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He didn't seem to be budging on this subject. Sherry could see that. She knew she should respect his wishes, no questions asked. She would have, if Chester hadn't stopped by to talk with her. Thinking of Chester made her realize Armagnac had been quiet. A mental query was answered with a feeling Sherry didn't recognize. Shrugging that off, she looked at Jake again.

"I've told you before it doesn't matter. I'll mourn your death whether we speak or not. And I do see what you are. I...know. But I also..." she shook her head. "You almost say that like you care about how I feel." She closed her mouth, realizing her next sentence had been about to start with 'Chester said...'

"Am truly I hurting you that badly by wanting to be your friend?"

She caught her breath when he caught her scarf. There it was, he'd yell at her again and then they'd just keep doing this silly dance until she gave up. The words stung, cut deep as any he'd ever said before. Sherry blinked, trying really hard not to cry. She was also making an effort to not move.

"I'm sorry. I didn't realize I was hurting you that badly." Or had she? What was her problem? She was foolish and selfish and stupid. "You deserve better than that. I'm so sorry."

She placed on hand on his shoulder, and with the other she wiped at the tears on her face.

He was laughing at her again.

"Yes. You don't want anything to do with me, or me to have anything to do with you. I'm torturing you. I'm bothering you." The hand on his shoulder lifted slightly, then settle back down. Her other hand fidgeting with the bed covers.

"What part did I get wrong?"

What did that mean? Everything? Sherry shook her head. She really didn't understand.

"I'm sorry." She was vaguely aware of the fact that her hand began to stroke his shoulder, some strange attempt at comfort. "I don't understand, and I'm sorry for that, too."

"It's fine, Jake." She felt the need to fill the silence. "I don't have to get it. I get it." He had said please after all. "But I can't not worry."

Her hand was on his head now, caressing his hair. "I hope you realize that." She shifted slightly, leaning down to give him a kiss on his cheek. She didn't know why she did it. Perhaps as some form of goodbye?

"I'll--" Sherry suddenly remembered why she was there in the first place. "Jake, are you ok?"

"Jake? Are you ok?" she repeated.

The the lack of response worried her, but he seemed to be breathing, which was always a good sign. "Sleeping," she whispered.Rather soundly, it seemed. He had said he was tired. For a few moments, Sherry sat debating her options. She could shake him awake, but if sleep was what he needed she didn't want to do that. She could sit right there and not move, but with his weight on her shoulder that could get difficult. He didn't look to be in the most comfortable position either. She could also quietly leave.

In an attempt to be as unobtrusive as possible, she went for the third option. She shifted, but found moving an awkward sleeper and an awkward self at the same time was more difficult than anticipated. There was some slow sliding, and some almost dropping, and Jake's head did indeed leave her shoulder, but her lap had not at all been where she intended it to go. Sherry froze, expecting him to wake up.

When he didn't, she shook her head and bit her lip. To her, he looked quiet peaceful and...she was playing with his hair. Sherry sighed. What was it Chester had said again? A lot, but mostly that Jake was stubborn and silly and that he did care? His logic, as it had been explained to her didn't make much sense. "Silly, Jake."

She was tempted, very tempted to stay there just like that, with a sleeping Jake in her lap. But that would have been selfish and maybe a little creepy. So, after a few minutes, Sherry got up the nerve to move again. Supporting his head with her hand, she moved, replacing her lap with a pillow. She didn't leave, though.

Sitting on the floor, Sherry put her elbows on the bed, watching Jake as he slept. "Hopefully you just needed sleep," she whispered. "If not...I'm dragging you to the infirmary."

***

She had only planned on watching him sleep for a few minutes, just to make sure. When she picked her head up off the bed though, it was well past 8pm. She'd been asleep for hours herself. With a little bit of panic she looked to Jake, but he was still sleeping peacefully.

Sherry smiled in relief. For now, he seemed fine. "Good." Slowly, she rose to her feet, leaned over, and kissed him lightly on his cheek again. "I'll text you in the morning to make sure you're alive," she whispered.

Then she turned and let herself out, fully intending to abide by his wishes this time. Aside from that text, of course.