what cannot be said will be wept

a small smile reappears on pink lips. mel nods, satisfied her words were taken well and with the right intention. she tries sometimes, with the others, to reach out when they look troubled. it's not always successful or mutual ( at least not without some patient pulling them away before she can even finish her sentence then they always seem to forget they were ever discussing anything in the first place ). doctor mohan always seems engaged, at least, even if she too can be distracted. they all can. this place does not lend to lengthy conversations outside of casework. mel has accepted that even if it leaves her isolated. sometimes she thinks doctor mohan is isolated too. maybe they all are.

there is blood under genevieve's thumbnail, and she's old enough that the hunger isn't much beyond a piqued interest at the back of her brain. she's concerned more with her vague feeling of inadequacy — she can't save everyone, at least not in the way she wants to. she can save everyone from their fate of death, but that... it's unkind. unnatural. it's saving someone from certain death and condemning them to a lifetime of being the same. which might as well be the same thing, when she really thinks about it.

she doesn't know why genevieve even tries. inés looks at the world and most nights she feels nothing for it except exhaustion, disconnect, thirst for their blood and beyond that little more. the indigo glow around her eyes flashes as they watch the other woman, receding until her irises appear mostly their natural brown. they soften, perhaps. not because of whatever unfortunate soul suffered but because it is making her companion miserable. perhaps misery loves company but misery can get fucked.

seeing the surprise in doctor king's eyes might have made someone else look away, embarrassed that they had been caught staring. not clarice. she simply grinned at the blonde, somewhat amused by the way she decided to avoid eye contact or say anything about why clarice might be gazing at her. agent starling felt something growing inside of her, something protective, or possessive. obsessive. she'd felt it before, though rarely, and she'd been able to muzzle the feral part of her that wanted something for herself. listening to doctor king speak, clarice couldn't be sure she'd be able to tame it, this time.

she glances up again at the heartfelt words, her expression smoothing out with a small smile. she blinks and focuses back on her work. it's rare to have a patient in her position laugh ( and not be induced by morphine or some such medication ). it's a pleasant sound, however, and it causes mel to relax, letting her smile briefly reappear again though she is certain she has missed some kind of social cue that warrants the laughter. ❝ uh, okay good. that's good. ❞ maybe her line of questioning feels ridiculous to the agent, for all she knows perhaps it's a requirement in the field to be up to date on shots but mel assumes nothing, especially with the world as it is.

Taylor Dearden as DR. MELISSA KING

don’t go out there.

pretty AND smart. we’re gonna get along just fine.

if you hurt her i’ll kill you!

what are you doing here?

you’re late. as usual.

you’re in this with me now, [ name ].

no one else is gonna save you.

why don’t you slip into something more comfy, huh? like a coma!

i’m gonna put you in the ground like it’s my job.

you’re following me?

i noticed you already ‘borrowed’ all of my whiskey.

you’re supposed to be normal - you’re supposed to be SAFE!

of all the things i’ve ever wanted to call you? you’re such a coward.

wanna know how batshit i am? nobody shoots my family but me.

you stupid, crazy bitch.

you’re really staying this time, aren’t you?

this is blackmail, you dick!

how DARE you!

you owe me dinner. i’ll settle for tacos!

it seems i have settled among a commune of artists.

how about smiling, huh? you ever do that?

well, i like attention. i always have.

you ain’t one of us.

i’ve been meaning to introduce myself, i’m [ name ].

when i see something i like, i don’t wanna wait.

good thing you’re not some guy, right, or this would be really, really awkward ...

you don’t have to be nice to everybody.

i would remember a face like yours.

i’m an excellent judge of character.

you’re so not my type.

darlin’, i’m everybody’s type.

the dead don’t get a vote.

pfft, rookie mistake.

god, that’s super weird — what’s going on?

you need to hide.

run ! i’ll hold them off.

i am sorry, [ name ], but it’s you or me.

you’re a good man! you’ve got a code!

you don’t wanna do this!

you have no idea what i want.

buy me a round, [ name ]? seems like you’re just my type.

we can’t all settle down with our high-school sweethearts.

welcome to team ‘shut up and do what he says’. sometimes, we get donuts.

you should be doing this. you were meant to.

deal with that ... or i will.

we didn’t trust each other ... and now look what i’ve done.

you do not know what i am.

you’re supposed to be a hero.

pull your head out of the past.

the hell took you so long?

this is what our victories might have to look like.

look, if you’re about to propose a threesome, i’m tired and i haven’t shaved my legs.

