ophelia-hendrix

[ophelia-hendrix]

She couldn't help but chuckle at his expression. "I know Gareth," she smiled "but to be correct we do stick our noses in other people's and countries' business. I was stationed in Mo.scow for long enough, Gordon tried to frame me as a double agent for it," she looked at him. "At least I didn't have free reign, we had to ask for permission before doing something that could be considered dangerous and stupid. I'm glad I'm not like James," she knew him well enough, having been Gareth's secretary for long enough and having the man show up in their home. He seemed more impressed than anything that she lived with Gareth of her own free will.

“Goodness.” Gareth chuckled, shaking his head. “That’s something for…eighty-year-old retired people who don’t have any other hobbies.” Hell no; there was still enough life in him. He refused to become such a person anytime in the future, near or far.

“You know our job is different. We do – but because we keep our country safe, not because I want to know what my neighbours are doing in their bedrooms.”

[ophelia-hendrix]

"We made it our job to stick our noses into other people's lives," she smiled as she sipped her tea. It was so much better than whatever they served here. "Is this when we start spying on the neighbours?" she chuckled at the idea of them looking at the people on the same street with tiny binoculars "We can have a little book next to the window so when we spot one of them not putting their bins out correctly we can write it down,"

His lips pursed. “You can’t keep people from putting their noses in others’ lives. Everyone does it, to some extent.” It was frustrating, of course, but not something that could actually be changed. As much as he hated it, but even at MI6 people were nosy. They were just better at hiding it.

“I suppose it’s in the nature of man to be interested in your neighbour’s life. If it bothers you so much, however, you can talk to them.”

[ophelia-hendrix]

Starting on her drink, it was still warm despite his warning "It doesn't bother me in that way, what bothers me is that people are sticking their noses in our business," she looked at him. "I wouldn't change us for the world," she added.

They had more pressing matters to worry about, but there wasn't more she could do right at that moment until she was sent home, and were on the mend they were stuck.

“I never cared about anyone judging me.” He glanced over at the bedside table. “Your tea is getting cold.” Really, the least of their problems were some nurses judging their relationship. There were more urgent issues at hand they had to worry about, and the staff of this hospital wasn’t even on the list. However, how Ophelia felt about it, he didn't know. "Does it bother you?" Gareth finally asked.

[ophelia-hendrix]

"I suppose we now start the waiting game," she smiled as she watched him. Neither of them were big on gestures, but she hoped he knew how much she loved him. Hopefully, they would give him his job back so that she could have hers back and be useful again. "I think I might need help washing my hair for a few weeks," she chuckled despite the pain in her side, and to her face "It's full of blood still," it didn't bother her that much. Other than that she didn't plan on placing any burden on him. He had enough to worry about.

"Don't trust the nurses, they judge us when they see you come to visit me," it annoyed her more than anything. Just cause he was older than her, it didn't mean anything to her. It shouldn't to other people either.

"I don't think there is much we can actually do now." No, they had to sit back and wait - and see what happened. How Gordon was going to be handled. Gareth did trust the justice system, but he also knew Gordon was going to try to weasle his way out of it all, blaming literally everyone but himself.

He sat back in his chair, sinking a bit down. "We focus on you getting better."

[ophelia-hendrix]

//Just checked my mailbox and found a Christmas card from @dontcxckitup 😭😭♥️

[ophelia-hendrix]

The other woman looked up as the Earl got much closer. Her mousey little sister was not going to upstage her in London society. If she had to destroy her marriage before it started, so be it. She was currently not with child, so if they were lucky, she ended up with his child in her. Emilia watched as his eyes travelled down her neck. Family? Sure. That's what her silly sister thought. Her husband, knowing what his wife wanted to do, could do nothing but watch, they needed the tax reduction.

Following him, she was rather surprised when he took her hand "Of course he wouldn't mind," she looked at her husband, who didn't say anything. "I didn't know these things happened at an Earl's estate, my lord," was the answer to him telling them about the history.

Perhaps he was just as the other ladies said. A brute of a man who was driven by carnal lust. She started to feel sorry for the man who wanted to spend his life willingly with her bore of a sister. She was no fun. "Where are we going, my lord?" she asked after a minute or so.

