InsaneJournal

Jefferson? Am I dreaming?
Who: Alice, Jefferson, Oliver Wood, and a bit of Anastasia (Anya).
What: Chatting on the day the Blue Flu was cured.
When: Right after this (1/16).
Where: The hospital where Oliver and Alice are holed up.
Rating: PG-13 for language and innuendo.
Status: Complete!



Once Thor had dropped him off, Jefferson had simply and quietly made his way to Alice’s room. Both she and Oliver were sound asleep, and he hadn’t had the heart to wake her. He’d dropped into a chair and nodded off. It hadn’t been until sometime the next morning that he’d been awoken.

Alice was still sleeping, oxygen mask on, forehead faintly sweaty. She wasn’t running a high fever, just 100 F, but it was enough to make her sleep a bit more than usual. Rolling over, she curled into the fetal position, tucking her knees up to her chest as she pulled the covers tight to her chin.

Jefferson was awoken by the arrival of a nursing student, who ignored him - enough people had been caught in the quarantine that early visitors were no longer odd - in favor of Alice. She leaned over the bed. “Miss Ayres? Dear, time to wake up. I have a new medicine for you.” She was smiling extra, though. Despite her exhaustion. “My name is Anya. I am helping here for the quarantine.”

Alice blinked as she woke up, looking only at the nurse. “Oh?” She wiped her eyes, struggling to sit up a little. But then she turned her head and saw Jefferson. The smile she gave lit up her whole face, and she barely noticed the medicine. “Jefferson? Am I dreaming?”

Jefferson smiled sleepily. “Nope.” He’d tell her more when the nursing student was gone.

Anya smiled. “Take this inhaler,” she injected swiftly. “They say it may be a cure, Miss Ayres.” Her eyes were shining.

Blinking, Alice took the inhaler in one hand and took her oxygen mask off with the other. She was old hat at inhalers by then, and she shook it lightly before putting it in her mouth and breathing in. The last one had really helped, maybe this one would too. “I hope it is a cure, Anya, so you can go home and sleep!” She laughed a little before coughing.

Anya lowered her voice. “They are saying it really is a cure. They are not wanting us to say so openly lest people explode, but I think it is. I saw two patients improve within hours.” She smiled shyly at Jefferson before turning back to Alice. “I will leave one for your roommate as he is not to be woken by the doctor’s orders.”

Alice nodded. “He doesn’t really have it, but better to be safe than sorry. He’s here because he had surgery on his leg.” She grinned at Anya. “I’m looking forward to seeing you when I’m not dying, Anya.”

But Alice couldn’t keep her eyes off of Jefferson for much longer, and she bit her lip a little before putting her mask back on.

Anya saw the look. “Doctor says better to be safe than sorry with that one, yes.” She nodded at Oliver, smiling. “I will leave you, but please call if there is a major change for better or worse.” She nodded to Jefferson and went on down the hall.

Jefferson, meanwhile, had risen, smiling. “Thor,” he said simply, by way of explanation. “He approached me last night. I got here early in the morning.”

“Thank you, Anya.” Alice squeezed the nurse’s hand, smiling to herself. But then she sat up a little bit to wrap her arms around Jefferson’s waist, hugging him tightly. “You didn’t have to come, Jefferson, but I’m so glad you’re here.”

“There’s nothing out there for me.” Jefferson shrugged, hugging her just as hard, sighing. “He offered me a ride and told me to think about it, but I didn’t have to.”

She couldn’t help it. Reaching up, Alice stroked his face and leaned up to kiss his cheek. “Hopefully I’ll be out soon, and then we can see the world. I want to stay and help Oliver with his physical therapy, but then you and I are en route to the chocolate factory.”

He flushed, but it was more shyness and less distaste. He really cared for Alice. He just had to get more comfortable. “Physical therapy? What happened?” Had Oliver changed his mind, then? Jefferson had to smile at that.

She couldn’t help but grin, still close to him. “Come lay down?” Sitting up still took a bit out of her. “He listened. He’ll still be able to walk, but he’ll still live, and I’m just … I couldn’t lose him. He’s my family.”

Jefferson sat down on the bed next to her, stroking her hair. He smiled when Alice said Oliver had listened. “I’m just glad he got a bit of perspective. You would have been so sad.” He didn’t entirely understand their relationship, but he knew how close they were.

She nodded, closing her eyes as he stroked her hair. “I’d … I don’t know what I’d have done.” Biting her lip, she reached out to take his free hand. “How’s your boss?”

“She seemed stable when I looked in on her. I’ve been worried.” Jefferson felt calmer just feeling her grip; it was stronger and more confident. “You seem to be wheezing less already.”

