I don't own The Professional or any of its characters...

Shattered

Chapter 10: Comfort and Awkwardness

Mathilda sat on the couch watching cartoons. Derek sat at the other end of the couch as commercials came on.

"Warming up to us?" he asked her.

"It's only my second day here." said Mathilda, looking at him.

"I know. Do you at least like it here at all yet?"

"I guess. It's a lot cleaner than my old home, and there's not as much yelling. Yeah, I guess I do like it a bit more already." said Mathilda, being honest.

"That's good. I'm glad to hear it. I'm gonna go see what my wife is up to. If you need anything just shout. We'll be making dinner soon, I know it's a late dinner but Lisa and I have been a bit busy today."

"Okay." said Mathilda. Derek walked out with one last look at her. He really hoped she'd warm up to them more. He only wanted to make her happy. Give her a better life, he believed he was doing so now. He was happy with himself so far. Mathilda turned her full attention to the tv as her show came back on.

xxxxxx

Luke was asleep on the couch, since he'd gotten up so early he passed out quick. Norman was sitting in the recliner, enjoying the effect of his pain relievers while Kim watched the news. Suddenly, she sat up and walked over to him.

"Yes?" he whispered.

"Well, it's time for what is going to be one my least favourite experiences."

"What's that? Giving to the poor?" he teased.

"No, you need a bath. You're not allowed to take one alone." she said.

"You're takin a bath with me?" he question, raising an eyebrow.

"No, shithead. I have to help you take one. Now, get up, let's go." she said. He shut the recliner as quietly as possible and got up. He and Kim slowly made their way into the bathroom.

"Oh, what did you do that for?" he asked suddenly.

"What the hell are you talkin about?" she asked, thinkin he'd lost his mind.

"You changed the wallpaper. I liked the wallpaper. Why'd you change it?" he asked.

"I just didn't like it. I never fuckin liked it to be honest, you insisted on having it though so you could put those boat things on the rack behind the toilet. Remember?"

"Oh, yeah. What happened to those?" he said smiling.

"I threw them away."

"You bitch." he said, not angrily though.

"Watch it, you're injured and soon you'll be two things that could go badly for you. Naked and at my mercy." she said.

"Right. Take it easy Medusa. You stayin in here right now are you?"

"Oh, for fuck's sake. I'm helping you bathe, watching you undress isn't gonna be more revealing is it?" she asked, wondering why he was so shy.

"I guess not." he said. He found the pain killers made it easier to pull his shirt off without hurtin himself. Once that was off he dropped his sweatpants. Before letting his boxers fall he gave her a cocky grin. She pretended to not be watching him.

"That's real mature. I'm proud of you." she said. She had to admit, she still managed to find him sexy. Not in the full way she had before they split but she still kinda wanted him. The bathwater was running while he undressed and he walked over to the tub while she set up the bandages he'd need when they were finished.

"Stop looking at my ass." she heard him say.

"I'm not, you retard. Don't try to get in yet. I've gotta take those old bandages off your back." she said. She turned and couldn't help but look at his butt. She grinned to herself. Walking over she softly took the medical tape off his back and pulled the gauze away. It was very bloodstained and she almost thought he was bleeding again until she noticed it was all dried on his back. He had a few nasty scars from the explosion and surgery now.

"Can I get in now or are you gonna molest me further?" he asked her.

"Shut up, get in the tub." she replied. He stepped in and went to sit down. His grip on the side of the tub slightly slipped and he nearly fell.

"Shit." he breathed.

"Careful." she said. He sat down and sighed, the warm water feeling good.

"Can I lay back or no?"

"Probably not." she said, she came over and knelt next to the tub.

"I had a dream like this once." he said, grinning at her.

"Shut up. I'll drown you, I swear to God." she said. He winked at her and for some reason she found it made her heart race a bit. She deliberately avoided looking at the spot between his legs and he noticed but didn't say anything more for a while, not wanting to make the situation more awkward.

"Yeah, wash that back." he said, in a somewhat seductive tone, while she cautiously cleaned his wounds. His reward for the comment was her getting up and putting ice cold tap water in a Dixie cup and dumping it on him.

"Ah! That's fuckin cold." he gasped.

"That's what you get." she said, going back to his back.

"I'm trying to be thankful by talking dirty to you."

"You're retarded. Firstly, why would that be a way to thank me? Secondly, I'm washing your back not goin down on you. So, shut up." she said. Instantly wishing the second sentence hadn't left her mouth as it immediately made them both more awkward.

"I'll stop now." he said.

"Good idea." she replied. She finished washing his back, allowing him to do the rest. As he stood to get out she came over to help him. As he tried to get balance in the tub his foot slipped and he landed on his ass in the tub, dragging her with him. She fell halfway into the water, her butt landing in it on top of his legs.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

"Ow, yeah. Mostly. Sorry. You okay?" he said.

"Yeah." she said. There was a brief moment where she consider leaning over and kissing him but she simply got up instead. Getting up she helped him again and succeeded this time. Once out, she handed him a towel that he wrapped around his waist. She used another to dry his back and then bandage it after his hair was also dry. She bandaged him in silence and he pulled clean boxers on before she helped him pull on a clean t-shirt. Once done in the bathroom she helped him into the bedroom and he got settled in bed. He was sore from the fall.

"Since you fell, if you need more meds let me know." she said.

"Alright." he said.

"You set, then?" she asked.

"Yeah." he replied, pulling the covers up. He opened his mouth to say more, wanting her to stay in there with him a little longer but she spoke first.

"Okay, goodnight then." she said quickly. She cracked the door and returned to the living room. She took a deep breath, wondering if she'd bitten off more than she could chew.

xxxxxxx

Lisa cleared the plates away and the tree returned to their living room.

"I've got some news for you." said Lisa.

"What?" asked Mathilda.

"You're gonna come with us to meet my sister and her son next week. You should like them." said Lisa, obviously excited about this. Mathilda could care less but figured she oughta be nice.

"Oh, cool. That should be fun." she said, in a surprisingly convincing manner. Lisa smiled and cuddled up to Derek. Mathilda gave a fake yawn to see if they'd let her go to bed. It worked.

"If you're tired go ahead and get some rest. It's a bit late anyway." said Derek. Mathilda got up.

"Okay. Night." she said.

"Night." they replied. Lisa turned to her husband.

"Kim will like her." she said.

"You tell her yet?" he asked.

"No. It's a surprise."

"Ah. Okay then. Luke's not visiting his Dad that week is he?" asked Derek.

"Oh, I hope not. I want him to meet her too. You know what's odd?"

"Huh?"

"She didn't mention if he was with her or not. Even if he's not goin to his Dad's she says where he'll be when making plans."

"Maybe she just didn't this time and he is with her." said Derek.

"Guess so." said Lisa. She internally hoped her sister wasn't back with her ex at all. She hated that man. She didn't like him when they were dating even. She was in for a surprise. Mathilda was in for an even worse one though.