Getting Back to Normal
December 19th
After several days crashing on Fusco's couch, Shaw finally came back to her own apartment. The night he came to take her from the field was foggy, but she's knows that she owes him big. Or perhaps they were even now. It was hard to keep track these days. Her volume had been turned up too high that day and she's been working to bring it back down to normal. Well, her normal.
Luckily, he hadn't forced her to speak about what happened, he just made sure that she ate regularly and asked that she didn't curse when his son was around. He even brought Bear to his house.
She hung her jacket and looked around, noticing that her mail was on the counter. The Machine probably had one of Her lackeys bringing it inside. Most of it was junk; some bills, advertisements, she tossed them aside.
She came to a brown envelope bearing the logo of Thornhill and sighed. Shaw was glad to have some radio silence for a few days as she hadn't yet replaced her phone. She was worried that reality would have to sink in once again. She ripped the top off the envelope and tipped it over, examining the contents:
A new cell phone. Of course.
Car keys that appeared to belong to a Mustang. Was the Machine bribing her?
An ID badge with her photo and 'Sameen Miller, M.D.' printed underneath. Oh no.
A plane ticket for Dr Miller to San Diego departing this evening. One way.
And information regarding a hospital called FairHaven.
She placed her hands on the cool counter top and shook her head. This package meant one of two things: the Machine was sending her on a mission, or admitting her to some hospital for the treatment of her... issues. She wasn't sure which option was worse. She powered on the phone and dialed Lionel.
“Fusco,” he answered after several rings.
“It's Shaw.”
“Oh,” his tone was immediately lighter. “You finally get a new phone?”
“From the Machine, yeah.”
“What's the news?”
“Apparently She wants me in San Diego. Tonight,” she grabbed the ticket and turned it over in her hand.
“She's sending you to California in the winter? Are you kidding me? Where's my beach vacation?” His voice was filled with mock outrage. Or maybe it was genuine. In that case she probably wouldn't mention the car.
“Pretty sure vacation requires that you do actual work, Lionel.” He chuckled, “she also sent me information on a hospital.”
“What kind of hospital?”
Shaw shrugged, even though Fusco obviously couldn't see. “It's probably an institution for unstable killers and she's shoving me aside like a senile old man.”
“Shaw...”
“The package came with a cover.”
“So I guess you're back in business then, huh?” Shaw was silent for a few moments. Lionel spoke again, “I'm babysitting your dog, aren't I?”
Bear was still at his house anyway, and she's sure his son wouldn't mind some more time with him.
“Don't act like you hate it,” she finally replied.
“Yeah yeah. Try not to kill anyone when you're sun bathing and I'm stuck here freezing my ass.”
“Goodbye, Lionel,” she heard him still grumbling when she hung up. He did deserve a vacation after everything that happened.
She looked at the phone in her hand and noticed the home screen image; it was Bear. Her lips turned upwards slightly before seriousness washed over her face.
“Anything you want to say to me?”
The phone lit up with a new message that read: She needs you.
The number. Right. It seemed like the Machine was all business for now.
“Whatever,” Shaw put the phone down and started to pack for her trip.