Warnings: Altered timeline from 'Ariel', angst, emotional manipulation

Thanks to lvs2read for the great beta and thunder_nari for the great beta and spurring me on.

~

Disinterest is not an emotion Simon can feel right now, nor can he allow himself to relax, to act casual. So instead he feigns it. Sits upright in his chair and forces himself not to tense, digging his fingernails slightly into his hands as he clasps them together just to stop himself from crossing them, from acting defensive. He doubts he looks anything but what he feels, but he pretends none the less, just as he fakes indifference at the cool stare leveled his way.

Dark brown eyes thoughtfully appraise him; eyes that Simon would have thought could have conveyed emotion extremely well, suited sympathy perhaps, show nothing. Just resolution. Which only adds more weight to the man’s words and tone as he leans forward, sending a cold chill through Simon.

“You understand that there is only one outcome and one offer. Want it or not, all the hope in this 'verse isn’t going to stop us finding your sister, from bringing her back to us. Only the choice of when is yours, Doctor Tam."

Simon smiles, he can’t help it, it’s involuntary and disbelieving. “You can’t seriously think that I’m going to help you find River.” He means it too, wonders why the man is even acting out this facsimile of a meeting, of a discussion. He knows what’s coming, has spent the last five boring days imagining, growing half-crazy himself as they ignored him. Until now.

“You couldn’t have thought you could hide her forever, can’t think that the people you entrust her to now will do anything more then sell her to the highest bidder.” The man leans forward, intense gaze never once leaving Simon’s face and, for a moment, there is a flicker. He’s hiding something; he knows it and, in that moment, Simon does too.

It’s a good sign in Simon’s mind, a sign that he‘s being misled in some way, and it gives him confidence, but also makes him all the more wary. “What pe