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[ He waits until they’re at the car before he throws a side glance to her over the roof. He’d heard the doors unlock but would wait for her to slide into the vehicle before joining her. ]

A Panamanian jail. With Sam. [ He pauses. Unless she was referring to the year? ] ...uh. 1999-2000..?

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So no Peeping Toms? Guess that's a plus. Lot better than when you're stuck in a cell with two other muchachos.

Calm down, no one wants to see your dick, Nate.

[Okay, he probably doesn't deserve that minorly snide remark, but it feels weirder than she expected to have him home when he's not him. She moves ahead, unlocking the front door and letting them in.]

Ouch. Easy there.

[ He's following, always following. And yeah, okay, maybe he'd been watching her ass on the way to the front door. ]

No one's home?

Doesn't look like it.

[It's quiet, at least. She moves toward the kitchen, glancing over her shoulder.]

You want something to drink? Or maybe a change of clothes? Because no offense, but you're kinda gross right now.

Or uh maybe a...shower? [ He looks down at himself, sees the stains on his prison clothing, the dirt. ] Then I'll take you up on the offer of fresh clothes. If you think they'll fit.

Well, they're yours, so.

[She points.]

Bathroom's upstairs on the right.

So I stay the same size? Can’t tell if that’s disappointing or not.

[ He nods, looks off to where the stairs are, gives her one last look. ]

I’ll be quick.

[ And zoom! Nate is heading upstairs, out of place, awkward, but so damn ready to wash the filth of Panama off. Quick is like...ten minutes. He’ll probably take fifteen or twenty, savor the privacy and the lasting hot water. ]

[He doesn't, but he acquires a taste for tight shirts, so the clothes stay the same size.

He can take as long as he likes. It's fine. In the meantime, Elena makes herself some coffee, spiking it with a little something from the liquor cabinet because she feels entitled. It's enough that she can manage a smile when he comes back down.]

Feeling better?

[ He looks down at himself as he clears the landing of the stairs and is headed into the kitchen. It's a surprise to him that the shirt fits. Nate holds out his arms. ]

Loads. But I gotta ask, what the hell is going on with this?

[ What is he referring to? Look at these pants, Elena, just look at them. He'll turn around to show her the fitted jeans that sit low on his hips, pulling up the shirt a bit. ]

[She looks at the pants, looks back up at him. Is genuinely mystified.]

It's...a pair of pants? What do you mean?

He, or I, never told you how long I was stuck in prison, did he? I? God, this is so weird, [ he adds on a mutter to himself, and then shakes his head. ]

Sorry. It's just weird. Wearing normal pants again and not being stuck in filthy prison pants. They're kinda roomy.

I knew you did a lot of stints off and on. [There's a fun glimpse at his future.] Not about Panama, though. Anyway, the whole closet is at your disposal, because everything inside it literally is yours.

[ Christ, should he be proud? Always in and out of jails. ] Yeah? Who was there to bail my ass out? I bet it was Sam.

[She won't remind him that she doesn't know anything about Sam, because clearly that'll lead nowhere good.]

Maybe. I wasn't there for the actual bailing. I know Sully took care of it at least a couple of times.

[ Bringing up Sullivan was a good way to make a detour for the conversation, take it away from Sam. The corner of his lips ticked up. ]

Could always count on good ol' Sullivan. He ever try to schmooze you? He always had a way with the ladies.

Oh yeah, absolutely. First time we met.

[She's actually smiling at the memory. It's nostalgic, even if she'll never ever ever see Sully like that.]

But he cut that out when you and I started out thing.

[ He snorts and rubs a hand over his face. ]

Of course he did. I'm not surprised. And yeah? Good man, that Sully.

That he is.

[She sighs lightly and rubs her temple.]

Look, Nate, you're stuck here for now, but if this is anything like the other weird shit I've seen since getting ported in, it'll only be for a few days. You'll go back to Panama, and I'll probably have to explain things to the Nate I remember.

So...help yourself to the food, whatever you need. You can keep our room, I'll crash on the couch.

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