Muppet FanFic: An Evening In

[Kristine73]

Hello again! This is my first attempt at a one shot and it is especially for LeahXZoot4Ever. Hope you enjoy it.

An Evening In

Evening had come once again.

At the Muppet Boarding House in the upstairs rooms the Electric Mayhem lived in Leah was curled up at the far end of the sofa, eyes closed, her elbow propped up on the arm and her chin resting in her hand. Zoot’s head was in her lap, and he was stretched out across the sofa fast asleep. On his right wrist Zoot wore a hospital identity bracelet, one of two hallmarks of his recent admission, the other being a large sticking plaster covering his right hand where an intravenous drip had been removed only this morning.

A knock came at the door causing Leah to open her eyes and look over. “Come in.” she called quietly. The door opened and Lips walked in. Smiling at the sight in front of him he shut the door behind him before coming over and sitting in the nearby armchair. “How’s the patient?” he whispered.

Leah smiled and nodded while gently stroking Zoot’s cheek as he stirred restlessly. “He’s getting there.” she replied. “At least he’s a lot better than he was Friday night.”


Lips nodded his head. “I’m certainly glad to hear that.” He said “It was so scary, the way he became ill so quickly.” Leah nodded her agreement as she picked up Zoot’s hand and traced a finger around the outline of the sticking plaster, while she thought over the events which happened on Friday.

That morning Miss Piggy had invited Leah to a girl’s night out. It was something long overdue Miss Piggy declared. By the afternoon however Leah was not entirely sure she wanted to go as Zoot had started complaining of feeling cold, even though it was the beginning of summer. Still Zoot insisted Leah go out as planned. “Never let it be said that I am the husband who refused to let his wife go out and have fun with the girls!” he told her. They both laughed and so Leah left while Zoot decided to head off to bed to try to sleep the chill off.

Later in the evening when the group had decided to stop for some ice cream Janice happened to pull her phone out of her handbag along with her wallet, glancing at the phone’s display in the process. Then she frowned. “Like, I’ve had ten missed calls from Floyd over the past 2 hours.” She murmured before calling him back. As soon as Janice got through to Floyd he told her he had to speak to Leah.

Leah took the phone off Janice. “Hello Floyd?”

“Leah, we need you to come to the hospital straight away. Zoot’s become real sick!”

As she thought about that night, Leah could not remember what happened between receiving the phone call and arriving at the hospital. She could remember arriving at the hospital with Janice and Dolores but she could not remember the taxi ride there nor Miss Piggy practically jumping in front of the taxi to make sure it stopped! Come to think about it, Leah could also remember being met by Floyd and Lips at the hospital entrance, and being reassured by them that Zoot was going to be alright, that he had some kind of kidney infection which was going to clear up.

It was entering Zoot’s room that Leah remembered painfully well. As she went in Leah was solely focused on the person in bed. Zoot was almost as white as the pillowcase and was lying perfectly still with his eyes closed. His right hand was bandaged where the drip had been inserted Leah went over to his side, not noticing Doctor Teeth leaping out of the chair he was sitting in to let her sit down. She picked up Zoot’s left hand in her own and then placed her other hand on Zoot’s shoulder as she leant in to kiss his cheek. The movement made Zoot stir and open his eyes. Taking a moment to focus he looked up to see Leah smiling down at him.

“Leah?” he whispered. “What are you doing here?”

Leah laughed out loud despite her worry. “Zoot, I think that is the dumbest question I have ever heard you ask!” she exclaimed.

“Penny for your thoughts?” asked Lips kindly.

Leah shook her head as she came back to the present and giggled softly. “Oh I was just thinking about what happened Friday. I’m trying to remember everything that happened but I can’t. I can only remember bits and pieces.”

Lips shrugged. “So what?” he asked. “It doesn’t matter. It was 4 days ago. It’s history. What’s important is the present and making sure we take good care of Zoot so he recovers.”

Leah nodded. “You know, you’re absolutely right.” She agreed.

“I usually am in these matters!” Lips said knowledgeably.

“Don’t tell him he’s right baby girl or we’ll never hear the end of it!” came Zoot’s voice from Leah’s lap. Both Leah and Lips looked down surprised.

“How long have you been listening?” asked Leah with a smile.

Zoot shook his head. “Not long. Only got the part about you telling Lips he was right. Could you help me sit up please?” Leah nodded as she slid her hands under Zoot’s shoulders to help push him up while Lips came over and grabbed his arms. Together they eased Zoot slowly up into a sitting position and Lips then helped Zoot swing his legs over the edge of the sofa. The exertion left Zoot puffing a little and Leah placed her arms around his shoulders as he settled himself down and rubbed his sore back.