“I feel better already. Not fully recovered, but closer.” She actually felt hungry too, but she didn’t want to move. Jefferson’s fingers in her hair were as soothing as anything had ever felt, and it was the first time she’d fully relaxed since entering the hospital.

“Good. Hopefully it will continue.” Jefferson sighed, closing his eyes. “I’ve been so scared,” he admitted. “I’m very fond of you, Alice.”

“I meant what I told you,” she murmured. She’d said she loved him, and while it was likely preemptive and probably going to scare him away, she didn’t regret it. She meant it. “I didn’t want to leave you alone. Not without finding out if we’re meant to be friends or not.” The only possibility for the ‘or not’ scenario was if they ended up together romantically.

Jefferson understood, and while it was intimidating, he appreciated her honesty. “I know it sounds overdramatic, but I really don’t have any friends besides you and Lulu here in Orange County. Most of them are up north, or out on the east coast.” He smiled. “It isn’t as though you have to forever be by my side or some such ridiculousness, but your presence is … important to me.” He looked away.

Reaching up, Alice turned his head back toward her, smiling a little through her mask. “I know what you mean. You’re comfortable. But you still make my heart skip about three beats.”

He blushed deeply. “You’re very kind. It’s … I don’t know. I just like being with you.” And now he’d get to.

“I’m lucky that goes both ways, huh.” She wanted to kiss him, but she didn’t. Instead, she just closed her eyes. “I hope I get to leave soon. I bet you’re going stircrazy.”

“I’ve barely been here a day. I’m fine.” Jefferson squeezed her hand. “I think you’re the stir-crazy one. Or at least I wouldn’t blame you.”

“Oh, I’ve been fine. Between Oli and myself we’ve gotten all the game shows watched, and I’ve caught up on the reading I’ve always meant to get to.” She smiled at him, leaning a bit more heavily.

“And he’s going to manage?” Jefferson was still maybe a trifle jealous, but only a bit. He did want the man to be well. “I absolutely understand if you want to help him with things before we go on vacation.”

“Just until he can get around by himself.” She took off her oxygen mask before pressing a kiss to Jefferson’s palm. It felt like she could breathe better, and she grinned immediately.

“I hope that won’t be long. For his sake.” He knew the type. Oliver Wood, the soccer player, not able to even walk? He’d be pushing it immediately.

“Likewise.” Alice closed her eyes, just glad to be close to him. She was rasping less, and she grinned. “Jefferson? I feel a little better. Do you want to have something to eat with me?” It was kind of like a date, right?

“All right.” It was a very good sign that she was hungry. “I can go get us something, if you’d like? Or maybe can you call that Eastern European lady?”

“Anya? She’s Russian, and a dear.” She pressed the ‘call nurse’ button on her bed, if only because she wanted to tell someone she was feeling better, to have someone confirm it.

Anya appeared - she’d been handling the non-emergency calls, so the nurses could be used elsewhere. “Hullo, Miss Ayres. Ради Бог, you already look improving.” She had said ‘oh my god’ in Russian, which she normally didn’t say, but it really was noticeable! “Can I help with something?”

“I just wanted to make sure I’m not hallucinating - I really do feel better. I’m starving too, can Jefferson and I get something to eat?” She grinned, practically bouncing in her seat.

‘If you’re taking orders, I’ll have sommat as well,’ Oliver pipped in, a yawn cutting him off at the end. Over the course of the conversation he’d slowly woken up, staying as still and quiet as he could so not as to interrupt. But the thought of food was too good to pass up.

Jefferson blinked. “Oh. Hello. I thought you were asleep.” He smiled.

Anya went over to Oliver, eyeing his machines before replying. “Good morning, Mister Wood; my name is Anya. I am a pre medical student. I can go look for some food for you and Miss Ayres and the gentleman.”

Alice grinned, moving the curtain and going to kiss Oliver on the forehead and hugging him. “Oli! I don’t sound like a haunted house anymore when I breathe!” She couldn’t help herself, squealing happily and pouncing on Jefferson again.

‘And here I was just getting used to the snoring,’ retorted Oliver. He observed Alice’s giddy excitement with a passive smile. Seeing her happy was remarkable, though he’d have been lying if it sat entirely perfectly with him.

After his conversation with Alice regarding Verity, there was a nagging subconscious sensation that every step she took towards Jefferson was a step away from him. Not that he was jealous; Jefferson stood for something in Alice’s life that Oliver never could, nor wanted to be. Just that in the end of things, he could easily envision himself alone in a large house with a whiskey and cane while Alice traveled the world on the arm of one of the most decent blokes Oliver had met in a really long time.

