Rediscovering You

nine

20th February 2023 - one year and four weeks old.

Her entire body aches as she slowly makes her way towards her hotel room door where the persistent knocking is coming from causing her to groan. Taking a deep breath, she opens the door to reveal Keira standing, a concerned look on her face.

'Hey, we've been waiting for you down at breakfast... Are you okay?' Keira asks softly and the blonde shakes her head.

'I feel like shit, Kei. I've been up half the night; I just-I'm so cold but at the same time so warm.' Leah admits shaking her head, the single move causing the ache in her head to intensify. Reaching out, Keira places her hand against the blonde's forehead before immediately shaking her head and gently pushing her friend backwards into the room.

'Right, get back in bed... Where's Rory's clothes kept? All the nappies and wipes as well?' Keira asks guiding the blonde to the bed and pulling the covers back.

'W-What? Why? She'll be fine in her jammies. We'll have a jammie day.' Leah mumbles, sliding her body under the covers and pulling them up to her chin.

'No, you're ill... You need to rest, Le. So I'm going to pack a bag for Rory and I'm going to take her downstairs with us, okay? Then I am going to bring you up some snack bars and drinks to keep your fluids up, okay? You are going to spend the day in bed just relaxing and hopefully sleeping off whatever this is.' Keira says. She watches the blonde open her mouth to argue before she lets out a sigh and drops her head back to rest on the pillows.

'Her clothes are in the top drawer and you'll find the nappies and stuff in the one below... There's some snacks and stuff in there if you want to take them as well.' Leah says quietly.

****

'Come here, you.' Katrina says softly as she wraps her arms around Imogen and immediately feels the younger woman sink into her embrace.

'Why didn't you contact me? I would've been by your side in an instant.' Katrina adds as Imogen feels tears fill her eyes.

'I didn't know what to say.' Imogen almost whispers.

'Are you okay now? Are you getting there? Getting the help you need?' Katrina asks and Imogen nods her head.

'Mm-hmm... I see a therapist that the club arranged two days a week and then I'm also on antidepressants which have been helping.' Imogen admits smiling slightly as Katrina pulls back slightly, her hands reaching up to cup the brunette's cheeks as she stares at her face.

'Mm... Okay. I'm glad you're getting the help that you need, Imogen. I just wish you had phoned me.' Katrina says.

'I moved in with Steph and Dean for a while. I wasn't alone, I promise I just-I needed some time and I didn't know how to say that I'd once again hit rock bottom.' Imogen admits as Katrina uses her thumbs to gently wipe the tears from her cheeks.

'Okay.' Katrina says nodding her head.

'I don't want you to treat me like I'm going to break, Mini... I'm back in training, I'm okay to be here.' Imogen says causing the other woman to sigh.

'I know you are I just- I worry and I feel this overwhelming urge to protect you but I promise I will try to take a step back.' Katrina replies causing Imogen to shake her head.

'No, I don't want you to take a step back. I just want you to treat me like you normally would.' Imogen says.

'Okay... Well in that case, have you eaten today? I don't mean that nibble of toast you had at breakfast this morning?' Katrina asks causing Imogen to playfully roll her eyes, a small smile on her face.

**** 

The room is filled with silence as she slowly makes her way into it, the bed being dimly lit by the daylight peeking through a gap in the curtains. She can vaguely make out the blonde who's curled up in the bed, the covers pulled up to cover almost her entire body.

'I'm not sleeping.' The blonde mumbles.

'How you feeling?' Alex asks softly making her way over to place a bottle of water on the bedside table.

'My head is banging. I can't even put the light on.' Leah admits quietly.

'Have you taken some paracetamol?' Alex asks sitting on the edge of the bed.

'Mm-hmm... Took some like forty minutes ago.' Leah replies. Reaching out, Alex rests the back of her hand on the blonde's forehead.

'You're quite warm. Do you want me to get the doctor to come up and have a look at you? See if there's anything they can give you?' Alex asks.

'It's fine. I'll be fine.' Leah replies.

'Rory?' Leah asks quietly.

'Is doing absolutely fine. When I left she was sitting on the floor building a tower with Sarina.' Alex replies.

'With Sarina?' Leah says and Alex nods her head.

'She's having a ball down there honestly. I promise she's fine.' Alex replies smiling.

'I'd be lost without you girls.' Leah mumbles.

'Why don't you let one of us take Rory overnight? I'm sure Keira wouldn't mind or even Georgia... Let you get a proper nights sleep?' Alex suggests.

'No, I don't like being away from her at night.' Leah replies.

'But you'll let one of us know if you need us, won't you?' Alex says and Leah nods her head.

'Promise.' Leah replies.

****

'Do you want me to stay? I can help with Rory if she wakes up during the night or if you feel worse at least someone will be here.' Keira offers as she passes Leah a bottle of water.

'Mm... I wouldn't mind you staying but I also don't mind you not staying.' Leah replies.

'Let me go grab my jammies and I'll be back, okay?' Keira says and Leah nods her head. The blonde has been a relatively independent person ever since they met but even more so since having Rory; so the fact that she's not saying she's fine and can do it on her own shows Keira that she really is feeling quite ill and probably should stay. She's not even gone five minutes before she returns and slides into bed next to the blonde who sighs.

'Thank you for taking Roo today.' Leah almost whispers and Keira shakes her head.

'What is it they say? It takes a village to raise a child? We're your village, Le. Through thick and thin, no matter what when we're on camp we've all got you... Even when we're not on camp; I know it's harder with me being in Barca but if you need me I will find a way to get here.' Keira says, a small smile appearing on Leah's face.

'You're the best, Kei.' Leah replies. The room is filled with a comfortable silence as Keira reaches out to rest the back of her hand on the blonde's forehead for a few minutes before pulling it back.

'You're not as warn as you were earlier so hopefully you're over the worst of it.' Keira says softly.

'I don't feel as shitty.' Leah admits quietly.

'I'll still stay.' Keira says and Leah slowly nods her head.

'Please do.' Leah almost whispers, half asleep as she remains curled up on her side.