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I held his hair back while he continued to vomit. I didn't say anything, just waited.
He turned away from the toilet when he was done, breathing heavily, staying on his knees. I remained sitting on the edge of the tub and watched him. He scooted over to the wall and laid his face against it, then his eyes met mine. I almost couldn't keep my calm composure, the pain and agony in his eyes took my breath away.
"Come on." I mumbled to him once his breathing slowed.
I helped him up and started walking him to my car, his arm hot over my shoulders, my bare arm almost feeling singed around his waist.
I did alright, holding him up by myself, for a good while, but when my arms started to feel the strain Gabe appeared around the corner, leaning against the wall, the same smile that I was getting used to on his face.
"Here." He said gently and took him from me. I smiled softly at him.
Jacob Sever didn't say anything as we put him in the backseat. He didn't ask where we were going, who we were, or what we wanted. Frankly, I wasn't sure he could if he'd wanted to.
I tried not to panic with all of the Temperos now crowding my apartment, but they left me alone with Gabe there. There were already bound to Jacob.
Jacob seemed even less conscious now. That was good; it meant he was closer to sleep. We needed him to sleep he had to be sober in order to do this right.
I knew that there were stronger and smarter Temperos here, so I couldn't Look at them. I couldn't tell Gabe either, these ones could possibly understand human speak. Instead I looked at him carefully, making sure he could read my expression. He nodded, acknowledging he understood. He wouldn't leave me alone tonight.
"You can put him here." I said, gesturing to the couch, but Gabriel walked past me towards the bathroom.
"He reeks." Was all he said.
I crossed my arms and plopped onto the sofa, rubbing my eyes, trying not to be overwhelmed by everything.
A holler from the bathroom made me jump.
"Anna!" Gabriel groaned.
My heart rate didn't settle down after the initial scare. If Gabriel sounded so upset, I had every reason to worry.
I cautiously, but hurriedly went to the bathroom. I was shocked to see Gabriel smiling as he tried to restrain Jacob. Tried. He was trying and failing.
"This is definitely our guy." He grunted just before being thrown against the wall.
If Jacob was over powering Gabriel, he really was who we were looking for.
Jacob was gasping and moaning, trying to stand, but not getting far, before falling down again. His hair was wet and water was running down his bare back.
Gabriel went for him again, and I held up my hand to stop him.
I lowered myself down on the floor in front of where Jacob was kneeling.
"Jacob." I said softly.
His eyes snapped up at me, glossy, but not as blurred. It was that look again. My chest swelled with pity.
I put my hand on his cheek. "It's okay. Come with me."
He stared at me a moment then began to stand again and I helped him gently. I walked him to the couch and sat him on it, he held my arm to stay steady and when he was sitting he slid his hand down into mine and held tightly.
I wasn't sure what to do, so I just sat down next to him. He slid himself sideways and laid his head in my lap, and began to breathe slowly.
I couldn't resist stroking his hair out of his face a little like he was a child. I wanted his suffering to end immediately so badly, but I knew we had a lot to go through still.
Gabriel came in chuckling and observed the scene. And then as if he'd read my mind he said, "Soon, Anna. He'll be alright."
I let one lone tear escape, the last one I'd shed until this was over.
Soon.
I waited for Jacob to stir the next morning. We had fallen asleep like that. Or rather, he fell asleep and I was trapped there with his head on my lap. It was getting close to the afternoon and he'd been sleeping for a long time. He should be close to clean now. We could do this.
Jacob inhaled deeply, than began to sit up and looked straight into my face with shocked eyes.
"Who-?" he asked, but I didn't answer, not yet.
He began to look around and he frowned at Gabriel across the room.
"I'm surprised you're not dead." Gabriel started, sitting up. "Most of your brain had to be swimming in alcohol with all of those drinks you took down."
I gave Gabriel the "Not now" glare.
He noticed and put his hands up in surrender, sitting back again.
Jacob was sitting on his own now, blinking carefully, rubbing his eyes and stretching his mouth.
"Yeah, buddy, I'm used to a lot worse." He answered Gabriel.
I couldn't resist my frown.
"It's just the damn hangover that I can't get the hang of." He was holding his head now and putting it between his knees.
He groaned and I got up and got a glass of water, bringing it back and holding it out to him.
He looked shocked once he saw it, and took it cautiously, eyeing me carefully.
"It's just water." I smiled softly. "And if you can keep this down we'll get you some real food and then some Ibuprofen."
He nodded, bargain made, and gently sipped the water. He swallowed and stilled, assessing himself.
After a moment he downed the whole glass and then gave me a half grin.
"Give it a few minutes." I muttered, then sat on the couch again.
Jacob set the glass down and sat back.
"So…what's going…with all this?" he asked with a pointed look to the two of us.
Gabriel opened his mouth to speak, but I interrupted him.
"Not until he's eaten." Standing up and going into the kitchen.
Gabe was looking at me with a shocked expression as I walked past him. I got in the kitchen and started pulling out dishes.
"Geez, Anna. You're really bossy today." He called from the living room.
Before I realized it, I slammed the pan on the stove and stormed back into the room.
"Well pardon me for not wanting to screw this up!" I yelled, then immediately humbled after seeing their somewhat horrified faces.
"I'm sorry." I closed my eyes and rubbed my temples, "I'm just tense."
"Anna?"
I opened my eyes and looked at Jacob. "Yes, Anna." I answered.
I quickly went back into the kitchen. The way my name had fallen off of his mouth had made my heart pound.
I didn't hear him come in, but a moment later Gabe was rubbing my arms.
"He really unsettles you, doesn't he?"
I sighed. "He makes me feel so overwhelmed with it all."
I turned and looked him in the eyes, distressed. "It's like I've known him all my life, but had no idea."
"It's supposed to." He answered holding me for a moment, before I turned back to the food.
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