Re-ans

Re-ans Chapter 13

Chapter 13: Windfall

Jess awoke with a start just as her body tumbled off the roof in her nightmare.

"Shh, Jess hey." She opened her eyes. Luke was leaning over her holding her arms, she realized she must have been flailing them around in her sleep. "That's right baby, you're here with me in the apartment. You're as safe as you can be, all things considered." He said, giving her a small smile. She could see that it was only slightly forced.

"Is it morning?" She asked even though she could see the light coming in through the window. He nodded.

"Yea, everyone's here having breakfast." He paused. "I have a few apologies to make, but first to you. I'm sorry if I made you feel like I was mad at you last night. I was so messed up from what happened, and when I saw your ankle, it was like the last bit of rational thought capabilities left my mind, and all I could focus on was what could have happened, and not what did.

"You were pretty messed up about it, and I ignored your feelings and focused on mine, and that's unforgivable. I love you, and I'm so glad nothing worse happened to you." He said and leaned down to kiss her forehead before burying his face in her shoulder. She held him there for a moment before he shook his head and sat back up. "How does it feel this morning?" He asked and she winced. Truth be told she hadn't even been thinking about it. But like most things when you focused on it, it became worse.

"I don't know, can you look at it." He reached down and pulled up the cover, she saw him visibly pale.

"It's swollen, and purple." He said, biting his lip. He stood and opened the door just a crack before coming back to her side. "Can you come here a minute Tav?"

"What's wrong?" Tavish asked as soon as he walked in. Luke took a deep breath.

"When we were nine you broke your ankle when we were playing basketball, remember?" He asked and gestured to Jessica's foot. She stiffened. She didn't think it was broken, she hoped it wasn't, they couldn't afford that. Not being able to run, or even walk if she needed to, was a definite death sentence for her, and anyone trying to help her. Tavish sat down at the foot of the bed and looked her in the eyes.

"Imma touch it, and it's gonna hurt like hell. I'll be as careful as I can." He said and she nodded. She moaned as he began to probe her foot, she buried her face in her pillow to try and muffle the sound. Luke grabbed her hand and she squeezed his tightly. Tavish stopped after maybe a minute, but it had definitely felt longer. "Nah, I think you're good. We should wrap it though, and you shouldn't move it too much for a few days." He stood and started for the door, he paused when Luke called out to him.

"You okay Tav?" He hesitated with his hand on the door for a moment before turning.

"Just exhausted, you?" Luke nodded.

"I'm definitely a lot better than yesterday. I'm sorry, I know I scared you." Tavish patted him on the shoulder and shook his head.

"You two coming in here with everyone else?" Luke stood.

"I need to, but..." He turned to her.

"I'll carry ya if you want Jess. God didn't give me this sexy body just for show." He said flexing his muscles, she laughed and turned to see Luke smiling and shaking his head. She nodded sobering quickly. She wanted to be in there when Luke apologized. She didn't like the way Meredith was acting, and wanted to be there if the other girl got smart. Though what she'd do in her current condition she didn't know.

She scooted to the edge of the bed and Tavish scooped her up like she was a sack of potatoes, she sighed. Luke opened the door and led the way into the living room. He sat down on the opposite side of the couch as Gavin, and Tavish sat her down in between them before taking one of the discarded throw pillows and using it to prop her foot up somewhat.