DEFYING GRAVITY – JEN/ZOE

A Not So Leaky Fishbowl

docwho2100 and ellie–no–name

Title: A Not So Leaky Fishbowl

Authors: docwho2100 and ellie–no–name

Fandom: Defying Gravity

Pairing: Jen/Zoe

Rating: PG

Disclaimer: We do not own the characters and no infringement intended

Spoilers: Assumes you have watched the first two episodes and may have some indirect spoilers

Location: Medical Bay

Timing: Takes places right after the end of “Natural Selection”

Summary: “I’ll always take care of you”

Author’s Note: Ok so our first stab at this, it takes place right after the end of the second episode and continues events – of course after next week’s episode this becomes speculation or AU but until then hehe

A Not So Leaky Fishbowl

docwho2100 and ellie–no–name

Zoe’d been quickly moved to the Medical Bay where it was easier to run more tests and keep a closer eye on all of her vitals. For the time being she was still entombed in the pressurized tent, pending her test results upon waking up.

The platinum blonde had already started to look more herself, as though she was sleeping instead of unconscious. Dr. Mintz had been glued to her read outs. There’d been no sign of the Bends or any other more serious conditions, but he’d wanted to be sure. It wasn’t until Jen had urged him she’d be there and that she’d have the comms at her side that he took a moment to excuse himself.

Jen chewed absently on her thumbnail, arms casually crossed as she paced around a bit the Med area. Once the adrenaline from the rescue had run its course, everyone had started to scatter, trying to refocus on their tasks and activities. She’d gone back, prepared the next set of samples and then found herself back at the Med area, having asked the doctor a few times how Zoe was doing.

She took in a breath, still not sure why she was so apprehensive, glad the doctor had agreed to let her monitor the geologist. As Mintz left, she slowly made her way over, her eyes scanning the woman, automatically applying her scientific mindset to verify there was nothing outwardly wrong.

“Mmm…” Zoe’s face momentarily scrunched up, looking just like a child trying to ignore a mother’s call to wake for school. Slowly her eyes fluttered a few times before she squinted against the light. “Jen?” she asked, trying to make out the brown–topped shape through the thick plastic that she had yet to really become aware of.

“In the flesh, well flesh as in what you can see through that,” She waved at the containment chamber, the action as much to dispel her pent up energy as anything else. “So, should I do the cliché and ask how you feel?”

“Through that…” Zoe repeated, raising a hand and jumping as she felt just how close the clear plastic was. “I… I remember the suit… and the air lock opening… What happened?”

“Oh, there was a little hole in your suit, you took a trip through la–la happy land, managed to make Steven a hero and worried us all.” Jen replied, mixing sarcastic comments in with her concern. “You don’t remember anything?” She pressed moving so hopefully Zoe could see her better.

“Did… Did I spit on someone?” Zoe asked, clearly disgusted at herself even as she asked the question.

Jen chuckled, “Oh yeah, you hocked the loogie that will go down in space history. But never fear, your spittle was shared with only yourself. No bodily fluids exchanged with anyone, disappointed?” She teased, trying to keep a light tone to her words and thoughts.

Smiling for a moment, the blonde then grew serious, “I… Am I okay?” she asked, her fingers grazing over the plastic that was holding her in.

“Well, that depends on how you define ok and in what regards you are asking?” Jen replied, absently moving a finger to run along the other side of the barrier where Zoe’s fingers were pressed. “You and I both know you are not ok, but that is part of your special charm.” She smiled and looked at where their fingers were almost meeting.

“Physically, you are checking out ok and as soon as Evram checks a few other things, you should be cleared and released from your temporary status as girl in the bubble.” She looked up, trying to make eye contact, “Are you ok?”

“I feel exhausted, but that’s probably fair, right?” Zoe asked, her fingers pushing against Jen’s. “I’m okay, yeah. Are you?” she added, noticing the brunette’s subtle apprehension, and recalling all that she’d been through since liftoff.

“I am still working on my euphemism for you look like shit,” Jen cracked a smile, using the word Zoe had during her earlier unplanned space walk. “But no, not really, these freak things keep happening. I am beginning to believe in your mother’s Mercury retro thing and trust me, that’s big.”

She tapped her finger some on the barrier between them, the idle thought going through her head of a fish in a fishbowl, an outsider tapping and looking in. IS that what was causing her apprehension; she was like an outsider tapping on Zoe’s fishbowl?

Zoe was struck with the sudden urge to want to reach out and pull the other woman into a hug, knowing that Jen needed it at least as much as she did. “You shouldn’t believe it. Self–fulfilling prophecies, nothing more. Now, any idea when I can get out of the fish tank?” she asked.

“Ah…” Jen frowned, a bit off as Zoe’s words seemed to echo hers to some degree. “Ah, yeah, actually, let me go get the doc and we’ll see about getting you out of there.” She had turned a little but then turned back, “Will you be ok alone for a few moments? I’ll be right back, I promise.”

“If it gets me out of here sooner I’ll manage,” Zoe nodded, her hand pulling from the plastic to make a nervous fist at her side.

“Don’t worry, I’ll take care of you, haven’t I always?” Jen winked at Zoe before turning to go find the doctor.

~ ~ ~