A/N: Sorry... I suck at regular updates lately, on anything. I'm not neglecting this, really...I've just been stuck for plot lately, and it's not a thing that's confined to this story. But, I've muddled through and finally finished this chapter, so here it is.

Bit of Angst™ in this one... Feeling a bit blah, so...

Anyway, on with it, then...

Disclaimer: I do not own skins. Thank goodness for that? Any and all typos, yada, yada yada...

(Naomi POV)

(Later that evening)

Emily finally drifted off to sleep. It took about half a hour, before her eyes slowly closed and her breathing settled, and after about another fifteen minutes, when I was sure she wouldn't wake up again, I carefully extricated myself from her bed, and went to dispose of the bloodied bandages. I realised, at some point, I'd have to go out and get some more, but wasn't keen to leave Emily on her own, just in case she actually did wake up while I was out and was confused or needed a friendly face. So, instead, I picked up the phone, and made a call.

"Effy speaking..." The bored tone of my best friend.

"Hey, Eff. It's Naomi."

"Hey, Naoms. How's Emily?" She asked.

I sighed. "Sleeping, finally." I said. "Are you busy at all?"

"Not especially."

"I need a favour. I had to re-bandage Emily's hands, and I used the last of them." I explained. "Are you able to go and pick up some and drop them round?"

"What kind?"

"Erm..." I picked up the wrapper. "Just plain white gauze ones. 2 inch width. Say...six of them? And some antiseptic cream. I'll pay you back, yeah? Should do for a couple of days, and I can go and get anything else I need when she's awake. I just...don't want to leave her right now."

"I understand." Effy said. "Text me Emily's address and I'll go now."

"You're a lifesaver. Thanks, Eff." I said.

"No problem."

She ended the call, and I sent her a text with Emily's address, quickly hitting send and then putting my phone in my pocket. I then looked in the cupboard to see what was in it, biting my bottom lip when I saw that it was mostly empty. "Bugger." I muttered. I was going to have to go out and get some things, then.

I made myself a coffee, as I waited the three quarters of an hour it took for Effy to softly knock on the door, opening it to let her in. "Hey...you found it ok?"

"Yeah, wasn't that hard." She said, as I closed the door quietly. She placed a shopping bag on the table. "The bandages are cheaper than I thought they'd be, so I got you a coupe extra than you asked for." She said, as I opened the bag to see ten rolls of bandage in the bag. "And some antiseptic like you asked for, and some cotton padding, just in case."

I looked up at her and smiled. "Thank you." I said. "Coffee?" I asked.

She nodded. "Like I said, no problem. Glad I can help." She said. "So...how is she?"

I sighed, as I flipped the jug back on to reboil. "Asleep right now, I gave her some Valium." I said, measuring some coffee and sugar into a cup.

"Ah, always a good choice." She said, wryly.

"Yeah, well... I had to." I said, as the jug flicked off, the boil complete. I poured the water and gave the coffee a stir, setting it on the table in front of her as I sat down. "She needed to sleep for a bit."

"I thought she was sleeping earlier?"

I shook my head. "She didn't sleep long. There was a bit of drama when her sister came around."

"Oh shit." Effy said. "Did she...?"

"No, I wouldn't let her bother her." I said. "At least, not the way she came barging in here." I took a sip from my rapidly cooling coffee. "I was just about to change Emily's bandages when...she walked out of the flat."

"Her sister?"

"No...Emily." I said. "I...don't think she knew what she was doing. She got partway down the street before I caught her." I continued. "I just managed to stop her from...walking in front of a minibus."

"Oh, shit." Effy said. "Hence the-"

"Valium...yeah." I said. "Look...I hate to ask another favour, but...she needs to eat something, and there's nothing in the cupboard. Would you mind staying here, while I go and get some groceries?"

"Not at all." Effy said.

Relief washed over me a little. "Great." I said, finishing my coffee, and standing up. "Make yourself another coffee, if you like."

"And if Emily wakes?"

I bit my lip. "She shouldn't...and I'll try not to be too long. But, if she does... Just tell her where I've gone, and that I'll be back soon?"

The corner of Effy's lips turned up in an amused smirk. "I'll break it to her gently, then."

"Like I said, I'll try not to be too long." I said, grabbing my jacket.

