Hate (I Really Don't Like You)

Time flies because Gerard almost dozes off a few times and the next thing he knows is that he’s standing in the parking garage of the office with Brendon and Frank looking at him expectantly.

“I’m sorry, what?” He asks.

“I said, go home Gerard,” Brendon says and he looks angry. Really angry. Frank looks kind of scared.

“You can’t give me orders,” Gerard answer smarmily.

“Gerard, I can’t put up with you right now, okay?” Brendon says, “I’m going to need you to get away for now. You’re toxic to yourself, and to others around you, but most of all to this case, so get the hell out of here, and sleep.”

“Brendon I’m fine.”

“No you’re not, Gerard. I’m your best friend, but even I want to throw you down an elevator shaft right now. I’m sorry but I’m not giving you an option. For the remainder of the day I’m taking you off this case,” Brendon says firmly.

“You don’t have the authority!”

“No, I don’t, but you’re going to go home anyway, because I said so,” Brendon answers. Brendon is definitely the kind of friend you would want to have if you were going through a drug addiction or something because he’s really good at getting people to stop and do what he says. He’s not threatening he’s just really damn convincing.

The parking garage is large and vast, but everything echoes so he’s sure that everything Brendon is saying can be heard around the entire structure.

“Uh, fuck, Brendon!” Gerard says, and he runs his hands through his hair which is kind of greasy and gross so he immediately regrets doing so, “Fine. Fine, whatever. You win.”

Brendon shakes his head as if to say ‘obviously’ and stares at Gerard expectantly.

“Fine, I’m going,” Gerard says and he starts to walk to his car but Brendon tisks behind him and he turns, “now what?”

“I’m a member of law enforcement! I am not going to let you operate heavy machinery.”

Frank snorts loudly behind him, and then his hand flies to his mouth as he tries to stifle a loud laugh.

“Hand me your keys,” Brendon says, holding out his hand. Gerard opens his mouth to protest, but closes it and all he can think is that he cannot believe this is happening to him. He reaches into his pocket eventually and hands Brendon the keys somberly.

“So what now? How do I get home, are you going to drive me?” Gerard asks looking haughty.

“Hell naw, I have a case to work on,” Brendon says, and he turns to walk toward the door into the building. Frank stands there for a second before following, but not before he gives Gerard the most judgmental and malice filled look that has ever graced this earth.

“What do you suppose I’m to do then?” Gerard asks following Brendon, and stepping in front of Frank.

“I’m going to call Mikey to come pick you up,” Brendon answers.

“You’re going to what?” Gerard asks in disbelief.

Brendon turns to him as they get on the elevator for a millionth time today, and he repeats what he said, enunciating every word, “I am going to call Mikey, to come pick you up.”

“That’s so belittling,” Gerard says with a grimace, and Frank looks completely lost, not knowing who Mikey is.

“Why do you think I decided that in the first place?” Brendon says.

“Mikey’s probably working though and-“

“Please, Gerard. I know that you know that I know that Mikey doesn’t work on Thursday’s.”

Gerard stares at him blankly and answers, “I have absolutely no idea what you just said.”

“We both know Mikey isn’t working today,” Brendon says.

“Yes he is. He always works on Wednesday’s!” Gerard replies.

“Gerard, are you aware that it’s a Thursday?” Brendon asks, and Gerard actually stops to think about that one. He even resorts to counting on his fingers.

“Oh it’s a Thursday,” he answers, dumbfounded. Frank snorts again, and Brendon steps on his foot.

“Well what time is it?” Gerard asks, and checks his watch and almost jumps to see that it’s only noon, “fine then.”

Brendon drags him into his office and then calls Mikey, but Gerard is only half there. He hasn’t had a coffee in forever and he can barely keep his eyelids open, until he just stops trying.

By the time he hangs up with Mikey, Brendon turns to see Gerard asleep at his desk the same way he was this morning.

He rolls his eyes and walks out of the office to Hayley, Patrick and Frank who are gathered just outside and clustered around their cubicles. Frank’s been designated Bob’s old one, across from Patrick’s, but it’s still empty right now. The three of them are just gathered around there so they can look into Gerard’s office and laugh.

“Okay, come on guys, seriously?” Brendon says, and he looks at them annoyed, “he’s had an awful few days, alright, and he’s working harder on this case than any of us, so just grow up.”

“Commitment doesn’t make up for douche-baggery,” Frank says.

“No it doesn’t, but he hasn’t slept in three days, so go easy on him. I’ve called Mikey, he’ll make sure Gerard gets some sleep.”

“Who’s Mikey?” Frank asks.

“His brother,” Brendon answers, and he walks over to his own cubicle which is adjacent to Patrick’s so that they share a wall, “now guess who’s in charge while he’s taking the rest of the day off?”

“If you start ordering me around, then just know that I am not afraid to slap you in the face,” Hayley says.

“I wasn’t going to, gah, you have such little respect for me. I am your superior you know,” he says but Brendon has about as much leadership as a chipmunk because he doesn’t really pull off the bossiness as anything other than satire.

“Superior at what?” Patrick mocks.

Brendon pouts slightly and sighs, but hands them all a few papers to look through. That’s the thing about the FBI, there are always more papers to look through. They’re might even be a void where they just pull infinite numbers of reports out of nowhere to make everyone’s jobs harder.

