I'm Okay (Guillermo&Icy)

[ROSE MERCER]

OOC: The title is after that beautifully sad song by a C.A. It's right here


Rose's former giddiness at had having looked death in the face and mooning her little, pale, freckled butt at him, had seemed to vanish as the week went on in the hospital. Coincidentally, this seemed to coincide with them taking her off from the super drugs, leaving her sore and tender everywhere. Still, she seemed to heal at great speed, as her nurses and Doctor watched in awe as her face looked basically untouched, besides some pink spots where new skin formed. The fact that Rose was consistently trying to cover these spots up with foundation was a great irritation to the nurses, who eventually had to hide her make up from her.

Not cool.

Soon tube after tube was removed, until all that was still connected to her was the I.V., which was another source of great irritation to her. Not that the thing hurt, but it was terribly annoying to have to take the stupid thing EVERYWHERE that she went. Not that she was allowed to go anywhere mind you. Her nurses would eventually find her and herd her back to her room, like collies to a sheep.

Guillermo seemed to watch patiently through this, trying to be encouraging, taking Rose's little passive aggressive bitch blows with a grain of salt. Not that her mood was ever the same with him. One moment she would be talkative and sweet, the next she would be telling him to get the fuck out and that she didn't need him here, other times she would tell him that she didn't deserve a friend like him. At the moment, she was more or less ignoring him, fussing with her hair.

Her injuries were healing quickly, but her torso was still heavily damaged. Still bound, the ribs were slowly healing, the scar turning into an ugly scab in the center of her chest. It made it difficult to really lift her arms above her head, basically making doing anything with her hair impossible. Stubborn as always, she tried to brush through the pain, her face twisting in discomfort. It was a crushing pain, which made it difficult to breath. Tears filled her eyes, a mixture of pain and annoyance with herself. She could fight through this, why was she being such a baby. "Fuck it." She growled suddenly, whipping the hair brush across the room and falling on to her pillow in self pity. It made a hard 'dud' noise, when it collided with the wall, but she didn't care. Her focus was drawn to waiting for the pain in her chest to cease.

This was stupid. Everything was stupid. She was now scarred for life, sighing at the over dramatization that she would never be able to wear a shirt that wasn't a turtleneck ever again. Her stupid nurses would never let her wear make up, which mean Guillermo was seeing her naked face for the first time this week. She was not thrilled about that. Her Mother kept calling, tearfully accepting her daughters refusal for other visitors. And all she could wear was this stupid, yellow, hospital gown which was hideous.

[GUILLERMO SALAS-ORTIZ]

Rose had been healing miraculously over the past week. Every day, Guillermo would be startled to find Rose returning back to normal, little by little. He had sat in the chapel with Fernando occasionally and he decided that there had to be a God, if Rose was making it through.
Rose was attempting to brush her hair, becoming increasingly frustrated with the pain in her torso.
She grimaced as her body resisted the motions.
He watched as Rose's blue eyes filled with aggravated tears.
"Fuck it," She growled suddenly, whipping the hair brush across the room and sinking back into her pillow. It went an impressive distance, hitting the wall hard on the other side of the room. Guillermo went over to pick it up and walked to her bed, sitting beside her.
He smiled at her beautiful pout, wondering why she was in such a sour mood. Obviously the hospital was getting boring and she was frustrated with the pain, but there seemed to be something more.
He gave her a quick kiss.
"Why don't you sit on my lap and I'll brush it for you?"
Guillermo's eyes traveled over her half brushed coppery brown hair and smiled softly. She was heartbreakingly beautiful, even with mussed hair, no make up and a hospital gown. She didn't even need to try.
Hell, she was even beautiful with her bruises and cuts and scabs, even through the guilt he felt for being the cause of her accident.

[RIPLEY "TRAMP" GWYNN]

It hadn't been her first choice--honestly. Iceland wasn't the loving, nursing sort--so a hospital wasn't on her first to-do list. The spoiled child had been given an ultimatum: Volunteer, or be cut off. And that ment her independance ripped out from under her. She already had to share a body with someone--last she wanted was to share a house with her parents. Overbearing mongrels. She had tried the local animal shelter; every animal had growled, hissed, or squawked at her. There had been the soup kitchen, and the city clean-up. But that wasn't going to work either--dirty people, and dirty things. That left lifeguard, or hospital volunteer. Wicked and Iceland both agreed water was not their forte, and went for the last option.

