The last chapter was rather short. Sorry about that. We're almost caught up to the point I have written ahead, so I better get writing that happy ending faster!
Hope all is well, and the story still amuses you! I am actually enjoying writing the fluff. I totally see Nicolas as the closeted softie. And his friends totally teasing him about how different it is from his normal demeanor. If you don't agree, I hope the ending of the story may change your mind, cause FLUFF WARNING AHEAD!
Nicolas tried to stay awake. The doctor left some time ago and dimmed the lights near her bedside. Nina brought extra blankets to keep Alex warm and quite possibly for him to use as well. The chair was uncomfortable, but that didn't matter so much. The rise and fall of her chest mattered. The peaceful look on her face mattered. The fact that she was still alive and for that moment at the warehouse kissed him back and then, maybe thirty minutes ago, grabbed for him… that mattered.
The soft skin of her hands felt comforting enclosed in his much larger, more worn ones.
The warmth and the steady pulse he could feel and sense coming from her allowed him to stay calmly by her side. She no longer verged on death from her heart exploding or burning herself out by fighting. Theo had promised that the bullets she took were not life threatening, and he thought that she would slowly come out of danger once the drugs passed through her system.
He could tell when people were lying to him. And the good doc indeed withheld some information or downplayed the possible damage.
I'm not stupid. I know it messes with you internally. And after what I saw, I'd be surprised if she didn't have a ruptured blood vessel or organ damage. Please don't let that be the case, but I know you could still leave me... stupid woman. This is night number two where I'm not going to get any sleep. At least, you're here this time... Nothing but problems.
Leaning in to kiss her forehead and give her hand a squeeze, Nicolas felt much better. The dreamy smile and content sigh that escaped her lips instantly made all the problems seem relative.
For you, I will face another mountain of them. Just please, come back.
Worick nodded, understanding the situation better.
"So they doped her with different uppers, assaulted her, then the downers added to the guild's extra strength downers… fuck me." He exclaimed after the doc went over that he thought happened.
"Her heart could have burst at any second. I wouldn't rule out her having heart issues the rest of her life because of all this."
"I almost wish that sleaze ball Ivan was still alive. I'd rip him apart slowly for doing that to her."
"We might be fortunate with her memory not coming back like last time... Although, I suspect that the TB Barry pushed helped keep her from remembering a lot of what happened."
"Doc, I don't really think you could call any of us are the least bit lucky."
"On the contrary, you all seem to have bad luck getting into messes or having them come to you... but you remarkably survive. That's something."
"Sure. So back to the issue of moving her. Will we be able to?"
"Sounds like you don't have much of a choice in the matter. The government can search almost anywhere in the city. You'll need to bring medical supplies... and not take her very far out of town in case those hidden issues decide to strike and she needs surgery again."
"Can you spare Nina? Nic, Nina, and Alex can head out, I'll borrow a car from the Cristiano's if they have any left." He planned aloud. "I'm sure between Nic and myself, we've got enough funds to keep Alex safe somewhere nice for a while. Not like we have many overhead costs at the Benriya."
"I know of a town, maybe twenty miles from here. It's small enough the government types wouldn't typically look if they widen the search zone."
"You wouldn't happen to have a contact there with a house we could rent out?"
"I will make a few phone calls. You can go in and see them if you like. I have her in the back room."
"Thanks, Doc. We'll owe you."
Worick quietly entered the private room, not knowing what to expect. What he found really should not have surprised him given the things he saw earlier or the conversation with the Doc just recently.
Alex looked peaceful in her sleep. She was safely tucked into a larger than normal bed, around her was an IV bag, dripping fluids that connected to her arm. The bandages on her wrists looked like they may need changing soon, but he knew Nina would be on top of things if they really needed it. The small girl sat near the IV drip in a chair, slightly away from the bed. She quietly read from a book, looking up and smiling as she saw who appeared.
Worick gave her a smile and motioned for her to stay quiet, not wanting to wake up the slumbering couple.
