Sorry about the wait…The holidays and not being happy with this looonnngg chap…I tweeked and tweeked it…The Glee kids and a couple more surprises are in the next chap and I am working on it right now…Happy New Year everyone and thanks to everyone that added alerts and favorite story….Peace
Abby cleaned up the living room as much as possible, throwing old newspapers away and other garbage. She finally found the floor and furniture two garbage bags later. The couch a worn out leather thing, looked better with all the junk off of it, but she still thought Tom needed a new one.
She walked down the hallway from the living room, looking for Tom's bedroom. Pictures hanging on the walls caught her attention. Some were of his folks, some of him and a girl, and there were a couple of Jeff from a fishing trip.
Jeff looked the same as he did when they were in high school. His hair is the same style, the build is the same, even the same goofy smile. The pictures are of him and Tom only, no women, no kids. Maybe Tom has the family pictures put away somewhere else in the house. Why do I even care? Why do I want to know? Maybe Jess was right and all the other therapists I have seen, maybe closure is what I need…..
Abby walks into Tom's bedroom and wishes she hadn't, piles of clothes litter the floor. Ugh, why are men so dirty? Well most men. Okay, why is Tom so messy? She gingerly walks around the different piles and makes it to the closet.
She carefully opens the door waiting for all the mess to come crashing down on her, like in the movies. Surprisingly nothing falls out on top of her, it is relatively straight. The linens are on the shelf along with a couple of soft looking blankets. She grabs them heading back to the living room to make up the old worn couch.
Thinking about the couch reminds her that she was talking to Luc via email last night about the bed she just purchased in England. That thought reminds her that she left all her things in her hotel room last night. Shit! I totally forgot about my stuff in the hotel room.
She drops the linens on the couch as she heads out the door to her truck. She left her phone in the console of her truck before she went into the ER last night. She grabs her blackberry and sees 53 missed calls, the same amount of voice mails, along with 58 text messages. Oh hell this is going to be fun.
First things first, she calls the hotel and asks them if they cleaned out her room or if they just charged her card again. They charged her card thankfully, the manager hopes that was okay. She tells him that was fine. Now to the voice mails and texts messages.
Her call log shows that the calls are from Luc and Sean, about a fifty fifty split between them. What the hell? The first few voicemails are wondering where I am and why I am not answering my phone. The next several are threats from both of them coming to find me. They are worse than mother hens. The next one from Luc makes her hand freeze on the front door knob, "I am on my way to Lima fucking in the middle of nowhere Ohio. Sean is flying up too. We will find you Abby, don't worry." What the fuck? They have lost their fucking minds. What the hell are they saving me from? Shit!
The text messages are the same, we will save you, we are on our way to Lima. Call me as soon as you get this message. She looks at the time on her phone and knows that Luc should be arriving before long and Sean will be in about a hour later. Damn damn! She doesn't know whether she wants to kill them or be glad they both love her enough to come to her rescue.
Abby opens the front door to hear an ear splitting scream coming from the bathroom. She takes off in a run hoping that its just something simple like a spider and not like Noah fell or is having a panic attack again.
She opens the door to see Noah sitting on the toilet laughing and holding his sides looking at the tub. Looking at the tub she sees a sputtering and completely soaked Kurt shouting obscenities at Braveheart. Abby busts out laughing and quickly takes a picture of the splashing Princess.
"Noah fucking Puckerman, I am going to kill you! How could you? You think this is funny? You just wait until I am dried off, I am going to make you pay for this! What the hell? Abby shut the hell up! This isn't funny! Don't you dare! Put that phone down Abby!" Kurt is shrieking at the top of his voice and splashing the water with his hands like a two year old.
Abby stops laughing long enough to ask what happened to the now soaked teen, "Noah could you please explain to me why Princess is in the tub instead of you?"
"Why the hell are you asking that laughing Neanderthal?" Kurt shrieks as he stands up in the tub. "My shoes are ruined Puckerman!"
"Okay then you tell me Princess, why are you in the tub instead of Noah?" Abby tries to contain her laughter again as she walks over to the tub and helps him out.
"He pushed me in the tub, acting like he was about to fall." Kurt flips Noah off and sticks his tongue out at him. He looks down at his dripping clothes with disgust clearly in his eyes. "Stop laughing at me! Noah, I mean it!"
"I'm sorry Princess but damn if you're not cute when you're all wet." The guffaws turn to moans as Noah holds his chest tighter. "Got to stop laughing it hurts too much." His face is red and wet from the tears of enjoying the scene in front of him way too much.
