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Mel woke blearily to insistent knocking at her door. Every muscle ached miserably. A severe case of the flu had been running rampant in the city. Mel had avoided getting it until Becca had come home with it. 4 days in and Mel just wanted to slip into a coma. Becca. At least she didn’t have to be with a miserable Mel any more. A safe space. Away from her at least for a while. There was a misty memory of talking to her earlier. But it had not condensed into solid recall.
Becca sounded happy these days. More than content to stay with her friends and support network. Mel had been relieved but there was a weird hollow feeling gnawing at her. Becca’s growing independence was welcome but sad at the same time. Mel had gotten used to being with her all the time outside of her studies and work. Now more and more Mel had serious alone time. It was taking some getting used to.
Mel wasn’t as needed any more.
She felt alone. For the first time in a long time. Just lonely.
Especially when sick. Loneliness felt all the more real when there was no one to take care of you.
So she was mopey and sunk in the misery of it. She could be forgiven her moodiness.
The knock became louder. She groaned as she planted her legs on the floor. Shaky after days of under use and crashing in her bathroom. Everything ached. Bone deep pain that had her regretting every step.
‘Mel! Answer the door for fucks sake.’ She wobbled towards the insistent voice. Her brain unable to process who’s voice it was. But it did make her feel better. Reassuring and comforting. Warmth, not the fiery fever that had her wishing for oblivion but the deeper type. Familiar.
It called out again. Male and worried. ‘Mel!’ With severe lack of co-ordination she finally managed to get the door open. Frank Langdon stormed into her apartment. At least it seemed to be a Frank shaped blur.
‘God you look like hell.’ Mel realised that she didn’t know where her glasses were. Her hand reaching up to push up nothing. Frank was a fast moving blur and she oscillated wildly. ‘Woah woah careful.’ Nausea, fatigue fought for dominance.
Cool plastic was placed in her hands. Her head lolled to her chest. ‘Your glasses. I’m going to get you some water. Maybe even an IV drip.’ It took concentrated effort to get her glasses on. Co-ordination compromised severely.
Mel leaned against the wall, legs barely holding her up. ‘What’s going on?’ The words felt like cotton. Muffled and lacking substance
‘You haven’t been answering your phone.’ Franks voice sounded weird. Worried. Like really worried. The world veered dangerously on a new axis as she tried to focus on Langdon. Frank quickly, but gently grabbed her at the elbows to steady her. Her feet felt no less weak beneath her but something in her chest felt just a little firmer. He guided. Pushed her. Well, half carried her to the couch if she was being completely honest. It took her a few blinks to right her world as she sat down. 'Becca called me.'
Frank crouched in front of her. She was so tired she could only let out a weak noise of protest. ‘Fuck my back Mel.’ Somehow he nearly always managed to read her. Knowing she’d hate how he was hovering on his haunches and bending over in a way he’d regret later. And the weight of her. He pressed the back of his hand to her forehead. The coolness of his hand was sweet relief. Mel allowed herself a moment of weakness to seek it out. Leaning against his ever steady hand. Her eyes drifting shut with a soft and hopefully inaudible sigh. His hand moved to cup her cheek for the briefest of moments.
Was it a fever induced hallucination? No the rasp of his thumb against the mole of her eye told her otherwise.
‘Besides, you’re barely heavier than Tanner at this stage.’ Joke. Mostly a joke. Nausea overwhelmed her as the world melded together and surged like a tidal wave. ‘Okay, okay don’t Whitaker me.’ Mel in her fevered state had apparently left bowls scattered around. Ideal for any unexpected moments. She felt so gross and horrendous.
Frank, not at all phased swiftly moving to her side, pulling her hair back as she gagged into the bowl. The calm that came from years in the emergency medicine. And a parent. All of Mel’s medical knowledge was locked behind her misery. If she had been alone, Mel wouldn’t have fought her urge to cry. Unsure when she last showered or managed to eat something nice.
His voice was soft. Not whispering, but gentle. ‘You’re okay Mel.’ It took everything in her to not cry. Years. Years where she had to take care of herself, no one there for her. Becca tried but it just wasn’t the same. Both of them knowing that there was only so much Becca could handle. The last time she’d had someone rubbing her back... It had been well over a decade. Her mother’s slight hand, bone thin and weak. Cold, feather light. Frank’s was exactly the opposite. Damn near spanning her back in it’s breath. As warm as he always was. Practically a natural resource of heat was Frank Langdon.