“How on earth do you put up with that guy?” Frank asks.

“Okay, he happens to be my best friend,” Brendon says looking angrily at Frank’s rude question, “and he’s not this person. Not usually. He just hasn’t slept in a while. We all get cranky when we’re tired.”

Eventually Mikey’s scrawny frame walks into the office, his hair messy as always, and his expression bored.

Brendon sees him and waves him over to his desk.

“He crashed in his office. Just take him to his apartment and make sure he sleeps. He’s a real bitch today.”

“He’s a real bitch most days,” Mikey says. The thing about Mikey is that half of the time you can’t tell if he’s kidding or not because his words are all the same tone, a moderately high pitched but generally monotonous voice.

Brendon shrugs. Gerard’s generally a pretty nice person, a little cocky, but not overly mean, He’s just asking to be punched today. It’s a surprise he hasn’t been hit yet.

“Who’s the new guy?” Mikey asks looking over at Frank, who’s trying to look at him inconspicuously from the corner of his eye. Unsuccessfully apparently.

“That’s Frank, he wants to murder your brother,” Brendon says.

“Then we’ll get along,” Mikey says raising an eyebrow at Frank and smiling slightly, “we’ve already got such a strong connection.”

“Yeah whatever, just get rid of Gee,” Brendon says, and he pushes Mikey away, who looks unenthusiastic.

He walks into the glass office and, of course, the four people outside are looking in on the situation, because none of them are good at minding their own business.

Gerard doesn’t ever snore, but he does drool a little bit and he’s doing so now, right onto the sleeve of his shirt, so Mikey just looks down at him for a few seconds disapprovingly.

“Alright then,” he sighs, “Come on Gerard, get up!”

He doesn’t move, but Mikey hadn’t really thought he would. He grabs one of the larger books on Gerard’s desk. The desk is barely visible, because it’s cluttered by so many papers. Mikey slams the cover of the book against the edge of the desk violently.

That does the job, because Gerard’s head pops up like a jack in the box.

“Good morning sunshine,” Mikey says, “or should I say, good afternoon.”

“I’m tired,” Gerard says stupidly.

“So I’ve heard. Come on get up, lazy pants. I’m taking you home.”

Gerard doesn’t argue, just gets up, and rubs his hand against the side of his mouth to get rid of excess dribble.

“You look like shit bro,” Mikey says.

“Yeah, I’ve been told.”

Mikey nods, and he pulls the door open behind him to let Gerard walk through, “well it deserves to be said. You’re the definition of exhaustion.”

“I’m not that bad,” he says.

“Yeah and I’m Batman,” Mikey answers.

“See you tomorrow Gerard,” Brendon says, handing Mikey Gerard’s keys.

Gerard starts, “Call me if anything hap-“

“No, I’m going to let you sleep. The earth won’t stop spinning if you’re not here.”

He doesn’t answer because Mikey gets him into the elevator and the doors are closed before he even registers that he’s in there.

“How are you Gee?” Mikey asks, now that they’re alone.

“Fine.”

“No, I mean are you okay?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Gerard asks.

“You know what I mean. Do you think you’re going to have another episodelike the last time?” Mikey asks trying to be as indirect as he can.

“No,” Gerard sighs feeling guilty, “I think I just need some sleep.”

Mikey doesn’t look convinced, but he doesn’t argue, “Well I’m going to stay over then to make sure you’re okay.”

Typical Mikey always being too overprotective. They step out of the elevator and Mikey walks them both through the lobby and to the parking garage.

“How’d you get here during rush hour?” Gerard asks. Mikey doesn’t have a car, because it’s New York City and most people don’t.

“I wasn’t too far,” Mikey says, and he shoves Gerard into the passenger’s seat of his own car, before walking around to get in on the other side.

“I have a headache,” Gerard says, as the loud ignition screams at him.

“You’ll be home soon, just calm down, okay?” Mikey says, and he pulls out of the spot and then out into traffic. Gerard jams his fingers in his ears to try and drown out the noise, but it’s not helping much so he clamps his eyes tight as well and tries to block the world out.

By the time they arrive at his apartment, Gerard could just cry with relief. Even though he hadn't wanted to be sent home, he can't help but admit that he is in dire need of a long and peaceful nap. As soon as he unlocks the door he heads straight for his bedroom and collapses on the bed, shoes and all.

"Gerard, you’re not going to sleep comfortably like that."

When Gerard doesn't seem like he's going to move, Mikey sighs, "Come on! I know you’re tired, but get off your ass for a few more minutes so you can get some sleep."

Gerard groans loudly, but does as he’s told. Shucking off his shoes and pants, Gerard turns to see Mikey standing before him with a glass of water and two small pills in his hand.

"For your headache," He explains, with a concerned twitch of his eyebrow.

Gerard smiles at him and gratefully takes the pills. Mikey always knows what is going on with him, whether he likes it or not, and vice versa.

"Get some rest," Mikey smiles with his famous barely-twitch-of-the-mouth smile. Gerard slips into bed and falls asleep, but not before he hears the concerned sigh of his younger brother. With that sound in his head, Gerard falls into an uneasy sleep.

Notes

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