Disclaimer: I do not own the character Alexandra Cabot.
Something's wrong, Leonor thought. It's almost lunch time and no one has seen Alex, not even her shadow. Alexandra Cabot was never late – not in their dates, not in the office, not in meetings, not in conferences, and especially not for court. What worried her even more was the fact that she has not able to contact Alex since this morning – no one in the office was able to contact Alex.
"Alex, if you get this, please call or message me back. I'm really worried." That was the 14th message she has left since that morning. Although her mind was solely focused on the currently MIA blonde, she forced herself to power-through all the work she had that day in order to finish early. Leonor jumped at one point when her phone beeped. Thinking that finally Alex has messaged her back, she immediately grabbed her phone. Leonor gave out a sigh of disappointment when she saw that the message was from her mother.
Out on a case. Atlanta. I'll call when I can. Love you. It read, a typical message she gets when her mother has to travel for a case.
Be safe. Love you too. She messaged back before putting her phone down.
Once the clock struck 5, Leonor quickly packed her things and said goodbye to her co-workers. She tried not to break any speed limits as she drove to the blonde's apartment. She was thinking worst – after what she's been through, she couldn't help it.
"Alex?" She knocked on the door of Alex's apartment. "Alex, are you here? Please open up!" Getting no response, she tried to turn the doorknob, and to her surprise, it wasn't locked. Note to self: Remind Alex to lock her door. God anyone could've walked in! But she also knew that Alex wasn't stupid – she would not forget something as simple but as important as locking your door.
Locking the door behind her, she slowly scanned the living area. No Alex. "Alex, babe, are you home?" She called softly, but still got no response. Seeing that the blonde was also not in the kitchen, she proceeded to Alex's room.
The door was cracked open and there was no sound coming from the other side. "Alex? Are you here?" She slowly opened the door and peaked in. Seeing a sleeping form on the bed, she sighed and walked slowly to the bed.
"Alex?" She whispered as she sat on the edge of the bed. The white duvet was covering the blonde up to her chin and she was sound asleep. Leonor placed her hand on top of the sheet and could immediately feel the warmth emanating from the blonde's body and through the sheet apparently.
"Alex? Alex, honey, can you wake up for me?" She shook the blonde's shoulder which immediately stirred her awake.
Alex groaned and turned her head to see a somewhat hazy form in front of her. She has been feeling awful since she got home last night and it only got worse. Her head was pounding, her body was achy, she was cold, and she just felt awful in general.
"Hey you." Leonor gave a smile as Alex tried to focus her eyes on her. "You got us all worried, hon."
"Leonor?" Alex croaked. Her throat was extremely sore and talking was painful.
"Yeah, it's me." Leonor took in the discomfort in Alex's face and her heart broke for her. "Oh, honey. Why didn't you call me?"
"Tired. Head hurts. Don't know where…phone."
"Alex, you were in bed all day?" Leonor asked, slightly alarmed when the blonde nodded, her eyes closing again. "So you have not eaten or drank anything?" The blonde shook her head in response.
Leonor sighed. "Okay. Okay." She stood up and but was stopped by an extremely warm hand catching hers.
"Stay." Alex murmured.
Leonor sat back down and smoothed the hair off Alex's face, feeling her hot skin. "I'm not leaving, honey, I promise. But I need to get some food and medicine in you, alright?"
" 'kay" She answered, falling back asleep again.
Leonor took Alex's temperature. 102.9. She sighed, no wonder Alex was feeling awful. She then took to the kitchen to make some broth for Alex. She figured her girlfriend was not ready to eat anything solid.
"Alex." Leonor called softly. "I need you to wake up, sweetie." She smoothed the hair away from her face and kissed her warm forehead.
Alex started to stir and whimpered in pain. She hurt all over that even turning her head slightly to look at Leonor.
"Hey you." Leonor smiled. "Think you can manage some soup and crackers?"
Alex did feel hungry, but she was too sore to move and wasn't sure if she could keep it down. But she gave a tiny nod anyway, just to appease Leonor. She didn't want to be a burden any further.
The blonde couldn't help but groan though as Leonor helped her up.
"There you go." Leonor whispered as she propped Alex up on some pillows to help her sit up. "Here. I've made you some soup. Well, it's just broth for now and it's what my mother back in Italy would give me when I was sick."