William is not only a man who has wed once before, but he is also a man who has had many illicit liaisons with women - married or unmarried; it made no difference to his selection. While those days may lie behind him now, the experience was enough to allow him to sense immediately when a woman is attempting not only to flatter but to seduce, by deploying the weapons of her gender. William, of course, will make his suspicions known to Ophelia in private later, but in the meantime, he sees no reason not to have a little fun with it; he knows Emilia has little real interest in him beyond disrupting his impending nuptials. A little rejection and humiliation might make Emilia realise Ophelia is beyond her reach now and will soon ascend to the heights of society her sister can only fantasize about.

“Of course, Emilia.” He responds in an over-familiar tone, addressing her more casually than usual. “We’re family now, aren’t we.” He looms closer and allows his gaze to slip down her throat, as if appraising her; rendering the mention of now being family, practically perverse. Glancing at Albert, he ensures his practical leer at Emilia does not go unnoticed, in an attempt to determine if Albert is complicit in this; either way it is clearly emasculating for her husband; how amusing.

“Would you like a tour of the grounds?” Cavendish offers, impertinently taking Emilia’s bare hand in his own. “There is hidden path that can be taken down to the caves, where smugglers used to dock their boats in the 16th century. I can show you if you like, I’m sure Albert doesn’t mind holding court here in our brief absence.”

[ophelia-hendrix]

She couldn't help but smile at his words as she looked at their hands. What did a former spy do after being retired? She couldn't think of anything that could give any form of distraction to cover whatever came back to haunt her now.

"Let's focus on making sure Edward Gordon gets what he deserves hmm?" she smiled at him hoping to distract him from everything. Mostly that he didn't think of what happened the day before, or that he would start to worry about her.

His fingers entwined with Ophelia’s. Her words hit home. When he had lost his job, he had had no idea how to go on. Still didn’t. His mind was no longer distracted; the nightmares had increased again. The memories come flooding in. It was one of the reasons he had always been so afraid of retirement.

Gareth shook his head. “I don’t know either. I…suppose all you can do, is find another distraction.”

[ophelia-hendrix]

Reaching to take his hand, she knew that he understood. It was probably the first time she had admitted to anyone that the fucker still haunted her. Maybe after everything was said and done, she could have peace. They could have peace.

"I wouldn't know what to do if I didn't have a job to attend," she didn't know what else to say, she didn't want to start touching the pile of shit the years of service had given her. He didn't deserve it. Ophelia knew she would probably never see field work again, but she guessed an office job was better than forced retirement.

Gareth shook his head and said quietly, "I don't know." Truthfully. There was going to be a huge aftermath, he figured. Nikolai and Gordon were going to be charged. Ophelia and Gareth would have to appear in court. Standard procedure.

He swallowed at her words, nodding his head. There was no use of telling her it was going to be alright - because it wasn't. He knew. He was dealing with the same; had been for years as well, even before Ophelia. "I know," was all he said. "I know."

[ophelia-hendrix]

Watching him as he spoke, she saw him dropping his smile at her question. After everything that had happened, she knew she'd never clear it this time. Let alone any psychological test they might ask her to do. "What happens now?" she asked him as the silence had filled it for a moment after he finished speaking. She didn't know what to do with herself if her life would be reduced to walking around their home.

After it must have become clear to most people that Gordon was unfit for the office he stole, they had to offer to give it back to Gareth. "I see him when I close my eyes Gareth," she admitted "I have for years,"

The smile faltered at her question, and he stared at Ophelia for a long moment. That had come quite surprisingly. “Well, obviously you were.” The tests were strict. He didn’t let anyone go through if there was the tiniest hint of a doubt. Anything personal at work was thrown out the window once he entered Whitehall.

“You retrieved good, useful information and…you simply succeeded in the physical tests. Trust me, we wouldn’t have let you pass if there had been any doubts.”

