Marc hummed, choosing to believe her for now. “But they may not know that. Is that part of the reason why you want to leave so quickly? Because they might come after you?” he assumed gently. It wouldn't surprise him really. If the people in the other car were willing to crash Ariella to get what she had, then a second “attack” wouldn't be unlikely.
Yes and no. Ariella fully believed they would retaliate. Even if they knew she didn't have the orb they might very well come for her simply because she slipped their grasp. And because she knew of it. They didn't know that she had no idea of the importance. But it had to be important enough to want to kill her for it. Fortunately, she was proven to be hard to kill. But this man was assuming she was a damsel in distress. She might be able to use that. "Yes," she said quietly. Technically the truth. "And it's hard not to he suspicious when I didn't get a good look at any of them. I don't know who's after me." Then she squinted her eyes at him. "I don't think I ever caught your name."
“Ah, forgive me. That was my fault. My name is Malone. Marcus Malone.” he answered as he realized she was right. As an extra assurance, he took out his police ID and showed it to her.
“Now, I don't blame you for being concerned but, if you'd like, I can arrange to have an officer stand guard until the hospital staff discharges you.” he offered, fairly sure that he would end up taking a shift there too.
Ariella leaned forward as much as the cuff would let her and examined the badge. She stared at it perhaps a little longer than necessary then laid back down once she was satisfied. She didn't particularly want a someone to stand guard for her until she was discharged. She just wanted to go.
"What will you do with me once I am discharged?" She wanted to know if she was being arrested. She likely was but she prayed otherwise. She was not in the mood to escape police custody. While she'd done it before, ger head was still throbbing, even if jt wasn't as bad as before, and her broken nose was painful to every slight movement. She had to breathe out of her mouth and even just talking caused some pain.
Marc let her stare. He was quite proud of the ID, silly little thing though it may be. He had worked hard to earn it. “Well, I’m afraid there will be a fine for the destruction of public property and reckless driving. And you may have to appear in court.” he admitted professionally. “At least, we have proof that you weren't drunk but the rest is up to you. If you can help us find the people who were chasing you and might make another attempt, things might go over easier.” he coaxed.
A fine was a lot better than being arrested. And she would be long gone before any of that came to court. Satisfied, her lips pulled up in a small smile. This was going a lot easier than she had initially thought. "So," she drawled, "If I'm not under arrest can you take the handcuffs off now? And do you think I could get my clothes back? And my knife?" She doubted she would get her knife back but it was worth a try.
Marc chuckled a little at Ariella’s tone but shrugged. “I can take the cuffs off but your clothes and any other personal belongings are being held by the hospital. Which means they likely won't give them back until they’re satisfied with your recovery.” he admitted as he pulled out the key. “And you’ll still have the guard outside your door.” he added with a wink, suspecting that she’d still try to escape.
Ariella pulled a face as he mentioned the hospital had her clothes. She wanted those back. They were the only pair she had. And she couldn't very well call someone to bring her clothes. She didn't have anyone. Especially not on this side of the ocean. She didn't have any money either to buy new clothes. She was relying on the hospital to not mess up her things.
She was also not very happy with having a guard outside her door. She was hoping to be able to slip out and leave. She had things to do, places to be. But instead of pulling another face, she said with a sultry voice, "You know, if you ever want to use handcuffs, all you have to do is ask."
Marc gave her a sympathetic look as he took off the cuffs. “I wouldn't worry too much. The hospital staff usually takes pretty good care of their patient's things. At least they didn't have to cut your clothes off.” he added.
He blinked, freezing for a moment at the unexpected remark, and looked at her in surprise before shaking his head. “Sorry, sweetheart. I’m still on duty.” he managed to smirk. “Besides that would be a conflict of interest as long as your case is ongoing.”
Well, that was good new to Ariella. Her clothes should be in mostly decent shape. She only hoped they didn't have too much blood on it. She hadn't bled much from what she could see other than the nose. Perhaps she got lucky and it didn't stain her collar but she doubted that. Hopefully she woukd be able to get a new shirt as soon as she was out of here.
