Hadrian Jupiter

Vida looked down at her scar as she curled her leg in closer to her chest. “It might not be what you’re dealing with, but it feels big to me.” Her fingers traced the length as she continued, not meeting his eyes. “I used to run track. I was the best. In my school. In my district. In my state. I was the fastest. I had a full ride to any college I wanted. I had a boyfriend that was going to follow me. I had the world in front of me, down at my feet.” She swallowed slowly to clear the emotion. When that didn’t work, she downed the rest of her wine. God, she’d kill for some whiskey right about now. “I got hurt at a meet. Just a small tear, but they told me not to compete for a while. I hated it. I couldn’t practice. I couldn’t focus on anything else. So, eventually I just decided that I was fine. I mean, it didn’t hurt anymore. It didn’t bother me at all so I figured I was clear.” She bit her lip as her eyes lost focus and she went back in time to that day. “The next meet I competed. I made it through the first event fine. Not even a twinge. Then, about half way through the second my knee just buckled. It happened all of a sudden and in slow motion all at once. I could feel it tear. Then I just collapsed on the track. I couldn’t move it without screaming.” Her voice faltered, too thick with emotions she’d fought to bury. “They did surgery and I had to do rehab. I swear sometimes that was worse than tearing it. And even after all that, they said I’ll never be able to run like I used to. I tried of course, but it wasn’t the same. It never will be.” For a few moments she was quiet, focused on breathing and not crying. She forced a smile as she met his eyes again. “Like I said, seems silly.” So convincing, Vida. Why don’t you tel him you’re the Queen of England now? He’ll totally believe you.

“I’m less concerned with looking particular attractive and more with looking even somewhat presentable. And my intention wasn’t to ‘pick up’ anyone.” She said, somewhat more annoyed than she normally would. She was tired and frustrated and not in the mood to be overly pleasant. She looked back in the mirror. Her hair had fallen halfway out of it’s upswept style and was bulging out on the left side. In addition to this, several flyaways had escaped and floated in every direction, giving her a crazed appearance. She took it down and shook it out and then, as best she could with only her fingers, she pulled the top half of the hair to the back of her head and French braided down her back. When she finished, she pulled the braid around her shoulder and checked the mirror again. There were still a few loose hairs at the top and sides, but it would have to do. She raised the sun visor and looked over at Hadrian as he drove. He looked intense as he concentrated, his stern jaw set. “Are you going home as well after this is well, Hadrian?” She asked innocently. “You’ve had a long day of rescuing people. You must be tired.”

Hadrian noted her rather annoyed tone and even though he had a comment on the tip of his tongue, he bit it back. Which wasn`t extremely usual of him. Yet, he realized that she was probably still in pain and getting to know her even a little bit, meant that he wasn`t so set on making fun of her just for the heck of it. Instead he concentrated on the road, his mind drifting. It struck him that it had been years since there was someone else in his car with him - let alone a woman. Apparently teaching at the college meant that Hadrian`s life had finally started to change. Yet he still wasn`t sure if it was a good change or not. At her question, Hadrian glanced at her and noted her somewhat fixed appearance. He didn`t even notice her doing it. “Not sure,” he exclaimed. “I tend to just go with the flow, you know? I mean, who knows, maybe I will find an injured dog by your place and will have to take it to the vet. Today seems like the kind of day that that would happen.” 

Elisabeth had been so focused on getting used to the crutches that she had forgotten he didn’t know where she lived. She gave him the address as she lowered herself into the car and awkwardly fit the crutches in beside her. She pulled down the sun visor and caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. Horrified, she turned to Hadrian. “Please don’t tell me I looked like this the whole time. Oh, I’m a mess!” She said, turning back to the mirror and beginning to fix her hair.

