Nicolas takes a job and is wounded. Alex helps him.


Nicolas braced himself against the stone wall outside of Dr. Theo's office. Worick had warned him not to take a job for the next few days. Dr. Theo and Nina were doing circuit work in the East side and wouldn't be at their office for more than a few hours a day. He grinned bitterly, looking down at his gored left thigh.

It had been a simple security job: monitor the delivery of a few guns, ensure both parties were satisfied, and go home. He hadn't bothered telling Worick, who wouldn't even notice him gone as he was busy with clients. And the woman...

He grimaced, clutching his leg. The uppers were starting to wear off. He hadn't thought he would even need them, until that bastard showed up. He was a member of the Guild, just a tool for hire. Nicolas had had seen him a few times around the city but had never faced off with him until today. He didn't get a chance to see his tags until it was too late and the interloper's dagger was buried in his thigh.

Nicolas pushed off the office wall and headed down the street, choosing to ignore the crimson trail he left behind. The apartment was just a few blocks away.


Alex made her way down to the bottom level of the building, listening for any sound of Nicolas. When she saw his chair was empty she was somewhat relieved, grateful that she didn't have to endure his intense gaze. She crossed to the bathroom on the other side of the kitchen and shut the door firmly behind her.

She didn't know where the Twilight had gone but she knew she didn't have to concern herself with Worick. He had mentioned that he had four "appointments" today and would be home late. Alex and Nicolas had the next few days off, according to him.

Alex turned on the shower and adjusted the water temperature. When it was hot enough she disrobed and got in, savoring the warmth.

The stoic Twilight made her uneasy. His sharp smile, his inhuman speed, his callousness and his readiness to kill. She had seen those powerful hands break bones and sunder flesh... But they had also embraced and steadied her in Connie's shop. She had felt the icy breath of Barry on her nape and her hands had trembled as the room started spinning.

Then he placed his hands on hers. His well muscled arms encircled her, stilling her quaking.

Alex turned off the shower and stepped out, wrapping herself in a towel. She was wringing her hair when she heard a distinct thump somewhere outside the bathroom door. She tightened the towel around her and listened. A moment later something heavy hit the door, rattling it in its frame.

"I'm almost done," she blurted, belatedly realizing that if it was Nicolas he wouldn't hear her. Alex was greeted by silence. There was no further movement outside the door. She reached for the door, intending to peek out and investigate, but the moment she twisted the doorknob the huddled figure of Nicolas fell in to the room.

He hadn't expected her to be there. Nicolas had made his way up the stairs in to the apartment, down the interior stairs and across the living room, his leg ablaze with pain. He had rested a moment against the bathroom door, glad to be in the relative safety of the sub level, when the it had opened unexpectedly behind him.

He glared up at the dark skinned woman who had frozen at the sight of him. Tightening his hand on his leg Nicolas pulled himself up to lean against the sink. He looked at her, then jerked his head sharply toward the door. She didn't move. "OUt," he commanded. Again, she remained motionless. He grunted in frustration, the pain making him irritable. He wanted her gone.

"I can help," she said, her face conveying her distress. Nicolas grunted in dismissal and jerked his head toward the door again. "No, please." Alex hurried to the small cupboard the the left of the sink and grabbed the well used first aid kit there. When she stepped up to him, he tensed, causing pain to rip through him. Her presence always set him on edge.

"GO awAY," Nicolas snarled. She balked, but only for a heartbeat. Then her hands were on his wrist, pulling him to sit on the lid of the toilet. He complied reluctantly, his wound flaring. Once he was seated Alex knelt and touched the hand Nicolas had clamped on his leg. Pinning her with a cold look, he removed it, exposing the rent flesh to the open air. He saw her inhale sharply at the sight of the blood that pooled there.

Alex moved without another thought. She flipped open the kit and began preparing the tourniquet. Nicolas watched her solemnly as she worked. He winced as she peeled and cut away his blood soaked trouser leg. She then needed his help to remove them entirely, careful not to brush his wound. He sat there in a soiled shirt and underpants, looking at her under a dark brow.

Her hands were small but deft, applying the tourniquet and tightening the pressure to stop the blood flow. She then took her time cleaning and sanitizing the jagged skin. The liniment stung harshly as she worked up his thigh. When she was done she bound his leg with gauze.

When Alex began to rise Nicolas grabbed her hand, forcing her to stop. Her blue eyes widened. He didn't say anything, only looked at her for a long moment, his eyes studying her face. Then he stood, dropped her hand and brushed past her in to the kitchen.

She lingered for a moment, then shut the door and got dressed.