"You right for cash?" Effy asked.

"There's an ATM there, I'll be ok." I said, opening the door. "Thanks so much."

"No problem." She said, as I quietly shut the door.

I walked quickly to the supermarket, which wasn't that far, only a couple of blocks, all the while thinking about what I could make that Emily could eat easily. By the time I got there, I decided to make some chicken soup, some macaroni and cheese (my favourite pick me up) and also some spaghetti with short pasta, so there would be no fork twirling involved, and some extra beef and potatoes so I could whip up a cottage pie. Not exactly totally 100% healthy fare, but still...it would be comforting, too, and that was kind of the point. I got some cash out at the ATM, including enough to pay Effy back, and less than fifteen minute later, I was leaving with a couple of carry bags in each hand.

By the time I got back to Emily's, it was less than an hour after I'd left, and I opened the front door, finding Effy still sitting at the table, reading a paperback I didn't even know she'd brought with her. I set the bags on the table. "How much did what you bought come to?"

"It was around £15, but give me a tenner, and we'll call it even." Effy shrugged. I raised my eyebrow and handed her £15. She took the £10 note, and held the £5 out to me. "Keep it. I was glad to help."

I sighed, and took the note back. "Why... It's not like Emily is your girlfriend."

"No, but she's yours...and...I know what she's going through...don't I?" She said.

"True."

Effy looked at the shopping bags. "Some fresh food, then?"

"Yeah...I figured Emily could do with some easy, comforting meals for a few days."

Effy smiled. "Bit of Campbell TLC, eh?" I felt myself blush a little, and nodded. She chuckled. "If anyone can do it, you can." She stood up. "I suppose I'll be off, then."

"Thanks...for helping out." I said giving Effy a hug. "How are you doing, anyway?"

"I'm good, Naoms. You worry about Emily. I know what to do if I need someone." She said. "Besides...I've been thinking about going to see Gina, anyway. I can always do with a dose of her cheer." She opened the door. "Good luck, Naoms. I'll see you around."

"Bye...and thanks again." I said, as she shut the door behind her.

I set about putting the groceries away, and decided to start on the soup. I sliced up the vegetables and put them into the biggest saucepan Emily had, cooked them up, and then added the chicken, adding whatever herbs Emily had in the cupboard, added some water and then set it to simmer, leaving the lid on. I also set the timer for an hour, and then went to check on Emily. I slipped my shoes off, and gently got onto the bed, careful not to wake her, but still, she shifted, and her eyes flickered open, her lips curving into a slight smile as she saw me. "Hey." She whispered.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake you." I said softly, brushing my fingers through her fringe. "How are you feeling?"

Emily sighed, and her eyes closed. "Still a bit tired." She said. "Bit groggy."

"Yeah, that'd be the Valium." I said. "You can sleep a bit longer, if you want. I'm making some food, but it won't be ready for at least another hour."

Her brow furrowed. "I didn't...have anything in the-"

"It's ok." I said, placing my hand on her shoulder and stroking it softly. "I went out for groceries. And I got some more bandages, too."

Her eyes opened, and looked up at me, her expression blank, and slightly scared. "You left me here...alone?"

I shuffled down onto my side. "No, of course not sweetie."

"But...you went out?"

"Only for the groceries, hun. I had Effy pick up the bandages, she brought them around and stayed here while I went to the supermarket." I explained.

Emily searched my eyes for a moment, and then her body relaxed a little. "Oh." She said.

"I didn't want to leave you here alone, just in case you woke up and wondered where I was. Or if you needed help...or just a friendly face." I said, lightly stroking her cheek.

She closed her eyes again and sighed deeply, nodding. "Thanks." She whispered.

"No need." I said.

"You're good to me." She said.

"You know why."

"Yes." She whispered. "I wish I could link my fingers with yours, right now... Show you how much I appreciate it." Her eyes opened again, looking into mine. "Maybe...a kiss?" She said, leaning closer and brushing her lips against mine softly. Then her lips pressed more firmly against mine, and she did kiss me, even though it was chaste, it felt good.

I leaned my head against hers and smiled. "That was nice...thank you."

"What's that you said...no need?" Emily murmured.

"I think sleeping has done you a world of good, even if only for a few hours." I said. "Other than sleepy, how are you feeling?"