Hadrian was backing out of the parking lot when Elisabeth spoke. Glancing over her, he raised his eyebrows. “What in God`s name are you talking about?” He asked, focusing on the road instead. “You could have broken your leg and yet you`re concerned about not looking your absolutely best? For a trip to the hospital? I mean, sure I suppose the doctor was ‘sexy as all hell’, but I don`t think that`s a good place to pick up men, Miss Andersen.”

Vida started at his sudden outburst and for a moment all she could do was stare at him. Why was she here? Thoughts raced through her head, one after the other. All too fast for her to actually catch. She tore her eyes from his and set her fork down. Her mind quieted a bit, the thoughts becoming more tangible. Finally, she settled on the truth. Her eyes met his again so she could catch his reaction. Her voice was quiet and wavering as she spoke. “I’m here because of what you said the other day. Because try as I might, I can’t get over it. I’ve tried just about everything, but it just keeps circling around in my head.” Her fingers traced the scar on her knee. Her hands needed something to do. Preferably something that wouldn’t send him into a rage or push him away. Fuck it, she thought. Might as well get it all out there. “I’m sorry for the other day. That wasn’t the time or the place to say any of that. I just … ” She blew out a shaky breath, pausing for a moment. I just thought you wanted me as much as I wanted you. She shook her head before saying, “It doesn’t matter, I guess.” God, she needed to leave. But her body wouldn’t move. It stayed frozen, waiting for him. Funny, he hadn’t even commanded it this time.

Elisabeth colored, but remained silent. Her independence had nothing to do with power and everything to do with doing what was best for herself and others. She didn’t want to burden anyone and end up facing their resentment if she couldn’t adequately pay them back. She had seen the same thing happen so many times with her parents. Her father’s disappointment when she forgot a business partner’s name or her mother’s embarrassment when Elisabeth’s manners has to be corrected in front of a client. Besides, she had taken over the business almost a decade ago, moved away from her home a good 4 years ago, and she was used to being on her own. She was comfortable being responsible for herself. There was no one to disappoint and no one that could disappoint her. Now, under Hadrian’s stare, she felt just like a child again, being chastised by her father. She only remembered that she was in fact his superior when her spoke to the doctor. She was about to correct him, but the doctor calmly explained that the papers would allow her to be released at the front desk. He could handle himself, so Elisabeth focused her attention on the crutches. She lifted herself with her good foot and placed the rubber passing against the side of her rib cage. She took a few hesitant steps and then looked at Hadrian, glad to be at eye level with him again. “I’m ready to go whenever you are,” she said.

It seemed like what he said had struck a cord. Good. Hadrian really believed in what he was trying to tell her - and for some reason he hoped that she`d listen. When she tried out the crutches he watched, almost getting ready to catch her in case if she fell. Though thankfully that didn`t happen. “Yup, let`s roll.” He held the door open for her, gave the discharge papers to the annoyed lady he yelled at before and left the hospital. Walking towards the car, he glanced at Elisabeth to make sure she was following. “So, will you give me an address or will I have to try and guess where you live?”

"It's fine as opposed to a person you don't know sticking their fingers into your chicken," Hadrian replied, trying to look calm. On the inside he was fighting the urge to drum his fingers against the table. For a second or two he even considered leaving the room to call Aileen- maybe she'd know the appropriate way to keep the conversation going. But eventually he decided against it, as he knew how she reacted to such nonsense calls. At Vida's words he waved his arm, dissmissing her concern. The reality was that he just had no idea how to answer that and not look like an idiot. So there he just stayed, sitting there and playing with his food as he wasn't hungry enough to eat. But in the end even he had enough of the ongoing silence- Hadrian placed the fork down and just watched her instead, his mind going a million miles an hour. "Why?" He suddenly exclaimed, before he even had the chance to understand that he did so. "I mean... why are you here? And no more bluffing about the food- why are you really here?" He had been battling so many questions for so long that one of them was bound to slip out. Thankfully the one that did wasn't so terrible. And yet he found himself still staring at her, unmoving. He no longer could hide his curiosity.