She deserved every ounce of happiness coming to her though, and from what Oliver knew of Jefferson, he did as well. And that was enough for now.

‘I’m glad you’re feeling better, love. How are you, Jefferson? Stuck in here with the rest of us now, eh?’

“Yes, but it’s no great loss. Thor was able to help me.” Jefferson smiled. “My boss has been laid up as well, and I have few friends in this area. I was getting upset, not being able to know how things were with her or Alice.” He figured he ought to tread lightly; they both cared about Alice and could show it in different ways.

“We have been bringing around medicine for the illness,” Anya piped up. “They think it will be a cure unless someone is very mistaken.” She smiled. “I will find you food.” She left them to their conversation; it seemed important.

Alice felt like she was floating. Oliver looked better, and she felt better, and was that Jefferson actually smiling? Bouncing a little, she moved to sit down on her bed, making sure the curtain between her bed and Oliver’s was gone. “I was just telling Jefferson that I’m excited to help with your PT, Oliver. Now that I can. I couldn’t even walk before.”

She was still holding onto Jefferson’s hand, loathe to let go. But some of the exuberance, some of the joy and love would always be Oliver’s. She wondered if he’d known that the only reason she’d ever thought of ever leaving his home was for his happiness. She just wanted him and Verity to live their lives how they needed to in the long run.

“I can’t wait to take a hot shower, I really can’t.” Alice made a happy sort of groaning noise at the very idea.

‘Haha!’ Oliver laughed loudly, slapping a hand against his left thigh, the one still whole and un-maimed after his accident. ‘A shower. Mhm. Sounds glorious. Nae that I mind spongebaths, mind,’ he winked at Jefferson. Boys club and all.

‘So did I overhear there a cure going round?’

“The Russian girl said that, yes.” Jefferson smiled, if a trifle awkwardly. Oliver was more … extroverted than he was, but he still meant well. He’d do his best to be friendly; Jefferson just hoped that his shyness wasn’t misunderstood. “I hope it’s an actual cure. It does seem to be working quickly.” He smiled back at Alice. “You’re no longer that alarming shade of blue, for one.”

“As long as the nurse who wants to marry you doesn’t give them to you, right?” Alice winked at Oliver as well, pulling her knees to her chest. She loved her might-as-well-be-brother’s gregariousness, and it was a never ending source of amusement for her.

“There is. I took it, and there’s some for you too, Oliver. And Jefferson, you’re taking a hit of mine. None of you are catching it, and that’s my final word. And don’t you think of being all brave on me, Oliver, I’ll use your middle name on you.” Alice used her Stern Voice.

‘I happen to like my middle name,’ Oliver said. He took the inhaler from his bedside table anyway, though, because Alice was right. He had a bum shoulder, a buggered leg and not too long ago his internal organs had more closely resembled a milkshake. There was no need for taking extra chances.

One puff was all it took, according to the label, and Oliver did so obediently, chucking the inhaler towards Jefferson as soon as he was finished. ‘Take mine instead... Alice should use all of hers.’

He wasn’t about to argue. Jefferson caught the inhaler in one fluid motion, obediently taking a pull. “Best mind the lady,” he said gravely, though for those who knew him, there was humor in it. He had a drier sense of humor than most, but some appreciated it. “Why do I think she’ll pull us to the doctor’s office by our ears if we resist?”

“Because you know me, obviously.” Alice grinned at Jefferson, leaning on him, feeling like the luckiest girl in the world. Even with her hospital gown on.

She was just glad that Jefferson had never gotten ill and that Oliver had never contracted it at all. And she had to thank Thor. She was sure he’d helped her beat it somehow, not to mention his bringing Jefferson to her.

Then her stomach growled, shocking her out of her thoughts, and she laughed loudly. “My body knows I’ve lost weight. I’m pretty sure I can feel my ribs now.” Her fingers pressed into her sides, wrinkling her nose. “I’ll have to fatten up before I go back to work.”

Smirking, Oliver lifted up his own shirt for a cheeky comparison. ‘Care for some of mine?’ he offered. A year off the pitch and being run over by a truck had really changed his body quite a bit from its former glory. For one, there were scars everywhere, bright pink nasty things where McCoy had sew broken flesh back together like a living jigsaw. But there was fat too, not a lot, but far more than Oliver was used to and far less than most people. Thus, his sick-twisted humor. It was the only way to face the long road ahead.

Jefferson felt instantly awkward - he was never going to be the type to reciprocate a gesture like that - but he did chuckle. “You can’t cook, can you?” He asked Oliver. “I’m not much for it, but clearly, Alice needs a transfusion. You don’t seem to have much to spare.”

