Hangover Hell

The silence of the darkened room was shattered by the shrill call of the alarm clock. A low groan could be heard from under the doona, and then a shaky hand emerged, picked up the clock, and threw it against the wall. The body in the bed sighed and settled down once again.

JJ pulled up outside John's house and parked the bike. It was 7:45 and she was sure he would be up by now. She rang the bell...no response. She rang again and then knocked the door loudly. John sprang up from the bed at the noise, instantly wishing he hadn't. He managed to find a pair of sweats to put on, then stumbled to the door. He opened it a couple of inches and squinted out into the bright morning sunshine.

"Wha..."

"G'Day, John," JJ smiled, pushing against the door to give her enough room to squeeze through. John shut the door as quietly as he could and leaned against it, holding his head. "Are you okay?" she asked, a small frown crinkling her forehead.

John began to sink down to the floor, but she was quickly by his side keeping him upright. He placed an arm around her shoulders and allowed her to lead him to the kitchen. He sat at the table, resting his head on his arms. He could hear a slight popping sound and forced himself to look around the kitchen. The coffee machine was happily doing its job.

"I set it before I left last night. Did you see my note?"

John shook his head. JJ walked down to his room and grabbed the post-it, taking it back to John. He managed to focus enough to make out what it said. Alarm set, coffee set, see u at brekkie, Tink! John managed a weak smile as JJ set a steaming mug in front of him.

"I know you most likely don't feel like it, but I'm making some toast." she grinned when she heard John groan.

She rummaged around the kitchen until she found everything she needed, and before too long there was a pile of toast sitting on a plate with butter and marmalade in dishes next to it. "You can have it dry, or risk putting something on it. I thought I'd be kind and not bring over any vegemite," JJ said, grabbing a slice and slathering butter over it. John felt sick, but realised he needed to eat.

He managed to eat a couple of slices and then stumbled off down to the bathroom for a shower. JJ told him to leave the door unlocked, just in case he felt dizzy. A long hot shower, followed by a short ice cold blast seemed to work wonders, and by the time he'd dried off, he felt half human again. He wrapped a towel around his waist and padded across the hall to his room. He managed to get most of his clothes on, but when he bent down with his socks, the room began to spin. "JJ," he called.

JJ rushed into the bedroom and managed to catch him as he started to fall forward. "Oh, Bear," she whispered as she got him upright again and helped him with his socks and his boots. "Are you sure you're okay to get to work?"

John looked at her, his head tilted to one side. "Bear?" he asked.

JJ went bright red and looked down at John's feet. He risked leaning forwards a little and lifted her face. "Um, I'm sorry, I didn't mean for you to hear that. It's just...well...oh John, you're like a beautiful cuddly bear."

John pulled her up to sit on the side of the bed next to him, he turned and gave her a beautiful bear cuddle before kissing her.

"Right then, Tink. I guess it's time to go to work." They walked out of the house hand in hand and John looked around. "Shit, where's my truck?"

"You left it at the office, Luv. I brought you home on the bike."

John looked at her with one eyebrow up, "Really?" he asked.

"Come on, I'll show you." JJ mounted the bike and waited for John to get on behind her.

"How did I stay on?" he asked.

JJ took his hands once again and zipped them into her jacket pockets. He grinned when he realised she had him trapped, and tickled her sides with his fingers. "Bugger off, John. We need to get there in one piece. Tickles can come later."

"I'll hold you to that," John grinned as they set off for the town.