milliways_bar | (no subject)

(no subject)

Guppy didn't sleep well last night. Judging by what happened at home, that's probably not too surprising.
He didn't go home last night, and now he is sitting in a booth in a quiet corner trying to persuade himself to eat dinner. He isn't really succeeding, but he is still trying in vain not to let the strain show.

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"It's okay. I stayed here last night."

"Wouldn't you have been missed?"

Guppy shakes his head.

"Not long enough. Only two hours have passed back home since I came in last night."

"That's good. Best to not start a panic." She smiles.

Amanda is amazed that with all that Guppy is going through that his family still hasn't come around.

"Unlikely. I've only been noticed missing once, and that was because I stayed in here eight days."

"Wow, Eight days. How long were you gone in Holby time?"

"Sixteen hours. It was the night my father disowned me. Nina was considering calling the police to send out a search party, and would have done if Abs hadn't had a hunch where I was."

"Thank goodness." Though this does open up possibilities for a long vacation for Guppy when he is ready. He would only need to take one day off of work to get a week in tahiti in Amanda's world.

Ah, the wonders of the Holby Time Constant.

"Other than that, as long as I turn up for work, nobody really misses me."

"We miss you." she states plainly and factually.

Guppy smiles. "Thanks. I meant back home."

They wouldn't know if I was dead for hours and hours.

Sipping her tea, "When do you need to get back?"

"I should really go tonight. Shouldn't leave Scampi on his own too long."

He pales slightly, realising the significance of what he just let slip. Not in terms of neglect, but the fact that he left Holby in one heck of a hurry. He hopes she doesn't pick up on it, but he knows she's sharp.

She does catch it. "Why did you leave Scampi begind?" Trying to keep calm, being especially worried since something really bad must have happened for him to not want to tell her about it.

"I wasn't intending to stay overnight."

It's true. The little cat was asleep, and waking him suddenly wasn't a good idea. But mainly he panicked.
Lee smirks as he draws the line across his throat.
His heart rate starts to rise.

He's going to kill me. He's going to cut my throat. I'm... going to have one of those flashback or panic attack things in front of Amanda if I don't move.

His breathing gets a little faster and the colour drains from his face.

"Excuse me a minute. I just need some fresh air."

He gets up and goes out of the back, leaning against the wall of the bar. He takes a couple of deep breaths and tries to calm himself down.

Seeing him like this starts her blood boiling. Something happened. These people are hurting Guppy and there isn't anything she can do about it.

Taking a moment to calm herself hand hold back the tears that started to try to come, Guppy is able to get out the back door. But moments later Amanda is at his side.

Placing a gentle hand on his shoulder.

As soon as she touches him he cries out and curls into a little ball.

Pulse 160bpm.

Kicking, punching from all sides

"Please don't hurt me!"

He flings his arms in front of his face and sides for protection.

Releasing him she takes a step back. Poor Guppy

In calm and soothing voice she tries to hide her pain but only succeeds to a small extent. "Guppy. I wont hurt you." she gets down on her knees and sits next to him, "I'll never hurt you."

Guppy looks around, his eyes wide with fear.

"They're still here, get safe. I don't want them to hurt you."

A gentle hand is placed on Amanda's shoulder. Abs speaks softly in her ear.

"Stand back Amanda. He's not in any danger. Just let me handle it."

Glancing up at Abs she stands and takes a step back.

SHe knows he isn't in any danger, the problem is that Guppy thinks he is.

Abs kneels down next to Guppy but doesn't try to touch him just yet.

"Guppy this is Abs. You are in Milliways. You're having a flashback."

He watches Guppy, repeating these words slowly and clearly until he sees Guppy focus on him properly. Only then does he make physical contact, leaning him forward and rubbing him gently on the back.

"It's okay mate. Just breathe slowly and deeply for me."

With his other hand he feels for Guppy's radial pulse and finds it at 170bpm.

Outwardly Amanda is the picture of serenity and grace. Her voice is a smooth and calm as an ocean breeze. "Guppy, you're with friends."

Inwardly she is terrified, hurt, and angry. With Lee and his gang and with herself.

"It's okay Amanda he's back with us, aren't you mate?"

Guppy nods, white as a sheet and trembling.

"Sorry Amanda. Hope I didn't... scare you... too much."

"Amanda's just fine. I want you to keep breathing nice and slow for me. You're getting better. Your pulse wasn't nearly as high that time."

Abs looks around. "Could you please get him a glass of water?"

Silently she slips into the bar and comes back out with a glass of water. Her movements were silent and quick. Catlike even (not to be mistaken for those who are catually cat like but certaianly as catlike as a thief gets.)

Handing Abs the water, Before, this has happened before?

"Thanks."

He passes it to Guppy who sips it quietly.

"You just sit there quietly for a moment mate. Amanda and I need to have a little chat."

He takes Amanda aside.

"You must be terrified. Ask away."