Out Of Reach

18: Grief

Veronica slowly sat at Lance's side, she reached toward him but didn't know where to rest her hand, or even if she should touch him.

Lance had been gone for so long she felt like he was a stranger. She had only recognised him because he looked so much like Rachel.

And yes they had all spent time together as a family, trying to patch the gaps that the years had created.

But right now, this was new territory for her.

She hadn't been there for Lance before. She hadn't been there emotionally for him.

And right now he needed someone.

He needed help.

Lance's team had sent him home, told him to get some rest, to take a step back.

Rolo was okay, he would recover and soon he would be back to piloting again. But that didn't take away the fact that he was hurt, that he had been hurt and that Lance was there, he saw it.

And they all already knew about the grief he carried for the others, his team, his friends, his family.

But she had never seen the power of his nightmares.

The way his body had locked up, eyes wide and filled with terror as he stared at nothing.

She could only imagine the horrors he had faced out there, being so young and alone...

"Lance." She whispered hesitantly resting her hand on his arm.

Lance flinched away from her touch, his eyes snapped to hers as his breathing halted all together.

"Hey, hey. It's okay. You're safe. You're back home." She urged.

Slowly hit by but Lance began to into back into the sofa. His eyes fluttered but never stayed closed.

"Lance? Are you okay?"

"No." Lance croaked. "I found one family and lost the other." Lance's voice sounded like it was curling around a bubble caught in his throat. "And I don't want to l-lose anyone el-else."

And Veronica hated the way his whole body shook. The trembling of his voice.

She wrapped her arms around him and Lance went willingly. He clung to her for dear life as if someone might try to take her away.

"I'm sorry." She whispered into his hair. "I can't imagine how it feels, and I know nothing I say will make it right. But you don't have to face this alone."

Lance didn't reply. He just hugged her tighter.

"Because I'm never going to leave you, none of us are." Veronica assured. "You're stuck with us now."

~~~

Lance stirred groggily.

He didn't recall falling back asleep nor did he recall the dream that lingered in the back of his mind.

His head hurt, a headache hugging the front of his skull.

When his eyes opened he was laying in the McClain's lounge.

He was home.

It was weird having that thought.

He slowly sat up.

Taking stock of a house he wasn't overly familiar with. One he wished he remembered better.

He traced the blanket draped over him, the tassel along the edge were soft and distracting.

It felt like playing with someone's hair.

He let his eyes close, hoping the headache would fade with it.