Not very long, but I like it. Hope you do too!
Warnings: Anorexia/Bulimia. Some cuss words and talk of homosexual relationships.
I own nothing. Please, review! Tell me what you think!
"Travis," Alex blinked opening her door, "What are you doing here?"
Smirking I walked into the house and into the kitchen. It was a little before lunch so Alex was making some food. I sat at the table and watched for awhile as she continued to set everything up.
This whole thing was going to be unpleasant and for some reason wanted to try to keep everything as nice for as long as I could. Of course Alex knew me too well for me to get away with that for very long.
Which was how I now had a very confused glare directed at me. I always seemed to forget that she was good at reading people. Or, at least, Wes and I. Huh. I'm not really sure how I feel about that.
Being close to Wes was one thing, he was my partner, but being close to my partners ex-wife? That was just a little weird. Or maybe it was just weird to me. Not that it mattered. I was here to talk about Wes. Not me.
Ever since my conversation with Dr. Ryan I couldn't get it out of my mind. Was it possible that Wes was acting this way because he wanted more out of our relationship? That all of this was his way of saying he was reading to move on from Alex?
Was that even a good thing? Don't get me wrong. I still want to be with Wes, but no matter what I couldn't shake the feeling that something was going on. That something was wrong.
Which is why Alex was such a good idea. She had been married to Wes for years. She would have known if something was wrong and if anyone could help me it would be her.
I never wanted to hurt Wes, honestly I had no idea what I'd do if I really and truly hurt the younger man, and if I was wrong about this whole thing he would get hurt. I couldn't lose him.
Maybe this situation was just a little too messed up. For the both of us. I had always had dreams of Wes and I together. Usually of us having sex but sometimes more domestic.
Admittedly, a few of them had come true because of the undercover. Sadly none of the sex one, but the others were nice to have too. I just wanted to know if that was what Wes wanted too.
"Travis," Alex spoke, "What's going on?"
"How did Wes act when you two got together?" I asked calmly.
"If you can believe it he was the sweetest, most romantic man. Sort of an old school kind of romance. Honestly, it was amazing. I loved it. Why?"
"He's been acting weird and Dr. Ryan thought it was possible he wanted more."
"Weird? How?"
"Well, we aren't fighting and he's hiding the fact that he's sick. Which isn't really all that surprising. He is…"
"Hiding that he's sick? Why do you think that?"
"Well, he looks really sick and he's been loosing weight."
"Travis, this is going to sound strange, but has Wes been eating or going to the bathroom right after eating?"
"Yeah. Why?"
Alex looked away from me for a moment and when she looked back there was a sadness about her that I couldn't explain, but at the same time it was almost like she knew what was going on.
Wait, this wasn't about him liking me. No, something was going on and honestly I really didn't want to know what she was going to say. I hated knowing that something back was happening to Wes.
"Wes is anorexic," Alex whispered, "Ever since he was a teenager."
"What?" I questioned staring at her.
"He's been good for years. It only comes out when he's stressed. I noticed during the first year of our dating that he was getting skinnier and he looked sick. Then he started to pull away from me, refused to let me touch him. I had no idea what was going on.
Not until I saw him…Saw him with his fingers down his throat. I begged him to get help, but you know him. He said no. He said he'd be fine as soon as he had control again. It only happened a few times when Wes was really stressed.
I helped him the best I could until I realized that Wes being in control meant only having help when he asked. I messed up a few times and made it worse, but he always got better in the end. I just had to watch him."
"Wait, slow down. Wes is anorexic?"
"Yes. It's why he doesn't eat much. Even when he's fine."
"And you two decided no one needed to know? Do you know how stupid that is, Alex?"
"Of course I know! I did everything I could to get him to tell you or even tell the Captain, but you know Wes."
"Thought I did."
"Travis…"
"I have to go."
Before Alex could say anything I stood up and was out of her house. I couldn't believe that they had left something so important out of Wes's files. Though it was understandable. But to keep it from me? How did it make any sense at all?
It wasn't like I'd run off and tell someone. I'd have Wes's back. I'd help him get through this and make sure he didn't fall off the wagon or at least he'd never be alone. I was his partner damn it!
Shaking my head I go on my bike and drove to our house. Wes was off today and I knew that he would be at home. I needed to talk to him. To get the truth for once. I couldn't let this go.
It was one thing thinking Wes didn't trust me, but him not telling me something like this was completely and utterly unforgivable. He should know me better now. What had he been thinking?
When I got to the house I tossed my helmet on the couch and looked for Wes. I didn't see the blonde around downstairs so I went upstairs to look. I came face to face with the bathroom door.
I don't know why, but I completely forgetting the situation I turned the doorknob and, luckily, found it unlocked. Nothing could have prepared me for what I was about to see though.
On his knees bent over the toilet was the naked form of my partner. His body was shaking as he expelled the last of the food in his stomach. Quiet tears were streaming down his face from what I could only guess was the force from him being sick.
He must not have heard the door open because he brought his fingers to his mouth once more. Though this time nothing but dry heaves happened. I wasn't really sure how I felt about that.
As I looked over him I didn't feel the lust that usually came when I saw my partner. No, this time my stomach felt ill as I looked over the damage done to his body. I could count every notch in his spine.
In fact, I couldn't help but think of Wes as skin and bone. Almost literally. There was nothing on him. How could I have missed this? He was suffering so much and now that he and Alex were divorced he had no one to turn to.
"Tr-Travis," Wes stuttered out falling back so I could see all of him.
I don't know how long I had waited to see the man in front of me naked somewhere outside of my dreams, but I couldn't even begin to enjoy it. The blonde looked so fragile and sick.
I hadn't wanted Alex to being telling the truth. I wanted the whole thing to be some sort of sick joke. That she was lying to me for some reason. I couldn't deny it. Not with the evidence staring at me.
Kneeling next to Wes I placed a hand on his cheek and wiped the tears away. He let out a shaky breath his eyes slipping shut. I wanted to help my partner. I had to help him, but I couldn't do it alone.
Picking up the phone I called Dr. Ryan and waited. As I talked to Dr. Ryan over the phone I hoped Wes would fight or do something, but nothing happened. It was almost like the man was completely gone.
"I got you, Wes," I whispered, "I got you."