* WIP, TECHNICALLY

‘ He’s mad. ’ He’s mad, and he doesn’t love her, and she can’t be in the house anymore, can’t look at james without feeling her stomach sink, can’t do a lot of things, hasn’t been able to for a long time. She grips Lorcan’s arm, glad he’s here, because it’s all going to be fixed now. If it isn’t, she doesn’t know what she’ll do. ‘I-I wanted to take the baby, he just wouldn’t let me.’

‘ no, i feel bad because you’re old. ’ she laughs a bit, as if incredulous at james’ assumption that he would be her first choice, if given the opportunity of someone younger, more attractive. ‘ c’mon, we both know that your dick is average, at best. ’

‘ what, that’s supposed to make things more exciting? ’ she gives her best impression of a bored teenager, slouching down in her seat, away from him. ‘ if i wanted to suck somebody’s dick, first of all, it wouldn’t be yours. ’

‘ it seems to me that you’re the only one under the impression of giving orders. ’ eyebrows raised, head tilted in an almost supercilious manner, she still manages to give the impression of comfort, moving swiftly to his side, voice smooth. ‘ i understand you’re feeling a bit frustrated. i have other patients to attend to, but while i’m doing that, why don’t we take a walk to the nurse’s station and get something to help you calm down? ’

‘ maybe it’s the catholic guilt. ’ maggie’s joking, of course. catholic is not an descriptor she would apply to herself, nor him, for that matter. ‘ i’m just bored, that’s all. this is the only fun thing i get to do, and now it’s all the same. ’

maggie acquiesces, pressing her lips to his. for a second, she can pretend that this is normal, that his hand isn’t up her skirt, that she isn’t fucking a catholic priest, but the moment of calm is brief. ‘ i’m not sullen. ’

maggie does know what he likes, knows he doesn’t particularly care, and it’s exciting. ‘ fine, daddy. ’ she shakes her head, makes no motion to move closer, as if she’s the one indulging him. ‘ there, does that make it better? ’

‘ i guess. ’ maggie offers him a teasing smirk, lips parted slightly. he doesn’t answer her question, but she doesn’t press it. ‘ is this what you thought you’d be doing when you became a priest, father? fingering teenage girls in the back of your car? ’

‘ no. ’ it had been, actually, but she’s not about to give him that satisfaction, not after that laugh. ‘ i couldn’t sit down for three days. ’ she raises an eyebrow, casting a suspicious squint in james’ direction. ‘ that’s disgusting, you can’t just wipe your runny nose on your sleeve. ’

‘ i wasn’t planning on touching you. ’ her gaze remains unwavering, expression firm. she isn’t frightened of james, his behavior is simply a minor obstacle in obtaining order once again. ‘ you seem to be under the illusion that i’m afraid of you, and that threatening me will not face consequences. mr innes, i want you to know that i care very deeply about the safety and well-being of my staff and patients, and your behavior will not be tolerated. unless you wish to fine yourself penalized for your actions, i suggest you sit down. this will be your final warning. ’

the more he screams, the more he fights, the less likely she becomes to approve him for release without some severe intervention. ‘ mr innes, are you threatening me? ’ she refuses to take a step back, instead makes brief eye contact with one of the hospital aids in the room. he’s already read the environment, seen james’ body language, knows what to do. words, however manipulative, do not seem to be capable of solving this situation. ‘ if you don’t calm down, i will be forced to take other measures. ’

‘ you're stressed and frightened, which is very normal for patients who have come in under circumstances such as yours. i understand how difficult this must be for you to accept, but here, you are not somebody. you are here for treatment. you are here because you could not take care of yourself. ’ she continues, putting words in his mouth, telling him how he feels. ‘ please don’t point at me, mr innes. it’s rude. ’ she looks at him with dismay, like a librarian telling a child to keep quiet. ‘ obviously, you’re rather distraught. i think it may be better if we continue this conversation later, after you’ve had some time to rest. ’