Aftermath
 

What a month.

First they upped the rent on her apartment. Then she narrowly avoided a hostage situation at the University. Then she ended up with one of her friends and his daughter poisoned, and herself balancing on her toes, trying to keep her head from being sliced off by cheesewire.

To top it all off, I think I caught Blair's cold

Her whole body ached and her head was pounding. Maybe she shouldn't have had those beers after the game last night. Corrinne ducked her head under the spray, letting the white hot needles massage her scalp.

It WAS a good game, though. She had played hard and fast, working out her confusion. Jump. Step. Bounce pass. Catch. Stop. Shoot. Simple, easy thoughts. She'd deliberately shown up late, delaying the questions, the remarks that had come later.

"...good game, Corrinne.."

"...Yeah! Kicked ass...."

"...What happened to your neck?..."

*What happened? A psycho tried to turn me into some kind of wierd-ass Christmas decoration.*

//....then I'm gonna kill her.//

Corrinne grabbed the soap and lathered it over her face. It didn't stop the little voice in her mind.

*What if Jim hadn't been there? What if he hadn't been a Sentinel? What if it was just you? Face it. You'd be dead. Or worse.*

//Maybe I'll have some fun first.......//

She shivered and turned the hot water up a notch.

Turning the water off, Corrinne slicked the residual beads from her arms, then stepped onto the mat, grabbing a towel off the rack. She cursed as she banged her elbow on the edge of the sink. That was another thing she had to get used to. The lack of space.

"We're sorry to see you go -"

Then why are you firing me?

" - but as you know, this was only a temporary job. I'm afraid we have no vacancies at the moment."

"No, of course, I understand."

"We will keep you appraised if a vacancy should show up."

"Thank you."

"Oh, by the way, do you mind if I ask what happened to your neck?"

"Not at all."

Corrinne had smiled, walked calmly out of the building, down the block...and kicked a garbage can across the street, screaming in frustration.

Then she'd bought a newspaper and gotten a job selling fried chicken.

Three days later she moved into a single room apartment. Not as nice as her old one, but it was cheaper...and smaller...noisier...smellier...

Good job. TOO good. If you'd been a bit slower, you might still have it, bought some time until something came up. You cut your own throat with this one.

Cut your own throat.  she laughed mirthlessly, one hand coming up to feel her neck. That's a good one

//The skitter of her knees across the asphalt, that hand, pawing inside her shirt....//

Oh God Corrinne slammed into the toilet and threw up, over and over while the images flashed through her mind. Wiping her mouth with the back of her hand, she curled up around herself on the mat. God, I'm such a screwup.... was her last thought before she passed out.

A paw brushed questioningly at her face. She opened her eyes and peered into the green eyes of her tabby.

~Miaow?~

Corrinne pushed herself to a sitting position. Her towel fell unnoticed to the floor and she grabbed her bathrobe, wrapping the belt around her waist. Cat food she thought fuzzily.

Leaning against the wall, she grabbed the cat food out of the fridge as Tab circled her ankles. Pulled the plastic wrap off the top, she looked to the side, refusing to see the contents of the tin. She saw the congealed remains of last nights dishes in the sink and shuddered as her stomach roiled. Dumping the tin into the bowl, she staggered to her bed and sat down, face in her hands. Her head was pounding wildly again. Make it stop she pleaded silently.

After a while, she realised it was someone knocking at the door. Tightening her robe around her body, she weaved her way over and opened it. "Yes?" she managed.

Jim was there, a baby carrier at his side, a bag of assorted baby stuff slung over his shoulder. "Corrinne?" he asked, concerned.

"Oh, hi Jim."

*Babysitting.* Something normal people did. Leaving the door open, she wandered back to her bed.

Jim followed her. "Are you all right?"

Looking up, she forced a bright look into her eyes and a smile onto her face. "Yeah. I just celebrated too much after the game last night."

Jim smiled. "Good one, huh?"

"Yeah, we creamed their ass. Oops, I shouldn't say that in front of Dayna."

"Um, speaking of Dayna..." Jim held the carrier out to one side "I think she needs to be changed."

"Oh, yeah." Corrinne managed to get to her feet. "We can change her on the.." The smell hit her and she barely made it to the bathroom.