"Thank you." Alex managed to croak out, but Leonor did notice her wince in pain.
She smiled softly at Alex. "Try not to talk for a while, huh? I know it hurts." Alex nodded meekly.
Leonor fed Alex soup and crackers until it was half gone. Alex then shook her head and whispered, "s'enough."
"Okay, sweetie." She placed the bowl on the bed side table and grabbed the glass of water and pills. "Here, take this. It should help with the fever." Alex took the pills and downed it with water. "Drink as much water as you can, baby." To Leonor's surprise, Alex managed to drink the full glass of water.
"Good girl."
Leonor washed the dishes after having dinner by herself. She then made sure to lock the door and the windows before returning back to the bedroom. She changed into some borrowed pajamas and did her night routine before joining her restless girlfriend in bed.
Leonor sat there, soothing Alex, stroking her hair. Alex whimpered from time to time, her massive headache making it hard for her to fall asleep.
"Head hurts." Alex whimpered, almost in tears.
"Shhh. I know, baby. Hold on." She said, as she put several drops of peppermint essential oil on her palm and rubbing her hands together. She then proceeded to massage Alex's forehead and temple while whispering soothing words to her.
Alex started to relax as Leonor continued to massage her head. She couldn't help but cuddle closer to the warm body next to her. Leonor smiled as Alex placed her head on her shoulder. She held Alex tighter and closer to her with one arm, rubbing her back and shoulder soothingly, while her other hand continued to massage her head. Finally. Finally, Alex fell asleep.
Leonor jumped slightly as she was pulled from her sleep by her ringing phone. She didn't even know she fell asleep. She grumbled as fumbled the nightstand for her phone, hoping not to disturb Alex.
"Hey mom." She greeted quietly, as she carefully moved away from the sleeping blonde.
"Hey. How was your day?" Emily greeted. The team had just settled back to their hotel.
"Long." She sighed, stepping just outside of the room. "Alex is sick, so I might stay with her for a while. Is that okay?"
Emily couldn't help but smile on the other end. "Of course, Lee. I'm sorry she's sick though. Has she seen the doctor?"
"No. But I think I'll make a house call tomorrow morning. I don't really want to drag her out of her home, she can barely sit up on the bed."
"Yeah, I think a house call is a good idea. Well make sure she drinks lots of fluids, even though she eats minimally. Take her temperature every hour and write it down. Place a cool damp cloth on her forehead from time to time."
Leonor couldn't help but smile. She already knew these things but she really appreciated the gesture and concern her mother has for Alex. Over the past months, Emily had also become closer to Alex and somehow became a second mother to the younger blonde, which delighted Leonor to no end. So she understands that Emily's maternal instincts come out on situations like this.
"I've got it, mom. Thanks though. How's your day?"
"Long." They both chuckled as she mimicked Leonor's answer earlier. "We're just settling in the hotel for the night – start fresh in the morning."
"You'll be safe?" Leonor ask softly.
"Always, honey."
Leonor then saw in the corner of her eye how Alex struggled to get up and then ran to the bathroom before she heard the awful retching sounds.
Shit. "I have to go, mom. I love you." She said urgently.
"Okay. I love you." As the call ended, Emily just had to send a quick message. Update me on Alex. If you need anything, you know how to reach me. I mean it.
/
Leonor held Alex's long blonde hair back as Alex threw up what little food she had. When there was nothing left, the painful retching plagued her and she couldn't seem to stop. She whimpered and cried pain.
"It's okay, baby."
"Hurts." She cried. "Can't stop." She said as the dry heave continued.
"I know. I know, I'm sorry." She whispered. "It will stop, sweetie. Just try and stay calm. Don't fight it. I know it hurts, but don't fight it. Let it come out, even if it's just dry heaves. There you go." She coaxed her girlfriend.
Finally, after what seemed like forever, Alex slumped backwards and into Leonor's arms, panting, trying to catch breath.
Leonor cradled Alex in her arms like a child, with her face buried in her neck. She could feel the blonde panting. "There. It's over, baby. We'll just sit here for a little while. Shhh. You're okay, sweetheart. You're okay." She cooed, swaying a little from side to side, placing intermittent kisses on her head, in an attempt to calm and soothe her.
