working on this fic for months, along with at least six others. I set myself a target to at least finish one by Paige Turco's birthday!
…
When Marcus called into medical looking for Abby he was a little preoccupied with his thoughts; annoyed at himself for how long it had taken him to get there; annoyed at Cooper for his last meeting having overrun by forty minutes. So, when Jackson told him where Abby was – and what she was doing – Marcus nodded, thanked the younger man and walked away. But after two steps he stopped. He slowly pivoted on the spot and he faced Jackson with a small frown, sure he must have misheard.
"She's doing what?"
Jackson's reply was the same.
"Is that a euphemism?"
Jackson shook his head.
"Some sort of code?"
"No."
"Okay."
He thanked Jackson again and headed for the exit, still not convinced that he knew what was going on.
The sun was high in a bright blue sky when he stepped outside; the air was warm; the clouds few and far between. Marcus realised he hadn't even looked outside yet today, focused as he had been on getting through his schedule as quickly as possible so he could find Abby.
This was not what he had expected to find.
He stopped a few steps away from her and remarked, "So when Jackson said you were 'cleaning the rover', he meant…"
She paused in her task, straightening up and using the back of her hand to brush her hair away from her face, as she responded, "What did you think he meant?"
Marcus couldn't help but smile. "I had no idea!"
This drew a smile from her, he was pleased to see, though she made no further comment before returning to work.
Marcus had to admit she was doing a good job. It hadn't occurred to him that the rover might need cleaning, but comparing the sections she had obviously already cleaned with those she hadn't, it definitely gave the vehicle a sparkle it had been lacking.
He moved closer, following as she edged along the car as she cleaned.
"You know, I already thought you had too much to do. I didn't realise you were adding in new tasks."
She shrugged while she dipped the sponge into her bucket of water, before reapplying it to the car. "It was dirty."
"I'm sure someone else would have cleaned it."
"I had time."
"Abby -"
She interrupted him, turning to face him, not annoyed, but resigned. "I just needed…"
She didn't seem able to find the words but he knew. That's what he had intended to say. That's why he was there. "I understand."
And her eyes widened a little, obviously realising that he meant it. She nodded once, in gratitude, then recommenced her task.
"Did you need me for something?" she asked as she moved to the back of the vehicle.
"Oh, no, I'm just keeping you company."
She shot him a look that was almost an eye roll. "You were looking for me," she explained the reason for her question.
"Ah, yes, I was… I didn't need anything. I just wanted to… to let you know that if you wanted any company, I'm free for the rest of the day."
She paused, sponge still against the metal, eyes fixed on him and narrowed in suspicion. "Your schedule is clear? Before midday?"
He shrugged it off. "Looks like we both have time on our hands today."
"Marcus." This was a reprimand. She knew he was being deliberately evasive.
"I kept it short," he admitted.
She leaned against the car now as she looked at him, and he couldn't miss the sparkle of tears in her eyes.
"If you don't want company, I won't be offended." Nor would he be surprised. He imagined her wedding anniversary was now hard enough, without him there as a reminder of how she came to be alone. But with Clarke gone as well, and with many of the others unlikely to even realise what day it was, he had found that he needed to at least give her the choice. She could send him away if he would only make it worse.
She was quiet for a long time, regarding him from her position, barely even moving. Then her lips twitched into the smallest of smiles and she nodded once. "There's another sponge in the bucket."
To hide his relief, Marcus clapped his hands together enthusiastically and made a show of rolling up his sleeves. He retrieved the sponge she had spoken of and moved to the other side of the car.
He was just getting into a rhythm - and acknowledging that this was in fact rather soothing - when he realised Abby had not returned to the task. She was still watching him.
"Am I doing it wrong?" he asked, despite the fact that from her angle she couldn't actually see the effect he was having on the car.
She shook her head once then she softly uttered, "Thank you. For remembering."
He gave a brief nod in return and watched her process the moment.
Last year he had observed her barely hold herself together and he had been powerless to do anything to help her. She wouldn't have accepted his comfort if he had worked up the courage to offer it.
But it would be different here. He would not allow her to cope alone with something that could be shared. He hoped she was beginning to see that.
He hoped she would permit it.
He hoped the second sponge was a sign that she would.
THE END