Backup Girl [Tom Hiddleston] {EBT book 2/4}

No escape

When Kate opened her eyes she was half in the car on Tom's lap and he was stroking her hair. "There you are," he said softly.
"What... what happened?"
"You passed out. You need to take it easy for a few days I think. Also you need to eat."
"Tom, I don't even have the energy to argue with you."
"Good." He smiled and helped her sit up. "Slowly, you only get one catch a day."
Once he was in the driver's seat, Tom turned to her. "You ok?"
"Yeah I think so. I'm sorry I probably scared you."
"A little. I'm just glad you're ok. Can you handle one more piece of good news?"
"I don't know, I only get one catch a day," Kate smiled. Tom noticed the colour returning to her cheeks and was relieved, she had been an awful shade of grey a few minutes before.
"Chris and Elsa have a house a few hours away, they've invited us up there to stay a few days. They're here for a few weeks."
"Mmm," Kate closed her eyes and put her head back. "That sounds lovely, I'd like a couple of days and then we can go whenever you're ready."
"We're going to need a couple of days to catch up on phone calls," Tom chuckled. "But then getting away from people for a few days might be a good idea."

After a quiet dinner with Kate's family and Naomi, Kate and Tom strolled slowly home. By the time they got in the door she could barely stand up, and Tom took her to the bedroom, undressed her gently and cuddled her to sleep...
She woke with a start, eyes stinging, head pounding. She knew she was going to be sick but everything was spinning and she could barely lift her head let alone stand and walk. It felt like a lead weight hung around her neck. Getting her head off the pillow she saw a yellow bucket next to the bed and inched over so her head was over the edge. For a long moment there was a thought in the back of her mind 'You're going to end up dead, choking on your own vomit because of your own stupid choices.' She blacked out again... only to wake and repeat a few minutes later. She tried to clear the fog in her head. She'd been out, with Naomi and Alicia. She hadn't drunk this much though, maybe her drink was spiked. But she was... where was she... at home, with Dean. Dean. Her head. The wall. Oh, he'd been so angry. She put her hand up to her head and screamed as pain seared through the back of her skull and down her neck....
"Kate? Baby what's wrong? Open your eyes, darling. You're safe, I'm here, it's OK."
"Argh my head. I'm going to be sick." Tom rushed out and came back with a bucket, with only a moment to spare, and he held her hair and rubbed her back. He left for a few seconds and came back with 2 wet face cloths and a towel. Wiping her face, she put her hand to the back of her head again but the searing pain was gone, replaced with the more widespread pounding of a migraine. "Fuck. I'm sorry."
"Darling you don't need to apologise. I am worried about you though."
"It's just a migraine. I haven't had one in a while."
"Kate, what happened before that though? You were dreaming. Do you want to tell me about it."
She started to recall her dream. That wasn't a dream, it was a memory. "Dean. When he smashed my head in to the wall. I'd forgotten, the pain, oh god Tom the pain, and the vomiting, I couldn't lift my head..." Tom pulled her in to his chest and her weak body was racked by sobs, hot tears streaming from her eyes. "No! This was supposed to be over!" She said angrily.
"Ssh baby. It is. You just have to give it time. Can I get you anything?"
"I have medication in my makeup bag, but not yet. I need you. Here. Stay with me. Please."
"Always my beautiful girl. For as long as you want."

Hours later, Kate stirred. Not brave enough to open her eyes, she listened for a few minutes. It must be daytime, she could hear birds. She could hear people on the beach, and the waves crashing, and cars passing too frequently for it to be night. But it wasn't light. Completely confused, she slowly opened one eye and then the other. The heavy curtains in the bedroom were drawn, blocking the light almost completely, and the bedroom door was closed. Tom wasn't there but she smiled when she saw her phone in her hand with a pink post it note saying 'DON'T get up, just call me. xx T'. The migraine had left her feeling groggy and with a dull headache but she was thankful the pain of the night before was over. Propping herself up on her elbow Kate slowly tried to sit up, and saw the door slowly and almost silently open. Tom had a basket in one hand and he used the other to point accusingly at her.
"See I knew you wouldn't do as you were told. Does reverse psychology work on you?"
Kate laughed softly. "What do you think?"
"I'm guessing not. How are you feeling?"
"Much better. Thank you for looking after me, you're getting very good at it."
"I like it, except for the part where you're suffering," he sat down next to her on the bed and she sat up. "I have aspirin, grape gatorade, coke, plain crisps and an ice pack."
A smile lit up Kate's face. "You called Lizzie," she said. She remembered all the times Liz had looked after her in the same situation and done almost as good a job as Tom was.
"Yes. Interesting combination, there."
"It took years of experimenting to perfect that," Kate said as he handed her the gatorade.
"I spoke to Chris this morning, I thought we might head up there tomorrow if you're up to it."
"I'll be up to it," she smiled. "You might have to drive though. Wait, are we driving?"
"He said its a nice drive if you don't mind driving it. I actually thought about stopping somewhere overnight, how spontaneous are you feeling?"
"I'll feel more spontaneous after a shower. Why?"
"If you're up to it, we could go this afternoon. I found a gorgeous place, and we can get an early start in the morning. Only if you feel like it."
"Not that you're in any hurry, huh? We can do that." Kate looked at the clock, it was almost 4pm.
"You get ready and I'll pack then."