"You deal with him Abby, I am going to get a change of clothes from my car. Its just a good thing I keep an extra set." Kurt starts to walk out the door when Abby stops him.
"Why do you keep an extra set of clothes in your car Kurt?" Abby is really curious. She knows why people keep extra shirts or pants but not an entire outfit handy. She watches both of them as looks are exchanged between.
"You explain it to her Noah." Kurt's voice holds a bit of animosity in it. His expression softens when he sees the fear in Noah's eyes. "Don't worry I'll be back after I change and plot my revenge." He walks out of the room and quietly shuts the door.
Abby checks the temperature of the water making sure it is still warm enough for Noah to take a bath. It is, so she turns around to him, "so did you enjoy yourself Braveheart? Because I think you really pissed him off." She watches him think about his answer.
"Yeah, I just didn't think he would get that pissed at me. I used to be the reason he carries an extra set of clothes all the time. I used to toss him in the dumpster everyday or slushy him at school. I was a bully to Kurt and I still have a hard time wondering how he can be my friend. And now that he is my friend I don't want to lose him. I fucked up again." He looks up at Abby with tears sparkling in his eyes.
"I don't think you're going to lose him as a friend over this, but I do think the pay back is going to be tremendous. And you deserve everything he throws at you too. Remember that. Now let's get you in the tub.' Abby helps Noah stand up and step into the warm water. She drains part of it out after he sits down and reheats it by adding more hot water to the tub.
Once the water is hot again, Noah leans back against the tub letting the hot water soak into his sore torso. He winces at the dull throb in his ribs, the laughing was almost too much for him. He feels more than he sees, Abby's soft legs slip down on either side of him. He lets his head fall back into her.
"Is this okay Noah? I don't want to make you uncomfortable, but I don't want you thrashing around either if you start slipping down in the tub." She places her hands on his shoulders. Abby had rolled up her pajama bottoms past her knees, taken off her socks and shoes. She got in the tub with Noah sitting on the ledge behind him She feels him nod against her stomach. "So why did you bully Kurt? Because he is gay?'
"Yes and no. Partly because it was what everyone expected from me or wanted from me. And because he was comfortable being who he really is and not something everyone else expects him to be. It was easier to fit in if I acted like a badass instead of being his friend. By the time we started high school it had become a part of me." He sighs heavily leaning more into Abby.
"To look at me you wouldn't think I'm smart but I am. I have excellent grades but know one knows it. Don't want them to know. I skip class everyday and as far as the rest of the school is concerned I am barely passing or passing by fucking the teachers. I am the epitome of a football player or jock, big and stupid at school. I knocked up the head cheerleader who happened to be dating my former best friend at the time and I terrorized the geek population everyday.
But I changed after I joined the Glee club. I could do what I really wanted to do. Sing and play music. I love writing songs, arranging them. No one bullied me when I joined cause they knew I could still kick their asses. And I started making friends with the other members. I've gotten in more fist fights since I joined it than I ever did before, defending them. I cant stand the fact that the other jocks bully them, the very thing I used to do to them. Crazy huh?" Noah looks up seeing her blue green eyes staring into his own.
Abby shakes her head, "No not in the least. Everyone wants to be someone else at some point in their lives. I ran from this town ten years ago, because everyone thought I was something that I wasn't and it has followed me everywhere. I think you started to realize who you really wanted to be and you started to become that person. Then something happened to change it. You have a chance now to try again and to succeed this time. Now you have people that care about you helping you find your way."
Noah smiles at her. He cant help but feel maybe she is right as he snuggles into her more feeling her hands stroke the stubble that covers most of his head. "Um, Abby would you mind helping me to wash my hair? It hurts to raise my arms over my head and it would feel really good." He feels her push against his shoulders slightly, getting up from behind him.
"Sure let me get some shampoo and something to rinse out the soap. Will you be okay long enough for me to go into the other room for just a minute?" She asks him as she is getting out of the tub.
"Yeah, I promise to stay right here and not drown." Noah smirks at her. He leans back against the tub, missing the soft cushion she provided for his sore body. He grimaces as the cool metal comes in contact with his back, grunting in pain when his muscles contract. He tries to hide the sound until after Abby walks out of the room..
Abby can hear Kurt fussing about Noah trying to drown him as he changes clothes in the room across from Noah. She smiles thinking that he doth protest too much. The kid obviously likes being a drama queen, she can hear him mutter about the different ways Braveheart is going to pay. She laughs at some of them.
