Happily Ever After AU - for conning

[abrightboy]

From here

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[abrightboy]

Malcolm is jolted out of the depression realization that Neal is right by Ainsley’s voice. He approaches her, hands up in front of him.

“Ains, let me explain why I did it, okay? I just… I know what it’s like to struggle with the darkness inside and I just thought that… that if you couldn’t see it, you wouldn’t have to do battle with it….” His eyes fall to the blood stained clothes and he takes them from her. “I need you to stay here for a bit, okay? We’ll be back.”

[conning]

"Malcolm, if I had known I could have done something to prepare, or know what to look for before I snapped again, or... something. Wait--you'll be back?"

She's teary, her voice loud and tenses and something in her tone is just wrong. Is this what Malcolm felt like when Neal's dad showed up calling himself Sam? He thinks it might be. "We'll be back. And I'll be staying with you tomorrow if Malcolm needs to leave."

"No, no way, I'm not staying here."

[abrightboy]

“Ainsley…” Malcolm takes her by her forearms. “If we’re going to deal with this, we need to know who you killed. And we can only find that out if I investigate. Right?”

[conning]

"I mean-- I guess, but let me help. Let me come with you."

Neal starts to say that's a terrible idea but catches himself, leaving it up to Malcolm, his neck and shoulders tense.

[abrightboy]

“No. You stay here. Stay safe. I have to talk to a couple people and then I’ll be back, okay?” Malcolm tells her.

[conning]

Neal can see Ainsley starting to protest again, but Malcolm's phone starts ringing before she can. Gil, thank god. Neal's shoulders relax a little, a fraction, because now at least they have a good excuse to leave. He needs to talk to Malcolm where Ainsley can't hear him.

[abrightboy]

Malcolm manages to convince her to stay. He hails a cab and he’s distracted as they head for the crime scene.