this is all my fault

( for andraia, bart allen, coreen fennel, dani phantom, dr. lisa cuddy, dr. simon tam, enzo, felix of vale, matrix, nathan petrelli, rabastan lestrange, the question, and val von doom )


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( for demeter )


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( for doc )


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( for katherine barlow )


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( for kate beckett )


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( for paul avery )

[ "I hope we'll see you both tomorrow." ]

God, it's early.

With Boo in her arms and a tote bag loaded with necessary toys and art supplies over one shoulder, Kate reaches the bottom of the stairs and turns to see how Bill's faring with the two suitcases he's hauling.

"This is going to be fun, Gracie-Boo," she murmurs into Boo's hair, and she doesn't know who she's trying to assure more -- Boo or herself. "Provence is beautiful."

When Bill joins them, she gives him a small, sleepy smile; neither of them got much rest the night before thanks to last-minute packing.

"Okay, you two."

Demeter's waiting.

[ that house of cards is gonna fall ]

With Boo tucked in bed for the night, Kate's curled on the couch, hardly reading a dog-eared paperback, while Bill works on a jigsaw puzzle at the kitchen table. On the TV screen, the PONG! console plays a silent game against itself.

As she turns another page, Kate absently brings a hand to her face. The swelling's much better than yesterday, but the bruise is ugly, an eggplant splotch marring her cheek just below her eye.

It's quiet in the suite; the knock surprises them both. Kate stiffens, and her eyes flick to Bill. She's trying to reassure herself that it's a friend on the other side of the door, or someone coming by to check on Boo, but her triphammering heart belies the notion.