Her face lit up in a grin as he responded to her flirt. "Oh, come now, don't be like that. I won't tell if you don't, and I'm very good at keeping secrets." She was getting out of this one way or another. "And what's wrong with a little risk. You might find you enjoy it."
This time he did chuckle but shook his head. “I am well familiar with risk and, yes, there are times when it’s worth it. But right now, this is my work, and because of my own history, I can't take that risk.” he admitted, pulling back with cuffs in his hand. “But I will be seeing you again, Ariella.” he smiled politely back as he turned towards the door.
Ariella looked him up and down as she rubbed her wrist. Her eyes slowly traveled the length of him with a satisfied look in her eyes. Pretty men truly were her weakness and this was a pretty man. She was almost disappointed he didn't take her up on it. And even more so that he was leaving.
She raised her hand and gave him a little finger wave. "Hmm, will you be my guard, Mister Malone? Or is someone else taking up the duty of standing outside this poor damsel who poses no threat." A lie she thinks they both know but she gave him an innocent enough look.
Marcus raised a brow as she sized him up but let it happen. She was certainly an attractive young woman even if she was trouble. “Oh, I’m sure I will be back sometime tonight.” he smirked. “Though I think your skill at driving makes you less of a damsel than you claim.” he teased, quickly closing the door behind him as he exited the room.
Ariella huffed out a laugh before wincing as she moved her nose too much. She let out a quiet groaned as her head flopped back on the pillow. She quickly regretted that as it sent a wave of pain through her head. She made a quiet moan as her headache began to spiral again. She needed stronger meds than what they had given her but even she knew there was a risk giving too much pain medicine to a concussed patient. And she'd had one enough in her life to know that she was concussed. The only question was how severe was it. Thankfully, her doctor came in shortly after Marcus left and explained her injuries. Broken nose, which she knew, and mild concussion, which she had suspected. The wanted to keep her over night to monitor the concussion to make sure it didn't get worse and then she would be discharged.
Marc smiled in relief when he heard Ariella laugh at his cheeky comment. A part of him had said that saying that would make her mad but… then again she was American. Maybe they appreciated that kind of humor a little more or were just less touchy about it. Or maybe it was just her and he got lucky. Either way, he walked out of the hospital in a fairly good mood. Despite the fact that he had such a slim lead to go on for this little case. It would certainly make things interesting.
Without much to do until they discharged her and gave her back her clothes, she decided to take full advantage of the hospital. They had free Healthcare right? She had a movie on the TV, one of the few things she missed about Earth. She had ordered food and was currently munching on a lagansa with garlic bread. England's hospitals had much better food than in America.
The rest of Marc’s day was fairly normal for a policeman. He had to report everything he now knew about Ariella’s case to his supervisor and was unsurprised when he was assigned to guard duty for her. At least he might get more information out of her… Hopefully.
It was late by the time he finally returned, relieving the current man on duty. Though he only knocked once the other officer was out of sight.
Ariella also got dessert after dinner that was so much better than terrible American pudding. She got a slice of chocolate sponge cake with ice cream. She almost didn't want to leave. She was enjoying herself too much. She even liked the nonslip hospital socks on her toes. She was watching a rerun of Harry Potter. She was in London, how could she not? If there wasn't a need to get back to her friends, she would have gone to visit platform 9¾. Alas, she couldn't this time.
She raised her head to look at the door as she heard a knock. She paused her movie before speaking. "Hello?" She really hoped she wasn't speaking out to a would be killer bur she doubted anyone sent to kill her would just knock on the door.
“It's just me.” Marc assured as he opened the door, to let her see. “I told you I would see you again.” he smiled, walking into the room and closing the door behind him. “Are you feeling better?”
