Something Sweet

Chapter 6

Author's note: Alright, so this turned out to be a 9K+ words chapter. I don't know what happened, but it took A LOT to get it done. 

*Update* 4/6/2023* Cleared up some of the descriptions and corrected some of the grammar. Nothing too extensive. But forgot how long this chapter was. This was a lot. 

Again, no flame. Just for fun.  

Enjoy

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The following day, Jean stirred slightly awake from the sound of low voices whispering at a distance. She wasn't too sure when she fell asleep, but the firm cushion wasn't one she was familiar with. This wasn't her bedding.

While the voices continued to talk in a low tone, she recognized one of them being Lisa, "I'll make sure she gets plenty of rest. She hasn't moved since..." A slight pause followed, "Well... since you left. It's almost the sunrise hour; go get some rest, and I'll ensure to pass on your message."

Jean couldn't make out the other voice as the sound of a door closing followed shortly after. Soft steps echoed next as the clicking of Lisa's heels approached her.

"He looks exhausted but dares have enough energy to stop and check on her..." Lisa sighed, moving close enough to feel Jean's forehead. "Jean? Can you hear me?" The soft question had Jean stir a little more in her sleep. "It's almost time for you to wake up. Are you feeling better?"

It took a few seconds for Jean to react as she moved to Lisa's attention, "What time... is it?" She grumbled, forcing an eye open. "Where am I?" Taking in the familiar scene of the conference room, Jean realized she never left the meeting room. "I slept here?"

"I was told not to move you." Lisa answered, joining her on the couch, "How are you feeling?"

She surprisingly felt well-rested after sleeping on a couch for who knows how many hours. "I'm feeling okay... but I don't remember when it was I fell asleep." Jean slowly sat up, lowering the blanket draped over her.

"Well... to start," Lisa readied a glass of water for her to take, "You've been asleep for almost twelve hours." Lisa waited and watched Jean take a few drinks of water before continuing, "I take it you won't like the next part I tell you, so I'll be frank about it, but first, tell me what was the last thing you remember?"

Jean continued sipping on water as she scrambled her thoughts together... the hint of a memory flashed before her as she recalled Diluc kneeling to her and hearing the sorrow-filled tone of his voice begging to spare the life of their child.

The pain she felt recalling the brief memory had her biting her lip in remorse.

"By the look you're giving me, I take it you remember for the most part." Lisa answered in her stead, "Jean, I know you're very much capable of taking care of yourself. And I know you were under immense stress. I'm at fault for bringing the matter to your attention, let alone Diluc demanding answers. I understand if you want to take a few days to settle your thoughts, but please... don't do this to yourself." Lisa took the glass from Jean's hands, "Here, take this instead..." Lisa slightly turned to set the glass on the coffee table and shifted to retrieve a small note from her dress pocket. "Let me get the light so you can read it."

Jean wasn't sure why she suddenly felt nervous, but taking hold of the folded paper knotted her stomach. The soft, warm lighting coming from the end-table lamp was enough for Jean to sit closer to it and unfold the letter.

A short message waited within its context, yet Jean wasn't doing a good job interpreting its response.

After a few seconds of staring intently at the paper, Lisa couldn't help but break the silence.