Ice Cream (RP)

She was happy that Charles decided to come along with her. Not so much because she needed the company on the ride over, but because it made her feel safer, especially in that neighborhood. She wasn’t the least bit worried about leaving her car out on the street; it was old, dingy that wheezed like a chain smoker every time she tried to start the engine. It was hardly worth the trouble of stealing; she would probably get more out of the insurance than the thing was worth. And besides; anything of real value that might have been stolen out of it was now in Llewis' flat...

She texted Llewis on the way over to make sure he hadn't left for his shift yet. Leaving her crutches in the car, she slipped out to stand beside Charles, opened her umbrella and allowed him to hold it as they crossed the street together. Once at the door, she knocked lightly, and waited for someone to answer

No, Emma didn't want to step into a stranger's house - not after what happened to her the last time she threw caution to the wind. She gave him a polite smile, and pulled a lock of hair behind her ear:

"Oh, I wouldn’t want to trouble you. If you could just fetch my purse, I’ll be on my way."

It hasn't stopped raining in weeks, but the smile Emma gave him after he handed her the purse felt like the sun finally broke through the grey clouds. "Thank you!"

She couldn't wait to get in her car. She had to make sure everything was there. The cash she stolen emancipated from Eliot's safe wasn't her first concern. She absentmindedly took out one thick bundle after another from her purse, until her fingers finally brushed against the backup drive, near the bottom of her purse.

"I can’t thank you enough" she let out a sigh of relief, eyes sparkling as she looked at him "You really saved me. I owe you, big time!"

Right, the cash.

Emma lifted the bundles to her face, drawing in the scent of crisp bills, letting it flood her senses for a moment. With a reluctant sigh, she pushed the stacks back into her purse, then leaned in and brushed a quick kiss against Llewis’ cheek

"Thanks again. You really are a lifesaver."

Turning toward Charles, she gave him a small nod, waiting for him to take the lead them back to the car.

"We will be alright; my car’s just across the street" she assured him, though she suspected his concern had more to do with not wanting to part ways than with any real danger. "But it would make me feel better if you watched us from your doorstep. I’ll certainly feel safer that way." She gave him a playful wink, then nudged Charles to get them moving.

Emma handed Charles the keys and let him drive. She turned her face toward the window, but the heavy rain blurred everything outside, and after a few minutes of trying she gave up on making sense of the all the grey rushing past her, and leaned back in her seat instead. "Thanks for coming today" she turned her attention to Charles, and broke the silence with some small talk to pass the time on their way home "I hope David is doing better..."