At least she wasn't having to deal with screaming children. Iceland was a selfish girl; she was the only one allowed to kick and scream for attention. "Mercer, Rose." She read quietly off of a chart on a small cart she was wheeling. She was in the process of delivering lunches, and now it was Rose's turn. "That name sounds awfully familiar." She hummed to herself while she pushed the cart, last lunch delivery--then she was done for the day.

She had volunteered---only if she didn't have to wear scrubs. Instead--she showed up in a simple knee-length white dress, flat white mary janes, and cream colored pantyhose(lace of course). White blonde hair was pulled into a ponytail that fit tight to her neck, and draped ove rher shoulder, coifed at the top in a pin-up remnicent style. Her small knuckles tapped on the door. "Lunch!" she called, then quietly opened the door just incase the patient was sleeping. What she found instead startled her, when she rounded the corner of the room with the cart.

That one boy who had given her such a hard time at the harbor(definatly not a gentleman!), and Rosey from Central Park. She lowered her eyes to pick up the maroon container of hospital food--and to mask the flash of her eyes. her blood boiled at the sight of Guillermo touching Rosey. After all, she was going to be Rosey's best friend. Not this...this hooligan! Instead, Iceland pretend she didn't even recognize the hispanic boy sitting with the coolest girl she had ever met.

"Bonjour, Rosey! I come baring food, delicious, yummy, hot food!" Icey chirped in her candy sweet voice. She gave a playful twirl with the container balanced in her hand. Rose looked mad--probably because this boy was touching her. It was now her personal mission to cheer her up. Making a graceful show, Iceland dramatically slid the food tray from the side of Rose's bed, and angled it, so all Rose had to do was pull it in. Iceland rested the container, and whipped off the lid, "Voila! It's good, promise. It's not like that junk hospital food you find everywhere else. Now." There, she had given the patient the food. Now why was her gorgeous new friend sitting in that bed. "Why on earth are you in here?" She chirped, doe-like blue eyes round and curious.

Outfit:Dress only. Those shoes are tres blech!
Hair:In blonde of course!

[ROSE MERCER]

Guillermo, with the patience of a saint, crossed the room and picked up the stupid hair brush that Rose hated so much right now. "Why don't you sit on my lap and I'll brush it for you?" His tone was gentle, as he kissed her face, which contorted petulantly.

"I said 'Fuck it'." Rose muttered, though she did like her hair to be brushed. She didn't need to be waited on! She had taken care of herself all her life, she didn't need to be fussed on!

Before she could concede, the room opened, as one of the candystriper's entered tentatively. "Bonjour, Rosey! I come baring food, delicious, yummy, hot food!" She sat up, looking at the strange girl she had met once before. Her pale skin, her wide eyes, her pale hair... It was Iceland. The doll of a girl sat comfortably on Rose's bed, as if they were dear old friends. "Voila! It's good, promise. It's not like that junk hospital food you find everywhere else. Now." Rose sniffed the food, which did indeed look delicious.

"Thank you." Rose said, trying to flatten her messy hair, biting into a curly fry. "Go ahead and eat some."[/b] Rose said, almost apologetically for her outburst before. "I can't eat all this by myself."Rose handed him a fry, smiling a little.

Iceland's face looked very slightly concerned, though it was exaggerated looking on her fragile face. "Why on earth are you in here?"

Rose put on her toughest face, as if it were no big deal. "Got into a fight with a Mustang. The Mustang won." It was really the best answer. If she got too into it, guilt would be had, then Rose would have to patch that up. And dammit, she just wasn't in the mood. So, she'd keep it light, and much on her french fries, appreciating Iceland's wardrobe. "I like the uniform. Retro enfermera chic. Very nice." Yes, topic changes were something Rose was well practiced in. She smiled a little at Guillermo, though she wished she had her make up, sitting next to a beauty like Iceland.


