Jo sat in her office with her head in her hands, trying to bring herself to drink the tea she had just made when a wave of dizziness washed over her.
"Ughhhh" she whispered to herself, "6 more hours and then I can go straight home to bed".
"Jo... are you okay?" asked Kate as she padded into the office. "What's wrong?"
Jo jumped suddenly, spilling hot tea on her hand. "Fuck Kate, you scared me! I was gasping for that tea" she said breathlessly.
"Sorry boss, I swear I didn't mean to", Kate replied with a cheeky smile. She then took in Jo's appearance and her grin quickly faded. Jo looked so frail and shaky, her skin was chalk white and her bottom lip was trapped firmly between her lips - as if willing herself not to be sick.
"Jo, please tell me what's the matter with you".
"It's nothing for you to worry about DI Fleming" Jo whispered through gritted teeth, "I think I've just got a wee bit of a cold".
"Jo, you should go home and rest right now, the place won't fall apart without you in one day" Kate said firmly.
"Kate. I'm. Fine." Jo smiled unconvincingly. "I've got too much to do today and so do you, please don't let me worry you" she said and Kate nodded.
Kate returned to her desk, but as she worked, she snuck glances at Jo through her open blinds. Jo was writing slowly, her head once again resting in her left palm. She watched as she took a sip of her hot tea and paused warily, before her eyes widened and she jumped out of her chair, running towards the bathroom.
Kate was quick to follow her, waiting outside the bathroom for a few minutes to see if she'd come out. Time went by and she started to worry. Kate pushed open the door, and the sight that greeted her wasn't pretty. Jo was propped up against the stall with her head over the toilet, dry heaving.
"Jo?" she called, and got no response. After a minute or so, she slumped back against the wall and met her eyes. Jo's eyes were wet and red, and Kate immediately felt for her.
Oh, Jo honey." She walked over to her and kneeled down, rubbing her back. "Do you think you're done?" She asked and Jo nodded weakly. Kate lifted her off the ground and steadied her.
"Kate... I'm s-s-sorry. I feel s-sick." She whined, wrapping her arms around herself.
I know. Let's get you home Jo." Kate led her back into her office, ignoring the concerned faces of their colleagues as they observed Jo struggling to even stand up and quickly grabbed her bag and coat. She wrapped the coat around Jo and guided her out of the office, and into the car. Jo looked exhausted and Kate could see her bottom lip wobbling as if she would burst into tears at any moment.
"Go to sleep Jo. It's okay." She stroked her hair and Jo's eyes drifted shut without her permission. As she was driving, Kate noticed the thin sheen of sweat that covered Jo's skin and her worry increased. She realised that Jo probably shouldn't be alone tonight as she reached her apartment.
"Boss? Wake up Jo, you're home" Kate whispered, gently nudging her shoulders. Jo's eyes fluttered open and she stared up at her, disoriented. Looking around, she identified her surroundings and calmed. Kate saw the slideshow of emotions pass through her eyes.
"How are you feeling?" She asked her.
"Like I got hit by a truck." Jo answered honestly and she smiled.
Kate unbuckled their seatbelts and lifted her out of the car and into the flat - stopping only to fish the keys out of Jo's bag. Jo sleepily mumbled the directions to her bedroom into Kate's neck, and once again passed out before Kate even placed her on the bed.
After trying a few drawers, Kate finally managed to find a pair of suitable pyjamas for Jo, blushing as she tried to ignore the many pieces of lacy lingerie in her way. She changed Jo out of her work clothes and into them as quickly as she could, averting her eyes as much as humanly possible.
Deciding that Jo would probably be okay for a few minutes, Kate grabbed a tshirt and shorts from the same drawer and made her way into the bathroom to change. When she came back Jo was sitting up against the headboard of her bed, cradling her knees.
"Kate, I'm so sorry for being a burden. You honestly don't have to stay" she said through teary eyes.
"Don't be ridiculous Jo. I'm exactly where I want to be" Kate replied as she softly gathered Jo up in her arms. Jo nuzzled into Kate's chest and was clearly feverish as she began to fall asleep again.
"K-Kate... I can't believe you've seen me like this" she murmured, as sleep was quickly claiming her.
"Everyone gets sick Jo, I promise I won't hold it against you" Kate laughed as she stroked the shivering woman's head.
"Do you think I'm pretty?" whispered Jo.
Kate blinked slowly, before answering "You are the most beautiful person I've ever met. Even now"
Jo held on even tighter to Kate. "T-that's good. Because I really want you to like me... the way I like you" Jo breathed as she finally fell into a deep sleep.
Kate sat for what felt like hours, trying to process what Jo had said. Did she genuinely feel like that or was it the flu talking? Kate admitted to herself that she had feelings for Jo months ago, just weeks after starting in her unit; she'd even gone as far as to discuss them with Steve - crying after several bottles of wine that her feelings for her boss were unrequited whilst Steve gave her a sympathetic nod and tried to convince her that the right person was just around the corner.
What did Jo even mean by 'like'? It was entirely possible she meant it platonically. Kate wasn't sure if they were genuinely just good friends or if there was chemistry there. Kate tried her hardest to flirt subtly with Jo at any opportunity, but was Jo flirting back or just being warm and friendly? Knowing that she had no way of getting answers, she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep; trying to cherish holding Jo close for what might have been the first and last time.
*the next day*
Jo woke up early the next morning feeling much better, but shocked that Kate hadn't left halfway through the night. "No one ever stays" she whispered, and pressed a light kiss onto Kate's neck. She removed herself from Kate's arms and jumped straight into a shower, hoping to rid herself of all flu germs. She dried herself and changed into fresh pyjamas slowly, trying her hardest to delay the inevitable awkward interaction with Kate.
She pushed the bathroom door open and Kate greeted her from the bed with a sleepy smile.
"Hey pretty girl" Kate grinned.
"Oh god Kate I can't believe I actually had that conversation with you last night. I really hoped that I'd dreamt it" Jo answered, looking suddenly very nervous.
"Jo I think we need to talk" Kate said slowly, desperately trying to meet Jo's eyes as she sat on the bed, keeping her gaze glued to the floor.
"Jo I need to know what you meant last night. Just so we're clear - do you have feelings for me?" Kate asked, reaching out for Jo's hands and giving them a squeeze.
Jo stared intently at their interlocked hands, staying silent for a few moments. She cleared her throat, and an apology came tumbling out. "Kate, I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry. I- I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable. Please don't leave, I'll fix it. I'll get over my feelings for you. P-p-please don't leave".
It suddenly hit Kate. Jo was scared. Terrified even. Kate realised that it was up to her to sort it out, because Jo was clearly drowning in self-doubt.
Kate shuffled closer to Jo and placed two fingers under her chin, tilting it upwards until their eyes met.
"Kate... I'm falling in love with you" Jo admitted, her lips gently ghosting over Kate's as she whispered.
Kate closed the distance between them, slowly peppering kisses along Jo's jawline before meeting her lips for a soft kiss. Jo responded by crashing their mouths together and kissing her back until they were both breathless.
Jo stripped off her clothing until she was straddling Kate in only her panties, before making quick work of Kate's tshirt - her mouth never leaving Kate's.
Kate relished in having Jo, practically naked and desperate for her, on her lap - and swore to herself she would never let Jo go through another day feeling anything less than completely cherished.
The two women fell clumsily on top of Jo's bed, where they remained for several hours.