Chapter 9
Jia was on set for one of the final days of shooting. But her mind was far from the movie.
Just that morning, she had to say goodbye to Reuben, dressed in his formal blues, as he went to the funeral of the Commander of the Pacific Fleet. Admiral Tom "Iceman" Kazansky had succumbed to his cancer and passed in the night.
And despite the fact that he died from a disease rather than flying, it still made her worry.
Benji, seeing her start to spiral, went to her side. "I know what you're thinking. And there's not much I can say to make you feel better. But you need to have faith."
Jia shook her head. "It's not faith I'm lacking. Trust me, I will always believe he will do his best to come home. It's just the thought of it all. And I know it's all in my head, but I can't stop it."
Benji looks at his best friend. "Do you think maybe you should try and talk to someone? See if there are different ways for you to compartmentalize or channel your feelings into? Because you are going to worry yourself into a problem one of these days."
She pauses to think about it. Never had the idea crossed her mind to potentially find a therapist. Well, maybe not a therapist but someone of the sort that she could talk her feelings out with.
Because let's face it, everyone she talks to reassures her of the same thing, and it doesn't help. Like, at all.
"I'll talk to Reu about it. See what he thinks. But that is something I'll definitely take the time to look into."
Jia pulls Benji in for a hug, the two staying locked in for a few moments. "Thank you for talking with me."
He smiled into her hair. "No problem."
They let go of each other before Benji claps his hands. "Okay, now get your head in the game. We've got a fight sequence coming up, and no one would be too happy with me if I bruised your pretty face because you got distracted."
He quickly shoves her out of the room, laughing as she stumbles and shoots him her middle finger.
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When she finished up for the day, Jia made her way home. She had a bubble bath calling her name.
And because they know each other so well, Reuben knew she would be wanting one, so he started prepping everything for her. The moment he saw her car come down the road, he made his way into the bathroom and started the water.
(One too many experiences taught him exactly how Jia liked her baths.)
She unlocked the front door, walking in and yelling out, "I'm home!"
Not hearing a response, but knowing Reuben was home, she called out again. "Reu, I'm home!"
Then she heard the faint sound of running water before a voice rang out, "I'm in the bedroom!"
She furrowed her eyebrows before dropping her bag and making a beeline for the bedroom.
The sight she got absolutely took her breath away.
A bubble bath, complete with her favorite scented candle and Kindle, were set up and waiting for her.
Jia looked to Reuben, her eyes impossibly big. "How did you know?"
He smiled gently, walking towards her in large steps. "Because I know what's going through your head right now. I've known since I walked out the door this morning. It's been on your mind for a while now, and I figured you needed something to finally relax, even just for a little while."
She pulled him in for a kiss, his hands resting on her cheeks. It was sweet, the way he could just tell. Jia honestly didn't know what she ever did to deserve someone like Reuben, but boy, was she glad she had him.
"Take your time. I've got a bottle of your favorite wine waiting downstairs and some pasta to make. We are having a night in."
She smiled, so large it took over her entire face. It was so rare that they could truly have these nights, both of them always on the move with work.
Giving him another gentle kiss, Jia made her way back into the bedroom and started stripping from that day's clothes. Slowly easing herself into the bath, the only sounds heard were sighing.
It was perfect. Perfect temperature, perfect bubble ratio, perfect everything.
Jia soaked in the tub for so long she lost track of time. She was finally relaxing and, after a few minutes to adjust, had gotten into the book she was reading. It was only when she discovered her feet becoming prunes that she got out, wrapping her bathroom around her body to ward off the chill.
Slipping into her most comfortable pajamas, Jia slowly made her way to the kitchen where Reuben was finishing up the pasta. (He had been listening for any sign of movement to start.)
"Thank you for this, my love. Truly, I really needed that and didn't realize until today."
Reuben was draining the pasta but turned around to talk to her. "I can tell this mission has you all kinds of stressed out, so I wanted to try and alleviate some of those worries. I know nothing I say is going to calm those fears, but at least I can take the load off before I leave."
Once their dinner is ready, the two make their way to the table. Sometimes, they are in the kitchen, other times on the sofa. Really, it just depended on the mood for the night.
"I know I've been worrying. And it's only natural. But Benji brought up an idea today." Jia took a quick bite of her food, proceeding after she swallowed it. "Maybe there's someone I can talk to that can help me figure out better ways to deal with my worry. Either compartmentalize or channeled."
Reuben tilted his head. "Like therapy?"
She half shrugged. "Kinda? But also not? Mostly just someone who isn't only going to tell me that it's all going to be fine and will actually help me."
He purses his lips in thought for a few moments. "I mean, if you think it could possibly help, I don't see the harm in trying. And if you don't like it or don't see any potential benefit, you don't have to go."
After that, the conversation flowed into happier topics, such as a stupid thing Benji did during the shoot.
(Jia was really hoping it would make some sort of blooper reel because it was too funny not to be seen.)
Reuben shared a story of Rooster and Phoenix, one where they had a bet, and Rooster had to shave his precious mustache while they were in academy.
What had started out as a somber and worrisome day ended with happiness, laughter, and love.
Because some days, you just really needed to let it all out to become whole again.
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Word count: 1,170
But of a heavy chapter but that's to be expected. Also, this is in no way a promo for therapy. I know it's not for everyone and that it doesn't always work.
This was simply an idea for Jia to talk her emotions out with someone who wouldn't always tell her to “have faith” or “He'll always come back to you” because that doesn't help when she's panicking. It only makes it worse.
Also, this chapter originally had a completely different plan but this just flowed out and I like it much better than what I had planned before.
So stay tuned, because next chapter we get some more of Jia's worried out in the open which can only help her in getting better.
Bye guys!!!
(Gif by me)
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