And they really were a couple now- turning back to the bed, the blonde found Nicolas in a chair, hunched over so that his head rested on the soft mattress of the bed, next to her other bandaged hand.
It looked uncomfortable, to say the least, but then again, his partner didn't really have a bed. When they first started living together in their own place, Nicolas never used the one they purchased. Nearly a decade and some later, they didn't even have a second bed anymore.
The bandages on his partner told him that Nina, at least, did a basic job at patching him up sometime before his nap. He imagined a stubborn Nicolas not wanting treatment, but content with bleeding where he was.
Feeling satisfied that both his friends escaped danger for the moment, he returned is attention to Nina.
"I have a favor to ask," he whispered, remembering that she once told him that her hearing was very good.
"Anything," she replied without hesitation. She really trusted people, almost to a fault Worick thought before continuing.
"We need to get Alex out of the city for a while. But she may need medical help when she wakes up…"
"I'll go too."
"Great. I'm going to head back to the Benriya now and get some supplies. We'll need clothes for Alex… she took her stuff to the hotel the other day." He scratched his head wondering how they would get her things. "I'll see if I can get them, otherwise, you'll need to get some stuff."
She nodded looking over at Alex. For the moment, she was in a large tee shirt of the doc's. The only article of clothing she came in with was a blood-soaked and tattered bra.
"When do we want to leave?"
"I had hoped by first light or earlier. Chad mentioned the government coming into the city to clean up the mess at the warehouse… but I don't know when that is."
"She can have some of my things." Connie's voice came from behind them. The woman leaned against the Doctor in the doorway to the small, secluded room.
"Granny should also have things like general dresses that can easily be fitted with a belt." The woman added. "I can call her now. I'm sure she can have things ready for a pickup shortly."
"I agree, it is best to leave the things at the hotel. If we poke around, there will be a record at a glitzy place like that." The Doctor added.
"And it only has to be for a few days. We can get her some things once we get settled… wherever we're going." Nina smiled tugging on Worick's hand.
"Sounds like a plan. You might want to start packing Nina. I'll get the car, and stop by Granny's place."
Amazingly, the pieces all came together quickly. The Bastard did have a car they could use, and Loretta even found some supplies they could spare for the group.
Stopping by Granny's shop, Worick procured basics with food, clothes and any extra money he found in the Benriya.
Nina packed bandages, medicines and other things Alex might need and had things ready long before Worick returned.
When he entered the small room, he found his partner awake and looking rather concerned.
"Chad is going to try and convince the government she died, but we can't have her in the city in case they decide to sweep it."
Nicolas nodded and continued the conversation using sign language.
"Does Chad know they are coming for her?"
"They will be wondering why their connections in the city are suddenly dead. Chad pretty much guaranteed they would be poking around soon. We've set up a place in New Harbor. It is twenty odd miles to the East, and the Doc arranged a place with a phone so we can contact you if needed."
"What about Chad?"
"What about him?" Worick asked.
"He's not going to sell us out? Or anyone in the guild? They all know about her… powers."
"I'll deal with the ladies of the Paulklee, they have their hands full with picking up the pieces after the destruction of their base. Also, with the manufacturing plants of Celebrer destroyed, I don't know if many Twilights will stay in the city. Those government bastards seem to be picking a fight with pretty much everyone in town."
"And the old man?"
"You're going to love this." Worick smiled, "It might be a bit too soon to think about this, seeing as you JUST accepted the possibility of having feelings for Alex… but he wants a grandkid sooner rather than later. He figured that he'd have a chance with you two. So he's gonna do what he can to protect you both."
Nicolas looked blankly at this blonde friend.
Grandkids? That means mine… and Alex's?
The thought wasn't a bad one he noted, just one that he never really entertained with any certainty. Going from thinking he lost her to her long-lost family to kissing her and having her return the kiss, the events of the last two days felt surreal.
He also realized that even if he found that dream of having a life with Alex a reality, it would take time to get her back from the brink of a drug-riddled roller-coaster and emotional nightmare. Chad would have to wait. Alex came first. Even over his own wants… and newly voiced needs, she came first.