His other hand resting against her neck. Her hands being gripped so tightly around the bowl her wrists weren’t accessible.
‘You need to lie down. Dehydrated with low blood pressure. Luckily I have what I need for an IV.’ This sounded reasonable. Her sluggish brain concurring with his muttered diagnosis. Everything was too bright and swirly. Mel kept her eyes shut tight. Frank moving around her space. Like he belonged there. It sounded like he was doing his usual Pitt dance.
He had everything for an IV?
‘You stole medical equipment?’
Frank chuckled a little darkly behind her. She curled up on the corner, the bowl clunking on the floor. ‘Well with Robby still half up my ass, Mohan carried out the heist. I think only Robby was in the dark...’
Mel tried staring up at him. But the world swam violently again. ‘Yeah you need to go to bed.’ No room for arguing. She made to follow the order. ‘Woah. Hold on.’ His voice was as sharp as it ever got with her. Which was not often. It was closer to the voice he used when being strict. Or with Trinity. Just enough edge to still her. ‘Okay then.’
One moment she was sitting on the couch. Woozy but feet on the ground. The next her face was weirdly level with his. Her brain was super foggy, felt like it was 10 business days behind reality. Her stomach rolled and burned as her mind finally registered where she was. In his arms, up in the air. Her protest died on her lips as she tried to keep what little she had down.
Again he seemed to know what she was thinking. ‘My back is fine. Like I said you barely weigh more than Tanner. Especially now.’ The gentleness with which he placed her on the bed. Tears bloomed in her eyes. She hated being sick. None of her usual coping mechanisms help and she was just a ball of raging emotion. People being worried about her. Other than Becca. It was practically a foreign concept to her. ‘C’mon lie down for me and I’ll get some fluids into you.’
Mel could feel vague tendrils of embarrassment as Frank fussed around her. In her bedroom. Which was festooned with days of illness and lack of care. Idly praying she hadn’t left underwear lying on the floor. She’d been sick, she hadn’t the energy to think let alone tidy up after herself. Mel had to remind herself he was a Doctor he saw naked bodies on the regular. He was hardly likely to flinch at her boring underpants.
There was an ease to how he tucked her into bed and hooked up the IV. Barely earning a flinch with how gentle he was. Checking her temperature again. Sitting on the bed, right next to her. Almost like he was afraid to leave her alone. His phone buzzed in his pocket. Mel’s eyes drifted shut. Franks constant presence really letting her rest properly. She was too tired to figure out the connection between that. Especially as he left his hand on her wrist, answering the phone with his other.
Frank obviously assumed Mel had fallen asleep, keeping his voice low as he spoke. ‘Hey Mohan.’ Affection bloomed in Mel’s heart again. People did care. ‘Bad case of the flu. Severely dehydrated so got the IV in. Does Robby suspect anything?’
‘Abbot did what? Oh god Mel is going to be mortified. But all for the best cause.’ His voice was soothing, warm like the blankets around her. She desperately wanted to crawl into the cocoon of it. Listening to the one sided conversation like it was her soothing white noise. ‘I don’t think I’ll have to bring her in. I’m going to stay to monitor her in the meantime. Shen owes me a shift or two so he can cover for me if needs be.’ He chuckled a little darkly. ‘Apologies to my partner in crime- no no quite correct: the orchestrator and master of the heist, my apologies Dr Mohan. Quite correct. But if I tell you what he owes me then he won’t owe me and I may have to beg Robby- and no I’m not allowed do that.’
His hand felt nice against her skin. For some reason she’d expected it to be rough or feel far too hot against her skin. But it wasn’t. Just felt nice. ‘Yeah I’ll let her know as soon as she perks up a bit. And yes I’ll keep you and Dana updated regularly. And I will call Becca too.’ Mel couldn’t stop the sniffle. Frank squeezed her wrist. ‘Thanks Samira. Yes yes hourly updates you’re as bad as my sister!’
His voice was a little lighter, brighter. Trying to bring some cheer. ‘She’s worse actually. My sister doesn’t have a medical degree thank fuck. Going to sound like a broken record here Mel, but you okay?’ She just buried her face into her pillow. Feel overwhelmed. The fluids were definitely helping but she was just so tired. And sore. Too exhausted to even open her eyes. But she knew Frank Langdon well enough to picture him. Perched on the edge of her bed. Phone still in one hand, those sharp eyes catching every trace of emotion on her face. The tears that struggled to find air. He was resisting the urge to examine her room. All the little things he’d never seen before. Eternally curious about everything. Nosy he called it. But respectful enough to stay focused on her. Even as that cheeky voice in his head begged to poke around.