God oh God I feel like crap After a while she realised there was someone holding her hair out of the way, one hand supporting her back. She fell against the wall to the side and felt a wet cloth caress her face. Opening her eyes, she saw it was Jim.

"I'm sorry," she moaned, trying to push herself to her feet. To have Jim see her like this, of all people.

He slid a supporting arm under her and helped her into the main room. "It's ok." She collapsed on the bed and he pulled the cover over her, frowning as he brushed a hand across her forehead. She was burning up. He shivered suddenly and realised the room was like a tomb.

Spotting a radiator in a corner, Jim moved over and tried to coax it alight. After a few minutes, he gave up in disgust. Either the gas was out or it was broken. He stopped to sooth Dayna as she squirmed uncomfortably, then came to a decision.

Jim pulled open the passenger side door. "Corrinne?"

She blearily opened her eyes. "Jim?" she mumbled.

"Yeah, come on." He pulled Dayna's carrier out of the restraints in the back and wrapped an arm around Corrinne's waist, coaxing her out of the truck. She leaned heavily on him, her bare feet scooting across the concrete floor of the garage as he led her to the stairwell. The elevator was out. Again.

They were a few steps shy of the top when Corrinne swayed dangerously and almost fell. "Easy, easy." Jim sat her on the step and hooked the baby carrier over his elbow. "Come on, you can do it." He scooped her into his arms and made it up the last few steps. Stopping outside the Loft, he kicked the door gently with his foot. "Open up, Sandburg," he called.

His ears picked up the puttering as his roommate moved to the door. "Jim?"

"Who else?" he hoisted Corrinne higher in his arms. The fever burning through her was starting to make him uncomfortable.

Blair absently opened the door, absorbed in a book he held in his hand. "I thought you had some stuff you wanted to do before we left," he murmured, turning a page.

"I'd appreciate some help here, Chief." Jim said dryly.

Blair looked up, then dropped the book. "Corrinne!" He took the carrier from the crook of Jim's arm. "What happened?"

"Flu." Jim swung past him and into the loft. "Pretty bad. The heat's out at her place, I couldn't leave her there." He stopped by the couch, then turned and headed for the upper bedroom. She would be more comfortable there.

He heard the quick footsteps of his Guide behind him. "You wanna put her in my bed? I can sleep on the couch."

Jim shook his head as he came off the top step. "My bed. *I* can sleep on the couch. Besides, if we put her in your room, we might scare her off, then we'd lose a babysitter."

"Funny." Blair peeled back the covers and helped him lay the semiconscious woman on the bed. "Oh man, she's really hot." he disappeared downstairs and came back a few moments later with a wet cloth and a few odds and ends. "We gotta get her cooled down." he busied himself pouring a glass of water from the pitcher he had brought up with him.

Jim nodded and untied her bathrobe. "Uh, Chief."

"Yeah?"

"Could you...pass me that shirt?" Jim's voice sounded strange.

Blair looked down and grinned. "Jim," he passed the requested item over. "It's just skin."

"Yeah, well I don't think she'd be too happy at us seeing it." Jim eased Corrinne into a sitting position and manoeuvred her into the shirt.

Corrinne opened her eyes as he did up the last button and Blair grabbed the water and some aspirin. She looked at him with fever glazed eyes as he held the glass to her lips, coaxing her into taking a sip and the pills. "Rebound." she muttered, leaning back into the pillows.

Jim gave her a wary look. "I hope that doesn't mean what I think it does...." Images of cleaning vomit stained sheets smacked through his mind.

"Relax Jim." Blair put the cloth on her forehead. "It's a netball term. It's what they yell when the opposing goalie's going to shoot. Kinda like an Urban Voodo" There was an indignant cry from downstairs. "I think I'd better go see to Dayna."

He padded down the stairs as Jim pulled another blanket onto the bed. The Sentinel smiled at the grossed-out sounds emanating from the lounge.

"Auk! Jim, man, when was the last time you changed her? Eeewww." rustle rustle "There you go, Dayna, that's better, isn't it? I think I need to have a talk with uncle Jim about leaving you to stew, don't I? Yes."

