AN: Thank you to everyone who is reading my work and particular thanks go to CartoonistGirl6 for her review. As for Freddie learning the guitar… well a couple of chapters ago I hinted that he may share a house with André and some of the others in the future so you never know…
On with the story and Freddie's continued recovery from their ordeal.
The days following our ordeal were a difficult time for Freddie; he made a terrible patient (though I think a lot of that was to do with him mom fussing around him so much. Carly and my mom found it all very amusing, particularly as Freddie's frustrations with Marissa started to increase). It would be unfair to say she had gone back on her promise not to embarrass him but it was obvious that he felt "overnursed" by her; an annoyed cry of "mom!" threatened to become his catchphrase by early in the evening of the Monday.
My man was still hurting badly but had been allowed to leave hospital that lunchtime. Mom and dad had said he could stay with us while he recuperated so mom, Marissa and Carly had brought him home from hospital and set him up on the couch for the afternoon. The four were conversing and watching TV as I got in from school and, when dinner was ready, Carly and I helped (in fact almost frogmarched) him to the table. Marissa didn't seem to approve of the stuff my mom had prepared but held her tongue (being a guest in someone else's house and all, plus the memory of Freddie and I leaving straight after Christmas; she was trying not to antagonise her son – and his girlfriend's family – if she could help it). So it was a pleasant atmosphere for the six of us over dinner with a further boost as dad got home towards the end of the meal; he brought news that one of the goons who set upon us was in custody – or at least they had someone who matched the descriptions Freddie and I had given – and he wanted us to attend a line-up to see if we could formally ID him. So, once dinner was finished, dad took the two of us to the station where we sat separately with different policemen and were asked whether we recognised any of them. Fortunately we both picked the same guy; on the way home dad told us they picked him up but his two buddies fled and that both of them matched the descriptions we'd given so it was extremely likely that they were our other two assailants.
"We'll get them" dad declared with confidence.
Back at home our families were waiting impatiently for news and were heartened by what we had to say. As we were talking about it Freddie's phone beeped; with difficulty and the occasional yelp of pain he withdrew the device from the pocket of his jeans and scanned the alert; he had received an e-mail from school carrying the day's work and lecture notes that he had missed. I scurried to my room to retrieve my laptop for him to use and he retired to the couch to catch up. Carly lamented that she would do the same, but it would require Sam to show up for lectures; instead she texted one of her other coursemates to see if she could receive the work from them instead. I, meanwhile, made a start on my own homework while Marissa and my mom began preparation for a little party to celebrate the facts that Freddie and I were ok and that goon #1 was in custody.
Around 10 minutes later, just as my friends were arriving to join the fun, Carly got a call from Sam; they chatted for a couple of minutes before the blonde asked to talk to Freddie. From his side of the call it sounded like a friendly discussion, though there was the occasional exasperated response from my man. He was, however, in high spirits at the end of the call. I hadn't expected everyone to show, having just seen Freddie yesterday, but, as André explained, "we're here for the party to celebrate Freddie being out of hospital". He, Jade, Beck, Cat and Robbie made themselves at home and Cat began fussing over Freddie with the guys chatting with him. Jade pulled me to one side and asked about how I was feeling after all of it; her attitude towards me really has changed in these past few months.
"I dunno" I admitted to her. "When I stop to think about it I just feel utterly overwhelmed by what he did for me. And when I think about what would have happened if it hadn't been for Freddie" and I shivered involuntarily. In a most unJadelike way she wrapped an arm around my shoulder before quickly releasing me lest anyone spot her doing so.
"He's ok and you're ok" she said in a low voice. "Just focus on that and move on."
Trina prevented any extension of the conversation by feeling ignored and going to bed complaining loudly amid the shaking heads and rolling eyes of my peers. Carly, meanwhile, was just happy to see everyone again and have the opportunity to catch up with them, especially Cat and Jade. The guys, meanwhile, took heart with the news that one of the thugs had been arrested and enjoyed discussing Freddie's injuries with him; Freddie met their light jibes with jovial bravado. Perhaps unsurprisingly Jade found herself eager to enter their conversation once they started discussing injuries…
Mom, dad and Marissa, meanwhile, were talking together leaving "the kids" to it – though Marissa made regular trips over to check on her son, leading him to try to swat her away and then wince in pain at the rapid movements of his tender arms. This only served to escalate her mothering, which in turn increased his annoyance, and increased the entertainment value of everyone viewing the spectacle.
