AN: 1. Hey guys! I'm so sorry it took forever and ever to update this fic. I also apologize because it's such a short chapter. I was originally going to wrap it all up in one big chapter, but I promised anon a chapter today, so here it is. Let me know if you want one more longer chapter or two shorter ones. I'll see what I can do. I'm not going to make promises as to when the next one will be up because my personal life is a big chaotic right now.
2. I decided to mess up with the timeline a bit. Let's pretend Rose is still Jen's roommate because I love this little Kiwi and I felt like including her in this story.
Thanks sq-nonnie for the coffee and cheers!
Disclaimer: I do not own these very real people. Only the mistakes and typos.
When I woke up later that afternoon, the room was a bit darker. The winter sun had disappeared behind thick clouds, leaving the room in a soft grey light. I hadn't had a nap like this in a long time and I had to admit that it felt great, despite the circumstances. I attempted to untangle myself from Jen who I thought was still asleep so I could check the time and maybe visit the bathroom when she stopped me.
"Lana, please don't move," she said to me quietly, her grip tightening onto my shirt.
I was puzzled by her reaction and I instantly worried.
"Why, Jen, what's wrong?"
"I think I might be sick if you move," she said with a small groan, "Please don't move."
I pulled back slightly so I could look at her. Her face was ashen. Her eyes were screwed shut and her brow was pinched in discomfort. She exhaled through her mouth slowly probably trying to quell the nausea.
I dragged the back of my hand across her forehead and her cheek. Jen's skin was cold under my touch.
Careful not to jostle her too much, I freed both of my arms so I could gather her hair into a loose bun that I tied with the elastic I had around my wrist. At least if she threw up, her hair wouldn't be in the way. I noticed that the underside of it was damp with sweat, but I didn't comment on it.
I stroked the back of her neck with my fingertips and felt a puff of hot air against my collarbone as she sighed.
"This feels so good," she murmured sleepily. I don't know if she was aware she had spoken aloud, but I smiled, happy to be providing some comfort.
I lay there still, with Jen in my arms. I had unconsciously synced my breathing with hers, our chests rising and falling in harmony.
"Are you still feeling sick?" I asked her after a moment. I really had to use the bathroom. When she didn't reply, I looked down thinking she had fallen back asleep. Her eyes were open, but I saw the hand still gripping my top was shaking slightly.
"Jen, when's the last time you ate?" I asked a bit concerned.
I knew when I was feeling down I had the tendency to forgo food if nobody incited me to eat. If she hadn't eaten since the previous night, her blood sugar could be low. Nausea and tremors were common side effects.
"I'm not hungry." Her reply was breathless and pained. She rested her forehead on my chest and made a strangled noise at the back of her throat.
She hadn't exactly answering my question, but I decided to drop it for the time being. She was clearly miserable, and I didn't know what to do to make her feel better. I started to doubt myself; maybe I should have let Ginnifer check on her, she probably knew what to do. Knew better than I did what Jen needed.
For a brief moment, I considered calling her, but then Jen moaned, pulling me right out of my thoughts.
"Oh god, Lana, I'm so sorry."
And before I could react, she was already half way out the door with a hand over her mouth, making a run for the bathroom.
I quickly kicked back the sheets and followed her. I lingered a few seconds outside the door, unsure if my presence would be welcome. If the roles were reversed, I certainly wouldn't want her to see me on all-four losing my lunch. I was going to knock and ask, but before I could even raise my hand, I had my answer; I heard her call my name.
"Lana?" She sounded so young, so unlike her vibrant-self.
"I'm right here," I said as I pushed the door open. I lowered myself on the floor next to her and stroked her back in gentle circles.
She was kneeling in front of the toilet with one hand on her thigh supporting herself up, and the other rested on her stomach. Jen spat a couple of time in the toilet, but nothing more. She probably didn't have anything to expel.
The dogs came trotting in, both sleepy looking, as Jen sat back on her heels. She was as white as a sheet, and for a moment I thought she was going to pass out.
She blinked slowly a few times before saying shakily, "You don't have to be here, I'm sorry."
