taxonomites | 005 ☢ [location: ncis forensics lab, then sanctuary (for all)]

Most times after he's woken up from an episode (episode is the best word he can think of to describe it - like a seizure, only instead of biting your tongue there's immeasurable collateral damage), Bruce slept for a few days straight. Even though he couldn't remember most of what had happened and he never had a mark on him afterward, it was still an enormous physical strain. He was still tired even now, and this was after four days of constant sleep.

When he'd woken up in the infirmary of the Sanctuary for All, there had been a fresh set of clothes and his tablet next to his bed. He had spent the first few moments wondering just what had happened, then everything came rushing back - the party, Ross and Blonsky's sudden appearance, then nothing but vague flashes until someone had woken him up in the middle of a wrecked house. He did remember something about a pipe in someone's chest, but that had to be some kind of weird, post-monster dream. After that, it was a simple matter of figuring out what he had to do.

Run. Not that there were many places to run to while in this city, but he could at least get out of the Sanctuary and find some other place to crash. Bruce grabbed the clothes and ran through the network as he pulled them on. When he saw Abby's post, he knew what had happened - and who knew how many other people who weren't able to make such calls for help - and felt horribly guilty for it.

So, even though he was determined to leave the Sanctuary and avoid anyone who knew him as 'David', he still felt badly enough to be compelled into leaving a note at Abby's lab. It took him a few tries to actually write it (Hallmark really needed some 'Sorry I turned into a monster and hurt you' cards), but eventually settled on a simple 'Sorry'. Bruce taped it to the door and walked away. Maybe he'd leave a similar note at the Sanctuary later.

[ooc: Locked to Abby Sciuto first, then whomever wants to grab Bruce sneaking back in to the Sanctuary for All to leave the note for Magnus. Hee, silly hobouncle.]

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Abby took the syringe (very carefully) and walked it over to the storage area for safe keeping. She didn't plan on launching a full work up right now, but figured if she could snag it now, she could work on whenever she had the chance. Turning around, Abby flashed him another smile.

"Thanks. It'll make me feel better to actually work on something." She crossed the room and stood in front of him again. "Alright, so, confession time?" Abby twisted her face as she worked up the nerve to say it. "I've been kind of terrified to leave the lab lately. It's been like. I don't even know. Three, maybe four days? Basically since the party. But I'm trying to get over that." She paused and looked at her shoes briefly before realizing how silly that was.

"Do you want to get out of her." She gestured towards the door. "I don't even know what I'd want to do. Bowling? Does even Taxon have bowling?"

Bruce breathed easy again once the blood was safely put away. Careful or not, accidents still happened.

"No problem," he replied easily. Meeting Abby's eyes, he stiffened himself at the mention of confessions, bracing himself for the worst. When she came out with it, he relaxed - only not. He knew it was his fault she was so scared and damn it.

"Whatever you want to do, Abby." It was the least he could do considering he was to blame. "I don't know if there's bowling, but. I don't mind looking."

Abby pulled out her tablet and flipped it onto the mapped screen. She poked and prodded around at it for a minute, mumbling to herself about how if they didn't have bowling, she was going straight to the mayor. A joke, of course, but she was getting a little frustrated.

"Aha!" She exclaimed finally. "I think we might have struck oil." She looked up at him before turning the screen for him to see. "Taxon Bowling. So creative, but I'll be damned if this place doesn't know how to work around the necessities." She grabbed a coat, twisting it in her hands while she eyed the door.

This was silly. Bruce had admitted to turning into the creature that had chased after her. He was in the lab and somehow she felt safer? Going outside with him didn't change anything. So why wasn't she moving. She glanced at him, offering a weak smile while she tried to laugh it off. Abby slipped on her coat and took a deep breath, willing her feet to move to the door.

Bruce put his cap back on, standing up as he pulled the sleeve of his sweatshirt down. He waited for her to take the lead (it was always easier to follow). When she didn't, he wondered what was wrong, and then it clicked.

When Abby tried to shrug it off, he stepped up beside her, slipping his arm around hers, giving her a little tug toward the door.

"You better go easy on me, huh? Haven't really done this in a while." He gave her a small smile, trying to coax her on.

Abby took a deep breath and closed her eyes briefly before stepping towards her door. She reached across her body and gave Bruce's arm a soft squeeze.

"Thank you." She said very quietly. Another breath and she was opening the door and finally venturing back out into Taxon. A pit formed in her stomach, but she reminded herself that Bruce wouldn't harm her. He'd come all this way to apologize, to make amends - and she was doing her damndest to show him that she wasn't afraid of him. It was really too bad that she was, to a point - or rather, afraid of what he could become.

"Sorry, I don't go easy on anyone. You go bowling with me and you better expect to watch me wipe the lanes with you." She tried to smile, and succeeded in part. Abby looked back at her tablet and then at the streets. "I think it's this way." She pointed to her left, "Just a few blocks, then another few south."

005 ☢ [location: ncis forensics lab, then sanctuary (for all)]

[location: NCIS forensics lab]

[location: NCIS forensics lab]

[location: NCIS forensics lab]

[location: NCIS forensics lab]

[location: Shelley]