Author's Note: Thank you all for the lovely reviews, once again. I'm so glad you all liked the last chapter. :D
Hopefully, in addition to this little gem, I'll be able to get another chapter up tomorrow night, possibly more. My weekend was virtually free and I was struck with the writing bug, so here we go!
M is for Menstrual
With an audible whine, she winces against the ambush of pestering sunlight and burrows further into the blankets. A cloud of torment settles over her in a way that promises to haunt for the entire day. It's a good thing her sidearm is out of reach, she reflects blackly.
"Jody?" The angel sounds confused, a flutter of wings marking his usual entrance. "Are you in pain?"
"No, I'm in agony," Jody moans, wrecked. "Normally it isn't this awful. Did you do this to me?" There's an undertone of accusation in her voice that he can't make sense of.
"I don't believe so," Castiel says, too diplomatic and offensively calm for the situation, in her vexed opinion. The downed sheriff curled up on the couch lets out a nasty growl when he approaches. Castiel settles beside her, unheeded, but with visible caution. "Is this something I won't understand because I'm an angel or because I am male?"
Jody utters another destitute growl, burying her face in the pillow miserably.
"I see," Castiel remarks, his question not really having been answered.
"I feel a pain in my lower intestines…" she finally enlightens, with certain melodramatic flair. "I think something important was destroyed."
Castiel smiles, eyes crinkling at their corners, once he finally comprehends her suffering. This pain will pass, given time, he knows. "You're fine."
It's more a note of relief than belittlement of her troubles, but through the raging haze of PMS Jody replies, "Angel, don't even talk to me. Your pure and gentle brain cannot fathom the utter hell being wrought upon me right now." With each crippling spasm, her eloquence gains velocity, sharpening her tongue. If he were smart, he'd feel more wary of her than any monster of the week. The similarities are striking, regardless.
His hand strokes down her back, in gentle circles. "Sounds terrible."
"It is," Jody mutters. But her quivering stills when she feels the warmth of his other hand through the thin fabric of her shirt, over her stomach, caressing softly. The warmth spreads, and she sucks in a shocked breath. Her pain has eased, to a dull twinge barely enough to make a mouse flinch. She stares up at him in breathless wonder, shaking her head. "Where have you been all my life?"
"Heaven, mostly," is his response.
Her busting laughter makes him smile wider and she yanks him down into a kiss. "Can I get you anything?" he asks when they break apart, because he knows his efforts have only taken the edge off and she'll need to wait out the uncomfortable phase of her menstrual cycle still.
"Chocolate," Jody whimpers. "Lots of chocolate."
His thumb caresses the crown of her hair, smoothing away residual frown lines. "From anywhere specific?"
"Local's fine, featherpants. I don't want you straining yourself."
He kisses her forehead. "I'll return soon," he says with a promise.
Jody wiggles her fingers after him, brushing at his coattails and tugging. "I'm a lucky gal."
Castiel smiles his little smile at her as he leaves the room. He won't tell her when he returns that the truffles are from a little vendor outside of Venice. After all, it's him who's the lucky one.
Author's Note: Every time you review, it's one less cramp for Jody. ;)