I don't own anything related to the Nightworld...I only wish I did.
"Our relationship is...complicated," Ash murmured and looked up as Thierry, Jez, Morgead, Quinn and Rashel burst into the kitchen, ready for battle.
They all stopped, taking in the scene. Then everyone grinned at the two vampires, welcoming them back. Hannah slipped in behind the group and went over to Mary-Lynnette, checking on her and examining her head. "I think you should be fine. You'll probably have a massive headache, but no long standing damage. Which is good considering you're our resident genius," Hannah smiled at her. Mary-Lynnette gave her a wan smile, wincing at the throbbing headache she was indeed developing. Suddenly, Ash was hovering right next to her.
"Go away, Ash," she growled, glaring at him through the pain.
He ignored her and looked at Hannah and Thierry, who had also wandered over. "What's she doing here? Did something happen?"
"Stop asking them, I'm right here! I can answer for myself. I'm here for Mark and Jade's wedding, why else would I be here?" Mary-Lynnette irritably replied.
"What?!" Ash yelled, "When?! No one told me my little sister was getting married!"
"Stop bellowing!" Mary-Lynnette chastised, then grimaced and held her head. Ash immediately went to put his arms around her and Mary-Lynnette pushed at him. "Don't touch me! Just leave me alone, Ash," she said wearily. Looking at Thierry and Hannah, she said, "I'm going to bed. I'll see everyone in the morning."
"Mary-Lynnette..." Ash said softly. "Why are you so mad at me? What did I do?"
Mary-Lynnette gave an aggravated sigh, "Ash, it's late and I want to go to bed. I now have raging headache thanks to your little girlfriend!" She tried to stand, but Ash wouldn't let her.
"My girlfriend?" he said incredulously and grabbed her shoulders. "Mare, no! She's my partner. For missions. We fight together, that's all."
"Yeah, that's exactly what it sounded like when you two were alone in the kitchen. Move Ash, I'm going to bed," she pushed him away again. "Look, can we just leave it until tomorrow. I really want to go lie down, my head is throbbing." Ash looked horrified that she was in so much pain, and this time didn't stop her when she shakily got to her feet. Mary-Lynnette swayed on her feet and the room tilted on it's axis before beginning to spin crazily. "Oh shit," she whispered and then room went black.
Ash caught Mary-Lynnette when she fell back, cradling her in his arms. He looked at her, lying unconscious in his arms, and then panicked, he looked at Thierry and Hannah. Hannah checked Mary-Lynnette's pulse and opened her eyelids, shining a penlight into each one. "She's okay. She just needs to rest, Ash." He nodded and after Hannah directed him to which room Mary-Lynnette was staying in, he carried her up to it.
He pushed back the covers and softly laid her on the bed and covered her back up. He laid down beside her on top of the covers, and Mary-Lynnette rolled over and curled up against him. "Ash," she breathed. Tears slipped from her lashes, alarming him. "I missed you so much," she said in the barest of whispers.
Ash gently reached out and wiped away her tears, knowing she would never remember any of this in the morning. "I'm right here, Mary-Lynnette. I won't go anywhere, I promise," he whispered against her temple and pressed his lips lightly against it. She gave a soft sigh and snuggled closer to him, nuzzling her face in the crook of his neck and shoulder.