Fic: Hold My Silence (Chapter 12)
Title: Hold My Silence
Author: casy_dee
Rating: T
Characters/Pairing: Connor/Abby
Spoiler: Series 3
Warning: Angst , mentions of abuse
Genre: Romance, Angst, Hurt/Comfort
Summary: Abby has secrets in her past, but is it right to keep them there? Can Connor accept it? Set in the Cretaceous...
Part: 12/?
Ch 1, Ch 2, Ch 3, Ch 4, Ch 5 , Ch 6, Ch 7, Ch 8 , Ch 9, Ch 10, Ch 11 , Ch 11.5 (M)
A/N: This one is quite a departure in mood and feeling from the rest of this story, but I hope that you like it. As always, thank you to those that comment. It means more than you know.
Chapter 12
Connor awoke in a spectacularly good mood, and Abby found that his smile was infectious. She hadn't seen him so happy in a long time, and it made her happy to think that just maybe she was the cause of it. At least partway, anyway. Last night their kisses had turned even more heated than normal, and she'd devised a way for them both to get a measure of satisfaction even though she wasn't quite ready to do the deed herself. It had been incredible and powerful and intimate in a way that she hadn't expected it to be. It also appeared to be one hell of a stress reliever.
Some of the strain had eased from his shoulders, had lightened the ever-present shadows in his eyes. She thought that perhaps it was that hope had rekindled inside of him. They hadn't made much progress into more intimate realms since the last attempt had ended in disaster. Abby had been careful to keep it at kissing and some necking, caresses over her clothing… but she had been tempted to press farther. Each time, she'd halted it, leaving Connor panting and frustrated. It was getting harder for him to hide it from her, which just made the whole situation worse.
Last night had been something altogether different, and Abby was now confident that at least they could scratch certain itches that had become more and more needful as their time together carried on. It was a comfort, in a place where comfort was fleeting. Life was difficult in the Cretaceous, and some days she wasn't sure she wanted to keep on living it. She had Connor, and if she was honest with herself, he was the only reason why she did. It was scary and exhausting and more than that… it was monotonous when it wasn't terrifying. By this point, anything new was exciting. It was for this reason that she was bouncing up and down waiting for Connor to try the new fruit they had discovered.
They'd been hesitant to eat much of the local foliage; neither she nor Connor knew much about the horticultural sciences. Humans were omnivores though, and the lack of greenery, fruits and vegetables in their diet would harm them just as surely as a lack of protein would. Thus far, they had added a few ferns into their diet, a couple of fruits, and a few tubers that seemed to be ancient ancestors of carrots or parsnips. She shouldn't complain. She really shouldn't; after all, they were no longer in any danger of starving. Still…
Abby was itching for some more variety in her diet, and she pushed Connor on the issue of expanding their diet to include more vegatation, despite his misgivings. He had developed a system to try out potential food sources, and though it was slow, they now had more options to pick from. Their days were so similar from one day to the next that she thought it was more about just having something different and new than an overriding desire to have a tomato or something like it.
She'd spotted the plant on their last scouting excursion. It was a low-growing bush with shiny oblong leaves, and it was dotted with cherry tomato-like fruit; Abby's mouth had watered at the sight of the shiny red globes. So far, fruit was a rare treat, and the addition of anything vaguely sweet and juicy was a temptation that was almost too much for her to withstand. Connor had dutifully collected a small handful of the fruit and carried them back to the camp to try in the morning. He'd laughed at her enthusiasm, and teased her about the fact that it was his turn to taste.
The first rule of trying new foods was to try it first thing in the morning so that any side effects would be more obvious. The second rule was to only try a teensy tiny bite to begin with, and to carefully hold in inside the mouth for a few minutes before chewing and swallowing. Any subsequent numbness or tingling would indicate a toxin of some sort. After that, they would try a larger bite the next day, followed by a full bite the following day, and then finally a normal portion. Only one of them was allowed to try a new food at a time, and the other would monitor. The last time they'd tried something toxic the tiny bite he'd taken had given him a small stomachache, but he'd been fine a few hours later. Connor figured that the tiny taste was probably all they really needed to do to be sure of a new food, but he didn't like taking chances with their safety.
