Closer than Ever

"The doctor said that it will take you a week to heal but only with enough rest." Zero said on a screen of Leia's bedroom while Leia lying weakly on the bed with her face pale and shallow breath after a visit from a doctor. 
Leia later caught a glimpse of Eve by the door looking worry although she already reassure Eve earlier saying it just a cold. But it seems like Eve wasn't convinced.

Eve sat by Leia’s bedside, her small hands clutching a glass of water she had awkwardly poured herself. "Leia," She said softly, her voice hint of concern. "Drink this. I bring you water. Hope you feel better."
Leia's gaze landing on Eve’s worried face. "Thank you, Eve," she murmured, her voice hoarse. She reached out to take the glass.

After Leia drank, Eve set the glass aside and looked around the room, her brow furrowed in thought. Jumping up, she grabbed the nearest blanket she could find and awkwardly draped it over Leia, fussing with the edges to make sure she was completely covered.

"Is this okay?" Eve asked, her tone uncertain as she stepped back to inspect her work.

Leia couldn’t help but smile, even through her fatigue. "It’s perfect," She said gently.

Eve nodded, her face set with determination. She glanced at Piz, who stood nearby wagging its mechanical tail. "Piz, stay here and watch Leia. Don’t let her get up."
Piz barked in response, sitting obediently by Leia’s bedside like a loyal guard.
"Zero, watch over Eve, please." Leia command.

Eve then darted off to the kitchen not seeing anything in the freezer that can be eat right away, Eve returning moments later with a single piece of bread on a plate she found on the table. She held it out to Leia, her expression serious. "You have to eat to get better," Though the bread was plain.

Leia chuckled weakly, "I’ll eat in a little while, I promise,"

Eve sat back down beside her, her eyes not leaving Leia for even a second.

Maria was sitting by her window, sketching on a book quietly, when a movement across the way caught her eye. Through the glass of Leia’s house, she could see Eve darting back and forth.
The little girl seemed unusually busy, her head barely visible as she hurried between the kitchen and the living room. Occasionally, Maria could make out her arms awkwardly carrying what appeared to be a glass of water or a bundle of blankets.

Maria setting her book down.
After a while, she noticed Eve finally show up again from the living room to trudged to the window, her shoulders slumping slightly, and leaned against the frame, gazing out at the snowy street. Her breath fogged up the glass, and she absently traced shapes with her finger.

Maria waved from her own window, calling out gently, "Eve, dear! What’s going on over there?"

Eve blinked, startled by the sudden voice, before turning toward Maria. She hesitated for a moment, her small face still marked by worry, then opened the window to respond.

"Leia is not feeling well," Eve said quietly, her voice carrying across the cool air. "I’m trying to help."
Maria’s brow furrowed with concern. "Oh, is she now? It must be because of yesterday." She murmured. "Can I come over?"

Zero suddenly appear behind Eve, the screen lit up. "Yes, please." Zero replied sounds more like a need for help just because he know none of the people in the house know how to take care of themselves and not from the fact nobody know how to cook.

Eve’s eyes widened. "You will?" She asked Maria.
Maria gave her a reassuring smile. "Of course! You’re doing a wonderful job, but sometimes even the best helpers need a little help themselves."

A small flicker of relief crossed Eve face. Maria didn’t waste another moment. She grabbed her coat, scarf, and a basket of essentials, and headed out into the snow.

Maria entered Leia’s room, balancing a steaming bowl of porridge on a small tray. The aroma filled the air, warm and comforting, as she approached Leia’s bedside. Eve trailed closely behind, holding a napkin and a spoon.

"Leia, I made some porridge for you," Maria said softly, placing the tray on the bedside table. "You need something warm in your stomach to help you recover."
Leia opened her eyes, her face still pale and shake her head. "Maria, you didn’t have to-”

"But I wanted to." Maria interrupted, her tone gentle but firm. "You can't take care of Eve if you sick."
Maria carefully scooped a spoonful of porridge, blowing on it to cool it down. Eve watched closely.
"Here," Maria said, holding the spoon up to Leia. "Open your mouth."

Leia hesitated, suddenly very aware of how close Maria was. "I can feed myself, really…."

"You might spill," Maria said.

Leia sighed with no other excused, opening her mouth to accept the bite although it was really embarrassing. The warmth of the porridge spread through her, comforting and delicious. "It’s… really good," Leia admitted, her voice quiet.

