AN: So this is the first of possibly several one-shots in an alternate future for my story time to change. If you haven't read that you don't have to just know that Natalie and Adrian are together, he got better after solving Trudy's case and about seven months later they started dating. This is just a moment in time in their relationship.
Ch1: The injury
Natalie had been hurt in her position as a private detective's assistant before, Adrian had even seen the injuries. Some were minor like the bumps and bruises she had received from fighting with the crazy paramedic in the back of an ambulance. Others were more significant like how she had not only sprained her wrist in a car accident but then horribly strained it hanging from a chain in the back of a moving dump truck. Adrian had never been there for the aftermath before though. He had never seen her late at night after an injury when even crawling into bed hurt. He hadn't seen it until tonight.
Today Adrian had solved the case they had been working on for a few days. But when Adrian and Natalie had gone back to find the evidence the murderer was there trying to destroy the evidence. Adrian fought with him and tried to protect Natalie, but she had rushed in to help as she always did. She took a few hits herself and was thrown to the ground. In the end, working together, they had been victorious and he was now behind bars. But at this second Adrian wished more than anything that they had just let him go.
Natalie said she was fine, she went with Adrian to the police station, like always giving statements and doing their paperwork. When they got home it was different, he kept an eye on Natalie as she immediately took Advil chasing it down with a glass of wine. Natalie normally sipped wine slowly savoring it, tonight she guzzled. As she got ready for bed Adrian heard Natalie wince. He turned just in time to see Natalie remove her shirt, and had to fight to keep the bile rising in his esophagus down. Normally his favorite view in the world, Adrian was enraged by what he saw, Natalie's perfect smooth creamy skin was marred by two enormous bruises that seemed to engulf her. Adrian also saw long scarlet scrapes down her arm from where she had hit the ground. Adrian gasped and Natalie immediately tried to cover herself back up, self consciously holding her arms around her middle.
"Natalie don't," Adrian implored, "it might hurt more. Just come here." Natalie walked toward him still holding her arms over her center. When she reached him he carefully took her wrists moving her hands down out of the way. He took a closer look at the bruises on her side and the abrasion on her arm before gently helping her to sit on the bed. When she flinched slightly, Adrian knew that there were more injuries hiding. A questioning look and gesture from Adrian, was all it took to get Natalie to lift her hips, allowing Adrian to remove her pants. There Adrian found more deep purple marks along her hip and thigh. Not knowing what else to say Adrian sat back up slightly and kissed her forehead. "Sweetheart, I am so sorry this happened."
"It's not your fault Adrian."
"I should have been the one to get hurt not you." Adrian insisted.
"How about we just shoot for no one gets hurt?" Natalie asked with a grin. How that woman could be so banged up and still smiling and making little jokes was beyond him.
"Whatever you say, my love." He kissed her again before backing away. "I am going to get some supplies you stay right here. Adrian returned to the bedroom a minute later with a tray. When he put it down Natalie saw pain relief cream, ice packs, heating pads, large bandages, ointment, and another glass of wine. Adrian carefully tended to her injuries and even though at times there was pain, what Natalie felt the most was cherished. When nothing else could be done Natalie carefully laid in the bed. Adrian put an ice pack on her side then surround her with pillows so she would be as comfortable and supported as possible. Natalie instantly pushed away the pair of pillows between herself and Adrian and pulled him close. She then gingerly slid her body into the right position with her head snuggled into the crook of his neck.
"Pillows don't make me feel better Adrian," Natalie whispered then kissed his neck, "you do."