[/color]

[GUILLERMO SALAS-ORTIZ]

"I said 'Fuck it'." Rose muttered.
But her shoulders slumped a bit in resignation. Before he could claim triumph, a nurse walked in with lunch.
She was blonde and oddly familiar looking.
"Bonjour, Rosey! I come baring food, delicious, yummy, hot food!"
The girl looked up and Guillermo backed away in horror. What the fuck was that demon doing at a hospital? Probably collecting new souls for hell, he decided.
"Voila! It's good, promise. It's not like that junk hospital food you find everywhere else. Now."
Rose seemed to know her though and the two paid him no mind, so he returned cautiously to Rose's side.
"Thank you." Rose said, trying to flatten her messy hair, biting into a curly fry.
"Go ahead and eat some," Rose said, her voice apologetic
"I can't eat all this by myself."
Rose handed him a fry, smiling a little. He bit into it, not feeling so hungry anymore.
Although he knew the girl was a raving lunatic, she looked genuinely concerned about Rose.
"Why on earth are you in here?"
"Got into a fight with a Mustang. The Mustang won. I like the uniform. Retro enfermera chic. Very nice."
He sighed, hating the way she described it. As if it wasn't his fault.
He caught the subject change though, and returned her soft smile, reaching over and tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

[RIPLEY "TRAMP" GWYNN]

Iceland's spine was straight as she perched on the end of the edge of the bed, taking up as little a space as possible. Part of her really felt concerned over Rose, and the strangely quiet piece of her that was Wicked seemed to allow small, rolling waves of anger echo in Icelands mind. However, the other part of Iceland was thoroughly enjoying Guillermo being in the room. She watched him back up when she stepped in, and inside she was smiling, grinning even.

"A mustang? Goodness gracious. Well, I'm glad to see you are doing...extremely well." She sighed, her shoulders slumping, before idly her hands smoothed out her skirt. "Thank you, Rosey. Admittedly those scrubs are atrocious. Completely unflattering." There was pang of absolute irrittion when Guillermo touched Rose. She wanted to throw the boy out the window...or perhaps dangle him off of the Empire State Building. Instead, she smiled, and held out her delicate hand towards Guillermo.

"I don't think we've met, my name is Iceland. And you are?" She asked, leaning in, and turning her ear slightly towards him, as though genuinely interested in what he had to say. Her eyes seemed to smile along with her lips, but her eyes seemed reflective, and glass-like. However--unchanging; a simple translucent blue.

[ROSE MERCER]

As Iceland sat next to Rose, she truly wished that she had let Guillermo at least brush her hair. It was as though he could style it. Rose had never actually seen Guillermo actually style his hair. Her lips bowed into a grin, as a variety of hair styles he could pull off flashed through her mind. Mo Hawk. Fox Tails. Preppy cut. Corn Rows. No, she liked the way his hair fell. No point in messing with a good thing. But Rose, on the other hand, had very temperamental hair. It was not as though Rose never went out with bed head, she had many a times. But her hair was tangled, mussed, as if laid upon for a week. Stupid nurses, not letting her go about. And Iceland's face was so pretty and perfect. Envy filled Rose, though she kept her smile. "A mustang? Goodness gracious. Well, I'm glad to see you are doing...extremely well."

Everyone spoke with such surprise at her condition. In the beginning, she had wore it as a badge. But now it felt more like an annoyance. "Yeah well, I figure it could always be worse. Could have been a foreign car." It was a gear head domestic-vs.-foreign joke, and Rose wished deeply that Hiro and Stefano had been here to appreciate it.

"Thank you, Rosey. Admittedly those scrubs are atrocious. Completely unflattering." Atrocious? This girl was something else. She even spoke pretty. It contrasted greatly with Rose's uncouth way of handling things.

Still, Rose was in no mood to put on airs. She grinned, happy to talk about fashion. "Yeah, they have total ass expanding powers." It was like day and night, next to prim, sweet, and beautiful Iceland. Even her name was pretty, and strange. Much more interesting than 'Rose'. Stupid common flowers of stupid. You can't even make a nickname for Rose. Well, Rosie. And Roz, if your Nana Grace.

"I don't think we've met, my name is Iceland. And you are?" Rose watched, tensing a little as Iceland introduced herself to Guillermo. Not really for any reason, except the blatant fact that there was no way in hell he couldn't notice how perfect looking Iceland was. Even as he tucked her hair behind her ear, Rose could just imagine them together. But that wouldn't be Rose's business, would it? Guillermo could see who he liked, free from guilt. He wasn't Rose's. Rose wasn't his.

Of course, this all was ridiculous. They just met each other after all. And from what Rose could tell, they had nothing in common. She relaxed, her faint smile widening. Besides, it wasn't like he was going to just flirt right in front of Rose.

Unless he wanted to make a point.

But Guillermo was bigger than that.

And even if he tried making a point, it wasn't as though it mattered to Rose.

