Welcome to Gaia! ::

Several Rps that have occurred between Aubrey and Moreau... finally posted.

Has Moreau turned over a new leaf?

Halloween Night


[20:46] Aubrey Lockheart: Aubrey couldn't watch Sabin's antics any longer. Sabin was enjoying them way too much...and while he was being much nicer than he could have been, seeing Dr. Frost's tombstone on the monitors was just more than she could handle right now.

She made her way back into the main facilities, looking over to the lab she new Moreau was working in. He had barely seen her since what happened to Frost, closing himself away from it. He hadn't shown either anger or sympathy towards Aubrey...which while it was painful not be comforted, for Aubrey still heavily blamed herself, on the other hand it was a good indication that Moreau wasn't angry at her.

Another small blessing, was that Moreau had yet to notice her being sick.

She sighed and hugged her labcoat around her middle, walking over to the door and tapping on it.

[20:50] Doctor Moreau: Moreau tapped steadily on his keyboard. Without skipping a beat he glanced over at the camera and reached over and hit a button to open the door. "Come in Aubrey." he said loudly.

Moreau hadn't been intentionally avoiding Aubrey he just didn't like thinking about or talking about anything that went wrong. This was science, there were bound to be... problems. But Moreau had a habit of taking the problems, developing from them, then pretending they never existed. He'd done it his entire life.

He had already taken what he needed from the dead patients, and now the dead Doctor's examination and had it all sealed. It was still filed in the same place, just the contents were no longer for viewing.

Moreau didn't like to dwell on failure.

[20:56] Aubrey Lockheart: Aubrey stepped in, walking over towards Nick and leaning on the desk next to him. "How you doing?" she asked quietly, running her fingers though his hair.

[20:59] Doctor Moreau: "Well, currently I am working on a recombination for a new serum I have in development. I'm fairly ahead of schedule." Moreau didn't even look up as he pecked at the laptop. He wasn't unconcerned he just liked to avoid topics like this.

[21:02] Aubrey Lockheart: "Ah." Aubrey frowned, hand slipping down his cheek then hooked under his chin. She gently pulled his face away from the computer and made him look at her. "She was buried today," she said simply, knowing full well Moreau knew what she meant.

[21:08] Doctor Moreau: "Yes, I know, I signed the paperwork. I also heard that Sabin staged something." Moreau looked up at her, attempted a half smile. "What's the point?"

[21:10] Doctor Moreau:"Yes, I know, I signed the paperwork. I also heard that Sabin staged something." Moreau looked up at her, attempted a half smile. "What's the point?"

[21:12] Aubrey Lockheart: "I dunno... I thought maybe you'd.." she shrugged. "I mean, you were co workers and all. You ... you can talk to me, you know that, right?"

[21:23] Doctor Moreau: "Talk about what Aubrey?" Moreau shrugged. "It was... unfortunate of course." It also exposes several vulnerabilities in our own security that need to be addressed immediately."

Moreau sighed "I'm just glad you weren't there. Let's leave it at that."
[21:24] Aubrey Lockheart: "It was almost me," Aubrey said, looking away. "And it was me that sent her out there."

There was a pause. "You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to. But ...we do need to talk about something."

[21:29] Doctor Moreau: "You couldn't have known." Moreau attempted to look back down at his laptop.

"Besides, part of being in charge is deferring duty. You shouldn't blame yourself... what else do you have that is important?."

[21:32] Aubrey Lockheart: Aubrey laid one hand on the back of the laptop screen and gently pushed it down. She didn't say anything until she was sure she had his full attention.

[21:39] Doctor Moreau: Moreau looked up at Aubrey, looking a little annoyed that she had done something like that. He wasn't sure he was quite so fond of when she decided to be forceful about the things she wanted. "Yes Aubrey?" he said with a sigh in his voice.

