End of the Road

[geeky_agent]

Chris rested her head against the cool surface of the bath. Her breath still came in shuddering gasps but she had stopped crying for now.

She was scared and she was a little ashamed of this. She has some idea that she should be stronger, calmer about this. She realizes it's irrational, she wouldn't expect this of someone else - at least she hopes she wouldn't - but she does want it from herself.

She remembers earlier, when she thought her mom was here and now she wishes she were here. She wanted her right now more than anyone in the world and it wasn't fair that Saunders was here but her mom wasn't. I miss her so much. I wish she were here.

Chris closed her eyes, sighing.

Comments

[nita_callahan]

She gives her a tired smile. "No problem. Now--"

She says a few fast words, and the air around her hands glows for a moment. She turns to Jack and holds out her hands. "Here, give me your hands, I'll sterilize them."

[action-antihero.livejournal.com]

He's watching Chris carefully, so it takes him a split second longer than usual to react.

"Sure. I don't want to spread this to anyone else we know, though considering no one else has come down with it, I think you're past being contagious."

[nita_callahan]

"True." She gives him a wry look as she takes his hands. "But I've had enough experience with hospitals lately to be paranoid." The same quick series of words, and the air glows around Jack's hands. It probably tingles a bit.

She looks back at Chris. "Let me know how you're feeling later, okay?"

[geeky-agent.livejournal.com]

"I will," she replies with a quick nod.

"Thanks, again for doing this."

[nita_callahan]

"No problem." She stands up and heads for the door.

[action-antihero.livejournal.com]

He turns to Nita as she leaves. "Wait for me in the hall for a minute, will you?"

[nita_callahan]

She tilts her head, then nods. "Yeah, okay."

She closes the door softly behind her and leans against the wall, waiting.

[action-antihero.livejournal.com]

He waits until the door closes behind Nita, then turns to Chris and gives her a small smile. "I know it's not gone completely, but are you feeling better, at least?"

She certainly looked better, and while he knew she hadn't been cured, it was at least easier to deal with that knowledge when her symptoms weren't a source of concern themselves.

[geeky-agent.livejournal.com]

She gives a brief nod. "I am. I can actually breathe now." A small smile.

"The headache is gone too."

[action-antihero.livejournal.com]

He smiles back. "Good. Did you want me to stay, or do you want to try and get some sleep?"

[geeky-agent.livejournal.com]

She smiles a little. "I should probably get some sleep."

[action-antihero.livejournal.com]

"Okay. I'll see you later." He hesitates for a moment, before placing his hand on her cheek. "We will get the cure for this," he says softly.

[geeky-agent.livejournal.com]

"I know," she says softly.

[action-antihero.livejournal.com]

"I'll see you later," he says again, this time in a voice barely above a whisper, before he turns and heads out into the hallway.

[nita_callahan]

Nita straightens up as he exits the room. "How is she?"

[action-antihero.livejournal.com]

He closes the door behind him. "Okay. She said she can breathe a lot more easily and her headache's gone." He seems to have gained a headache on the other hand, but he's trying not to show it.

[nita_callahan]

"Okay." She gives him a faintly concerned look. "How're you?"

[action-antihero.livejournal.com]

He attempts a slight, natural smile, but it comes off as slightly strained. "I'm okay. I'm not sick, so I really don't have much to complain about."

[nita_callahan]

"Yeah, but. . ." She hesitates, and shakes her head. "Never mind. If you need to talk, you know where to find me."

[action-antihero.livejournal.com]

He nods, his smile a little more genuine now. "Yeah, I do. Thank you for your help, Nita."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_chappy_/]

Ryan steps out into the hall after checking on Elaine. It's a short distance from her room to Chris' and he sees Nita talking to Jack outside.

Ryan passes Nita as he walks over. "What's going on?"

[action-antihero.livejournal.com]

Jack looks up at Ryan, his face impassive. "Nita was just treating some of Chris' symptoms."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_chappy_/]

Ryan nods. "Is she awake?"

[action-antihero.livejournal.com]

Jack nods. "Right now, yeah. She was going to try to get some sleep, though."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_chappy_/]

Ryan doesn't say anything to this instead he walks over to the door and knocks. "Chris, it's me. Can I come in?"

He hears a muffled "yes" and opens the door, walks inside and closes it behind him.