Eve’s face brightened slightly at Leia’s approval. She stepped forward, holding out the napkin shyly. "For you… in case you spill," 

Leia chuckled weakly, taking the napkin from Eve’s small hands. "Thank you, but I'm not a kid."

Maria chuckled. "Now, another."
As Maria continued to feed Leia with her gentle touch, Zero’s voice chimed in from the corner of the room. "Leia, I’m detecting an unusual increase in your body temperature. Should I attribute it to the fever or to Maria’s proximity?"

Leia almost choked on herself. "Zero...." She glare at the screen.

"Should I get a cold compress?" Maria asked with worry.
"N-no! I’m fine!" Leia stammered, waving her hand weakly.

Meanwhile, at FLARE. Dr. Wallace sat at his desk, flipping through every reports on a thin digital hologram, when a knock at his office door pulled him from his thoughts. It was a colleague, a researcher who stepped inside with a manila folder clutched tightly in his hand.

"Wallace," His tone brisk. "I need you to do me a favor."

Wallace raised an eyebrow, leaning back in his chair. "Depends. What kind of favor? I am busy right now."

The researcher sighed and held up the folder. "This is the finalized data on the failed experiment.... Experiment 143. The board needs Leia to go over it and sign off on the report before we archive it. She was supposed to handle this today, but I’ve been told she’s out sick."

Wallace frowned. "Leia? Sick? That’s rare. She’s usually the type to work through anything."

"Not this time, apparently," He replied. "HR insisted she take a break to recover. But this report can’t wait. Since you’re the closest to her department, I’m asking you to deliver it."
Wallace hesitated, glancing at the folder. "Isn’t this sensitive information? Shouldn’t it wait until she’s back on her feet?"

"Exactly why it has to be handed to her directly." He said firmly. "No emails, no couriers. Just you, and it stays in her hands. Got it?"

Wallace leaned forward, intrigued despite himself. "What’s the rush all of sudden? It's been five months since the project was confirm to be fail."

"It’s not my place to question orders," He replied curtly. “But from what I hear, it’s related to some loose ends in the data. They need her expertise to ensure everything’s accounted for in order to for your idea of a second attempted of this project, creating a life is a big deal, young man."

Wallace sighed, standing up and taking the folder reluctantly. "Fine. I’ll drop it off after work. But if she sneezes on me, I’m holding you responsible."

He allowed a small smirk. “Noted. And Wallace?”
"Yeah?"
"Don’t peek at the contents. This isn’t gossip material."

Wallace gave a mock salute, though his curiosity burned brighter than ever. "Understood. Straight to Leia, no detours."

Leia was still not feeling a little better, She determined not to let Maria and Eve do everything. Maria insisted on helping clear the table after their small lunch while Eve arranged the plates and Zero doing the dishes.

"Leia, you should really sit down and rest," Maria said gently, putting down the kitchen towel on the head of the chair as she rush towards her.
"I’ve been lying down all day. I need to stretch," Leia argued, though her movements were slow and unsteady. She wobbled slightly, but waved Maria off when she tried to help.

Eve and Zero look at each other observing the exchange like it was a fascinating drama.

Out of nowhere, Piz suddenly come running to the kitchen, racing between Leia's legs. With a startled yelp, Leia’s balance wavered
It happened in a blur. Leia lost her balance and stumbled forward, straight into Maria, who instinctively reached out to catch her. The momentum, however, was too much, and they both tumbled to the floor with a soft thud with Leia landing awkwardly on top of Maria.

Leia froze, her face inches from Maria’s, their breaths blend in the quiet outcome. Maria’s hazel eyes widened, her cheeks flushing a deep pink as she stared up at Leia.
"S-sorry!" Leia stammered, her voice higher than usual. She tried to push herself up, but her arms wobbled weakly, keeping her in place.
"It’s… fine," Maria said softly, her voice barely audible. Her own blush spreading. She could feel the warmth radiating from Leia, is it because of her fever? Her heart was inexplicably racing.

"Interesting," Zero mused to itself, its voice barely audible as Eve look at scene with her mouth slightly open from surprised and a blinked of confusion.

From out of the blue, the doorbell ringing causing Eve and Maria finally got up hurriedly.

"Who's that?" Leia asked Zero.
From the security camera, Zero told her that it's Dr, Wallace.

