Yue took Kalma's advice, leaving with her.

--

"... No," Nic replied. "It's the scars, not the muscles."

Kalma sighed as she took a seat on James's bed, "I hope he gave them enough time... it's been a long time since he's managed to hold it together for so long." she mused, glancing at Yue.

--

Laurel frowned, "Scars hurt?" she inquired.

Yue didn't look like she planned to stick around and chat as she headed for the door.

--

"... Sometimes... they get stiff," Nic tried to explain.

Kalma sighed, "He'll be lost for awhile." she informed Yue before she left, "He'll most likely be violent with even you. He'll easily hurt you worse than last time in his current state." she cautioned her.

--

Laurel pondered that for a moment, "Have you tried putting lotion on them?"

Yue didn't reply as she left.

--

"Not really," he replied.

"That should help." Laurel explained, "I did it for my father sometimes when..." her voice trailed off for a moment but she quickly cleared her throat, "It loosens them up."

"... I'll find something later to put on it," he decided as he turned back to his work.

"... I'll close my eyes." Laurel offered quietly, "It'll only take a minute. I promise it'll feel better." There was a pleading note in her voice, she wanted to help.

"All you've done is help me," Nic tried to reason.

"It'll only take a minute." Laurel retorted, "If you'd stop arguing and just let me do it, I'd be finished by now."

Nic didn't seem like he believed her. But Laurel started to get the sense there was something he wasn't saying.

Laurel sighed, "Is there something you don't want me to know?" she asked bluntly, "Something that lotion won't fix?"

"... No..." Nic replied.

"I know you better than that, Dominic Duncan." Laurel stated quietly, "If you don't want to tell me, that's fine. But don't lie."

"I haven't lied," Nic argued. "It's not... a matter of fixing. I... just can't get distracted right now. That's all."

Laurel paused a moment then suddenly she sighed, "Oh." she replied, "... You'd get distracted if I touched you, right?" she stated, a hint of annoyance in her voice. "I didn't realize men were so fragile." she muttered under her breath as she pick up the jacket again.