Bobby arrived back at his apartment, after having stayed in the medlabs for the last four days. Hank had been particularly concerned for him after getting some of his test results back, and seeing the amount of weight that Bobby had dropped already.
He fumbled for his keys, his hands shaking slightly before he was able to unlock and open the door.
"Hey," he called.
Bobby headed for the bedroom to dump his bag and then go have a shower.
Julie
Julie's head jerked up. Bobby?
She got up out of her study and peered out into the hallway.
"Bobby! Hey! You okay?" she asked, her voice full of concern.
Bobby
"Yeah, I'm just going to have a shower, then I'll come see you."
Bobby went into the bathroom and for the first time in their marriage, or even in their relationship, he locked the door.
Julie
Julie nodded more to herself than anyone.
"Okay," she said quietly.
She swung hand arms by her sides, her hands clapping together a few times because she uncertainly went back to the study.
Bobby
Bobby showered and then dried off, noting in the mirror how frail he was starting to look. He dressed in what was once a slightly form fitting shirt, and a pair of sweatpants, then headed out to see Julie.
"Hey," he said, standing in the doorway. "Sorry, Hank was worried."
Julie
"Are you okay?" Julie asked, approaching cautiously, not knowing if she should hug him or kiss him or what.
If he was feeling sick, she didn't want to make him feel worse, after all.
Bobby
"Yeah, he's just worried about... about Legacy and stuff. He's a doctor, he's prone to thinking the worst."
Bobby made no move towards her. The last few weeks had been strained between them.
Julie
Julie frowned.
"You're... you're not going to have a relapse... are you?" she asked.
Bobby
"No, I shouldn't," Bobby said, shrugging.
"I just have to have less stress, it's wearing me down."
Julie
"Oh okay," said Julie. "Is there anything I can do to help?"
She chewed her bottom lip nervously.
Bobby
"Well..." Bobby grinned, the mischievious spark returning to his eyes.
"I mean, I am hungry. And the pizza... it's just... so... far!"
He lifted his hand to his face dramatically.
Julie
Julie managed a chuckle.
"I think I can manage that," she grinned at him.
That was the old Bobby she knew.
Bobby
"But, alas!"
Bobby pretended to faint.
"My stomach! It grumbles!"
Julie
Julie giggled.
"Okay, I'm on my way," she smiled, even as she walked toward the kitchen.
Bobby
Bobby followed her into the kitchen and sat down at the bench.
"Hey Julie?"
Julie
"Yes, Bobby-sweetie?"
She popped the pizza into the oven and then leaned over the kitchen bench to look at him.
Bobby
Bobby paused for a moment, trying to word his next statement.
"I think I'm going to be staying at the Mansion for the next few weeks. Hank thinks it's for the best if I'm monitored."
Julie
Julie nodded slowly.
"Okay," she said softly.
She hated it when he was away. She missed him so much, especially at night when she was alone in the bed. Not because of anything they did, just the emptiness that came from his lack of presence.
Bobby
Bobby, on the other hand, was relieved to get away. He didn't like to admit it, but most of the stress in his life was coming from Julie and the kids and how draining they were on his energy.
"It's just for a bit," he shrugged.
Julie
"Okay," Julie said again.
She reached over and touched his cheek.
"You get well, okay?" she said. "I don't want you to be sick. I love you too much. I know we've been fighting a bit lately, but I... I do love you, very, very much. And I don't want to see anything happen to you."
Bobby
A bit? That was an understatement. This was one of the first conversations they'd had in weeks that hadn't end in some harsh words.
"Yeah," Bobby said, not really knowing what else to say.
"Hank will look after me."
He wasn't quite sure how to say that he really did need a timeout from this marriage.
Julie
Julie opened her mouth to reply, but at that moment the oven dinged and she turned to take the pizza out. She cut it up and handed him a plate.
"There you go," she smiled.
Bobby
"Thanks."
Bobby waited a few moments for it to cool then took a bite.
And swallowed.
And then two minutes later, he got up to run to the bathroom so he could throw up.
Julie
Julie bit her bottom lip as she looked down at her own pizza slices. Should she stay here? Should she go and check on him?
She leant over her plate and put her hands behind her neck. If she ever lost Bobby...
Bobby
Bobby coughed and flushed the toilet, then washed his mouth and face.
He padded back into the kitchen.
"Right, take 2."
Julie
Julie looked up and gave him a sympathetic smile.
"Did you want a drink or anything?" she offered.
Bobby
"It's ok, I'll get it."
Bobby hated anyone making a fuss, he didn't even feel that he was sick.
Julie
"O-okay," Julie replied.
She looked down at her pizza and ate some. She felt so useless.
Bobby
Bobby went about fixing himself a drink.
"Do you want one?"
Julie
"Oh, umm, sure," Julie replied.
She ate some more pizza.
Bobby
Bobby handed her a drink and then instead of taking a seat next to her, he remained standing on the opposite side of the counter.
"Get much work done today?"
Julie
"Got plent of work done," Julie commented ruefully. "Not the work I was hoping to get done. Oh, except that B'E seems to be more or less potty trained, finally. Now if only her brother would follow suit. Still trying to finish designing that game I'm working on."
Bobby
Bobby nodded, noticing how awkward things had gotten between them since they'd stopped sleeping together and started fighting. Also, since Tav had arrived.
"Oh, new game?"
Julie
"Yeah," Julie replied. "This one's a little different from my others. It's definitely adults-only."
She waggled her eyebrows at him mischievously.
Bobby
"Oh cool," Bobby said distractedly.
He finished his piece of pizza and then pulled out his phone to respond to the message he'd just gotten.
Julie
"Yeah, it..." then Julie spotted him with his phone and was silent.
She picked at what was left of her pizza.
Bobby
"Hey sorry, Hank's probably going to pull an all-nighter, and I want to make sure he doesn't."
Bobby put his phone away.
"Tav, Bek and I are going to hang out at the Mansion... did... did you want to come?"
Julie
Julie opened her mouth to say, sure, she'd love to come, when one of the babies started wailing. Her face fell.
"No," she said reluctantly. "I'd better stay here."
Bobby
Bobby found himself somewhat glad, and realised that's probably not the right reaction for a husband.
"Oh ok, well... I'll clean up, you go do what you need to do."
Julie
Julie nodded.
"Thanks," she said.
She stood and headed for the nursery before they all started crying.
Bobby
Bobby cleaned up the mess they'd made from the pizza and then headed for the door.
"See ya," he called, before leaving.
Julie
"Bye!" Julie called after him. "Have a good time."
She shook her head a little. It all felt so empty somehow.