Friday Night, before Moira goes to find Jake

[x-mactaggart.livejournal.com]

This was something of a turnaround, Amanda thought as she made her way up to the third floor, one of her magic books tucked under her arm. But she remembered how Moira had looked after her, even when she hadn't wanted her to, and she was glad to return the favour. Besides, if she knew Moira, she'd work herself into the ground if someone didn't make her take a break occasionally. It was with a determined air that she knocked gently on the door to Moira's suite.

Moira glanced up from the papers she was grading from her classes today. That was odd, she wasn't expecting anyone. Then again, she remembered, people had a habit of just stopping bye. Not that was complaining. With a glance at Nathan, who was still sleeping fitfully next to her, she slide off the bed. Moira paused in front of the door and tried to will some life back into herself as she swung open the door.

One look at Moira's face as she opened the door told Amanda she'd done the right thing. She looked so tired, so worried... On impulse, Amanda dropped her book with a muffled thump on the carpet and gave the surprised doctor a hug.

The sudden hug surprised, but pleased her, and she wrapped her arms around Amanda and squeezed back. "I'd say welcome 'ome, but ye beat us back a week ago," she muttered dryly, smiling a little. Considering the hug, it was certain that the time spent in England had certainly helped.

"I would've been 'round earlier, but yeah, this place is just as insane as it always was," said Amanda with a smile and a shrug. "Between the new roomie an' tryin' t' catch up with the work I missed... well, yeah." She tilted her head at Moira. "You look fuckin' terrible. He's that bad, is he?"

An eyebrow quirked as she held the door open a little wider for Amanda to come through after scooping up her book. "I look tha' bad, aye?" Moira sighed. "Aye, 'e is. 'Tis worse because 'e'd...we'd been 'opin' they were gone. Life jus' managed t' kick 'im in th' teet' again."

"Life has a habit of doin' that," Amanda said with not a little cynicism. "'S why I never get me hopes up _too_ much. Just tempts fate." Her expression softened as she looked at Nate, sprawled on the bed. "Still, it's a fuckin' shame. You two were soundin' really good."

"We were. We -will- be." The determination was like steel in Moira's voice. "'Tis 'ard right now but we'll survive." She grimaced. "I'm sorry, I know I promised ye a night in but..." She gestured helplessly at Nathan.

"You'll do more 'n survive. You'll kick this bloody woman's arse back to the future where she belongs," th girl said with a sudden flash of humour. "An' don't worry 'bout tonight - we can do it another time. But right now, yer gunna get out of here, get somethin' t' eat, have a break before you kill yerself. I'll watch Nate." Amanda's expression was strangely like Moira's had been only moments before - she wasn't about to back down on this.

She couldn't help but smile a little. "I am, am I?" Moira shook her head. There was too much stuff to be done. Not only with Nathan but the pile of work was starting to eat her soul. She'd never been really away from work that long and was starting to realize -why-/

"You are. Even if I have t' teleport you t' the kitchen." Amanda looked Moira squarely in the eye. "You ain't the only stubborn bitch in this place, y'know."

With a snort, Moira laughed a little. "Yer nay goin' ta give up on this, are ye?"

"Nope." Amanda grinned, just a little. "This whole havin' a social conscience thing probably won't last, so you should take advantage of it while it does." She grew serious. "You can't help him if you make yerself sick. An' if anythin' happens I'll be sure to call you, first thing. So take some time out - Jake's got food goin'."

The thought made her stomach rumble, just a little. "I jus'...I know if somethin' were ta 'appen, I'd feel it." She brushed her forehead slightly. "But 'tis dosnae make it any easier."

"I'm startin' t' get that meself. Ain't never worried 'bout anyone else but me before, but now..." Amanda glanced over at Nate again. "Those emails he sent me while I was at Homily's, they helped, a lot. Gave me someone t' talk to, someone who didn't judge, y'know? An' now he's the one who needs help, an' there ain't much I can do, but I can do this."

"'e's like tha'," Moira replied softly. "Doesna really notice 'ow much o' a difference 'e really makes, does 'e?"

"Nope. Which means he fits in right well here." The grin softened into an almost wistful smile. "He's made a difference t' you. Anyone can see that."
Moira blushed a little. "Does it show tha' much? 'e's been makin' a difference fer a verra lon' time now. Jus' nay like *this*." She sighed. "Times I feel like I'm nay doin' enough back fer 'im, ye know?"

"That's bollocks an' you know it. He doesn't stay here just 'cause he can't stand up for five minutes without passin' out. He stays here for you, 'cause he wants t' be with you. You give him somethin' t' hang onto when things get bad, and somethin' t' look forward to when they ain't." Pulling a face, Amanda grinned again. "An' now I'm soundin' like Doc Samson."

Laughing, Moira reached over to pull the girl into another hug. "I'm sure 'e'd be proud," she chuckled. "Fine, fine, ye win. I'll go chatter at Jake fer a while an' I promised Lorna I'd 'elp 'er out wit' 'er coffee pot."

"Of course I win. Now, shoo. I got meself some study t' do 'fore I see this magic tutor tomorrow. Don't want t' make Rom look bad." Amanda returned the hug with interest - she was really getting the hang of this whole hug thing, she decided.