Another Version

Shep was still adjusting to his surroundings. Apparently, he had lost over a month of time, possibly two since he couldn't seem to remember much about the weeks leading up to the incident that had landed him there in the first place. What that incident was, he still wasn't completely sure; Sawyer hadn't wanted to talk about it and nobody else seemed keen to inform him either, but he had a hint with the sutured wound in his chest.

Hospitals were always a weird place to be. Miles always tried to put on a happier face than normal, not wanting to bum out whoever he was visiting more...or vice versa, he supposed. It was a weird way to be but perhaps it was just nerves. Who knows? However, Miles stepped into the room and kept the door cracked when he closed it, moving over towards Shepard. Taking a seat in the chair beside the bed, Miles reached out and gingerly grabbed Shep's hand, giving it a soft squeeze, "It's good to see you, man." He smiled before he leaned back into the chair, crossing one of his legs over the other. He had always liked Shep.

Growing up with eight brothers and sisters made for a chaotic household. Nevertheless, Madison made the best of it. She had the utmost love for all her siblings and enjoyed being part of their lives. Miles was the closest due to their 'Irish twins' date of birth. Having her brother in every grade, every class - graduating with him; they shared many life milestones. That's why it broke her heart when Miles headed for New York while she moved to Las Vegas. Daily phone calls were had - eventually leading to a few each week with how busy both college students became. But no matter how crazy life seemed, the pair's connection never faltered. When she received news of Miles's return, Madison knew the Universe was on her side, knowing she needed her brother. Pulling to his home, the woman exited her vehicle, swinging her purse strap over her shoulder. Approaching the door with a breath, Madison knocked on the door - turning the knob to find it unlocked. "Hello?" she greeted, opening the door.

Hearing the front door open to his home, Miles immediately grinned and he practically bounced over towards the entrance, spotting his twin, "Maddie!" He exclaimed as he crossed over towards her and immediately wrapped his arms around her. He knew that a hug was well overdue and well needed. She had been fucking through it lately and the only thing he wanted to do was try to make things better for her. Not that he thought that his general presence would that, but he was certain it would help, right?

"Oh yeah... hell of a lot different than..." he paused, index lightly tapping the bartop in thought while he turned focal point towards Miles, cogs in his mind turning, "New York, right?" He figured that was correct, at least. "What made ya come back?" he asked, more so to keep the pleasantries going. Giving a small nod at his response to Maddie he's agreeing a little, only having asked because he knew she was going through it right now with Shep in the hospital, yet he wasn't going to knock her being a tough cookie. "You haven't?" he caught the chuckle in the back of his throat, he wasn't sure why he felt a little surprised by that. Considering people generally knew about the places they were moving to - or moving back to, so sure, he was judging but not enough to make that wholly obvious... until he teased, "So what ya lived under a rock or somethin'?"

"New York." Miles repeated, surprised that Nate actually knew that. He didn't expect him to. It wasn't like they were friends or anything, but he supposed that Maddie had brought it up to him a few times in passing. He shrugged and lifted his beer, taking a sip, "Change of pace, I guess." There were a few different reasons to be back, but Nate didn't have to know those, "Plus, I like to keep an eye on my family, ya know?" He was sure Nate could understand that. He chuckled and shrugged, "I've been busy." Miles mentioned simply, "I figured shit wasn't too much different in Tonopah since I've left." Things never really changed all too much. Of course, Miles knew about what happened with Shepard considering Madison and the fact he was taking over his entire caseload when he was out. But anything else, eh, not so much. "Should I just go read the newspaper then?" He smiled.

@milesmossx

It felt like since Miles had been back, he had barely had time to do normal people things... like go to the grocery store. He had been moving at the speed of light, trying to catch up on the all the cases that Shep had passed off to him while he was in the hospital, on top of new cases of his own. If there was one thing about Tonopah, there was always some type of crime going on. He knew he'd never be out of a job. Not only that, but he had Reese to keep an eye on which was a job all on its own, really. She was under his care in WITSEC and he was going to keep it that way whether they were in the New York or Tonopah.

Having been in search of his cousin with no current success he's sitting up at the bar, slowly finishing the beer in front of him. Half a pint wouldn't hurt after all, not when he found himself leaning on alcohol over the last month, though his intake had considerably decreased and was levelling that way. It didn't go amiss to him that Madison's brother had come and sat beside him, he just didn't go out of his way to acknowledge that - not when there was no real need passed the light smile he had originally offered in his direction. Only really finding himself truly engaging when Miles had made that first step to do so, otherwise Nate would have quite happily sat with his own thoughts. It wasn't rude when you didn't speak to the guy, right? "Alright," he comments, short and sweet, not really finding any sort of need to speak honestly. "You? How's Maddie doin'?" he asked, figuring to find that common ground the pair shared and that being Madison.

Chatting with your sister's friend was always kind of awkward, wasn't it? He really didn't have to. They both could have sat with comfortable silence, drinking their beer and minding their own business. However, Miles wasn't super great at that. If he knew someone, he would often go and talk to them. Therefore, the conversation with Nate was inevitable. He nodded at the others word, "Alright." He repeated and he cleared his throat softly as the bartender placed the drink down in front of him.

She laughed dryly, lips pulling into a straight line as her eyes narrowed on him. "Don't you give me that smile, Moss." Her words had said one thing, but suddenly her features softened, a sigh escaping her lips as she silently nodded her head in appreciation for who he was. Somethings you could not change. "We're you smart and kept you knowing about me a secret at least?"

Hearing her comment about his smile, Miles just kept the smile on his face and flicked his brows playfully before he took a sip of his coffee. He took note her soft expression change and he knew she wasn't mad at him. That was good. There was really no telling how she would feel about him just uprooting his whole life in New York and moving back to Tonopah to keep an eye on her. It could have been bad. He nodded his head and chuckled at her comment, "Of course. Secrecy is a specialty of mine, Reese." He told her. It was unfortunately true. Being in WITSEC for so long, lying and secrets was just part of the job, "How is everything? Have I missed anything?"