Page 83 of Lost Girl

Her jaw falls slack, aquamarine eyes nearly popping from their sockets. "You w-what?"

I nod. "Almost two weeks ago. The doctor said it was due to stress."

“Oh my God, I'm so sorry, Wendy." Hand snapping up to her mouth, she takes a step forward, one I halt with a raise of my hand.

"Don't be. I'm surely not. I can't imagine having a piece of him forever after what I've learned about him."

There’s a delay in her response following my admission and I swear I see tears welling at the surface of her stupefied stare. "Still...I'm so sorry you had to go through that to begin with. If it really was stress then that's undoubtedly my fault."

Of course it is, but I'm not going to crucify her for it. After all, as grueling as the experience was, she did me a favor. "That's all in the past, Tinksley. I'm just trying to move on from it whilst trying to figure out what's wrong with me."

Tinksley’s brow twitches inquisitively. "What do you mean?"

"I've been experiencing sleep paralysis," I impart, nearly snapping her head off her neck.

"Sleep paralysis? First you miscarry and now this? Could it get any worse?"

"With my luck? Probably, but I'm not focusing on that. Just taking it one day at a time."

Tinksley seems to pale right before my very eyes, which says a lot considering she’s as fair as I am. "I'm so sorry, Wendy. Words can’t even express how utterly terrible I feel. I don’t know what the hell I was thinking.”

"You were hurting, Tinksley. What you went through after Peter...I get it, more than you know." I’m not excusing her, not by any means, but now that I’m no longer blinded by the trappings of love, I can see how much of her lashing out wasn’t so much a personal vendetta on me, but more a result of grief and betrayal.

"No, I know you do.” She shakes her head. “I just wish I had accepted that sooner rather than victimizing you myself, when in reality—we were both victims."

"Everything happens for a reason I'm learning." And that’s the truth.

The good, the bad—there’s a purpose for it all.

“Yeah.” Her head bounces in agreement. "I’m learning the same.”

Silence falls between us then. We’re just staring at each other, unmoving, completely restrained. It’s clear neither one of us knows what to say after what’s already been exchanged. She apologized, I shared my truths. What could possibly be left?

“Is Tavi getting you home?" she asks, breaking the lull.

"He will, once we figure out this sleep paralysis mess. Not sure I want to go home and deal with that alone," I admit.

Although, after what just took place, I don’t know that I want to go home at all if I’m being honest. What Tavi makes me feel is just...

"Has he taken you to the witches?"

"Yes, just this morning actually. Persia said there wasn't anything she could do without tapping into my head. Tavi wouldn’t hear of it, though, so we've resorted to some teas she brewed up. Says they're supposed to calm my mind and allow me to sleep peacefully."

Tinksley’s lips quirk in a small smile. "Sounds like Tavi's fond of you."

I hum as nonchalantly as possible and give a little nod. "Yes, I suppose he is."More like definitely is.

"I know he and Hook have their issues, but I can vouch for him. He's great, just like his sister."

"He is," I agree, and that’s all I’m giving her on the topic because my relationship with Tavi—whatever that may be—is none of her business.

"Has he shown you Peter's house?"

The question takes me aback, rearing my head in a flash. "What? No."

"Do you want to see it? I can take you," she offers, shooting up all kinds of red flags.

Yes, she claims she’s here to talk and hasn’t made a move as of yet, but that doesn’t mean she won’t if the opportunity presented itself. Blindly—and stupidly—walking off with her would be the perfect opportunity.

---