FPE Impetus AU: Grading

Engel wakes up. The sun is shining through the windows. He can't hear anything, so he presumes that Biscuit is asleep. He already cleaned the dishes and the floor. He sits with his own thoughts. He looks at his hands.   Engel: "It was to help me. Wasn't it? Emily was helped. She's ... she's better. "Helped!" Being chained to wall and having a weapon aimed and used on you. That's the "help" she got from Dr. Alexa. Alsi getting hurt was the "help" Dr. Alexa gave her. Ginner having his organs removed was "help" from Dr. Alexa. Was I really "helped?"  I was. I'm stronger. She wouldn't hurt me and then help the others. Emily did. She was hurt. She was given orange juice after. Maybe ... the good things she's done were just there to make us accept the bad. Did she help Claire? ... *Engel puts a number into his phone. * " Dr. Alexa: Hello Engel. What do you want to discuss? Engel: Can I ask you about Claire? Dr. Alexa: What do you want to know? Engel: How much time did you spend with her? Dr. Alexa: Why are you asking me this? Engel: I was just thinking about Oliver/K. If she hadn't been with them, they might not have targeted her. Dr. Alexa: I didn't have a choice. I had too much work to do. I needed someone to take care of her. Engel: Why didn't you give her to your husband? Her dad. Dr. Alexa: ... She doesn't have one. Engel: What do you mean? Was she adopted or something? Dr. Alexa: No. No. I simply used more scientific means to ... create her. Similar to how I created Kevin. *Silence. * Engel? Engel: Did you ever hurt her? Dr. Alexa: What are you implying? Engel: I've thought about it over the years. Emily. Ginner. Daisy. Alsi. Sometimes, you'd hurt them, even when you didn't need to. I know that you'd help them sometimes, but I just wanted to kn- Dr. Alexa: I didn't. That's all I have to say. Engel: What made Claire so different? Dr. Alexa: She was like me. Engel: Did you ever care about her? Dr. Alexa: i did. Engel: o- one other thing. Why did you need to clone her? Dr. Alexa: You never noticed? I was never really into men, per se. Engel (Embarrassed): Sorry. Sorry. Hey, could Emily leave the lab to visit? Dr. Alexa: *hmmmm* Engel: She's one of the best-behaved experiments there. She wouldn't do anything to upset you. Or anyone. Dr. Alexa: Alright. Just tell me when you need her. Engel: Thanks. *The phone hangs up. Engel lies on his chair and stares at the roof. * (Claire should've been able to know. I don't know how she would've felt about it.) Biscuit: Morning Engel! Engel: Good morning, Biscuit! Biscuit: We're going to visit Anova this Saturday, and I've been thinking of going out and buying her a new cactus. You wanna join? Engel: Sure! I haven't been in town for a while. *Engel, Bubble's pet duck, and Biscuit get onto the bus. * Biscuit: What was the last thing Claire said to you? Engel: ... She was talking about one of the books she enjoyed. She was pretty happy. I don't really know if someone talking about books would interest you. Biscuit: How happy was she? Engel: She was so gleeful that her face was turning red. Biscuit: What do you mean? Engel: Well, she was blushing. Biscuit: Are you sure that she wasn't just happy because she was talking to you? Engel: I don't really like that idea. I'd rather not think about her having a crush on me. Biscuit: oh. I brought a little extra cash. Do you want to eat anywhere? Engel: Not really. I actually enjoy your cooking over other foods. Biscuit: Wait, my cooking's that good? Engel: Yeah. Where did you learn to cook like that? Biscuit: Well, I just read a lot of cookbooks and videos. Engel: How much time did you spend reading and watching? There's no way a 17-year-old would be able to get that good. Biscuit: Usually over 12 hours. Engel: And nothing else? Biscuit: yeah. Engel: Why not? Biscuit: It's private. Engel: I tried being private with how I felt. It only hurt. Y- Biscuit: It's a family thing. I do NOT want to get into specifics. I'm already on thin ice with my family as it is. Engel: Ok. I understand. *Both Engel and Biscuit arrive at their stop and get off of the bus. They purchase the cactus and go back to Biscuit's house. *