When Vippin entered Professor Bradshaw's office that Monday morning, he was not expecting the man himself to be there. He had come early specifically to work before classes, but Jeremy…he looked like he'd never left.

The bags under his eyes had their own bags, his hair was a mess - as though his fingers had run through it a few hundred times - and his clothes were the same as Vippin had seen when he'd said his goodbyes on Saturday.

He sighed. Clearly the professor hadn't left. This wasn't the first time the man had done this, but it had been a good year. And recently with his frequent excursions with Anne, Vippin had thought maybe he wouldn't get so sucked into work but alas, there they were.

"Professor?"

"Vippin?" Jeremy looked up from his work, squinting up at him as his glasses were absent. Seeing him head on just emphasized his gaunt look. "What? What are you doing here? It's…" He trailed off, lifting his phone to check the date, only to see that it was dead.

"It's Monday- were you...here all weekend?"

"I-uh…" Jeremy looked confused, as though he was unsure of the simple question.

"Weren't you supposed to go out investigating with Anne on Sunday?" Vippin asked cautiously, leaning down to look at the state of the man's desk. Papers were strewn everywhere, portions of his manuscript so marked up they were barely legible.

"Hmm? Oh no, she uh...had a birthday party." His reached up to rub the bridge of his nose, a headache beginning behind his eyes. "Her grandson's if I remember correctly." He was now searching for his glasses, putting them on to see the TA properly.

"Alright. That's it. I'm calling Anne to take you home. I'll cover your class-"

"What-No, that's- Vippin, I just got focused writing. I'm fine."

Somehow Vippin seriously doubted that. Between the disorientation and general appearance of his professor, he was hard pressed to believe that the man was 'fine'.
"Professor, pardon me saying but you look like hell. When was the last time you ate? Or slept? This isn't healthy-"

"I'm fine. I am an adult, I can take care of myself."
"Clearly not very well-" he muttered.

"Vippin," Jeremy warned.

"No, I'm worried about you. You can't just keep doing this. I'm calling Anne, you're going home."

Jeremy sighed, a headache growing behind his eyes sapping all of what little energy he'd had left.
"Fine."

Vippin, looking content with the win, tapped the call button the minute he said that, not giving the man a second to take it back.

Jeremy, head resting in his hands, began to drift off, finally beginning to lose the battle of his own exhaustion. He hadn't really noticed how much time was passing, his mind a mix of jumbled confused thoughts and defeat. He genuinely hadn't meant to spend his whole weekend working, but time got away from him…

Next thing Jeremy knew he was being shaken awake by Anne.

"Jesus Bradshaw, you look like shit. I leave you alone for a weekend-"

"Hi Anne." He said, voice flat as he rose from his seat, whole body stiff and cracking. "I tried to tell Vippin you didn't have to come I-" Jeremy started to explain before Anne cut him off.
"No I think your TA hit the mark. I doubt you can even walk in a straight line right now. C'mon, I'm taking you home and you're going to sleep for at least twelve hours."

Grabbing his briefcase, he stuffed what papers he could see into it, closing it only to have Vippin snatch it from his grip.

"Your work can wait, professor."

"Vippin-"

"Listen to the kid, Bradshaw. I'm not taking you home just so you can do more work."

Jeremy sighed, but knew when he was outnumbered.

They walked to Anne's car in relative silence, the full force of Jeremy's exhaustion hitting him as they travelled the small distance.

Anne watched the man out of the corner of her eye. It brought back memories of late nights with Thomas, when she'd find him poured over cases hours after they'd gone to bed; unable to leave the work unfinished, any stone unturned. The stubble Jeremy had accumulated over the weekend only served to remind her more of Thomas. The kid was more like his father than she figured he'd ever know.

"You know, you're getting a little old to pull stunts like this, kid." She chided lightly.

Jeremy laughed, "Pot, kettle."

Anne smiled. "Alright. More of a 'do as I say' situation, but you know I'm right."

"And if I say I really didn't mean to stay there all weekend, would you believe me? It was just this new angle; I had a lot of changes that needed to be made to the manuscript."
"So you figured you might as well stop being a human for a bit. It's pretty supernatural that you're even alive - when was the last time you ate?"

"I have food in my office," Jeremy protested.
"Mhmm. and I'm sure that was enough for a full grown adult."

Jeremy sighed knowing there was no way he was going to win this.

Sitting back in the car seat, he watched as the roads went by, slowly being lulled to sleep by the motions of the vehicle.

"Hey, we're here."

Jeremy blinked awake, having not noticed himself drift off.

It was a testament to his exhaustion that it wasn't until he exited the car that he realized they weren't at his place.

"This-"

"It is closer than your place," Anne lied, earning a disbelieving look from Jeremy. "Humour me kid. At least this was I can make sure you don't try and do more work."

"How could I, Vippin took my papers."

"Oh stop whining and get inside." She motioned to the door, unlocking it and letting Jeremy walk in first.

Walking in, Jeremy stood in the living room, eyes drooping but not sure what to do.

"Down the hall, second door on the right," Anne called, having headed straight into the kitchen. "I'd ask if you want anything but I suspect you'll be asleep the minute your head hits the pillow"

"Thanks," he said, the words mangled by an uncontrollable yawn.

Following Anne's instructions he ended up at a small room, a single made bed occupying one said of the space, along with an adjacent desk littered with a few old looking papers. Not that Jeremy really took notice of the space anyways. Walking in, he threw back the covers, collapsing into the bed not even bothering to take off his jeans before he was asleep, the faint sense of familiarity of the room passing over his head.

Anne smiled as she checked on the man a few minutes later, shaking her head fondly. He was effectively dead to the world, mouth agape and lightly snoring. Thomas would always crash the same way.

"So much like Thomas…"


Ooopy I wrote this in like. one sitting last october and have only now actually typed it up and edited it. I fucking adored this pod and I can't wait for another season!
Thank you so much to my beta for again reading over my nonsense!
Hope yall enjoyed, I'm always open to concrit as long as you're polite.
Either way thank you for reading!

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