Alice rolled her eyes. “Oh my god, you’re not perfectly muscular! You look like a human!” She actually liked his scars, thought they gave him character, and she hoped that Verity would feel the same. But Jefferson looking like he was worrying about her made her smile.

“I can cook for myself, thank you.” She laughed, wrinkling her nose in mock indignation. “I swear, blokes are so much more vain than I’ll ever be. Probably because of work.” She hated primping most of the time, and was much happier in her hospital gown and messy hair than she’d been any day at work in her life.

Oliver rolled his eyes playfully, looking to Jefferson for a bit of backup. ‘She’s mental, clearly. Drugs, straight to her head.’

“I plead the Fifth.” Jefferson laughed. “She can hit me.”

“Excuse me.” Anya had reappeared, bearing crackers, sodas and boxes of cereal. “I’m very sorry, but I gathered all I could find for now. It’s too much early to have the hot food as no kitchen staff is working. I hope it helps though?”

Alice grinned and bounced up to greet Anya, hugging her and taking the food. She scooted closer to Oliver, bringing over a chair for Jefferson, being careful to keep her decorum (and her gown) as she created a makeshift table near her friend for the three of them.

“This is fantastic, Anya, thank you. Just something in my stomach will help so much.” She was already bogarting the cheese crackers.

‘Cheers, love,’ Oliver added, nodding to Anya. He wasn’t a picky eater when he wasn’t in training and as that would apparently never happen again, cereal sounded lovely.

Waving Jefferson over, Oliver shifted in bed so he could properly participate in their strange indoor picnic. It was a little awkward, with his leg still immobile, but he was growing used to being bedridden. ‘So, Jefferson. Tell me a little more about yourself. How did you meet our girl, here?’ He knew the story, of course. Alice had told him, but knowing now how Verity disliked Alice, he did wonder if Jefferson felt similarly about him. Perhaps a little easy conversation to start off with would help ease any pressure.

“You are welcome.” Anya smiled and withdrew.

Why did it feel as though this was the family talk? Jefferson had to smile. “I actually met her at her club. My late wife’s brother was getting married, and he’d asked me to come to the bachelor party. I didn’t think I could refuse, and Alice rescued me from a night of awkwardness.” He looked over at her. “Caroline hadn’t been gone four months and it was just … ” He trailed off. “I didn’t want to look like a prude, or like I was unaware of the ladies’ charms, but I wasn’t ready. So I had a pleasant evening of talking with Alice.” He smiled shyly.

Alice sipped her soda through a straw, swinging her legs a little. “I’ve done my job for … crap, almost six years now, off and on?” She felt her eyes go a bit wider. “I can recognize when people just don’t need to be there. Hell, there’s loads of blokes who just don’t like the place. I can appreciate pretty naked girls, and I don’t like it. It’s just not the cleanest place in the world, and I don’t know, lots of the people I work with look so tired.”

Grinning up at Jefferson, she kissed his cheek. “Best night of work ever, just sitting with him and chatting.” She wondered if Oliver approved of Jefferson. Not that it mattered - she’d date who she pleased - but considering Oliver was the closest thing she had to family, it would be nice if they got on.

‘I understand,’ Oliver said simply, the meaning twofold. Surprisingly, he didn’t much care for strip clubs himself. Everything Alice had said he also found to be true. There was an unspoken sadness about sitting in a room with a bunch of other men paying women to strip that he didn’t want to have any part of. But if it gave Alice a job, it was all fine by him.

Oliver also understood how wonderful it could be just to talk with someone. Someone you had a true connection to, and if the way Alice was staring at Jefferson had any truth behind it, then he was happy for them both. Even if Jefferson wasn’t ready, which he also understood far too well.

‘So I hear you’re whisking Alice off to Canada, when this is all over. Do you travel much?’

“That was her idea, actually. And no, I’ve never been out of the country.” Jefferson took a few crackers; he was a bit hungry himself. “Caroline was a concert cellist before she got sick; she’d seen about forty countries. I was to go with her on her next tour, but obviously, that didn’t happen.” He could talk about the lost travel with no problem. The hard part was remembering when Caroline had come home from practice and told him about the diagnosis.

She could tell Jefferson was thinking about his wife, and she squeezed his hand to help remind him that the present wasn’t too terrible, that he had a whole lot of future to look forward to.

“I don’t know, I was thinking about how I didn’t want to die because there’s just loads of the world I haven’t seen. I still want to go to Paris someday.” Maybe if she got married or something chiché like that. “I still haven’t gone to Disneyland. Little things like that. I’ve been to Mexico, but never Canada, and he hasn’t either, so it made sense.”