"I heard that, Sandburg," he growled.

"You were supposed to." Blair shot back. "Come on Dayna, let's go wash this smelly old thing out."

Jim turned his attention back to the woman on the bed. He soothed her softly as she made a restless sound and ran the cloth over her face, leaving soothing trails. "Easy. Easy. No-one's gonna hurt you."

Corrinne settled at the sound of his voice and turned her head, sighing slightly. Jim trailed the cloth over her neck, unconsciously following the scar. Putting the cloth to one side, he ran his fingers over it, sensitive tips picking up the roughness in the otherwise smooth skin.

It was his fault. Like Sandburg so many times before, Corrinne had been dragged into something she didn't have any part. Someone had used her to strike back at him. He followed the line up to her jaw. And just like Sandburg she came back.

She moaned, bringing a hand up to brush his aside. "No....don't...please..." she begged softly as she tossed restlessly in a nightmare.

Bradley  Jim's mouth set in a hard line. Nightmares. Just like Sandburg. "Shh," he soothed, rubbing her forehead softly.

"No...don't...JIM!" She sat bolt upright, shuddering. He caught her shoulders and eased her back into the bed.

"Shh. He's gone, it's ok."

The door banged below as Blair returned and she started awake. "Whaaa? Where'm I?"

Jim held her down with a hand on her shoulder. "Take it easy, you're in the Loft."

"Loft?"

He smiled reassuringly. "You got a good case of Sandburg's flu. "

He heard shuffling sounds below, then Blair tiptoed up the stairs, a mug in his hand. "I brought some Eucalyptus tea." He handed the mug over and helped her to sit up. "Here, drink this."

She shook her head groggily. "Feel like shit."

"Yeah, I know. Drink this, it'll make you feel better."

She drained the mug, then put it to one side. "Gross," she murmured, snuggling down on the bed.

"Isn't it?" Jim sympathised, standing up and stretching as she slipped back into an uneasy sleep. "Dayna?" he asked.

"She's sleeping." Blair gestured downstairs. "The doc said she'd do a lot of that after...that stuff."

Jim put an arm around partners shoulders. That one had been too close. For both of them. "So should you, Chief."

"This from the man who wanted to drag me off camping this weekend." Blair looked down at Corrinne. "I guess that one's out."

"Upset?" Jim probed.

"Nah," Blair shrugged. "We owe her a heap, anyway. So who's taking first watch?"

Corrinne sighed and opened her eyes. This is nice. she snuggled down a bit deeper into the comforter, stretching across the bed. Hang on. she opened her eyes. This isn't MY bed...

Blair smiled over at her from the seat at the side. "How do you feel?"

"Tired." Corrinne sat up, smiling as Blair plumped the pillows behind her. "Thanks. Uh, Blair? Why am I in Jim's bed?"

"You've got the flu. Jim said the heat was out at your place, so he brought you back here. You've been pretty out of it all night." Blair poured her some water. "How did you know it was Jim's room?"

She waved a hand around the room as she sipped at the glass. "Jim things. I'm really sorry, I didn't mean to put you out like this - "

Blair shook his head. "It's ok. I got to catch up on my reading," he lifted the book.

"Aboriginal Myths and legends?"

"Yeah. Good stories, but they don't mention the fact that they throw great parties." They both chuckled.

Corrinne felt the call of nature and pushed the comforter down. She blushed at the view, and realised who else must have seen it. "Um Blair? Do you have any clothes I could...?"

"Oh yeah, yeah." Blair pulled a bundle of clothes off the desk. "These should fit, if you don't mind wearing my stuff."

"Nope."

Blair moved to the stairs to give her some privacy. "I'll be down there if you need a hand."

"I'll be fine, thanks." Corrinne pulled on the clothes, wincing at the soreness in her muscles. Sliding gingerly out of bed, she waited until everything stopped moving, then got to her feet.

Holding tightly to the rail, she padded down the stairs. Jim was there, making breakfast. "Glad to see you're up." he smiled.

"Oh MAN!" Blair ran out of his room, a book in his hand. "Jim, I gotta go to the U. I just realised this book is like three days overdue." He scooped up the carrier on his way past. "I'll take Dayna down with me, the fresh air'll do her good. Want anything if I go past the shops? Oh, hi Corrinne. Glad the clothes fit. See you later."

