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"And you don't forget, neither," he agrees, understanding her point completely.
"I understand. But you still gotta think about losin' that attitude or finding different people. Because I don't plan on goin' anywhere, but if I do, and you get stuck here, or-- or leave, and die-"
But he has a point. She doesn't like it, but it's true, and for a moment she just stands there, arms still folded, eyes on the floor.
"I'm doing the best I can, alright?"
"I know," he says, shaking his head and straightening up a little before coming over and putting a hand on her shoulder.
"I know you are. Even the stupid bullshit's gonna help, eventually. Right?"
Uh, Yunlan's going to message you. I just wanted my stupid fucking handkerchief back and he broke my arm for it. I left him knocked out cold but he's in one piece, so there's that.
[A beat, a hard exhale. Almost a laugh.]
Sorry!
He's assuming Tess hasn't made the mistake of letting him call Arthur first this time, but frankly, he doesn't care. His tone is tightly controlled, but not quite controlled enough not to let the fury show through.]
Your inmate just broke into my cabin and attacked me when I got home to find her there.
If she returns the jewelry and weapons she stole, I might let it go.
[He spent most of the day in the cold as well, and he isn't liking the reminder of the Grizzly Mountains. Cold to the bone and nothing to show for it at the end of the day.
Especially not when he takes off his gloves, clicks on his communicator, and hears that message. He calls her back right away.]
Infirmary. Now.
[She did already call him, and he'd braced for this. By now he doesn't know how much of her story is true, anymore.
He doesn't know if he can trust her, anymore, and it's a terrible feeling.]
Yeah. She told me. You need anything from the infirmary? Help?
[A long sigh -- he absolutely doesn't want to admit this to anyone right now, but Arthur has struck him as trustworthy, and he's going to rely on that:]
Especially that pendant she took. Personal keepsake.
Be there in a minute.
I will get it back for you. Every single thing.
I know you're law. And you know I ain't. But this ain't right to me, neither.
[He's barely holding back his anger when he comes walking up, teeth clenched, shoulders hunched.]
Tell me the story later. Have someone look at that right now.
[Because he might have reacted irrationally and hurt his inmate in an unacceptable way - or she might be hiding something from him, again. In both cases, he's angry, and he needs to focus on the immediate problem: that arm.]
I want to talk before you talk to him, Arthur.
Look, Arthur. Law or no law -- I think you and I would agree on what's right most of the time. And if Tess is pulling this kind of shit over me ruining her blood plans, she's way off the rails.
"Here's to that," he agrees. "You-- take that gun back. And if you can, come to me if you ever feel like usin' it when you're not being attacked."
You got a broken arm, you gotta--
[He makes a frustrated sound, then promises her:]
If he calls me, I'll ignore it.
“Thanks,” she replies, soberly. “I will.”
Alright. I just thought I could get in and out of his cabin before he got back. Didn’t think he’d be a fucking psycho about it.
You broke into his cabin, the man's gonna take offense-- get your arm looked at, I'm not doin' this right now, Tess.
[He waits outside of the infirmary for the duration of a cigarette, but when it lasts longer he walks in. Overhears Tiffany talking about how Yunlan probably deserved it- but Arthur has to wonder.
Tiffany doesn't know about the promise. Doesn't know about what they'd agreed to, just days ago. Still. He's waiting for her, afterwards.]
Probably three or four weeks to heal.
Great. Come on--
[He leads her to the common room, so they can at least be out of the hallways.]
He nods, then lets out a sigh. "I'm gonna head out. Stay outta trouble."
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