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Chapter 36

"Jerome, I know these will help you, but if you should start experiencing any side effects just let me know. I want you to take them twice a day with food, okay," whispered Kristen pressing the three pill bottles into his hands. Jerome stared down at the orange bottles with the white labels already feeling sick to his stomach. Part of him didn't trust those bottles or rather the pills inside of them. Part of him felt like they would change him, turn him into a shell of himself even before he killed his mother. And looking at his aunt he knew she meant well that she would never give him anything to hurt him at the same time as he knew that despite what everyone thought they couldn't make him the same person he had been before he had done all those terrible things. Nothing could take that back, Jerome knew that, especially as he stared down at those bottles. He didn't trust those pills there were just too many questions he still had about them. Would he change? Would he still be basically who he had always been or would it be as he feared? Would he be just some numb person walking around constantly doped up? That was why he looked at his aunt in that moment.

"Will I still be normal…or will I be all drugged up?" said Jerome.

His aunt pulled him into a hug in that moment an answering not yet leaving her lips. That was the last thing she or anybody wanted, they simply wanted their Jerome back, but if it meant he was walking around like a zombie then she would flush the pills down the drain herself. She didn't want him suffering that way. And pulling away she touched his cheek gently shaking her head silently telling him no. No, he would not be all drugged up, and smiling she searched for the words to reassure him of that.

"Jerome, we don't want that…we don't want you drugged up like that. These pills are meant to help you and I know they will…you just have to give them a chance. Give them time to work because, yes, you might feel strange or off at first, but that would happen with any medication. Your body is adjusting to them, but once it does you'll feel just fine. Just give it time and then if that doesn't happen I promise I'll take you off them and find something else. Just give it a chance first," exclaimed Kristen looking deeply into his eyes. Jerome didn't say anything as he processed what she said and then looking at the pills again he nodded. He may not trust the pills, but he trusted his aunt that alone would make him give them a chance. As soon as he gave that nod something was being pressed into his chest.

"I didn't forget about your birthday," whispered Kristen setting the pills aside, so he could open his present. Jerome didn't say anything as he did only smiling when he pulled the gift free from the wrapping.

"Wow…I love it. Thank you, Aunt Kristen," whispered Jerome smiling as he looked over the sweater she had gotten him; she remembered how he always liked sweaters because he always got cold easy. The sweater was simple the way he liked them to be. It was a plain green color that wasn't too bright, but dark like he liked. He loved it and could see himself wearing it as he set it aside moving to hug her tight. His aunt was one of the few people that always remembered what he liked. They sat there quietly then the meds the clear elephant in the room until suddenly Addison appeared in the doorway. Kristen moved to leave the room then stopping to hug Addison as she did.

"I'll be waiting outside," said Kristen leaving them alone.

Jerome was, as always, happy to see her. She always knew somehow when he needed her and looking at the pills still Jerome couldn't deny that he did need her. Addy took his hand as she sat down by his side and laying her head on his shoulder nothing was said. Her eyes, like his, traveled to the pill bottles, and looking at them too she pressed her body firmly against his. Jerome pressed right back, for this was not a sexual thing, this was her merely telling him that she was there, and in that moment, he needed that. After a moment, Jerome laid his head against hers sighing as he finally took his eyes off the pills. He couldn't look at them anymore, the longer he did the more the thought kept coming to him that soon he would have to take them. With that thought, Jerome looked at Addison, and he knew she knew what he was thinking.

"I have to take these…but I'm scared to," breathed Jerome his eyes never leaving hers. Addison took his face in her hands in that moment not saying anything still as she held his gaze. She simply looked into his eyes and let him do what he needed. She let him lean into her touch those bottles rolling onto the bed away from them, but not forgotten. They stayed like this for a while until turning his head Jerome stared at the bottles once more. Addison only took one bottle in her hand staring down at it in response.

"You have to take them, J. You're going to take them…everything's going to be okay," breathed Addison taking both his hands those pills in both their line of sight now.

"Yeah…I just…she said that while I'm adjusting to the meds I'd feel kinda strange…that worries me," said Jerome looking at her their foreheads touching.

"Baby, you don't need to worry. Just remember that you're not alone in this, we're all here for you. We'll be right here by your side. We got you…I love you and I'll be here," whispered Addison his face still in her hands. Gently then she kissed him sealing that promise. When their lips parted then Jerome finally gave her a smile. Jerome peered into her eyes before touching his lips to hers he smiled, he knew that, but wrapping his arm around her he looked at the bottles.

"What if you get sick of dealing with me or I prove too much for you? I don't want this to be the reason I lose you…the reason I lose everyone," whispered Jerome before her lips captured his shutting that idea down.

"No, you could never be too much for me. Remember, baby, there isn't anything we can't do together, I love you, and I'll take care of you. After all, if it were me, would you give up on me? Would you let me do this alone?" whispered Addison claiming his lips before he could answer.

"I love you, Jerome…nothing will change that…not even those pills," exclaimed Addison their lips barely parting.

"It's you and me…I love you too, Addy. I always want it to be that way…for it to be us," gasped Jerome his breathing heavy as their lips parted. He kissed her sweetly then their heads touching afterward.

"Don't leave me tonight," whispered Jerome Kristen's words going through his mind even as Addy pulled away clearly wanting to give in to his request.

"Kristen's gonna give you a ride home, isn't she?" said Jerome latching onto her hand.

"Yes, I'm sorry, baby, but I have to go home tonight. I can't stay…Nathan will come here after me this time…he wants me home, and if he should see you he'd send you back. I won't be the reason for that…I won't lose you again," exclaimed Addison intertwining their fingers. She looked into his eyes in that moment her fear of that happening still heavy on her shoulders even after all this time. And Jerome knew she would always be afraid of that, afraid of him going back to Arkham, and losing him again. That was why he kissed her forehead in that moment knowing she needed the reassurance.

"Besides, Archer comes back from his mom's tomorrow…I need to be there," whispered Addison touching his cheek hoping he understood. Jerome did, but that didn't keep him from holding her so close. He knew now that his time with her was ending, at least for a little while, and he always hated sending her back to Nathan. She always came back with bruises. If he could have kept her there with him forever he would have. She was his to protect after all.

"I'll walk you home, tell Kristen to go ahead," whispered Jerome.

"Jerome…it's too dangerous. If someone sees you…I won't lose you again," whispered Addison taking the pill bottles in her hands in that moment their eyes still locked. He knew she was right, but that didn't mean he wanted her to be as he kissed her lips.

"I'm not leaving until you take these pills though," said Addison as their lips parted. Standing then she left the room returning with a glass of water and a plate with a slice of cake on it.

"You have to take them with food," said Addison setting the cake aside. One by one she helped him take the pills only handing him the cake when he had. Afterwards, Jerome laid in bed with her sitting by his side, and he felt his fears leave. Addy stayed with him until he fell asleep.