‘Okay. Just rest for me okay?’ His thumb pressed into the palm of her hand. If she’d had the energy she’d have closed her fingers around it. Not wanting to loose the pressure. ‘You’re okay sweetheart.’
That last comment. Mel wasn’t sure if it was for her, or for himself.
Mel woke an indeterminate length of time later. Next day for sure. The IV had been detached from her arm, left neatly on the other side of her bedside table. Miraculously only the tiniest of bruises on her skin. A rarity for her. The tackiness from the bandage, carefully cleaned off her skin. She did feel much better than she had in days. The nausea reduced Headache at maybe a 2. The world only shifting a little as she sat up. Maybe she could finally shower. Brush her teeth at least. Frank was moving around in the kitchen. Humming, doing his best to keep things down.
A skill she was entirely lacking apparently. Frank appearing out of thin air in front of her. Hand at her elbow. ‘Hey, you should have called me.’
Mel bristled a little. ‘I can move a little Frank.’ His eyes narrowed at her. Wasn’t often they snapped at each other. Mel hoped that her being sick gave her a little leeway. And again Mel wasn’t used to be taken care of. Not any more. Some defensiveness made sense. ‘Sorry. I’m just tired.’
Frank sighed. Fond and weary. ‘I know I know and you suck at being a patient. This I remember vividly.’ He guided her to the nearest chair. Not moving her, but not letting her direct herself entirely. The chuckle that filled the room was warm and a little resigned. Post head injury trying to insist he was okay. Doctors orders to rest. He rolled his eyes, still good naturedly. ‘I’m guessing you want to shower.’
‘Without an audience if you would.’ Mel winced. It wasn’t exactly what she meant. Or wanted to imply. At least not when feeling so crappy. Her fever hadn’t disappeared entirely so she hoped it was at least plausible as an excuse for her flushed skin. Though his didn’t look entirely pale either.
He nodded in that quick staccato way. The one that made his hair bounce erratically over his eyes. Frank tried to clear his throat. The cough sounded strangled and uncomfortable. ‘Hm.’ Mel adverted her eyes as she plonked herself down on the couch. His mouth was doing that thing it did when he was thinking rapidly. Or doing tricky procedures. Something was felt indelibly tempting to Mel. Her little amount of recharged battery draining almost to zero. Frank, as was his habit, appeared with her favourite water bottle. Blue and green, the aurora borealis. One of the things on her bucket list.
Frank stood by one of the windows. The early afternoon light turning his eyes electric. His mouth still gaping open, lost in thought. It took a minute for Mel to notice the meds that were lying on a little dish on the table. Always prepared. Always minding her.
‘You have extra non slip mats right?’ Mel nodded, sipping slowly at the water. ‘Hmmm.’
Mel tucked her legs up under her. Picking up her phone and checking the onslaught of messages.
Mel! I hope you’re feeling better. Sorry I got you sick :(
Frank promised me he’d take care of you.
LET HIM. I KNOW YOU SUCK AT THAT.
Becca.
Frank had told her he was checking in on Mel- no that he’d take care of her. It was sweet. But what happened when he left. Mel had learned a long time ago: people left. At least not for her. He was too distracted to notice her sadness.
MELANPHORE!
YOU BETTER BE ALIVE
IF NOT I AM GOING TO KILL LANGERHANS
No seriously hope you’re feeling better.
Tell Asshole we’ve covered him. For as long as YOU need.
Santos.
Her usual loud self. Even over text.
Hi Mel!
Hope the IV treatment helped you feel better.
If you need anything at all let me know!
I mean it. Anytime Mel.
Samira.
Just so sweet and thoughtful. Gentle.
Mel, don’t rush yourself back into work.
Make sure that Langdon treats you right.
We miss you around here kid.
Dana.
More and more messages popped up. The Pitt group chat sending Frank repeat and varying suggestions for treatment. Robby trying to contain everyone. Failing. But he wished her well never the less. Like Dana careful to order to come back only well she was back to 100%.
Maybe she wasn’t so alone.