[ophelia-hendrix]

When she was an active field agent, she took the number of hits she needed to get the job done. He had seen the aftermath of Mo.scow. That's when it seemed that her body said stop. Despite this, they somehow managed to pull her back together every time and send her on her way. The large scar down her back, whatever they left her after getting shot in the back, and she still saw the scar on her neck from the same day. Now, she was left with a broken nose and ribs. Perhaps an office job was what she could do now.

"You'd be surprised," it was good to see him smile again. She knew she would be alright again physically. The other bits had to wait. "You've read my files," she looked at him "How did I pass any physical test after I got back from Mo.scow? I couldn't have been fit for field work then," now she was more curious than anything.

His brow rose. Well, out of the two, it was Ophelia who had received the brunt of the attack. Gareth had got out of it all without even as much as a scratch. Against him, the ex-SAS soldier, Gordon hadn’t stood the tiniest bit of a chance.

“Of course you.” He offered her an encouraging smile. “Why wouldn’t they tell you? As far as I know, everything is alright with you. Except…well, the broken ribs, of course. But they will heal eventually.” As everything did in the end.

[ophelia-hendrix]

Luckily, she didn't care what the others thought, she was just thankful he brought her something tasty. Sipping the tea it was just like being home, she hoped they would allow her home that day. She'd get right into bed and stay there until she felt human again. "Me?" she looked at him. "I can't remember much, I think they took an x-ray of my face after you left, and then I slept. I think the nurse gave me something to sleep on," thankfully she couldn't remember anything. "I'll be okay Gareth," she smiled as she watched him. He was tired, that much she could tell.

"I hope they will tell me if I need to get this fixed or not," she gestured to her face. If she was lucky, her nose would be okay and she could go home. In worst care, she would have to get it fixed, which would make her getting back to normal a distant dream.

The nurses were going to hate him when they saw he had delivered food to Ophelia, but he had never really cared about anyone’s opinion on him – and least of all nurses’.

Gareth leaned back in the chair and clasped his hands together on his stomach, smiling tiredly. “Well…after a shower, I didn’t quite make it to bed. I fell asleep on the sofa.” Again. “The question is, however, how did you sleep? How are you?”

[ophelia-hendrix]

"I had to practise for my great escape," she knew he wouldn't let her continue on her current path, so she sank back into bed. "Oh Gareth, thank you," she looked towards the bedside table, seeing proper food. Taking the tea first, it smelled like home, not whatever shit they would serve her here. It was currently the best thing she had drunk in days.

"How did you sleep?" she could see something was bothering him but didn't want to start prying. She didn't want to stay longer than she had to, their bed or sofa would be much better than this hell. Besides a broken nose and some ribs, she could do, he wouldn't have to worry or do anything as she didn't want to put more on his plate.

He was near-silent when he set the spare sandwich and tea on the nightstand and sat down in the chair. Almost exactly where it had been the night before. There, he sat in silence until he noticed Ophelia stir in her sleep, and when she finally noticed him, he let a soft smile curve his lips.

“Morning. You shouldn’t move around this much.” Said the man who refused to rest even after a heavy concussion. “I…bought you tea and a sandwich, so you don’t have to eat this hospital food.”

[ophelia-hendrix]

Non-the wiser she didn't know Tanner had been the amazing man he was and put someone outside her door. She thought she just had to trust the staff. She didn't hear as he came in as she was still asleep. A nurse had woken her early in the morning to empty something next to her bed before letting her go back to sleep. Thankfully, it was one of those nights where nothing came back to haunt her.

Shifting in bed, she thought she could sleep for the next week. Whatever they were giving her was doing wonders. Eventually, her body got stiff from sleeping and woke her up. For once, it was a sunny day, and the early morning sun came through the windows, filling the room in a nice, warm light. Sighing as she was now awake and hadn't seen Gareth yet, she tried sitting up with great difficulty. As she looked towards the door she did spot him "Good morning," she now had to try and hide that it hurt. He didn't need to worry.

Gareth actually did get some sleep – although not in his bed, but on the sofa downstairs. Dressed in pyjamas and wrapped in a blanket, he had sat down for a moment after taking a shower – and then fallen asleep eventually. It was a dreamless sleep, which was quite rare, but he did wake up with some pain his back. Mostly from the rather uncomfortable position he had slept in.