It was Connor's turn to try, and he said that the fruit not only looked like cherry tomato, it tasted like it, as well. He took a tiny bite, and Abby watched him closely the whole day, but he had no adverse reaction. The next day, she whinged a little about how long it took to try new foods, and he popped the whole fruit into his mouth in response. He'd raised his eyebrows, shrugged and said it was just one bite anyway. Nothing had happened the day before, so he was fairly confident that the 'tomato' was safe. He'd gone against his own rules for her, because she was impatient and bored with their meals, and probably because by now she'd realized he'd do just about anything to make her smile.
She hadn't been prepared when he rushed out of the cave a short time later, pale and sweating. She'd heard him vomiting violently and went to check on him. He'd been on all fours, his head pressed to the ground, but he'd looked at her as she neared and waved her off. She stayed within listening distance and told him to call her if he needed her. He grunted in acknowledgement; she figured that was the best she was going to get from him.
It was her fault. Connor was out there heaving his guts out because she'd wanted a little variety. Guilt twisted her stomach so tightly that she thought she might join Connor in heaving up her breakfast as well. She kept seeing the image of the little cheeky grin he'd given her as he popped the fruit into his mouth, all bright eyes and teasing laughter. God, she could be so selfish sometimes; she was quick to take advantage of Connor's sweet and generous nature, and this was his payment for it.
She crept outside to check on Connor; he'd been out there a long time. The retching had stopped, but he had yet to return to the cave. He was curled up in the fetal position in the dirt outside the cave, and he wasn't moving. Shit!
"Connor! Conn?" she called as she rushed to his side.
He made a small noise of acknowledgement; his eyelids fluttered then opened. Abby blanched as she took in his pale clammy skin, his trembling and his dilated pupils. She may be a lizard expert, but some things were universal. Whatever he had eaten had poisoned him, and despite purging the contents of his stomach, he was still suffering the ill effects of it. His jeans were undone and only halfway up his hips and she suddenly felt even worse for him.
She tried to rouse him enough to get him to lean on her, but he just whimpered and clutched his stomach. She hated the thought of trying to drag him over the rough terrain, and ended up deciding to try to get him in a fireman's carry. She'd been annoyed with this part of their training at the ARC; she had said she'd likely never be able to figure out the carry if she needed it. It was like a bad game of twister but no one was there to tell her which part went where. It must have sunk in though, because she managed to figure it out eventually and get Connor hoisted up over her shoulders and transported inside the cave.
She laid him down gently on their pallet and went to get some water for him to drink and to wipe him down with. She'd have to use the spring for water, the river was too far away and too dangerous for her to journey to alone. She was grateful that for the little gurgling spring, but it was so small and shallow that it was generally only good for small drinks or for rinsing off, and it took ages to gather enough water from it to use in any bigger applications. By the time she returned from the shallow spring near their cave with enough water, he had progressed from trembling to violent tremors, and sweat poured from every pore in his body. Her stomach dropped as she realized for the first time that this could be a life threatening incident, despite the small quantity he'd ingested.
What she would give for a blanket! She cradled his head in her lap and tried to get him to drink, but most of it poured over his chin and down his neck. She dipped the corner of her striped hoodie in the water and bathed his face with it, trying to give him a measure of comfort. She needed to get him out of his wet t-shirt and into something dry. His hoodie was still dry even though it needed washing; it would have to do.
She shifted him carefully, his pained whimpers tugging at her heart. She peeled off his sweat soaked shirt, wiped him down with the damp fabric of her shirt before gently dressing him in his red hoodie. Each little whimper and cry was like another dagger to her heart. Remorse choked her; she attempted to swallow down the lump in her throat but it burned and refused to budge. She'd done this. She'd caused this. What she would give to take it back.
"Connor. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry," Abby whispered as she brushed his sweat damp hair back off of his face.
"Sorry…sorry…" he murmured, "Sorry Mum… I din't mean it," he whimpered, his voice gone small and weak.
It didn't sound like Connor at all. She shushed him, stroking his hair, but he shifted and tried to curl up on himself again.
"Please…" he begged plaintively, "not the closet, please. It's dark. Scared of the dark, Mum. I'll be good," he shivered violently.
Abby held him close, her heart aching for him.
"Sorry… I'm sorry. No… There's rats in there… please?" he said again in that tiny frightened voice, "I'll be good."
'It's not a rat is it? I hate rats,' Abby remembered him saying to her once. It seemed like a lifetime ago… it was the day he's broken up with Caroline. She remembered that it had surprised her; Connor loved all animals for the most part… as long as they weren't trying to eat him. His claustrophobia? Oh, Connor.
