What would have happened if, for some reason, Delphine had been the one to get sick instead of Cosima? Would Cosima get help from an outside source? Or would she insist on doing 'her own research?'
-X-
The first time Delphine grew concerned about her health was after she left Cosima's apartment. She had grabbed her coat and let herself out, hearing a loud sob right before the door closed. But she couldn't turn back. Cosima didn't want her there. She had made that abundantly clear. Yeah, it showed. The words rang through Delphine's head as clear as glass. The expansive range of emotions coursing through her veins made it easy to ignore the tickle that was growing in her throat. She flew down the stairs, swiping the tears off her cheeks as they fell. She felt hurt, angry, and betrayed even though she was the one who had betrayed Cosima. But the words she had said, the way that Cosima had pushed them aside – it made Delphine furious. I didn't want to fall for you. I wasn't supposed to. But I have. The doubt on Cosima's face had been heart breaking. Yeah, it showed. Yeah, it showed. Yeah, it showed. The words seemed to be on an endless loop in her mind.
When Delphine finally made it back out to her car, she found herself slamming her fists against the steering wheel, hair flying into her face as she pounded against the leather-covered wheel. When she finally managed to stop herself, she began taking deep breaths, trying to calm herself, even though her emotions were still very much in control. Which was when she felt it. A small tickle in the back of her throat that grew steadily until she couldn't help but cough, trying to clear it. She raised a hand to cover her mouth and felt something warm fly onto her hand. Curiously she looked down at it, shocked to see the vivid red colour of her blood on her palm. She stared at it for what felt like hours, her mouth open in shock.
Finally she put her hand down in her lap, searching for something to clean the blood off. She found an old napkin and quickly wiped the blood away, placing the napkin in the glove box so she might do further testing on it later.
-X-
When Delphine knocked on the door of Felix's she found herself wondering if she was doing the right thing. She needed to tell Cosima about the blood, but she didn't know if it was the right time. But before she could re-analyze the situation, Felix had pulled the door open, crossing his arms and looking Delphine up and down. "Oh, well now I get it." He had murmured.
Cosima looked past Felix, into the loft apartment. "Um, Cosima…is she-?"
Felix called over to the clone, telling her of Delphine's arrival, and soon after, managed to excuse himself to allow Cosima and Delphine to talk. Cosima sat at her laptop, studying something on the screen with a look of frustration on her face. "Why are you here?" Delphine heard Cosima ask her.
Delphine looked down at her feet, then back up at Cosima. "It's – not important right now." She murmured, hesitating slightly. "You can't find that sequence anymore, can you?" she asked, sitting down next to Cosima. "He will have scrubbed it." She said.
Cosima stared at the screen angrily, then began shoving papers off the table, while Delphine watched them go flying. She reached out a hand to comfort the other woman, but Cosima pulled away swiftly. "Don't." she growled.
Delphine inched closer. "I'm on your side now." She murmured.
-X-
"This organism and derivative genetic material is restricted intellectual property." Cosima said with a sigh. She leaned back on the couch, pushing her glasses up her nose and shaking her head. Delphine shook her head and bit her lip. Cosima looked over at the blonde scientist, narrowing her eyes slightly. "Why are you here?" she asked again.
Delphine sighed and shook her head again. "I-I'm sick, Cosima." She murmured. "I thought, maybe…" she broke off, looking down at her lap. I thought, maybe you still cared.
Cosima shifted so that she was facing the taller woman. "What?" she whispered. Delphine looked up at Cosima with tears filling her eyes, and nodded slowly. Cosima shook her head and took Delphine's hands in her own. She pulled Delphine towards her, wrapping her arms around her tightly. "W-we'll figure this out Delphine." She said, stuttering slightly. Delphine just nodded, her face buried against Cosima's shoulder.
-X-
Three weeks later:
Cosima finished taking another blood sample and put it next to the two other vials. She sighed softly, taking her gloves off and tossing them onto the floor to pick up later. She took Delphine's hands in her own and squeezed them reassuringly. "We're getting closer." She murmured, gazing into the French woman's eyes.
Delphine sighed and nodded. Over the past few weeks it had become harder to breathe, and her cough had gotten increasingly worse. Her face was pale and she was beginning to lose weight. She began coughing again, covering her mouth with her sleeve. Cosima grabbed a tissue and moved Delphine's sleeve away from her mouth once she was done coughing. She gently wiped away the few droplets of blood that had landed on Delphine's lips. Cosima helped Delphine lay back on the bed, watching her curl onto her side, tucking her hands under her head. Cosima laid down next to her, facing her and brushing a few stray strands of blonde hair behind Delphine's ear. Delphine opened her eyes slowly and shook her head. "Dr. Leekie might be able to help us." She muttered.
Cosima shook her head. "No way." She responded. "We don't need them. We can figure this out together." She said firmly.
Delphine sighed again and shook her head. "Vous choit têtu."
Cosima narrowed her eyes. "Hey, I'm not stubborn. I do my own research. I though we discussed that." She said. "And besides, you're the puppy." She said, grinning at the French woman.
Delphine smiled softly, closing her eyes again. "Cosima, if I don't get better-"
Cosima shook her head, cutting her off by resting her hand on Delphine's cheek. "Hey, what are you talking about? Of course you're going to get better. No matter what I have to do, I'll figure out something." She said.
Delphine sighed. "I know, but just if," she murmured. "I don't want you – what is the phrase? – I don't want you to beat yourself up. None of this is your fault."
Cosima sighed. "I know, I know." She murmured. "But you're going to get better. I won't give up." She said.
Delphine sighed and nodded. "There is something else too." She murmured. She took Cosima's hand and laced their finger together, gently gazing into her eyes. "Je te aime." She whispered softly.
Cosima sighed and smiled gently. "I love you too." She whispered. She kissed Delphine's forehead and pulled the covers up over the both of them, their hands still laced together as they fell asleep.
-X-
Alright, so this is my first Orphan Black fic, and honestly, I'm not sure where I'll take it from here. (Or if I'm going to continue it for that matter.) I'm very open to suggestions, comments, constructive criticisms, lay it on me. Do you think that this might be how Cosima and Delphine would have behaved if the roles were switched? Let me know!
Thanks guys!
I own nothing. All rights go to their proper owners.