She hoped Oliver didn’t feel left out; she’d go on a holiday with him too if he’d wanted, but she doubted that. He had himself to focus on first before they went gallivanting about the world. “And before you ask, Oliver, yes. I have been to Scotland.” She hadn’t seen much of it besides a particular bloke’s dorm room, but she wasn’t about to say that.

‘Well, so long as you’ve seen Scotland, that’s all that matters,’ he responded with a wink. Oliver had no doubts that someday he and Alice would travel together. The real question was whether or not Jefferson and Verity would be traveling with them, or if they would have different partners then. Perhaps even no partners at all. Future possibilities were endless.

Oliver picked up a box of cereal and opened it, plopping some brightly coloured fruit loops into his mouth. ‘So you’ve never been out of the country, and you’re a clothing designer by trade?’ Oliver summed up, ‘And you met our lovely Alice here at a strip joint.’ He turned his head to Alice and with a cheeky grin quipped, ‘I like him already.’ And that wasn’t just a joke, because Jefferson had won Oliver’s support the day he had first emailed him begging a complete stranger to fight for life all on Alice’s behalf. A bloke that had that much care for Alice was a bloke worthy of winning her affections.

Jefferson chuckled, deciding to be a bit more honest. “She talked a lot about you. For a bit I had decided being interested in her wasn’t worth it, given she seemed hung up on you.” He still worried; he’d be a fool not to. It was tough in itself to trust Alice - not because she was inherently untrustworthy, but because he’d only ever courted one woman in his entire life, and Caroline certainly hadn’t been living with a good-looking, confident man. Who had an accent that women seemed to find irresistible. He believed her when she said she didn’t love Oliver that way, but … old habits died hard.

Alice rolled her eyes and screwed up her face. “I can’t imagine being married to Oliver. That would be borderline illegal, honestly.” She couldn’t help herself, tipping Jefferson’s head down to kiss his forehead firmly. “I’m glad you know better now, Buster.” Sure, Oliver was gorgeous, and he was fun and made her smile, but he wasn’t for her. Not in a romantic way. She’d be there for him for a very long time, but as his best friend. As his family.

“It takes a stronger woman than me to date Oliver Wood, I think.”

‘Nae a stronger one,’ Oliver argued. There were few women, few people Oliver knew that were stronger than Alice. Most days, he needed her strength just to get by. ‘Just a different one.’

And he’d found someone, as well. Or so he hoped; Oliver made a mental note then to talk to Verity later that same day. Maybe he could reassure her and Jefferson at once that he and Alice were not about to rip their hearts off and go running into the sunset hand in hand.

‘No mate, this lass is all yours,’ he smiled, reaching over to pinch Alice’s cheek sweetly. ‘So take good care of her.’

Jefferson chuckled. “That assumes she’s willing to wait for me to get my head in order.” His tone was quieter, but still calm. “I think it’d be disrespectful to both her and Caroline to jump into something six months after losing someone.” He knew his head might be ready, but his heart wasn’t there yet. He took a soda from the pack the Russian girl had brought. “It means the world that she says she’ll wait,” he said, wanting to keep up the honesty, “but it does make me wonder about her mental health.” Hopefully Alice wouldn’t swat him for the gentle teasing.

The cheek pinch made her wrinkle her nose, but she laughed brightly at Jefferson’s joke. She only swatted him gently since she’d heard that before. “You’re not the first to say that, you know.” She nibbled a shortbread cookie, smiling at her boys. “When I care about people, I stay until I stop caring. Which is hard to make me do.”

Even in her dreams she was like that. She stayed until the love went away, she lurked in the shadows until the person pushed her out of their life so entirely that they tried to make Alice stop loving them. And even then, sometimes that didn’t work. Earning her love was quite a thing, a lifelong bond.

“You know, in my dreams, my name isn’t Alice? I lie and say it is, but it’s not.” She wasn’t sure why she’d blurted that out, but it had felt right.

Oliver considered that for a moment, but didn’t really know how to respond. He had read on the net that a large portion of the Orange County residents experienced strange dreams. Some of them actually believed they were vision of a past life, or a parallel life, or something that Oliver couldn’t quite wrap his head around yet. Even with the few dreams he’d experienced recently, they were just dreams weren’t they? The same as every other dream he’d had growing up as a lad.

Then again, Thor apparently flew and saved people from death. Oliver thought he probably did dream he was a norse god.

