Disclaimer: Credit to Jonathan Nolan, Greg Plageman, and the POI writing team. Bolded sections are straight from the episodes.


QUEENSBRIDGE PARK

Chapter 63: beginning of QSO


Reese looks up as Root exits Fusco's hospital room.

"How many hours have you been sitting out here now?" she asks, handing him the Jello cup and spoon she nicked from Fusco.

He ignores her question as he takes the Jello and sets it aside. "How's he doing?" he asks instead.

"Not bad, all things considered. Got a lot of questions you and Harold aren't going to answer."

"The only way to keep Lionel safe is to keep him in the dark."

"Does Harold still feel the same way?"

Reese tilts his head a fraction of an inch to the right. "Ask him yourself."

Root turns and sees Finch sitting in the next group of chairs farther down the hallway and reading a book.

"Some army we've got, huh?" Root mutters before crossing over to join Finch. "I understand you and John want to keep guard over Fusco, but the Machine seems to think he's safe."

"Mr. Reese and I will both feel better when we determine that for ourselves," Finch says.

Root doesn't reply, and Finch finally lowers his book.

"We were so busy scrambling to catch up, Samaritan killed those people right under our noses."

"Well, we've found our footing now," Root reminds him. "Soon it will be time for us to go on the offensive."

Finch turns away in dismay, and Root knows now is not the time to push it.

"Gotta start my next mission," she says, hitching her bag back onto her shoulder and standing. "Got a matinee to catch."

"Take care, Miss Groves," Finch calls after her.

Root crosses paths with Elena coming down the hall, expertly balancing two cups of coffee and one sencha green tea.

"Any change?" Elena asks, not even blinking at Root's traffic patrol uniform.

"Are you asking about Lionel, or Harry and the Big Lug?" Root specifies.

"I'll take that as a no all around," Elena sighs. "Did you give Lionel the passports for him and Lee?"

"Yes, but I don't think he's running yet." Root gives her a curious look. "You know, it would be smart to have an exit strategy in place, too, Little Miss."

Elena's eyes flick down the hall. "I'm not running yet either." She nods at Root's bag. "But where are you off to?"

"The ballet! And I've really got to run. Or plie, actually. Take care of our boys, Cheerios."

"Will do, Cocoa Puffs."

Elena stops in front of Finch so he can take his tea. "One sencha green for one sad professor," she murmurs.

"Thank you, Miss Cassidy."

She continues down the hall. "And one black coffee for one Big, Sad Lug."

The barest hint of a smile crosses Reese's lips as she takes the seat beside him, and despite the uncomfortable wooden arms of the chairs between them, she leans into him as they both sip their coffees.

"Cheerios?" he finally asks.

She shrugs. "You know, the most boring cereal out there."

"You're anything but that, Elena."

She raises her eyebrows. "Compared to all of you? I'm about as interesting as water."

Reese is quiet for a long moment before he begins to speak.

"When I was in Tikrit, my unit got stranded when we were out on patrol. So we gathered our supplies and were making our way back to base on foot when we got caught between two warring factions. We had to hunker down and wait for a ceasefire before we could move on. It didn't end for three days. We only had enough supplies for one, and we were in the middle of a heat wave in the middle of a desert. Three soldiers had to be airlifted out of there.

"I'd heard it said before, but I didn't know it until then, El." He looks at her. "Water is the most precious thing on earth."

She thinks maybe this is the most he's said to her at one time ever, and for once she doesn't have a reply. So she simply slips her hand into his as they continue to keep watch over Lionel.