A/N: Hey guys, I know it's been a while. I will try to refrain from sharing too much even though this platform is pretty much the only place I can pour out my emotions and all of the weird parts of my brain without being judged because "We're all mad here" lol. Anyway, I'm really sick with...something. They don't really know. It's chronic, and it's bad. I just thought I should let you all know in case I disappear for good, in which case you can assume I didn't make it. I'll try to let you all know if I'm not going to write for a while if something comes up and I can't. Damn, I'm getting too comfortable on this platform.
So this is a one-shot book of Seth and Jessica. The story's title and underlying theme are based on the song "Until I Found You" by Steven Sanchez. I really think it fits them, especially the chorus. So have a listen if you feel so inclined. I'll probably update this not on a super regular basis. I do take requests, so if there's something you want to see, pm me or drop it in the comments. :)
Usually, she didn't call him in the middle of the night; when she did, it was something about figuring out a part of her latest book or solving the case. Tonight, however, was different. She had been fine when he left earlier this evening. So when he received the phone call, he wanted to scold his friend about being up at all hours of the night working on God knows what. But when he was met with the soft sobs of her voice on the other end of the line, he made no hesitation.
"I'll be there in five minutes, Jess." He gently spoke over the phone. She was clearly shaken about something. So much so to the point that she couldn't even talk into the phone. Seth jumped out of bed and threw on some clothes before running down the stairs and heading out the door. He always kept an extra medical bag in his car should something like this happen. Just as promised, five minutes later, he appeared in the kitchen doorway, which she had never locked. He found her sitting at the table in her bathrobe with tears streaming into the mug sitting in front of her. He sighed as he set down his bag and walked slowly to her.
"Hey Jess," He greeted her softly as he knelt next to her. She didn't say anything, barely acknowledging he was there, just staring at the drink in front of her. Seth ran his hand along her shoulder before standing up and heading to the tea kettle. He grabbed a mug from her cabinet, knowing exactly where she kept them after all these years. He sat down next to her, not saying anything. She would talk when she was ready. He suspected a nightmare of sorts. Her face was deathly pale, and tears stained the dark circles that had accumulated under her eyes. Her hair was tousled, and her hands shook as she picked up the mug to take a sip. They sat for about an hour, their mugs slowly becoming empty. Jessica felt comfort from the hot liquid running down her throat. Seth reached across the table and took her hand in his. He caressed her knuckles and fingertips in his palms. Jessica finally looked into his eyes which had a glass tint to them. Her face was still pale with fear.
"It was horrible," she finally whispered. Seth understood just what her nightmare had been. He still had horrible dreams involving Ruth's death that felt like he had relived it all over again. "I can still see it," she shuddered. "His lifeless body and the echoes of his goodbye still ring in my ears." She was close to crying again. "Then it went and tricked me into thinking he was still here. And, of course, that's never true." Seth didn't say anything but listened to her intently. She didn't need to elaborate for him to empathize with her. Seth squeezed her hand before looking up at the clock and realizing it was around two in the morning. He stood up, never letting go of her hand. She reluctantly stood up with him and stared into his eyes. She saw nothing but love and compassion for her. Seth reached up to her face and hesitantly wiped her tears away. She closed her eyes, feeling his fingers brush along her cheeks. He kissed her forehead before leading her into the living room. He coaxed her to sit beside him on the couch and put his arm around her shoulders. She snuggled into his side before clinging onto his shirt and crying again. He held her tight against him resting his chin atop her curls.
"It's been three years, Seth," she silently cried. "Why?" She paused to swallow. "Why is it still affecting me the way it is?" He didn't have an answer for her, and he knew that she knew that this was normal. He didn't want to tell her that, though. Knowing her, she didn't want to hear all the regular things people tell you when you're grieving. She knew that it came in waves. She knew she would have a dream like this now and then. She just wanted to get her emotions out. And if asking "why?" was how they came out, so be it. So he just held her in his embrace on the couch. Even after she had calmed down, he helped her. They relaxed against the sofa, and before he knew it, Jessica was asleep in his arms. He felt his heartbeat quicken at the understanding that she trusted him enough to see her this vulnerable and to become even more vulnerable by falling asleep—in his arms.
He didn't want to leave her. That was out of the question. It was dark in the living room, and the light emitting from the bottom of the kitchen door was barely enough to see what time the clock read. He could make out somewhere between three and four in the morning. He knew they would both be up in a few hours anyway. They were both early risers. He would stay for breakfast before he had to head to the office for patients. However, he hoped she had worn herself out so he could convince her to sleep a little while longer.
Seth felt himself become heady as well, and he gently leaned on his side to lay on the couch, carefully transitioning her as well. He kicked off his shoes before unbuttoning his shirt to sleep in the undershirt he had underneath. He quietly grunted, trying to get comfortable while not waking Jessica, who he soon realized was in a deep sleep. He wrapped his arm around her to prevent her from falling off the couch. He let sleep take him as he prayed Jessica would be alright with him staying with her.
What woke Jessica was the sun peeking through the window curtains. A single line of sunlight was on her eyelids, waking her from sleep. She blinked and squinted, trying to move out of the light. She let herself get comfortable again and yawned before realizing that there was an arm wrapped around her abdomen. Her eyes shot open at the revelation, and then she calmed, remembering that Seth had held her the night before. She must have fallen asleep while he was holding her. She didn't know what to make of the fact that he had fallen asleep too. He didn't wake her and make her go to bed. Instead, he slept holding her for the past few hours. She wondered if it had been accidental or not, trying to imagine where that line of friendship was and if Seth would even dare cross it. Looking around at the clock, she noticed the time was 8:30. She knew he had his first patients in about an hour, and they had overslept. She felt comfortable in his arms, smiling at the sweet gesture and even feeling a slight blush come to her cheeks. She quickly shook it off and looked over at Seth, who was still fast asleep. She knew she had to wake him, but not knowing how he would react to this, she decided to let him sleep a little longer.