Abby always tried very hard to wall off and barricade her feelings, and she had been even more successful at it than she'd ever meant to be. She was learning how to let herself feel again, but it was hard. She thought Connor felt enough for the pair of them, anyway. Emotions made her uncomfortable, and she truly wasn't sure how to deal with them for the most part. Even now that she and Connor had this thing together, it was hard for her to reach out to him. Connor never asked it of her either; he never took more than she was willing to give. Abby had taken advantage of that, as well. She'd hidden behind it and used it to keep him at arms' length.
Seeing him now… seeing the scared little boy inside of him so desperate for the barest scrap of love and comfort… Her heart ached… literally ached. Sympathy and love overwhelmed her; all of Abby's carefully constructed barricades came crashing down as the final film of ice on her heart melted. She knew… she knew in that instant that if he died she would follow him. No matter where he went, she would follow him. Abby loved Connor totally and completely, and she could no longer fathom her life without him in it. She gathered him in her arms and sobbed. He couldn't die on her, he just couldn't. Not now, not ever.
"Connor. It's Abby… you're with me and you're sick. Can you hear me? It's Abby," she said as she regained control of her emotions.
She wasn't sure how long she held him to her like that, her arms wrapped around him as she rocked him gently. She began humming under her breath and it seemed to calm him further so she sang softly. No one was there to hear, and she'd been told she had a nice voice. She would sing until she'd no voice left if it soothed him. She'd give him whatever he needed.
"Abby?" he murmured questioningly.
"Yeah," she gave a short relieved laugh, "It's Abby. I've got you."
The sun had tracked its way across the sky while she had held him, moving from ascending to descending as she watched and waited and hoped.
His eyelids fluttered and cracked open, "Abby… stomach hurts. Head hurts. Cold."
She shushed him again, relieved to see him shake the delirium. He was shivering still, but it wasn't the same bone deep tremors from before. Her eyes filled and she blinked to keep them from falling; it would only upset Connor.
"Yeah, I know. Here, drink some water and then we'll see if you can hold anything down to eat, okay?" she cajoled softly.
He sipped at the water, but refused the food outright. She didn't blame him, but he'd eat later if she had to force it down his throat.
"I feel pretty stupid, Abby. I'm sorry. That was a bad decision on my part," Connor rasped, his voice worn through.
"No. It was my fault, and you shouldn't have listened to me," Abby argued.
He sat up, still unsteady and shook his head, pressed the heel of his hand to his forehead, "Gah, I still feel horrid. Might have to put that one on the list for dumbest things ever."
"Lie down, Connor, okay? Just rest until it runs its course… look, you're still shivering," she protested as he tried to stand up.
"The traps, Abby… and the day's almost gone," he argued, but he swayed on his feet.
"Please? Lie down?" she asked.
He stared at her, his dark eyes solemn, searching her face.
He grinned suddenly, "Well it's not like we have somewhere to be, eh?"
She smiled; leave it to Connor to joke about it, "Yeah. I think we might be late for work."
His mouth twitched, then he giggled, then he laughed outright at the absurdity of it all, "Scuse me Lester… I think I might be a little late tomorrow," he gasped, holding his sore stomach, "Ow!" but he kept laughing, tears welling up in his eyes.
It struck her funny, as well, and she couldn't help it, she had to join in, "It's not even that funny," she gasped in between giggles, but that just set them both off worse.
Eventually they calmed and caught their breath. She settled Connor's head in her lap without any further arguments from him.
"I'm glad you're okay. If anything had happened to you..." she broke off, playing with his hair as he lie there contentedly.
"M'fine Abby. I'm sure it'll wear off by tomorrow, yeah?" he reassured her.
He didn't look fine to her, even if he was acting as if he was. His face was too pale, and there were lines of pain and exhaustion deeply etched into his face. His hand was still pressed to his abdomen and she knew he was hurting.
"Close your eyes and relax, Conn," she ordered gently.
He looked at her for a long moment, his expression opaque, but he did as she said. She stroked his hair and leaned back against the wall of the cave, unconsciously humming under her breath.
"Abby?" he asked after a few long moments.
"Yeah?" she answered.
"Would you sing to me again please? It helps," he asked shyly.
"Yeah, Connor. If you like."
TBC
A/N: Connor's symptoms and the plant he ingested is based on the Jerusalem Cherry. Poor Connor.
I wanted to give another little peek into Connor as well, and Abby needed this. She really did.
