Chapter 12

Cosima's Voicemail

BEEP

"Yeah it's Felix. Seriously, Cosima, you could leave a note or something. How do I know you weren't just kidnapped by whatever psychotic group is in the mood this week for a life-sized Cosima doll? I thought when you said Delphine was coming, you meant here. So…I dunno, just text me and let me know you're alright, Houdini?"

BEEP

"Cos! It's Sarah. Damnit pick up your phone. Shit just hit the fan and Felix said you're not there. Just call him; I'm not going to be reachable in a moment and I don't know for how long. I need you right now so get your arse back to the apartment, with or without Delphine."

BEEP

"Cosima. I assume you are with Delphine, since she is not answering her cell phone either. This is Marion Bowles. I know that Delphine may or may not have planned on stopping by my home this weekend with you, but now I will ask that you please pass along that it is imperative that I see you both as soon as possible. And Cosima, I am not the type of woman who uses an adjective such as 'imperative' loosely. Have Dr. Cormier call me back please. Thank you."

BEEP

"Cosima Louise Neihaus, you need to call us back. I understand you not answering the phone after your little outburst at the restaurant, but your father and I expect you to at least return a call. We need to talk. Call us back."

BEEP

"Cosima, Hi, it's Alison, as in your sister Alison. Look they told me not to call you since everybody else already has, but that's how it always is, isn't it? Let's tell Alison what's going on last? Cute little Alison with the husband and the kids who just won't know any better if Sarah goes off and…ugh, Cosima just call ONE of us back at least please? If we don't hear from you soon, we're going to start searching for you."

BEEP

"Cosima, it's your father. I don't know what your mother left in her earlier message, but if you'd like you can call me instead of her. I know she's a little intense, princess, but you know how she doesn't do well with…impromptu exchanges in public. Let's all try not to overreact and just have a talk. Please call us."

BEEP

"COS. THIS IS SARAH. SERIOUSLY, WE'RE ALL AT MARION'S, YOU NEED TO GET YOUR BUM OVER HERE. BRING THE BLOODY DOCTOR."


Cosima was well aware that her phone had been vibrating almost non-stop for over an hour, and was content to let it buzz away in her bag.

In reality, having Delphine's body curled up around her side, with her head sleeping peacefully on her shoulder blocked out the urgency of everything else. She could ignore the world if it meant keeping Delphine on her shoulder. She blocked out the phone, the pins and needles of the arm Delphine had been sleeping on, as well as the growing need to use the restroom.

Just a few more minutes, she thought. She knew she could trace Delphine's skin if she used just the right touch not to wake her up, running her fingers over Delphine's shoulder and down her arm, light enough to not disturb but strong enough not to tickle.

The vibrating continued in the background enough to stir Delphine out of her sleep. She could tell immediately that it was sometime after sunrise, and that she was half-on top of a very warm, soft body. Before even opening her eyes all the way, the blonde immediately turned her head to kiss the skin she had been resting on, sleepily trailing her lips over a shoulder.

She hadn't woken up this happy in quite awhile.

Cosima responded by pulling her closer, kissing her forehead before moving her free arm up so she could stroke her hair. When Delphine finally opened her eyes to greet her, she was met with a smile.

They knew they were both thinking the same thing, so it would come down to a question of who was going to say it first.

"You're still here." Delphine said, smiling, as though just waking up still together was a battle victory. Cosima grinned back, leaning in to kiss her good morning.

"Still here." Cosima murmured when she pulled back. She now had her phone buzzing in the background, a dead arm, a need to pee, and a sudden urge to roll on top of the softness touching her skin. She went to maneuver her body over the taller woman's, planning on continuing the hours they spent reconnecting the night before. It wasn't enough; Cosima doubted she would ever feel they'd had enough after all they'd been through.

Cosima tried to roll them over. She really gave it her best effort, before she realized she was too exhausted and weak to roll over.

This is not good. She said in her head. This is not good at all.

She tried again, her left arm still asleep and proving to be absolutely useless. She suddenly felt like she had been hit by a train.

Delphine, who was still stroking the woman's cheek lovingly, saw the look in Cosima's eyes change from desire to panic.

"What's wrong?" She asked quickly.

Cosima tried to sit up, making it barely off of the bed six inches before collapsing back down.

"Cosima?" Delphine asked, now getting more worried.

"Delphine…I can't get up." Cosima said, her lip trembling.

She was fine a few hours ago. More than fine. She was energetic, moving and writhing beneath Delphine, on top of Delphine, on the side of Delphine, and for a shorter stint, half-hanging off the bed with her mouth attached to Delphine.

Now that the adrenaline surge had worn off, she couldn't muster the strength to get out of the bed.

My phone. Everyone's probably looking for us. I still have to pee.

"It's okay. I'm here now. I will help you up." Delphine offered, immediately sitting up.

Delphine put her arm around Cosima's body for the smaller woman to lean on, quickly feeling that the woman had no strength, and couldn't use her as a simple crutch.

"Cosima? What's going on?" Delphine asked, frightened.

"I don't know. I can't move." Cosima said in a weak panic.

Delphine tried not to let her worst fears show through her face.