Emily shrugged. "Hands hurt."

"I know, baby." I said. "They will for a while, but it means they are starting to heal."

Emily sighed deeply. "For a smart person...I do some stupid shit." She muttered.

"Hey, now...no getting down on yourself...it doesn't help."

She shook her head. "I've got work to do...that I literally can't do...because I've fucked up my hands."

I looked at her, and bit my bottom lip. "Is there any way I can help?"

Emily looked back at me. "You're already doing so much for me."

I kissed her forehead. "I will do anything I can to help you, you know that."

She smiled weakly. "How is your typing?" I felt my brow furrow. "If I can read through my notebook...pick out a poem...maybe you can email it for me?"

I smiled. "I'd be happy to do that for you." I said.

Her eyes stared into mine. "Thank you." She said, softly.

I reached up and stroked her hair behind her ear. "You know I'd do anything for you."

"Except leave." She said.

"Yes." I said. "Because I know that even though you might say you want me to go, you need someone."

Again, Emily sighed. "I shouldn't be so needy." She said, barely give a whisper.

"Shhh..." I said. "Not now, yeah?"

"Mmm." She replied. She then spent a few moments just breathing, and then her brow furrowed. "What are you cooking?"

"Chicken soup." I said.

"The all-purpose cure all." She murmured. "It smells good."

"It should...it's Gina's recipe." I replied. "It'll be done in about an hour, so we have time. Don't feel you need to get up right away."

Another weak smile, and then Emily closed her eyes. I reached up to lightly stroke her hair. "Feels nice." She said, her voice just above a whisper.

"I'm glad." I said.

"I feel... A little woozy." She replied, her brow furrowing as she moved her hands. "Dammit...can you...help me to sit?"

"Sure" I said, pushing myself upwards and then placing my arm around Emily waist to slowly drag her upwards.

"Thank you." She mumbled. "W-why did you give me Valium?" I hesitated to answer. "Please, Naomi...I know I was tired, but..."

"Ok. I'll tell you." I said, pausing. "I was getting some fresh bandages for your hands, and you... Got out of bed. Like you were trying to get away, maybe? Do you remember?"

She shook her head. "No. Not really."

"Right." I said. "By the time I got to you... You were about a second away from being cleaned up by a minibus." Emily stared at her hands, and I watched as she bit her bottom lip, her brow furrowing in confusion. "You...don't..." She shook her head. "What do you remember?"

Again, she shook her head. "It's all a blur." She said. "I was... Outside...I know I was walking...but my feet hurt."

"You were barefoot." I said.

"Oh." She replied. "I...don't know where I was going, I just...had to get out of here. Just be somewhere else. Then..." She trailed off, screwing her eyes shut and exhaling hard. "So blurry, I... Heard something loud. A horn or something? And then...I was being pulled. Hugged."

I nodded. "I pulled you back and held onto you as the minibus went past. You collapsed in my arms...and then I brought you back inside."

After a long moment, Emily spoke again. "Jesus." Her voice was soft, scared. "Stupid. So fucking stupid." She muttered. "I can't...I just..." She screwed her eyes shut, and tears slipped out as she let out a sound of frustration. "FUCK!" She sniffled, and then began to shake as she sobbed next to me. I slipped my arms around her and held her close to me, and her head nestled into my neck.

"Shhh...it's ok...I'm right here." I whispered, as I slowly rubbed her shoulder.

"I'm fucking... smarter than that, Naomi." She murmured. "But I'm a fucking idiot for letting her get to me like that. She's NEVER accepted me for who I am, and she won't...and FUCK KNOWS why I let her hateful, spiteful words get to me!"

"Oh, baby..." I said, kissing the top of her head. "There are other people who care about you the way you deserve to be cared about, hun."

"She hates me. I'm her flesh and blood and she fucking hates me." Emily mumbled, and I could hear the hurt in her voice.

"And that bothers you, doesn't it?" I asked.

Emily sniffled. "Ever since I came out she's looked at me like I was dirt." She said. "She could have disowned me, that would have been easier. But, no... Instead she just chose to treat me with contempt. To look down her nose at me. She stopped treating me with love and respect, and let her disappointment of me be known."

"You said your dad is cool?" I asked.

