hacked title number 6

"I understand," True said softly.  "I'll hold down the fort here at home.  You don't have to worry about a thing!"

"Thank you, True." Gaster said with genuine thanks. He knew his sons were all good and behaved kids, but he was still very thankful that anyone was willing to watch them.

"It's fine, Doctor Dad, just be sure to remember to get some sleep.  And come home for a shower, okay?" True coaxed.

"Will do. I think Geena would slap me into next week if I didn't." Gaster promised, laughing weakly. "She already made me sleep last night, as well as eat dinner."

"Good Geena," True grinned.  "Okay, I gotta go.  I think Sam's bot might need one more coat of paint before we go."

Geena sat up with a soft moan.  Ow, kink in the neck!  She grimaced as she tilted her head from side to side to work out the kink then stopped.  That was making her feel strangely nauseous.

"All right. I'll call you again tonight to touch base." Gaster told True before he hung up. 
There was still a blanket draped over Geena, and a partial box of donuts on her desk, both signs of Gaster trying to look after her too.

Geena stood and folded the blanket neatly, smiling faintly at the signs of Gaster's care.  She slipped out a donut and began munching while she headed for Lex's room.

Ashton nodded to Geena when he saw her. Layla was still out like a light, her head in Lex's lap as she slept slouched over his bed.

Geena smiled when she saw the pair then looked at Ashton and frowned.  "Ashton, when did you last eat?" she asked softly.

Ashton thought for a long moment. "Yesterday morning?" He asked. "Shuni brought me something."

"Go get something to eat," Geena said firmly.  "I will stay right here until you get back, but you are no good to Lex passed out and possibly cracking your skull open."

Ashton hesitated but nodded. "If he asks questions and tries to bite my head off, it's all on you..." He stood and almost ran out of the lab. Once outside he felt like he could finally breathe and think clearly. he just stood outside for a few greedy moments before he hunted down a nice butcher shop.

That seemed fair to Geena.  She sat in the corner and watched Lex and Layla sleep.

Layla woke slowly after a bit. She carefully sat up and stretched, smiling when she saw Geena. "Good morning, Geena." She greeted.

"Good morning, Layla," Geena greeted with a smile.  "How are you?"

"I think I am all right." Layla stretched a little more. That wasn't exactly a normal position to sleep in. "How about you?"

"Very well.  Would you like breakfast?  The good doctor brought doughnuts," Geena offered, showing her the box.

Layla smiled. "Yes please." She said politely, taking a donut.

"How was he last night?" Geena asked, indicating Lex.

"A bit groggy when he first woke up, and he had some terrors last night that woke him a few times, but Ashton and I were able to calm him back to sleep easily enough." Layla reported as she ate the pastry.

Geena smiled tenderly.  "You care a lot for him."

Layla blushed and looked down, but nodded to Geena. "Yeah... I do."

"Does he share your feelings?" she asked gently.

Lex slowly drifted into the waking realm.  He didn't stir, afraid of jarring his neck.  He lay still, drifting and listening idly to the chatter around him.

"I... I don't know." Layla admitted. "And I suppose that's why I'm scared of telling him. Lex has been the first person to seem to really seem to care for me and not want anything from it." She sighed. "I know I should tell him, but I'm afraid it may ruin my friendship or chances with him. I'm happy now, and I don't want to ruin it."

Geena smiled.  "Sweetheart, things might be awkward for a time, but after a while, they will go back to normal.  And that's if he doesn't share your feelings.  If he does... well, good men tend to be too shy and scared to open their hearts like women do."