Re: In-person: Cris/Sam
The world makes no damn sense anymore, huh? If it ever did. [People hearing thoughts 'cause they can't see. Time-travelers. Gods, ghosts. Cris shakes his head, half-mourning the daysa serial rapists who were human.—And, alright, more worried was the wrong phrase. She's talking about it more, so he wants to focus on it for her. But, it ain't easy.] I meant the fact that she can see. I gotta get over that, and the card, 'cause it's not really somethin' I needta deal with, ¿sabes? [She says he could press charges and Cris just grimaces a lil bit.] It was at a party. I ain't even real sure how it got to that point. But, there ain't no jury in the world who's gonna listen to a near-forty-year-old Cuban cop, a guy, when he says a lil white, redheaded girl touched him wrong. I know that ain't fair, but it's how it is. [He swallows hard, embarrassed at the thoughta alla it, his face going red under dark skin. Heat claws and crawls up his throat. Still, he tries a smile.] You can punch her, huh? I won't say no. I just know you won't feel no better. She'll make you feel bad. More'n that she'll prolly talk you into believin' she's the victim. It'll feed into her own complex 'bout stuff. [He makes a sound against his teeth.] 'Good for you,' that's what Daniel said when I said I hadn't said nothing to her yet. He was surprised. [A mirthless laugh.] 'Good for you.' What a bullshit phrase.
[He clings a lil harder to Sam as she talks 'bout Lou.] Do you not want him to stay? I'd keep you and Joey with me in the room at night. Lock the door. I know you won't think it's necessary, pero—I don't think I'd feel okay otherwise. I don't think he's gonna do nothin', but I also ain't takin' that chance, not with you two. [Cris has to backtrack some 'bout Iris, huh? 'Cause she drops it when he does, and, stupid and belated, he realizes after her eyes go glazed 'bout ropes, he's trampling over delicate territory. It occurs to him to finally ask,] How d'you know? 'Bout Iris and Manning. [It ain't accusatory, just a sorta gentle probing.
His hands cover hers when she starts rubbing at her wrists. He's an idiot.] Lo siento. I shouldn'tna—[He triggered her. Big, experienced SVU detective and look at him go. Cris tries to be reassuring, a solid thing beneath her.] I need to shut up. [He kisses her cheek.] You say you're fine all you want, cariño. But, we both know you ain't gonna be fine 'til everything is okay. And that's okay. That's how I am too. [She giggles at the bright tappa teeth, but looks at him, puzzled. Cris sinks a lil lower in that chair, taking her with him, making her more reclined too.] Maybe you're both hurt the same. Or you can't even tell. Then what? Or, you're hurt, but they're 'bout to fall down a hole. Or, they're hurt, but you're 'bout to fall down a hole. In alla those cases, what're the things you do?