Chapter Text
He stepped out onto the roof of his building, sticking a brick between the door and the wall so that he would t be locked outside. He pulled out a pack of cigarettes that he knew he should not be smoking and lit up, taking a long drag. He exhaled as he leaned against the brick wall, then inhaled again. Just as the smoke was weaving its way out of his lips, his neighbor Nesta came running out of the door and lept onto the ledge.
There was something beautiful in her despair. The way her golden brown hair whipped in the wind, the way she'd lepted into the air, gracefully landing in the way only a dancer could, on the point of her toes. But there was also something off about her and when he looked again he saw bruises, cuts, blood, ripped clothing, tears, and he heard her voice "Jump. You can do this, just jump!"
He moved to her as fast as he could but Nesta's fiancé Tomas beat him to her; only he didn't try to save her. He punched her on her lower back right in her spine and she arched backwards, as if in slow motion fell. Then he was there, catching her and laying her on the ground before he stood up and knocked Tomas out cold with one punch.
He stepped over Tomas and scooped up Nesta. She was shaking and she tried to talked but he noticed bruises in the shape of fingers around her neck. "Shh" he told her "I'm getting you down to my apartment and then we can call the police, and take you to the hospital."
"No" she managed a gravelly whisper.
"What? Why?" He nearly kicked in his door and set Nesta down gently on his couch.
"No hospitals, no police." Nesta tried to right herself on the couch but it was to no avail.
"Here" he handed her 5 bags of ice, "back, head, leg, hand, and neck."
"Thank you" she managed as she tried awkwardly to put them into place.
"Let me help you" he took the bags from her. "Do you know who I am?"
Nesta nodded or tried too, "Cassian, neighbor."
He smiled at that and said "You know I can help you out with these injuries. I'm a physical therapist (PT) and I own a gym with my brother. I can get you back on your feet in no time." Cassian paused and thought he'd better throw this out there too "I also teach a self defense class."
Nesta's eyes filled with tears as she tried to shake her head no. So Cassian just said "You're a dancer right?"
"Yes" she croaked out.
"Do you think your injuries on your spine and leg are going to help with your range of motion?"
"No" she gasped out.
"Let me help you Nesta. I can treat you here if you don't want to come to the PT clinic. No one has to know."
"My insurance won't cover it without a referral from a doctor."
"You don't need insurance."
"I can't pay you either. Tomas handles all the money."
"How about we make a deal? Front row tickets to your next show and we'll work together here, every night."
Her eyes, blue gray were soft and watery as she said "thank you." Then horrors upon horrors "I should go."
"Where do you want to go? I'll take you."
"Upstairs, home. I should get back before he gets too angry."
"I can't let you do that."
"I have too he's my fiancé."
"You don't have to do anything. Stay here tonight. We can talk about your options in the morning."
"I can't. Cassian, I can't. It will only be worse if I don't go back."
"Nesta, I just witnessed you wanting to kill yourself. You've been beaten worse than a car accident victim. Not to mention I don't want to go to jail for assaulting your fiancé. I knocked him out. Just stay here tonight, for my benefit. Please."
"I'll need to call my studio and let them know I won't be in tomorrow. Could you call and say you're my doctor? If I talk to Eris I'll get too emotional. He'll understand."
"Of course, Starlight Studio right?"
"Yea, how did you know that?"
"I think you mentioned it in the lobby once" he lied. She didn't need to know he'd googled her once or twice. He stood up and grabbed a shirt and flannel pants for Nesta. "Here's some PJs and you can have my bed."
"I'm fine on the couch."
"No you're not. I'll also put some water and Aleve on the nightstand." He went to walk away and then remembered she would need help to get to the bedroom. He scooped up Nesta and carried her to bed. She grabbed his hand as he turned "Thank you." He simply nodded and closed the door.