Chapter Three
Pairing: W/T – eventually.
Rating: PG – watch chapters for changes.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the BtVS characters, or dialogue – so I beg of Joss Whedon, ME , Fox, UPN & whoever else to not sue me – trust me I don't have anything but a cranky 10 year old cat, a 3 year old cat that's an attention whore – so you may want her, & a 16 year old car. I do however own the original characters as long as I can keep them from bickering. This story is completely AU, there's no hellmouth, no oogly-booglys, and to quote Jean Paul Sartre "Hell is other people". So there is your angst warning, along with near misses (you may want to buy some tissues) but inevitably there will be a happy ending.
Feedback: Is always much desired and appreciated
Hibernation
Have I mentioned that Erik is awesome? Well, it bears repeating. I slept for almost thirty hours before I crawled out of bed for the first time to answer the call of nature. When I came back, I noticed a bottle of water, and an apple had been left on the nightstand by the bed. I guzzled the water down quickly, but left the apple untouched before I crawled under the blankets again. When I opened my eyes next, there was another bottle of water and this time a pear. As I looked at the pear my stomach rolled dangerously, so I just sat on the edge of the bed to slowly drink the water this time. With the bottle empty, I rolled back to burrow under the covers once again shutting out the world.
I woke with a start from a dream crying. I hate that. I don't think there's anything worse than waking up alone from a dream in tears. Thankfully the details of it slipped away quickly. I laid there shaking, as the gloom was cut the long fingers of the street lamp outside creeping in along the walls of my room. The house was so quite; I knew Erik must be sleeping as well.
I sat up, and looked around the room in the dim. I noticed the two suitcases that I had packed last into the u-haul, had been put directly in front of the foot of the bed where I would see them. I didn't remember hearing Erik moving around the room at all during any of his various visits to check on me either. I rose on wobbly legs, and got a little bit of a head rush from sleeping so much and being prone so long. Once I was sure I wouldn't fall over, I rummaged around in one case for my toothbrush and clean clothes.
I went slowly down the hall to the bathroom, and quietly took a shower. When I flipped on the light switch, I felt momentarily like a mole squinting against the bright of the bathroom light. I found lavender scented body soap next to Erik's manly bottle of Irish Spring™ and chuckled a little. I wondered which of his sisters he had asked to help him with that. I tried to wash away some of the pain, and ache that seemed to be imbedded into my bones along with the hot water and soap. I scrubbed, and then scrubbed again, just to feel something other than that ache. Finally the water started to cool, and I turned off the faucets and got out.
I tip-toed down the hall with my bundle of clothes under my arm; I was trying to be as quiet as possible so I could slip back to bed without disturbing Erik. I saw another bottle of water and a chocolate pudding cup and a spoon. Looked like Erik was up and had changed his tactics, I couldn't help but smile to myself at how thoughtful he was being – not pushing – not crowding – just letting me do this in my own time. I guess maybe I hadn't been as quiet as I thought I was, or Erik knew me better than I than I gave him credit for. Besides, it was chocolate pudding after all.
After I finished my pudding, I padded down the hallway to the living room. I could hear the t.v. on softly with Erik stretched out on the couch snoring loudly. I'm not sure if he wasn't playing opossum that night, and he swears he was asleep even though I still have my doubts. I padded back to the hall closet and pulled out a blanket – a soft blue velour one – that had actually been a gift from me when he moved into his house. I covered him up before grabbing more water and slipping back off to my room.
I woke a few hours later to the smell of coffee and the sounds of "Tell Me Something Good" softly floating through the house from a radio. I rubbed at my eyes and stretched. I rolled on to my side and finally looked at my watch that lay on the nightstand. It was just after 11am on a Sunday, and I had been sleeping for the better parts of the last four days.
Then I realized as I lay there listening to the birdsong outside and the odd bit a traffic down his street, that I was hungry. I hadn't been hungry in more than a week, I'd figured based on the date. So I pushed out of bed, and shuffled to the bathroom to make myself presentable, or as presentable as I could be. And even though I still hurt, and I still felt raw, I hurt a little less today.
I leaned against the door frame, and watched Erik shake his ass in time to the music as he poured a cup of coffee that smelled so good. That song bleed into "Benny and The Jets" and Erik kept groovin' along, and I finally couldn't resist.
"Are you sure you're not a gay man?" I asked from the doorway.
He turned to look at me over his shoulder, and sniffed, "I knew the sounds of your tribe, and the smell of coffee would finally get you out of bed."
I looked at him and said, "The sounds of my tribe?"
He nodded and handed me a coffee cup looking pleased with himself.
"You should be playing Melissa Etheridge or Ani DiFranco or even," I shuddered, "The Indigo Girls. If we're talking "my tribe", but please don't, really. I can go without for a while, okay?" I said as I sipped the hot brew.
I just looked at Erik for a moment processing what he had just said, and then I could help myself when I started laughing. I laughed so hard I started to cry, but it was good tears. I waved my hand at Erik and said, "Keep it up, and the P.C. Police will be here shortly."
"It's good to see you, hon," He said sincerely.
I put my cup down, and walked over and gave him a big hug. "Good to be seen," I murmured into his chest. "What's for breakfast?"
Yes, it was just coffee, but I was out of bed, and it was good to be seen again.
TBC…