How long has it been since I've posted anything good, deep, semi-raw, and something I actually LIKED? Sorry it's short…

I don't own CSI: New York.

Reprieve

He shivered, pulling the blanket over his body more and watching her walk into the room and stroke his face. Her hands were so gentle, so loving and warm now, much unlike his body temperature. No one had told him he could have possibly gotten a cold in there. Then again, it didn't occur to anyone until he called her the next night coughing up half a lung and sounding worse than he had in ages. He grinned weakly and tilted his head, voice raspy.

"I feel like crap, you know."

She nodded, listening to the rain hit the window softly and chuckled a little. "I know you do. Just try to rest. You have a plane to catch in less than forty-eight hours with your girlfriend." Her movements were graceful as she stood up, pulling out a suitcase and opening it on the floor near the glass pane. "Here… let me pack for you."

His mind clouded over as he coughed again, laying there and looking at the ceiling. Just a day ago, he was all too willing to go with her to her homeland, but now- well, dammit. Now he didn't want to go anywhere at all. Honestly, he wanted to feel better first and then leave on this trip with her. But he couldn't stop coughing, get out of bed, and feel rested in two days. It just- wasn't possible. He'd have to cancel this damn trip he needed to go on to get those off-hours gone.

And she knew he didn't want to go. But really- was there a choice? He had promised his girlfriend after all that he'd come along and such. Those vibes coming off him right now with her in the room clearly screamed he was not willing to go with her. Especially with the condition he was in: mentally, emotionally, and physically drained as hell. All he wanted was a blasted minute of respite. And he couldn't ever get that anywhere, not even in the comfort of his own home.

And for that, she worried about him.

"Stell…"

She looked up from folding a few shirts. He coughed hard, and she was at his bedside in an instant and placing a hand on his chest. Her eyes gazed at his, both opposites of the same coin. She was impulsive; he thought things out. They mixed in concert almost perfectly, and yet they weren't together. He was with another, who was almost exactly like him. Her voice was gentle. "You need to rest, all right? You're going on a plane soo—"

He shook his head a little. "I… I don't want to go now."

Silence.

"I want to stay here with you." He watched her weakly, struggling to stay awake before his body forced him into another deep slumber. "I want to be able to go to work and see your smile every day and know you're okay… to talk to you in the office when I need something like emotional support on a case." He swallowed, his eyes fluttering shut. "I…"

Nothing more escaped his lips as he fell back, sleeping under the covers.

And she could only smile tearfully at his delusions. He'd go to London with her in a few days. He'd be ready for a vacation for sure. And she would look after the lab and everything, calling him once- maybe twice- to see if everything was okay. For now, though, she'd take solace in his fantasies. Even if it was just a moment of relief between them.

Composed to "A Moment of Relief" by Jarel Jones, found on the Resident Evil Code: Veroinca X Original Soundtrack.

…I'm tired. I need sleep, I work tomorrow… I can't think. My life is a real mess right now. I can't write anything. I'm glad I managed to get THIS out.