When I came to again, it was to the sound of a voice. A very beautiful, silky, deep voice…. Singing.
I didn't recognize the song, but that didn't make it any less beautiful.
I cracked my eyes open slowly. I could tell I was on pain-meds…. Powerful ones….. but I could still think clearly. Thank goodness for that.
"Good… That sounds good." I murmured. Okay. Maybe not as clear as I want….. Oh well.
I focused on the person sitting beside me, who had stopped singing.
It was Nicholas.
"Don't stop…" I pleaded. "It sounded good…"
He grabbed my hand and grinned at me, "Always a pleasure to see those brown eyes, Songbird."
I smiled loopily at him, "Always a joy to hear your voice again, Warrior."
Yeeeeah…. Maybe too much pain meds….
He laughed and patted my head, "The others will be happy to know you're awake."
I paused for a second, "Aren't you a wanted criminal? How has no one recognized you yet?" Ha! Take that loopy pain meds! I can still think!
Nick rubbed the back of his neck with a slight grimace, "Well, I've been avoiding them."
I rolled my eyes, "How long have I been out?"
Nick jumped on the subject change, "A day and half. You really scared me, Songbird. Please don't do that again." He grabbed my hand between both of his and rubbed warmth into it.
I grinned at him, "I am very good at scaring people. But," I sighed dramatically, "I shall try not to scare you as much."
"I'd appreciate it." He replied dryly. Then he stood up, squeezing my hand before saying, "I have to go. I'm meeting someone in an hour regarding the Hellish problem we have."
I smirked at the wordplay and nodded. "Be careful."
He nodded and bent down, kissing my cheek before rising. "Of course. Wouldn't want to be stuck in this hospital with you." He winked at me and I glared, but before I could retort, he vanished out the door.
I sighed, looking around the room. It was boringly dull.
I inspected my body, and found that my arm was recasted, but it wasn't bigger. In fact, the cast was smaller than it had been before.
My ribs were bound, I could feel that, and if hurt slightly to take deep breaths, so the meds were probably wearing off. I wasn't connected to anything, so if I wanted to, I could probably move around.
I had a bandage around my head, and my shoulder was wrapped tightly in pristine white bandages.
I looked towards the nightstand and found a pair of big sweats, and a blue t-shirt. With a groan, I hoisted myself up.
It was probably only because the pain meds were still there that I was able to get up and change into the less revealing clothes.
After I was done with my task, I sat back down on the bed heavily. My vision was wobbly, and I felt a bit sick from the pain that had begun to throb throughout my body, so I lied back down and closed my eyes, sucking in deep breaths, willing the room to stop spinning.
A voice cut through the haze, "I don't know what I expected. Of course you'd already be moving around when you know you shouldn't." The thoughtful British/American voice mused as it approached my bed.
I grinned and cracked open my eyes to the see the intruder.
His brown hair was tousled, his green eyes lit up in humor, and a slight curve to his mouth let me know he was amused. He wore what he normally did, a long sleeve green shirt, blue wranglers, combat boots that were probably steel toed, a brown jacket was slung over his shoulder, and a cowboy hat rested in his free hand.
"Stone." I greeted happily as he leaned against the wall.
"Reid. Why is that whenever I see you anymore, one of us is injured?" He asked in reply.
I laughed despite the pain in my ribs. Derek Stone had met me when I had gone to Louisiana on a summer trip with my college friends to meet Eric's family. I had been bored, so I went exploring in the town, alone since Athos had to stay with Spencer, and I had run into Derek while he was fighting. Three to one, but he was doing pretty well on his own. Nevertheless, I jumped in and found out that he had been there for work, and the three people he had been fighting were the people he had gone to get. He was some part of a super secret organization like NCIS, but run more like a military base.
We had exchanged numbers, gotten dinner while his partners took the bad people away, and talked.
He was from Britain, but his boss had reassigned him in Texas. Though he would probably go back to Britain if his two partners still stationed there had any say.
After that, we had become close friends, but I hadn't seen him since. Though he was more than happy to ask for a short leave from his job to come out and help me.
"To be fair, it was only the one time." I snarked back, "And it was you last time that had gotten the concussion."
Derek rolled his eyes, "Someday, you need to meet my friend, Dusk Chase. You two would get along wonderfully. She's as sarcastic as you are, and just as badass." He then bowed with a flourish, "She does send her regards. She had hoped to come down, but," He shrugged as he straightened, "Work."
I shrugged in response, very aware of the bruised shoulder that was still sore, "It's alright. Next time."
Derek gave me a small smile, "She and her boyfriend would be happy to meet you. And her cousin." His smile became slightly wistful, but he snapped out of it quickly. "I have been summoned, so, oh powerful summoner, what can I do for you?"
"It's a really boring task, but would you mind doing a protection detail?" I asked.
Derek shook his head, "Na. Sounds good. Am I alone in this protection squad?"
"So far. Hopefully a few of my other friends will be here soon. Will you be alright for now on your own?"
He gave me an arrogant smirk, "Please. I had very good teachers, Dusk was…." He trailed off, his arrogance fading into humor before returning, "Let's just say that I've gone up against people a lot better than me and been fine. Plus, I am very good at sneaking around…. Most of the time… Who is it I'm protecting?"
"Two little boys. Think you can handle them?" I replied with a small smirk.
"Oh, no, egads, you've found my weakness. I am so scared of little boys." He said dryly, rolling his eyes. "I think I can handle two little terrors. Am I simply watching? Or do I get to interact with them?"
I bit my lip, "If you want to you can, but right now I would like the element of surprise with this whole thing. The less people the mafia know about, the better."
He nodded, "Very well. I'll keep on the down low. Your house didn't move in the few days since you told me everything right?"
I gave him a flat look and he laughed, "Chill. I got it."
I rolled my eyes as he walked out, throwing one last remark over his shoulder before he vanished, "Try not to die. Dusk would kill me if you died before she met you."
Noted.
