(no subject)

[peppered-wargod.livejournal.com]

Date: September 3, 1999
Setting: Tadfield Manor
Status: Public
Summary: Pepper arrives.


Once again, she couldn't sleep. She had managed to sleep, briefly, early that morning, for the first time in days. This wasn't healthy. She knew it. She couldn't stop. She couldn't sleep.
And so, she went for walks. Long walks, all over as much of Tadfield as she could. She didn't usually come to the Manor, though. Tonight was different. Every night was.
She just followed her feet. That was what got her into that mess in the first place. But she wasn't thinking about that. She wasn't thinking about that.
And so, she arrived at the Manor. She didn't pay any attention at all to it. Stupid - but everything was stupid. She couldn't breathe without being stupid.
By the time she made it there, her feet were sore and she finally had exhausted herself to where she could sleep. She made it inside, and collapsed in a chair, finally finding a bit of rest.

Comments

[average-adam.livejournal.com]

The next morning, Adam found himself again compelled to check out the lobby at Tadfield Manor. This impulse hadn't steered him wrong yet, so he followed it. Much to his surprise he didn't see anyone there at first, but after a moment he caught a flash of color hiding near the front door. He walked over to find Pepper curled up in a chair sound asleep. He gave a relieved smile and tried to shake her awake.

"Pep? Hey, Pepper... wake up... It's okay. It's just me, Adam."

He stopped after she began to stir and waited patiently.

[peppered-wargod.livejournal.com]

Pepper took a moment to slip back into wakefulness. When she did, her first reaction was to fling her arms and legs about in an attempt to drive the person away.

When she realized who it was, she stopped. "Oh. Adam. Sorry."

She shook her head quickly in order to clear it. She looked around and blinked - once, twice, three times. "Where am I?"

[average-adam.livejournal.com]

"It's okay, Pep. You're safe now. You're at Tadfield Manor with me an' Wensley and you can stay awhile."

Adam peered at her worriedly.

"What's been goin' on, Pep? I thought you'd be here ages ago. And you don't look so good."

[peppered-wargod.livejournal.com]

She nodded and bit her lip, uncertain of what, exactly, she should tell him.

"I'm fine. Really." She attempted a smile. "Just been a bit out of it."

[average-adam.livejournal.com]

Adam knew Pepper wasn't telling him the truth but decided not to press the point. He knew she'd talk to him when she was ready. He smiled back.

"I saved you the room next to Wensley's and across the hall from mine. Do you want to go see it?"

He looked around the chair she was in.

"Hey, where's all your stuff?"

[peppered-wargod.livejournal.com]

Pepper stretched, still half curled up in the chair.

"Yeah. Room. Right. Sure."

She looked around the chair as well, then scrunched her face up, trying to think. "I must've left my bag at Mum's. It doesn't matter anyway; that was mostly all dirty. I can wear this another day until I get a chance to run back and grab some of my clean stuff."

She didn't mention that she had not, in fact, planned on coming.

"Anyway. Room?"

[average-adam.livejournal.com]

Adam helped Pepper out of her chair and led her towards the stairs.

"Now your room is across from mine, so if you need anythin' you just let me know." He gave a slight frown. "Brian's not here yet, but when he is he'll have the room on my other side. I'm gonna get you settled in and go find Wensley to get you some food. You can go back to sleep if you want."

They arrived at the door and Adam held it open for her.

[peppered-wargod.livejournal.com]

"Okay. I ... thank you." She managed a quick smile, one that almost but not quite reached her eyes. "I'm just ... yeah. Sleep. I'll see you around?"

She didn't wait for an answer. She closed the door and half-threw herself onto the bed. It took her a while to fall asleep, but when she finally did, it wasn't because of exhaustion. It was because she finally felt safe.