"I know, but I want to be. I'm not going to leave you here alone, not today." I didn't tell her I would leave if she asked me to, because at this point, I don't think I would have.
Jen nodded, looking a dazed. Once I was sure she wouldn't be sick or keel over, I asked if there was another bathroom in her apartment.
"Um, yeah, in Rose's room. Second door on the left," she answered mechanically, scooping the white little dog up on her lap. Jen didn't seem to be moving out of that bathroom anytime soon.
"Alright, I'll be right back," I said as I exited the room.
So I left her in Ava's care, and after a quick trip to the bathroom, I made my way to her kitchen. The room was a modern open-space with large windows with a view on the city. Elliot was following me around, looking at me suspiciously as if I was an intruder. And I guess I was, but as I moved around the kitchen, I didn't feel so out of place anymore. Jen was my friend and she needed me. She wanted me here, and that was it. Pushing any discomfort away, I started mixing orange juice with water and a pinch of salt; the 70's version of Gatorade I supposed.
Looking down at the pup, I cooed, "Let's go see how mommy's doing."
I hastily walked down the hall with Elliot on my heels and knocked again before entering the bathroom.
Jen looked a little bit livelier; her cheeks had regained some colours and she seemed more relaxed. She was sitting against the wall between the toilet and the tub, cross-legged with Ava on her lap. Elliot, probably a little jealous, pushed passed me, tail wagging, and he barked excitedly at Jen.
"Hey, buddy," she said, patting the top of his head, a little smile pulling at the corner of her mouth. I couldn't help but to mirror it with one of my own. But then, Elliot barked again, and her smile vanished. She sighed heavily and scrubbed a hand over her face.
"I have to walk the dogs. They haven't been outside since yesterday night. I just let them out in the yard for like, two minutes this morning. God, I'm such a horrible person!" she said spitefully, once again getting herself worked up.
"Jen…" I tried to interject, but she went on, not hearing me.
"And I have to shower, revise my lines for tomorrow…" Tears had started to flow again, and she hid her face in her hands. "And it's my turn to do the laundry and I was supposed to…"
"Jen!" I said a bit louder to catch her attention. I knelt down in front of her with the glass I was carrying still in hand. "It's okay, take a deep breath, hun." I inhaled exaggeratedly and, surprisingly, she followed my lead.
"Let's just take it one thing at a time, okay? Here, have a drink of this first," I prompted, offering her the glass.
She eyed its content uncertainly, but took it with a shaky hand anyway.
"I don't really think orange juice is a good idea," she started. "It's acid and…" she placed a hand on her stomach, grimacing.
"I cut it with water," I told her. "Old trick. Your blood sugar is probably low. You'll feel better after, I promise."
Slowly, Jen finished the concoction and set the glass on the floor next to her. With her eyes closed, she leaned her head back against the wall and took a deep, unsteady breath. I rubbed her shoulder in what I hope was a comforting manner, before rising to my feet. Ava who had been dozing started at my sudden movement and expressed her annoyance with a strident yap.
"So, how about I take the dogs out for a bit while you take a shower?" I offered. At this point, I didn't think she'd be up to getting dressed and go for a walk anytime soon and that was fine. That's why I was there.
"No, I can do it!" Jen protested a little too loudly. Her bottom lip quivered and she sighed, frustrated. "They're my babies, my responsibility." She tightened her hold protectively on Ava, and the dog wriggled herself free, thinking it was play time.
"Hey, just last week, you took Lola back to your trailer for the afternoon when I was on set. It's what friends do, right? Help each other?"
Jen pondered it for a second and nodded. She wasn't happy about it, probably because she felt guilty, but she seemed relieved that she wouldn't have to go out of the house.
"Leashes are by the door. Hung up on the hook…" Her green eyes glistened with more unshed tears. She sounded beaten. Jen racked fingers through her tangled hair and gently shoved Ava off her lap.
"You're going out with Lana, for a walk," she said, enunciating the last word slowly.
Walk was the magic word, and both pups ran out the door and down the hall barking merrily.
"Thanks. Again, I'm sorry."
I leaned down and kissed the top of her head.
"Nonsense. We'll be right back."
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