Metropolis, Jo's Apartment

[tobeclosetohim]

She's standing at the sink, drinking a cup a coffee.

It's even a warm cup of coffee.




It's not much, but it is something.

Comments

[theresnodoor]

Rachel is starting to feel like her presence is bothering Jo more than helping.

But if she wants even just a little bit of peace, she's going to have to bother her again.

Thus, a knock on the door.

[tobeclosetohim]

The door gets a look. If she's annoyed, it's more at the fact she can't see through it. The house hasn't changed any. The alcohol and weapons are in piles in this room. But she's actually in it of her free will.


Just not near any of it.


Almost like a test.






Eventually the door gets opened.

[theresnodoor]

"Hey."

If Rachel's trying to look at all comfortable with this, Jo would have to be blind, deaf, and comatose to believe it.

"Have you got a minute?"

[tobeclosetohim]

Jo looked at her, not so much pausing at greeting as just letting it come and go without a response. There's a faint shrug at the second part, but she opens the door about a foot more to make what would be a pathway in.

[theresnodoor]

Rachel nods and steps inside. Tries not to show how the interior of Jo's place still unnerves her, and has ever since she got back. There's just something... odd about it. Cold. And as empty as it was before, it was never quite like this.

"So..." She shoves her hands in her pockets, shrugging a little as she turns, eyes drifting over the piles of alcohol and supplies. "Tobias and I have a job."

[tobeclosetohim]

The skin between Jo's brows puckered.

That really didn't sound like it was something she need to know.

[theresnodoor]

It's really not something Rachel wants to tell her. Especially not when getting that expression in response.

"It's in Detroit," would be a mumble in anyone but Rachel. For being annoyed as well as a little embarrassed, it's more like a grumble.

[tobeclosetohim]

The door finally gets closed, and her hand on the door goes back to helping her other hand hold the coffee she hasn't taken a drink from either.



There has to be more than that.



"And?"

It's very small and hollow.

[theresnodoor]

"And..."

There is something petulant, like a child being forced to apologize, about the look on Rachel's face as she avoids Jo's gaze and gets through with the rest of it.

"We're not sure exactly what's there. So if we're not back in a few days, that's probably where the next end-of-the-world is coming from."

[tobeclosetohim]

Jo lips frowned as close to a frown as it could. Which was to only quirk at one edge, pressed faintly together and pulled inward. It looked more uncertain than displeased.

[theresnodoor]

Rachel's eyes narrow at the expression, if only because she doesn't quite know what it means.

"...okay." Hands still in pockets, she walks straight for the front door again.

[tobeclosetohim]

Jo doesn't stop her.

At least that isn't the plan.








"Don't die in Detroit"

It's probably the stupidest thing she's said in a while. And the least in character.

[theresnodoor]

It might have been the only thing to get Rachel to stop, too.

Not to mention smile, just a little.

Smirk, really.

"Gotcha. I'll wait until I get back."

[tobeclosetohim]

Jo nodded, faintly, looking down as she took a drink of her coffee.

[theresnodoor]

Rachel echoed her unintentionally, nodding and looking away. She's not quite so tense anymore. Embarrassment's been replaced with concern as Jo pulls back.

"...I'll bring you back something. Skull or spinal column?"

[tobeclosetohim]

There's the faintest curl of a smile.

It's not words, but it may get the point enough.

[theresnodoor]

Rachel smiles a tiny bit back.

"So both, then. You got it."