Loving Support

Fiona shot up in her bed covered in a cold sweat. The mental image of Alex's broken body slowly faded from her vision. She could almost hear the train he had saved her from. Her heart was slowly pounding back to its normal rate.

Fiona inhaled the familiar pine scent of her bedroom. The sheets were soft. Her comforter was filled with down. She ran her hands across the top. It was strange.

Fiona had only known Alex for a few days. Then again, he had saved her life after she ruthlessly bullied him. There was that. She had almost been flattened by that stupid fucking train. And then he'd turned her down cold. Although, the horses were very handsome.

Fiona let out a sigh and turned on a light. The soft glow of the lamp on the hardwood of her bedroom was oddly soothing. She let out a sigh and rose from her bed. The nightgown fell around her as she got out of bed. The silk was nearly weightless.

Fiona figured that a bit of tea would help. Probably herbal at this time of night. She maybe felt the tiniest bit guilty. Even if her father assured her that Alex was alive and well. That knockout dart might have been important.

Fiona slunk down the stairs and decided to make her damn cup of tea. Servants were nice to have, but she didn't feel like waking them up was prudent. It was one cup of tea and waking someone up for it would take fifteen minutes longer.

Fiona was thinking so hard that she walked straight into her father. It was like running into a brick wall, except a bit softer. A gentle hand rested on her shoulder. Fiona felt her face tilted up.

"Fiona."

Fiona looked up into her father's eyes. She felt herself smiling softly. "Dad."

Fiona felt his hand tuck a few strands of hair behind her head. He had always been a loving father, whatever else he was to other people. Fiona felt him take her hand. "What are you doing up?"

He sounded more confused than angry. Fiona took his hand into both of hers. At least he was always willing to hear her out. "Another nightmare. I know you said that Alex boy is fine, but I can't seem to shake it out of my mind."

The man gently cupped her face. Fiona looked at him softly. He squeezed her hand. "I know you said you didn't want to see anybody or a support group, Fiona, but I'm afraid I have to put my foot down. You aren't sleeping. You've lost weight. And you're starting to look like a vampire. You're my only child. I can't lose you like this. Please, Fiona."

Fiona felt her heart sink. Her father's eyes bored into hers. She answered before she'd even finished thinking. "Alright. I'll try the stupid support group."

Her father gently released her face. Fiona felt herself scowling. He offered her his hand and led her down the stairs. "What were you after, anyway?"

Fiona shrugged. Honestly, she just wanted to sleep now. "Tea."

Her father gently stroked her hair and led her to the couch. He gave her a soft smile before ruffling her hair. Fiona felt herself drifting off while she watched her father make tea at one of their many stoves.

The next morning, she was gently woken up by her father. He was holding a mug of tea and smiling at her. Fiona groaned as she remembered that she had agreed to go to that stupid support group. Just great. Why did her father have to be so nice and sad-looking? She took the mug of tea from him.

"So, the group is meeting today in about two hours, Pumpkin. I know it's a bit sudden, but I thought maybe your favorite breakfast might help."

Fiona stared at the full English on a tray in front of her. Goddamn it. Now she just had to go. She would feel guilty otherwise. Her dad was just being so nice about it. Fiona glared at him as she ate her breakfast. Her dad didn't seem fazed at all. Fiona felt him ruffle her hair.

"There's the Fiona I know."

Fiona scowled at his back before finishing her breakfast. This was going to suck.

Fiona's father seemed determined to be involved in this little venture. He was riding along with her in the car. He was looking almost alarmingly cheerful. Then again, his little scheme was working, so he was probably pleased.

Fiona sighed heavily as she stepped out of the car. The center was surprisingly subtle. At least it didn't have the bright pastels and obnoxiously cheerful decorations like the last time her father had brought her to a facility to try. He led her to the door and knocked. The door was pulled open by a friendly-looking man.

"Ah, Sir David. I'm sure your daughter will be most welcome to our little group."

Fiona was led into a small room with comfortable-looking couches. There was a short boy with freckles and blue eyes, a woman with hair like fire, and a sleek athletic girl her age. The other girl rose from the couch.

"Hi! I'm Sabina. You could say I'm a friend of Alex's."

Fiona's eyes swept over Sabina. Huh, she was very pretty. "I'm Fiona. I, uh, met Alex."

Sabina's nose crinkled slightly as she smiled. Fiona sat down next to her. "So, what happened? I got the plane explosion."

Fiona was offered a bingo card. She read through it and arched a brow. "There was a train?"

Sabina checked it off and offered her candy. Fiona took it. A voice cleared his throat behind him. The man swept to the front of the room. Fiona assumed that meant they would be starting soon. Sabina smirked slightly as Fiona stuck some candies in her mouth.

Fiona felt a hand slide into hers. Her heart skipped a beat. Sabina glanced at her before gently sliding a hand onto her thigh. Fiona smiled slightly. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all.

Fin

Based on a prompt by Zyzyax (see story summary). This is the 296th work in the Winds of Change 2022 Alex Rider Prompt event, where a new prompt (plus a short 1-3K work) is posted every day. For more details, see the AO3 collection. We have an index of all the prompts used in this event so far and going forwards - join the discord to get access to the online index (and to take part in our events, chat about everything and anything, and meet a load of awesome people!