Come Stay With Me
Evie had just removed her clothes and was running a relaxing, hot, bubble bath, when she heard a loud banging at her door.
Who the hell…
She turned the water off and grabbed her knee length robe from the nearby hanger, wrapping it around herself before going to answer the door. She was shocked to see Cor standing there. His eyes were fierce and his hands clenched as if ready to strike someone. Before she could ask what was wrong, he gently pushed her inside and shut the door, looking around quietly. She folded her arms against her robe remembering she was basically naked underneath.
"Cor?" She started, "What's going on?"
He didn't answer but put his finger to his lips to shush her. She would have been slightly offended had he not seemed so concerned about whatever it was he was searching for. He walked into her kitchen, opening cabinets and the pantry. He searched around furniture and in the coat closet. He then went into her room, and she suddenly hoped it was relatively clean. Before she could protest, he called her over. She found him staring at the inside of her closet door. She walked over curiously. When she saw what he had found she covered her mouth and gasped, moving back so fast she almost tripped. Someone had carved a large "EJ + JR" on the inside of the door, and had driven the large knife they used into the wood underneath. She had gone straight to her bathroom to relax when Cor left earlier without even seeing anything amiss.
"I take it you didn't do this?"
"No," Evie squeaked, her hands still covering her mouth. She was shaking now. She knew exactly who "JR" was. Cor walked over to her and placed his large hand on her shoulder, attempting to comfort her.
"Evie," he started, pulling out his phone and finding the message he had received, "do you know this number?"
Evie read and reread the message. She shook her head. She didn't know whose number it was. The content and context of the message seemed to fit one person, though. Jason. He had found her, probably with Hank's help, and was apparently intent on continuing his harassment. This was a new level, though. This wasn't just a text or voicemail and it wasn't just following her around. He broke into her home and violated her personal space. And now he was sending Cor messages.
"I don't know the number, but it has to be Jason," she finally brought her hands away from her mouth as she spoke. Then she remembered the strange text she had received a week and a half ago, when she was getting over her illness. "Wait," she said, running to the bathroom to get her own phone. When she came back in, she explained about the mysterious well-wisher who had referred to her as 'Vee.'
"Only my brother and Jason ever called me that," she explained, his eyes watching her curiously as she continued, "but I thought that maybe it was a coincidence and someone else just chose on a whim to call me that. I didn't want to alarm you if I didn't know for sure." She hung her head, afraid he was going to be angry with her for not telling him sooner. She heard him sigh, then felt his fingers lift her chin up. She was still shaking a bit and knew she had tears in her eyes. She hated the thought of crying in front of the Marshal, so she did her best to hold it in.
"Come stay with me," he said softly, his expression a mixture of concern and anger. "At least until we figure this out or find other safe accommodations for you."
Evie just nodded as he pulled his hand away.
"I don't know how he got your number and mine, or how he found your address and snuck in, but I do know his intentions are not good."
Evie went into the bathroom to let the water out of her half-made bath and to change into something more decent. When she came out, she noticed Cor sit on the bed, and stand up again with a confused look on his face. She walked over as he pulled the covers back. Underneath were crinkled, dead rose petals and a single dead rose on the side she slept on. Cor's jaw flexed and his eyes flashed with anger. Evie just stared and reached for his hand. He let her fit her small fingers between his.
"I…I just need to pack some things," she stated dryly.
Cor nodded and found a chair to sit and wait on instead.
He watched her pack clothes and other necessities, not wanting to let her out of his sight. He didn't know this Jason, but he was prepared to do whatever it took to keep Evie safe. When she was done packing, they left her apartment and he drove her back to the Citadel. They walked to his apartment there and Cor opened the door for her to enter and turned the light on. She walked in and set her bag down, then leaned awkwardly against the entryway wall.
"Ummm let me show you around."
She nodded and followed him closely. He could tell she was worried and upset, even if she wasn't allowing it to show. Her normal, talkative, happy self had become a nervous, quiet, sad mess. He hated seeing her like this. After he had shown her everything, he pulled her aside to the couch, holding her hands in his.
"Evie," she looked away when he said her name, "look at me, Evie."
Evie forced her eyes to meet his.
"I will not let him hurt you," he stated, his voice steady and serious.
"I am not your responsibility, sir," she replied, a tear finally escaping one of her eyes, "I'm sorry that he messaged you what he did, and I'm sorry I didn't tell you about the other message, and I'm sorry that I'm now imposing on your space, and…" he pulled her close, hugging her tightly before she could say anymore. She stopped trying to hold the tears back and let them fall, soaking Cor's shirt as they did. He let her cry for awhile before speaking again.
"Evie, none of this is your fault," he whispered into her ear as he held her, "this man is threatening to hurt you, or worse. You did the right thing by trying to get away. I don't regret hiring you and I'm glad that you're here now, because I can help keep you safe and help you be rid of him forever."
