A look into Hal's head as he waits for Karen to wake up after having her harness taken off. Rated K+ for safety. Established Hal/Karen. Hal's POV. AU after the first season.
Disclaimer: I do not own Falling Skies
Looking Up
The light from the moon shined into the room from a crack in the curtain. I liked the way it bounced off Karen's blond hair as she slept. Dr. Glass had put it up to keep the hair from getting in the way during the operation, once Karen was stable though I took it down.
I loved to run my fingers through the ends, it was relaxing. It kept my mind off wondering what to expect when she wakes up. Whether she's going to react like Rick or Ben when her pretty blue eyes realize she's no longer harnessed.
With a sigh I leaned back in my chair, looking up at the ceiling of the abandoned hospital we had recently settled at. Everything seemed just a little up in the air right now, with Ben on his skitter-rampage and Dad sort just plain out of it. But having Karen back was a start, even if she woke up different.
I sat up, leaning onto her bed and running a hand over her cheek. Her skin was smooth beneath my calloused hands. At least the aliens seemed to have taken decent care of her. Glancing down the rest of her body I noticed the silver gleaming in the dim moonlight, almost mockingly. Minus the whole needles-in-her-back thing…
Karen had always been very sensitive to touch on her back. I couldn't help but cringe at the thought of how painful she'd have found the harness. Carefully I moved my hand lightly over her shoulder, softly caressing the skin. On the surface she seemed like the same old Karen, but I had no way of knowing if that continued on the inside.
Gently I ran my fingers over the bare skin of her back, feeling the muscles beneath reacting to my touch just as they did before. I smiled, hope. Her slow breathing and soft sighs resounded in my ear like music, and I sure as hell appreciate it more than any song.
"Hal?" Karen's voice murmured groggily. My hand paused as I moved in my chair, tilting my head so I could see her face. Her eyes were only beginning to flutter open. Sleep and confusion clouding her usually determined blue eyes. She looked up at me with simplest smile that was so uniquely her. It took my breath away.
"Hey," I smiled at her, unsure of what to say. Words were never my strong point, Karen was usually just able to read me and understand what I meant. Words weren't our thing, action was.
She sat up slightly, pushing herself slowly onto her side. When my eyes skimmed over her now exposed upper torso Karen rolled her eyes. Laughing, her eyes sparkled to life like they use to when we were together, "Good to know you're still interested after our long time apart."
I leaned forward and kissed her gently on the lips, cupping her face in my hands as I lingered for a second. I stripped off my jacket and handed it to her. As I moved to the curtain to call Dr. Glass I looked back at her, my worry melting away as I watched her glance over her shoulder with displeasure.
Things were definitely looking up now that Karen was back.
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