“Can’t believe just sitting up is such an effort!” he complained.

“Do you need anything for the pain?” asked Leah and Zoot shook his head.

“Well, I’ll head back downstairs if that’s okay with you two!” said Lips brightly.

“Thanks for coming up and keeping an eye on her.” said Zoot with a tired smile. Lips smiled back and answered “No problem. If you need anything, I’m just a shout away.” With that Lips went out of the room and back downstairs. Leah turned to Zoot and gave him a light slap on his shoulder.

“What did I say?” asked Zoot.

“Thanking Lips for keeping an eye on me!” exclaimed Leah. “I don’t need anyone to watch me!”

“Yeah but I don’t want you overdoing it baby girl.” retorted Zoot. “I really am feeling better.”

“How much better?” Leah wanted to know.

“Remember how I told the doctor on Saturday I felt like I’d been run over by a 10 tonne steamroller?”

“Mmm hmm?”

“Now I only feel like I’ve been run over by a 5 tonne steamroller!”

Leah burst out laughing at Zoot’s comment, who grinned back happily at her. Shaking her head Leah got up off the sofa and asked “Do you think you can manage some soup? The Swedish Chef sent some up earlier.”

“I suppose so.” answered Zoot with a small sigh. He was not all that hungry but common sense told him he needed to eat something. “Do you know what sort it is?”

“He said it was some special vegie-wegie soup he made just for you.” said Leah as she went to open the thermos flask, which was sitting on the coffee table in the middle of room next to a bowl and spoon. “Still nice and hot.” She commented as she poured the soup into the bowl and brought it over to Zoot. Zoot accepted the soup from her and started eating. “The Chef’s excelled himself. This is pretty good.” said Zoot as he ate. Leah smiled happily and watched Zoot, pleased to see him enjoying it. When he was at his sickest Zoot had absolutely no interest in food at all refusing to eat anything the hospital provided.

After Zoot finished the soup he passed the bowl back to Leah and leant back against the sofa closing his eyes with a sigh. Leah placed the empty bowl back on the coffee table and sat back down next to him, linking both her arms through his right one and resting her head on his shoulder. Now that she was relaxing again Leah could feel her tiredness catching up with her and it was true she had been rushing about making lightning trips between the hospital and the boarding house. Zoot turned his head slightly and kissed Leah on the forehead, making her smile.

“Do you want to lie down again? Or do you want to go to bed?” asked Leah.

Zoot shook his head. “Not really. I’m actually getting fed up with lying around all the time.” Answered Zoot. “Bet you never thought I’d say that?”

“Uh, no I must confess that is something I would never expect you to say!” agreed Leah, noticing Zoot wince and start rubbing at his back. “Honey are you sure you don’t want a pain killer? The doctor said…..”

“No I don’t want a pain killer!” snapped Zoot, pain making him more irritable than he’d ever been before. He immediately regretted his outburst and turned back to Leah, who was wearing a hurt expression. “I’m sorry baby girl.” Zoot apologized, putting his arms around her pulling her close. “I didn’t mean to get angry. You’ve been absolutely wonderful throughout all this.” Leah caressed Zoot’s cheek as he continued “It’s just that I hate the way that stuff makes me feel all groggy and dizzy. I don’t know what’s in them but when I was given them in the hospital I swear I saw rainbows fly around the room!”

Leah giggled and said. “Alright, no pain killers. How about a hot water bottle? We can place it on the sorest part of your back.”

“Oh that sounds groovy.” sighed Zoot. Leah grinned and jumped up off the sofa. “I’ll just head down to the kitchen. Don’t go away!” Zoot smiled back as Leah kissed him on the forehead. “You don’t feeling anywhere near as hot!” she quipped, and went out of their room and down the stairs to the kitchen. As she picked up the kettle to fill it with water Fozzie walked in.

“Hello Leah? How’s Zoot?” he asked.

“He’s feeling better.” She replied. “I’ve just come down to get a hot water bottle as his back is still sore.”

“Oh here Leah, let me get it for you!” exclaimed Fozzie, taking the kettle from her. “You sit down and relax. You deserve some rest after all that running around you’ve been doing.”

Leah smiled gratefully. “Thank you Fozzie. Actually I also need to get Zoot’s tablets. Oh and Fozzie?

“Yes Leah?”

“Thank you for driving me back and forth to the hospital. I really appreciate it.” She said.

