Okay, here's the latest. This chapter covers a lot of ground but I want to push this part of the plot along some. Hope I communicated things clearly. Thanks ever so muchly Bookworm and lipamo for the consistent feedback and reviewage. Helps me more than you'll ever know. :)
Also cyberwishing a happy 35th birthday to the lovely and talented Claire Danes! *cheers, throws confetti and streamers* :)
"Hey! Hall mate!", Dominic called out as Carrie slowly turned, frowned at him.
"What the fuck do you want?"
"Just wanted to see if you were okay."
"I've been better.", she muttered as the scruffy blond man smiled sympathetically, perched on a nearby bench.
"Step into my office.", he grinned, patting the empty space next to him. Rolling her eyes Carrie was about to keep walking, go into her room. But seeing as she was already depressed and the dim, shitty room she was assigned would just make that even worse...
"Have you done a stint in here before?", she asked as she sat down, getting a nod.
"Yeah. Not one of my shining moments. What about you?"
"Second time in this place. Third being treated.", Carrie admitted. Shivering she zipped up her hoodie.
"Damn."
"At least both times here I checked myself in. The first time that didn't exactly happen. What about you?"
"Court mandated sentencing. First time went on a bit of a bender. This time it was this place or county."
"Jesus."
"I'd give details, but when I tried that at group Abby looked ready to smack me upside the head."
"Well it is a rule.", Carrie shrugged.
"To me those are usually optional.", Dominic smirked, getting a weak smile and not much else.
"Do you get visitors?",
"Occasionally.", he answered as she swallowed hard, nodded.
"How differently do they treat you? Did you feel like they can't talk or look at you the same way?
"Yeah I've had it happen.", he shrugged. "Why do you ask?"
"No reason. I just...no reason."
"Look, if you want to talk-"
"I don't.", Carrie said firmly. "The only person I want to talk to can't even set foot in here."
"Why not?"
"Because she's not even seven yet and she doesn't know that I'm-"
"At the funny farm?"
"Yeah."
"Tell me about her. What's her name?"
"Hey, you know the rule from group. Don't get detailed."
"Fine, describe her then. What's she like."
"She's small. Feisty. Fast. I ran in college and half the time I can hardly keep up with her."
"She blonde and blue-eyed like mommy?"
"No. Dark eyes. Dark hair that I have to rebraid constantly. She...she likes purple ribbons twined through it.", Carrie sniffed.
"She sounds awesome."
"She's the best thing that ever happened to me."
Wiping at her eyes she shook her head.
"Jesus. I'm sorry I'm such a mess."
"Easy crier?"
"No. Not usually anyway. The fucking hormones make it worse.", she sighed as he looked at her curiously.
"I'm pregnant, remember?"
"Oh, right. Is it too late to give my congratulations?", he said as she shrugged, thanked him.
"Look, I know I came on too strong earlier and I'm sorry. This place, brings out stuff in me.", Dominic shuddered, getting a nod.
"Yeah, I know the feeling."
"But my offer stands. You need a friend? Someone to lend an ear? I'm around."
"Thanks.", Carrie said appreciatively as a nurse cleared her throat, motioned for her to return to her room across the way. Rolling her eyes she stood up as Dominic rolled his too, gave her a smile.
"I may take you up on that.", she said, going over to her room as he watched with curiosity before returning to his.
...
It took Brody reaching the parking lot of the hospital for him to realize what he'd forgotten in the front seat of his car. Ordinarily he'd curse himself out but then and there, it felt like a blessing he'd forgotten the folder. Now he had an excuse to go back inside and hopefully see her, apologize and not leave things on such an ugly note.
Once grabbing the drawings he locked his car back up, jogged back to the front doors and over to the reception desk.
"Can I help you, sir?"
"I was wondering if I could get over to the visitor's lounge again before hours are up. If you could page Carrie Mathison's room for me? Her daughter drew her a bunch of pictures. I promised I'd give them to her and I left the folder in my damn car.", he said, giving the woman his most sincere, charming smile. Not getting much in return.
"I can try and page her room but...sorry, I need to take this. Hello, you've reached Virginia State Psychiatric Hospital?"
Checking his watch, the wall clock, Brody drummed his fingers on the desk, paced. He knew he had fifteen minutes at most before visiting hours were over for the day, and wasn't about to make Carrie wait until the weekend for the artwork. Unfortunately the receptionist seemed to have no trouble making him wait.
