Marks POV

We waved to (f/n)'s mother and got into Elena's car, heading off to her house. I was left in the back as her and Elena started talking, bringing me into the conversation every once and a while.

(f/n) leaned closer to Elena, "Why don't you just ask him yourself?"

"Shh.." was all Elena replied.

"Mark," (f/n) turned to me, "have you talked with Cry outside of the videos?"

"Uhh, yeah, but not that much," I replied.

"Have you... ever seen him?" Elena speaks up.

"No," I answer, "I don't think many of us lets players have, at least not that I know of."

"Oh... okay," is all she replies, turning on some music.

--------------Elena's House------------

Elena leads us into a room with two beds, "Will this be okay for you guys?"

"Yeah," (f/n) says, a bit of embarrassment in her voice.

I nudge her, as if to ask if she was okay with that. She looks to me and nods, setting down her things and sitting on the bed. Elena follows suit and sits down next to her.

"This is gonna be sooo fun," Elena giggles.

I excuse myself to the bathroom and step out into the hall.

Your POV

Elena anxiously watches the door close and waits a few moments before turning to you.

"So? How is everything with Mark?"

You roll your eyes and sigh, "It's... okay? I mean, it's nice to just calm down and do something semi-normal for once."

She wraps her arms around you and pulls you in for a hug.

"It'll be okay, you've gotten through this before. I'm sure he can handle it," she reassures you.

"I know, I'm just scared," you pat her arm and she releases you.

You both sit in silence for a short while until Elena breaks it. "Did you bring your laptop?"

"Yeah," you say, pulling it out.

"I gotta show you some videos, then," she smiles.

Marks POV

I stood outside of the door, listening to their conversation. I balled up my fists, upset that I couldn't give her the safety she needed. What could I do?

'What indeed, Mark.' A familiar voice says.

'And where have you been?' I reply to it, massaging my temples as I make my way to the bathroom.

'Recooperating,' it says, distastefully, 'seems you've gotten yourself into quite the situation. You want to protect her, but you can't do anything for yourself here.' It waited for a moment before beginning again, 'You have his number, the doctor, of course. Why not give him a call? Take matters into your own hands?'

I paused, trying to think of what to say back, but the more I thought, the more that it seemed right. I pulled my phone from my pocket and located his contact information that he had emailed to me a few nights prior. Thinking it over for a while more, I sighed and wandered Elena's house, stepping out onto the back porch, calling (f/n)s father.

"Hello, Mark," he answered.

"Hello," I replied, "Uh.. doctor."

"Do you need anything? Janice already told me you were spending the night over at Elena's tonight."

"Oh," I said, fidgeting a bit, "I was... Could we do the tests tonight?"

"Hmm?" His questioning voice came over, "Why the change of plans?... Nevermind, I can send someone over to pick you up, if you'd like."

I heard the door abruptly close behind me and I turned to see Elena, eyebrows raised.

"What are you doing?" She asks, a tone of aggravation.

"I, uh..." I stammered, a bit frozen, "I'll call you back," I said into my phone as I hung up.

"Ya know, she wouldn't like that," she sighs, leaning against the door, "running off without her and all."

I cast my eyes to the floor, not knowing what to say. I feel a hand caress my shoulder and I look up to see Elena giving me a sympathetic smile.

"I know it's tough, but.. you guys gotta stick together. It's not only helping you, but her as well. She wants to see an end to this."

"God, I feel like an asshole..." I say, running my fingers through my hair. "I'll... call him back and tell him, okay?"

She nods and returns inside, popping her head back out as I dial him back.

"If you lie to me, I will ruin you," she glares at me, but goes straight back to smiling as she shuts the door.

I shake my head and put the phone up to my ear, noticing the phone went to voice mail.

"Hey, sorry. Cancel that, I think it can wait 'til tomorrow."

--------------Later on into the night-----------

Your POV

The three of you sit around the tv, you and Elena intently focusing on the match.

"Dang it!" Elena shouts, tossing her controller as her character falls to the ground.

You chuckle and shrug your shoulders, "I can't help it, I'm just that good."

The night consisted of mainly Mario Party and such, but the wind down led to fighting games.

You let out a yawn and stretch a bit, rubbing the burning sensation of not blinking from your eyes.

"I think it's time to call it a night," Mark says, motioning over to the clock reading eleven at night.

"Yeah, I guess so," you sigh.

"We're having a rematch later," Elena says as she exits the room, "I'll beat you next time."

"Yeah, yeah," you say, sticking your tongue out at her.

Mark grabs his night clothes and heads off to the bathroom, giving you seclusion to change yourself. You pull the covers over yourself and feel sleep coming on. Mark returns shortly after, slipping into his own bed.

"Night," he says.

All you do in grunt in response as you drift off.

-------------Morning-------------

You awake to see Mark wasn't in his bed, but you were soon distracted by the smell of breakfast. You sleepily stumble into the kitchen, your hair still a mess.

"Good morning, sleep head," Elena says, adding more eggs into a pan.

"Mornin'," you groan, plopping down into a chair at the table, "fooooood..."

Mark laughs and pulls a few strands of hair from the edge of your mouth. You begin swatting away his hand when it starts to tickle.

"Since you decided to sleep in, we've got to leave out as soon as we're done eating," he says, munching on some toast.

You glare at him, still trying to wake up. You get up and make your way to the bathroom, brushing your hair and teeth, and then changing. You return back to the kitchen to see a plate at your seat, quickly sitting down and digging in.

After breakfast, you all get into Elena's car and head off for your fathers office and lab.