"What is he doing here?" Leia sighed.
"I'll get the door-" Maria offer to help because of Leia condition.
Leia smile trying to act like she fine. "It's okay, its my colleague from work, I'll get the door."

"Piz and Eve, please stay in the kitchen until this guest 100 meters away from the house, understood?" Zero command.
"Aye, aye, captain." Eve replied.
"Woof!"

Leia groaned as she shuffled toward the door, the fever still lingered, making her movements sluggish. 

Leia narrowed her eyes before unlocking and pulling the door open. Standing there in the snow was Dr. Wallace, holding a stack of papers in one hand and looking startled to see her.

"Leia! You look… Unwell?" He commented.

"What do you want, Wallace?" Leia grumbled, her voice hoarse.
"I was tasked to deliver these documents," He said, holding out the papers. "It’s really important, apparently."

Leia snatched the papers out of his hand without a word, but as she turned to close the door, Wallace caught sight of movement inside. His eyes widened as he saw Maria, quietly peeking at their meeting behind the wall.

Wallace’s jaw dropped as his mind went into overdrive. "Wait a minute," He blurted. "You didn’t tell me you had someone over? A quite pretty woman too..." He smirked.

"Why should I tell you? You're not my personal daily data collection!?"

Dr. Wallace raise an eyebrow seem more curious now.

Leia’s face turned bright red knowing what in his thought now. "It’s not like that!" She hissed, leaning against the doorframe for support.

Maria peeked over from the living room, her calm demeanor adding fuel to the fire. "Leia, is everything alright?" She asked softly, her voice carrying just the right amount of concern.
Wallace gasped. "Oh, I knew it! I interrupted something, didn’t I? You two were probably-"

"Don’t you dare finish that sentence!" Leia immediately slamming the door shut in his face with a loud Bamm

A stunned silence hung in the air for a moment, followed by Zero’s dry commentary. "I must admit, Leia, your ability to clear misunderstandings is truly unparalleled."
Leia groaned, sliding down the door and burying her face in her hands. "Why does everyone around me have to be like this?"

Maria approached, kneeling down beside her. "Who was that?" She asked with genuine curiosity.
"No one important," Leia muttered. "Just someone with an overactive imagination."
She's lucky Dr. Wallace does not questioned where her Scottish fold cat and Beagle breed dog was, which doesn't exist and just a lie by Leia back then.

From outside, Wallace walking, still reeling. "I can’t believe it," He stop from walking and whispered to himself. "Is Leia..." With a dramatic shake of his head, he trudged back into the snow, concocting increasingly wild stories in his head about what he’d just witnessed.

The living room was quiet, it's late evening. Leia had finally drifted off to sleep on the couch, her breathing steady and peaceful. Maria stood by the door, putting on her coat and scarf as she prepared to leave.
Eve stood nearby, holding Piz in her arms, while Zero’s interface lit up softly from the wall panel.

"Thank you, Miss Maria," Eve said, her voice as small and sincere as her bow. She looked up with wide eyes, filled with gratitude. "You helped Leia a lot today."
Maria smiled warmly, "It’s nothing, sweetie. I’m happy to help." She looked at Zero’s panel, where a glowing indicator pulsed.
"Maria," Zero said, their tone less cheeky than usual, "On behalf of Leia, thank you for your assistance. You’ve been most efficient and surprisingly delightful company."

Maria chuckled softly, tilting her head. "Coming from you, Zero, I’ll take that as high praise."
Piz gave an enthusiastic bark from Eve’s arms, his little mechanical tail wagging.

"I’ve left plenty of food in the freezer," She reminded them, looking at Eve and Zero. "It just needs to be heated up when you’re ready to eat."
Seriously, this family need to learn how to cook.

Eve nodded, "I’ll remember."

Maria smiled softly, her gaze shifting to Leia, who stirred slightly in her sleep but didn’t wake. "I’ll come by in a few days to check on her."

"Maria," Zero said, his voice softer now, "Leia is fortunate to have you as well. Trust me."
Maria looked at Zero’s interface, her cheeks flushing slightly, but she simply nodded. "Take care of her," She whispered, opening the door and stepping out into the chilly evening air.

Eve stood at the door, waving as Maria walked down the path. The snow was beginning to fall lightly again, dusting Maria’s scarf and hair as she turned back to wave one last time, quite dramatic despite the fact that their house is just five stepped away from each other.