Monday Morning 518/520

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe was slow to wake up and immediately wished she hadn't as her head felt like there was an entire marching band in there. She closed her eyes again, and started sinking back into the warmth she was feeling in the bed with her. There was an arm draped around her holding her close and she smiled as she placed her hand over the arm...

...and then she froze.

There should not be an arm in bed with her. Cole was gone and...

She turned her head to look at who was sleeping next to her and gasped.

Anders?!

Oh this was... oh... oh!

She didn't need to look under the covers to verify that they were both quite lacking in having anything on at all.

She closed her eyes and opened them again.

Nope. Still in bed with her friend.

She was confused.

What had happened last night? First there had been the Memorial Service which had been beautful, but it had served to remind her that Cole was gone and not coming back. And then, as promised, Anders had come to see her and had brought the Ambrosia and black space evil...

Oh dear god! They had...

Oh wow...

This... this was...

There were no words right now.


[[OOC: That Phoebe and Anders woke up together is okay for broadcast. That Phoebe is hearing Cole's voice? Not so much.]]

Comments

[cantgetnorelief.livejournal.com]

Anders cracked one eye open and peered at her. "I don't hear anything, Phoebe . . ."

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe looked down at her hands. "It sounded so real... he was asking for help..."

[demonbelthazor]

Phoebe. . . .

And the voice died away.

[sensethevisions]

"Anders... I'm not imagining it. I heard him and he's in trouble... he needs our help."

[cantgetnorelief.livejournal.com]

"Okay," Anders said slowly, forcing himself to study her face carefully despite the pounding in his head. "Okay. I believe you. But what are we going to do?"

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe looked both relieved that he believed her and at a loss as to how to help Cole. "I'm not sure... I guess talk to a few people. Maybe Bridge and Aziraphale to start with... And hope they don't think I'm losing my mind.."

[cantgetnorelief.livejournal.com]

"Weirder things have happened around here," Anders said, reaching over to squeeze her shoulder and trying very hard not to think about the whole lack-of-clothes issue. "They'll both know if you're telling the truth. I know Bridge for sure . . . Bridge, oh lords, he's going to kill me."

He frowned and shook his head. "We should probably keep this on the down-low, though. In case . . . in case anything goes wrong, we don't want people getting their hopes up."

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe was more focused on the fact that she had heard Cole calling for help than the whole clothing thing. "You're right. You and me knowing... and a few people to help us... that way we're the only ones crushed again if this doesn't work." She looked at him. "Thanks, Anders, for believing me."

[cantgetnorelief.livejournal.com]

"I pretty much stabbed you in the back and you forgave me," Anders said softly. "It's the least I can do to believe you, right? Whatever happens, though, I want to help. If I can."

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe smiled faintly. "I'm glad to have you in my corner, Anders, really."

[cantgetnorelief.livejournal.com]

"Then you know you've got my help," Anders said. "Anything I can do. Lords, my head . . . I should probably . . . where the hell are my clothes?"

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe smiled. "I really am glad I do and I know that you'll be there forme no matter what." She blushed. "Uhm... shirts are in the living room I think... your pants..." She pointed. "Lamp."

[cantgetnorelief.livejournal.com]

Anders stared. "Do I even want to know how they ended up there?" He shook his head. "Okay, no, probably not. Right. Okay. Um, don't look?"

[sensethevisions]

"Probably better if we don't think on that too much." She nodded and covered her eyes for him with a pillow.

[cantgetnorelief.livejournal.com]

"Thanks," Anders said. Despite the pillow he was blushing furiously as he found, and scrambled into, his boxers and jeans. "You can probably, um, get dressed while I go for the shirts," he added as he headed for the living room.

Wow, could he think of a couple of people who would completely kick his ass if they ever found out about this. Luckily they weren't going to. Right?

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe wrapped a sheet around herself and went into her closet to pull on clothes in a hurried fashion, cursing herself for movinng that fast when pain swam through her again.

"Ow," she muttered as she finished dressing and went out into the living room.

[cantgetnorelief.livejournal.com]

Anders had just pulled his shirt on when she arrived, and was staring at the empty glasses from last night and what was left of the tequila. "When I planned to come by and see if I could help you feel any better, this was so not what I had in mind . . ."

[sensethevisions]

And that would be guilt and worrry of losing a friend due to what happened.

"I know," she said softly. "I know. We were both hurting and we did a lot of drinking. It wasn't like it was a plan."

[cantgetnorelief.livejournal.com]

"It definitely wasn't," Anders agreed. "I never would've wanted to . . . I mean . . . gods, I don't know what I mean. I just know I'm sorry."

[sensethevisions]

Okay, she really wasn't sure that sshe coulld take much more of the guilt that was permeating the room. So, she went to him and just hugged him silently.

[cantgetnorelief.livejournal.com]

Anders froze for a moment before relaxing and returning the hug. "We good, then?" he asked.

Not that he wouldn't be beating himself up for it later on, but that was best left for when he was alone.

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe was relieved when he relaxed and hugged her back. "We're good," sshe said quietly. "We still take care of each other."

[cantgetnorelief.livejournal.com]

"Yeah," he said, and laughed weakly. "Just not like that."

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe smiled. "Just not like that."

[cantgetnorelief.livejournal.com]

"This is weird," Anders admitted after a moment. "It would suck if I just left, but I feel kind of awkward sticking around."

[sensethevisions]

"I don't know, either, Anders. I don't know the protocol on things like this. How about, I need to get shower and therefore you need to leave? No hrd feelings and now awkwardness that way? But if you start avoiding me after this..."

[cantgetnorelief.livejournal.com]

Anders scuffed at the floor with his toes and nodded, "Yeah. I guess that works. Can't avoid you when I promised to help look after you though, can I? And especially if I'm gonna help you with this. Helping him."

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe smiled and nodded. "Exactly. You can't look after me if you're hiding from me." She hugged him again. "And Anders? Don't beat youself up. I was there, too, okay. Next time we decide to drink? We don't mix all three of the evils."

She wanted to make sure he knew she still wanted him around.

[cantgetnorelief.livejournal.com]

"Just one at a time," Anders agreed, keeping an arm around her shoulders, "and good lords, we're eating dinner first, next time."

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe nodded, leaning her head on his shoulder. "Definitely dinner first. So... I haven't lost someone important to me again?"

[cantgetnorelief.livejournal.com]

Anders blinked, a little surprised that she thought of him as important to her, but set his jaw stubbornly. He was just as sick of losing people as she was. "No frakking way. I'm not gonna let that happen."

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe looked relieved. "Alright. Then go and take something for the hangover and I'll see you later."

[cantgetnorelief.livejournal.com]

"'kay." Anders squeezed her shoulders briefly and went to get his socks and shoes on. He paused in the doorway long enough to add, "Go on, grab that shower. Call me if you need anything, okay?"

[sensethevisions]

"I will. And promise. If I need anything I'll call you. Same for you, okay?"

[cantgetnorelief.livejournal.com]

"Okay." Anders gave her a tentative smile and slipped out the door as quietly as he could.