Crossing the Line

Logan rested her hand on her head and closed her eyes trying to make her head hurt less. When it didn’t help she slumped forward with a groan her forearms on the breakfast bar under her head. She didn’t realize she dozed off until a soft laughter woke her up. “I went to surprise you at work to take you to lunch but one of your coworkers told me you called in. Logs I hate to say it but you look like shit,” Tuukka chuckled looking at his best friend. Logan flipped him off, “I’m not really sick I’m just snively and gross which could be horrible for the kids since their immune systems are already low.” Tuukka nodded his head and started walking around the condo. “Here,” he tossed sweatpants and a sports bra at Logan before going into the kitchen. “What the fuck do you want me to do with this?” she asked looking at him annoyed. “We’re napping. If you want to get better to go to work tomorrow you need to sleep. And before you say that you don’t want me to get sick we’re not playing for another couple of days so I’ll be able to get better if you get me sick,” Tuukka said stopping any of her protests. “Besides, you should get better so you don’t get Alex sick when you kiss him goodnight,” Tuukka said earning a dirty from Logan. Grumbling Logan went into the bathroom connected to her room to change into the clothes Tuukka had given her and couldn’t deny that they were more comfortable than her jeans. Walking into her room Tuukka was already in bed holding a water and a few pills out to her. “Take some Tylenol and drink a water. I know you’re the nurse but you take care of all of us when we get sick so I’m doing it for you,” Tuukka said watching to make sure she swallowed all of the medicine. As soon as Logan twisted the cap back on Tuukka opened his arms. Logan curled herself into his side with a content sigh. “Thanks for coming to take care of me you annoying Finn,” she said with a smile. Tuukka rolled his eyes and kissed the top of her head. “Go to sleep Red,” he teased calling her by the name Brad gave her that she hated.

Tuukka laughed to himself when he heard her curse at him but did as he asked closing her eyes and snuggling deeper into his chest. He ran his hand across her hair from the top of her head to the tips of her hair repeating the motion until Logan’s breathing slowed and he was sure she was asleep. Tuukka sighed looking down at the girl wrapped around him. He would never admit it but he was jealous that Alex might be getting her cold from kissing her. They had been friends since Brittany first introduced them two years ago at a team charity event. Since then Tuukka couldn’t help but love her more every day even though he knew she saw him as a best friend not a boyfriend. His thoughts were stilled when he heard Logan muttering something in her sleep. When she remained sleeping Tuukka allowed his thoughts to drift back to Alex. He had been out with Logan three times in the last two weeks and seemed to make her happier. Shaking his head to clear his mind Tuukka closed his eyes and tried to follow his own advice listening to the steady rhythm of Logan’s breath until he fell asleep.

Jackie waved to the girls behind the nurse’s station and got in the elevator closing her eyes as she leaned against the wall. She cracked open and eye when she heard someone clear his or her throat. “Before you make a snide remark or something I was asked to pick you up from work so you wouldn’t have to walk alone,” Dougie said quickly when he saw her open her mouth. Jackie frowned. “Why would I be walking home alone?” she questioned starting to worry about Logan. “Logan called in today and then called me to make sure you wouldn’t be waiting for her forever. She also said she wasn’t going to call you so that you could worry about your babies not her,” Dougie told her. Jackie continued to frown as they got off the elevator and headed for the car. Logan never called in sick. Jackie was worrying about Logan being alone and sick all day when Dougie interrupted her thoughts. “Tuukka’s there now. He asked me to stop and get some fever reducer on our way because Logan’s been burning up in her sleep,” he said quieting some of her worries. “How in the name of hell did he get her to sleep in the middle of the day? Has Cam ever told you how when they were kids instead of napping Logan would practice dressing and undressing herself just to be productive?” Jackie inquired thinking about her insane roommate. Dougie laughed and shook his head pulling up to a CVS. “No he hasn’t mentioned that but he told us some great stories about you and Logan,” he said with an evil smirk. Jackie groaned as they got out of the car and waited for the embarrassing stories. “Like that time Logan thought if you jumped off the roof of the shed with a sheet you would be okay so you both did it and she was okay but you broke your leg. The best part of that story is the fact that you didn’t even get in trouble for being stupid because your argument made sense,” Dougie said cracking up as they tried to pick out a medicine.

“Yeah yeah yeah, we were stupid. What else is new?” Jackie asked thankful that Cam hadn’t told worse stories. “Hurry up ginger I want to go check on my best friend,” Jackie said her impatience showing through when Dougie took his time walking out to the car. “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me,” he taunted sticking out his tone. “I know plenty of ways to hurt you, trust me,” Jackie muttered to herself ignoring him the whole ride back to her place. Dougie chuckled and shook his head. “At least she has tomorrow off so she wouldn’t need to take two days off,” Dougie said looking on the bright side. In spite of her annoyance Jackie smiled at his attempt to ease her worries. “So I’m not actually sure were to park,” Dougie trailed off looking at Jackie as they approached her building. “There’s a lot out back. Logan and I each got a spot even though neither of us have cars because Tuukka paid for it but didn’t tell her for fear she’d kill him,” Jackie told him making both of them laugh.