Finally fatigue began to get the better of Freddie so my friends decided to leave us for the night. I did notice that Freddie had been a little fidgety throughout the evening; when questioned he noted that it was extremely difficult for him to get comfortable and find a position that didn't hurt. He suggested that, rather than my room, he may be better off on the couch so as not to disturb anybody else if he couldn't sleep due to the pain and awkwardness he was feeling. He was roundly shouted down however; Carly actually volunteering to take the couch herself so Marissa could keep an eye on him (Freddie really didn't like the idea of that!) but ultimately I did drag, well half-carry actually, my boyfriend to my room.
"So what did Sam have to say?" I asked while I massaged his bare body, trying to alleviate some of the pain and make him more comfortable.
"She actually seemed to be concerned" he said, a hint of surprise in his tones. "You had me worried Fredward; I know I don't say it often but I do care about you and I was scared when Carly told me you were badly hurt."
"Aww, it's nice that she cares."
"Yes" he continued, "but then she had to revert to type. Next time you want a beating you can just ask me to do it rather than going looking for a fight you nub!"
I had to laugh at that; it was good that the tension was broken a little because this was the first time I'd got him alone since it happened and I knew I had to take the opportunity.
"You risked everything for me Freddie" I whispered softly, leaning close to him without putting pressure anywhere that would hurt him. "I can never thank you enough for it."
He winced with the jabs of pain elicited by gently placing his hands on top of mine; I was still kneading his muscles. He looked deep into my eyes and replies with a voice conveying absolute sincerity.
"You don't need to thank me Tori; I love you and I'd do anything to keep you safe."
I could see that love shining brightly in his eyes and leaned in to kiss him softly, tenderly, mindful of his pains. I traced feather-light kisses down his jaw, on his bruises, doing everything I could not to hurt him while I kissed, following the trail of bruises and breaks up and down his body, making sure I gave attention to every single one of them. Having completed my task I crawled up the bed to gaze at his handsome, wounded face; his eyes were closed and his smile contented so I curled up at his side, pressed tight against him and let sleep take me – or at least I tried to. True to his prediction Freddie struggled for comfort; some regular massages helped him – and me – get some sleep off and on during the night but morning found two sleep-deprived teens struggling out of bed to survive another day.
"Sleep well?" Ugh Carly, your voice is too bouncy on a morning like this. We explained why we hadn't slept so well. "I did offer you my bed" the brunette told my man. We just traded a look and a small smile.
She and Marissa had to return to Seattle later today but would be spending the day with Freddie keeping an eye on him while the Vega clan were out at work and school; I'd drive them to the airport when I got home.
School began with news of a new play that Sikowitz was encouraging us to audition for. Having played the lead last time I was likely to get a lesser role this time but went for the lead, among others, anyway. It meant that I would be competing with Cat and Jade again but also, to my mild surprise when I saw the list of who had signed up, with Alicia from my make-up classes last semester. As she was in 10th grade she was unlikely to land the lead but I guess she may as well go for it; a little more experience of auditioning and all. I was thankful that the auditions weren't today; I was wiped from my lack of sleep yesterday (at least tonight Freddie will probably be in the spare room now Carly and Marissa have vacated it if the pain is still bothering him). People I barely knew kept coming up to me and asking how Freddie was; it seemed the internet, or at the very least Hollywood Arts, was alive with the story of what had happened on Saturday night so I found myself fending them off and ultimately prepared a stock reply so I could just give everyone the same answer as I was finding it impossible to move around the school without being impeded and interrupted by people desperate for news (even Sikowitz had asked after him and would have spent all lesson asking for details had Jade not rescued me with unsubtle recommendations that we move onto the reason we were actually in the class – i.e. to learn and hone our acting skills).
Finally the day ended and I arrived home to find Freddie in good spirits; he was feeling better now that the doctor had visited with some new pain meds which meant he was more comfortable and could walk unaided without too much distress. We felt, however, that a trip to the airport may be a bit too far at the moment so instead he kissed his mom goodbye, gave Carly a kiss on the cheek, thanked them both for coming down to see him in hospital (which again was shouted down by the pair; both said they were just happy to see that he was ok).