After a while, Leonor managed to get Alex back into the bedroom, changed her sweat-soaked clothes, and back in bed. Once she was sure Alex was settled, she took a quick shower, got dressed, and made sure the door and all the windows were locked.
When she re-entered the room, she noticed that Alex was tossing, turning, and whimpering on the bed.
"Alex?" She placed her hand on Alex's forehead and immediately drew it back at the heat she felt there. She grabbed the thermometer and lightly placed it in Alex's ear.
"Shhh. It's okay, baby. Just taking your temperature." She cooed when Alex whimpered at the foreign object she felt on her ear. 103.3. Leonor sighed. – no wonder Alex was feeling so awful.
"Alex, I think we need to go the hospital right now, honey." She said softly. There was only so much that she can do, and seeing how uncomfortable and how much Alex is suffering right now, she couldn't take it. An ER visit is definitely needed now – anything to make her lover feel better.
Alex though, despite her achy body and hazy mind, was opposed to the idea. "No." She whimpered and grabbed Leonor's hand tightly. "Please. No go. Please. Don't want to." She tried to convey her message as intelligible as her foggy mind could. Alex hates hospitals, hates having procedures done, hates being poked and prodded.
"Alex, honey-"
"Please. I don't want to. Please. Please." To Leonor's surprise, Alex started sobbing.
"Okay. Shhh. Okay, baby. We're not going right now. Don't cry, sweet girl. Shhh."
Desperate to soothe her girlfriend to at least get them through the night, Leonor picked Alex up and walked over to the soft and plush white rocking chair by the French doors of Alex's room. She sat down with Alex on her lap and covered her with the blanket hanging on the back of the chair. She placed her feet on the also rocking footrest.
To her delight, a still sniffling Alex cuddled closer, burying her face on the crook of Leonor's neck and one of her hand fisting her shirt. In what felt like forever, Alex felt warm and comfortable.
"All warm, my love?" She asked, the certain endearment easily slipping out.
Alex moaned in response. The back and forth motion of the chair and being in the arms of her amazing woman was soothing her. Leonor noticed that the ill blonde was starting to fall asleep, and she could only hope that whatever amount of comfort she has was enough to last them through the night.
/
Leonor watched anxiously as the doctor looked Alex over. Last night did not go as she'd hope. While Alex managed to sleep, she raced to the bathroom two hours later and then again about 30 minutes after that, and what little sleep could get was plagued by chills.
The brunette made the call for a doctor just after breakfast, though Alex had none. Now, less than an hour after the call, Alex is finally getting some medical attention. The blonde was not happy though, and despite feeling too weak to start a full argument, she made sure she conveyed her annoyance by grunting and flinching away when the doctor even tries to touch her. It didn't last long though as she did not have that much energy.
"It's a vicious bug going around. We've had 5 people come into the emergency room just yesterday." Dr. Rebecca Ross explained as she finished checking over Alex. The blonde immediately curling up and turning her back away from them. "It shouldn't last long, but if her fever goes beyond 103.5, you should definitely take her to the ER. She's currently at 103.2, so you should continue monitoring it every hour."
"What can I do? Is there any way to at least make feel comfortable? She's also refusing meals."
Dr. Ross couldn't help but smile lightly at the worry in Leonor's voice. She knew love when she sees it. "I think you being here and taking care of her is a big help. You can only do so much. The meal refusal is not uncommon, but I suggest to coax her to have at least some crackers and soup. Water intake is very important too. We'd much rather have her peeing more than usual than not at all." Leonor nodded, trying to take it all in.
"Here is her prescription for antibiotics that she should take every 8 hours with a meal. I'm going to give her a shot of it for now, this one is of a stronger dosage so you should give her the next one after 12 hours." She explained, injecting the antibiotics into the unsuspecting blonde's arm.
"It's also going to make her drowsy, so she should be out of it for a few hours. But that's okay, her body needs all the rest it can get."
Once the doctor had left, Leonor immediately made a call to the pharmacy so they could deliver it within the day. After which, she decided to deal with paperwork that her co-worker dropped off for her earlier that morning. So she took residence on the couch and buried herself in the tons of paperwork.
