The truth is revealed and we finally see why HB has been so on edge!
"I don't know when but I think I had a dream" Imogen said, unsure of herself. "Well a nightmare really. The woods became this jungle with vines and snakes. I felt trapped and then you were there-"
"I was here." Constance corrected.
"You were? You checked in on me?"
"Of corse I did! You'd gotten so tangled in your blankets so that may explain the snakes. It was just a nightmare."
"I know. But I couldn't reach you. I kept running and- then. then..." Imogen said trying to hard to think. She'd looked to the witch for guidance but Constance seemed focused on her shoes all of a sudden.
"You were shouting." Constance admitted. "In your sleep."
"Shouting what?" Imogen asked. "When?"
"Just after three in the morning. That nightmare- That's why I came to check on you. Then when you woke up you didn't know where you were."
Or who I was, she thought, but didn't say.
Her heart had broken when Imogen's dull eyes had looked right through her, without a spark of recognition...
Yet those same green eyes looked at her now as if she was the only other woman in the world.
"I'm sorry I woke you Honey bear."
"I wasn't asleep."
"Yes but you've enough on your plate without baby sitting me." the blond insisted. But Constance let it slide, wishing she'd held her tongue and so skipped over all the thrashing. And the violent shivering. And all the whimpers,screaming and crying that Imogen had also done in her sleep during the past three days.
"It was nothing more then a silly nightmare. One induced by illness but even then it isn't your fault is it?" she said hating how her voice shook even slightly.
"No but-"
"Good, now hush. And come here."
Constance was not normally an affectionate person, even with Imogen. And wasn't normally her who insisted such a tight hug. Although that maybe more because this one was for her own benefit then the puzzled but still willing Imogen's.
"Pasta." Imogen stated out of the blue. "Frank brought me a bowl of Mrs Tapioca's pasta with her special tomato sauce." Constance nearly beamed, mirroring Imogen's grin.
"He did. You hadn't eaten in a while. I'm just pleased to have you back." she reliteratated, feeling the tension in her chest ebb.
"It's good to be back." Imogen murmured in reply, relaxing against her and cuddle closer. They stayed like that at least for a little while. Before Imogen wriggled back to look at Constance eye to eye. "You came check in on me?"
"Yes? As often as I could. I thought we'd already established this?"
Imogen smile widened, touched at Constance's thoughtfulness. "See, this is why you're my favourite witch."
"You're a teacher you're not supposed to have favourites." Constance said sternly but was unable to stop the chuckle in her voice.
And then frowned. "Shame you have such an awful motor mouth on you when you're ill."
"Why, what did I say?" Imogen scoffed rather taken aback. "Can't be any worse then you after every time you get concussion."
"Oh yes it was!" Constance shot back in a huff, standing up from the bed. "It was much worse. You were babbling on like a brook. And in front of Mister Blossom too! I've never been so embarrassed!"
"Why, what did I say?" Imogen repeated and persisted. Constance glaaared at her. "You know that scaring thing? You're doing it again."
"I am not repeating it. And if you had said that sort of filth while in usual peak of health I would have been furious with you. Or if you ever call me that again for that matter! "
"You're furious now. And how do I know not to say it again if you wont' tell me what I said?"
Unfortunately, that made and awful lot of sense and Constance very very very reluctantly gave in.
"Fine. You called me-" She started arms folded, everything about her tight and sour. "I can't."
"Yes you can." Imogen encouagred, even though she was nervous. It must be very bad. Constance's cheeks where brilliant red in ether fury or embarrassment. "I called you what?"
"You- you-" Constance sputtered. "You called me your HUGGLE BUNNY, ALL RIGHT?!"