Page 64 of Small Sacrifices

The next few minutes pass by in a furious sort of numbness. At some point, there's a sharp banging noise, like Mr. Wright has slammed shut a cabinet or thrown a book to the floor. That's the moment that Reid gives up on even trying to work and just makes himself another tea while he waits for Marisol.

After another five minutes, Marisol leaves Mr. Wright's office. Her eyes are so wide that Reid can't imagine anythinggood happened there—and when Mr. Wright shoulders past her aggressively and storms out, Reid takes that as proof.

Marisol doesn't even pretend she's fine. By the time she's reached Reid's desk, her eyes are shining. She stretches her arms out. "Can I have a hug?"

It's a testament to how much he likes her that Reid doesn't even freak out over the question. He just rises to meet her and does his best to squeeze the bad feelings out of her. It's uncomfortable to have her sniffling so close to his ear, but that’s overridden by the desperate grip she's got on his shoulders.

"Did something happen?" he asks. It feels inadequate. But then, what else is he supposed to say?

Marisol growls into his neck and butts her forehead against his shoulder. "Sometimes, I really hate this job."

Oh dear. A quick glance left and right confirms that they're still alone, but that's not where Reid was expecting this to go. Awkwardly, he pats her back. "That bad?"

A huff of breath puffs against his neck, causing him to cringe. Immediately, Marisol extricates herself and steps back. "I'm sorry."

"It's fine." He sounds tired when he says it, even though he isn't. Adrenaline is coursing through his veins, making him antsy with the need to move.

Marisol huffs again and starts tapping her foot. "Do you know what he said?"

Ah. Reid knows that tone of voice, high and indignant. He shakes his head, keeps his mouth shut, and waits.

"He tried to tell me that someone probably hacked the server and planted this in the backed-up data. Can you believe it?"

She doesn't even wait for Reid to shake his head before continuing. "If he thinks I'm stupid enough to believe that, why did he hire me in the first place? Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. And I was dumbfounded, so I didn't immediately agree with him.He didn't like that one bit—I mean, you know how he can be.Asshole.And so then he tried to tell me that this whole thing was a conspiracy from the beginning, because the more conservative politicians just want to bring him down."

Reid scoffs. Conservative, sure. Did those conservative politicians also invent a mistress? Marisol, who doesn't even know about the mistress yet, only seems spurred on by the thought.

"Exactly!" She's almost shouting now. Reid casts a nervous glance towards the door.

"And you know the worst thing about it?" Marisol asks. Reid shakes his head. "He told me that if I value my job, I won't tell anyone about it. Not even my colleagues!"

What? Reid can only stare at her, stumped. He was expecting this to some degree. But to hear it said out loud is jarring. They really are trying to cover something up. It doesn't even matter what they're trying to hide—did they learn nothing from Watergate? Exhausted, Reid collapses back into his desk chair and rubs his hands over his face.

"Did you tell him about me?" he asks.

Marisol makes a noise like an angry cat. "No. And I'm glad that I didn't. Can you imagine the trouble I'd be in if he knew I wasn't the only one who's seen this?"

He probably could, but he doesn't want to. Instead, he just groans. "What are you going to do now?"

"Reconsider my career path," Marisol says viciously. "If this is how they treat the truth, then I want nothing to do with it. Never mind how they treat their employees. All that overtime. And I haven't gotten a raise since I started here!"

"So you want to leave?" The idea makes something tug at his stomach, but he isn't sure what it is. Fear of losing her? The desire to come along? It could be either. If he didn’t havethat ultimatum hanging over his head, he’d at least think about leaving.

Marisol huffs and sits down in her chair with so much force that it creaks. "No. I want to stay and make a fucking difference. But I'm not sure that's possible. You have to cede defeat at some point."

That makes him frown.Defeatdoesn't sound like Marisol at all. He says as much, but Marisol only gives him a tired smile.

"That's sweet of you, but this environment is just… bad. I'll try to talk to him. But I honestly don't hold out much hope."

Oh. Reid's first thought is purely selfish: What is he supposed to do when she leaves? But then the rest of it catches up with him and he realizes Marisol is right. This is not a good work environment, pesticide scandal aside. If only he was as free to leave as she was. Who's ever going to take him if he just quits an internship in the governor's office?

They sit in silence for a few minutes, trying to process what just happened. At least, that's what Reid is doing. His palms hurt where he's digging his fingernails into them, but he can't relax his fingers, just as he can't slow down his breathing. There's something vicious in the heat burning behind his sternum. How dare they? First, they do something like that and then they have the gall to be this bad at trying to hide it?

His phone vibrates on his desk. Reid flinches. Yet, when he turns around, all he can do is stare at it. The push notification shows Everett's name.

u want to eat lunch together?

Just what he needs. Another dilemma about whether to tell Everett. So no. He does not want to eat lunch together. He doesn't even want to look at Everett right now. That would betoo much. But also, clearly, he'll get in trouble if this thing with Everett goes any further. He needs to talk to him.

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