She decided to check on Alex about 3 hours later. The moment she stepped into the room, she could hear light whimpers from Alex.
"Alex?" She called softly. The blonde seemed to be a rather disturbing dream. "Alex, wake up. Wake up, honey."
But Alex just continued to whimper, trapped in her dream. "Shhh. Honey, it's okay. You're okay." Leonor cooed softly.
"Mama." Alex whimpered.
"Alex?"
"Mama, please." The unconscious Alex begged to whoever it was in her dream. Leonor noticed the tears that fell from her eyes and the pain etched on her face. She became desperate as she realized that it would be hard to wake up Alex and pull her out from whatever dream she's in, and so she's decided to resume their position last night. She carried Alex and walked back to the rocking chair, sitting on it with the still whimpering blonde curled tight on her lap and covered in the thick blanket.
"What's gotten my love so upset, huh?" She cooed softly, even though she knew Alex wouldn't answer. "Shhhh. Don't cry, sweetheart. It's okay, you'll be okay. I'm right here. Shhhh." She continued to whisper sweet reassurances to Alex, until Alex finally – finally – calmed down and fell asleep.
By that evening, Emily called and said that they're back in town. It was a quick case. Leonor requested for her mother to get her some clothes. Emily insisted on bringing dinner too, to which Leonor eventually agreed. An hour later, Leonor opened the door for her mother.
"Hi, mom." She greeted, giving Emily a tight hug.
"Hey, babe. How are you doing?" She asked, dropping the duffel bag by the door and the brown paper containing dinner on the kitchen counter.
Leonor sighed. "I'm okay. A little tired, but it's nothing compared to what Alex is going through."
"How is she?"
"She's having a rough time, but the doctor said it shouldn't last long. Her fever is still there, though it has not gotten high enough to warrant an ER trip. She's throwing up and eats very little. She's been very restless too. Earlier today, I could tell she was having a disturbing dream. She was crying and calling out "Mama." I… my heart broke for her, mom. There's clearly something painful in there."
Emily could tell that her daughter looks a little lost as to how to help Alex. "Well, whatever it is, I know Alex will tell you when she's ready. And I also know that you being here and taking care of her is enough for her."
Leonor nodded and gave her mother a tight smile. She was about to offer some tea but then they heard whimpers coming from the bedroom again.
"Go to her." Emily nodded to the direction of the bedroom. "I'll set up your dinner here and get out of your hair."
As expected, Alex was again trapped in a dream that seemed disturbing. "Alex, honey, wake up. You're just dreaming, baby. Just dreaming." She tried to shake her awake but to no avail.
Alex continued to whimper and cry as if she was in pain. "Mama, please!" She sobbed.
"Alex!" Leonor tried again, shaking her a little harder this time. Finally, Alex's eyes snapped open and she sat up, catching her breath.
"Alex?" She call softly, but the blonde still seemed to be out of it.
Back in the kitchen, Emily could not bear just hearing the cries of the young woman she also considers her daughter. So she slowly made her way to the bedroom. The door was opened and she was there just in time to see Alex sit up, looking so lost.
"Alex, can you hear me?" Leonor asked. She could see Emily approaching them and she just gave her a pleading look. She gave a grateful sigh when Emily nodded. She stood on the side of bed to let Emily sit in front of her.
"Alex, sweetie?" Emily called softly, grabbing her hand to try and ground her. This seemed to work as Alex's eyes snapped up to meet hers. Then suddenly, Alex was clinging to her and sobbing.
"Oh sweet, sweet girl." Emily cooed, holding Alex tightly against her and rocking from side to side. "I know. I know. You're having a rough time, huh? You've been having bad dreams, honey? You were calling for your mama? I'm sorry she's not here, sweet girl. I'm so sorry." But Alex shook her head vigorously and sobbed even harder.
"Okay. It's okay. Shhh." She rubbed soothing circles on her back. "Slow down your breathing, honey. C'mon. Breathe with me. In… and out. Good. In… and out. There you go. Once more." She instructed Alex in order to prevent a full-blown panic attack. "That's it. That's my girl. Shhh. You're okay."
Alex eventually calmed down and had reduced to sniffling and hiccups. "I'm sorry." She choked out. "I'm sorry."
