DEFYING GRAVITY - JEN/ZOE

Tethers

ymmat09

Title: Tethers

Fandom: Defying Gravity

Pairing: Zoe and Jen

Rating: 15 yr

Spoilers: after episode 1 and 2

Summary: Getting sucked out into space is not fun.

Disclaimer: I don’t own any part of these characters or the show.

A/N: first shot at this so be nice!

Tethers

ymmat09

Jen Crane gave Efram a questioning look then breathed a little easier as he gave her a thumbs up. The athletic woman moved into the medical bay and peered through the plastic of the chamber to see for herself that one Zoe Barnes was most definitely still with them. She couldn’t help smiling. Zoe looked completely relaxed in sleep, like she had never been at the end of a tether and almost lost in space.

“She’s going to be fine.” Efram smiled.

“Thanks to Steve. Who knew spit was good for anything?”

* * * * *

Zoe flashed a grin as her space family applauded and hugged her. The blonde took a mock bow then took a seat beside Jen. As they went over what happened Zoe insisted she had touched nothing and Donner grimly suggested they check the hatch programming for any possible glitches.

“So what was it like to be depending on that wire?” Nadia smirked.

“I was too out of it to notice.” Zoe replied taking a sip of water from her cup. Jen listened quietly.

“You touched nothing?” Steve asked not liking the idea that the hatch could just open unexpectedly.

“Nothing.”

“Wow, what did it feel like?” Steve questioned.

“No warning? You heard nothing?” Shaw frowned.

Zoe thought about the baby’s cries and swallowed uneasily. She remembered tumbling out of control and the painful jerk of the tether. She remembered thinking she was about to die. She remembered making deals with god. Keep it together Barnes.

“Nothing.” Zoe answered Shaw forcing a smile.

Everyone should have been asleep. Jen entered her lab and checked her experiments. Silently she swiped at her tears. This had been one helluva day. Not since Rollie had been ordered home had she felt so scared. It was worse. She had almost freaked when Zoe announced the suit was losing pressure. Jen didn’t quite get her feelings for Zoe. She had never understood them but they were scaring the crap out of her. Here, they were overwhelming her.

“Couldn’t sleep either huh?” a familiar voice asked.

Jen looked over at Zoe. The blonde’s smile was shaky and her eyes were a little too bright.

“Are you ok?” Jen asked softly trying to gauge Zoe’s mood. More than anything she wanted to help.

“Don’t make fun of me but can - can I have a hug?” Zoe whispered.

Jen crossed the floor and gently drew the blonde into her arms. Zoe said nothing but clung to her desperately. The tears came fast and furious. Somehow they ended up sitting on the floor, Zoe’s head resting on Jen’s shoulder. Jen absently rubbed her friend’s back while Zoe regained her composure.

“I’m sorry.” Zoe sighed.

“For what?” Jen smiled encouragingly.

“I was able to hide it from the others - Jen, I’ve never been so scared.”

“Me either. But, we’re ok now.” Jen said huskily.

“You won’t tell the others I lost it?” Zoe asked meekly. Jen smiled in spite of herself.

“Don’t worry about it. They won’t find out from me.”

“Why are you still up?” Zoe frowned.

“Oh, my favourite person in the whole world almost took a permanent space walk today. I thought I’d come down here and work so that I didn’t lose it myself.” Jen quipped hugging her close, “Don’t ever do that again Zoe.”

“Kay.” the blonde sighed content to rest in the safety of Jen’s arms. There they sat letting each other’s presence anchor them. They were each other’s bestfriend and personal tether. Neither was ready to admit it was building to something more.

~ ~ ~