[21:43] Aubrey Lockheart: Aubrey swallowed, twisting her hands in her lap. She couldn't stay seating long, though. She opened her mouth to say something...whatever it was she needed to say was making her extremely nervous. She launched herself off the desk and started to pace a bit across the room. "M..maybe this isn't the best time. . you look busy."

[21:48] Doctor Moreau: Moreau found himself curious about what exactly Aubrey needed at this point. Curiosity was Moreau's biggest weakness. Moreau spoke with a concerned tone. "Aubrey, I'm never too busy for you. I love you. What do you need?"

[21:53] Aubrey Lockheart: Aubrey turned back around and looked back at him, a truly touched look on her face. "I love you, too, Nick," she said, walking closer to him. "This... hmm..." She hook his hands in hers and squeezed them for a moment. She opened her mouth again, then let his hands go squeezing them into nervous balls by her hips. "Nick... I'm pregnant."

[22:00] Doctor Moreau: Moreau's face went blank. He wasn't really... expecting that one. He didn't quite have a response for a good period of delay there. The look on his face was just one of him trying to take things in for himself. This was always news that was... odd when you weren't expecting it.

[01:00] Aubrey Lockheart: Aubrey twisted her hands together nervously, chewing hard on her lower lip as she watched his face carefully for reaction.

[01:06] Doctor Moreau: "That's... " Moreau paused. "...excellent." he bit his lip a little. He might have said, a shock, or a few other things. But he knew that wasn't the right thing to say. Though his heart was entirely in it, he did know better than to respond negatively, and his moment of pause had given him a moment to collect himself.

Still Moreau mused, this did make Aubrey more his than ever. He coughed a bit, clearing his now dry throat. "Though this does speed up the plans for the wedding."

[01:13] Aubrey Lockheart: Aubrey gave a releaved smile when his reaction wasn't completely negative. She sighed and stepped closer to him, but didn't reach out. "Wedding?" She smiled and clasped her hands behind her back. "Does that mean I'm officially your fiance again?"

[01:16] Doctor Moreau: "Well if your going to have my child of course..." Moreau smiled and ran his hand over Aubrey's. He looked up and smiled at Aubrey. "It wasn't like I never intended not to marry you... there is no one I want more."

[01:22] Aubrey Lockheart: Aubrey squeezed his hand back. "I know, its just.. you said I had to earn it back." Aubrey was mostly referring to the ring, but she never quite knew if Moreau still thought of her like that. His trust was hard to gain but incredibly easy to lose. "I know this.." she placed a hand on her abdomen, "wasn't exactly planned.." at least by you.

[01:29] Doctor Moreau: "Of course not, but as long as it doesn't impede the island's research." Moreau paused, needing to get that out of the way. "It's not like we don't have the means to have him... cared for at all times." Moreau smiled again, keeping up the happy appearances. Besides, the idea was... growing on him. It will be nice

[01:31] Doctor Moreau: "Of course not, but as long as it doesn't impede the island's research." Moreau paused, needing to get that out of the way.

"It's not like we don't have the means to have him... cared for at all times." Moreau smiled again, keeping up the happy appearances. Besides, the idea was... growing on him.

"It will be nice to raise an heir to our legacy." he hadn't even noticed his mention of him, not her. It was natural that he wanted a boy.

[01:35] Aubrey Lockheart: "Of course it wont," Aubrey said, stroking his hair. "Our son.." she gave him a knowing smile "...or daughter won't get in your way at all, I promise."

[01:37] Doctor Moreau: "Good... so how does a Christmas wedding sound to you?" Moreau grinned. He still had some very strong apprehensions but he was doing his best to put on a happy face for Aubrey. Besides, he'd have his heir, and he'd raise it himself, mold him in his own image. Not ignore him callously like his father had him.

[01:38] Aubrey Lockheart: "Sounds like the best Christmas present I could hope to have, Nick."

[01:48] Doctor Moreau: "Of course it will need to be media specticle. We couldn't have anyone finding out about anything here though." Moreau rubbed Aubrey's hand.

