So hello there! I've decided to start a new fic, the idea kind of came to me a couple of days ago. Now a few things to clarify before you start reading. I know the age of Jess doesn't line from when her parents were together but that's because its my fic and I'm just making it up as I go along haha. Simon is still Peters son and Leannes adoptive child. I'm not sure if people will be interested in this so it's a short chapter to start off with in case people aren't interested, if you want to read more then drop me a review :)

She rubbed her eyes and blearily looked at the clock to the left of her on the unit. It was just after 8am and the sun peeking through her curtains had woken her up. She could hear her Mother rattling about in the living room and kitchen cleaning. The room to the left was quiet, meaning her brother was still out for the count, which she was glad off considering the foul moods he had been in lately.

She pushed the duvet off her and stretched out before wrapping her arms tightly around herself, the room cool compared to the warmth from her bed. When she walked through to the living room her Mother stopped and stared at the tired eyes of her child.

Leanne: "You didn't sleep well again then?" she asked, wrapping her around Jessica who had walked into her body for a cuddle.

Jessica shook her head and she felt Leannes breath on her head as she let out a long sigh. She pulled out a seat at the table and Leanne walked over to the kitchen, pouring a glass of milk and putting it in front of the girl.

Jessica: "I last looked at the clock around 2, then I woke up at least every hour until 6, then the last two hours were solid sleep so it's an improvement"

Leanne: "You still look knackered, drink your milk" she instructed.

Jessica: "I don't want anything" she shook her head turning her nose up at it.

Leanne: "Jess you need to have something in your stomach, drink it" she said firmly with a look that Jess knew not to argue with, so she nodded and slowly gulped it down.

Jessica: "Are you working today?" she asked.

Leanne nodded: "Yeah I am, what's your plans for today?"

Jessica: "Is my Dad working today?"

Leanne: "Yeah he is"

Jessica: "Well then I'll just come to the bistro then if that's ok, I promise I'll stay out the way, I just don't want to be stuck here with Simon he's been in a right foul mood lately"

Leanne: "Yeah that's OK, just bring something to keep you amused" she answered, avoiding the remark about Simon.

Jessica: "Can you help me to get ready again, it's too sore when I try to do it" she asked, referring to her broken arm that was in a cast and sling.

Leanne: "Of course I can, the sooner it heals the better you're getting dark circles under your eyes" she noted looking concerned.

Jessica: "I know I just can't get comfy, telling you now that's the last time I play footie with Simon and his mates anyway"

Leanne chuckled slightly and the two went off to her room so she could ready. They left just over half an hour later, Simon was still in bed and Zeedan was going to be in shortly to see him. When they arrived in the Bistro Steph and Nick were stood behind the bar chatting.

Nick: "Oh well this is a nice surprise, what are you doing here?" he asked Jess holding his arms open for a hug.

Jessica: "Well it seems if I want to see either one of my parents it has to be at work seen as you's are both here so much" she half-joked, hugging her father in the process.

Nick: "Well it's going to be a busy lunch but quiet for dinner, why don't me and you go for dinner and then you can stay over? If your Mum says it's alright"

Jessica turned and looked at Leanne and gave her puppy dog eyes, fluttering her eyelashes at her. Leanne laughed and nodded her head.

Leanne: "Of course you can" she answered, thankful that she could have some time alone to talk things through with Simon.

Jessica: "You's two are the best" she grinned to the two of them and skipped off to one of the empty booths, pulling out her drawing pad and pencil.

Jessica meant what she said, unlike a lot of kids she barely argued with her parents, despite everything that has gone on, she coped well despite only being 11, just 2 months younger than Simon. She was a minature version of Nick, they would sometimes joke that if you cut off her long blonde hair that she'd look exactly like her father. She might have had her fathers features but she had inherited her mothers sensitivity and fiery temper. The rare occasion that she did argue with any of her parents, she would blow like a volcano that's been lying dormant, her temper spewing like hot fiery lava that's been contained for decades. Mind you, she'd almost instantly regret it and the spend the next few hours crying and apologising because she felt bad.

Nick and Leanne were standing at the bar and Leanne caught him staring over at her with a look of concern on his face.

Leanne: "What's wrong?" she asked giving him a nudge and breaking him out his trance like state.

Nick: "She still doesn't look great does she?" he said, noting the pale figure over in the booth, her trousers hanging off her slim waist more than normal.

Leanne sighed and shook her head: "No, I'm starting to worry. She puts on a smile but I can see she's feeling the strain. She's getting worse with her sleep and her appetite is next to nothing I'm practically forcing her to eat. And the headaches are increasing too, but the doctors keep saying it's cause of her arm. She's not sleeping cause she's in pain, so then she's tired and that gives her headaches blah blah blah, even though I've told them it started before this"

Nick: "Make another appointment for next week, if she isn't any better then I'll take her and push them to do something"

Leanne nodded: "Thanks, we need to do something anyway cause theres not going to be much of her left if she doesn't eat more"

Nick: "I know, I'll make her something just now, hopefully she'll eat a bit. Nachos?" he asked.

Leanne: "Yeah she might eat them actually, you know what she's like for cheese, we'll try it anyway"

Leanne watched from a far as Nick placed the food down in front of Jessica, who smiled and thanked him but once he'd turned his back she screwed up her faced and pushed them away from her. Leanne felt her heart sink that little bit more, feeling at a loss of what to do.

Nick: "She's already pushed it away hasn't she?" he asked coming back and noticing the look on her face.

Leanne nodded: "I'll go and speak to her, it's that or we make her soup cause it's easier to digest but she has to have something"

She sat down opposite her daughter who raised her head and couldn't help but roll her eyes when she saw the look on Leanne's face.

Jessica: "Mum, I'm not hungry" she stated firmly trying to get it through to her, sick of the same routine.

Leanne: "Jess you have got to eat, seriously or you're going to end up in hospital because you're too thin"

Jessica nodded: "I know I am, and I miss food but I'm just not hungry, please stop forcing me to eat, it just makes me feel sick" she replied, her eyes beginning to fill with tears, the strain of whatever it was starting to show through.

Leanne moved to the same side as Jess and put an arm around her pulling her in close as the girl sobbed softly, Leanne running her thumb back and forward over her daughters hand.

Nick: "Hey are you's alright?" he asked coming over and noticing the two of them.

Jess lifted her head to look at her father but just let out another sob and put her head back down, her mother pulling her arms around her a bit tighter.

Leannes eyes had started to fill too: "Phone the doctors, this has gone on long enough. We need to sort this now"

There you have it, thanks for reading!

CharmedSuperGirl

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