"Hey," Worick waived his hands to get Nic to focus. "You've got a map and contract name of the person waiting for you," He continued, giving him the keys to the car. "Supplies, clothes, I've added some guns under the seats if you need them. And here."
Nicolas looked as Worick handed him an envelope stuffed with money. The amount was substantial, and the deaf man instantly knew that his personal supply of cash on hand could not amount to this.
"Bribe people if you have to, use what you need, and you can owe me later." The other man said, not allowing him to protest the gift. "Just keep her safe."
Nicolas nodded and put the stash in his pants pocket.
"And here, so you don't look like some crazy man," Worick added picking up a clean shirt from the chair where he set it moments before. "See you in a bit buddy!"
"Thank you." Nicolas hoped that the gesture and smile he gave his friend would tell just how much this meant. And from the expression in return, it did.
"Listen carefully," Doctor Theo instructed as the three were about to leave. Alex reclined the best she could across the back seat; her head resting in Nina's lap. The small gray sedan looked a bit beat up, but it would get them there and back.
"Nina knows what to do, but if she tells you to do something, don't second guess her. You know how bad withdrawal symptoms can be… usually, I wouldn't question your ability to hold a person down against their will or take delicacy into account, but…"
Nicolas nodded and turned the ignition, the motor sputtered to life and the group slowly took off from the street behind the clinic.
The drive out of town held a tension that the two conscious people in the car could not deny. When they got closer to the exit and had to pull over to allow a large government looking vehicle to enter the gate, Nina nonchalantly covered Alex completely with a blanket. Looking in the rear-view mirror, Nicolas grunted his thanks for the quick thinking on the girl's part.
After that, no trouble found them as they drove towards New Harbor.
Chad was right. That wasn't just any mobile unit. Nicolas thought to himself as he continued to drive. With it being the middle of the night, there wasn't much to see or look at. Nina had her hands full, holding Alex and stroking her hair soothingly, so no conversation could really happen.
As promised Theo's contact waited for their arrival near the waterfront of the city. The car lights and the small light on the little house itself gave them some visibility.
"You're Theo's apprentice; I hear you are a natural." The woman smiled as she greeted the tall man and the girl.
"I do my best," Nina blushed at the compliment.
"And you're the trouble maker? The one that repeatedly gets injured and breaks Theo's clinic?" The woman dressed in a white doctor's coat on top of a simple looking sweater and skirt crossed her arms over her chest. She looked the man up and down, trying to figure him out, or so Nicolas thought.
"You must be Doctor Matt." Nina sounded surprised as she expected Matt to be a man and not a pretty looking woman with dark hair and a slight tan to her skin.
"Mattie but Theodore liked to use nicknames…" She replied looking into the back seat of the car and finding the patient still unconscious. "She'll need a new round of meds soon if we want her to keep sleeping. Theo didn't really tell me what all was going on, but that it was serious. Come on, this way." The female doctor motioned for the group to come into the house.
Nicolas carefully shouldered a few bags and then eased Alex out of the car. The movement must have been enough, as her eyes slowly opened.
The small dark orbs of the man carrying the precious cargo noticed and his whole body stopped, waiting to see her reaction.
Her still bandaged hand came up and hesitantly touched his cheek. Her eyelids slowly drooping back closed after a sigh left her lips.
His heart felt like it would explode seeing the trust she had in her tired eyes, and the tenderness of her hand on his face, before falling lax at her side.
Leaning in, he kissed the top of her head and continued walking into the building where they would hide for a time. His senses remained heightened, not able to trust this new person with the lives of Nina and Alex just yet.
At the very least, the room was nice and large. When the sun came up, the window near the bed would allow Alex to see out on the water. Placing her gently on the bed, he made sure that the shirt covered her before reluctantly letting go.
From the corner of his eye, he noticed Nina and the woman doctor discussing their shared patient.