‘Once I dreamt I was a dog. Had terrible fleas,’ he grinned at Alice, but quickly turned his attention to Jefferson again. What he’d said had been much more important to respond to. ‘But even as a dog I could never be as loyal as Alice here. If she says she’ll wait for you, mate, she will.’ The rest of what Oliver wanted to say to Jefferson could wait until they had that pint together. Alice didn’t need to hear it; it was just for him.

“I know. I just have my own moments of disbelief. I’m surprised she didn’t think I was a homosexual, to be honest.” Jefferson mostly wanted to make Oliver laugh. He went and got his black brocade coat, holding it up for Oliver to see. “Caroline got this for me, and I refuse to ever part with it. And with my designs, people … wonder sometimes.”

“You looked at my legs,” Alice shrugged. “Subtly, kind of like you were guilty, but you looked.” Her grin at Jefferson was playful, on the mischievous side, but she squeezed Oliver’s hand lovingly. “Oh, hush you, you’d be a wonderful dog. I told you I was thinking of getting one, you should help.”

‘Oh Lordy...’ Oliver chuckled. Between Alice and Jefferson there was plenty to laugh over. ‘Cannae barely take care of myself donnae know what I’d do with a dog. Besides, Fashion Sindy over there wonnae like all the hair,’ he added, pointing at Jefferson and his coat. Which, if Oliver was honest, he sort of wanted to steal for himself.

“My boss keeps her dog in the shop.” Jefferson took a drink. “I think our things are dog-proof at this point. And they may have to become fire-proof. Given that she can apparently light a cigarette without a lighter.” He chuckled. “My own dreams have been strangely quaint - I’m some sort of fairy-tale character. I met Rumplestiltskin and the Wicked Queen.”

“There’s a puppy at the shop?” Alice’s eyes went huge and her voice fond. “Now I really have to come visit you at work. As soon as I can.” She loved the idea of something to snuggle in bed with fur and a wagging tail.

Jefferson’s dreams sounded cute, but why was he meeting all of the villains? He’d be a good guy in dreams, or so she thought, and she leaned on him, letting her head rest on his shoulder. “I hope they didn’t catch you.” Oliver didn’t talk about his dreams much, so she assumed they were as mundane as hers were.

‘You have dreams about Rumplestiltskin and evil Queens?’ Oliver asked, still not entirely convinced that the dreams warranted such seriousness. They were just dreams. And when you woke, they were over.

“I did before, yes.” Jefferson shrugged. “And they were vivid - it’s really the only reason I remembered them so clearly. Lulu, my boss, had her dreams and now has fire powers of some kind.” He turned to Alice. “Lulu’s dog is named Pepsi and he’s pretty well behaved. She said he was a shelter dog, hence the name.”

Alice hadn’t heard of anyone being able to do magic. She sort of knew Thor could, but other people? She’d thought Thor was singular for some reason. “Pepsi is an adorable name for a dog, especially if it’s bouncy.” She didn’t want to talk too much about the powers, if only because she wasn’t sure how Oliver would react.

But Oliver did want to talk about Lulu and her apparently natural tendencies towards pyrotechnics. Because it was just mad, clearly. ‘Wait, wait, wait...’ he interrupted, ‘You’re telling me your boss has powers? As in, breathes dragon’s fire, or magic tricks?’

Jefferson nodded. “Not anything as … ostentatious as all that. But like, she can light a candle without a lighter. I’ve seen it with my own eyes.” He shrugged. “Also, I’ve seen her fill up her water glass without leaving her seat.” He knew it sounded odd, but he didn’t doubt the evidence of his own eyes. He’d sometimes wondered if he was losing his mind after Caroline died, but he’d never received any definitive proof.

Alice blinked. “That’s fantastic! I wish I had that, back when I still smoked.” She’d given up as of the day she checked into the hospital. She’d nic’d a while when she first got in, but the feeling of illness had put it out of her mind for a while. Best way to quit smoking? Apparently, life threatening illness!

“Wait, we’re still talking about the really hot boss, right? Isabela told me she was gorgeous.” Alice drew an hourglass body with her hands in the air.

For a while, Oliver sat silently and chewed over the information in his mind. Lulu had telepathic abilities. Thor had healing. What did Alice dream of? Other than horrible men.

‘I would nae mind seeing either of those,’ he said at last, a dirty smirk lurking behind his eyes.

Jefferson blushed. “Lulu’s an attractive lady, yes.” He tended to think of her like an older sister, really. She mothered him a bit. “I don’t quite know what’s been going on with all the dreaming. I’m just glad mine seem to be silly, instead of dangerous.” He wouldn’t have been much use as a hero or someone with unusual powers.