"I'll get you anything you desire for the wedding, we'll bring a wedding planner. Get everything set up." Moreau smiled, of course he'd hire a decent wedding planner, not that he'd be able to leave the island once he'd been here.

But there was always room for more subjects.

[01:52] Aubrey Lockheart: "Maybe..." Aubrey suggested softly, "it would be easier to let Corperate handle it all stateside. I can just send out my requests via correspondence. Would bring less attention?"

[01:53] Doctor Moreau: "I suppose." Moreau almost sounded disappointed. He had enjoyed making a subject out of the theropist that Aubrey had brought on board.

[01:57] Aubrey Lockheart: Aubrey hand a hand through her hair, releif and happiness finally starting overtake her. "I love you" she said, finally leaning into him.

[02:06] Doctor Moreau: "I love you too Aubrey." He smiled and pulled her close to him.

"I hope this means that you'll be keeping yourself safer..." and here "considering Angrahad, among... others."

Moreau patted her hand. "Your looking out for more than just yourself now."

[02:08] Aubrey Lockheart: "Of course, Nick," she said with a nod. "I won't step foot from the facilities until Anderson is caught. There is too much at risk now."

[02:16] Doctor Moreau: Moreau smiled. Perhaps this could work out for him after all. Keeping Aubrey here was all Moreau had wanted. He didn't want her to have anyone but him. No one to trust but him, no one to rely on but him. Once he was all that she had, all that she could have, and all that she wanted. Then she'd be completely... his. The smile on Moreau's face as he looked lovingly into Aubrey's eyes grew larger.

[02:26] Aubrey Lockheart: Aubrey smiled back, holding his head in her hands for a second. "I should probably get some sleep," she said after a moment. "My morning sickness comes around five am."

[02:32] Doctor Moreau: "Sleep so soon my fiance?" Moreau ran a hand across her a** cheek and moved forward for a kiss. "You can just take some time off tomorrow. Tonight we should... celebrate." He ran a hand closer to her inner thigh.

[02:37] Aubrey Lockheart: "I think proper celebration is in order.." she said with a purr, learning in for the kiss.

[03:01] Doctor Moreau: Moreau reached into his desk drawer. He pulled out a familar velvet covered box and handed it to Aubrey. "Happy Halloween." he then turned off the light, and led Aubrey up towards the elevatar, and towards their bed.


A few days later...


[14:21] Doctor Moreau: Moreau walked into Aubrey's lab as she was working. The door automatically opening since no door in the building kept him out. Despite the locks that were placed on them. When presented with Moreau's passcodes and DNA they would open. He had a bit of a smile, rather unusual for him, on his face as he approached Aubrey. Overall, he'd been... pleasent, recently.

[14:23] Aubrey Lockheart: Aubrey looked up from her papers as Moreau entered. She let a look of happy surprise play over her face, it wasn't often that Moreau was the one interupting her work. "Hello, Nick," she said, setting down her pen and sitting up a bit straighter.

[14:27] Doctor Moreau: Moreau grinned slyly, as he didn't appear as concerned about setting aside his work. Things seemed, more important than his own work right now. Which was a first for him, but he'd been unable to concentrate.

"Aren't you working too hard?" Moreau had been feeling extremely protective of Aubrey. He didn't want anything to... get in the way. He'd known the damage to that part of her body that Aubrey had suffered and was worried about complication.


[14:28] Aubrey Lockheart: Aubrey chuckled, removing her glasses and setting them down on the table. "Working too hard? Why doctor, I didn't think those words were even in your vocabulary."
[14:32] Doctor Moreau: "Yes well." Moreau moved around Aubrey. Running his hand down her body and across her stomach. He hadn't imagined himself like this about this kind of situation. Since day one Aubrey had caused him to act, abnormal. He wondered if the island wouldn't have ran smoother if he hadn't brought her on board. But that didn't make him regret it.

