Nic was at his computer like usual. It still looked like he hadn't gotten any sleep.

"Hey..." Laurel said quietly, voice pretty hoarse.

Nic didn't appear to notice her, but he slowly pulled away as usual. "Water?" he asked quietly.

"No..." Laurel replied, gently rubbing the top of her head.

Seeing her ears were doing better he spoke in a voice with a more normal volume. "Would you like another tablet?"

Laurel shook her head but quickly stopped, apparently it was still too early for that. "No thanks." she replied instead.

"Anything else?" he offered.

Laurel watched Nic closely for a long moment, "You haven't slept." she stated quietly, eyes expressing concern.

"I'll sleep in a few hours," Nic replied. "But if you're up for it, I'm going to have Miss Q come by in awhile to help me with this."

Laurel paused before nodding slightly. "... Have you eaten?" she asked quietly.

"... Yes," Nic replied. He had eaten. But probably not as much as Laurel probably would have liked.

Laurel watched Nic for a moment longer before slowly laying back down, "I'll rest until Missy comes." she told him.

Nic nodded. About an hour later, there was a knock at the door. Nic didn't say anything.

After a moment, Laurel dragged herself out of bed and opened the door.

Missy was at the door, not looking too surprised to see Laurel. "Morning," she told her like nothing had happened.

Laurel didn't seem to remember, she nodded slightly and moved out of the way.

So Missy went in and found a seat on the couch. Nic was just about done pulling away from the computer.

Laurel stayed by the door for a moment before walking over and beginning to make up Nic's bed.

There was a bit of an awkward pause when Nic finished. "... Come on," Missy complained after a few moments. "I've been waiting forever to hear this."

Nic looked a little confused, but after a moment he replied, "... I need your help." Missy smiled broadly. "... But in order to do so, you need to know what I'm doing and why I'm doing it."

"Way to state the obvious," Missy said as she rolled her eyes a little.

Laurel paused, glancing over at them. "Should I leave?" she asked Nic.

Nic blinked, looking confused. "... You don't know this either. But you can leave if you want."

Laurel paused again before taking a light seat on the bed and observing quietly.

It took Nic a little while to get going. Apparently he hadn't expected to encounter his own nerves along the way when revealing a secret he'd kept for almost a decade.

To begin, he explained that he was once a member of the Yin Long for quite some time. But then he was set up by someone and committed a horrible crime by accident, and the Yin Long have wanted him dead ever since.

Laurel remained impassive, staring at the blanket she sat on as she rubbed it with her hand.

After some more prodding from Missy, Nic explained that since it had happened he had been focused on running and covering his tracks from the Yin Long. But now he needed proof that he had been set up all those years ago.

Laurel sighed a little but her face remained neutral.

"Who are you trying to convince?" Missy asked.

After awhile, Nic replied, "Ming Yue."

Missy's eyes widened a little. "Wait... Ming Yue Chiou..? Then... it was you. That assassin that drove the Yin Long bananas all those years ago." Nic didn't reply.

Laurel looked confused for a moment before looking at Nic. "I don't understand," she said simply, "Even if you found proof that you were set up, you still committed the act. Why would finding evidence make it better?" she asked quietly.

"... If I can convince Ming Yue, then there's a good chance I can convince Sheng," Nic explained. "And he might have enough power to convince the rest of the Yin Long to stop hunting me and everyone who is associated with me."

"But why would they stop?" Laurel argued quietly, "Even if you prove you fell for a set up... why would they stop hunting you? It's the Yin Long, they're not the forgiving type."

"If I could find the real traitor, I could return as a hero," Nic replied. "The one thing the Yin Long is bigger on than traitors is honor. Ming Yue has been disgraced for being associated with me. Restoring the Chiou family honor would warrant a great deal of respect from the other families."

Laurel took a long while to consider that, her thoughts still slower than usual. "Then... when Yue first traveled with us, it was to make sure you didn't run off again?" she inquired.

"... I'm not completely sure," Nic replied honestly. "I think Sheng was intending to acquire my contacts."

"Hold up," Missy suddenly butted in. "You sell me out, and I'll kick your ass." Nic didn't dignify that with a response.

Laurel actually glared at Missy, not too dignified to respond, "Shut up. Nic wouldn't tell you his secrets just to turn around and sell you out." she snarled. It seemed some of that aggressiveness was surfacing again.

"Nic can take it," Missy argued back. "I trust that he's not about to sell me out."

"It's not a matter of what he can or cannot take." Laurel replied, a bit too irritated, "He shouldn't have to put up with dirt that like when he needs to focus."

"Focus on what?" Missy asked, "He's not answering any questions this second. There's nothing wrong with trying to lighten the mood to make everyone feel better about talking about something that's uncomfortable to talk about."

"No one needs you to 'lighten' the mood." Laurel retorted, still angry, "Just shut up and listen to what he asks you to do."

"Not until I get more information," Missy snapped back. And with that, she turned back to slightly lost Nic. "I assume you need my help because I don't think like you do, so I might find something you missed all those years ago. But you'll have to tell me everything you can so I have a decent place to start with."

Nic nodded a little, but seemed reluctant to speak.

Laurel's anger seemed to escalate but before she could butt in she winced, her head was killing her. She stared at Nic and Missy for a long moment before she slowly stood, "I need a drink..." she muttered under her breath as she headed towards the door.