Drowning

Chapter four

Tina got there early Monday morning. She walked into her office with a surprise waiting under her desk. Tina did not know about this surprise but when she pulled out her chair the surprise jumped up and scared the shit out of her.
"SURPRISE!" Jimmy cried wrapping his arms around her.
"WHAT THE FUCK JIMMY!" She shrieked grabbing him. He cracked up.
"I've missed you girl! I brought you some breakfast!" He smiled that cheeky smile Tina first fell in love with.
"I already ate." She lied. Jimmy shrugged.
"Second breakfast girl!" He handed her a bagel, and her mouth watered.
"Honestly Jimmy, I'm not hungry, lets just talk." Tina giggled. He smiled lovingly at her.
"Well, late nights going well. I wanna get you back on the show, we've missed you." He said.
"That would be great! Hey did you hear about Amy?" She asked.
"The thing where her secret daughter she had in high school is an intern here now Seth hates her?" Jimmy asked. Tina nodded. "Seth's a dick, I was gonna-"
"JIMMY!" Amy flew in and gave Jimmy the biggest hug ever.
"Hey Amy, feeling any better?" He asked setting her down. She shrugged sadly.
"I wanna rip his nut sack off." She said, referring to Seth.
"Rip it right off!" Tina snickered. Jimmy cracked up.
"You want this bagel?" He asked, offering Amy the bagel. She gladly accepted and the three of them chatted for a while. And for that while, Tina forgot about the terrible emptiness in her stomach and both forgot about the terrible emptiness in their heart. They were all so so very empty. Even more when those things that filled that emptiness left.
"Shit! We gotta go to Lorne's office!" Amy said, checking her watch. Tina and her stood up and went for the door.
"See ya soon Jimmeister!" Tina smiled. He blew her a kiss.

Kristen did not show up for the pitch meeting Monday, she was no where to be found. Bill couldn't focus at all that day, when he asked Lorne if he should be worried he simply said "she's probably tired, don't worry she'll be here tomorrow". He couldn't do it, it was awfully hard. What if she was getting the shit beat out of here and what? He was supposed to just trust it was fine!??? Whether it mutual or not, he loves her. And you protect the people you love. But it was beyond torturous because for the first time he had no idea how to protect her.

Fred treated Jimmy, Tina, Amy, and Bill to lunch. Afterwards, Tina invited Jimmy to her apartment.
"Tina we've gotta talk." He sat down on her couch, looking into her eyes. She followed suite. "Tina, girl...you haven't been eating."
She looked down, ashamed.
"Talk to me!" He pleaded, taking her hand.
"I just-" Tina's voice caught. "I've been reading all the terrible things people have said about me on the internet, and if I'm fat nobody will love me, nobody will care. Without food, people care, without food I'm beautiful."
Jimmy rubbed his eyes.
"Tina. You're beautiful! You always have been. You were beautiful the moment I met you and fell in love with you. Those people-god. Those people on the internet don't even fucking know you. They're saying that shit because they're bored, and they don't know what else to do. Tina...why didn't you say anything?" He said, his eyes bloodshot. He was in love with her? Ugh, not important Tina. She told herself.
"I have to stay strong for Amy." Tears dribbled down her face and Jimmy took her into his arms. "I have to be strong for her, nobody else will.she needs me to be strong for her!"
"No baby, no. You don't have to be strong, you're here. I love you." He hushed, rubbing her back. "I promise you, hand to god I'd love you even if you looked like mama June."
"Mama June? Really?" Tina said weakly, still crying.
"Mama June." He nodded kissing her forehead. She wished he had aimed lower.
"You're all I got jimmy." She whispered snuggling deeper into him. For the longest while they laid there, the sun went down and the stars came out and finally Tina looked into Jimmy's eyes.
"Will you stay with me?" She asked.
"Forever." Jimmy kissed her, and this time he aimed lower. The kiss was somewhat healing to Tina. He knew she meant just to stay with her that one night. But she hoped he meant it when he said he would stay forever.
God was she glad she had Jimmy. God, was she glad.