"I'm just... distractable. I keep thinking about you, and our future. Besides, the labs run smooth enough without you, or often times, even without me." Moreau shrugged. "Though I'm loathe to admit that."

[14:40] Aubrey Lockheart: Aubrey leaned into Moreau's touch, her hand coming up to rest on top of his on her stomach. Her mouth pressed into a thin line of concern for a minute. Moreau was acting...very different than she had planned. She guessed it wasn't too much of a surprise given his file on her. But Sabin's warning's echoed in her head, causing her to shudder slightly before composing herself.

"I'm surprised at you, Nick," she said with a smile. "But I'll admit, mostly in a good way. You didn't strike me as.. the type."

[14:44] Doctor Moreau: "I don't generally talk about it... but I wasn't fond of my childhood. I don't feel like my father did anything for me. I want to make sure that my son isn't just left a legacy. That he's part of a legacy." Moreau looked serious for a moment. "I won't be my father's son."

[14:48] Aubrey Lockheart: Aubrey considered his words seriously, watching his face. "I'm..." a genuine, hopeful smile crossed her face now. Maybe she and Sabin were both wrong about how he would be as a father. "I'm actually glad to hear that, Nick. I want our son or daughter to know their father, not just know of him." Mostly, at least. Pending certain circumstances. .

[14:52] Doctor Moreau: "You know... there was never a doubt in my mind. Since I first met you Aubrey." Moreau leaned down and kissed her neck, running his finger down the small of her back. "That you would one day be the mother of my child. It's why I had to know everything about you. I've never met anyone else that is my equal, my counterpart. Our child will be brillant."

[15:02] Aubrey Lockheart: Aubrey shuddered again, both from the kiss and slight sense of forboding as he mentioned 'having to know anything about her.' The file that he had shown her several weeks ago now still made her see red, and the fact that Moreau would possibly do that to her child was her biggest fear. Having this baby was risky business, as Sabin pointed out, but Aubrey was determined not to regret her decision. There were a preicous few good things about Moreau's obsession with her, and she was slowly beginning to catch on. That was the original goal anyway, wasn't it? Leverage?

Of course such powergame thoughts seemed easier said than done, especially now that she had succeeded. Her resolve was already weakening, just as it always did around him, and now she had the impending flood of maternal instincts hovering over her as well. What if a child was all that was needed? No plans, no leverage. Just good old fashioned shift in priorities?

Or was she just wishful thinking? Love and posession where the same emotion to Moreau, and Aubrey knew that if she wasn't careful that would happen with her baby as well.

But for now, Aubrey just wasn't to pretend. Why not? There was no harm to it right now. "She will be," she finally said, smiling more. She craned her neck, giving him better access. "I don't think I've ever heard you call anyone you equal before, Nick. I guess I should be flattered."

[15:08] Doctor Moreau: Moreau almost corrected her. He... but that wasn't worth squabling over. Moreau wasn't sexist, not truely, the reason he wanted a son though, related more to him and his own father's relationships. He wanted to rebuild things as it were. Fix his own screwed up childhood. Even if things didn't really work that way.

"I am... suprised though," Moreau admitted. "That this happened like this, that the birth control failed. My initial reaction was to question that." Moreau wrapped his arms around Aubrey, as his light petting was getting more agressive. "But, that's not a concern for me, I've decided this outcome is... satisfactory."

[15:17] Aubrey Lockheart: Aubrey cleared her throat. "Well, even the best laid plans...I guess welcome to the 1%.." It always felt strange to lie to Moreau, her brain suddenly trying to think of any way Moreau could possibly know. Aubrey had flushed every single pill since he showed her the file, and a few crypic notes written in red in daily planner was tracking her ovulation. Of all the things this baby was, an accident was not one of them.

"I was surprised, too. You know I didn't even know until Chubbs realized He said I smelled different.." Well, that wasn't a lie at least. Aubrey hadn't have the time or the nerve to take a pregnancy test after her last ovulation cyle, but Chubbs beat her to it, confirming a then-only tiny suspicion.