Comments are love...
Author: casy_dee
Rating: T
Characters/Pairing: Connor/Abby
Spoiler: Series 3
Warning: Angst , mentions of abuse
Genre: Romance, Angst, Hurt/Comfort
Summary: Abby has secrets in her past, but is it right to keep them there? Can Connor accept it? Set in the Cretaceous...
Part: 12/?
Ch 1, Ch 2, Ch 3, Ch 4, Ch 5 , Ch 6, Ch 7, Ch 8 , Ch 9, Ch 10, Ch 11 , Ch 11.5 (M)
A/N: This one is quite a departure in mood and feeling from the rest of this story, but I hope that you like it. As always, thank you to those that comment. It means more than you know.
Chapter 12
Connor awoke in a spectacularly good mood, and Abby found that his smile was infectious. She hadn't seen him so happy in a long time, and it made her happy to think that just maybe she was the cause of it. At least partway, anyway. Last night their kisses had turned even more heated than normal, and she'd devised a way for them both to get a measure of satisfaction even though she wasn't quite ready to do the deed herself. It had been incredible and powerful and intimate in a way that she hadn't expected it to be. It also appeared to be one hell of a stress reliever.
Some of the strain had eased from his shoulders, had lightened the ever-present shadows in his eyes. She thought that perhaps it was that hope had rekindled inside of him. They hadn't made much progress into more intimate realms since the last attempt had ended in disaster. Abby had been careful to keep it at kissing and some necking, caresses over her clothing… but she had been tempted to press farther. Each time, she'd halted it, leaving Connor panting and frustrated. It was getting harder for him to hide it from her, which just made the whole situation worse.
Last night had been something altogether different, and Abby was now confident that at least they could scratch certain itches that had become more and more needful as their time together carried on. It was a comfort, in a place where comfort was fleeting. Life was difficult in the Cretaceous, and some days she wasn't sure she wanted to keep on living it. She had Connor, and if she was honest with herself, he was the only reason why she did. It was scary and exhausting and more than that… it was monotonous when it wasn't terrifying. By this point, anything new was exciting. It was for this reason that she was bouncing up and down waiting for Connor to try the new fruit they had discovered.
They'd been hesitant to eat much of the local foliage; neither she nor Connor knew much about the horticultural sciences. Humans were omnivores though, and the lack of greenery, fruits and vegetables in their diet would harm them just as surely as a lack of protein would. Thus far, they had added a few ferns into their diet, a couple of fruits, and a few tubers that seemed to be ancient ancestors of carrots or parsnips. She shouldn't complain. She really shouldn't; after all, they were no longer in any danger of starving. Still…
Abby was itching for some more variety in her diet, and she pushed Connor on the issue of expanding their diet to include more vegatation, despite his misgivings. He had developed a system to try out potential food sources, and though it was slow, they now had more options to pick from. Their days were so similar from one day to the next that she thought it was more about just having something different and new than an overriding desire to have a tomato or something like it.
She'd spotted the plant on their last scouting excursion. It was a low-growing bush with shiny oblong leaves, and it was dotted with cherry tomato-like fruit; Abby's mouth had watered at the sight of the shiny red globes. So far, fruit was a rare treat, and the addition of anything vaguely sweet and juicy was a temptation that was almost too much for her to withstand. Connor had dutifully collected a small handful of the fruit and carried them back to the camp to try in the morning. He'd laughed at her enthusiasm, and teased her about the fact that it was his turn to taste.
The first rule of trying new foods was to try it first thing in the morning so that any side effects would be more obvious. The second rule was to only try a teensy tiny bite to begin with, and to carefully hold in inside the mouth for a few minutes before chewing and swallowing. Any subsequent numbness or tingling would indicate a toxin of some sort. After that, they would try a larger bite the next day, followed by a full bite the following day, and then finally a normal portion. Only one of them was allowed to try a new food at a time, and the other would monitor. The last time they'd tried something toxic the tiny bite he'd taken had given him a small stomachache, but he'd been fine a few hours later. Connor figured that the tiny taste was probably all they really needed to do to be sure of a new food, but he didn't like taking chances with their safety.
