A/N - Hello! I have been AWAL for about 7 months and I really do apologize. Shout out to KayEff for giving me a much needed peptalk!

Short recap chapter 17:

- An old woman died and the doctors/Emily are scared the trial is in jeopardy and have a million things to do.

- Naomi is being carted around by Cook and Gina the entire day after she was finally allowed outside the isolation ward only to be surprised by an inpromptu movie theater that Effy created to perfection in her hospital room. Naomi is all tearful and once Emily joins them, we learn that Gina is not fooled by anyone..

MORE NOTES AFTER THE CHAPTER BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE I OWE YOU AN EXPLANATION!

Chapter 18 – The Sound of Music

Effy's POV

Anyone with half a brain could have picked up on Gina's less than subtle excuse for leaving the room. However, despite being surrounded by a highly intelligent woman and a genius, they were both love-crazed which left them more or less dimwitted. As for Cook, I was starting to wonder whether his perceptive nature only applied to Naomi, whom he was always very attentive towards. I pushed the rising concern about his love for her aside as soon as I finished the thought. It's not my place and it's a terrible thing to be jealous of a dying woman.

Once Mrs. Campbell shut the door, Emily's face lit up and she looked as though she was about to literally jump into bed with Naomi. She actually seemed to brace herself for the jump, much like a cat aiming for the top of the cupboard. At the very last second, my love struck friend seemed to acknowledge the fact that there were other people present and changed her mind. Settling for taking a seat in the bed, Emily took hold of Naomi's hand, lacing their fingers and marveling at the sight. As amusing as it was to see my analytical and somewhat emotionally devoid friend so consumed with her emotions, I couldn't allow the opportunity to be ignored.

I elbowed Cook lightly in the ribs and hinted at the door. He too had been watching the two women interact and I was happy to see that the smile on his face was genuine and free from hostility or envy. He understood immediately and pushed himself off the bed before turning to assist me in getting down. His strong hands found my waist and even though I hardly needed the assistance, I let him practically lift me off the bed. He put me down dangerously close to his own body and for a brief moment almost seemed as stunned about the sudden proximity as I was. He eventually collected himself and broke eye contact, turning to face my new favorite couple. Neither of them was conscious of the fact that we had moved and he had to cough once to get their attention.

"We'll go see if Gina needs help…" Naomi sent her friend an appreciative smile but her focused returned to Emily almost immediately. It struck me again, how her light-blue eyes could offer such diversity. One minute she was smiling at her platonic, male friend, a smile full of warmth and appreciation. Then, with the slight turn of her head, her face offered the same smile to the beautiful brunette at her bedside, but her eyes displayed an array of emotions of overwhelming desire and pure adoration. It was fascinating to study and I was very interested in knowing whether she was even aware of the power her eyes held.

"I doubt they'll be wasting any time…", Cook started after closing the door behind him. "Should we try and detain Gina to give them a little privacy?" Despite his cheerful tone and demeanor, I was learning how to read the man. While I believed he was genuinely pleased that Naomi was getting to experience something as unique and powerful as falling in love, despite being on her deathbed, there was a deeper fear constantly present in his mind. He was distracted by it whenever he was around her and I hadn't noticed until last night when we were busy preparing her surprise. He had surprised me with a text, admitting he got James to sneak him my number last weekend, and asked for some help. I met him for lunch yesterday and he explained how he wanted to do something special for Naomi, something that would both cheer her up and make her feel slightly more normal. The only problem was the confinement to her room and the hospital in general, which limited our options.

After having questioned him on any possible interests that we could utilize, I came to the conclusion that we needed to include Gina in the conversation. One quick phone call later, a plan hatched in my mind and while Cook had to get back to the hospital, I pulled out my sketchbook. The materials had been easy to find, most of them lying around our offices and I had bought the pillows at our usual vendor and gotten a substantial discount. There were advantages to working in our industry and our vendors were quick to throw a good deal our way in order to keep us happy and secure our business. Cook had gallantly offered to help but I didn't really expect him to be of any use to me. Rather, I appreciated his company and was taken aback when he actually picked up a needle and thread and started on a pillow. He explained that in the service, you are responsible for your uniforms and most soldiers take pride in keeping them flawless. It was endearing to see him with an enormous pillow in his lap, trying to make the fabric fit around it and I let him have a go at it for a bit longer than I was planning to. His face reddened slightly when I took the fabric and pillow from his hands and explained that using a sowing machine was probably a better idea. Seeing as he had no idea how to work one, he dedicated his evening to entertaining me while I finished the job.

Being able to experience firsthand the impact the final result had on Naomi provided the only satisfaction and thanks I desired. Emily had known Cook and Gina were planning something special for Naomi and had provided access and assistance from the hospital staff when needed. She had no idea I was involved though, well not until she saw me, that is. I have always enjoyed a bit of drama and Emily's reaction to both seeing me and to the impromptu cinema was just the right amount of excitement for my taste.