Smile faltering a little, she looked up to see a new comer in the door. Jimmy Mercer stood in the entrance, looking a little passive, with a few roses and a topper ware in his hands. He was a girthy man, not fat, but sporting a beer gut. His fair hair was thinning on top, his skin more freckled than Rose's who had been blessed with a mediation between her parents. Bright blue eyes scanned the room, probably looking for Fernando. First they rested on Rose, checking closely for wounds. They next went to Icy, taking in her stunning appearance but noting she was a stranger. Then they fell fleetingly on Guillermo, Jimmy's jaw squaring as Rose's did when she was angry. He was still miffed about the tooth thing... "Your Mother made you some casserole." He said gruffly, entering the room carefully. He set the vase with the roses down on a far table, the food near it.

"Oh." What could she really say? Oh, hey, your sober. No, that might ruin this warm and happy family moment.

Jimmy's eyes went to Guillermo again. "Thought you weren't taking visitors."

"I'm not. But security in this place doesn't seem too legit. Bet babies get stolen here a lot."

Jimmy didn't seem amused by her joke, which was said humorlessly anyway. "Mind if we talk."

"Can't too much, seeing as how we're doing that now."

"Alone." Jimmy tried not to snap, his temper obviously rising.

Rose looked doubtful. "Even if I wanted them to leave, I highly doubt they would." She wasn't trying to be cheeky there, though it seemed so. Guillermo was too protective, and even Icy seemed to draw a bit closer. "Just talk."

"You're being awful selfish." He said instantly, ignoring the others. Rose stared blankly, wondering what it was that she actually did. "You're Mother's worried sick. Hasn't stopped crying for days-"

Rose scoffed at his concern. "Interrupting your football games?"

Jimmy fought back a snarl. "Girl, you are you trying to make me mad?" Rose shrugged, as if bored with the conversation.

"You know," Rose said, rising a little, her impatience burning through. "I've heard you say how upset and worried Mama was, but no mention of you. Course, there is a threat of you going to jail this time for me being in the hospital.... so I guess-"

"Rosaline Grace, you shut your mouth." He barked, making her flinch. He pulled back instantly, looking at Guillermo. "I'll admit I disciplined yeh. But you turned out damn good, didn't you."

"Your right. I've been mistaking love for stupid, redneck, alcoholic, abuse. How could I be so stupid. All those whips with your belt were really cleverly disguised hugs." He looked at her, like she had just slapped him right there. Scoffing, enjoying the fact that he was stung, she looked away. "Just do me a favor. Please, just.. go die." Grabbing another curly fry, she chewed on it, unapologetic.

[GUILLERMO SALAS-ORTIZ]

"A mustang? Goodness gracious. Well, I'm glad to see you are doing...extremely well."
"Yeah well, I figure it could always be worse. Could have been a foreign car."
Rose had a small smile of pride on her face as he recognized the recurring joke she had with Hiro and Stefano.
"Thank you, Rosey. Admittedly those scrubs are atrocious. Completely unflattering."
He stared at the girl, his eyes narrowed slightly. In the bright light of the hospital room, she looked much more normal than he remembered. But she was still nearly white from head to toe, seemingly floating around. It made him feel on edge for some reason and he didn't like it.
"Yeah, they have total ass expanding powers."
Rose was grinning brightly at the girl and Guillermo wondered what she had ever done to make Rose like her so much.
The strange girl offered her hand to him.
"I don't think we've met, my name is Iceland. And you are?"
Rose watched, tensing a little.
Iceland? What the hell kind of a name was Iceland? Good for a country, bad for a baby.
He reached out cautiously and shook her hand.
"We have met, actually. You're the scary ass chick from the dock. I'm Guillermo, the one who isn't a gentleman, apparently."
Guillermo now felt even more uneasy than before, but gave a smile all the same. It wasn't the most convincing one, but either way..
He looked down at Rose to see her smile falter.
Her eyes were fixed on the doorway and Guillermo's blood boiled instantly as he recognized Mr. Mercer, Rose's father.
He didn't look very aggressive a the moment though, holding a few roses and small plastic container that held some sort of food.
Jimmy's eyes raked the room, falling on Guillermo. His jaw set, but he didn't address him.
"Your Mother made you some casserole." He said gruffly, setting the food and flowers down on a table.
"Oh." Rose seemed to have a limited vocabulary at the moment.
Jimmy's eyes went to Guillermo again.
"Thought you weren't taking visitors."
"I'm not. But security in this place doesn't seem too legit. Bet babies get stolen here a lot."
"Mind if we talk."
"Can't too much, seeing as how we're doing that now."
"Alone." Jimmy tried not to snap, his temper obviously rising.
Rose looked doubtful, her tone skeptical.
"Even if I wanted them to leave, I highly doubt they would. Just talk."
"You're being awful selfish.You're Mother's worried sick. Hasn't stopped crying for days-"
Rose scoffed loudly.
"Interrupting your football games?"
Jimmy fought back a snarl.
"Girl, you are you trying to make me mad?"
"You know, I've heard you say how upset and worried Mama was, but no mention of you. Course, there is a threat of you going to jail this time for me being in the hospital.... so I guess-" Rose's voice raised slightly as she glared at him, but he cut her off.
"Rosaline Grace, you shut your mouth.'ll admit I disciplined yeh. But you turned out damn good, didn't you."
She flinched and Guillermo stepped closer to her, ready to step in if needed.
"Your right. I've been mistaking love for stupid, redneck, alcoholic, abuse. How could I be so stupid. All those whips with your belt were really cleverly disguised hugs."
Jimmy looked a bit stunned and Guillermo settled himself down on the chair next to Rose's bed, watching him closely.
"Justdo me a favor. Please, just.. go die."