It was Connor's turn to try, and he said that the fruit not only looked like cherry tomato, it tasted like it, as well. He took a tiny bite, and Abby watched him closely the whole day, but he had no adverse reaction. The next day, she whinged a little about how long it took to try new foods, and he popped the whole fruit into his mouth in response. He'd raised his eyebrows, shrugged and said it was just one bite anyway. Nothing had happened the day before, so he was fairly confident that the 'tomato' was safe. He'd gone against his own rules for her, because she was impatient and bored with their meals, and probably because by now she'd realized he'd do just about anything to make her smile.
She hadn't been prepared when he rushed out of the cave a short time later, pale and sweating. She'd heard him vomiting violently and went to check on him. He'd been on all fours, his head pressed to the ground, but he'd looked at her as she neared and waved her off. She stayed within listening distance and told him to call her if he needed her. He grunted in acknowledgement; she figured that was the best she was going to get from him.
It was her fault. Connor was out there heaving his guts out because she'd wanted a little variety. Guilt twisted her stomach so tightly that she thought she might join Connor in heaving up her breakfast as well. She kept seeing the image of the little cheeky grin he'd given her as he popped the fruit into his mouth, all bright eyes and teasing laughter. God, she could be so selfish sometimes; she was quick to take advantage of Connor's sweet and generous nature, and this was his payment for it.
She crept outside to check on Connor; he'd been out there a long time. The retching had stopped, but he had yet to return to the cave. He was curled up in the fetal position in the dirt outside the cave, and he wasn't moving. Shit!
"Connor! Conn?" she called as she rushed to his side.
He made a small noise of acknowledgement; his eyelids fluttered then opened. Abby blanched as she took in his pale clammy skin, his trembling and his dilated pupils. She may be a lizard expert, but some things were universal. Whatever he had eaten had poisoned him, and despite purging the contents of his stomach, he was still suffering the ill effects of it. His jeans were undone and only halfway up his hips and she suddenly felt even worse for him.
She tried to rouse him enough to get him to lean on her, but he just whimpered and clutched his stomach. She hated the thought of trying to drag him over the rough terrain, and ended up deciding to try to get him in a fireman's carry. She'd been annoyed with this part of their training at the ARC; she had said she'd likely never be able to figure out the carry if she needed it. It was like a bad game of twister but no one was there to tell her which part went where. It must have sunk in though, because she managed to figure it out eventually and get Connor hoisted up over her shoulders and transported inside the cave.
She laid him down gently on their pallet and went to get some water for him to drink and to wipe him down with. She'd have to use the spring for water, the river was too far away and too dangerous for her to journey to alone. She was grateful that for the little gurgling spring, but it was so small and shallow that it was generally only good for small drinks or for rinsing off, and it took ages to gather enough water from it to use in any bigger applications. By the time she returned from the shallow spring near their cave with enough water, he had progressed from trembling to violent tremors, and sweat poured from every pore in his body. Her stomach dropped as she realized for the first time that this could be a life threatening incident, despite the small quantity he'd ingested.
What she would give for a blanket! She cradled his head in her lap and tried to get him to drink, but most of it poured over his chin and down his neck. She dipped the corner of her striped hoodie in the water and bathed his face with it, trying to give him a measure of comfort. She needed to get him out of his wet t-shirt and into something dry. His hoodie was still dry even though it needed washing; it would have to do.
She shifted him carefully, his pained whimpers tugging at her heart. She peeled off his sweat soaked shirt, wiped him down with the damp fabric of her shirt before gently dressing him in his red hoodie. Each little whimper and cry was like another dagger to her heart. Remorse choked her; she attempted to swallow down the lump in her throat but it burned and refused to budge. She'd done this. She'd caused this. What she would give to take it back.
"Connor. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry," Abby whispered as she brushed his sweat damp hair back off of his face.
"Sorry…sorry…" he murmured, "Sorry Mum… I din't mean it," he whimpered, his voice gone small and weak.
It didn't sound like Connor at all. She shushed him, stroking his hair, but he shifted and tried to curl up on himself again.
"Please…" he begged plaintively, "not the closet, please. It's dark. Scared of the dark, Mum. I'll be good," he shivered violently.
Abby held him close, her heart aching for him.
"Sorry… I'm sorry. No… There's rats in there… please?" he said again in that tiny frightened voice, "I'll be good."
'It's not a rat is it? I hate rats,' Abby remembered him saying to her once. It seemed like a lifetime ago… it was the day he's broken up with Caroline. She remembered that it had surprised her; Connor loved all animals for the most part… as long as they weren't trying to eat him. His claustrophobia? Oh, Connor.
