Compound 41

Chapter 34

Evelyn was tired, but managed to make it through the rest of her day, seeing the event through to its conclusion. It was almost midnight by the time she was done with everything that needed to done and couldn't wait until the following day or two. Everyone had gone, and she gathered her things to leave, locking the door behind her when she left.

She went to her car and got in, immediately realizing that the seat was pushed back as far as it would go, from when Jackson had driven her over. She moved it forward to where it was comfortable for her to drive, and couldn't help but notice that there was a lingering note of Jackson's scent still inside the car. It was like a warm blanket, comforting her tired weariness as she drove home.

Once she had parked her car, she quickly let herself into her apartment and went straight to bed. She was so tired, she fell asleep almost immediately, but was startled to wakefulness on multiple occasions, by unrelenting dreams. In some, she was a child, running free in the woods. In others, she was surrounded by wolves, but not afraid of them. But the most difficult ones to wake from, were those where she met Jackson. Every time she woke up, she felt a yearning to have him near. More than once she picked up her phone to send him a text, but each time she convinced herself it would be unwise. As much as she craved to see him, she was afraid that she was already too invested. She continued to try to convince herself that he was too intense, and seemed to have fallen for her way too quickly for it to be any kind of a healthy relationship. Then, she would fall asleep again, only to fight through it all again before falling back asleep.

When Evelyn finally dragged herself from bed, the sun was streaming through her window. It was late, and she had stayed in bed a long time, even though she hadn't slept well. She made herself some coffee, and turned on the TV, trying to kill time while she waited on a call from the Doctor. She knew that some of the results would be coming in soon, and she was afraid to hear what they were.

Finally, the call came and the Doctor advised her that there was a lot to discuss. Additionally, he recommended that she plan to stay at the clinic for an observation. She wasn't due her quarterly observation for several more weeks, but the Doctor insisted that it was necessary. So the plans were made, that she would go to the clinic the following day, with the expectation that she would need to stay for the full 48 hours while the Doctor poked and prodded.

After moping around the apartment for a couple of hours, Evelyn couldn't take it anymore. She drove over to her parent's house to let them know what was going on. They were fearful for her of course, and suggested she stay the night with them. Evelyn insisted that everything was fine, and that she would need to sleep in her own bed. Her parents were reluctant to have her go, and promised to meet her at the clinic in the following day for her appointment.

Evelyn stayed with her parents for dinner, before making the drive back to her apartment. She didn't want to be alone, but also didn't want to be around anyone. Any time there was a setback with her health, everyone got weird around her. They acted like they had to walk on eggshells, tiptoeing around the reality that she wasn't well. It was exhausting. By the time she had reached her apartment, she had made up her mind. If things were going to get worse, she wasn't going to waste any more time with the health she was still cling to. As soon as she got inside, she sent Jackson a text and asked if he would come to see her. Jackson readily agreed, and was at her apartment less than thirty minutes later.

"Thank you for coming over" Evelyn said, shyly as Jackson entered the apartment.

"I was glad to hear from you" he responded, looking closely and noting how tired she seemed to be. "I was worried, after I dropped you off yesterday."

"Thank you again, for helping me out with that" she said. "I didn't really have anyone else to call at the moment."

"Anytime" Jackson replied, still standing awkwardly just inside the front door.

"You can come in" Evelyn said, as she herself moved into the living room where she made herself comfortable on the couch.

Jackson followed behind, and sat down in a chair, not saying anything. He was glad she had invited him over. We was desperate for any opportunity to be around her, but he was also nervous. After the other night at the bar, when he'd upset her with his straight-forward honesty, he wasn't sure if he should risk saying anything at all.

It was several minutes of silence before Evelyn finally spoke. "I'm not well, Jackson" she began, deciding to just dive into what she wanted to say to him. "I've pretty much been sick my entire life. I didn't used to be confined to this chair, but over the years I've lost more and more of the feeling and mobility in my legs."

She paused in her speaking, in order to try to judge Jackson's reactions. Nothing she had said so far was anything but obvious, but she wanted to watch his reaction to what she had to say next.

"I'm not getting any better, and realistically, I'm getting worse at a more accelerated rate than in the past"

"Evelyn" Jackson tried to speak, but she cut him off.

"No, let me say what I need to. I'm not getting better, but I don't want your pity. I have no expectations of you, and the last thing I would want is to have someone tied down to me, watching me deteriorate before their eyes. That being said, I don't want to waste the precious few days, weeks or months I may have left, with the feeling and mobility I'm still capable of."

"What exactly are you trying to say" Jackson asked.

"I'm saying that I like you, and I'm tired of pretending I don't. I like being around you, and even though it's scary, I think it's worth it. Because if I'm about to get worse, I'd forever regret not giving us a chance, when I could... I'm saying that I'm tired of being alone, and I'm glad you're here." That last words were said barely above a whisper. Evelyn's face was pink as she fought back the feelings of self-conscious inadequacy.

Jackson dropped to his knees in front of Evelyn, and cupped her face in both of his hands, lifting it gently so she was forced to look at him.

"I'll be with you as long as you'll allow me to be" he said softly, looking into her sad blue eyes.

Evelyn rested her face in Jackson's strong hands, feeling the warmth and gentle sparks that seemed to go straight to her heart, every time she felt his touch.

"Can I kiss you now?" Jackson asked quietly, leaning in closer, only hesitating right before his own lips reached hers, in case she wanted to change her mind. Evelyn responded by leaning forward into Jackson's kiss.

Unable to hold himself back any longer, Jackson kissed Evelyn with all the pent-up fervor that had been building over the last several days. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into his chest, one hand behind her back and the other hand guiding her face next to his.

Evelyn kissed him back, fully enraptured, unwilling to let another second be wasted in prudence. She returned his kisses passionately, running her fingers through Jackson dark curls and wrapping her other arm around his back. She could feel the muscles rippling under Jackson's shirt, as he pulled her in closer.

"Take me to the bedroom" Evelyn whispered as Jackson began kissing his way down her neck.