[RIPLEY "TRAMP" GWYNN]

“Foreign car? Aren’t they well…small?” Iceland’s face took on one of confusion. She really didn’t know anything much about cars—just that she liked the sleek ones, usually black. Though, her soft-spot was in carriages. Where you could ride under the open sun, with a nice fresh breeze. She internally signed at the memory she had concocted.

Iceland’s brows shot up, and she choked back laughter. Honestly—it was about to be one of those barking, completely rude, hyena sort of laughs. But instead, she choked it down and cleared her throat, her cheeks tight while she suppressed a grin. Demure, not a hyena. Demure. She looked back up, allowing the grin to take over.

However, once she had extended her hand to Guillermo, and he responded. And smiled. He called her scary, and smiled. She wanted to slap it right off of his face, and leave bloody welts across that pretty little face of his. Instead, much more fun to utterly confuse him. She tilted her head slightly, and shook her head, “It’s nice to meet you, Guillermo,” She completely pronounced his name, without any trouble, unlike the first time—when she taunted him by calling him ‘Gully’. “I’m sorry, I’m not particular scary.” She swept her hand across her own face, gesturing to herself, “I don’t think I could frighten an armadillo. And plus, I hear the docks are grimy. I’ve never been down there.” Iceland took a patronizing tone of ‘Oh, you must have me confused’, but the sudden intensity in her blue eyes that lasted for just seconds seemed to show otherwise.

Her attention tore from Guillermo when rose’s attention moved away. Iceland’s expression fell strangely blank. Seemed like just a stiff conversation—until Rosey’s father began to get strangely angry. Rose placed her hands on the edge of the bed, and smoothly slid off and stood to her feet. She placed her hands in front of her body, lacing her fingers carefully. She offered a serene smile to the man, and though she was a great deal smaller than he—she remained tall, and unfaltering. “Hello sir, I’m going to assume you’re Mr. Mercer? I’m afraid I’m supposed to stay here until Rose finishes her lunch, to make sure she’s eating alright. This is also a hard time for your daughter, I understand. But I will have to ask you nicely to adjust your temper, or please leave the room.” She murmured, her voice steady, but quiet. No need to frighten this man—giving him the benefit of the doubt, perhaps he was just worried about his daughter on set on edge.

“I don’t think so, Iceland. You heard what Rose just said.” Wicked’s voice bubbled inside of Iceland’s mind. Her head twitched slightly, as though listening for something, her eyes still on Jimmy.

[ROSE MERCER]

“Hello sir, I’m going to assume you’re Mr. Mercer? I’m afraid I’m supposed to stay here until Rose finishes her lunch, to make sure she’s eating alright. This is also a hard time for your daughter, I understand. But I will have to ask you nicely to adjust your temper, or please leave the room.” Rose watched Iceland closely, as the fragile looking girl approached the thick James Mercer, who stared at her incredulously.

Did she mean what she said? Did she want her Father to die? True, Rose held a great deal of rage to him. He was a beast, a fiend, a drunk. Even when he was not taking out the rage of his wasted life on his wife and daughter, he was still cold and distant. For every good memory that Rose possessed of him, she had thirty more bad ones to counter them. But... she didn't want him to die, did she.