Ariella hummed as he stepped back in. "Hmm, they always come back to me. I'm too irresistible." And cocky, apparently. But how could she not be? She was attractive enough and made up the rest with her confident personality. She shrugged her shoulders. "The headache is gone for the most part as long as I'm not near anything loud. The nose will heal by itself in a few weeks. Nothing much can be done for a broken nose."
Marc let himself laugh at her confident attitude but shook his head. “I'm just here for my job. Don't let it get to your head, sweetheart.” he scolded playfully. “But I'm glad you're going to recover soon. You look like you're enjoying a vacation for someone who was so eager to leave.”
Ariella just gave him a teasing smile. She knew he was here doing his job. She was trying be playful to make this whole thing more enjoyable. It was working a bit. She looked at the movie paused on the screen and then back at Marcus. She was enjoying herself. "Well, since I'm being babysat I might as well enjoy myself until I'm free to go." It's not to say she couldn't get out even with a guard at the door but it wouldn't be easy, especially with the wounds. And she had been hungry. Might as well take advantage of a free meal.
Marc nodded, somewhat understanding. “I'm glad you're not going to try to run at least.” he chuckled as he glanced at the tv. “Makes everything easier. But you must have been bored to put this on.” he teased.
Ariella gave him a slight smile. "A little. And I'm in London. What better place to watch Harry Potter than here? Maybe not in a hospital would be more preferable but I'll take what I can get." She shrugged her shoulders. "What are you doing here? Putting in overtime?"
Marc just shook his head. “Is it just because the actors are British that people think that way?” he asked, half curious. “Because the school is supposed to be in Scotland. And the books are better.” he couldn't help but quip.
“No, I’m not here for overtime.” he replied, bringing the chair back over to the bed. “I'm here to make sure that nothing happens to you. And if you feel like talking, maybe get some more information about your crash and car chase.” he admitted with a smile.
Ariella shook her head. "No, it's because kingcross station is here. When near platform 9¾, you must watch Harry Potter. It's the rule, at least for outsiders." And it had been years since she had last watched the movies. It had been on and she didn't want to watch the news so Harry Potter it was. She was already on the fourth movie, her favorite.
"Hmm, do you think because I like you I'll be more inclined to share information with you?" She asked, an eyebrow raised. "Well, I've told you everything I'm going to say about it. So prepare for a long night."
“Oi, I’ve seen the movies.” Marc defended. “I still think the books are better and Kingscross Station is actually rather boring. They even put up a bloody sign for Platform 9¾ and people walk into that wall all the time.” he groaned.
He chuckled a little and gave a shrug. “Worth a try. Besides, I’m fine with long nights. It's better than slow mornings.” he smiled.
Ariella couldn't hold back the laugh. She didn't lice in London but she supposed after so many years of the same shenanigans, it could get old very quickly. "The books are better. They're always better in my opinion, but they did a wonderful job creating the movies. Besides, it's been awhile and I don't want to watch reruns of the news."
She tilted her head thoughtfully. She didn't really understand that. She had never had a stable job before. "Well, I promise to give you and entertaining night. Not in the way you'll let me but I can figure out ither ways."
Marc sighed, giving a grateful nod at the agreement. “There are many books that have been made into worse movies than this. But I’m surprised you don't want to watch your little adventure on the news.” he smirked.
“So far being in the same room as you is certainly entertaining enough.” he admitted, getting comfortable. “But you can leave on your movie. You’re the patient, I’m just visiting.”
Ariella rolled her eyes with a playful smile. She most definitely did not want to watch that. She didn't want to hear what anyone had to say about her. "Not really, no. Besides, I'm already on the fourth movie. I'm doing a marathon here. I'm going to try to watch as much of it as I can." There was only one way to watch Harry Potter. A marathon.
She wasn't sure if she should be offended by that or not. How was her presence entertaining? She narrowed her eyes at him but pressed play on the movie regardless. The volume was low so it didn't irritate her headache. "Hmm, what about sleep? You will need it."