[15:20] Doctor Moreau: "Ahhh well, I suppose it's not important Aubrey. Your going to have our child... and be my wife. That's the most important thing." Moreau ran his fingers down her hair. He wasm"You're taking the rest of the day off, so am I... James is going to take us off the island for the night. I was thinking of a resturant in Florida." he grinned.

[15:21] Doctor Moreau: "Ahhh well, I suppose it's not important Aubrey. Your going to have our child... and be my wife. That's the most important thing." Moreau ran his fingers down her hair. He wasn't used to being like this, but he was sort of liking it. "You're taking the rest of the day off, so am I... James is going to take us off the island for the night. I was thinking of a resturant in Florida." he grinned.
[15:21] Doctor Moreau: "We already have reservations." he placed his hand on what she was working on.

[15:23] Aubrey Lockheart: Aubrey's eyes widened in surprise. "Really?" She blinked, a flabbergasted, yet happy, look on her face. Holy s**t, Moreau must be serious. The little blossum of hope grew a bit more in her chest. Yes, yes perhaps she and Sabin were both wrong after all. "That sounds... wonderful, Nick!"

[15:27] Doctor Moreau: Moreau took Aubrey's hand and lead her out of her office. Whatever she was working on, could wait till they got back. As he hurried her out and turned off the light to her office a grin spread across his face. Seemingly, more malicious than some of his others. We'll see where things go from here... Moreau thought to himself.


A Week Later...


[20:32] Doctor Moreau: Moreau walked into Aubrey's office unexpectadly. A sly smile on his face. Moreau slid up to her desk and put his hand on her current paperwork. "I'm sorry to pull you away from your work again. But I have need of your assistance for something... important."

[20:33] Aubrey Lockheart: Aubrey blinked in surprise, looking up at him, a small frown on concern on her face. "Yes, sir." She stood up and pulled her labcoat from the back of the chair, slipping it on. "Everything okay?"
[20:39] Doctor Moreau: "No no... no labcoat. You'll need a dress though, something nice. Luckily, I've already ordered you one." Moreau smiled. "Some of the Feral Labs cliential are holding a party, and I've been told I'm not showing a public enough face. Holed up on my island, people are asking questions."

"Not that that's my only motivation. I wouldn't mind taking my lovely fiance out for a nice night." Moreau slid forward and kissed Aubrey's cheek.

[20:40] Aubrey Lockheart: Aubrey slid the coat back off her arms, letting them hook around her shoulders. "Off the island?" She was obviously surprised, but not opposed. "Again?"

[20:42] Doctor Moreau: "Yes, this may become more common in the comming days. Still, Dr. Aubrey Lockheart Moreau would need to be prepared for such circimstances." Moreau smiled again and turned his head slightly, as if asking a question he already knew the answer to.

[20:51] Aubrey Lockheart: Aubrey couldn't help a smile come over her face as he said her soon-to-be married name. "Oh?" she asked curiously.

[20:57] Doctor Moreau: Moreau leaned forward and spoke into Aubrey's ear. "Yes, the party is in New York, but we'll both be stopping in Florida for a makeover. From there, the Feral Labs plane will take us strait from there, to an airport near the party. It's going to be a long night."

Moreau moved his lips down and kissed Aubrey's neck, "Are you prepared for it?"

[21:00] Aubrey Lockheart: Aubrey let a giggle pass over her lips. "I think I'll survive." She turned her head to meet his kiss, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. "Sounds fun."

[21:04] Doctor Moreau: "Yes it does... this could become commonplace you know. I hope you're prepared for fancy parties, expensive dinner meetings, and frequent travel around the world." Moreau ran his hand down the small of Aubrey's back, slipping it under her shirt. "You know, if we hurry, we might be able to grab a quickie before James arrives."

