FRIENDLY FIRE: A 9-1-1 fanfiction

Part Twenty-One: Too Soon

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EMMA

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"Okay, easy now...easy," I mumbled softly, helping Ajay into his bed at home, his face still pale after weeks of being in a dull hospital.

"Can I watch TV?" He asked quietly, blinking up at me with wide eyes, "And can I have KFC for dinner?"

I snorted lightly, tucking him in properly before sitting down on the edge of the bed, "You sure you're still sick? Cause you sound pretty good to me."

Ajay grinned, quickly fisting his hand into a ball and pressing it to his chest as he coughed dramatically.

I rolled my eyes, leaning over to pinch his cheek, "I'll bring you fried chicken after work. You'll have to ask your dad about the TV."

"I don't wanna talk to him," Ajay's face souring immediately. I smiled sympathetically, tapping his cheek one last time before moving back.

"Sorry, kid," I sighed again, standing up, "I'll talk to him before I go."

"Can't I just stay with you and Pops?" Ajay sat up a little, his face pleading, "You've got three rooms, I only need half of one, I can share with C."

"Jay..." I crouched down next to him, taking his hand in mine, "you know what kind of problem that will cause. I hate to say it, buddy, but we all gotta just stick this one out."

Ajay's face fell and he drew his hand away from me, "What's the point of nearly dying if I can't even get what I want?"

I gaped at him in disbelief before reaching up to push his head slightly, "Too soon."

He huffed, crossing his arms over his chest, turning to look outside his window instead, "Whatever."

I sighed again, standing up slowly and tucking my hands into my jacket pockets. He'd been out a week and it wasn't easy. He didn't talk, he didn't share anything or react much to all the people that had visited him. In fact, the most he'd shown was anger, at his dad, at his doctors, at his teachers, at me and Hollis... just about anyone who came in front of him. It was always for small things too: the lighting in the room was too bright or the door wasn't fully closed, his fries were soggy or his feet were cold. He avoided talking about the tsunami in the most aggressive of ways and really, none of us could blame him.

"I'll talk to your mom," I gave in, keeping my voice low, "your Pops is still at mine with your brother so I might be able to convince her—"

"She's not the problem," Ajay turned his head sharply to glare at his door, "he is."

Sean. Sean, who had decided to crash at Hollis's house uninvited, using the threat of legal action to keep her complicit. Sean, who had tried to force Ajay into letting him in and tried to make him change his priorities. Sean, who had been rejected over and over again but still couldn't take a hint.

I rocked on the balls of my feet slightly before shrugging, "I'll talk to him too."

"I wanna stay with you and Pops," Ajay repeated, looking up at me.

"I know," I nodded, "I'll figure something out."

"Good," Ajay slouched down again, "don't forget the KFC on your way back."

I scoffed playfully, shaking my head, "I won't. Text me if you need anything." I backed out of the room slowly, watching as he returned to staring out of his window. Staring like he was afraid something outside of it was coming for him.

"What did he say?" Sean muttered when I reappeared in the hallway, picking up my work bag.

"None of your damn business," I grunted, sliding the bag on my shoulder, "Ajay's coming to mine tonight."