Apartment Melodies (ch5)

EARLY RELEASE FOR MY $10+ PATRONS!!

Okay I didn't think I'd be writing anything for this week's episode just because I was so flabbergasted that I needed the anime to show what happened next immediately, but I can't just wait a week after that, so I just whipped up something really quick and short this time around.

Takes place directly after episode 10.

Disclaimer: I do not own Carole & Tuesday.

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															Chapter 5.

Every echoed music note that fills the building is a reminder to Carole that Pyotr is on-stage now, and every second is winding down to hers and Tuesday's performance.

And they aren't going to make it if she doesn't find her fast.

There's an awful dread twisting tightly in her gut as she paces the empty hallways, quickening her steps by the second as she becomes more and more frantic.

"Ah, geez. Where the heck did she go? She's too nice for her own good sometimes..."

She supposes it's partially her own fault for not stopping her partner from going after Cybelle. Carole had had a bad feeling about that girl from the start, but she hadn't wanted to butt into Tuesday's personal business if she could help it. But now she really wishes she'd done it sooner.

"Tues? You here?" Her voice bounces back at her from down the hallway, but there's still no response. She can only assume Pyotr's song is halfway done or more, and she bites her lip.

"Tues!" She checks around the next corner and even tries the elevators, but no luck. She keeps her eyes open for Cybelle as well, but there's no sign of her either.

She doesn't like this. She really really doesn't like this...

Not knowing where else Tuesday might've gone, Carole doubles back, briskly heading for the changing rooms once more. Her mind is racing as quickly as her heart now. Time's running out-

-And then the scream.

Some part of Carole knows it recognizes that voice, but the other part just prays she's mistaken.

Nonetheless she whips around and races toward the sound. Carole's heart is in her throat as the doors to a small lounge open up for her.

Instantly she can tell something is off. It's difficult to see in here, and it takes her a moment to realize it's because of a veil of white smoke. Her eyes go instantly to the couch, and she prays until the last possible second that it might be someone else-

But of course it isn't.

Tuesday is sitting there with her hands clutched to her chest, whimpering through grit teeth. On the table in front of her is a white box where all the smoke is coming from.

Carole is frozen in disbelief and then terror, her mouth open in a silent gasp. She can't make sense of this. No way. No way is this really happening...

But Tuesday's whimpers of pain continue and snap Carole out of it.

"Tuesday!"

Tuesday slowly opens her eyes, blinking past tears through the smoke, scared and confused.

"Carole..."

Carole doesn't have time to stare blankly. She doesn't know what was in that box or what's still in the air. She lunges forward and covers Tuesday from it, pulling her to her feet. She's trembling and doing her best to fight off sobs. Carole's scared for her, but she knows they can't stay here.

"We gotta get outta here. Can you walk?"

"Y-Yeah-"

Carole guides her to the door as quickly as she can manage and brings her down the hall several paces, until they're out of range of the escaping smoke. After just a few more steps she feels Tuesday begin to shake, and it isn't long before she's sinking to her knees.

Carole holds onto her and brings her down to the floor as gently as possible. Tuesday is still hunched over, clutching her hands together over her chest, fighting back hiccups. Carole holds her shoulders gently, urging her to look up.

"Tuesday! What happened? Are you all right?"

Tuesday shakes her head, and Carole feels a sensation like missing a step on the way down a staircase. It's a deep dread that slithers up her spine and makes her jolt, makes her grip on Tuesday's shoulders tighten a little harder.

"Tues..."

Tuesday draws in a choppy little breath and looks up at her past the tears, her blue eyes drowning.

"I-I was looking for Cybelle, a-and I... I couldn't find her... But there was this box with my name on it f-for my birthday, so I opened it and-" She cuts off coughing, and Carole wraps her into a soft hug.

Cybelle. She should've known. Actually, in the back of her mind, she'd known it all along. She never should've let Tuesday go off with her for a second. Her body feels like it's burning from the inside out, seething with unseen rage.

