"Why in the name of all things holy are we here Richard?"
The two of them had come to the beach where it all started. At Le Gallion, far away from people. Dick was not expecting that. She had never, ever called him by his full first name. Not once in their lives. Now she said like she wanted him dead… He was almost shocked out of his explanation.
"I brought you here so I could ask you why you're acting this way."
"Acting what way?"
"You've been looking at me like I kicked your dog, you ignore me when I try to talk to you; heck, you've even tried poisoning me!"
"When have I ever-"
"That time with Bankori and the soup! Don't even try to deny it!"
"…Fine. I laced the bowl he used with painkillers… Admittedly my more violent attempt."
"Wait, so… That time with the cookies? You…?"
"I replaced half the vanilla in one batch of cookies with ipecac. I'm surprised he didn't bring up his stomach by the time we found him."
"And the sandwich?"
"Oh, I'm kinda mad that's the only one that worked. Don't worry, I just mixed some… Actually, most of the tuna with wet cat food."
"You fed me cat food?"
"You don't expect it? After what you did? You'd be completely stupid in that case."
"What did I do? Why are you so mad at me?"
"What did you do? What did you do? Lemme ****in' tell you what you did!"
Her cursing stunned him into complete silence.
"You lied to us. You ****ing lied to us! We all trust you and you lied to us! And the part that hurts most is that you didn't trust any of us to be in on it! I mean, really? We've fought by your side for years, we spend countless hours together not just in battle but as a family. A family. And you lied to all of us. You let us believe that someone we trust more than anything betrayed us, wanted to hurt us… You ****ing let me think that the love of my life was a lie."
Dick looked down, unable to keep looking her in the eyes.
"If you thought I was mad you, you're wrong. I'm not just mad at you. I hate you. More than anything else I loathe you. Every time I see you, you just remind me of how much you've hurt me and the worst part is… I loved you so, so much."
Dick was shocked at the revalation.
"You were like my brother. And I would've laid down my life for you if that's what it took to keep you safe. I trusted you with mine. My. Life. Now though… Now I wouldn't trust you with anything."
At this point Zemirah was in tears.
"You lied to us, made us hate our own friends. I just can't believe you."
Zemirah turned to go, too tired to continue. Before she could leave, Dick grabbed her arm, keeping her still.
"For what it's worth… I'm sorry."
"… Just tell me he knows she's not dead…"
"He does."
"Go away. Don't come back here again.
"I won't."