Daya gave a weak chuckle, eventually tucking her head into the crook of his neck. “Mal… Please. Don't leave me again..” she mumbled incoherently “I-.. I really need you.. This go- around.. Max.. He may kill me this time.. And I won't come back.. Like you..”
Malcolm tried not to flinch away as she tucked her head into his neck. It was uncomfortable, but Daya was becoming delirious. She was also calling him ‘Mal’, which was something else he didn’t like. Oh well.
He sighed at her words, shaking his head.
“We’re going to need a long talk before I understand any of what the fuck is going on. Though, I’ll gladly put three bullets through Max’s skull if you want. I only need one bullet, but the extra two is just to truly make sure he’s dead,”he said.
After a bit, Malcolm found the place he was looking for. The guard eyed him suspiciously, but Malcolm put his gun away and handed the man his business card. The moment the nanobots activated, the guard recognized Malcolm and let him in.
Malcolm headed straight for an office where a doctor was doing paperwork. Malcolm pulled out his gun and aimed it at the man.
“You never change, except for the additional person. Finally found something organic that you actually care about, huh? Come on, you know the room,”the doctor sighed, standing and heading off into a hallway.
Malcolm followed the doctor, entering a small room with a medical bed and a wall of cabinets. Malcolm helped Daya lie down on the bed and the doctor quickly went to work on her.
Daya couldn't put up much more of a fight, though her hand reached out for Malcolm, her darkened wrists starting to spread up her arm
The doctor was gentle with her, and tended to her with the grace of a man who knew what he was doing. He also watched Malcolm, rather dubious about the man’s intentions.
Malcolm ignored him as he moved to sit down in a chair next to Daya. She wouldn’t let him go, so he might as well stay. With a conflicted sigh, he grabbed her hands and held them.
“Relax. Hunderly here is as much of a friend as I fucking have. Besides, he actually was a doctor before he got in with the black market,”Malcolm explained.
He then let go of one hand, so that she could lie flat for Dr. Hunderly.
“You need to socialize more, Malcolm,”Hunderly commented as he worked on Daya’s wounds.
“Fuck off and take care of her. I’m a fucking fence, and that’s as much socialization as I care to have,”Malcolm hissed.
“Suit yourself,”Dr. Hunderly said, going quiet. Malcolm snorted at him.
Daya would jerk every time a stitch was placed In her cheek, gripping tightly to Malcolm
Malcolm winced at Daya’s grip every time she jerked. He was uncomfortable with the whole situation, and her tight grip was also quite painful.
“Easy on the fucking hand. I’ve only got one whole one,”Malcolm hissed.
Dr. Hunderly didn’t seem fazed by Daya’s flinches, or Malcolm’s complaints, and continued to work. He then dabbed the stitches clean before double-checking them. He then bandaged the rest of her wounds, and helped clean her up a bit.
Daya eventually relaxed, her eyes resting on Malcolm's “sorry..” she mumbled
Malcolm sighed, wincing at the lingering pain in his hand.
“I may not be fifty yet, but I’m not as physically sound as I used to be,”Malcolm mentioned.
Dr. Hunderly glanced at him curiously, and immediately received Malcolm’s glare. Dr. Hunderly snorted, as if expecting the glare, then turned back to Daya.
“Take it easy for a bit while the stitches are still in. It’ll be a few days to a week before they come out, so there’s that. Also, if you plan to walk around in the dark, I’d take someone with you. Though, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend Malcolm, but one of his little spies will do,”Hunderly said.
“Fuck off,”Malcolm hissed.
“So, you would be willing to escort her, hmm? That’s new.”
Malcolm just glared at Hunderly. He didn’t want to admit that part of him actually was willing.
Daya gave a soft laugh “I know hed protect me..” she whispered
Daya slowly sat up, looking sick from pain
Dr. Hunderly narrowed his eyes, then stood and headed for a cabinet. He brought out two bottles of pills.
“So, do you want a clear head but achy body or no pain but loopy as hell? My supplier’s late, as usual, so I don’t have much variety in pain medication,”Dr. Hunderly asked Daya.