"No, honey. You have nothing to apologize for, alright?" Emily said softly. She felt Alex nod and pull away slowly. The blonde then turned to Leonor and raised her arms.
Leonor smiled and took Alex into a hug. "It's okay, baby. You're okay."
To say that Alex was exhausted is an understatement. She didn't understand why she was having these dream, didn't know what was triggering them. All she knew was that she was feeling horrible, cold, achy, ashamed, and so, so tired. They finally managed to coax her to lie down again, and as soon as her head hit the pillow, her eyes closed.
"It's okay, sweet girl. You just sleep. It's all okay." Emily cooed, running her fingers through her hair until her breathing evened out.
"Eat your dinner." Emily strictly warned Leonor as they walked to the door. She was meeting Hotch for a late dinner since he got stuck in a meeting.
"Yes, mother." Leonor smirked. "And thank you, for what you did for Alex. I think she really needed someone maternal right now. Nothing beats a mother's love anyway." She said shyly.
"Hey, no need to thank me for that. I'm just sorry she's so miserable right now." Emily said softly, really feeling bad for her pseudo-daughter.
"I love you, mom." She said as she hugged her mother.
"I love you too, sweetie." Emily kissed the top of her head before pulling away. "And you're doing an amazing job taking care of her. I'm so proud of you."
/
To Leonor's relief, Alex seemed to be doing so much better by the end of the 3rd day. Though she still had some fever, it was on the low side, and she's managed to keep some light food down. Her sleeping pattern was also marginally better.
It was mid-afternoon of the 4th day and Leonor was finishing some paperwork on the couch that their office messenger will pick up later that day. Their morning was so much better. Alex has managed to eat some toast. She still a little sluggish but was able to move around a little. The exhaustion was still there though and she's been sleeping most of the day.
So Leonor was surprised when Alex suddenly appeared beside her on the couch. Alex woke up and was disappointed when Leonor wasn't with her. She's not usually this clingy, or needy, nor would she even tolerate being babied when she was sick, but it was different with Leonor. She longed for her all the time. She admits that this whole ordeal scared her as she's never been this sick for as long as she can remember, and so Leonor became her lifeline.
"Hey you." Leonor greeted softly as Alex sat beside her, resting her head on her shoulder. She instinctively placed her hand on her forehead and frowned a little when she felt some warmth there, and she could hear a little rasp as Alex breathes. Great, a chest infection is just what she needs after all of this!
"You're still a little warm, baby. How are you feeling?"
"Just… tired."
"No more pain? How about your head?"
Alex shook her head a little against her shoulder. "No. No more pain. Just tired."
"Okay. Well, why don't you go lie back down on the bed, huh?" Leonor was running her fingers through those soft blonde locks. She desperately wanted to ask Alex about her nightmares, but she figured that could be a worry for another day.
"Wanna stay with you."
Leonor smiled as she felt her hear flutter. How could she possibly deny her of that? She then placed her paperwork back in its folder and on the table, placing a pillow on her lap and patting it, inviting Alex to lie down.
Alex sighed as Leonor started running her fingers through her blonde locks. She thought back to the last few days. She couldn't remember all of it well, she's never been that sick in the longest time, but she knew that Leonor was here the entire time – taking care of her, sacrificing time for her.
"You were here the whole time." It wasn't a question.
"Yeah. I was, and still am." Leonor smiled down at her.
Alex turned to look up to Leonor, catching her brown eyes in her ocean blues. "Thank you."
Leonor shook her head. "No need to thank me. That's what people do for the one they love." Leonor knew it wasn't an accidental slip. She meant it.
Alex couldn't believe what she just heard. She was intensely looking through Leonor's eyes, trying to find any doubt, but she found none.
"You – you love me?" She asked, her voice cracked with emotions, her eyes filling with tears.
The brunette couldn't help but smile at the child-like wonder in the blonde's voice as she asked that question.
"I do. I really do. I love you, Alexandra Cabot." Now it was her voice cracking with emotions.
Alex sat up, rather slowly and still with a little help from Leonor, and took residence on her girlfriend's lap, replacing the pillow. She leaned in and gave her a sweet kiss, to which she gladly responded.
"I love you too. "