[Darcy Vance]

Darcy’s pulse spiked as she felt the air thin, and her lungs screamed for oxygen that wasn’t reaching them. The room swayed slightly as her vision darkened, but she kept her expression calm, showing no sign of panic. This wasn’t her first brush with someone dangerous—and, as unnerving as it was, she needed to keep her focus on him, not on the tightening in her chest.

With a steadying breath—or attempt at one—she raised her hands higher and held her position, trying to show him she wasn’t going to push any further. Darcy’s voice, though faint, was controlled as she managed to speak. “Alright… I’ll stay right here.” She didn’t dare take another step forward.

Locking eyes with him, she spoke slowly, hoping her calm could somehow ease his mistrust. “I’m only here to help. I’ve got meds for the pain in my pocket,” She added softly, motioning slightly with one hand to the bottles in her coat, “And I can keep my distance while I leave them with you.”

Darcy paused, fighting against the dizziness creeping over her. “I need you to ease up… just a little. Otherwise, we’re both gonna be in trouble.” She didn’t break eye contact, letting him see the honesty there. “So, if you want to get out of here in one piece… let’s try this without hurting each other.” She really ought to stop talking, before she used what breath she did have.

Her heartbeat thudded louder in her ears, but she kept her stance calm and steady. She’d been in tight spots before—she just had to hope he’d see her as an ally, not a threat.

[Jason Sharpe]

The universal gesture of surrender went a long way, but not far enough. He half expected her to use a Gift on him, or someone else to barge into the room, with a tranquilizer or rubber bullets or something, he had no idea. He wasn't used to having his abilities available to him in a setting like this, as he was usually so drugged out of his mind he could barely walk.

The pain in his back reared its ugly head, growing sharper with each ragged breath. He could feel his own senses and thoughts sharpening, feeding off of that terrible ache. But it wouldn't last long.

Jason narrowed his eyes as the women gasped out her words. She seemed to be trying for reassuring, but he'd heard that before. He wouldn't fall for that. He'd had too many needles plunged into him, too many volts run through his body, too many powers used on him to lay back and let it happen. If those pills really were pain medication, he could knock her out and take it. She was probably figuring that out right about now too, so he didn't think she was using that as a bargaining chip. But if she really was a doctor - a real doctor - while his memory was fuzzy, he was very aware that he needed help. He could feel that warm surge of power slipping already.

He didn't 'ease up' as she put it. She was the one using up all her air to speak and he simply didn't give it back to her. Her threat made his expression darken. The vortex in the room shifted, an impossibly strong wind whipping back to crash into the woman, pushing her back against the wall behind her even as he continued to block off her airway until she couldn't breathe.

But the longer he studied that look in her eyes, let her tone sink in, felt his muscles strain and shake at simply remaining upright...

Jason let go of the air in the room suddenly, though his guarded expression never left the woman by the door. He didn't trust her. But...she hadn't explicitly given him a reason to kill her. Though he was more than prepared to if she made any sudden movements.

The only person hurting anyone here would be him hurting her because he wasn't about to let what happened two years ago happen again. He'd killed before and he would again if he had to. Conscience be damned.

[Darcy Vance]

Darcy slumped against the wall, her back pressed firmly to the cool surface as she fought to regain her breath. Her vision fading, the edges of the room losing focus, and she forced herself to meet his narrowed gaze, keeping her movements slow and deliberate. She wasn’t about to push him any further; she’d seen too many wounded animals lash out, knowing that a cornered soul could be the most dangerous of all.

When he finally released the air in the room, Darcy felt the pinprick of panic as her lungs felt they couldn’t fill themselves quick enough. She gasped, coughing slightly as she tried to force herself to take more steadying breaths. The room coming back into focus as she pressed a hand to her chest. The dull ache in her chest eased up as she breathed, but she didn’t dare make any move forward, didn’t try to close the gap. Instead, she reached into her coat pocket, pulled out the bottle of painkillers, and, with a flick of her wrist, gently rolled it across the floor toward him. It stopped just short of his the table he’d been laid out on.

“Pain meds,” She said softly, her voice steady but quiet. “They’re yours to take if you need them. No strings, no tricks.” Her gaze stayed on him, her hands resting open at her sides, showing him she was unarmed and in no rush to get any closer.

“I get that you don’t trust me,” She continued, her voice carrying just enough warmth to show him she wasn’t going anywhere. But still sounding a touch strained from the sudden loss of air before. “You’ve got no reason to. But… I’m just trying to help.”

Darcy drew a slow breath, letting the calm settle over her. She knew she had to meet him on his terms. “All I want is to make sure you don’t bleed out,” She said simply.

With that, she went quiet, allowing him the space to make his own choice. She’d done all she could to show him she was exactly who she claimed to be. Now it was up to him. She wasn’t willing to put herself further at risk, she had a family waiting for her at home after-all.

[Jason Sharpe]

[Dane Wayland whenever you want to hop back in]

Jason slumped back against the table. A few more pillows would have been humane. But he supposed he could be just as much monster as man if he wanted.

He forced his eyes to stay open, watching the woman slump to the ground and slowly pull precious air back into her lungs. Pressed his teeth together and bite the sides of his tongue, just hard enough to hurt, to remind himself he was real and present and not just in danger, but dangerous.

The only sound in the medical ward was the heart monitor that hadn't changed rhythm since he woke up, the thrumming AC, and the sound of Darcy coughing and wheezing. Jason narrowed his eyes as she reached into her pocket and pulled out the bottle. The pills tinkled against each other in the bottle as she rolled it over. He watching to plink against one leg of the table and spin and come to a stop below. He couldn't get up gracefully to reach for it, but it was close enough to look at. Not that he knew what he was looking at. Pills. Definitely.

Dark eyes flicked back up to Darcy as she continued. Jason watched her warily. He huffed in amusement as she claimed to want to make sure he didn't die. Sure. But she had a point. The pain was deepening and forcing its way in, taking over. The back of the table felt warm, and he realized maybe that wasn't sweat from exertion, but something else. Still, his gaze didn't leave hers.

Once again, he felt like a terrible judge of character. But that man at the rest stop had got him here. And he still wasn't sure 'here' was a bad place or not. But rest stop had been a bad place. No question.

Jason swallowed and nodded slowly, putting his own hand down and limp across his lap. The darkness tugged at him, encouraged him to let go and relax and give in. But he had promised to be here. For Her. The heart monitor slowed, first to something more relaxed, and then more and more as he struggled not to drift off from pushing himself.