"Hey Mich," Maddy said with a smile, greeting the girl. "Mmm, that coffee smells amazing."

Through half-closed eyes Maddy looked at the whole scene and did an 'awkward turtle' with her hands, then closed them, giving a low groan. Her head was killing her. "Ry, you have any Panadol?" she asked. "Or something stronger?" she added with a weak smile.

Mich grinned at coffee comment. "Best one on this planet. Greg showed where to get it. Couldn't drink that 'yuck' they have default here." she pulled a face and then went deaf to the world. But her eyes and other senses spiked up to leave her alert for any movement or sound.

Ryan mumbled something uncoherent then looked up from his ice bag. "Sure thing I have something stronger. Vicodin maybe?" he started to pat around his pockets for something

She gave a nod. "That sounds good, thanks," she told him gratefully.

Ava passed a hand through her hair and wiped her cheeks again, just to make sure that there were no traces of crying left. Then, she got back to work, what she always did when she was upset.

"Here." Ryan passed the bottle to Madison after shaking several pills into his palm. "I'm gonna feel this tomorrow." he said plopping them into his mouth and snatching some of Michelle's coffee to drown them.
"For you I suggest one pill. Unless you're an addict." Ryan added, returning to couch.

"Just be sure you don't OD Ryan. We'll need you on case though I've did most of investigation and now its up to computers to do and maybe something Ava can dig out from somewhere. Also don't forget your injection in two hours. Unless you want seizure or something. But I suggest you to take more of those pink pills if you're about to talk with her. Otherwise your face will meet your butt and I won't be the one to untangle the mess. Also it's your turn to hitch your wheelie 'Tom' and do some workout at rehab cent'. I bet they'll kick your ass so hard you won't be able to move at all. And if you're about to get drunk take at least five of those violet goodies, they'll make it much better tomorrow." Michelle rambled on not caring to cut her attention from little thing in her hands.
Ever since her 'little' incident with device she'd learned how to take better care of it and visited the same place to learn how to unscrew it and put back together without breaking. Now she was fully geared did whatever to keep it intact untill doctor visit.

Ava kept working, trying to get the thoughts about Ryan and their fight out of her head, but she couldn't. They just stuck there, in the same dark old place. So, she decided to ignore her pride or anything and give him a text. Nothing bad could happen...right?!
"Meet me in the locker-room."

Ryan glared daggers at Mich but said nothing as text message buzzed in his pocket. He fished out his phone and read the text.

It was from Ava asking to meet at locker room.
He frowned trying to figure out why so sudden change.

"Ok guys. Don't turn whole lab upside down. I'll be back soon." he said to both girls and walked out, heading to locker room

After she sent the message, Ava ran the last sample, then headed to the locker-room. When she got there, it was quiet. Pretty awkward how absolutely no one was there, as it usually was kind of busy. She sighed and passed a hand through her hair as she waited.

"So?" Ryan asked softly, sliding out from behind the row of lockers.

He stood, arms crossed, head tilted sideways.
"Are you going to grill me?" Ryan asked.

Ava turned around, as she heard Ryan's voice behind her. She looked at him and took a hard swallow before talking.
"Here's the thing," she said, ignoring his question. "I do realize I am not the most sensitive, or the nicest person in the world; I get that. I've always had a hard time making friends because of that, and I've been told that before. But hearing that from you, Ryan..." she told him, slowly shaking her head. "Just imagine yourself in my place."

He sighed and hung his head in shame.

"I know I was terrible. I won't try to hide my bad choice of words behind my illness. That's no excuse for not thinking." he admitted.

"I know how it feels because I've been told that by numerous people in past. I understand how you feel and that was totally wrong to say you those things. You don't deserve that, because it's not right." his voice started trembling slightly. "I apologize for my inexcusable choice of words." he said waiting for response. Times like this he'd feel better if somebody just hit him with something heavy or shoot him right away.
He felt so bad and was holding himself away from any surface he'd bash his head against.

Ava sighed, as she passed a hand through her hair. She moved closer to him, but didn't look at him. Instead, she just looked around, shaking her head. "You know what, save it..." she said quietly. "I don't want you to say that only because I'm upset and you're trying to make me feel better."

"Yes I want to make you feel better because I made you feel bad. I can't deal with the feeling of hurting someone I consider as my friend. I've done it too often in my life and it cost me too much." he sighed heavily.

"I don't know what else to say. I admit I was total ass and I don't want you sad because of me. I know it hurts to hear those words from me. But I said. I can't fix it so I guess we'll have to live with it." Ryan really was at loss of words, feeling totally miserable.

He so wanted to shoot himself for not being able to shut his trap.

Ava crossed her arms over her chest as she looked down at the ground. She sighed and nodded slightly. He was right; she couldn't stay mad at him forever. He had apologized anyway, and she didn't want to lose him. "Okay, then..." was all she said, as she took a hard swallow.

Ryan watched her and waited for the verdict.

He really hoped she'll forgive.
It kinda was part of friendship, as his foster mom had said, that best friends sometimes need to get over some fights to gain stone-hard trust.
So he dared to look up from the floor, where he probably had counted at least thousand specks of dirt, and look at Ava with hopeful expression.

Ava nodded again as she passed by him, going towards the door. However, she didn't go out just yet. She didn't know why... What did she expect? Nice words, a hug? She had no idea.

"Wait." he reached for her, getting a hold of Ava's hand and pulling her back...

She turned around to face him as he dragged her back into the room. "What?" she asked quietly, looking straight at him.

"Thank you." he simply said and pulled her into tight bear-hug

Ava was surprised at first, but then closed her eyes and just hugged him back, happy that things were going for the best.

Ryan kept holding Ava, enjoying the moment.
He was glad things started to look good again.

When Ava broke the hug, she looked at him with softened eyes. "What..." she started, before taking a swallow. "What did you thank me for?"

He smiled gently at her when they broke the hug.

"For being my friend." Ryan answered honestly

Ava couldn't help a smile anymore from spreading on her lips. She nodded a bit, taking his hand in hers. "Well, I think I should thank you," she said honestly.

"Oh I was the bad guy today. I should be thankful you're still talking to me." he teased a bit.

He so liked to see people happy around him. Then he could be happy and spread happines further.

Ava smiled, as her hand went up to his cheek. "Of course I am," she said gently, before turning around and starting towards the door.

"And here goes my thankies." he said following.

"So I guess we still have friend to save from IA." Ryan added.

Ava gave him a small smile and a nod. She was so glad things were fine between them now. That was exactly why she had called him. She couldn't stay without him like that.