"I don't know how he does it" Carly piped up from the back seat of my car. "How he's always just so selfless. I thought him amazing when he saved my life – then he did what he did for you Tori; all I can say is that you've got the best guy on the planet girl!"
Her endorsement made me smile. "I know" I grinned happily.
Marissa remained silent and subdues during this conversation; she seemed deep in thought so I left her to her musings, confident that she wouldn't hold her tongue when the time came. Her words came as their flight was called.
"My son loves you Tori and you've seen that he'll do anything for you. Look after him for me."
"I will, Marissa, I promise."
I hugged her and then Carly before waving the pair back to Seattle and driving home where I found Trina on her tennis computer game, watched by Freddie who wore an expression on his face that blended amusement and bewilderment; a look I know all too well when people are around my older sister.
"Did they get away ok?" he asked me. I nodded and slid onto the couch next to him, taking his hand in between mine.
"How are you feeling?"
"Better; things don't hurt as much as they did."
"Are you up to making out for a while?"
"I won't know until I try" he said with a huge smile and we brought our lips together for a kiss filled with all the passion, desire and love that we shared; saying the things we couldn't express with mere words. His arms wrapped around my back with no detectable pain on his part (at least there was nothing that caused him to wince into the kiss or flinch with his arms). It was the sight that greeted my parents when they walked through the door; a glance towards Trina showed that she was steadfastly focussed on her game, though I got the feeling that she was forcing more focus than ever so as to not have to look at us.
Predictably my parents chose this precise moment to return home; Dad donned a slightly forced smile at the sight of Freddie and me making out on the couch (mom's smile looked far more sincere). My guy may have dad's blessing but I guess it will still take some time for him to be happy about seeing us like that. Reluctantly we separated as familial chit-chat began; mom and dad made their way to the couch, Trina ended her game amid complaints that she couldn't concentrate with people talking. She made to sit between Freddie and I but there was no gap for her to squeeze into (plus my parents and I insisted that she shower first after her exertions, which she did after complaining vociferously). Dad told us there was no news on the attempts to capture the two remaining thugs; he remains confident, however, that they WILL be caught soon.
The subject turned to what people wanted to eat; nobody wanted to cook (apart from Freddie but my parents wouldn't let him; not until he's fully healed anyway) so we ordered Chinese take-out; Freddie emulated Cat in choosing sweet-and-sour chicken, orange chicken for me, Szechuan Pork for Trina and Roast Duck Mandarin for mom and dad. I was enjoying a pleasant meal with my family and boyfriend, although the looks Trina was casting at us were getting more and more frequent, her expression definitely souring as they did. Finally, as we were finishing our meals, my patience with my sister snapped after one glower too many.
"What?" I shot at her, causing all eyes in the room to train on her; her embarrassment started to rise at the realisation of this, and at being called out by me. Freddie covered my hand with his own and turned his attention to me, a slight expression of concern on his face before I looked back at my sister, still awaiting her response. She lowered her head to stare wordlessly at her empty plate for a few seconds before dashing off to her room; her breath was hitching and something sounding suspiciously like a sob left her throat.
We traded looks around the table before mom shrugged and returned to the remnants of her meal; dad followed suit as if nothing had happened. Freddie, having just finished before the show began, set his chopsticks down and planted his lips softly on my cheek.
"I'll go talk to her" he whispered and hobbled away from the kitchen and upstairs.
He returned a couple of minutes later; Trina emerged a few moments behind him and wearing a half-smile.
"Later" he promised in answer to my quizzical expression and we sat cuddling in front of the TV with Trina sat on Freddie's other side; I noticed she was sat a little further from him than was normal or necessary.
"What movie is this?" I asked mom and dad curiously; they were sat on the other couch. Nobody seemed to know, or recognise it, but we found it a mindless enough way to pass the evening until, still pleading fatigue, Freddie decided to go to bed; he wished my family goodnight as he did. I also felt tired (having not slept much last night) but also wanted to be with him so I followed shortly after, locking the door as I entered my room and smiling as I took in the sight of Freddie in my bed, nose buried in a book. He glanced up and grinned as I made my way to the bed; it widened to a full smile as I told him casually
"I can think of better things than that book for you to be looking at tonight" and leaned in for a kiss.