‘I think I have an idea. Wait here.’ He was a blur before she could react. Like she could go anywhere. She was feeling way better than the day before. Her front door closed with a soft click. Something light and plastic was placed on the counter top behind her. Frank doing his best to keep things quiet, but he was Frank. Loud was generally a part of his being. He was careful around the Kings. But when he got an idea in his head the energy transferred into noise.
‘Do you want to shower in the main bathroom or the ensuite?’ Frank placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. Taking her quiet for her dozing off, trying to rouse her gently.
‘My bathroom please.’ He squeezed her shoulder twice. Gone again. Mel in her slightly addled state let her chin press against the warm spot he left. No witness to her flight of fancy.
Frank appeared with a dramatic twirl of his arms. ‘I have macgyvered what I hope isn’t a stupid fix.’ Mel frowned as he offered her an elbow. ‘M’lady.’ Ah his and Becca’s current Community obsession. Both had classified Mel as a complete Annie. Becca whispering that Frank was way more handsome. It took effort to get standing. Frank’s eyebrows lifted with his elbow.
Mel let out a little exhale of irritation. Another time he wasn’t going to take no for an answer. His arm was steady under her hand. As always. But weirdly he didn’t move. That cheeky, playful expression he got when goofing around. Mel closed her eyes, trying to hide her reluctant smile. ‘M’lord.’
Frank had set up the extra mats and a little plastic stool. The one he kept for Tanner and Penny to get in and out of the car. With the waterfall shower she could comfortable stand under the spray or rest as needed. He even had her favourite robe hanging up on the heater. So she’d be cosy after. ‘I’m going to stay just in there-’ He gestured at her room. A little uncomfortable but resolute. ‘-just in case you need anything.’
It was more of a shuffle out of the room, than he usual stride. Mel felt a little weird about him pottering around her room. It was very intimate. But then again she was slowly stripping down with nothing but a thin door between them. The thought passed as her itching skin and scalp took over. It had been at least two days since she’d been able to shower. Dried sweat and the awful feeling of infection sticking to every inch of her skin.
The shower was as restorative as the IV. It took concentrated effort and breaks but she got through it. Without help. Leaving the shower was as hair. Nothing like hot water and the pressure. Mel had spent more than was wise to upgrade her shower. The little luxuries.
Her bedsheets had been changed, bed made to absolute perfection. Frank perched on the very edge. Practically hanging off the edge of it. As though he felt like he shouldn’t be sitting on it at all. ‘There she is.’ His smile was broad.
‘Here I am.’ Mel sat down on the bed. Energy sapping again. All her resistance down. Impulse control, what impulse control. At least that’s how it felt as she leaned against him. Instantly he shuffled back. So he was more firmly planted on the bed. Sturdier for her to lean against. ‘You don’t have to stay y’know.’ Her words slurred, eyelids dropped. Sleeping was her main hobby. She knew it was ridiculous telling him to go as she was actually falling asleep against his shoulder.
Beams of late evening light drew Mel back into the real world. Someone had left the curtains open so they would wake her. Frank. Sleeping all day. Mel was never a fan. Sitting up her hair went straight to her hair. It had still be drenched when she’d fallen asleep. Loose and would no doubt be a tangled mess. Her gut clenched at the thought of trying to detangle it when her bones still felt like they weighted ten kilos each.
But it was braided back. Mel clumsily got her glasses back on. Her hair was braided back in a pretty nicely done French braid. Her preferred lounge set was sitting on her dressing table. Freshly washed and pressed. She stood up on slightly less weak legs, fingers dancing across the soft material. No underwear. Frank hadn’t gone digging through her drawers. No he’d never violate her privacy like that. Her space he was happy to get up in, but only because he knew that she didn’t mind. He was one of the few people deemed safe in her space.
For the first time in days her stomach grumbled. She was almost nauseous with the hunger. Frank was sitting at her island. Brows furrowed as he stared at the paper in his hands. Pen spinning through his fingers at a speed Garcia would pretend not to be impressed with. Looping through his fingers and back again. A large pot sitting on the hob. Chicken noodle soup. One of her favourites. Her stomach grumbled again.
Without looking at her, Frank clicked his fingers at her with a triumphant noise. “Borborygmi. Perfect. And perfect timing as always Mel.’ He quickly filled in the answer, grinning smugly. ‘Haha beat Yoyo – two weeks running.’ His laugh was childish, no more of that of a smug teen boy.
Mel padded over toward the hob. ‘Sit. I’ll get it.’ Frank pointed at the chair next to the one he just vacated. ‘You need to rest.’
