Au: What if Jenkins hadn't found that card?
My thoughts on what would have happened.
Jacob and Ezekiel were injured, but minorly. Somehow they had managed to fend off the vampires until Cassandra and Estrella arrived. Well until Estrella arrived, supposedly. Cassandra had blacked out after the fight with Tomas. She didn't wake up until they were back in the library. Jenkins had filled her in on it all. Well he actually just told her what the guys had told him.
When Cassandra woke up her head hurt. Enough to let her know that she wasn't dead. When she opened her eyes she saw a familiar ceiling. She was back in the annex. The thought brought her temporary relief until she remembered what had happened. Immediately she was pushing herself up. She was back on the cot. Back when they all were sick Jenkins and Eve had set them up for them.
The thought of Jenkins causes her face to flush. She had really asked him out, and he had turned her down. He was so polite about it, but she was so angry. Angry that her plan to spend her last night doing something that would make her happy had failed. Her doctor hadn't said it was her last night alive, but it was heavily implied.
"Cassandra?" His voice had snapped her out of her thoughts and it was then that Jenkins came into view. He had a tray. On it was a cold glass of water and a plate of something she couldn't see. Her head swam when she had tried to raise it. He set the tray down and made her lay back.
That was when he explained what had all transpired while she was out of it. Now he was setting up what was suppose to be her dinner. The thought that it may be her final meal crosses her mind and she looks away.
"Dinner is ready Miss Cillian." Jenkins says politely. Cassandra rolls her head back around to look at him. Between them he had set a table. From where she was laying all she could see was one of the white candles.
"Here, allow me." Jenkins stands up and assists Cassandra with sitting up. "Are you feeling better?"
"I have a headache but other then that I am feeling better."
Jenkins hands leave her as she straightens herself up. He takes a seat across from her, in a chair she hadn't notice was there before. He straightens his tie before setting his handkerchief down in his lap. Cassandra smiles slightly as he clasps his hands together.
"Well, shall we begin?"
Cassandra looks over the set. Two identical plates filled with food. The candle was set off to the side of the table in a silver holder.
"Jenkins, what is this?" Cassandra asks feeling a little giddy and confused.
"While the idea of a date was what you offered earlier. I know I declined. Despite my best efforts you were hurt and I am sorry. I do not return the same feelings as you do." Cassandra's face falls. Of course he didn't. What did she expect? "However, I do not see why we can't enjoy a nice dinner together. As friends." Jenkins adds putting emphasis on the last part.
"I understand." Cassandra says sounding slightly defeated. She forces herself to smile. "Thank you."
She picks up her fork and begins to eat. She didn't miss the fact that Jenkins was watching her very closely. His gaze never left her as they ate. It made her fidget. The silence made her feel uncomfortable.
"Why,"She begins but he interrupts her.
"Why did you want to go out on a date?" Jenkins asks.
Cassandra pauses her eating. She looks up at him. This was it. Cassandra takes a deep breath before letting it out slowly. "Because I like you Jenkins." She admits. "At first it was just admiration. You were so smart, and understanding. You listened and even though you were a bit rough around the edges. Actually you still are sometimes." She laughs to try and dispel her nerves. His stone face was breaking. A smile cracks his lips. "You didn't try to stop me from learning magic. All you did was warn me about the dangers." She sets down her fork. "Jenkins you are such an inspiration!" She shouts before realizing how loud she had just been.
Cassandra looks around to see if anyone else was near enough to hear her. No one was in sight and she heard nothing from the rest of the annex. Jenkins sighs.
"Cassandra I,"
"Don't. I understand. I just wanted to have a nice night out with someone I respected and cared for. However this is a close second." Cassandra tries to smile convincingly. She was sure it fell flat, but for right now. All she wanted was to enjoy the meal and the company.
Jenkins was watching her again. She fights the urge to rest her head in her hand. It was hurting again but she didn't want him to know. She didn't want any of them to know and feel sad or worried. Cassandra never thought she would have people in her life who would care she was gone. Sure her parents but parents shouldn't really count. She didn't want any of them feeling sad during what was most likely her last few days. If she was lucky to have that long.
"How is the food?" Jenkins asks before taking another bite.
"Delicious." Cassandra says eating a mouthful.
He chuckles. "Good I'm glad you are enjoying it."
Cassandra swallows her food. "Thank you Jenkins." She hoped that one day he would see everything great about him that she saw.
The rest of the night was uneventful. Jenkins was worried that her head had been damaged during the fight between Tomas and Estrella. So they stayed in the library. Talking, enjoying each other's company. Even after they had finished their meal Cassandra found herself so distracted by him that her thoughts left her impending end. Yet as the hour grew she grew tired and Jenkins had carried all their plates away. He moved the table back to its spot and blew out the candle as Cassandra laid back down. He walks over to her to help her with her covers that had been pushed to the opposite end. As he tucked her in, Cassandra grabs his arm.
"Please don't go. I know I have no right to ask this of you, but please." She fought back the tears in her eyes, fear gripping her. This was unfair to him, but she didn't want to be alone. She considers telling him the truth as he looks longingly at his own bedroom's door. If she did he would just get upset. Maybe even force her to go to the hospital. If he did she would lose it all. Everything that made her a librarian. She couldn't stand that thought.
Jenkins sets his other hand over hers and nods. Her grip loosens and he gently moves her hand back down his arm. Letting it rest on the side of the cot. He leaves his hand on top of hers. It was nice and warm. Large enough so that it engulfed hers whole.
"How can I deny such a request?" He asks, teasingly. Cassandra giggles, a sense of comfort rushing over her from his touch and words. He always had that effect on her, somehow. As her eyes close. She feels herself growing lighter. Her decision to spend her last night with him had been the right one in her mind. As long as she could, she would never forget this.