She was let go, Wendell said.

They were too full, Wendell said.

Lance was no longer a top asset, Wendell said.

It didn't matter, in the end. For whatever reason she was fired, and she no longer had a job.

Lin was home when Lance came back. They called to her - maybe out of concern - but she couldn't hear them. Lance went into her room and closed the door behind her, leaning against it and sliding to the floor.

"Lance? What are you doing home early?"

Lance didn't respond. She couldn't. Something in her had frayed, and that rope was the one thing grounding her.

"Are you sick?" Lin sounded closer. Maybe right on the other side of the door. "Did something happen? Are you alright?"

Lin was asking too many questions. All of them mixed and swirled in Lance's mind, confusing and frustrating her. Lance couldn't tell apart what Lin had said from what Wendell had said just an hour ago.

"Could you let me in?"

Lance paused for a moment, unsure if she would. She stood up and opened the door, looking past Lin rather than at them.

"You look awful."

Somehow, that one teasing line broke Lance. As a sob escaped her, Lin froze. As they fell, Lance wiped away the tears, but they were replaced with fresh ones soon after.

"What happened?"

Lance shook her head. She wasn't sure whether it was because she didn't want to talk about it or because she couldn't respond.

"Deep breaths, Lance," Lin instructed, "Three in, three out. Do it with me."

Lance did as Lin said, taking long, heaving breaths with it as she tried to calm down. After the sixth time, Lance had stopped crying and felt a little better.

"Can you tell me what happened?"

Lance shook her head again. Lin nodded in understanding and led Lin into the living room. They turned off the overhead lights and unpaused the show it was watching. The two of the same are on opposite sides of the couch, a bowl of half-eaten, slightly cold popcorn in between them.

Two hours passed. Lin had gotten up to make lunch and was mumbling to themself as they did. Lance was still watching the television, not sure what was happening in the show but she knew it blocked out every other thought she had.

"I made lunch!" Lin came back, carrying two plates of food, "I made grilled cheese!"

"Is it burnt?" It was barely a question. Lance knew what Lin's cooking was like.

"Not much," Lin replied, smiling proudly. "It's edible, that's for sure."

The two ate their sandwiches silently. Lance got halfway through hers before she set it down and spoke.

"I got fired."

"What?"

Lin almost shouted. They set their plate on the coffee table and stood up, furious.

"Wendell said I wasn't important anymore."

"That old piece of dried gum!" Lin was shouting now. Lance balled her hands into fists and covered her ears, "Wh-What do you mean he fired you? That's absurd! You're one of the best scientists out there!"

"Lin-"

"I-I oughta call him!" Lin went storming through the apartment, "Tell him he's making the worst mistake of his life."

"Lin, please-"

"Firing you so suddenly!" Lin pulled out its phone, fuming. "The audacity of that man!"

"Lin!"

Both occupants seemed surprised at Lance's shout. The scientist stood up, quivering.

"Shut up."

"Lance-"

"Stop talking!" Lance snapped, tears brimming in her eyes, "You're making me upset!"

"I-I didn't mean to-"

"I told you to stop talking!"

Lin shut up. They set their phone down and waited for Lance to continue.

"You-You are reacting too harshly. I-I can't handle it right now." Lance took a shaky breath and wiped away her tears, "Please - don't worry about it right now. Don't call. Don't do anything about it. It's my job, not yours."

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make things worse."

"It-It's fine. I'm overreacting."

"No, you're not. It's ok to get overwhelmed by everything happening." Lin held Lance's face in their hands, "I'll go for a walk, ok? I need the fresh air anyway."

"Ok. Let me go."

"I'll be back in half an hour." Lin did as Lance said and went to put their shoes on, "I'll text you if that changes."

"Alright."

"Again, I'm sorry, Lance. You didn't deserve that."