"Don't be stupid. Of course you do." Rose held her breath, hearing the voice of The Bruja. No, she assured herself. He was an evil man, but if Rose relished in his death, she would be no better. "So, you don't want him to die, because wanting him to die would make you a bad person." The Bruja cackled. "Have you stopped to think that maybe you are, in fact, a bad person." Rose clutched her blanket tightly.

"I'll leave when I'm ready, thank you very much, Miss." Jimmy Mercer growled, nostrils flaring, approaching the foot of the bed. "You think you can just talk to me like that? You might be an adult, but I am still your Father, dammit."

"What kind of Father," Bruja whispered, "Hates his child so much he has to beat her?" Rose's eyes filled with tears, though she held them back, trying to keep calm. What would happen if she told them about the voice. "I don't suggest it, but stay focused. Look at your Father." Rose closed her eyes, as The Bruja became impatient. "Look at him!" Sighing, Rose opened her eyes, looking at her Father's red speckled face. The angry blotches. "Tell me? Think of your Mother. You might have left, but she is still there. Unable to talk to her Brother, unable to see you without something happening-" A tear trickled down, as her Father's face softened slightly, not understanding the sudden distress. Rose had always took to heart, his rule of not crying. So Rose had always responded to him with anger. "Tell me you don't want him to pay for everything he ever did to hurt you and you Mama."

She couldn't. There was too much anger.

And even though The Bruja did not appear, Rose knew she was smiling.

[GUILLERMO SALAS-ORTIZ]

He ignored Iceland's tone, which sounded much like an adult speaking to a confused child. He also ignored her comments, finding her to be completely uncooperative. He wouldn't forget an experience like that. She had freaked him the fuck out.
An elephant never forgets.
Wait.. what the fuck? Why did he think that suddenly?
“Hello sir, I’m going to assume you’re Mr. Mercer? I’m afraid I’m supposed to stay here until Rose finishes her lunch, to make sure she’s eating alright. This is also a hard time for your daughter, I understand. But I will have to ask you nicely to adjust your temper, or please leave the room.”
Okay, if there was one good thing about Iceland, it was that Guillermo was certainly not the ONLY person freaked out by her. Jimmy Mercer stared warily at her, leaning away slightly. He couldn't tell if the look in his eyes was disgust or disbelief.
Rose sat in her bed, holding her blanket tightly to her chest.
He stared at her in concern.
"I'll leave when I'm ready, thank you very much, Miss."
Jimmy Mercer growled, nostrils flaring, approaching the foot of the bed.
Guillermo automatically moved closer to Rose possessively.
"You think you can just talk to me like that? You might be an adult, but I am still your Father, dammit."
He scoffed loudly at this. His brown eyes suddenly fixed on Rose however, as he watched her eyes shine with tears. He wanted to help somehow, but he wasn't sure of the approach to take.
Her eyes suddenly hardened with anger and he waited for hell to break loose. It seemed to happen more and more frequently.

[RIPLEY "TRAMP" GWYNN]

For a moment, Iceland thought that Jimmy was going to back down and apologize. Instead, he simply brushed her off like a fly on the shoulder and stepped closer to Rose. Iceland moved in stride with Jimmy, and centered herself between Rose’s father and her bed. The back of her knees pressed against the edge of the bed. Iceland’s small hands went up, not touching Mr. Mercer, but at the same time—signaling him to stop.

The look of openness was gone from her eyes, and the pale eyes seemed to smolder around the edges. They flashed, like a light passing over a mirror suddenly, “This is your last chance to step away. Miss Mercer here is my patient, and I believe it is beneficial if you leave. This is a no stress zone.” Her gentle, chirpy tone had dropped. The same tone she had used on Guillermo when she had become agitated with him—a deep, warning, cold tone.

”Get ready, Iceland.” Came the echo.

Iceland felt a warmth radiate in her fingertips. And things became crystal clear, very quickly. Jimmy Mercer had one final chance to turn on his heel and walk out of the room. Iceland didn’t blink, she didn’t flinch. Her shoulders back, legs straight. “Leave now.” One hand curled, her index finger pointing as she rotated her arm to the side, pointing at the hospital phone. “Guillermo, be a dear would you and get that phone? If Mr. Mercer here doesn’t leave, we’ll need to call security. And I don’t think Rose is well enough to.”

Security wouldn’t be needed.
Not if this man knew what was good for him.