Fic: The Right Thing (Army Wives, Claudia Joy/Denise)

[fembuck]

Title: The Right Thing
Author: Janine
Fandom: Army Wives
Pairing: Claudia Joy/Denise, pre-slash
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: I don’t own them.
Note: Takes place during episode 2x02, at the Holden’s after Claudia Joy’s panic attack Somewhat AU in that in this piece Roxy doesn’t come in and interrupt Claudia Joy and Denise’s sensitive chat.

 

---

“Are you warm enough?” Denise asked, already leaning over Claudia Joy, reaching for the blanket that was loosely draped over the lounging woman to pull it more securely over her. She knew it wasn’t necessary, that Claudia Joy was more likely to be overly warm rather than cold considering the wraps and blankets she had already brought for her. But, she needed to do something. She needed to feel like she was helping Claudia Joy in some way.

“I,” Claudia Joy said softly, her head turning to focus on Denise as she spoke. But no other words came out of her mouth. Instead, she simply reached out for Denise’s hand and squeezed it, holding it firmly in hers.

Denise sat back down on the edge of the bed and brought her other hand over to cover Claudia Joy’s, allowing her thumb to stroke the back of her friend’s hand as they sat together in a companionable silence.

“Stay,” Claudia Joy said softly, her voice almost inaudible. “For a while,” she elaborated a second later, her voice cracking as she spoke.

Denise blinked, her eyes burning as she tried to contain the tears welling in them. She had never heard Claudia Joy sound so vulnerable, so broken. It made every part of her ache in sympathy.

“Of course,” Denise choked out, squeezing Claudia Joy’s hand for emphasis, only releasing the appendage when Claudia Joy began to shift to make room beside her on the bed.

Denise settled down on the mattress quickly, drawing the blanket over them both, and then reached for Claudia Joy’s hand once more, holding it tightly as they lay together.

It started with a slight tremble in Claudia Joy’s hand, and then moved up her arms, over her torso and down her legs until her entire body was shaking.

“Clau …” Denise began turning her head to face the other woman. But, before she could even get the rest of Claudia Joy’s name out of her mouth, the woman other gasped, her features transforming into a mask of anguish before she began to cry, to sob.

Denise moved quickly, wrapping her arms around Claudia Joy, drawing her into her body, kissing her forehead and stroking her hair as she murmured soft, ultimately meaningless, but presently soothing words to her friend, as Claudia Joy clung to her, pressing their bodies together as if Denise was the only thing holding her together.

“I’m,” Claudia Joy began to say long moments later, finally beginning to control of the wracking sobs that had taken over her body.

Denise reached up, pressing a finger to her lips, silencing her before she could get another syllable out of her mouth.

“Don’t,” Denise said softly, shaking her head as she spoke, her eyes never straying from Claudia Joy’s as she did. “It’s okay,” she continued seriously, her thumb moving to stroke Claudia Joy’s cheek. “You don’t always have to be strong. It’s okay to let go. I’m here. I’ll take care of you,” she finished leaning forward to brush her lips against Claudia Joy’s forehead.

Claudia Joy closed her eyes, breathing in and out deeply a few times before opening her eyes again. She nodded, and they settled back down on the bed, Claudia Joy’s head on Denise’s shoulder as Denise rubbed her back tenderly.

“Denise,” Claudia Joy said softly, minutes later, warm breath tickling Denise’s neck. “You do say and do the right things,” she whispered, breathing in deeply and closing her eyes, allowing Denise’s scent and the feel of her body against her own to comfort her. “I couldn’t function without you right now,” she finished truthfully, wrapping her arms more securely around Denise’s waist as if she was afraid that the other woman would disappear now that her need had been voiced.

“Thank you,” Denise breathed out, her hand lifting to Claudia Joy’s face, her fingers brushing back some stray strands of brown hair. She released a breath she hadn’t realized she had been holding, and leaned forward.

Her lips dusted Claudia Joy’s forehead, and then her nose, and then her cheeks, and then her mouth before she leaned back again, allowing Claudia Joy to settle against her once more.

“Thank you,” Claudia Joy said, her breath evening out.

Denise returned to stroking her back lightly and Claudia Joy felt her eyes begin to flutter shut. The steady rise and fall of Denise’s chest and the warmth of her body were relaxing her in a way she hadn’t felt since she woke up in the hospital.

Trusting Denise’s early words, Claudia Joy allowed her eyes to close and gave herself up to Denise’s care, drifting off into a fitful, dreamless sleep for the first time in days.

The End

 

 

Comments

[geonncannon.livejournal.com]

Excellent AU. I was hoping someone would show what would have happened if Roxy hadn't shown up. Thank you! ~toasts~ First time in the history of the show I've hated Roxy. ;-D

[fembuck.livejournal.com]

Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it.

