Abe Sapien and the Witch

Chapter 42

Chapter forty- two

"Therapy?" she asked, her mind still a bit fuddled from the tranquiliser dart that John had shot her with earlier. She sat in an armchair in the library, wrapped up in Abes duvet like it was a protective cocoon. He sat poised on the arm of the chair, his body leaning close to hers while her friends sat in a row on the couch opposite her, a line of anxious faces.

They had taken her to the library where she lay sleeping on the couch until the effects of the dart wore off. Abe had lifted her to the armchair once she started to wake, so that they could explain to her what had just happened. She hadn't replied when they told her how worried they were, because she honestly didn't know what to say that could excuse or explain what she had just done.

Her cheeks were bright red since they asked her about hiding the food, and she wanted nothing more in this moment than for the chair to fall through the ground so that she could be swallowed away from the world. She continued to listen in silence, until Johann began to talk about her trying some therapy to help her deal with what she was going through.

"I don't really need therapy, do I?" she asked, her voice a quiet hum as she looked up at Abe. He reached out a hand to cup her chin, his thumb dancing in gentle strokes along her cheekbone. Her hand covered his, and she closed her eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath.

"I suppose...that, um, that talking about things with someone would help..." she accepted, trying to stop the tears that muddied her vision from spilling out over her eyelids with little luck.

Abes heart lunged a painful beat in his chest, and without words he gathered her up in her duvet while sliding down into the seat so that she was now in his lap. His arms wrapped around her, as much for want of protecting her from the hurt she was feeling, as for himself to feel that she was safe.

"You know," Liz said, leaning forward, "when I was staying at the asylum, talking through what was bothering me did help me to deal with some things. It's not easy, but we all need help sometimes. We all care so much about you, and whatever that...man, has done to you, we'll all help you to deal with it."

She nodded, surprised by the sense of relief she felt now that it was clear to everyone that she was not coping as well as she might have thought. "In the meantime," Abe whispered, his breath warm against her ear, "You can stay with me in my room- I won't leave your side for a moment, unless you want me to."

She smiled then, and Abe thought he caught a tiny glint of amusement in her eyes as she replied with another soft whisper, "But then, how can I watch you swim and pretend not to be admiring the view?"

*****

True to her word, she began to attend therapy sessions which Manning set up for her, though he was loathe to spend too much money from the B.P.R.D. budget on a trained professional that was also experienced with the paranormal.

Her nightmares were becoming less frequent, as having Abe sleep at her side provided her with great comfort. She was getting more used to daily life around the BP and its often-chaotic energy.

None of the BP officers mentioned that night to her, nor did they shy away from her like Abe was afraid they might. Within a week, her old bedroom was redecorated and furnished as if nothing had happened. Still, she remained sleeping with Abe in his room.

*****

"Abe?" she asked, walking towards the tank in the library. He floated inside, reading from one of the many books he enjoyed on the pedestals outside of the glass while she had sat by the fireplace, writing in her new diary. He turned to her, and for a moment he simply drifted there, taking in how beautiful she looked against the flickering comfort of the fireplace.

The way the sleeves of her cosy sweater hung over her wrists, far too long though that was how she liked them. The vague roundness under the stomach of the sweater, not overly pronounced though the stripes of the top accentuated it more. She was stunning.

"Abe?" she asked again, reaching a hand out towards the glass, "are you alright?" "Oh, yes, I do apologise, I was lost in thought for a moment..." he answered, placing his own hand against his side of the glass to mirror hers.

"Daydreaming about rotten eggs again?" she asked, mischief in her voice. The sight of her smile caused a lump to raise at the back of his throat. She was so very sweet, and funny, and innocent really... "Abe?" she asked again, laughing now and he started to laugh with her.

"I do love those eggs!" he quipped. "What's up?"

"Oh, it's just a thought I had...I know we haven't mentioned him, um...Laufey really. I just...sometimes I worry that he will come here and take us away from you."

"I will never let that happen, darling..." he said, his voice serious now. He meant it, for he would fight tooth and nail to protect them both from anything that would harm them.

Even if it killed him.