Couch

Hearing about Garret, a look of horror came to Laura's face. She sank down on the couch next to Nate, feeling as though she'd just been kicked in the gut. She could not even begin to imagine being a child brought up in the Agency, let alone being there because their parents had sold them. Actually sold them. Not even abandoned them, but taken money for them. How could an innocent child's parents do something so despicable? "That's...that's awful," she whispered.

Drawn into Nate's lap, she wrapped her arms around him and put her head on his shoulder. She had felt for Garret before, knowing he'd had a rough life. But now she had a completely different perspective, and one that was full of compassion...and an anger for how he'd been treated. Several tears escaped and she nuzzled even closer into Nate. 

Learning of Justin, it made more sense now, why Garret had appeared so upset. It must have been a horrible experience today, bringing to light what must have bee one of his greatest hurts. "You were right to bring him here," she assured softly. "No wonder he's acted so awkward around us... I mean, I imagined he hadn't had much of a family life, being in the Agency and all, but I didn't realize how severe it was." She drew back to see Nate's face, and gently wiped away his tear. "I lost my parents when I was seven...but I had a brother who fought with all his might to keep me, and an aunt and uncle who have always been there. Maybe I've just always taken family for granted. I thought Garret was awkward playing UNO last night just because he probably hasn't played many games. But I never stopped to think that half of it was probably him just trying to figure out how a loving family functions. It must be so foreign to him." 

She leaned back into Nate and sighed. "He needs to be loved so badly, but...he has so many walls. I understand more of why now, but...there's got to be a way. He probably thinks if he trusts us, we'll just end up abandoning him too. If his own parents did..." A fresh tear came to her eye. "No wonder he was so upset when he lost Victoria. She was probably the only good thing he had to hang onto for who knows how long." Another sigh. "Do you think he'll join us later, or is it bad enough he's gonna be hibernating?"


Adison's comment about being married made Kirk's eyes widen, and for just a split second, his laughter stopped, before resuming again. "Uh-huh. Either that, or she'd probably just believe the married part. You're here often enough." He slid his foot over to nudge her leg. "Not that I mind," he assured quickly. Too quickly. His face grew hot and he was glad the lights were off. He cleared his throat. "Let's avoid any more couch escapades though." And his face grew even warmer. "That didn't sound...oh... I didn't mean..." 

Standing quickly, he grabbed the pizza box. "I'm gonna go put this away before pizza crumbs get all over," he announced as he headed to the kitchen.