[21:07] Aubrey Lockheart: Aubrey's eyes lit up. Frequent trips off the island? Now that she could live with. "You spoil me," she said with a purr. Her hand slid down to his belt. She gave Moreau a playful wink, her unspoken answer to his second suggestion.

[21:10] Doctor Moreau: "I'll send your work to Sabin. So we don't get behind." Moreau escorted Aubrey out of the room, and up towards the bedroom. Well, she was getting everything she wanted, it was only a matter of time now., he thought.


The Next Day... After a Wonderful Night at the Party.


[21:08] Doctor Moreau: Moreau woke up in the Executive Suite of the Five-Star hotel with he and Aubrey stayed in after the party. He had his arm wrapped around her and therefore wasn't able to move much. He had spent the entire evening with her during the party, which truthfully, while lush and extravagent was not his... taste. Still, as long as it made her happy, he wasn't going to worry about it. He had been asked to make more of a public face, but he'd always ignored those requests before. Still, this seemed like an opportune time to start doing just that. He couldn't wait to tell her what was next, he hoped that Sabin would be able to handle things.

[21:14] Aubrey Lockheart: Aubrey swam awake, nuzzling into Moreau's chest as she stirred. She had a wonderful time last night, though it was a bit overwhelming. Moreau's attention to her had not gone unnoticed, but she was cautiously optimistic. Maybe Moreau really did just want to spend more time on his personal life than his professional life...maybe.

But for now, at the very least, she was content to enjoy the moment. "Hi," she said with a smile as she looked up at him and realized he was awake.

[21:23] Doctor Moreau: "Hello beautiful." he leaned forward and kissed Aubrey passionately. He rolled over and put his arms above her. "Did you have a good time?" Moreau nodded looking over the candy and snacks they'd had in the hotel room after the party. It had been... a fun night after the party. The sheets were horribly mussed and neither of them had anything on. That much Moreau could testify to.

[21:34] Aubrey Lockheart: Aubrey smiled up at him. "Amazing," she said in a midst of a stretch that ended in a happy sigh. She draped her arms over his shoulders. "And you? I haven't much of a chance to see you the center of attention, at least, you know. Publically, at least."

[21:40] Doctor Moreau: "Well, it's not my taste really, there's only one person who I worry about being the center of attention with." Atleast for now, Moreau thought as he said this to Aubrey. His cell phone started ringing suddenly, spoiling the moment as he reached over to answer it, sounding rather annoyed. "Yes?"

[21:44] Aubrey Lockheart: Aubrey sighed as the phone ring, patting the side of his face as she sat up a bit, gathering the sheets around her chest. She watched him curiously, wondering who was calling. With as busy as he was locked away on some island, she wondered what his life would be like if she was a 24/7 CEO.

[21:55] Doctor Moreau: Moreau spoke on the phone for a moment, looking annoyed, though it was mostly an act. "Well, we won't be getting back today, apparently it got around that I was contactable. We need to make a business trip to Paris, and meet with some of the Feral Labs Europe people." he snuggled with Aubrey. "Atleast we'll get some time in Paris."

[21:58] Aubrey Lockheart: Aubrey's eyes widen again. "Paris?" She shook her head, surprised. Everything was just so sudden. "Wow, at least it sounds like fun, Nick. Think Sabin can handle it?"

[22:02] Doctor Moreau: "I'm sure, he's been taking care of a lot of things lately. I'm sure it'll be fine." Moreau kissed Aubrey again, his tongue stroking her tongue When he pulled away. "Still, Paris, you, me, it's like that first trip. You were so vibrant and beautiful." He paused, smiling, "So anything you'd like to do in New York before we leave?"

[22:05] Aubrey Lockheart: "Shopping," she said with a grin. "I only packed for the weekend." Might as well take advantage of his generosity.

[22:08] Doctor Moreau: "Whatever you want. You can always have whatever you want with me." Moreau kissed Aubrey again. He would give her whatever it took, he wouldn't give up, until things were where they used to be and beyond.