When I get my hands on that bitch-

But she can't be angry right now. Not with Tuesday sobbing from pain in her arms. She's still holding her chest and Carole is only getting more and more worried by the second. She eases back a little and tries to find her eyes again.

"Tues, can you breathe okay? You didn't breathe in too much of that smoke, did you? I don't like the looks of it-"

"It-" Tuesday gasps, and it doesn't help her answer sound very convincing. "It's not that... Well, maybe a little-"

"Tues-!"

"Carole, look-!" Tuesday sobs loudly as she finally moves her arms out for Carole to see. Her left hand is clinging to her right, covering it up. But when she moves her fingers, Carole can see an awful redness coating her skin. Her fingers, palm, wrist, and as far down as her elbow are scratched and smeared with burns.

Carole blinks, hoping she's seeing wrong, that the smoke is somehow messing with her vision and that she's not really seeing this.

But no matter how much she blinks and clears her eyes, that horrible redness never stops staining Tuesday's skin. It just keeps hurting her, marking her. Just like Cybelle wanted.

But even Carole's rage for that girl is no match for her concern and dismay for Tuesday. Her heart sinks into the pit of her stomach as Tuesday's eyes fill with fresh tears that start to spill over.

"I'll... I'll never be able to h-hold my guitar or play onstage now... I'm so sorry, Carole. I... I've ruined our chances in the semifinals... I've ruined everything-"

"Tuesday!" Carole stops her before she can make herself even more upset. Gently, she coaxes Tuesday forward again, back into her arms, and holds her as close as she can. "It's not your fault, Tues. Nothing's your fault. I don't care if we've gotta forfeit or whatever. None of that matters. The only thing that matters is that we get you treated."

Tuesday gives her one last tortured look before the weight of her tears drags her down. She bows her head into Carole's shoulder and just sobs out apologies, apologies Carole doesn't need. Not from her. She'd make the person responsible for all of this sorry, but that was for another time.

For now Carole just brings Tuesday close to her and holds her as tightly as she dares.

By this point the smoke must've risen enough to set off the alarms. Water sprays down over them as the alarms start blaring, and from there it's only a few minutes later until Roddy, Gus, and some building security find them.

"The hell happened?" Gus bellows, and it's the first time Carole's ever heard him sound so worried.

"You guys are supposed to be on-" Roddy begins, but stops once he sees the grim look in Carole's eyes.

"I'll explain everything," she grunts, helping Tuesday to her feet. "But Tuesday's hurt. Call a medic."

One security guards takes off to do just that while Carole explains to the other what had happened. Once a few more arrive, they enter the lounge together to handle the smoke and the box that had caused it.

Everything happens really quickly after that. There's an announcement made about delays and possibly cancellation for Carole and Tuesday's performance. They don't give away all the details, but with the judges and audience being made to wait, it doesn't look good for their reputation either way.

The guards clear out the lounge as the medic arrives and sits Tuesday down to examine her hand. All the while Carole stays close, never leaving her side for a second. Tuesday is too upset to be able to say much, so Carole explains it all to Gus and Roddy.

"It was that chick Cybelle," she growls. "It had to have been. The box said 'Happy Birthday Tuesday' and she's the only other person who knows when Tues' birthday is. She lost and she's trying to take us down with her." She glances sideways, catching Tuesday's eye as the medic bandages her fingers and wrist. Tuesday sniffles and just bows her head. Carole rubs a hand up and down her back softly. "That girl threatened Tuesday, and now she did this. She'd better hope I never get my hands on her."

"Seriously?" Gus grumbles. "A fellow contestant and fan? I've heard of it happening, but never..." He trails off, rubbing his chin in thought. Roddy timidly chimes in.

"She hurt you guys in the worst way. Not only did she physically harm Tuesday, but she hurt your chances at performing now."

"Damn right she did," Gus growls. "You wanna press charges, little lady?"

Tuesday lifts her head meekly, then looks down at her bandaged arm. She sniffles some more and swallows hard.

"I... I thought she was my friend..." She starts shaking again and the tears come rushing. "I'm sorry, Carole... I've ruined everything..."