She walks to the kitchen grabbing a super gulp cup, rinsing it out in the kitchen sink. Abby remembers seeing a door in Tom's bedroom that she didn't open, got to be his bathroom. She walks quickly back there and finds his shampoo and soap; grabbing them goes back to Noah.
Abby watches a relaxed Noah for a minute, remembering his eyes. They were so open when he was describing himself to her. No fear, no pain, just honest truth behind them. She walks to the tub, remembering what the doctor told them she quietly tells him, "hey I'm back."
She watches as his beautiful eyes slowly open and he smiles at her. She steps back into the tub, sitting with a leg in front and one behind him, so that he is able to lean either way. He grunts a couple of times as he raises up from the back of the tub propping himself between her legs. She hands him the bar of soap, setting the shampoo beside her on the edge of the tub.
She takes the big plastic cup, fills it with water and begins to wet his hair. She holds her hand over his eyes trying to keep the water out of them. After wetting his hair she squirts a small amount of shampoo on her fingertips and begins to massage it into his hair. She watches as his head falls back onto her thigh quietly groaning at the ministrations. Abby gently rinses the soap out and wipes the excess water from his face.
"Thanks Abby, that felt too good. I forgot about everything for just a minute." Noah's smile is soft and genuine. "Um one more request?"
"If it involves your boxers, the answer is no." Abby blushes from head to toe at the thought of washing Noah's private area. She can feel him stare at her, watching her. Why is he smiling at me?
"You are blushing all the way to your toes Abby." He gently rubs her calf without thinking, lifting her foot out of the water. "See?" His laugh is gentle and soft.
"Ha ha Noah." She scoffs at him pulling her foot away from him and placing it outside of the tub. She slowly gets out of the tub, making sure not to bump Noah.
She walks to the closet and gets a wash cloth and a towel out, she hands the wash cloth to Noah.
"Kurt freaked out earlier when he took the wrap off my ribs and I don't know if he can handle putting it back on. The way I feel right now, it's going to hurt like a bitch wrapping me back up. Would you please do it so I don't have to see him upset anymore today?" Noah knows the way his ribs feel any type of pressure on them and he is going to breakdown again.
Abby kneels down by the tub, "Okay, I know that it is hard to look at the bruises Noah. So are you going to bathe or are you ready to get out now?"
"I need to wash off the last couple of days. Would you wash my back?" Noah holds out the cloth and the soap to Abby.
"Sure, but let me know if I hurt you." Abby holds out her hand so that he can pull himself forward in the tub. She soaps the cloth and begins to gently rub circles over his shoulders. She tenderly works her way down to the bruises on his lower back. "Do you want me to wash them too?"
Noah nods his head and tries not groan in pain as Abby runs the soft cloth across his lower back . He knows that Abby is not trying to hurt him, but of all the bruises, they hurt the worst. She rinses his back with warm water and he shivers at it the feeling of it. She hands him the cloth and soap letting him take care of the rest while she sets in the floor with her back against the tub.
Noah quickly washes the rest of his body. The pain is worth feeling cleaner. To know that the blood, bile, and tears are being scrubbed off his body.
Abby helps him to stand up and pulls the drain plug. She grabs the towel and wraps it around his shoulders letting it absorb the water droplets. "So how are we going to get the wet boxers off of you?" Abby really doesn't want to see Noah totally naked, the thought makes her uncomfortable. She watches Noah reach for the waist band of his wet boxers.
"Put the towel around my waist and then slip them down," Noah explains the way Kurt got him out of the scrubs earlier. He watches the blush return to her face as she takes the towel from his shoulders and slips it around his hips. The splat of his boxers hitting the remaining water in the tub makes her jump. It makes him smile.
Abby begins to plot her own revenge against Noah, Kurt and Tom. Each one for different reasons. Noah for making her blush and enjoying it. Kurt for taking so damn long to change. Tom for multiple reasons and his list just keeps growing.
She helps to steady him as he steps out of the tub and she notices the pain that is etched into his features. He sits on the toilet hugging his ribs. Abby grabs the sweats that are laying on the vanity and starts putting them on his legs. She gets him to stand up for her and pulls up the pants tossing the damp towel in the corner.
Noah is close to crying outright at the pain that is getting worse in his chest. He grips his sides trying to put some pressure on his ribs.