[22:09] Doctor Moreau: "You know Aubrey, I think you'll be a wonderful mother... and it's good to have an equal. My mother was nothing like that, she was nothing but a red-headed bimbo who my father married for appearances." Moreau grinned. "I got beauty, intelligence, and an equal."

[19:44] Aubrey Lockheart: "You think I'm gonna be a good mother?" Aubrey couldn't help suppress her grin, even though her concerns were starting to bubble to the surface.

She sat up a bit more as he finished. It sounded good to hear, and she knew she should probably just shut up and enjoy it. But something...
"You really think so, Nick

[19:47] Aubrey Lockheart: "You think I'm gonna be a good mother?" Aubrey couldn't help suppress her grin, even though her concerns were starting to bubble to the surface.

She sat up a bit more as he finished. It sounded good to hear, and she knew she should probably just shut up and enjoy it. But something...
"You really think so, Nick?" She shifted. "I mean, that's wonderful. But all this... I mean, this have to do with the baby?"

[19:53] Doctor Moreau: Moreau paused for a moment, sighed, and put on a sincere smile. "I do think so, but it's not just that..." Moreau put his hands on hers. "You're going to be my wife, and the mother of my child. I won't be the kind of person my father was, I want to be able to balance the needs of my business, my research, and my family. I want you to have everything you've ever wanted, not be neglected and ignored. I realized I might have done that in the past, but I don't want that to be the case. Because you are very, very, very important to me Aubrey. You're the only woman I could ever see myself with. Because of that, you deserve the world, or atleast as much as my attentions and affections can give you."

[20:01] Aubrey Lockheart: Aubrey pulled him closer. "As long as you really mean it, Nick, and not just saying because you think I need to hear it."

[20:10] Doctor Moreau: "I'm serious here Aubrey." Moreau sighed, "I can understand if you've been burned in the past, but this is serious now. I realized how much you meant to me when I nearly lost you. Then this happened, and it only made me realize the true importance of the family we are going to have. You have to trust me." Moreau reached for Aubrey's hand and kissed the back of it.

[20:14] Aubrey Lockheart: Aubrey's face broke into a sincere smile, letting Moreau kiss the back if her hand before she pulled his face close to hers. "Then I trust you. And I love you, Nick. I think you could be an amazing father."

[20:19] Doctor Moreau: "Good, I'm glad to hear that. That's what I want to hear." Moreau snuggled with Aubrey for a time longer. Letting her, and even himself some, get caught up in the moment. Aubrey was important to him, and most of the things he said, he did mean...

Zach didn't even try to move until after the door had shut and the lights had been on for several minutes, and when he did it was only to pry his wrists free and try to work a circulation through them that was already there. He was so nervous he almost felt sick. Unknotting everything else took a little more time, but eventually he was left with just some thick rope and no daunting knots. He half-curled up, bracing an elbow against a leg so that he could hold his head up.

It was obvious what he was supposed to do next - untie Gaius. And he would, if only because it was required. Unfortunately, he was too engrossed in his worried thinking to keep track of how long he was spending doing it. His tail swished, slowly, but his eyes indicated he was staring off to a place much farther away than the adjacent wall.

"What? Oh. Yeah." He got up and wound his way slowly to the nearest of the knots that Gaius was bound by, the one that had his right hand tied. One claw hooked in the right spot and the entire thing became loose enough to undo with his bulkier fingers. He seemed to steer clear of so much as brushing Gaius's arm on accident as he did so despite their close proximity, already treating the horse-man as though he had some sort of leprosy. He didn't speak, couldn't speak. Not to Gaius. They'd exchanged too many hateful truths to turn the situation into a casual affair.

Once the knot had been undone he moved around sluggishly to the other side and worked on freeing the left hand. There was no eye contact, hardly even a sign that Zach was fully aware Gaius was there. But each time his hands slipped or were moved as he worked, they stayed as far as they could from Gaius's skin. With both knots undone, Zach left Gaius to figure out the others on his own while he investigated the wood and tools with a visible grimace.