Elisabeth hadn’t expected him to give an answer right then and there about dinner, so she was happy to let the subject drop. She did actually roll her eyes at his response to the doctor, something that her mother would never have approved of. It wasn’t the way a lady should act, but she was fairly certain that prim manners and professionalism meant very little to Hadrian and thus, she needed to adapt. After all, wasn’t that the first rule of marketing, know your audience? “Oh, I don’t want their pity, and I certainly don’t want anyone to feel obligated to help me simply because I have a minor sprain.” Her lips turned down into a defeated frown. “Though I suppose I’ll need the help carrying things if I’m on crutches. I don’t know. I’m too tired to plan it all out right this moment.” She turned to swing her legs over the edge of the bed as the door opened and the doctor walked back in with a pair of crutches and a few papers, which he handed to Hadrian.

“Are you always so uptight?” Hadrian wondered, raising his eyebrow at her. “You know, I am all up for control and power, but gee, let someone else take care of you if they are willing. Frankly, it`s rather fun. Are you even allowed to have fun every once in a while? Cause it sure as heck doesn`t seem so.” Then again, given what he knew about her and her family, fun most likely wasn`t a big word in her vocabulary. “Nah, come on, you don`t need anyone - you can carry all the files in one hand, hop on one leg and in the mean time use the free hand to juggle,” as he said it, he rolled his eyes. Was she aware of how ridiculous she was being? When the doctor gave him the papers, Hadrian glanced at them and then back at him. “And what am I supposed to do with these?”

She feigned shock to hide her embarrassment. “Oh, a date wouldn’t do. I don’t believe the world is ready for such a leap. No, it would simply be a way of showing my appreciation for all you’ve done. You really have gone out of your way.” She said, growing more serious as she praised him. At that moment, the doctor came in with the X-rays and she fell silent. He explained that her ankle wasn’t broken, only badly sprained. He said she’d have to be on crutches for the next couple of weeks and wrap her ankle, but that she should be fine otherwise. Elisabeth dreaded the idea of hobbling around on campus in such a helpless state, but one glance at the hospital wheelchair reminded her that things could be worse. The doctor looked at Hadrian and asked if her husband could drive her home, and when she answered in the affirmative, he said he would arrange the discharge papers and bring them in with the crutches. With that, he was gone again. Elisabeth turned to Hadrian. “Well, the situation isn’t ideal, but I supposed crutches are better than being unable to work at all.” She sighed. “Goodness, this is going to be mortifying, isn’t it?” She said. She was a professor, but she was still a young woman, and as such, she was at least slightly concerned with what people would think of her.

"Aw, and here I was thinking on how could I put all worn-out date cliche's into one evening. Oh well, maybe some other time." Truth was, Hadrian was not a dating type of person. He couldn`t even see himself bringing someone flowers and waiting at the doorstep. He even thought that maybe one day it would be actually fun to try it out. "You know, you can always just hand me your job and we`d be settled. No? Oh well." The truth was that he was stalling on his reply. Helping a fellow colleague was all good and fine with him, but going to dinner? Yeah, he wasn`t sure if that was a good idea. He was well aware of his temper and it seemed like his relationship with his boss was just getting better - it would be a bummer if she brought up a topic he disagreed with and the evening would end with him yelling at her. Which was always a distinctive possibility when dealing with him. Eventually he just left her offer unanswered - there were too many ifs and maybes for him to decide. Besides, the doctor came in and he kind of hoped that she`d forget her offer at all. When the doctor called him a husband, he grinned widely again. "Her husband is just honestly the best guy you will ever meet. Right, wifey?" With that Hadrian gave her a small wink. "Oh, pha! You`re thinking about it in all the wrong ways! First and foremost, people will go out of their way to help you, so for the upcoming few weeks you won`t have to carry anything. Plus, people tend to be nicer to injured people, so really, it`s the best thing you could have hoped for."

