Quiet Backstage: A Series of Lippa Oneshots

Stress Response Hyperstimulation

A/N: Had to post this one, because it hits really close to home tonight.

Pippa walked into rehearsals that day, quickly heading to her dressing room to get into her Eliza costuming for blocking of Hamilton. They had made it all the way to "Burn" until things started going wrong. Pippa blanked. Lin worridly stared at her from the wings as all the color drained from her face. The parchment paper shook between her fingertips.

"What's wrong?" The director, Tommy, asked, taking his headset off. He ran onto the stage, taking the thin paper from Pippa's hands. "Here, put this down. Why don't you go get some water, alright?"

Pippa slowly nodded and walked carefully into the wings. "Hey, hey, hey, are you okay?" Lin asked, placing a hand on the small of her back. He shifted his hand away as she went to untie the suffocating silk bow in the back of her dress. Pippa loudly exhaled as the ribbons fell to her sides. "You good?" Lin asked once more, placing his hand back on her back, following her to her dressing room.

"Yeah, I'm fine, I just...I don't know what came over me. I-I never do this." She started pacing the room, water bottle in hand, yet she wasn't sipping it.

"Hey, relax. Sit down, drink your water." Lin coaxed, sitting down beside Pippa on the couch. The room fell into a comfortable silence as Pippa caught her breath. "You think you're good to go back?" Lin asked, still rubbing Pippa's back.

"Yeah, I think." She nodded and started to retie the blue bow behind her back. The two went back out on stage, starting over for the top of Hamilton.

~~~~~

"Why are you blanking so badly today?" Tommy asked, as Pippa ended up blanking again, this time during Helpless.

"I don't know, I'm sorry." She sighed. Tommy then proceeded to call an hour break, one long enough for dinner, which was implied. "I'll be better, I promise." Pippa told Kail before she disappeared into the wings. Pippa gasped to herself, in pain, as her hand came to her shoulder. The same shoulder that a blinding and shooting pain had been present in since they first set eyes on the Public for rehearsal there, which was months ago. Now, they were rehearsing for Broadway.

"So, that's what this is about?" Lin asked, startling Pippa, who didn't know he was there.

"This is about what?" She asked, instantly dropping her hand from her shoulder.

"Your blanking. It's about that shoulder. It's killing you, and you're too distracted by it, aren't you?" Lin walked closer to Pippa, and her eyes dropped. "And correct me if I'm wrong, but it's been hurting you since tour, hasn't it?"

Pippa's eyes snapped up to his. "How do you know that?" She cleared her throat. "I mean, where did you get that idea from?" Pippa chuckled nervously.

Lin frowned. "Don't think we didn't notice the Advil supply slimming. Or how ice packs were always conveniently gone from the mini freezer when you were on breaks." He sighed. "Why don't we go see the doctor? The one a few blocks from here takes walk ins. I'll go with you."

Pippa was about to argue, but very soon realized that it was no use. She had to face the facts sooner or later.

~~~~~

"What is wrong with your shoulder is what we call stress response hyperstimulation." The doctor said. Pippa worridly looked over at Lin, who was holding her hand from his spot in a chair. Pippa turned her attention back to the doctor as he sat down in his wheeled chair.

"What does that mean?" Lin asked.

"Well," The doctor started. "It basically means that your body, Pippa, is under so much stress, that it is negatively reacting to it, via your shoulder. Does that make sense?" Pippa simply nodded. The doctor went on his own little spiel about relief, and Pippa truthfully tuned in when he said, "You're going to want to take some days off. Maybe even a week or two, if you want your shoulder ever feeling better."

The two actors agreed, and thanked the doctor before exiting the room. "Alright, Pip, My Love, you heard him. We can pick up some dinner on the way back, then go talk to Tommy, see what's going to happen." He kissed the side of her head.

"Um, no thank you. Yes, I heard him, but I don't take days off." Pippa crossed her arms, even though it hurt her shoulder.

"Phillipa, this shoulder has been hurting you for Lord knows how long! I know you can't resist an audience, but you're going to have to take a week or so off. Love, rest is the only way you're going to get this pain to stop."

"No, I can't. I already blanked out twice today, I can't just drop the entire show for a week. No, Sir." Pippa shook her head as they continued to walk.

"The only reason you were blanking is because you were distracted by the pain in your shoulder! Oh my gosh, why can't you see this?" Lin sighed. Pippa's gaze dropped to her feet. "Tommy's finding out one way or another, Pip. Whether it's from you or from me, you're taking that week off. Darling, I know you hate it, but you've got to do it." Lin sighed once more. "It just has to happen, if you ever want to get better."

Pippa exhaled. "Fine, but let me finish tonight out?"

"No." Lin shook his head. "I'm sorry, Pip, but right as we get in there, we're talking to Tommy, and then we're taking you home. I'm done for the night, anyways."

"No, you're not. You still have to block Alexan--" Pippa started, but was interrupted.

"Nope. I'm going home with you. I know Tommy will let me, because she let you go home with me, and take care of me when I was sick, so yes, you're going home." A small smile creeped onto Pippa's face. A small smile that thanked Lin, and in that moment, the pain in her shoulder seemed to subside just a bit.