He'd just stooped down to pick up a hammer when Gaius finally joined him by the building materials. He jumped at the loud clap, following it with a disgruntled glare. The room was deathly silent when there was no noise being made. Knowing that Gaius had punched him already before once (the punch he'd thrown first the other day didn't count, as it had been justified), he felt marginally safer hefting the tool. It wasn't like he'd have to resort to that, not here.

Normally he'd have found the grunt work that Gaius was doing and for all appearances doing badly at amusing, but Gaius's pointless effort was watched expressionlessly this time. Zach himself didn't know the first thing about carpentry or anything similar. It was tough to be at all adept at using power tools when one was missing an arm.

He turned his gaze back to the pile of wood, then over at Gaius once again. The horse-man seemed to be either extremely optimistic in the face of utter failure, or at home in his element. He opted for the latter. He tapped his claws against the metal top of the hammer, completely mystified as to how they could climb 25 feet with wood and tools. "How?"

If putting two pieces of wood on the floor was supposed to hold any significant meaning, he couldn't see it. Admittedly he had no ideas to contribute, still feeling like the situation was all one rather bad dream that had snowballed right into reality. Grudgingly, he clarified, asking his question with a tone that held no faith in what Gaius had been thinking out loud. "How... do you propose we build stairs?"

All the while he stayed where he was, still clinging to the hammer. As long as he wasn't asked to do anything, he didn't have to do anything. Right? Right. It wasn't like he wasn't contributing - he still had no idea what Gaius was thinking. 'Working together' was a concept he had never grasped as well as others seemed to. He watched silently for a little while longer, looking at Gaius himself several times and hoping that he would explain what he was doing without Zach having to stoop to asking.

"Uh-huh..." Well, the sooner this was over with, the better. There was no room to be bored by what was going on, what with the adrenaline still coursing through him and making him antsy. So this wasn't the most horrible thing Sabin could have chosen to do, knowing his... style. It was more the message Sabin stated he was trying to get across. There was something off about it, just like the hesitance last time he'd spoken to the doctor. What was it about Gaius that Zach didn't know?

He glanced down at the plank he was supposed to nail down, looking at it distastefully. He hadn't gone to college just so he could build ladders like anyone with a blue collar construction job. With the hammer swinging at his side in his loose grip, he investigated the glinting pile of tools for some nails. There was a decent amount of them. Carefully he gathered about six into his hand. There was no sense in dawdling, though despite his speed, his shoulders were slumped and his confidence appeared completely drained.

The nails were dropped on the floor after he kneeled down by the plank. He snatched one up and placed it point-down around where Gaius had pointed. He held it with his left hand, feeling that at least if he had to smash up one of them it would be the less dexterous one. The hammer was raised delicately an inch over the head of the nail, and came down with a very minute 'thunk'. He tapped it with the hammer again, this time a little harder. A few wood shavings, but the nail was barely in. When he finally got it about halfway in, he'd stopped holding it with his fingers and had started to simply knock it in. Just when it should have gone in the rest of the way, his swing didn't hit perfectly and the nail bent sideways. Whoops.

Zach tried picking at the bent nail in the hope that he could bend it straight again, but his fingers were no longer fit for poking into small spaces, and even the clawtips couldn't hold a decent grip on it. His frill was fanned out of worry. At this rate they'd never get out of this room.

Given how dismally silent it was without his hammer or Gaius's saw, there was no way to avoid hearing the retracted comment. He rolled his eyes at the snort that Gaius made and refused to look in his direction. One more hopeless attempt to claw the nail back out of the wood, and he leaned down to pick up another. This one he actually managed to hammer in right. His tailtip flicked triumphantly, but every other part of him stoically denied he was feeling anything. He glanced down at his meager four nails, then to the length of the incomplete ladder. One nail and three planks across.

Well, s**t. This wasn't about to get done anytime soon.