Elisabeth was surprised at how comforted she felt by his words. As tired as she was, it was refreshing to be with someone who didn’t mince words for politeness sake. She was used to working out hidden meanings in people’s speech, it was that talent that had gotten her so far in business. Still, having to do it day in and day out could get exhausting, like being surrounded by people that speak a different language and having to do mental translations before being able to respond. But Hadrian spoke her language, and in that moment, she realized just how much she had needed that. He was being downright logical, and though she didn’t like being wrong, she was happier to concede to a logical argument than anything else. “Well, I can’t disagree with you, Hadrian.” She paused, still a tiny bit reluctant to accept help, but then she continued. “I’d be very grateful for a ride home when I’m released.” In the back of her head, she began thinking of ways that she could repay him for his kindness. “Perhaps when I’m feeling more myself, I can invite you over properly for dinner.” She was surprised as soon as the words were out of her mouth, but they were out now and she couldn’t take them back. Although the more she thought about it, the more she found that perhaps she wouldn’t have taken them back even if she could have. Now that her dynamic with Hadrian seemed to have shifted to a friendlier one, a meal with him could be pleasant, and surely a dinner would be innocent enough.

Hadrian was glad to hear her agree with him. He couldn`t stand people who were too stubborn to admit that they were wrong. Which, unsurprisingly, was the main beef he had with the majority of students around. They were young, inexperienced and so bloody sure of themselves. When your every comment is met with resistance, it`s hard not to blow up on them. "See, now was that so hard?” He wondered, tilting his head. "You won`t have to try to get back home from the campus and I won`t have to insist on helping. In my mind this is a win-win situation." He did not want to see her hopping around campus. Besides the plain humiliation, he also felt like that would hurt quite a lot. Her next comment made him grin widely as he eyed her suspiciously. "Are you asking me out on a date, Miss Andersen?" He was sure that she was most certainly not, but he could not pass up on the opportunity to tease someone. If she actually were, it would be a completely different story. "I know that apparently we are already married, but a date seems like such a big step forwards in our relationship. Are we really ready to take it to the next level?" He was intentionally making it as awkward as possible.

Elisabeth had to fight the urge to roll her eyes at him.  She didn’t understand how he always seemed to ready to fight with someone.  It wasn’t a feeling she understood at all.  To be honest, she would usually rather spend her days sitting at home alone with a good cup of coffee and a stack of marking to pass the time.  If she did find herself around other people, she certainly tried to avoid arguments as best she could.  When Hadrian offered to take her home, she immediately began protesting.  “Oh, no, you’ve already done so much, Hadrian.  I couldn’t ask that.” It was then she remembered that her ankle might be broken and she had to admit that arranging for a taxi home sounded like more of a hassle than it had before.  Still, they didn’t know the results of the x-ray yet, so she decided not to make any decision until the doctor told them what was going on.

Hadrian just stared at her for a couple of moments, hoping that she`d realize how silly she was being. "Really? Like, right after I talked about getting help from others and all that? Come on, Elisabeth, that is just disappointing." He did mean it as a light joke, though. It just kept amusing him how she still tried not to accept his help. "I mean, you do realize that I`d be driving you back either way, right? So the destination is not as important to me as you might think. Unless you feel like declining my offer would make you seem modest. Well, it doesn`t. Not really." He had always been too blunt for his own good.

Hadrian really enjoyed making students uncomfortable. That was why he came up behind the girl when he saw her standing and looking for a place to sit. "Well, ain`t that a bitch..." he breathed out, shaking his head."Tsk tsk tsk, so so so sad..." With that said, he brushed past her and approached a table were few of his students sat. "Anyone who is still sitting here in the next five seconds will get thirty points off their next quiz." The table quickly emptied and Hadrian sat down. Picking up his eyes, he looked at the girl, grinned and then looked pointedly at the chair nearby. It was all up to her.