"Alright Captain here's the meds we discussed along with Corporal Kaplan to drive you home" Doctor Lorne announced handing him a paper bag.
Nodding Becker took the paper back, suppressing a wince as he got off the hospital bed "I'm just going to get changed".
Nodding Kaplan followed him down the corridor to the men's locker room where she waited outside while he changed.
"I've got orders that you're not to be left alone tonight" she said pushing off the wall when he emerged. It was the first words the young red head had spoken to him since being summoned to the infirmary.
He sighed weighing up his options as they made their way to the car park. It was either his parent's or Avery's; in the end the decision was obvious.
"I'll stay with some friends; they live at number twelve Heston Close" he replied determined to keep his personal life exactly that.
"Right we are sir" she said unlocking the door of her black Ford Focus.
The short drive was spent in relative silence with Becker offering the occasional direction.
"You need a hand" she asked pulling up outside the house.
"No I'm fine Corporal, see you in a couple of days" gathering the gym bag he'd grabbed out his locker he opened the car door and stepped out.
"Take care Sir".
He waited until she'd disappeared round the corner before limping up the drive, fumbling with his keys as he reached the door. He'd finally managed to find the right key when the door opened revealing a barefoot Avery.
He barely had time to register her unimpressed expression before a feeling of light headiness overwhelmed him. Expecting to face plant the floorboards he was surprised when instead a strong pair of arms eased him down.
Avery was on her way down the stairs when she noticed a swaying figure through the front doors frosted window. Expecting a drunk who'd gotten the wrong address she yanked the door open instead finding Becker.
Watching the color drain from his face she had about a seconds warning of what was about to happen. Remembering her manual handling and first aid training she jumped into action protecting his head while easing them both down to the floor.
Once safely on the floor she laid him on his back before looking round for something to elevate his legs on. Her eyes landed on the storage bench that contained the kids park/beach toys. Having gently lifted his legs so his ankles were resting on the box she sat watching him for signs of recovery.
"Urgh" he moaned coming round a minute later.
"Everything's fine you just fainted".
Nodding he made to sit up groaning slightly as he shifted his injured leg off the box.
"Easy" she muttered helping him to sit up "don't move". Getting to her feet she hurried to the kitchen returning with a glass of orange juice.
"Thanks" he said accepting the glass.
Shutting the door she sat down next to him watching keenly for any signs he was about to faint again.
"Therocephalian bite" he said answering her unasked question.
Her eyes grew wide muttering a profanity under her breath "when was the last time you took any painkillers".
"Morphine about four hours ago, and no I didn't drive here".
"Good. Now you think you can stand".
"Yeah" he said pushing off the floor. Slowly he made his way into the living room no longer suppressing the pain each step caused. He was immensely glad that Avery let him do it unaided but stayed within reach should he need her, thanking her once he was safely sat on the sofa.
"Any time. I'll go make get the spare room ready, yell if you need anything".
"Will do".
Smiling she headed back into the hall picking up the bag he'd dropped. Heading upstairs she stopped at the airing cupboard to grab the spare bedding. Continuing on to the office/spare room she pulled out and made the sofa bed.
Pulling out her IPhone Avery scrolled through her contacts looking for one in particular. Hitting dial she sat down listening to the ringing praying it would be answered.
'Halliday' a northern voice finally answered.
"Hey it's Fletcher. Remember that time I covered your shift because you were majorly hungover".
'Yeah what about it'.
"I need you to cover my night shift".
'With…four hours' notice you've got to be joking'.
"Afraid not Sergeant. You're the only one that one available" she replied in her boss/mother voice.
'Well when you put it like that' he grumbled.
"Thanks. It's red and blue on tonight" she said ending the call before he could object.
The two teams enjoy a friendly rivalry that has a tendency to deteriorate into schoolyard pranks during quiet shifts. Red team was yet to retaliate to blue team's covering their locker room in silly string the previous week.