Kurt opens the door telling them Tom and Rebecca are back. Abby gets Kurt's attention before he walks back out the door. "Tell Tom I need him in here and take Rebecca to get some burgers or Chinese food for everyone okay?" She needs Tom's help and Rebecca doesn't need to see what is going to happen when Noah's ribs are wrapped again. "Please take your time, give us at least thirty minutes."
Kurt looks at Noah's face and sees the pain, noticing the wrap is still off and sitting on the vanity. He wants to stay but the pleading look on Abby's face tells him to go. "Okay Abby, but is Noah alright?"
"No Princess, I'm not. I don't want Rebecca to see me in so much pain and Abby still has to wrap them up again. So please do it for me." Noah's breath is becoming labored with each word as a tear slips down his bruised cheek.
"I'll make sure we take our time." Kurt looks at Noah with understanding eyes. He walks out and to the kitchen. "Tom, Abby needs you in the bathroom with Noah. Rebecca and I are going for some take out. We will be back in about an hour." He whispers, "make sure you take his meds with you, he needs them and a glass of water."
Tom watches as Kurt explains to Rebecca that Noah wants some Chinese food and said that she knew what he liked to eat. Something is very wrong, he grabs the bag from the pharmacy and a glass of water heading to bathroom. He doesn't hear any yelling or screaming coming from the room as he opens the door.
He sees Abby is kneeling in front of Noah talking to him, holding his hands. The words are soft and caring, It's going to be okay, just try to relax, breath with me Noah, think about your favorite place to be… There is water on the floor and he sees the wet boxers in the tub. He really doesn't have a clue what is going on but then he hears Noah groan loudly in pain. He walks quickly to where they are and wants to know what is going on.
"Abby what's happening? Is it an attack?" Tom asks quietly as he sit's the glass of water by the sink and opens the pharmacy bag taking the pill bottles out. He looks at Noah's face seeing the tears spilling down his cheeks. He can tell Noah is having a hard time breathing too.
"No, its not an attack. Noah is in a lot of pain and I still have to wrap his ribs. He wanted to take a bath, to clean up after last night. I think the heat from the tub was too much. You need to carry him to the couch and help me wrap them. Its going to take both of us, I think." Abby motions for the meds finding the one for pain, getting the right amount of pills out of the bottle. Tom hands her the glass of water as she gets Noah to take the pills.
"Noah, I'm going to pick you up and take you to the couch. I will try not to hurt you okay?" Tom knows to talk to him, to explain to him what is going to be happening to him.
Noah simply nods at him. He knows the real pain is yet to come before the pills take effect and ease the hurt. It makes him want to be sick, to feel so weak and helpless. Yet he knows Tom is only trying to help him.
Tom reaches out and picks Noah up, the same way he did last night, carrying him to the couch. Noah groans, his breath hissing between his teeth as Tom sits him on the soft leather seat. Abby is not too far behind him with the ACE wrap in one hand and his meds in the other. She sits beside Noah placing everything on the coffee table.
Abby tries to pull Noah's arms from his sides but he has them locked tight against his ribs. "Noah, you have to let go, I can't wrap your chest like this, come on babe hold your arms out for me."
"It hurts Abby, it hurts to breath. I can't do it, please don't make me." Noah begs her, his voice is full of anguish. "I'm sorry but we have to do this Noah, just try to relax and not fight us too much. It will be over soon and then you can sleep for a while." She is rubbing small soothing circles on his back, motioning for Tom.
"Tom, help me." She watches as Tom firmly pulls Noah's arms away from his chest, flinching when Noah starts gasping for breath screaming out in pain. He pulls against Tom's hold, trying to put his arms back around his chest. He is crying hard now. Tom is telling him everything is going to okay, that the pain will ease up soon. She begins to wrap the bandage tightly around him, feeling his tears fall on her arms burning her skin as if they were drops of acid. Its killing her to have to do this to Noah but she doesn't show it.
Tom…
How can she be so calm with him? How can his pain not effect her? God, seeing the bruises, the pictures were bad, real life was worse. Knowing I was causing him pain…Abby never flinched wrapping them, no matter how much Noah begged her to stop, speaking soft gentle words, she kept going until she finished. What made her so strong? How can she be so calm with him? How can his pain not effect her?
After several minutes Noah is laying back on the couch. The pain medication and exhaustion starting to work on his body. His breathing is more regular and the tears have almost stopped. He looks up at them tries to let them know he is alright but the words are stuck in his throat. Abby wipes his tears softly away, telling him that he did just fine.
Illusions by Mark Salling
Is it possible
That what we're seeing
Is gonna come together?
And it's making me go crazy
Trying to figure out this illusion