“Mine are just boring. No fairy tales, no magic, just me being a git.” She smiled and shrugged. “Besides, I stopped having them awhile ago.” She was back to just dreaming of being late for school with no clothes on, or drowning, or having to put puzzles together. Tedious, really.

“Oh my gosh, I can’t hear myself breathing.” It was something to celebrate, and she couldn’t help but clap her hands happily.

‘That’s brilliant, love,’ Oliver said, smiling for Alice but looking at Jefferson. He knew Alice’s joy was only partially to do with being healthier and mostly to do with Jefferson. ‘Any news on when they’ll let you go from our little white prison?’

“None that I’ve heard, though I’m sure Alice will hear from her doctor. I’d imagine you hear from yours soon, too.” Though of course Oliver was here for other reasons. “Alice said the surgery appeared to go well. Do you think you’ll be able to go home soon?” It might be a potentially awkward topic, he knew, but at the same time, the man had to get used to discussing it. Unless Oliver wanted to swear at everyone who asked … which, on second thought, Jefferson amended, he might.

Alice grinned. “I hope he does. I’m not used to falling asleep without him snoring from the other room.” The house was too big without him. She looked a bit impish, and she finished her soda with a contented, utterly innocent looking smirk. “I’m looking forward to a day when I don’t have to visit you in the hospital, my darling.”

‘You and me both!’ Oliver said, his eyes wide and his face taking on a half bored, half annoyed expression. It was all for show though, because he was quite enjoying himself today, despite being in a hospital. ‘Though, even after I get out from this, I still have to get the shoulder fixed.’

The setback of the accident didn’t bother Oliver nearly as much as the loss of his leg muscles, but it was better not to think about that right now. Not when he had good company. ‘But aye, the surgery went as well as it could have. And I’m starting physical therapy soon, though I doubt I’ll be out of here before the end of the month.’

“I know this may sound infuriating and I apologize for that, but that isn’t very long.” Jefferson meant it, though - comparatively speaking, it wasn’t very long. “I’m just glad it will be soon. You can get home and into a familiar environment, and that matters a lot.” Caroline had had a few months in between hospital stays and she’d lit up when she’d gone home. “Home to proper food, familiar bed, a lady friend, all that.”

“It’s true, I’ll cook you whatever you want. I even found you haggis potato chips.” She grinned, hoping it would make him laugh. It was true, but she still figured it would make him laugh. Alice was a pretty decent cooking, having had to be self-sufficient for a while. She’d been a latchkey kid for ages.

‘Haggis potato chips?’ Oliver screwed up his face again, then realisation hit. ‘Oh! You mean crisps? Because that sounds lovely. Could really go for some prawn crisps though,’ he said, taking everything Alice had mentioned at face value. Oliver didn’t joke around when it came to food. He loved food.

‘Anything would be better than the muck they’ve got here. In the last six months I’ve spent four of them in hospital. In the last year... closer to nine. And I can honestly say that if they had better food I might never leave.’ That wasn’t true at all. Oliver hated the white walls and the sterile smell but there was no need to harp on the negative.

“Pity we can’t just pop over to Scotland and get you real crisps.” He’d read and heard of the strange flavors they had over there. “A friend of mine told me about ketchup chips, which is … odd. Apparently they come from Canada. Or ‘all dressed’ chips, but I have no idea what those are.” Food was a safe topic. Food was a good topic. Jefferson ate more crackers; sighing. “Alice, when you get out of here, I’ll send you the best takeout food I’ve ever had. You need real food.”

She shot Oliver a look. He hated the hospital and she knew it, but she didn’t want to rub in too much that she knew. “I’m so hungry, seriously. I think I’ve lost fifteen pounds, I swear.” She hadn’t really been able to eat real food since she’d gotten ill, and even before that she’d been too worried about Oliver to eat much.

“I shouldn’t talk too much about food, I’ll get hungry, but I know where they sell prawn crisps.” Asian grocery stores were heaven when it came to weird crsp flavors.

As if agreeing with her, Alice’s stomach growled loudly again, making her giggle. “Yup. I’m super attractive, totally.” Messed up hair? Not really super showered? Urgy tummy? No clothes? Yup.

‘Fittest chick in the room,’ Oliver quipped, dumping the rest of the cereal into his mouth and chewing loudly. Oh yes, Alice and Oliver. Quite the pair. If they didn’t look completely different no one would have been able to tell they weren’t related.

‘We should have a dinner party when they finally release me.’ Lord, hospitals really were a prison, he thought, reaching for the last soda. ‘Up at the house. Lots of decorations. All our mates. Oh! Christmas in February?’

