Larissa Morano

Late night talks over tea, or coffee, or 80’s movie marathons that turned into sleepovers, caused both of them to share quite a few secrets, even their darkest ones. So Larissa knew about Carolina’s first trauma, and what she went through with Travis. There was no way she’d let that happen again. “Damn right we are.” Carolina agreed. “And I’m sure you have Damien panicking now, but you wouldn’t see it if he were.” She knew that Damien was different with others than he was with her. The Damien she’d met the first time. And she didn’t mind, because he didn’t treat her that way anymore.

Larissa knew Damien better than Carie would think. Sure, not like Carolina did. She also knew it wasn't ever going to know him like Carolina did. She smiled as she sang to herself 'Carolina and Damien sitting in a tree K-I-S-S-I-N-G!' "I am sure he will be fine. I will tell him if you would like? Or, maybe you would like to do that? I know I tend to over do it, but I honestly just want to help make this as easy on you as possible. On you both" She pointed out smiling encouragingly.

Sophia smiled, adjusted the drink carrier, and shook the older woman’s hand. “Sophia… Arden.” She really didn’t like to say her last name unless she had to. Especially now, she didn’t know who watched business news channels, or read business magazines. “Thanks, I just… I missed out on a week of her being here and I feel terrible, and hope this makes up for it.”

Larissa thought the name sounded familiar but didn't say anything. She could tell the other woman was worried about being recognized. "I missed the some time too. Believe me, I am sure whoever your friend is you will be forgiven." She smiled reassuringly. "After you, sweetie. We will see if she forgives you or not." Before they could start walking she stopped her "Wait! Sophia! Carolina! You're Carolina's Sophia!" She pulled the girl into a hug, not even thinking about how the girl could react. Pulling away she said, "I have hard so much about you. Before.. Well, before all of this," She motion to the hospital "She was going to introduce us, but..." She trailed off knowing the other woman could finish the sentence on her own.

"Thank you." Carolina said as her friend helped her adjust things, making it a little easier. "I know, but I look at everyone now and it’s… I don’t know, I just can’t help the guilt. Kind of like you can’t help your heart." She choaked back tears as Larissa looked at her, then looked away.

Larissa knew that Carolina knew her whole story, and knew she got the meaning behind her words. She smiled through the tears as she heard what Carie said. Larissa sighed as she felt the light squeeze to her hand. The smile that came with the squeeze was one of pure happiness. "We are going to make it, Care." She grimced when thinking about how hard Carolina would have fought. 'Just as hard as I would if it was me.' Larissa thought to herself.

  Yeah, my friend would kill to have this pizza… I mean it’s subway and not pizza hut, but pizza hut personal pizzas are just too big, and I thought this one would fit in my purse and it didn’t. You’re a life saver. I mean I tried bringing in McDonalds yesterday, and they were like, you can’t take that into her room, because like, she’s only allowed to eat ice chips right now, but I don’t care. She deserves a pizza. Surprisingly though, they let me take this in. -holds up the starbucks carrying tray- Even though there’s two cups.

Carolina struggled a little with the tubes, wires, and IVs as she wrapped the blanket around herself again while she sat upright. She knew she didn’t look well, even though Damien hadn’t bothered to say a word about her appearance. She guessed having her back trumped everything else. “I’m sorry I made you worry…I’m sorry I made everyone worry.” She still felt guilt for what everyone went through while she was gone, even if there was nothing she could’ve done about it. 

Larissa leaned over and helped adjust the tubs so Carrie was a little more comfortable. Once Carolina started talking she sat back and listened. All sounded right to her. When she was done she looked Carolina dead in the eye. "You have no reason to be sorry, Carolina, this was not your fault. And, as for smiling and frowning sometimes I can't help how my heart handles things." Larissa looked away for a moment.

Larissa smirked. "Are you about to try and sneak that in?" She pointed at the small pizza box. "If so, you can put it in my Big Buddha!!" She held the bag out to the younger woman. "And I will just follow you to whatever room you are going to." She smiled goofly. She knew it sounded weird.

"… Would have knocked her out? Understandable," he completed the sentence. People at the front desks had always bothered him because they never seemed to be able to understand urgency. Hearing her question, Damien resisted the urge to laugh. "Honestly? She has already put in an order for pizza for when they take the IV out and plan on letting her eat solid food," he replied. "She’s much better than you would expect, aside from all of the tubes and wires that don’t seem to bother her much except for the fact that they prevent her from eating Pizza Hut.

Larissa laughed. "Or worse..." She smirked. Good. We seem to be doing just fine. I was worried for nothing. Larissa laughed. "Stuffed crust I hope!" She smiled up at him. Then her face fell. "Did he.. he didn't assault her sexually did he?" The words came rushing from her mouth before she could really think it through. She realized too late that Damien was probably not the best choice to ask that question. 

Damien made his way from the hospital cafeteria, clutching a cup of coffee. Unfortunately, he had yet to actually go home to sleep, instead taking up residence on the couch in the waiting room when Carolina needed to be alone. But he did have to admit, out of all the disgusting coffee in town, hospital coffee was somewhat better. Which made sense considering that hospitals were filled with insomniacs, some of which had to perform lifesaving surgeries every few hours. As he was walking past the front desk, on his way to check on Carolina, he noticed a familiar frustrated blonde having a particularly one sided conversation with a nurse. “I think it’s about time you had your hearing checked,” he told the receptionist while he halfway walked over to the desk before gesturing for Larissa to follow him. “How long have you been standing there?” he questioned once they were on the way to Carolina’s room.

Damien nodded in response to her comment about her seeming erratic, but he supposed that her reaction was normal. “I’m going to sit down with an officer soon but they are willing to work with me, somewhat like when the baby was kidnapped. They want to know everything and working alongside other people will help them close this case, this killer is their most wanted criminal.” Hearing her question about the phone, he shook his head. “Her phone? No, her friend and I traced it to a spot and they got it.” He thought about her offer to help in the search, deciding that she would be helpful. “Do you have any ideas as to what to do next?”

Larissa scrunched up her nose without the phone she couldn't do much. "What about her laptop? "She asked excitedly. "They probably have that to. If there is any juice left in it I may have a chance." She knew by this point she was rambling and forced herself to focus on the man. "When you talk to them you do not say anything about what I am about to do. Understand?" She looked him in the eye and hoped he could see how serious she was. "I have a few ideas, and we will have to help each other. But, you are going to have to trust me." That also means I am going to have to trust him. She looked at him. I hope I can.