this just doesn’t make sense to me.

goddamn, it’s you.

the problem with this criminal thing, is it’s kinda fun.

i can’t live like this, not anymore

don’t get your hopes up, we don’t know what we’re gonna find.

it wasn’t my idea to do this.

this is the only way to sanctuary.

you just could never help yourself.

vengeance is hollow, [ name ]. it isn’t worth a thing.

you’re not a monster.

i need rules. a code. otherwise i’ll end up just like you.

stop kidding yourself, [ name ], you are exactly like me.

i sympathize with your predicament.

leave, if you want.  go get ... dead.

only one death scares me, and it didn’t take.

ugh, ever heard of manscaping?

come on, he is just ... so beneath you.

what’s up, [ name ]? i never see you.

i’m the one with the vendetta, why are you gunning so hard?

we? there’s no ‘we’.

why should i help you?

you think an $8 bottle of pinot will make me listen?

i never liked you, you know.

am i in danger?

back then, you lived and died by what the seasons gave you.

shut up and help me.

can’t we just enjoy the moment for once?

[ name ], now is not a good time.

happiness is a myth.

would you like some company?

it’s gonna be a long night,  might as well make it fun.

you’ve done your worst.

how many tiny pillows does one girl need?

hold on a second, i want to record this so i can replay it to you when you’re being a dick.

you being here is definitely not selling ‘normal’.

there’s been a change of plans, i need to go away for awhile.

this is supremely cryptic, even for you.

say ‘pomegranate’ if someone’s got a gun on you.

this doesn’t seem healthy, [ name ].

i don’t really care where we are, as long as we’re all together.

are you sure you’re okay?

don’t be cross, i’ve got wood.

your ass is like ... top shelf.

dude, you’re like a walking bumper sticker.

is this strip poker? i’m not shy...

this kind of wound won’t heal, i’m dead already.

you save your vendetta for another night.

you suck at your job.

don’t shoot me, [ name ].

honestly, [ name ], you’ve gotten so weird.

that is NOT sexy!

nobody keeps booze in here, [ name ].

i think somebody’s trying to scare you ... toy with you. why?!

you of all people should know better than to try and make me question my sanity.

what do you MEAN you killed a stripper?

in my experience, dynamite solves all manner of problems.

haven’t you read a romance novel lately? heroes always win.

oh, you want to be a hero?

wanna tell me what that was about?

that was really brave. stupid, but brave.

i have something i need to say.

i’m starting to think sanity’s overrated.

i understand if you hate me.

you’re always, ALWAYS lying.

we should get some breakfast, i could murder a stack of pancakes.

you should know by now, i’m not most people.

well, you learn something new every day.

hey, no, you’re okay. lay back.

[ name ], i need you to listen to me.

okay, [ name ], we’re in serious shit here.

park your daddy issues.

i’m not like you, [ name ]. i’m not brave.

what was the last thing you saw?

close your eyes, take a deep breath in.

look at who the cat dragged in.

cut the bullshit. i know who you are.

you use humor as a form of self - defense.

answer my questions without any more guff.

what is it with psycho’s and talking in the third person?

you’re not really in the position to do any bargaining, are you?

you do look like you can handle yourself.

you want my help? you need to earn it.

i guess [ name ] wants you alive for something.

we should make it look real.

you know how to make someone show you where something precious is hidden? set fire to their house. it’s the first thing they go for.

don’t be irrational, [ name ].

you served your purpose, and now you are released.

i’ve had a lot of names, but you can call me [ name ].

you weren’t leaving without me, were you?

never touch my stuff.

you’re the sickest puppy in the litter.

you were dead ... and now you are not.

oh, aren’t you the master of deception?

let’s not kid ourselves, you’re not going to survive this.

[ name ], i always hoped that i would have this pleasure.

if you stand for nothing, you are sure to fall.

you do what you do best, [ name ], you fight.

you’re just like me. you’re broken.

i’m not lonesome, i just prefer to hunt alone.

you have to let go sometime, [ name ].

you continue to disappoint me.

let me make it up to you.

i thought i’d feel different. i thought i’d look different.

you release the rage, you might find there’s nothing left.

woah, wow, this is not what i expected the cat to drag in.

for the first time in ages, i woke up and knew exactly what i needed to do.

you can try, but i dare you to cockblock the drive i woke up with this morning.

i’ll sleep when i’m dead.

you’re not alone,  [ name ].

just once i want you to say it. that you care about me.

someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed.

why do i even get out of bed?

i lost you once, i won’t let that happen again.