"It's okay. Last night was a lot." She got back into bed with Cosima, ignoring the vibrating coming from the overnight bag in the corner. "Let's just rest. I'm sure I can order us room service-"

"Delphine," Cosima interrupted gently but still maintaining the urgency of her low voice, "I'm not sex-tired. I have to pee and I can't get up." Cosima said, the fear apparent in her face.

"I am here. Delphine wasted no time answering, as though that could be a magic cure-all for anything happening. She paused for a moment, before giving Cosima a soft kiss and jumping up out of the bed.

She didn't bother putting any clothes on as she firmly stood next to the bed, putting Cosima's arm around her own shoulders.

"Delphine, I'm going to be too heavy." She said shakily. She really hoped they weren't going to have to call an ambulance, and if they did, she hoped Delphine was okay with dressing her.

"Shhh. You're fine. And if I remember correctly, I've picked you up and carried you before just fine." She smirked, trying to lighten the situation.

Cosima thought back to the last time Delphine had indeed carried her, when they were in Delphine's kitchen a few months back, and Cosima had managed to wrap both of her legs around the Frenchwoman's waist, allowing herself to be ravaged while being carried to the bed.

She let Delphine guide her body up, not able to help much, with Delphine supporting most of her weight. The walk to the bathroom was slow, with Delphines arms wrapped around her waist, waiting patiently for her to put one foot in front of the other while still holding her up. Delphine stayed strong while Cosima seemed more and more distraught over how little she could do at the moment, patiently encouraging her without rushing.

Left foot. "That's it. Lean on me, my love."

Right foot. "I've got you. Don't rush."

Left foot. Delphine pressed a kiss to her temple when they reached the bathroom door.

In truth, she was very scared at how weak Cosima was at the moment. She promised herself that as soon as coughing was added to the mix, she was call any and every contact she had in Toronto who was safe for help.

She set Cosima down on the toilet, still somewhat holding her upright. She noticed Cosima making no movement.

"It's okay. I'm still holding you. Just go." Delphine said, holding her tightly, pressing a kiss to her shoulder.

"You're going to hold me up while I pee? This is a new level of clone insanity." Cosima said, sounding dejected and very embarrassed.

"Cosima, how many times have you peed with me in the room?" Delphine asked, still holding up her body.

Cosima rolled her eyes. Of course, she peed in front of Delphine quite a few times before, but she hadn't needed help to do it in the previous instances. She could feel the burn of her face turning red.

Delphine brought a hand to her cheek, stroking reassuringly.

"If it were me, Cosima, what would you be doing?" Delphine asked gently. Cosima brought her eyes to meet Delphine's. Of course, she would be doing the same. She would probably laugh and make jokes the whole way about it, and expect Delphine to be comfortable with her. She would hold her up for hours if she had to.

Cosima nodded, but still looked away when she began to relieve herself, with both of her arms using the tiny bit of strength she had to hang onto Delphine's shoulders, with the woman kneeling next to her. Delphine didn't miss a beat when Cosima was done, grabbing some toilet paper and making a wad.

"Delphine-" Cosima started.

"Don't let go of me." Delphine said, knowing Cosima could not even sit up by herself right now. She gently brought the paper down, brushing tenderly along the lips, the same way Cosima would have done herself, before dropping it in the water, and planting another kiss on Cosima's shoulder, choosing not to address the tear that Cosima had forming in the corner of her eye. The care of the blonde combined with her currently inabilities was overwhelming.

Delphine led her slowly, so slowly, quietly, and gently back to the bed, making sure she was comfortable before getting in next to her, curling this time around the opposite side she had the night before.

Cosima's phone buzzed yet again.

"Do you want me to get that for you? Or should I run out and get us something for breakfast?" Delphine offered, her hand pressed gently in the center of clone's chest.

"No. Don't leave." Cosima answered quickly. "Let's just see if I can rest enough to get some strength back."

"Cosima, if you can't move your body, I should really call Marion."

"No. At least—not yet. Just let me rest a bit, okay?" Cosima asked, trying to be less demanding with Delphine and more compromising.

"Okay. Well, how about some coffee?" Delphine motioned to the in-room coffee pot. Cosima smiled. If she was going to be bed ridden for a bit, she could at least luxuriate in having a gorgeous woman that she was in love with offering to wait on her.

"Sure." She watched as Delphine's naked bottom swaggered to the coffee pot. In fact, she couldn't take her eyes off of the woman, noticing every curve, every place her mouth had been the night before.

In the background, Cosima's phone went on to buzz again, and yet again, went ignored.


Cosima's Voicemail

BEEP

"Cosima, I understand you're upset, but please, princess, call your mother or me back. Actually—don't call your mother, just me. The longer this drags out, the angrier she seems to get with the whole situation. Okay, call me soon."

BEEP

"Cosima? It's Alison again. Where are you? I know Delphine was getting back this weekend, but now I'm worried. Felix said you didn't even say goodbye to him before he left. Seriously, Cosima, we need to know that you're alright. You know I didn't sign up to play you for the rest of our lives, right? Call us please."

BEEP

"Cos, it's Sarah again and YOU NEED TO PICK UP THE BLOODY PHONE. Rachel's dead, alright? DEAD. We need to talk to you NOW, since Marion is about to bloody strangle me. I'll explain when you get here."


Authors Note: Just wanted to pop up a mini-chap before my life gets crazy again in the next couple of days! Not the full meal here, just a fic-snack ;)