Chapter Text
Jubal held his front door open for Isobel. Only the third time she’d been in his place, but the first time she’d make it past the entryway. He couldn’t apologise about the mess, he didn’t have enough stuff for it to be messy, he could offer her a drink, already knowing she’d take water unless he said he was making coffee for himself.
“I appreciate you making sure I got home okay.”
“The least I could do,” she glanced around, she held a smile on her face. She was worried about him, “It’s been a long day.”
Jubal moved towards the kitchen, slowly, in thought, he leaned against the counter top, it was going to take more than a strong coffee and a shower to get over the last few days. “Yeah, it’s been pretty awful.” He silently gestured to the couch, the ball was firmly in her court. It didn’t matter if she stayed or went, she got him home and he would be thankful.
“Why don’t I stay for a drink, make sure you’re okay? I know that you like to work through these things by working, but you need to take the rest of the week off,” She smiled sympathetically, catching the look of annoyance on his face - she’d tried to change the ADIC’s mind. “It comes from the higher ups, I’m sorry, Jubal.”
Jubal sighed, “Should have seen that coming,” He joined her on the couch for a moment. “I am okay, though, I want you to know that.”
“I know that, Jubal,” She put her hand on his knee for a moment before removing it, “But, you’ve been through a lot, so, take a few days and I’m only the other end of the phone.”
Jubal looked at where her hand had just been - it was nice to feel some physical kind of comfort. “I don’t like being out of the loop, Isobel.”
“I know,” Again, with the sad smile, “I tried, but you need some time to get your head straight, you can call me, and maybe at the weekend we can have coffee before you come back on Monday?”
Jubal knew Isobel would have tried, he could picture it clearly, the way she would have been standing, the tone of her voice, the words she would have used, the way she would have put all of her trust in him.
“Sure,” He wanted to say so much more, but he didn’t want to argue with anyone else today. “Drink?”
“Sure, why not? Coffee would be great.”
Jubal hummed, “Glad you’re staying for a drink, Isobel.”
Isobel smiled, she sensed the atmosphere change. “I’m glad I’m staying for a drink too.”