“Hey no problem!” said Fozzie with a smile as he put the kettle on to boil.

Leah smiled back at Fozzie and headed over to the refrigerator and reached up to the top where she had placed Zoot’s tablets. He had antibiotics for the kidney infection plus another tablet he was to take if he was having trouble keeping food and drink down, but so far Zoot hadn’t needed it. The last bottle held the painkiller the doctor had prescribed and that Zoot was resisting. Leah studied the bottle and thought back to the conversation she had had with the doctor earlier today right before Zoot was discharged. “I understand your husband does not want to take it,” the doctor had said “but if you can persuade him to at least take one just before he goes to bed for the first few days it will help him sleep soundly.” She slipped the bottle of painkillers into her pocket along with the antibiotics, deciding to have another attempt at getting Zoot to take them. Turning around she saw Fozzie finish filling the hot water bottle.

“Here we are Leah, it’s ready!” said Fozzie happily as he wrapped a towel around the bottle and passed it to Leah with a smile. “Hope it helps!”

“So do I Fozzie. Thanks again!” said Leah and with that she headed back upstairs. Entering their rooms Leah noticed Zoot was no longer on the sofa. “Zoot?” she called out.

“I’m in here.” Answered Zoot. Heading in the direction of his voice Leah went into their bedroom and smiled at Zoot, who was now curled up in bed. “Decided to get into bed after all?” Leah asked, smiling down at him.

“Yeah, well…..” sighed Zoot, rolling over onto his back and pushing himself up a little against the pillows. “I figured I was just fighting a loosing battle trying to sit up any longer.” Zoot said, wincing again and reaching for his back.

“Hang on honey,” said Leah, pulling the blankets back. “Can you sit forward a little?” Zoot nodded and as he did Leah tucked the hot water bottle in behind him. “Okay, how does that feel?” she asked as he relaxed back.

“Wonderful.” Whispered Zoot. Opening his eyes he reached out to take Leah’s hand. “Come join me?”

“In a minute. I have to get a glass of water for you to take your tablets with.” Leah said. Zoot nodded tiredly as Leah headed into the bathroom. He could not honestly remember ever feeling this lousy when he had been sick before. Hearing Leah come out of the bathroom with water Zoot smiled at her as she sat down on the edge of the bed, offered the glass to him first and then dispensed the antibiotics into his hand. Swallowing these Zoot looked over to Leah who was now holding something else in her hand. “What do you have there?”

Leah took a deep breath. “It’s the pain killers the doctor prescribed.”

Zoot gave a huge sigh and held up his hand to refuse “Leah…..”

“Now before you say you don’t want to take them please hear me out.” Leah said. “When I spoke to the doctor today, she was very keen for you to take one before going to bed so you could get a good night’s sleep.” Leah looked over at Zoot who had remained silent and leaned in placing her hand on his shoulder. “Could you at least try one tonight to see how things go? For me? Pretty please?” she pleaded.

Zoot looked away for a moment and then turned back to face her with a sigh. “Alright, you win. I’ll take one. Just for tonight”

“Honey, I’m not trying to win. I want you better. If you can sleep well and not be waking up in pain all the time, it will help.”

Zoot held he hand out as Leah placed one pain killer in his hand and then took it with the remainder of the water. When he finished Leah leant in to kiss him on the lips. Zoot smiled back at her and then lowered himself back down on his back. “I love you baby girl.” He said sheepishly.

“And I love you too. You rest now and I’ll come join you in a bit.” Replied Leah, who could see Zoot was struggling to stay awake. Zoot smiled back at her as Leah headed out of the bedroom. About half an hour later Zoot looked up sleepily as he felt the bed move as Leah climbed in. He reached out for her hand as she eased herself down under the covers and Leah smiled at him.

“Sorry, I was trying not wake you.” Leah apologized as she lay her head on the pillow. “How’s the pain?”

“Yeah, it’s not too bad.” Replied Zoot. “The heat is definitely helping and I think that pain killer is kicking in. Oh, and I’m sorry too.”

“Sorry? What for?” asked Leah, mystified.

“For spoiling your girl’s night out by becoming sick.”

Leah laughed out loud. “Oh Zoot!” she exclaimed as she leant in and kissed his cheek. “Don’t be silly! You didn’t do it on purpose.”

“Yeah I know,” sighed Zoot, “But I knew how much you were looking forward to going out, and I go and ruin it on you.”

Leah sighed. “Yes, well…..we did have fun, but to tell you the truth,” she said placing her head back on Zoot’s shoulder, “I’d much rather be here with you and have an evening in.”