Carole hugs her close again, tighter than before.

"Like I said, it's not your fault. There'll be other competitions, Tues. But there's only one of you. So long as you're all right, I don't care about anything else."

Gus and Roddy nod in agreement.

"Even so," Gus says. "It's a shame. You two made it this far and you really had a fighting chance."

"You really did," Roddy agrees. "Maybe we can talk to the producers and see if we can get you guys a later performance date."

"Maybe," Gus mutters. "They might make an exception when they find out you were sabotaged and purposefully injured."

"Then we've gotta hurry and tell them." Roddy is already on his feet, and Gus is close behind him. But before they can go, Tuesday lifts her head and calls out after them.

"P-Please, wait-"

"Don't worry, little miss," Gus reassures. "We won't give Cybelle's name just yet if you don't want us to."

Tuesday sighs and then sinks back into Carole's arms.

Carole wishes they'd give Cybelle's name, though. She wishes they'd expose her for the psychotic creep she really is. But she knows it would only make Tuesday more upset than she already is right now, and that's the last thing she wants.

Carole thanks the medic and the guards for all they've done. They move to the entranceway to discuss things amongst themselves and keep the room secure for the girls.

Carole holds her partner as she weeps, bitter bitter tears of betrayal and frustration and self-blame, no doubt. Carole just wraps her up tightly and reminds her it isn't her fault. She peppers soft tiny kisses into Tuesday's hair, and little by little the shaking ebbs away.

"It's all right, Tues. We'll figure this out." Carole inhales and lets it out slowly. "I'm just glad you're okay. That's all that matters."

Tuesday's hiccups eventually taper off. She wipes her eyes and eases back a little.

"Thank you, Carole..." Another sniffle, another set of tears. "I should've known... she wasn't my friend... All she did was hurt me and make me feel guilty. All things you've never done, you've never made me feel..." She folds her arms around Carole's shoulders and rests her chin on her shoulder. Carole hugs her back, keeping close to support her.

"I should've known, too. I should've kept a closer eye on her. I assumed she wasn't dangerous, and you got hurt because of it. I'm sorry, Tues..."

"Please don't be." Tuesday tightens her grip on her. "You're right, Carole. Neither of us are to blame here. So... I'll stop saying sorry if you will."

Carole moves back a little to look into her eyes.

"Deal." She brushes their noses together and nuzzles Tuesday's cheek. Both girls let out a mutual sigh as they finally move apart.

"I wonder how far we could've made it in Mars' Brightest..." Tuesday sighs.

"Hey, don't count us out just yet. Who knows? Maybe Gus and Roddy will convince them to let us perform somehow."

"Yeah. Maybe."

Carole glances down at Tuesday's bandaged arm. Gingerly, she slips her hand beneath hers and lifts it up. Carole traces her fingers lightly over the bandages, wishing she could wash away the scars underneath with her touch.

"We'll figure something out, Tues. If we quit here, then that creep wins. I won't let that happen." Carole brings Tuesday's hand to her lips and kisses softly; first the backs of her knuckles one by one, then she rotates her hand and kisses each of her fingertips and works her way down across her palm, and eventually down to her wrist. Tuesday whimpers again, but it's more happy than anything else this time.

"Thanks, Carole." She leans in and pecks her partner's cheek. "You're right. We may be down, but we're not out." And for the first time since all this happened, Tuesday smiles.

Carole cracks a smirk in return.

"Damn right."

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A/N: Not much of a chapter, because I have no idea where the anime will go from here. If they expose Cybelle and say how Tuesday got injured purposefully before her performance, the judges and audience would totally understand, right? But would they let them wait and perform once Tuesday is better? Can she somehow perform without the guitar and maybe just sing? Or will they really have to forfeit? Gosh I'm gonna be going insane all this week till Thursday...

But I mainly just wrote this because I wanted Carole to have that intense hurt/comfort moment alone with Tuesday, and I also wanted her to kiss her bandages ;w;