Corrinne watched bemusedly as he whirled out the door, then shook her head as she wandered into the bathroom. Jim grinned and put some coffee on to perk, stoking the wood stove up to make the Loft a bit warmer.

The toilet banged and flushed, and Corrinne came back out of the bathroom, stretching. In a pair of Blair's old sweats, she looked like a little kid. Jim smiled and resisted the urge to tousle her hair. "How d'you feel?"

"Fine, thanks." She gave him an embarrassed smile. "Thank you for taking care of me." she stopped suddenly as she realised. "Oh, no. The camping trip!" The reason why she had Dayna for the weekend in the first place. "Jim, I'm so sorry, I - "

Jim waved his hand. "It's ok."

"You sure? I mean, I know you *really* needed this time off, I mean after..." she trailed off, swallowing slightly.

"It's ok." Jim said again, then paused. "Corrinne? Why didn't you tell me you had to move?"

"I thought you knew. Oh, that's right, Blair usually drops Dayna off. My temp job at the office was over. I got another one - down at Chickie Babes? - but I couldn't afford to keep my old place. The new one's a lot cheaper."

"And smaller," he added. "Corrinne, you could have stayed here this weekend. The Loft was free if you wanted to use it."

"Nah, it's ok."

"Are you sure?" Jim pressed. "It can't be much fun stuck in that tiny apartment with Dayna."

"I'm fine. Really."

Jim recognised the tone of voice. Stubborn pride, mixed in with the fear of relying on someone else. Something he knew all too well. "How's your neck?" he asked trying to change the subject.

Corrinne's hand was shaking as she brought it up to feel the scar. "Fine, thanks. I just -" She sat down suddenly on the couch and drew her knees up to her chest. Jim picked up on her heart accelerating, could hear her breath coming in short gasps as she rocked herself.

Panic attack He moved forward and sat beside her, one hand rubbing gently at her back. "Shhh. It's all right. Deep breaths. It's all right," he murmured soothingly.

"It's NOT all right." Corrinne twisted free of his hand and huddled closer in on herself. "Bradley was going to kill me." She scrunched her eyes tight, teeth sinking into her bottom lip as it all crashed down on her. "He. Was. Going. To. Kill. Me." A sob tore its way out of her chest, then another. "Oh God. Oh my God. He was going to r-rape me. He was going to kill me." she whispered brokenly.

Jim pulled her into his arms, gently rocking her as she cried. "Shhhh. Shhhh." How long has she been bottling this up? It had been over a week. Dammit, I should have checked she was all right, I should have...* "Shhh. He's gone, it's all right. I'm not gonna let him hurt you again."

She clutched at his sweater, looking up at him with tear stained eyes. "Promise?"

"I promise." He held her tighter, rocking her gently as she fell asleep again. *I promise.*

Jim pulled the truck up outside the apartment building. "Are you sure you're ok?"

Corrinne rolled her eyes. "Jim, I've taken over your bed for three days. I'm ok. Besides, I think Blair's getting sick of the snores from the couch."

"I don't snore." Jim said defensively.

"Yeah man, you do." Blair looked up from where he was fussing over Dayna. "Snore, snore snore, all night. It's like being stuck a logging camp. I keep thinking I'm gonna wake up and find I've chained myself to a tree in my sleep."

"Wiseass." Jim muttered. Corrinne chuckled as he attempted - unsuccessfully - to swat his partner in the back seat.

Leaning over, she kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you," she looked over her shoulder at Blair. "Both of you. For everything. For taking care of me. For - for not making me feel like an idiot." The last words came out in a rush.

Jim nodded and put a hand on her shoulder. "We're there if you need us."

"Both of us." Blair added his hand. "We've both been there. Sometimes, you just need someone to hold on to."

"Thanks." Corrinne put her hand over both of theirs for a moment, then opened the door. "I'll see you tomorrow." She got out of the car and headed for the door to her apartment block. Stopping on the top step, she turned and waved, then headed into the building.

All Content Copyright © 2001 Taleya Joinson
Last modified: November 12, 2010