Emily nodded. "Yeah, but he always said he just wanted me to be happy. Whatever made me happy..."

"Made him happy?"

"Yeah."

"Well, that's something." I said.

"I guess." Emily muttered. After a short pause, she spoke again. "My life wasn't meant to be this fucked up."

I gave her a gentle squeeze. "It doesn't have to be, Emily."

She grunted slightly. "This is the point where you tell me I'm in charge of my own happiness, right? That it's up to me to make each day count, take it one step at a time...?" She said, sarcastically.

"I could tell you that, but I think you'd think its patronising, so I won't." I said, calmly. Emily scoffed. "What I WILL tell you, is what I've said before. You have people who care about you. Me, your dad... Even your sister."

"Fuck no, Katie just wanted to stir shit." Emily said.

"No, I don't think so." I said, remembering Katie's little visit. "I know I've no experience with her, but you only heard her. You didn't see the look on her face. I think she was really worried about you."

Emily sighed. "Katie only worries about Katie."

"Well, I can't argue, because I don't know her like you do." I said.

"You want to argue?" Emily said, her tone irritated.

"No...of course not." I said, softly. "I want to try and give you some peace...and space to say what you want to say. To get it all out, instead of holding it all in."

"Because that's not good for me." She said, again with sarcasm in her tone. "If you want to give me space, why don't you just fuck off and leave me alone?"

"You don't want me to do that...not really." I said.

"No?"

"No, and you know how I know?"

She scoffed again. "Why? Tell me, you fucking smartarse."

"Because you haven't wriggled out of my arms yet. Which tells me that you don't want me to go anywhere. You want me right here, even though part of you rebels, lashes out at me, and tells me to fuck off." I said.

Emily sighed, deeply, and I could hear the tremble in it. "Fuck you, Naomi." She muttered.

I kissed her cheek. "Not with your hands the way they are, babe." I said.

"Ha. Funny." She deadpanned.

"I thought so." I said, half smiling. "I'm serious, though... You're lashing out, and it's ok. I told you I can handle it."

"You shouldn't..." Emily said. "Shouldn't have to bear it."

"But I can...and I will." I said. "Because when you love someone, you stick with them, through thick and thin."

Emily sighed. "I can't let Katie see me like this. She'd have me sectioned."

"So we won't let Katie see you like this." I said. "Think about what you want to tell her, and I'll text her for you in the morning."

"Yeah?"

I nodded. "I'd be happy to help you do that." I said. "Then...if you're up to it...we should get out of the house for a bit. Go for a walk, maybe. Or not...it's up to you."

Emily turned and looked at me, her warm brown eyes searching mine curiously. "We'll see?" She said, biting her bottom lip. She then leaned in and left a soft kiss against my lips.

Just then, the timer on the oven went off. "That'll be dinner."

"You're going to spoon feed me soup?" Emily asked, her eyebrow raised.

"Well... We can see how you go with a mug... If you have trouble, then...yeah. I guess so."

She frowned. "That's embarrassing." She muttered.

I shrugged. "I won't tell anyone." I said. "It'll be just between you and me."

"Ok..."

"Now...getting up and moving about a bit will make you feel a bit better... And then we'll eat. Do you need a hand?"

"Swing my legs out, push my feet against the floor to stand...I think I can manage. Catch me if I fall?"

I stood up and walked to her side of the bed, giving her a simple smile. "Always."

A/N#2: Leaving it there, for now.

Congratulations to any Americans reading this, for the ruling on marriage equality on Friday. I am equally happy for some of my American friends who are closer to being able to marry, and very frustrated by it, because here in Australia, marriage equality isn't considered to be an important issue right now, even though we are being increasingly left behind by the rest of the English speaking world. Our idiot Prime Minister says the opposition wants to play politics with the issue, when he is doing exactly the same thing by saying it needs to be owned by the parliament, not one party, after the opposition introduced a marriage equality bill. (Yeah right, he just disagrees because it's them putting it forth...fucking spiteful, snide cunt that he is) Our fuckwit government would rather scream national security and terrorism than talk about marriage equality. Because, you know, equal love isn't important or anything.

Anyway...rant over. Not really a rant, but an annoyance, nonetheless.

Review, if you wish...

Until next time...

~GN~ xo