First time in the history of the show I've hated Roxy. ;-D

Oh, I know! I literally cursed out loud when Roxy walked in. There was so much eye-shagging going on in that scene before and AFTER she walked in the room. Damn her *shakes fist and cries* DAMN HER!

[wickedchaos.livejournal.com]

Yay! Ficage. That was so sweet and so powerful.

[fembuck.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much, I'm glad that you enjoyed it. They are just so awesome together. Seriously, you get those two on screen together (especially alone) and the chemistry is unmeasurable.

[joran.livejournal.com]

Ooooh, so perfect. I'm so glad someone's writing for this show. It's wonderful.

::mews at Denise being so sweet::

[fembuck.livejournal.com]

I know! There needs to be more Army Wives slash. They are so gay for each other. Considering how good the rating have been hopefully more people will be jumping on the bandwagon.

::mews at Denise being so sweet::

Sweet!Denise makes my ovaries ache. So hot.

[jeepy91.livejournal.com]

The one and only time I've cursed Roxy's presence, cause you so know that the girls would have snuggled down in bed together if she hadn't shown up.

So effectively sweet and heartbreaking at the same time. CJ's pain is so visceral, that Denise and us as the audience feels it as well. Fantastic job. And a big hell yeah for AW fic!

[fembuck.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much, I'm glad that you enjoyed it :D

The one and only time I've cursed Roxy's presence, cause you so know that the girls would have snuggled down in bed together if she hadn't shown up.


Oh, I know. There was so much eye-sexin' going on before she walked in. And with Denise sitting on the bed, and talking about wanting to comfort CJ there totally would have been snuggling. DAMN ROXY! DAMN HER! *sobs*

[scoob2222.livejournal.com]

nice

[fembuck.livejournal.com]

Thanks :D

[amluv.livejournal.com]

it's like you read our collective minds and said "and lo, i shall bestow upon thee the way god hath intended this shit to go down..."

that's biblical son!!...is it wrong that i do my own dialogue during their scenes that mostly consist of overtures of hot and sweaty monkey sexy??

[fembuck.livejournal.com]

and said "and lo, i shall bestow upon thee the way god hath intended this shit to go down..."

LOL! OMG, I love you. U iz reelie funny!

is it wrong that i do my own dialogue during their scenes that mostly consist of overtures of hot and sweaty monkey sexy??

Not in the least! The only thing I can find wrong with it is that you haven't shared a transcript of your pornolicious inserts, because I (and many others) would be all over that shit! All. Over.

*images Kim and Catherine monkey sex ... smiles ands slowly ... ohhhhh yeah*

[theagonyofblank.livejournal.com]

Awesome, awesome fic. I love how you captured Claudia Joy's grief, and how Denise tries to help her.

I'm so glad someone's writing them - because they seem perfectly slashable to me on the show.

[fembuck.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much, I'm glad that you enjoyed it :D

I'm so glad someone's writing them - because they seem perfectly slashable to me on the show.

Oh, I know. I hope more people jump on the bandwagon. They are so slashable, and the show is really very good. Plus, so pretty. So very, very pretty.

[rainbowfish-29.livejournal.com]

Super fabulous job.. I loved every minute of it!! please write more.

They are soo fit for each other!

thanks for writing

[fembuck.livejournal.com]

Thanks, I'm really glad that you liked it.

And you're so right. They are made for each other. Every time they are on screen together it's like the gayest thing to ever gay.

P.S. Thank you for iconizing Angie Harmon's dimples. They are a thing of lust beauty.

[magicalmongoose.livejournal.com]

Fantastic. I, too, thought it utterly stupid of Roxy to come interrupt...
And the way Denise looked sort of shifty and muttered 'great' under her breath was soooo femslashy!

[fembuck.livejournal.com]

I, too, thought it utterly stupid of Roxy to come interrupt...

It's a good thing Roxy is a fictional character, because the words that I unleashed upon her when she walked in would have made a real person curl into a fetal ball and cry for days. Worst. Timing. Ever.

And the way Denise looked sort of shifty and muttered 'great' under her breath was soooo femslashy!

OMG! Did she really mutter "great" under her breath? That is so awesome and femslashy. Even Denise knew that she was seconds away from getting some sweet, sweet CJ cuddling/kissing time! I must rewatch that scene!

[magicalmongoose.livejournal.com]

Yup, she did! She said "Yeah. [mutters]great." while looking somewhat disappointed and rather annoyed. Best scene in the series so far, except maybe for the hug at the end of the kidnapping (and the blooper that goes with it ;-D)