“He’s so whipped,” Dougie commented as they got into the elevator. “You’re telling me!” Jackie laughed hitting the fourth floor button. “He shows up all the time unannounced and uninvited. It makes her world go round and just cuts in on my plans. But I really can’t complain because he makes her happier than anyone else ever has,” Jackie sighed her thoughts turning sour when Alex popped into her mind. “What about her new boyfriend?” Dougie asked as if reading her mind when they walked down the hall. “I don’t like him. I get a bad feeling from him,” Jackie said not sure how to explain why she didn’t like him. Dougie nodded his head, “I know what you mean. I haven’t met him yet but a few of the guys who were here that night he first took her out and then the second time didn’t like the vibe they got from him.” Jackie considered his words while she shuffled through her purse looking for her house key. “Do you hear that?” Dougie asked cocking his head towards the door. Jackie paused for a moment and heard the raised voices coming through the door. She shrugged and walked into the condo curious to see what was going on between Tuukka and Logan.

“You needed to sleep,” Tuukka defended when Logan looked at him her eyes ablaze. “So you decided to drug me?” she shrieked clenching her fists as her sides. Tuukka saw the motion and knew what was coming next. Taking a step back he tried to keep reasoning with her. “Logan, you wouldn’t have slept and would have purposely kept yourself awake. Your body needs sleep and you know that as well as I do only you’re annoying enough to ignore it,” he said bracing himself for her fury when laughter interrupted them. “What’s got your panties in a bunch?” Jackie teased looking between the two. “Fucking Finnish bastard gave me NyQuil and didn’t tell me it was NyQuil because he knew I wouldn’t to take something that would make me sleep,” Logan spat her eyes never leaving Tuukka. “Before you ask Jackie, I don’t deny it because it’s true and you know it,” he said keeping his eyes on Logan waiting her to lunge at him. “You see-“ Logan started to yell only to be cut off by a coughing fit. “No Logan, you see. You need to get better. You have a fever for fuck’s sake!” Tuukka exclaimed. “Logan, go to bed after taking some fever reducer. Tuukka never drug my best friend without her consent ever again or I’ll cause you physical harm. Dougie, want to watch a movie while dumb and dumber nap?” Jackie asked looking at each person in turn when she spoke to them. Logan and Tuukka each grumbled their agreement and headed for Logan’s room. “You forgot the medicine,” Jackie called out tossing Tuukka the package and a water. When the door shut behind them Jackie turned to Dougie. “Kids,” she said with a sigh and a shake of her head. Dougie burst out laughing and followed her to the kitchen. “Do you want a snack?” she asked grabbing a bag of cocoa almonds. “If you do feel free to look around. I wouldn’t recommend anything labeled with Logan’s name because half of her food tastes like shit. I’m changing and I’ll meet you in the living room,” Jackie said making Dougie laugh at her hostess style.

“Pick your poison,” Jackie said plopping down on the couch and propping her feet in Dougie’s lap. Dougie got up, walking over to the case with movies and closed his eyes before picking one. “The Big Wedding,” he said looking at Jackie for confirmation. “You picked it,” she said holding up her hands and watching him figure out how to work her DVD player. “Nice blanket,” Dougie commented nodding to the Bruins blanket Jackie has settled over her. She smirked, “Logan ‘lost’ my favorite blanket in college so I stole hers.” Dougie laughed only to have Jackie shush him when the movie started. “This movie is hilarious,” she whispered smiling to herself when she thought about the plot. “And a chick flick so you owe me,” Dougie whispered back letting Jackie settle her feet in his lap. Jackie rolled her eyes. “You picked it and I gave you the chance to back out,” she reminded him. Before Dougie could respond Jackie started to cracking up at something on the screen that he didn’t see, he was too busy looking at her from the corner of his eye. “Chick flick or not this movie is gold,” she declared shifting her position so she was closer to him. “It better be,” Dougie mocked threatened his laughter killing his attempted at sounding intimidated. “Will you two shut the fuck up? We’re trying to nap in here! Jeez!” Logan shouted from her room and the two in the living room could hear Tuukka telling her to calm down. Jackie and Dougie burst out laughing at the angry rant from the next room over. They quieted down and went back to watching the movie but the screen didn’t hold Dougie’s interest as much as brunette crying with laughter beside him did.

Notes