Jefferson smiled. “A party to celebrate your freedom,” he said gently. It was freedom, whether Oliver wanted to admit it or not. “I think that would be enjoyable, personally. And I don’t think anyone expects you to be dressed to the nines, either of you.” He certainly didn’t. Sometimes it was actually nicer to see someone at their most relaxed.

“I’d like that a lot. You’d come?” She grinned up at Jefferson, her head still on his shoulder. He just didn’t seem the party type, and it made her heart skip beats to think of him at one. “You could invite Verity,” she grinned at Oliver. “Thor should come too, and hell, anyone else you can think of. You’ve got the space. Oh, maybe Percy?” She liked the Weasley boy.

‘Yup,’ Oliver nodded, pausing for a sip of pop before continuing. ‘Percy, Thor, Pansy and Peter, you and Jefferson. Your boss, if you’d like. She’s earned a party as well I’d imagine... Verity. Everyone.’

“I’m sure Lulu would agree, and possibly bring her gentleman friend.” Though that might be odd. “I would come, though I might not stay long … crowds are difficult for me.” Too many people speaking at once. And since he’d started dreaming it had gotten worse - he had the oddest notion that people were actively looking for him. “All these people are friends of yours?” He wondered which one was Oliver’s lady friend, given Alice had said he had one.

“Verity is Oliver’s … well, she’s Oliver’s. Thor’s kind of like my other brother, but I think he’s brothers to everyone. He’ll adopt you too, I’m sure.” She didn’t move away from Jefferson, instead taking his hand and relishing the coziness. “We can always go sit in the backyard. The view is stunning, seriously.” Oliver’s house was fantastic and she knew it. She felt lucky every day.

'Plenty of places to hide if you feel the need,' Oliver said in agreement with Alice. 'I do it all the time.' For being so outgoing, Oliver really was rather shy; too large a crowd and he preferred to slip quietly into the background and watch things unfold. His comfort level capped out around ten people, as long as they were all close friends.

'B'sides. They're a good lot. I think you'd do just fine.'

Jefferson would go if they had a party; he just wouldn’t stay in the middle of the crowd long. He smiled a little; he was surprised to hear that Oliver was the sort to retreat. He seemed the type to love being the center of attention. “I probably should meet more people here. I’m sure Alice and Lulu are getting tired of having me underfoot.”

Alice shook her head, her voice quiet and serious. “I’d never get tired of you, Jefferson. For what it’s worth, I don’t think Lulu would either, if she’s anything like you’ve told me. You know, for a boy who doesn’t think he’s that awesome, you sure do have lots of hot ladies who adore you.”

Oliver snorted at that, hiding it poorly behind a sip of soda. He wasn’t about to put his foot in the middle of Alice fawning over Jefferson.

Jefferson blushed horribly. “You’re very kind.” But he wasn’t an idiot, and Oliver seemed to be tiring of him. “I think, though, that I’ll take my leave for a moment and go see Lulu. I’d like to see if she’s responding to the inhaler.”

Alice nodded, taking Jefferson’s cheeks between her palms, cupping them, and kissing his forehead firmly. “Tell her I’ll be by to visit soon,” she smiled. She didn’t want Jefferson to leave, per se, but she understood him. He was nervous and that was understandable.

'Oy, mate,' Oliver extended his good hand towards Jefferson, a huge smile on his face. No matter what Jefferson felt, Oliver did actually enjoy their strange lunch date. And for all Jefferson had done for Alice, Oliver found him to be a decent bloke, someone he was looking forward to getting to know much better.

'It was a pleasure to meet you, finally. I hope your boss is feeling better, as well.'

“Thank you.” Jefferson shook his hand, smiling a little. Hopefully he was imagining things, but he did need to get out of the room anyway. He had a limit for people, as kind and polite as they might be. “Likewise; it’s been a pleasure.” He turned to Alice, smiling deeper, but more shyly. “I won’t be that long. Hopefully they won’t let you out before I return.”

“Even if they do, I’ll wait for you, buster.” Alice smiled at Jefferson, knowing her cheeks were beet red. Preemptively, she swatted Oliver’s good arm.

Chuckling quietly, Oliver accepted the smack, knowing it was well deserved. He kept his mouth shut though, allowing Jefferson and Alice their moment and trying like hell not to be the awkward fly on the wall.

Then Jefferson was out of the room and Alice was left grinning, biting her lip, looking at her lap. “So. Um.” She looked at Oliver. “You look like you feel better.”

'I look like shite an you know it,' Oliver said, though what he really meant was Spill it, sister.

“I don’t know what you mean,” she grinned, taking his hand and kissing his knuckles. She loved both of her boys, and was happy just to be feeling better.