As Helena began to pull on her shirt, Leon grabbed her hand to stop her before slowly running his fingers over the deep bruise that was beginning to form above her hip.

"Are you sure you're okay?" He asked softly.

She nodded, "Yeah. It hurts like hell but I've been through worse, we both have."

He gently kissed her before stepping back to let her finish getting dressed.

Once they returned to their seats, they stared out at the ever brightening sun, fingers intertwined, as Claire stirred.

"Are we there yet?" She mumbled.

"About another hour." Helena replied, smiling sheepishly at Leon.

"Whoa. What did I miss?" Claire asked, now far from tired. The relaxed look on Leon's face and the fact he and Helena's hands were still joined did not go unnoticed.

"Nothing," They said at once, however, Leon finished the thought. "Just happy to be going home."

"You know, you two don't have to hide from me. I'm just thrilled for the both of you." Claire said, leaning back in her seat with a complacent grin plastered on her face.

Helena's cheeks turned red and Leon smirked as he squeezed her fingers before letting them go.

As the plane touched down on familiar soil and Helena and Leon made their way to their debriefing, Claire called a cab.

"As much as I'd love to stick around, I have a compulsion to shower and sleep." She said, tossing her bag in the backseat.

"Thanks for the help Claire, give me a call when you're settled."

"Will do." She gave Leon and quick hug before doing the same to Helena; the act catching the other woman off guard.

"Stay safe, both of you." She said, and like that she was gone.

Returning to their professional selves, Helena and Leon took the same unmarked vehicle they'd arrived in back to headquarters.

"I want you to do me a favor." Leon said, breaking the silence.

"Hmm." Helena hummed, sleepily turning her head toward him.

"Stay with me, just so I can make sure you're resting. You took one hell of a beating."

"Whatever you say." She replied, closing her eyes.

By the time Leon pulled into the garage at headquarters, Helena was out cold.

"'Lena, wake up." He said softly, smiling as her face contorted in false recognition of the request. He slowly got out of the car and called Hunnigan, requesting she collect and take care of their equipment. He then lifted Helena out of the car and placed her in his, clicking her seat belt in place gently as to not wake her.

The twenty minute drive back to his apartment was quiet, the city not yet up and ready to face the day. As Leon pulled in a parking spot in the garage of his building Helena stirred, confusion briefly marring her sleep filled face. She rubbed a hand over her eyes and blinked before looking in Leon's direction.

"Hey." He said, smiling at her. "We're home."

"How…never mind. I just want a shower and to sleep in a bed."

"If it helps any, I helped you. It wasn't magic." Leon called to her as she got out of the car, receiving an eye roll from Helena.

As they walked toward the elevator, he took her hand and kissed the bruises on her knuckle. She smiled and intertwined their fingers, keeping them locked long after the elevator arrived on his floor. They only broke contact as he fished in his jacket pocket for his keys. Once inside, Helena took little time to shrug out of her clothes and by the time Leon relocked the door and turned around she was pulling off her jeans, nearly tripping over them as she kept moving toward the bathroom. Noticing the slight state of shock on Leon's face, she smirked over shoulder.

"Want to join me?" She asked hazily, receiving a nod and smile from her counterpart who quickly shrugged off his jacket and pulled his shirt over his head and he followed her, leaving a mixed trail of their clothes throughout the apartment.

They stood under the warm water of the shower, soaking in the heat that soothed their muscles and washed away the filth of the mission. Leon slowly pressed his lips against the side of her neck as he trailed fingertips along her arm. She moaned at his touch, trying not to give away her anticipation. She quickly forgot how tired she was for the time being as she turned to gaze at his face. His eyes skimmed down her body, wincing at the ever darkening bruises along her ribs.

"You can't tell me this doesn't hurt." He said softly, lightly touching her injuries. "I know it hurts me just looking at them."

"I'm fine, sore, but fine. When will you take me for my word?"

"I always do. I'm just worried about you. That's what happens when someone cares for you."

"I know. Right back at you." Helena smiled and placed her hands on both sides of his face before pulling him into a kiss. Only once they broke for air did he speak again.

"Let's clean you up then get to bed." He said, early ideas in his head dissipating after seeing what her delicate skin had been through. He lathered a wash cloth with some of his body wash before gently washing her skin, lightly going over the bruises as he went. As she rinsed off, she peered over to see him do the same as he'd done to her with his own body. Luckily, his shower was accommodating for the both of them and her admiration was going unnoticed. She bit her lip as he ran the cloth over the taught muscles of his shoulders, wanting to be the one touching him. He caught on to her daydreaming and shook his head.

"Bed, Helena. We've got lots of paperwork tomorrow, but afterwards…" He captured her lips as he took over the stream of water.

He helped dry her off before handing her one of his shirts and a pair of boxers. After they dressed he took her hand and led her to his bed, tucking her under the sheets before crawling in beside her and pulling her into his arms.

"I didn't know you could be so caring." Helena said haphazardly.

"Is that so? Maybe tomorrow I'll show you how romantic I can be. It's not often I have someone who's worthy of it."

Her cheeks turned red and he kissed her temple. "Goodnight, Helena."

"Goodnight, Prince Charming." She joked before they both dozed off.

AN: Sorry for the long delay in updates. I haven't had much time between work and school so I'll try when I can. Also, I'll try to add more action but I'm just having a bit of writers block in that area.