"Effy?" Cook placed a warm hand at the small of my back to get my attention. I had apparently drifted off and been silent for far longer than I had thought. His hand seemed to burn through my thin, silk shirt and made the skin underneath tingle. I inched a little closer, making sure to lean slightly into his touch to prevent him from letting go.

"Sorry, I drifted off for a moment." I remembered his question and decided a little insight was due. "Honestly, I doubt Gina is in any hurry to get back here."

My plan worked as Cook's hand was still firmly attached to my back as we started walking down the hallway. It felt oddly natural to walk side-by-side, his arm casually draped around my waist. I doubted that my proximity was the cause of his being completely unaware of what I was trying to hint at, but I couldn't help but let go of hoping it at least played a small part.

"You mean Gina might have gotten sidetracked by a certain senior physician?" He winked at me and pulled me a little closer.

I exaggerated an annoyed sigh and he turned his head, a frown creasing his forehead at my reaction. "I can't believe you haven't picked up on it yet, Cook." The frown turned into a confused expression and he let his hand drop from my waist. "Gina already figured it out, about them I mean. I don't think we actually managed to fool her from the beginning…"

"Fuck, are you sure?" An annoyed eyebrow answered him and he seemed agitated. Apparently, despite his fondness for Mrs. Campbell, his main concern was and would probably always be, Naomi. I doubted there was anything he wouldn't do for that girl.

"I am. But I'm also certain that there is no cause for alarm. She won't rat out her own daughter and besides, I think she approves of Emily." He pondered that for a moment before nodding to himself. "But let's go and find her anyway, she probably really does need help carrying everything." We continued down the hall together and my stomach did the strangest little flutter when he leisurely draped his arm around my waist again.

Naomi's POV

It was perfect. The food was delicious and Mum had really outdone herself. Emily had organized having heating plates brought up from the cafeteria in order to keep every nice and warm. I ate more than I had in ages and once it was time for popcorn, I was disappointed in myself. Popcorn was part of the cinema-experience and despite them being made in a microwave, they smelled fantastic and I forced some down, ignoring the nauseating fullness. Once the projector was turned on, Cook, Effy and Mum made themselves comfortable in the spare bed and snuggled under fluffy blankets Effy had brought. It didn't escape me that Effy made sure she and Cook were forced to share a blanket, him placing his arm around her shoulders so she could rest her head on his chest. I think I'm gonna need to have a little chat with him soon…

Emily paused for a minute, trying to figure out if it was appropriate to join me in my bed while Mum was in the room. I put her out of her adorable misery and shifted to make room next to me, patting the empty space on the mattress. The smile she rewarded me with was breathtaking and my heart sped to a million miles a minute. There was no blanket for us, undoubtedly also planned by Effy, so Emily snuggled in under my duvet.

The room fell dark and I must say I expected something quite different when the wall was lit up by the first movie. Turns out it wasn't a movie at all, but an array of old photos of me as a child. The pictures were on display for about a minute, Mum giving the explanation behind what seemed like the most horrifyingly embarrassing pictures I had ever been unfortunate to be part of. Each new picture caused a ripple of laughter around the room, Cook chiming in with explanations once we hit my teen years. However, despite my obvious displeasure of being taken by surprise and being lovingly ridiculed, a picture of me as a very, very young bridesmaid caused Emily to place her hand on my thigh, giving it a small squeeze under the cover of the duvet. Whatever annoyance I might have been feeling at the time, vanished the moment her hand was draped across my leg.

There was nothing sensual about her touch. It was done out of amusement and, from the look in her eye, pure adoration at the sight of a five-year-old Naomi in a bright pink thing that seemed more like a ballet tut-tut than an actual dress. My reaction to her innocent act of support was not lost on her though and I felt her inch closer, her hand gently and barely discernably caressing my leg. I knew nothing would come of it and that the burning desire that was building inside was never going to be released. No matter how much I wanted to do things to Emily I was sure she had never experienced before, I wasn't strong enough. Honestly, what I was feeling at the moment was enough to make the room spin from a mix of absolute yearning for Emily and exhaustion from a long day of tests.

Regardless, I was intent on savoring the sensation and shifted in my seat, making it easier for her to caress me while remaining undetected. Emily continued laughing at the photos as if nothing even remotely out of the ordinary was going on under the covers but I found it harder and harder to focus. Finally, the array of humiliation came to an end and Cook got up to change the DVD. While he towered above us, Emily stopped her caress and we both seemed to be holding our breaths. Once he was done, he jumped back in the bed and pulled Effy into an even tighter embrace than before. I really need to have a chat with him!

Emily relaxed again once the opening credits started. She rested her head on my shoulder, her mouth moving dangerously close to my neck. I could feel her hot breath on my skin and once her caress resumed, I became frozen in time. She didn't mean to drive me crazy and I was surprised at the intensity of my physical reaction to her, quite frankly, innocent touch. But the combination of her body pressing against mine, her hot breath on my sensitive neck and the simple caress of my leg was enough to send pleasing shivers down my spine.

