allmydreams | In which a friend in need is a friend indeed.

[Set after THIS and THIS.]

She knew better than most that she shouldn't be here.

She wasn't even supposed to be in the state. She was supposed to have been home in the beginning of the week, but the firm made her stay over for a few days and now she was going to the hospital in the middle of the night because Aaron had given himself alcohol poisoning. She didn't know why she was going, to be honest. She had said she was done with him, and that she never wanted to see him again, but she couldn't help herself.

She loved him. She'd always loved him. She couldn't stop loving him, even if she wanted to, because he had given her her son, and she would always care for him for that. Always hope that one day he'll want to actually meet him, see this incredible thing he'd helped create, but there wasn't much she could do there. All she could do was wait, and she knew that she said she was tired of waiting but she had to see him here. Because she couldn't bear to lose that hope.

She leaned in the doorway of his hospital room, waiting there silently while Jake worked on the paper work. When the nurse started hassling her, she moved inside, going to sit in one of the chairs next to the bed, and just watching him carefully for a moment, before leaning forward and burying her face in her hands.

"Damnit, Aaron. Why do you do stuff like this?"

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She shifted as she followed his eyes, before just settling in next to him again, letting herself get as comfortable as she could.

"How's he doin'?"

"Okay," she said with a nod. "Or, I think he will. He was aware enough to ask me if I've learned anything about having a relationship with him when I told him I wasn't going anywhere."

Jake snorted. "I don't know what to do 'bout 'im."

"I don't think anybody does," she sighed. "We just have to -- figure it out as we go."

"Don't think I have the energy for that anymore, Liss. Been doin' it since we were eight."

"I know," she said softly. "But -- he needs help, Jake. He needs -- someone to get him to talk."

"And why's it gotta be me? When...do I just get my life?"

"I'm not saying it has to be," she shook her head. "I think -- he just needs someone to point him in the right direction of someone who will."

"And who do you think can help him?"

She shrugged. "A shrink, maybe? A therapist?"

"He'd never go."

"Well, he can't keep living like this. He has to see that."

"You'd think so."

"It's like -- he's trying to kill himself." And the idea was breaking her heart. Jake could probably tell.

Jake's eyes were a bit stonier as he watched his friend sleep. "Yeah," he said softly. "Not the first time."

"I just wish he would see that he's worth more than that."

"You're worth more than botherin' with him."

"I'm not -- I'm not in this for me anymore, Jake," she sighed softly. "Michael deserves to know his father, doesn't he?"

Jake rubbed his eyes. "Michael deserves a good life and to be loved. I don't...." He looked at her. "I don't want him hurting my nephew."

"I don't think he would, Jake," she said slowly. "I mean, if you take it slow -- "

"Are we talkin' about the same guy?" He snapped, looking at her.

She closed her eyes at the snap. "Maybe I'd like to think that he could do well if given a chance. I mean, we're never going to know unless we let him try."

"Fine. Ask him if he wants to try. I'm not botherin'. I'm done." He shook his head and got up, heading for the door.

"Okay," she said softly, just letting him go before relaxing next to Aaron again.

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