When he tried to hand the folder to her, holding a hand up she turned away from him in the desk chair. It took all of Brody's strength to not throw the thing at her.
"Son of a..."
"Some people can be so terribly rude, can't they?", an older, white haired, polished looking woman said disapprovingly. Her wardrobe and the way she carried herself, spoke, made Brody feel like a complete rube. Nevertheless he smiled politely, nodded.
"I just wanted to pass something along before they close up shop for the day here. Unfortunately she couldn't care less.", he groaned, nodding to the still occupied receptionist.
Seeing the scribbly 'For Carrie' drawn in crayon on the front of the folder, along with hearts and daisies, the woman chuckled, seeing more drawings poking out of the top.
"Someone in your family must be quite the artist. My grandchildren spoil me with their drawings. Have them all over the door of my refrigerator."
"Yeah so do we. Thought I'd bring a few by to cheer someone up."
"Your wife?"
"Girlfriend, actually. But maybe, someday, who knows.", Brody smiled bashfully as a nearby bench opened up.
"Would you like to sit and wait? Can't be too comfortable standing in those.", he said, nodding to her stiletto heels.
"Darling I'll have you know these are the highest quality, most attractive shoes that money can buy. But they hurt like a son of a bitch so yes, I'll sit with you. Happily!"
Laughing, Brody took her arm and helped her over to the bench.
"Thank you! You are quite the gentleman, aren't you?"
"Hey, don't spread that around, okay? It'll ruin my image.", he teased.
"What's your name, dear?"
"Nicholas, ma'am."
"Well it's lovely to meet you, Nicholas. I'm Alicia. Alicia Cortland.", she smiled, shaking his hand.
"It's lovely to meet you too, Ms Cortland."
"Oh please darling, call me Alicia. My friends call me Alicia."
"So who are you here visiting?"
"My client. Been representing his family since the boy was still in diapers. But he's full grown now and certainly giving me a run for my money."
"Lot of run-ins with the law I take it?"
"Let's just say he's singlehandedly kept me in Jimmy Choos. But his family is dear to me and placed their trust in me long ago. They got my sad little law firm off the ground when I was just starting out. I owe my career to them."
"So is he just being kept here until his court date?"
"I wish, darling.", she said mournfully.
"I stupidly trusted an associate of mine to handle his case while I was on vacation, and the bastard botched things miserably in front of the judge."
"Jesus. I'm sorry to hear that."
"It was quite the inconvenience. What was supposed to be a simple matter has turned into a gigantic project for my firm. But I'm trying to rectify things the best that I can."
"I'm sure. How though exactly?"
"Well right now I'm seeing to it he gets a day pass to use in the next day or two. It's the least I can do after the, pardon my indelicate language, fuck-up.", Alicia sighed, getting a slight chuckle from Brody before he saw the time, shook his head bitterly.
"Too bad you won't have the chance to today. Seems visiting hours are up."
"Not for me, darling. As an attorney I'm granted certain privileges."
Smile fading seeing the now despondent look on Brody's face, Alicia reached over, touched his shoulder.
"Tell me, what room is your lady friend staying in?"
"Carrie. Carrie Mathison's her name. And I'm not sure. I know she's on the third floor.", he said as her face lit up.
"That's the same floor I'm heading to! Now I can't access her room but I can ask my client to give the folder to the floor nurse, even to Miss Mathison in person. He'd be more than happy to do it if I asked."
"Are you sure? I wouldn't take you up on it but I really want Carrie to get a hold of these."
"It would be my pleasure, darling.", Alicia said as Brody stood, helped her to her feet before handing her the folder.
"I can't tell you how much I appreciate this."
"Just consider it a favor from a friend, Nicholas. It's no trouble at all. I know Dominic will be more than happy to do it if I ask him to.", she said knowingly before the receptionist waved over to her, told her she cleared her to go through to the visitor's lounge.
"Dominic..."
"Good bye, darling! Lovely chatting with you."
"Wait, Alicia! Wait!"
Not able to get to her before she walked through the double doors that locked behind her, Brody swore, ran a hand through his hair before going back to the desk.
"You're still here?", the receptionist frowned.