The movie was a good choice. I have always been a sucker for the classics, particularly the over-romanticized ones which almost always brought me to tears. However, in my current state, the last thing I wanted was a reason to shed more tears – despite them being shed over a fictitious drama instead of the one unfolding in reality. Cook had chosen wisely and the moment I saw the opening frames, I smiled at him. Cook absolutely hated 'The Sound of Music' and usually refused to watch it with me. Tonight however, he would sacrifice nearly three hours of his life just to please me, knowing that not only was it a favorite but it also never brought tears to my eyes.

I heard Mum make an appreciative noise, although I suspected she would be asleep in about half an hour – a common habit of hers when watching movies. On any other night, I would have been singing and humming my way through the film but since I felt short of breath and somewhat distracted, I thought better of it. I allowed Emily to continue her caress until Maria arrived at the Von Trapp estate. I slid down a little in the bed, Emily following my lead. This time however, I was the one who placed my head on her chest, forcing her to lie on her back. She instantly put her arm around my shoulders and pulled me close. This was, of course, my plan all along and I had now gained a private screening of Emily's chest. My back was turned to the rest of the group and I knew my hands could move however I wanted them to and still remain undetected. I had no idea how much I could handle, my usually impaired strength further emptied after a long day stuck in a wheelchair, but I was intent on finding out. A little harmful teasing can't be that exhausting, can it?

Emily's POV

For a brief, very brief, moment after Naomi pushed me away, I felt more insecure than I had my entire life. I thought she enjoyed my closeness and my caress, which I tried desperately to keep as PG as humanly possible. Unfortunately, my internal struggle in keeping things innocent, was really more like a raging battlefield. Whenever I was anywhere near Naomi, all of my inhibitions and self-control went flying out the window and she could set the room spinning with a simple, alluring look. She had done it multiple times while we were confined to communicating through Skype and even without physically being in the same room, she managed to induce a highly physiological response in the form of flushed cheeks, an increased heartrate and an almost unbearable flutter in my stomach. It hadn't escaped me that if someone had been monitoring my vitals like we were Naomi's, I would have been suspected of suffering from anaphylactic shock. Naomi however, was anything but toxic to me. After five agonizing days, my longing for her had driven me to the brink of madness. I had managed to stay focused on my work long enough to finish the data for Kieran by seven, as promised, but all of my residual strength was now gone. I was a slave to Naomi's wishes and I would have done anything she wanted, if only she had asked.

That was why I suddenly felt insecure when she moved away and why my heart stopped beating until I felt her snuggle against my chest. I let out a loud breath, unaware that in addition to going flat line for a moment, I had apparently also been holding my breath. I didn't even stop to reflect on the fact that Gina was still in the room when I put my arm around Naomi's shoulders and pulled her closer. Despite having known each other for less than two weeks, despite it going against better judgment, of which I usually had plenty, nothing felt more natural than sharing Naomi's bed. I couldn't remember ever having felt so content. My contentment, however, did not last very long since the terminally ill patient I was currently sharing a bed with, decided to reciprocate my caress.

The moment I felt her soft fingertips on the lining of my shirt, I let out a loud gasp in surprise. My eyes shot up to see if anyone had taken notice and I was met by Effy's teasing gaze as she smiled knowingly down at me from her position on Cook's shoulder. Wait, Cook's shoulder? When did that happen –

My train of thought was suddenly interrupted by a wave of all-consuming fire coursing through me before settling at the very core of my being. I suppressed an additional gasp and my eyes found Naomi's. The room was dark, the only light emanating from the canvass but I somehow saw her face clearly. She was smiling mischievously at me but she looked spent, dark rings circling her otherwise radiant eyes. But four days of constant nausea can do much worse to healthy person and Naomi didn't seem to mind her own exhaustion. The sudden eye contact resulted in a momentary lapse in judgement on my part as I bent down to kiss her. Just as our lips met, the screen flared, illuminating the room. Once again I was terrified of being caught in the act but when I tensed and pulled away, Naomi placed a calming hand on my stomach and shook her head once.

She was right, of course. Even Effy hadn't noticed this time and I could hear someone snoring close by. I knew it wasn't Effy or Cook, so by deductive reasoning, it had to be Gina and I allowed myself to relax. I put my head back down and shifted a little in order to get a better view of the stunning creature next to me, the movie long forgotten. Her head was still resting lightly on my shoulder and her left arm lay draped halfway across my waist, her hand happily lingering on my stomach.

There you go, an update, only 7 months in waiting! I fully intend on continuing both my stories but four months ago, I started writing on my own writing (by my own, I mean non-fanfiction-stuff) and I'm about 50.000 words into it. Needless to say, it had kind of taken precedence over my fanfics. That being said, I really want to finish these two stories, I wouldn't be me if I didn't!

FYI, haven't written first person in a LONG time, so bear with me..