Through the Fire (a Les Twins fanfic)

Chapter 32: Match to a Flame

Patrick cracked open the door to his guest bedroom and peered in at Gabby.  She was curled up in a small ball in the middle of the bed where she'd finally fallen asleep from sheer exhaustion.

When Shauna asked for his help he'd insisted that Gabby come stay at his place for a while.  But since then she had gone from crying to completely shutting down emotionally.  She was barely eating or sleeping and there had been no word at all from Laurent.

Earlier that day, at his wits end Patrick grabbed Gabby's cell phone and plopped it down in front of her.

"Just call him,"  he instructed.

Gabby silently shook her head in response with a vacant look in her eyes.

"Gabby, honey, this is ridiculous.  The two of you need to communicate.  You don't know what he's thinking right now.  He doesn't know what you're thinking.  And the only way you'll find out is if one of you calls..."

She opened her mouth to interrupt, but Patrick cut her off.

"...And don't even try to act like you don't care because if you didn't care you wouldn't be all broke down like this."

Instead of inspiring her to pick up the phone, Patrick's words inadvertently reopened the flood gates.  Gabby had literally crumpled up and cried until she cried herself out.  And, now, feeling guilty as hell, Patrick found himself checking on her every hour on the hour like a distraught parent.

Worry lines creased his forehead.  He felt she couldn't go on like this.  She wasn't used to her emotions being raw and exposed this way.  Too much longer and the pain might really break her.

From the 911 text he got from Larry it was clear to Patrick that Laurent wasn't faring any better on the other side of the pond.  It was time for an intervention.

There was only one thing he was sure would bring Gabby back to the land of the living.  She was a fixer to her core.  She needed to be solving problems and putting out fires for other people.

And so, he knew exactly what he was going to do.   He was going to light a fire.

****

It was Gabby's fourth week so-called working from home.  Or, more precisely, lounging around Patrick's home.  She couldn't sleep at her own place because everything there reminded her of Laurent.  Even her pillow still smelled like him, but she couldn't bear to wash it.  She was miserable.

She was slumped on the couch watching daytime television when Patrick hurried into the room which was odd because he was supposed to be at the office.

"Gabby, I got a call from Laurent.  Something happened, but he didn't think you'd want to hear it from him."

She jerked up immediately.  "What's wrong?"

"I don't want you to get upset."  He sat down next to her and took one of her hands in his.

"Patrick, what is it?  Just tell me."

"It's Larry.  He got injured in the London show."

"What!  Oh no!  Is he alright?"  Her heart skipped a beat.

"Hey, listen.  Calm down.  He fractured his leg, but he's going to be fine.  He's asking for you though."

"For me?  Why me?"

"Laurent said he's inconsolable.  He'll probably have to sit out the rest of the tour.  He needs all his friends and family around him.  That includes you."

Gabby's mind had already started ticking making a list.  "I have to book a flight.  And what was the name of that hotel you stayed in when you were there?"

"Hmmm.  I'll have to ask my assistant."  Patrick reached for his iPad and started pressing buttons.  "But I'm worried about you going alone, sweety.  Let me see if maybe I can clear my schedule."

"No, Patrick, you've done enough for me.  I've practically been living with you for nearly a month now.  I'll be okay."

He looked her up and down then commenced scrolling through his calendar.  "Uh-uh.  No ma'am.  I am not convinced."

"Oh, wait.  I got it."  Gabby had a better idea.  "I can call Idris.  He moved back to London last month."

"Wellllll....,"  Patrick pretended to be thinking about it.  "I guess that'll work IF he's there.  But if he's not there then trust and believe I will be riding shotgun."

She checked the time in London and dialed Idris' number expecting it to go to voicemail.  To her surprise, he picked up on the first ring.

"Gabby!  What's good, love?"

She explained the situation and Idris confirmed he would be in town all week.  He was filming for a new movie on location somewhere in the city, but he'd send a car to pick her up from the airport.

By the time Gabby got off the phone she had already gathered her things and was halfway out the front door.

She gave Patrick a quick hug and kiss.  "Everything's settled. You don't have to worry about me.  Now I need to go home and pack."