Evie slowly pulled away and wiped her face. She knew she must look like a mess, with her hair everywhere and her puffy, red eyes. Cor just stared up at her as though nothing was amiss.
"Why don't you get that bath you wanted in my bathroom and I'll pour you a glass of wine," he suggested, getting up and walking to the kitchen, "Cabernet okay? It's the only wine I have."
"That would be amazing," she said with a slight chuckle, still sniffling.
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Evie relaxed in the hot water, letting it relieve the tension in her neck and shoulders. She was still on edge, but being here with Cor made her feel much safer. It felt a little strange bathing in his apartment, and she knew it would feel even stranger sleeping there. How many assistants slept over at their boss's home? Well, maybe some with certain intentions. What are my intentions with him? No. I am here for safety reasons. He just wants to help me because we work together and we're friends and it is the decent thing to do. She tried reasoning with herself, but she also couldn't deny the concern she saw in his eyes for her, nor the way he held her earlier. It felt like he never wanted to let go, and, if she was honest, she didn't want him too, either. Maybe he did care about her as more than just his assistant and friend. He was being awfully protective and comforting. And he had taken her to dinner, earlier. It wasn't a date, but it felt pretty close. Evie sighed, resolving to get out and have that glass of wine.
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He handed her a glass as she sat next to him on his couch. He was drinking what looked like whiskey in a small glass. He seemed to have been in mid-thought when she came over to sit, but now he focused his attention toward her.
"Feeling better?" He asked, breaking the silence.
"Yes, much," she answered quietly, "thank you, Marshal. For everything." She sipped her wine slowly, noting his good taste.
"Anytime, Evie," he finished his drink and set it down.
"So, I guess I can help you with anything you need, tomorrow," she offered.
"I actually don't have much to do," he said, "just a meeting later with Regis and Clarus. We could get some training in and I can help you with any errands you were planning to run."
"Oh, okay, if you want to. I was just going grocery shopping, though, and now I don't know when I'll be home again."
"Well how about we go together and I'll make you dinner tomorrow evening."
Evie nearly dropped her wine. Cor wanted to make her dinner. He chuckled at her silent stare.
"We don't have to, Evie, it was just a suggestion."
"No…no, I do want to," she answered shaking away her shock, "I just wasn't expecting you to want to. I don't want to be a burden on you, Cor."
"Why do you think you are?" He moved closer to her.
"I…I guess I just feel like my presence here will cost you your space and time. I mean, you see me everyday and I don't want you to get sick of me."She answered, biting her lip. She never did feel comfortable with other people being so generous or kind to her. It made her feel like she was weighing them down some how.
"I don't think I could get sick of you, Evie," Cor informed her, "I already told you, I enjoy your company. More than I should, actually." He admitted looking away from her.
"What do you mean?" She asked, slightly confused by his last sentence. He turned his face back to hers and gazed into her eyes. They always seemed to calm him down and give him courage. He felt like he could take on all of Niflheim by himself for those eyes. He reached his hand to cup her face, and he moved in closer. He could hear her breathing faster and his breaths seemed to match hers. She tilted her head, and he felt her hair tickle his face. He felt his pulse racing as his lips nearly touched hers. Before he could do more than graze her lips with his own, however, his phone vibrated on the wooden coffee table. The sudden sound and movement made her jump and caused him to pull back. Cor glared at the phone but picked it up nonetheless, thinking it could be something important as he doesn't get many calls late in the evening.
"Hello," he asked quietly, still slightly in shock at his own actions towards Evie. He looked at her and she was just sitting with her knees bent on the couch and her hands in between them. She was looking away and biting her lip. He wanted to know what she was thinking so bad that he barely paid much attention to the caller on the other end. It was Titus.
"I'm sorry for calling you so late, sir, but we may have a problem." Titus announced over the phone.
"What problem?" He asked, suddenly very aware.
"There may be an information breach. Nathan, one of our tech savvy recruits believes that someone may have tried to go through confidential information using the library computers. We don't know what the person was looking for exactly, but we have evidence of someone viewing, copying and editing files concerning Citadel employees."
"Can Nathan figure out who this person was?" Cor asked, rubbing his tired eyes.
"It may take some time, but he believes he can."
"Good, call me when you know more," he ordered.
"Yes, sir."
Cor hung up the phone and looked at Evie. She hadn't moved.
"Evie?" She looked up at him. She looked tired. It had been an eventful evening and he had probably just added to her confusion about things. He sighed contemplating what to say or do.
"I have my bed ready for you, if you are tired," he stated simply, "I'll take the couch."
"Sir, I couldn't," she started to protest, but wasn't allowed to finish.
"I insist," he said louder than he meant to, "and please, stop calling me 'sir.'"
