Hey, here's chapter 2 sorry for the wait. Lucy's sick with the flu and Danny seeks Laurie's advice. I don't own A Few Good Men or any characters. I only own the plot and the OCs. As always, read and review and tell me what you think. Reviews keep updating :) ~Thanks Serria Spell23.
A/N: Beware this chapter is tense also Perfect by Hedley is Danny and Jo's theme at this point. Sorry if you hate me lol.
Ch.2-Advice & Disagreements
In the morning at work, I sat in my office my eyes scanning the documents in front of me. I appeared busy to the untrained eye but in reality I was simply aching for a distraction. I sighed, rubbing my temples. The door opened as my new superior, Colonel Eli Conroy stepped inside, knocking softly. He had been assigned shortly after Jessup's conviction so far he at least acted civil toward me.
I glanced up from the file on my desk. "Yes, Sir, what is it?"
"Captain, I know you're busy but can you at least try to keep a better eye on your daughter? Why did you bring her today anyway shouldn't be she in school?"
I rose to my feet, catching sight of Lucy trying to hide behind him. "Lucy Beatrice Galloway," I said, "I thought told you to stay with your aunt in the clinic and rest. Where did you run off to?"
She shrugged, lunging into my arms. "I was there, Mommy, Aunt Lauren said I could find you." I rolled eyes I didn't buy it for a second.
"Fine, you can stay however try to get some sleep." I carried my daughter to the couch that I had in my office. I pulled the blanket off the back and draped it over her, bending down to kiss her hair. Here, Lu take these." I took out a bottle of Children's Tylenol from my pocket, tapping the recommended dosage for Lucy's age group into my palm. I handed her the unopened water bottle on my desk. Sitting up a little, she swallowed the pills quickly, laying down, her head resting on the arm.
"You never answered my question, Captain?" Colonel Conroy said.
I put my hands on my hips. "I would have thought the reason was obvious by now, Sir. She's caught a bug probably the flu. I couldn't force her to attend school if she wasn't feeling well." My superior nodded walking to the door. I saluted him quickly as he exited the room, turning my attention to Lucy. Sitting beside her aching body, I soothed her to best of my ability. "It'll be okay, sweetie, illnesses don't last forever it just takes time, fluids and rest," I muttered, stroking her hair.
The four-year-old opened her eyes, attempting—and then failing—to lift her head. "Mommy, my head hurts so bad!" I ruffled her dark hair, pushing it away from her forehead, touching the back of my hand to its slightly damp skin. Lines of worry crossed my face.
Shaking myself out of my thoughts, I answered Lucy's question. "It's called a headache, Lu, it's a symptom of the flu. However, it will go away soon, I promise the medicine should help."
"I love you, Mommy," my daughter said, starting to drift off.
"I love you too, Lu."
Danny entered my office with a gentle knock—which I knew he only did to keep up pretenses and formality—but even still the simple gesture left a bitter taste in my mouth—reminding me that we were star-crossed and that the relationship we yearned to achieve was unattainable.
"Hi, Jo, how's Lucy doing?" he asked, closing the door behind him.
"Better I suppose I gave her some Tylenol about five minutes ago but we still need to get her fever down. Can you go ask Laurie for a cold wet cloth, please and tell her that we need her advice?"
My co-worker nodded. "Sure, Jo."
Kaffee walked into the hall and through the clinic door. My sister met his troubled gaze. "What's the matter, Danny?" He began to pace again, permitting his bottled frustration to seep out.
"One, Jo asked me to get a wet cloth so we could lower Lucy's fever and two it's this whole issue about one of us resigning. In my opinion, we should not feel guilty we did not do anything wrong."
"I know, Danny but it's still illegal you have to think of this rationally," his would-be sister-in-law persisted, handing him the damp cloth resting on the sink. "It will only tear you and Jo apart if you too act stubborn."
My fiancé sighed. "Love is not sensible, Laurie, it's anything but…and don't tell me tell your sister she's one being stubborn!" She rolled her eyes in annoyance, peeved that we couldn't work out our own problems.
"I am not an 'engagement'counselor, Danny. You love Jo go talk to her you two should be to solve your own issues. Christ! That's what marriage is all about."
He grimaced, "Unless you have differing opinions," he replied sourly. My sister raked her finger through her dark hair, irritation reaching the breaking point.
"Especially if you have differing opinions, Kaffee. You won't agree all the time you must be willing to compromise." Laurie put her hand to her forehead, sighing resignedly, "Just…go."
Danny lifted an eyebrow. "Are you all right?"
"Yeah. Fine."
After my friend left the room, Sam walked over to her leaving the shadowed area of the wall, where he'd stood listening to their conversation. "Are you okay?"
"No. I'm frustrated," Lauren answered, "why can't they act like adults and figure this out by themselves? It's not that hard!" Our co-worker chuckled hugging my sister gently.
"They're just too hardheaded, Laurie. Danny and Jo will eventually come to their senses."
"Before it's too late?" she muttered, "or will they let a petty augment overshadow what they have?"
I knelt beside the couch, whispering soothing words against Lucy's flaming cheek. Kaffee reappeared in the doorway a moment later, I tensed which—as a reaction—was quite uncharacteristic when he entered a room. Usually, the tension ebbed out of my muscles—now however it seemed to have developed a permanent residence. I refused to even spare him a glance, feigning immersion in my task.
"Did you get the cloth, what did Laurie have to say," I said shortly, coldness frosting my voice.
"She thinks we're both stupid, Jo."
"You're the one that's stupid, Kaffee!" The authoritative tone of my voice stung, reminding my co-worker of the time before he had broken through my shell.
"Look in the mirror, Joanne. You just can't handle the fact you might have to give up the career that you have worked so hard for." I thanked God Lucy was asleep she did not need to hear any of this. I cradled my face in my hands, frustration-fueled tears spilling onto my palms.
My eyes snapped up to meet my fiance's. "Danny, shut the hell up," I hissed dangerously, "just give me the damn cloth and get out of here!"
"Fine, Jo if that's what you want." My heart ached as I stared after his retreating form, my mouth not able to speak the words I truly desired to say. I sighed, placing the cloth on my daughter's forehead and walking to my desk. An untouched pile of mail laying on its corner. As I began sifting through it, my heart nearly stopped.
I did not need this right now not given the state of things. The rational side of me deteriorated. I didn't know what to do.