Friends
Again, I do not take sole credit for this one-shot.
Andy couldn't believe what she had heard from Jack. She knew that Theo was being an ass to her, but to his girlfriend, or rather ex-girlfriend as well. It was three days after the ball when things had settled down and they were back to work. Jack was in the ICU when they first brought him to the hospital but thankfully his head injury wasn't too serious, so they moved him to a regular room after a couple of days. He would be out of work for a while though.
Andy was making her rounds through the station, making sure everyone was okay, but couldn't find Vic. Travis suggested that she might be in her bunk, so Andy went there and knocked, hoping she'd let her in.
"It's occupied. Trying to sleep in here" Vic yelled, not even bothering to ask who it was.
Andy sighed. "Vic, it's me. Please let me in. I know that things are awful right now but please. I'm worried about you."
"Fine" Vic called, not moving from the bed.
Andy slowly opened the door and when she saw Vic her heart broke. Vic had dried tear tracks on her face and was curled up on the bed under a blanket. "Oh, Vic," Andy said while closing the door behind her.
"I don't need pity. I'm fine."
"You're a horrible liar, Vic," Andy told her bluntly.
"Thanks, cap," Vic said back, shaking her head, not wanting to talk to anyone right now.
"No problem," Andy said with a smile, sitting down on the chair that was in the room.
"Make yourself at home why don't you," Vic said, sarcasm dripping from her voice.
"Thanks" Andy paused. "Vic, can we talk about the elephant in the room please."
"Be my guest."
"You've been hiding out in here all shift except when we have a call. You've been avoiding Theo and Kate for days." Andy grabs Vic's hand. "You're not "fine" I know you. You're struggling so tell me what I can do. I won't just stand on the sidelines anymore. Not as your captain and certainly not as your friend. "
"Thank you for caring," Vic whispered, trying to control her emotions.
"Always, Vic. Now tell me what I can do."
"I don't know."
Andy shakes her head. "Vic, please let me in."
"You're in here aren't you?" Vic said, trying to be a smart ass.
"Vic, you know that's not what I meant." Andy sighed. She wanted to help Vic, but it seemed like it was impossible now. She knew better than to give up on her friends when they needed someone, however.
"I'm not sure how anyone can help."
"What do you need right now?"
"A new boyfriend?" Vic tried to be cheeky.
"I know it sucks right now, but it will get better. As cliché as that sounds."
"Wow, thanks. I feel so much better now." Vic spat, anger now clear.
"Vic, something needs to be done. You can't keep yourself isolated in here. So, get up and come and eat lunch with us in the beanery." Andy told her firmly.
"Fine" she mumbled, although she didn't plan to stay long.
Andy pulled Vic off the bed and pretty much dragged her to the beanery and made her sit down.
Vic sat down with a scowl.
Andy saw her scowl and ignored it. She walked into the kitchen to get her some of the spicy beef soup that Travis' mom had brought to the station.
Vic thanked Andy for the soup, although she didn't touch a drop.
"If you don't eat my mother's soup and I tell her, I imagine she'll come down here and force-feed you, Hughes." Andy heard Travis say from the stove and she tried to stifle her laugh.
"Let her try."
Andy looks at Travis, her smile wiped off her face, and turns back to Vic. "Alright, something needs to change here. Vic, look at me."
Vic rolled her eyes but looked reluctantly at Andy.
"Do I need to call Diane?"
"You can call her. I'm sure she'll tell you I'm fine."
"Vic, I'm just trying to help. Not out of pity but out of love. Vic, we've become closer over these last several months. I don't need you to suddenly be your old happy self, but I do need you to let someone in."
"How will it help? I'll still be hurting."
"Vic-" Andy started to speak but stopped when she noticed Theo walking into the beanery, and she mumbled oh shit under her breath.
Vic left immediately, not wanting to be around him.
Andy followed her and grabbed her wrist, not paying attention to anyone else, and brought Vic to her office, locking the door and closing all the blinds. "Vic, I need you to let it all out. Scream, cry, hit something, anything. You can't keep all this bottled up anymore. I need you at 100%. You need to be 100% to work. I know you love this job, so please. Let. It. out."
"That's not how I work. I can't just let it out on demand."
Andy debated her next words, knowing this might add to the hurt her friend was already feeling but knowing if Vic didn't do something that she'd have to stick Vic on reception. "You did when I told you to let it out when Ripley was in the hospital. Sometimes in order to start healing you need to let the pain in first, Vic."
"You're not my therapist Andy."
"I am your friend though, Vic." Andy tried again, hoping her words would make a difference.
"I appreciate you." Vic whispered and Andy had to strain to hear.
"So, talk to me." Andy pleaded with Vic.
"Everything is shit right now. I feel like things are falling apart."
"I know that feeling. It's like you're slowly drowning and can't do anything to stop it."
"That about sums it up yeah."
"Vic, do you want me to punch Kate or Theo? Cuz I happily will" Andy joked.
"I have no doubt, but no." Vic said, no emotion showing on her face.
Andy sighs and moves to sit down on her desk chair.
"I appreciate that you care, that means a lot to me."
"I'll always care, Vic." Andy paused. "Do you want to go out and go for dinner or something? Or we go to a bar, or maybe we could just go to mine after shift? Watch trashy reality shows?" Andy tried, hoping Vic would give her a chance.
"Can I come to yours?"
"Of course." Andy smiled. "After shift?"
"Yes, please. Can I stay the night?"
Andy gets up, walks over to Vic, and pulls her into a hug "Of course you can."
"Thank you, Andy," Vic drew comfort from the hug.
"Whenever you need me, I'll be here, okay?" Andy said, pulling back from the hug.
"Thanks."