She crossed her arms with a huff. ‘You know it’s rude to boss someone around in their own home.’ Not moving one inch.
He ignored her petulance. Grabbing the bowls that she hadn’t noticed next to the hob. And the spoons. His face scrunched as the steam hit his face. ‘Luckily you and I both know that a lot of the social norms are bullshit.’
He had her there. She sat down, curling her legs around the stool leg. Resting her head in her left hand. ‘True. Also I didn’t know you could do-’ She flicked her brain over her shoulder. Smiling sweetly at him.
Frank blushed. Carefully placing the bowl in front of her with her preferred spoon. ‘Penny developed an obsession with braids. Tangled.’ Mel felt her smile grow as he talked about her. The crows feet around his eyes deepening as he met Mel’s gaze. ‘And she’s trying to emulate her favourite doctor.’ He mocked pouted at her. ‘Imagine my horror when my least problematic trainee usurped my position as my dear dear Shilling’s favourite medic.’ He sat down next to her with his own bowl of soup. His much more full than hers.
‘And as any good dad would trying to get back into his childs good graces... I watched youtube videos.’
‘That’s so sweet.’ Frank shrugged just a little bit. Ears turning a little red. Like he was embarrassed about being a good day. ‘If it helps I’m only her favourite because you taught me.’ She nudged him with her elbow. His mock pout vanishing into a brilliant smile.
‘That’ll change.’
‘Eh she’ll always be her Daddy’s little girl. Trust me on that one.’ Mel couldn’t resist the hunger any more. The soup was just was she needed. Light but full of flavour. Nothing like soup to make someone feel better. ‘Oh this is too good.’
‘I’ll thank my sister. Her recipe.’ Frank watched her gulp down hers. She’d barely eaten in four days. And it was the first day she’d felt hungry. Rationally she knew she should slow down. Her stomach having been pushed to it’s limits over the past few days. But the soup was too good.
It was frustrating how quickly she tired. Eating soup, chatting and laughing with Frank. Even face timing with Becca as Frank cleaned up. Ordered to the couch Mel was annoyed as she felt her eyes started dropping again. ‘I’m feeling much better Frank. You can head home. You need to return the stolen stuff anyway.’
Frank sat opposite her on the couch. ‘Do you want me to go?’ He was trying to hide how he was feeling about it.
‘N- I mean... I’m fine really. Much better. You don’t need to mind me. I can take care of myself.’ She winced at the false start. Frank being as hyper aware as he was caught it immediately.
‘You are really not used to this any more are you?’ His hand landed on her forearm. Mel dug her nails into her palms. It was dis-concerting how easily he saw her. Read her like an open book. ‘People wanting to be there for you? Care for you?’
She felt exposed. Her shoulders brushing against her ears. Her humming was reflexive. ‘Mel?’ It was hard meeting his eyes. It was all true. Consequence of her past. Her hyper independence wasn’t a choice. Born of necessity and the need to survive. Her sole social connection being Becca. Now she had a whole group of people who were willing to be there for her. Not just willing but happy to. Samira, Trinity, Frank.
Frank.
Who never failed to see her from that very first day. Her first best friend who wasn’t Becca.
‘I’m used to people leaving.’ She stared at the silent TV. Frank having muted it the moment she suggested he go. That he didn’t have to stick around. If Mel kept the door open, it wouldn’t hurt when people walked through it.
Frank chewed his lip for a second. Then she was in his arms. Her muffled complaints and protests about him catching the flu completely ignored. Wear protests. Because she felt safe and protected in his arms. His heart beat strong and reassuring to her. Calming hers with it steadiness. ‘I’m not going anywhere.’ Mel who had to keep her guard up. Mel who was used to not having friends or people loving her any more. She crawled into the embrace.
Letting the affection he offered her every single day seep into her. Filling her up to the brim. Not overwhelming just a warm feeling of fullness. Like the soup. It was a feeling rarely in her life since she was a teenager. ‘I’m here for as long as you want me Sweetheart.’ It felt like a kiss being pressed onto her head. Into the strands he’d artfully woven as she’d slept. Being gentle enough to detangle her hair without waking her.
‘How does forever sound?’
Her face pressed into his sternum, muffled by him she wasn’t sure if he’d heard her. His arms tightened around her, practically fusing her to him. Her weighted blanket in human form. ‘Sounds like a dream.’