Joshua & Lea

I woke in the morning and sighed as I got up, hoping the day would start out better than last night had ended. I showered and dressed then went down to start breakfast.

Joshua

I heard him leave his bedroom and listened as the sound of his footsteps carried down the stairs. I was desperate to avoid him at all costs, especially after last night. I got out of bed and decided that maybe a shower couldn't hurt. I hadn't really taken one since I had been chained up in that god forsaken hole or whatever the fuck it was. Pepper had washed me up that best she could while in her care but I hadn't had the energy to actually bathe or shower. I went into the bathroom and pulled a towel from the cabinet and then turned the water on. Steam was already fogging up the bathroom mirror as I stripped out of my clothes and stepped in. The shower felt radiant against my skin and with my back against the wall, I slid down into a sitting position.

I was finishing up breakfast and could still hear the water funning upstairs. I turned the stove down to low then headed upstairs, knocking on the bathroom door. "I made breakfast. I'll keep it warm until you come down." 

Rolling my eyes, I just kept setting there. He'd be waiting awhile, for sure. This guy doesn't know shit about me, just what he's read that was recorded before I left. I'm not that same girl anymore, not by a long shot. Pepper had done the best she could but I probably needed antibiotics. I could have went to medical personnel on the way back but I was too embarrassed and it was none of their business anyway.

I sighed when she didn't say anything. "Can you at least let me know you haven't drowned in there? I really don't want to bust in on your shower."

"I'm fine!" I finally called out to keep him from coming in.

"Alright. Thanks for letting me know," I called back. "I'll see you downstairs when you're done," I said then headed back down.

Well, he just wasn't going to give up was he? I stood back up slowly and washed my hair, and then my body. Afterwards, I shaved my legs and they would probably be forever grateful. Poor things. The only way to get him out of the house was to meet him downstairs and then I'd be able to leave and find a doctor or something somewhere. Once my shower was finished I turned the water off and stepped out, drying myself with the towel. I was still bleeding from time to time so I couldn't put my old clothes back on. I picked them up and stuffed them into the trash can, shoving them to the bottom so hopefully no one noticed them. I made sure my towel was secured tightly and headed downstairs to the kitchen. "Joshua?"

"Yeah?" I asked, looking up and faltering when I saw her in just a towel. I quickly pulled myself together and got up to pour another cup of coffee. "What do you need?"

"Clothes. I can't wear the others."

I nodded. "Sure, let me find you something," I said and went to leave the kitchen then stopped. "I uh... I made you an appointment... at the clinic. I know you were one of the ones that got kidnapped and you refused medical attention. I thought, just to be safe, we should get you checked out. I'll just drop you off and wait outside for you, I'm sure you don't want me going inside. Um... let me just... I'm gonna go get you some clothes," I said and headed upstairs.

Joshua

I waited as he came back down and he placed the clothes in my hands. I knew I was glaring but I didn't really give a shit at the moment. "I don't need or want you going to the doctor with me."

"I wasn't going to go inside with you if it makes you uncomfortable, but you can't be out and about without me. You have to be supervised. I was going to drive you and wait outside for you so I can take you back here." 

Joshua

"Why do I need to be supervised? I'm not a child. I already told you last night that I wouldn't try to leave again."

"That's just the rules sweetheart. Lea, sorry. We have to follow the rules or I'm in trouble and you're in jail. I don't want that. You don't either, trust me." 

"Yeah, I'm far from a sweetheart and you have no idea what I want." I snapped and moved past him to go back up the stairs.
 

I rolled my eyes. "I said sorry. Hey, you want clothes or you want to keep traipsing aruond in that towel?' 

I turned around and snatched the clothes out of his hands. "Thank you."

"You're welcome, Your Highness. I'll see you downstairs when you're done," I said then headed back down.

After I finished brushing out my hair and getting dressed I met him downstairs. "I'm ready if you are."

"I've been ready. Why don't you sit down and eat." 

"I'm not hungry. Can we please just go?"

"Whether or not you're hungry, you need to eat. Eat a little something then we'll go." 

"With all attitude aside, I don't feel like it. I'll try when we get back, but I really need to go now."