"Yeah. I am.", Brody scoffed. "Listen the patient you just sent Alicia Cortland in to see, her client? She's going to have him get something to my girlfriend for me. Can I get his name so I can write him a thank you note? I'm sure a nurse or someone can give it to him."
"Well I don't know, I-"
"Look I could've given it to Carrie myself but you were too preoccupied to buzz me through. I get it, you're busy. But I'd really appreciate if you'd let me do this. Least I can do if the guy's doing me a favor."
"Alright. I didn't mean to keep you waiting like I did, I just..."
"No it's okay, I understand. Getting the note to this guy will be fine.", Brody smiled, trying to conceal the sick feeling in his stomach that'd been there since Alicia mentioned her client by name.
"Ms. Cortland is going up to see Dominic Lawson.", the receptionist answered as Brody went three shades whiter.
"Third floor. Lawson's spelled L.A.W-"
"I...I got it. Thanks for your help."
Jaw clenched, taking the notepad the receptionist handed him, with a shaking hand he scribbled an illegible message then threw his jacket on, left the lobby and walked to, got into his car before slamming the door.
"Motherfucking son of a...FUCK!"
Hitting the wheel, sounding the horn in the process, after taking a few deep breaths to calm down he pulled out his phone, dialed Quinn's cell.
"Hey?"
"What are you doing?"
"Running on a deserted beach while my hair flows in the salty ocean breeze.", Quinn scoffed.
"What do you think? I'm on my way to Langley."
"Can you talk?"
"I'm behind a fucker who's driving twenty miles below the speed limit so yeah."
"We've got a problem."
"You mean you've got a problem that I need to fucking solve."
"For Christ's sake, Quinn!"
"Will you quit your goddamn barking?! What's wrong?"
"What's wrong is fucking Dominic Lawson is about to be issued a day pass from the psych ward, and knows his floor buddy Carrie Mathison has a daughter who likes to draw!"
Any amusement he had at pushing Brody's buttons now gone, Quinn's mouth formed a thin line and his eyes iced over. He was half tempted to pull over to the side of the road.
"What in the fuck are you talking about?"
"I fucked up. I went to see Carrie today and forgot to give her Farrah's drawings, so this lawyer I was speaking to, there to see someone on the same floor, offered to take the drawings to give to her client so he'd give them to Carrie. Her client was fucking Lawson, Quinn. And if Alicia Cortland is as good at her job as she says she is, he'll be out of fucking lockdown within a day. Two tops."
"Jesus fucking Christ..."
"I had no idea until the drawings were in her hand and she was behind the double doors. I honestly...what the fuck are we gonna do?"
"You've done enough. I...I got this."
"Got this how? Look, I know we thought a padded cell wasn't enough but we both agreed not to pull firearms on the prick! My swearing that to Anita is all that's keeping her and J.J here!"
"Brody. I got this. Stay the fuck out of it. You understand."
"I..."
"You stay with Farrah and J.J. Don't let them out of your sight starting now. That's what you can fucking do."
"Okay...okay.", Brody said, starting to feel his blood pressure come back to normal. Knowing as long as the kids were with him nothing could happen.
"This will be handled. You understand?"
"I understand."
"Good. Go be with our goddamn kids.", Quinn said before hanging up using the button on the hands free. Turning into the driveway to Langley he parked, got past security, and once inside the building got off the elevator on the third rather than fifth floor. Cut across the hall and knocked twice on a shut office door.
"Yes."
"Morning, sir.", he greeted, opening the door.
"Good morning. This is quite a surprise. Did we have a meeting scheduled?"
"No, sir. We didn't."
"Well, take a seat then. What can I do for you?"
"I have a situation, sir.", Quinn sighed, sitting down in one of the two arm chairs on the opposite side of the desk.
"Personal or business?"
"I..."
Frowning at the quiver in the younger man's voice, the way he wouldn't look him in the eye and the nervous way he was wringing his hands, Dar Adal sat up straighter at his desk, set his newspaper down. He couldn't remember the last time he'd seen one of his own this on edge.
"Peter, what seems to be the trouble?"
"I need some help, sir.", Quinn said gravely, meeting his superior's now concerned gaze.
"I can see that. Close the door."
Nodding, doing so, sitting back down he frowned as Dar stood up and approached him, sat in the chair beside his.
"Now, tell me what you need."