Abby always tried very hard to wall off and barricade her feelings, and she had been even more successful at it than she'd ever meant to be. She was learning how to let herself feel again, but it was hard. She thought Connor felt enough for the pair of them, anyway. Emotions made her uncomfortable, and she truly wasn't sure how to deal with them for the most part. Even now that she and Connor had this thing together, it was hard for her to reach out to him. Connor never asked it of her either; he never took more than she was willing to give. Abby had taken advantage of that, as well. She'd hidden behind it and used it to keep him at arms' length.
Seeing him now… seeing the scared little boy inside of him so desperate for the barest scrap of love and comfort… Her heart ached… literally ached. Sympathy and love overwhelmed her; all of Abby's carefully constructed barricades came crashing down as the final film of ice on her heart melted. She knew… she knew in that instant that if he died she would follow him. No matter where he went, she would follow him. Abby loved Connor totally and completely, and she could no longer fathom her life without him in it. She gathered him in her arms and sobbed. He couldn't die on her, he just couldn't. Not now, not ever.
"Connor. It's Abby… you're with me and you're sick. Can you hear me? It's Abby," she said as she regained control of her emotions.
She wasn't sure how long she held him to her like that, her arms wrapped around him as she rocked him gently. She began humming under her breath and it seemed to calm him further so she sang softly. No one was there to hear, and she'd been told she had a nice voice. She would sing until she'd no voice left if it soothed him. She'd give him whatever he needed.
"Abby?" he murmured questioningly.
"Yeah," she gave a short relieved laugh, "It's Abby. I've got you."
The sun had tracked its way across the sky while she had held him, moving from ascending to descending as she watched and waited and hoped.
His eyelids fluttered and cracked open, "Abby… stomach hurts. Head hurts. Cold."
She shushed him again, relieved to see him shake the delirium. He was shivering still, but it wasn't the same bone deep tremors from before. Her eyes filled and she blinked to keep them from falling; it would only upset Connor.
"Yeah, I know. Here, drink some water and then we'll see if you can hold anything down to eat, okay?" she cajoled softly.
He sipped at the water, but refused the food outright. She didn't blame him, but he'd eat later if she had to force it down his throat.
"I feel pretty stupid, Abby. I'm sorry. That was a bad decision on my part," Connor rasped, his voice worn through.
"No. It was my fault, and you shouldn't have listened to me," Abby argued.
He sat up, still unsteady and shook his head, pressed the heel of his hand to his forehead, "Gah, I still feel horrid. Might have to put that one on the list for dumbest things ever."
"Lie down, Connor, okay? Just rest until it runs its course… look, you're still shivering," she protested as he tried to stand up.
"The traps, Abby… and the day's almost gone," he argued, but he swayed on his feet.
"Please? Lie down?" she asked.
He stared at her, his dark eyes solemn, searching her face.
He grinned suddenly, "Well it's not like we have somewhere to be, eh?"
She smiled; leave it to Connor to joke about it, "Yeah. I think we might be late for work."
His mouth twitched, then he giggled, then he laughed outright at the absurdity of it all, "Scuse me Lester… I think I might be a little late tomorrow," he gasped, holding his sore stomach, "Ow!" but he kept laughing, tears welling up in his eyes.
It struck her funny, as well, and she couldn't help it, she had to join in, "It's not even that funny," she gasped in between giggles, but that just set them both off worse.
Eventually they calmed and caught their breath. She settled Connor's head in her lap without any further arguments from him.
"I'm glad you're okay. If anything had happened to you..." she broke off, playing with his hair as he lie there contentedly.
"M'fine Abby. I'm sure it'll wear off by tomorrow, yeah?" he reassured her.
He didn't look fine to her, even if he was acting as if he was. His face was too pale, and there were lines of pain and exhaustion deeply etched into his face. His hand was still pressed to his abdomen and she knew he was hurting.
"Close your eyes and relax, Conn," she ordered gently.
He looked at her for a long moment, his expression opaque, but he did as she said. She stroked his hair and leaned back against the wall of the cave, unconsciously humming under her breath.
"Abby?" he asked after a few long moments.
"Yeah?" she answered.
"Would you sing to me again please? It helps," he asked shyly.
"Yeah, Connor. If you like."
TBC
A/N: Connor's symptoms and the plant he ingested is based on the Jerusalem Cherry. Poor Connor.
I wanted to give another little peek into Connor as well, and Abby needed this. She really did.
Comments are love...