[ name ], you are shakin’ like a leaf.

jesus, listen to me. maybe i am crazy.

i’m not sure this is the best idea.

you’re the one who told me i should blow off steam.

i’m not crazy, right? there’s something going on here.

you’re making fun of me ...

get in the car.

could everybody just stand still for one freakin’ minute?!

it’s gonna be okay.

i just screamed at you, you shouldn’t be nice to me.

we’re not dating.

i would never ask you to be someone you’re not.

yeah, sure, [ name ], whatever you want.

[ name ], what kind of a mess have you got yourself into now?

if you shoot, this all goes to shit.

your poker face is pitiful.

sorry, no speak evil.

who won’t you make a deal with, huh?

you can judge me all you want.

what do i care for some broken woman’s opinion of my character?

you can talk all you want. they’ll be your last words, anyways.

this whole time you’ve thought this was personal.

you shut your lying mouth.

what happened to being friends?

it’s not so easy to be brazen when the thing that you want, that scares you to death, is sitting right in front of you.

i scare you?

when i think about what i wanna do most in this world, it’s you.

jump in anytime, [ name ], because i really don’t know how to do this.

maybe you should make me.

i owe you a heap of thanks. and my life.

can i at least buy you a drink?

aw, [ name ], you really do care.

it’s worth dying to see the look on your face.

men are all the same. even the demonic ones.

[ name ], calm your tits. have a drink.

do me a goddamn favor and refrain from mentioning that name.

i think you would be very pretty in blue.

everybody knows... about us. the sex.

you tracked me?

what are you doing here, [ name ]?

if you’re keeping things from me, IMPORTANT things ...

don’t get all hard & forget that you’re human.

sun’s starting to go down, we should head back.

i feel a real connection with you, [ name ].

i do hate goodbyes.

look, we need you, okay?

can’t you at least try?

we can’t tell anyone. not until we know for sure.

i don’t want to be rude, but i don’t know any of you ... or what’s happening.

i don’t drink.

what kind of people give a kid a switchblade?

this is your home, [ name ].

how can you think this is funny?

i’ve been crazy, didn’t care for it.

i’ve been told i have character.

are you scared of me?

i need to start drinking less ... or much, much more.

how in the hell did you get this?

i lost control. i was angry at everything ... at everyone.

you promised to never tell anyone that.

it’s always been you and i.

it can be like it always was ... and different, too. in all the right ways.

you’re not alone anymore.

i think i got a little bit shot ...

i need you to tell me everything you know about [ name ].

i thought i was doing what you asked!

whatever you’ve got planned, i’m game.

now there’s a sight for sore eyes.

i don’t wanna hurt you.

why aren’t you more freaked out?

if there’s one thing i’ve learned this year, it’s that ‘good’ is a moving target.

what are you gonna do about it? tell on me?

who the hell are you?

you took it from me?

nobody’s getting hurt on my watch.

when are you gonna take responsibility for all that you’ve done?

i’m running out of goddamn time.

this isn’t over. i’m coming for you.

now you know how it feels when people take your things.

i know that you’re scared, so am i.

are you sure you’re up for this?

you might want to stand back.

you went wrong.

this one’s gonna hurt.

stitches were commonplace in her line of work, which means that, when doctor king begins to suture ( with a surprisingly delicate hand ), clarice doesn't so much as close her eyes against the pain. she's felt worse. and though it does hurt, it isn't enough to cause a solid reaction within the fbi agent, nor bring any sort of expression to her features besides the movement of her eyes to land on the resident. while she's talking, clarice glances over her creasing brows, the whites of her focused eyes, the uniformed way her blonde hair is pulled up into a tight bun. this isn't the first time she's seen doctor king, often passing her when clarice is here visiting a victim or checking on another agent. it is, however, the first time she's been able to look at her so closely, and admire the empathy she can't seem to hide from her own features as she causes another life pain.

mel involuntarily makes a face at the description her patient provides. she briefly looks over the laceration pattern again before focusing on her sutures. it matches up. maybe a sharp fence is not the worst thing that could happen to an agent in the field but she prefers not to consider the alternatives. law enforcement come in and out of here. there is a symbiosis—or so dana says there is supposed to be—which is respected, even if she does not always appreciate their methods when handling criminal patients around here. she also remembers how they treated doctor mckay as well. but perhaps someone like clarice is different. she seems different. either way it isn't her job to judge.