1- Black Fog

.

W/C: 1445

CONTENT/WARNINGS/SPOILERS: Hurt/Comfort, AU obviously, starts immediately after Deep Dark.

SUMMARY: Vicki struggles to survive after she is abandoned by both Mike and Henry. Coreen is there for Vicki when no one else is.

.

At first, she went through the motions of her normal everyday life. She went to work and then she went home.

But to Coreen it quickly became apparent that Vicki had lost her appetite. She simply forgot to eat unless Coreen put food directly into her hands.

Coreen watched in fear as Vicki's face became gaunt and hollow. Desperate to help her friend, she began sitting next to Vicki demanding that she chew and swallow. Vicki did as she was told – her mouth mechanically chewed the tasteless, unrecognizable lumps of sustenance.

As usual, while she was at work Vicki spoke to clients on the telephone. Often though, once she set the phone down on the cradle she couldn't even recall what had been said.

While at home, she sat on the sofa staring off into space until dryness made her eyes throb and burn. She was useless. She was empty. She couldn't remember why she even bothered.

She knew she wasn't acting at all like her tough, supercharged independent self. She couldn't remember the last time she smiled. She couldn't remember the last time she slept. She couldn't close her eyes because when she did the dreams would come.

The dreams brought the pain; the heart wrenching, soul tearing pain that tortured her until she woke up to her own piercing scream or a terrible moan.

She was left gasping for air, her heart hammering loudly in her ears and her skin covered in a thick sticky layer of sweat. She couldn't close her eyes. She couldn't stand her own skin. She needed a long scorching hot shower. It was the only thing that gave her any comfort.

And then one morning she just didn't get up, she didn't even think about going to the office. She'd finally found oblivion under the soft blanket that blocked out all light and sound.

Coreen waited – patiently – until late afternoon for Vicki to show up. However, as the sun made its way across the sky, the pervasive sense of doom only increased until it became unbearable. Besides – her feet were killing her – a girl can only pace for so long.

She made her way to Vicki's apartment and even though she fully expected to receive a swift decapitation as reward for her concern…she gingerly let herself in using the emergency key.

She found Vicki huddled under her blanket, fiercely clutching a pillow to her stomach. Coreen knew it was only a matter of time before Vicki completely lost it and fell apart. She'd been waiting for it to happen. 'Well, here it is.'

In her heart, she knew it would be preferable to the zombie state that Vicki had been stumbling around in for the past few weeks.

Vicki needed to allow herself time to grieve for all that she had lost. She had lost so much. But seeing Vicki like this…it was hard.

For weeks, Coreen had tried her best to be there for Vicki. She struggled to protect Vicki from her mother's daily calls. She actively avoided saying any word that might remind Vicki of her suppressed pain. It was like walking on thin ice in spring…terrifying…and utterly exhausting.

However, the dam had finally cracked and Vicki was leaking emotions that she couldn't cope with. Half the time, she wasn't sure if Vicki could even recognize the spectrum of emotions currently bombarding her. She couldn't imagine Vicki ever being this low before in her life.

Mike even called her at home once just to check on Vicki. He practically forbade her to tell Vicki about his call. Of course he said he was worried and he wanted to know if Vicki was alright. But Coreen wasn't about to lie to him just so he felt better. After all, he was partly responsible for hurting Vicki and he should carry some of the burden.

Coreen's concern was for Vicki's wellbeing. Right now, Vicki needed her, needed something. She made her a pot of soup since it would be easy to warm up and required little effort to chew. It was as if Vicki's life force was seeping out of her. She couldn't even chew food anymore she was so weak and unwilling to care for herself.

Coreen had seen depression before but this was a new low. She turned up the heat and put on a pot of coffee before she approached Vicki's bed. She tried to imagine what her mother would do in this situation. She always made her feel better when she was a child by bringing a hot facecloth to her bed. Coreen sat down on the side of the bed and waited.

Vicki moaned softly. "Coreen what are you doing here?" Her voice sounded frail even to her own ears. Vicki did not want to move or think or do anything.

She felt the blankets slowly sliding across her skin. She closed her eyelids and squeezed them tightly shut to avoid the painful light that was sure to come. She relaxed when she realized that Coreen had left the lights off. Suddenly she felt a warm cloth on her forehead.

Normally, she would have shouted in surprise or something like that but at this moment the comfort she felt made her choke down an unfamiliar burning sensation. Her control weakened, her eyes misted and she let out a sob.

Coreen gently wiped her face with the cloth and assured her that she wasn't leaving any time soon. Vicki knew how lucky she was to have Coreen. She had never even told her how much she meant to her. She reached out for Coreen's hand and squeezed. It was all she could do to show her appreciation for Coreen's kindness.

Vicki's senses started to respond to the familiar scents wafting from the kitchen. She could smell fresh coffee and something spicy…her stomach clenched in pain. She hadn't eaten in so long. Slowly she made her body obey her mind and she sat up.

Coreen went to get her some coffee and told her to stay put. The mug felt sturdy and heavy in her trembling hands. It was a comforting sensation.

Coreen slipped away again and returned with a bowl of soup. Vicki gave that a try and at once felt so much better. They sat together on the bed propped up on pillows piled against the wall. She felt safe and was so grateful that Coreen wasn't trying to push her or rush her in any way.

Coreen was so glad she came over. Vicki certainly wouldn't have fed herself if she hadn't. Finally, Vicki started to regain some strength and some color in her checks.

Weak steaks of light could be seen through the open door. The sky was starting to dim as sunset approached.

Vicki started snickering and continued until it took on a hint of hysteria. "It is kind of ironic don't you think? I've become nocturnal just in time for him to leave. Oh, fate, you are a bitch. If I ever run into you in a dark alley…I'll …I'll probably trip over you! Ha!"

Coreen tried not to let concern show on her face. She just smiled and made her way to the kitchen table. 'I'm gonna need some help', she thought.

Normally, in a situation like this, the first person Coreen or Vicki would think to call would be Henry. Next, of course one would naturally call Mike. 'Well, Vicki my dear it's no wonder you are such an emotional wreck. Every man you ever relied on has walked out on you on the same day.'

Coreen, certain she couldn't handle this situation on her own, struggled with what she should do next. As Coreen went through her mental list of people that Vicki had helped and been helped by over the last year she had to admit that the list of trusted friends was limited to one or two people besides Henry and Mike. She would have to do some research tomorrow while Vicki was asleep.

In fact, Vicki had naturally shifted to the same sleep-wake cycle as Henry…several months ago. At this point, Vicki had neither the intention nor the inclination to change anything.

The next day, Vicki declared that she would no longer be going to the office. Coreen knew everything reminded her of them. She couldn't do her job without remembering how she and Mike did the exact same thing last year or pick up something that Henry had given her.

The office was a ticking time bomb just waiting to go off and when it did, it inflicted unbearable pain. So until further notice, Ms. Vicki Nelson, P.I. would not be participating in life outside her apartment.

In Coreen's opinion, the only saving grace at this point was that it appeared that Vicki had truly reached rock bottom. And perhaps it was because she too couldn't imagine it getting any worse that Vicki actually started sharing things with Coreen. It was definitely the first time she had ever witnessed Vicki share anything personal with anyone…certainly the first time she spoke about her pain and fears.

Coreen continued going to the office each morning and took simple cases like spying on adulterous spouses and tracking down long lost Uncle John. Those things she could do by herself because Vicki had taught her how. She started asking Vicki case related questions in an attempt to involve her in her old life. Vicki didn't seem to mind working cases as long as she didn't have to leave the house, bathe, dress or move. So they started working cases in the afternoon and evenings at Vicki's kitchen table.