Malcolm still refused to acknowledge if he would or wouldn’t protect Daya.
“ I- ill be fine without medication..” she mumbled before trying to now stand, wanting to get somewhere other than bugging Malcolm
“In my professional opinion, no, you won’t. But, since you insist on getting out of here, I’ll give you the ‘clear head, bit of pain’ meds. It’ll, at least, help a little. Now, you are going to sit right back down, take two of these, and then go. No exceptions,”Dr. Hunderly stated calmly.
He gently helped Daya back onto the bed, then got out two pills and a water bottle, handing them to her.
“Two pills every four hours for the next week. Then, as needed. Alright?”Dr. Hunderly said.
Malcolm stood, moving to stand by the door. He noticed the robot that had accompanied him was snooping around. He didn’t react though, so that no one noticed the little bot.
Daya sighed and took the meds “fine.” she said and took the medicine he gave her.
Dr. Hunderly watched, then nodded and handed Daya the bottle of pills.
“Every four hours for a week,”he reminded her.
Dr. Hunderly then turned to Malcolm. Before he could speak, Malcolm aimed his gun at him.
“I’m one of your fences, that’s a good enough payment for this visit,”Malcolm stated.
Dr. Hunderly sighed, then nodded and gestured that the pair could leave when they were ready. Malcolm nodded back and headed out, waiting for Daya outside.
Daya stayed behind a moment, watching Malcolm leave, “here, don't tell him” she said, handing the doctor a lump sum of cash “it's all I have on me.” she mumbled and made her way out of the building.
As daya made her way from the building she noticed the only thing she could really lean on was Malcolm. Even then he was still irritated with her, so she just tried to walk on her own. Daya stumbled but stayed upright on her feet
Dr. Hunderly took the money, staring at it in surprise. He looked at her, then glanced out the door.
“Thank you. A word of caution before you go, Malcolm is no friend to people. He is more likely to kill you than talk to you, unless he has use for you. So, if you plan to stay around him, you best find something that will keep him from killing you,”Hunderly said quietly.
Malcolm continued to wait until Daya came outside. He then headed toward his home, the robot next to him. He noticed the way Daya stumbled around, but he was undecided about what to do. He was so conflicted about Daya, and it was driving him absolutely crazy.
Daya had started to step down, finally putting her full weight on her leg that needed to be stitched together
“Ah!”
And then she fell, the throbbing in her leg damn near brought her to tears “fucking bullshit!” she yelled at herself
Malcolm stopped when he heard Daya’s cry and he turned around, heading back for her. He crouched down next to her, inspecting what he could of her leg.
“That’s why you never put a lot of weight on a wounded leg. Now, did Hunderly stitch it up at all, or was he being a fucking dumbass?”Malcolm asked.
“ it's fine just weak,” she mumbled, trying to stand back up.
Malcolm sighed, walking over, grabbing her arm, and helping her up.
“Bullshit. Did he tend to your leg, or not?”Malcolm asked.
“He looked at it, “she said and tried to keep walking “come on Malcolm, I really don't wanna be here any longer than I have too “
Malcolm held her back, not moving. His expression was stern.
“Did he fix your leg or not? I would rather have you on the mend than dying in my shop. And, believe me, I don’t say that to everyone I meet,”he said, just a hint of concern in his voice.
“Malcolm,” she said softly but sweetly “I'll be fine, I promise. If you don't believe me then you can hold me the whole time I recover, but I promise, I've been through worse”
Her words hit a nerve, reminding Malcolm of his own previous injuries. He sighed without saying anything. Then, he shifted his grip on her, so he’d support her better as they started to walk back to his store.
Malcolm pondered why he was even concerned about her. Daya had been the idiot, not him. And yet, he’d come out to find her, to talk to her, and apparently rescue her. What the fuck was going on with him? He never rescued people.
Daya was drained by the time they got back, her lightweight body leaned on Malcolm dependently.
“ I'm sorry for making you do this.” she mumbled