Gareth didn’t make breakfast, but grabbed two sandwiches and a cup of tea on the way to the hospital, and by nine am straight, he was handing the guard (thank god for Tanner!) a sandwich, then entered Ophelia’s room.

[ophelia-hendrix]

22 Days of Ralph Fiennes movies >> Day 9: The Grand Budapest Hotel

"You see, there are still faint glimmers of civilisation left in this barbaric slaughterhouse that was once known as humanity. Indeed that's what we provide in our own modest, humble, insignificant...oh, fuck it."

[ophelia-hendrix]

Smiling as he kissed her brow, she rested her hand on his arm, giving it a gentle squeeze "I love you too. " She was going to be fine eventually. Normally, she would have pulled him down for a quick kiss before he left, like she would if he was working earlier than her. This once it wasn't the best idea in case he hit something by accident, her face was rather sore. The idea of being without him for the night wasn't what she had pictured when they got up that morning, she didn't like being alone "Sleep well yeah?" she gently rubbed his arm as she knew he had to go home, he needed the rest more than her.

The good thing about being well-medicated was that she wouldn't remember any dream she might have had. It had taken a short while of trying to get comfortable before she did fall asleep. What she missed was having him next to her. They didn't have to touch, she just enjoyed knowing he was there.

In all honesty, he couldn’t laugh about her joke. Yes, she was trying to light up the situation, but it was still serious. Nikolai and Gordon were alive, and Gareth could hardly imagine either of them just giving up on their plans. If all, this outcome was only going to motivate them further.

Pursing his lips, Gareth finally stood up and put Ophelia’s file on the small bedside table. “I’ll come back tomorrow morning,” he assured her. It was a promise he was eager to keep; also because he knew he wouldn’t be able to sleep much, anyway. He bent down and placed a short, soft kiss on her brow. “You get rest and…let the doctors and nurses do their job.”

[ophelia-hendrix]

She also knew that anyone could walk in, but for his sake, she had to try and get him to forget about it. "I'll probably be missing a body part or two," she joked. If anyone tried anything, she'd be toast. She tried sitting up, feeling something tugging on her side, moving her sheets, and she saw something sticking into her side and disappearing down the side of the bed "I've become a cyborg," thank god for drugs.

"I'll be alright, Gareth," she reassured him. Had they been home, she'd just wrap herself around him; now, it was a bit tricky. Get some sleep. I'll be here tomorrow—what's left of me."

“But in what state?” It was half joking, but also half serious. There was no security in front of her door, literally everybody who wanted to, could just walk into the hospital and into her room. The thought alone drove him mad.

He exhaled and closed his eye for a moment again. Still not moving from his seat. “I’ll send Tanner a message,” Gareth finally said. “Perhaps he can send someone over to keep watch.”

[ophelia-hendrix]

Had Ophelia had it her way, she'd be in a taxi on their way home right at that moment. He wouldn't let her go, and they wouldn't let her go. Maybe she could persuade someone to let her go in the morning, take whatever they wanted her to have, and she could do it at home. "You know me, of course, I'd rather have you stay, but you look like you're about to keel over, and that chair won't be kind to your back," she might be high, but she wasn't going to let him suffer cause of her.

"I don't trust them either," she sighed as she had hoped he wouldn't bring them up. At least not until tomorrow. She didn't want to admit that she'd want him to stay, she also knew nobody who he didn't like the look of would even get a foot in the door. "I'll be fine, they're stupid if they tried anything after all that kafuffle, I'll be here tomorrow," she didn't want to say morning. He deserved a morning where he didn't have to worry about her.

It was easier said than done. He would have to stand up, make his way through the maze of a hospital, arrange a taxi or anything the like to get home… It was easier to just stay here and fall asleep in that chair, risking back pain the next morning. But someone would most certainly throw him out soon, anyway.

“Are we sure? I don’t want to alarm you, but…I don’t trust Gordon or Nikola; what if they have a plan B?” He had to ask Tanner, Gareth decided, to put someone in front of Ophelia’s door, so she was safe.