Lab Space - for HoratioCaine

[improvised_green]

Bruce remained silent for the ride to the lab, watching out the windows of the car, and checking behind them on occasion as if he were concerned they might be followed. He was doing his best to keep nearly a decade of habits to a minimum, but there was only so much he could do to stifle what had become instinct.

Eventually he settled for crossing his arms and using the side mirror he could see to keep an eye out for trouble. He was noting every turn they took, but he had never been to this part of the city, which meant that if he ran he would be blind.

The area they are heading into is a nicer neighborhood, and eventually he notices a building down the road with police cars pulling in and out of the lot. He perks in his seat, eyes rapidly scanning the scene they are approaching. He's nervous, that much should be almost painfully clear. He'd duck and hide his face, but he needs to see if any of the faces recognize him so he can react appropriately before he's in the confined space of the building.

Comments

[improvised_green]

"Letting me walk out without any further questions would be the best way to help me." Bruce finally looks up at Horatio with a sigh. It's clear from his expression that he knows that exact sequence of events is the last thing Horatio is going to let happen. Bruce knows all too well the lure of a mystery, an unanswered question.

He still wished Horatio could curb his inquisitive nature just this once. Bruce's greatest secret is one he still thinks is best left hidden.

[horatiocaine]

Quite a mystery too. A practically homeless guy who is a doctor and has his identity shielded by the united states government. Something else was going on here and H was determined to find it out.

His phone rings though, cutting their conversation short. "Excuse me." The tone suggests don't go anywhere, H opening his phone to answer it. Blocked number, he smirk at the display. "That was quick."

Hitting the answer button, "Horatio."

The voice on the other end is very official. Bruce will only hear H's side of it. "Yes, sir....I happen to be conducting a police investigation...." The voice didn't sound happy about that. "I couldn't say..." He's not giving Bruce or any information up just yet.

[improvised_green]

Bruce literally jumps when the phone rings, and then there's that terrified look again before the officer even opens his phone. He watches Horatio closely, straining to hear the other side but failing, hoping that it's not the phone call he thinks it is, but any hit on a database and he's certain someone would be getting in touch quickly.

He swallows a lump in his throat, feeling his heart speed up as a pit opens in his stomach. There was the Hulk, barely more than a low whisper this time, but there and gaining force as Bruce grows more nervous with Horatio's words. He takes a calming breath, but it's only so effective as he keeps his eyes focused on Horatio.

[horatiocaine]

"Well we all have problems..." Horatio didn't take kindly to being talked down to. Or being out of the loop. He can definitely read Bruce's reaction as fear.

"No, I don't think I will be jeopardizing this case so you can chase a mystery man. You want my results, you get a warrant for them." He snaps the phone shut with finality.

He almost looks amused behind his eyes. "That...was the army office in New Jersey." H gives Bruce a space of time to reply before continuing. "Do you want to tell me what's going on?"

[improvised_green]

Bruce gapes at Horatio a minute, trying to process what just happened during that phone conversation. H had clearly balked at something, but how much of it was a show for Bruce, and how much of it was real? He inhales, he hadn't been holding his breath but it still felt like it.

"I, I can't. I can't drag anyone else into this. People will get hurt. Please..." Bruce stood up to Horatio, looking him in the eye pleadingly. "Let me go."

Ross is going to be on his way, Bruce is starting to edge into panic because if Ross was in New Jersey, he had a few short hours to get moving. As he stands before H, his eyes waver between the man, and the door behind him. He needs to leave, but he's unwilling to force a physical confrontation yet. Ross doesn't need the help, and Bruce wants to get out of this situation with his clothing and the CSI station still intact.