"I won't be able to stay and care for her the whole time. This is kind of my escape location. My clinic is a mile down the road. If anything happens, the phone is here. I see you brought many things, which is good. I can help you give her another dose of meds if you want." She motioned to the bags and then to Alex. Nicolas caught her confused look after seeing Nina sign something to him.
"Did you get that?" Nina asked in sign language, knowing that Nicolas only looked up halfway into the doctor's words.
"Enough of it. Tell her… tell her thanks." He signed back.
"I think I should be fine. Doctor Theo said that we should let her wake up before we medicate her again. Also, Nico says thank you. I think we'll all be fine here." The nurse-in-training responded.
Looking again at the group, the woman doctor nodded and left the key on the table.
Nina gazed over at Nicolas and then at the supplies they brought with them. Setting up another IV and checking Alex's bandages, Nina moved with an expert ease.
"Can you hold her up for a moment?" Nina asked, wanting to put down some pads to protect the bed sheets. The wounds still bled and while it wasn't anything too substantial or worrisome, it would be easier to clean this way.
Nicolas did as instructed and soon Alex was back laying down, tucked in and safe.
"When will she wake up again?" He asked.
"Again?"
"Briefly, when I got her out of the car, she opened her eyes."
"That's a good sign and she recognized you?" The girl inquired looking at the older man.
"I… think so."
"Her heart is back to a normal pace. I've checked her for any signs of internal bleeding… I think that it looks really promising." Her smile did wonders to alleviate the internal worry that plagued him.
"I'll park the car behind the building. Keep the door locked when I'm out." He instructed her before he left the small four-roomed, single story structure.
Alex felt darkness envelop her. While it felt much better than the rage and panic of before, she wanted very much to return to her old self.
Images of what she thought happened in the last twenty-four hours played repeatedly in her head.
The familiar faces floated in and out of her consciousness.
The first- Emilio. Her brother. The joy she felt finding him. Then the confusion, the worry, and pain.
He's dead, she thought. I know he is. I saw him shot. His blood… I'm covered in it. Oh god, I'm drowning in it.
Her heart began to beat rapidly and she fought to swim in what looked to be a pool of blood crashing like a wave upon her.
Emilio… you… you're dead… he killed you.
The sick smile of the second face appeared, laughing at her. The blood drained away, but she found herself sitting in the palm of a giant's hand. Except she knew this man. Ivan's body distorted and surrounded her, keeping her from escaping.
You're not real anymore! You can't hurt me… anymore! She screamed and began to lash out with her limbs, fighting the man's touch, his smell, his lips. You're dead…I… I killed you. You can't hurt me anymore… I won't let you! No one will ever again.
As if coming to her aid, the figure of the sword yielding man swooped in. His grip on her hand verged on painful, but it was better than being touched by Ivan.
Nicolas, she tried to call out to him, but his attention remained elsewhere. It felt like they were falling - failing and never reaching the bottom of wherever they were. The blackness didn't let up and she clung to him, trying to find an anchor in all of this.
A dream. That is what this had to be, right? The meds, the pain, those were real. I'm some kind of monster with frighteningly real power… possibly like my mother. I'll be hunted… I've killed… I've ruined so many lives.
Suddenly the hand that held on to her wrists burned.
She hurt him. That scar on his chest. In the past, she did that. How could she guarantee that she could keep these powers in check now that she knew they were there? And would she be allowed to live out her life… the life without the streets, without the drugs? Without the people after her and her friends?
I failed you Emilio… you got messed up in this because of me… of who I am. I got Connie involved, many innocent Twilights killed… the ones I love suffer because of me.
NO! She screamed in her mind and then the brightness came out of nowhere, blinding her.
"Alex, you have got to calm down," Nina shouted as she tried to get the frantic woman to lay back on the bed. Nicolas, yet to return to the house after parking the car, could not hear the screams. "Please Alex!"
"NO! Don't touch… don't want… No!" Alex screamed; her eyes wide open and heart beating frantically once more. And then her voice faded and in its place came a gasping for air.
"You're safe, please." Nina left her side, knowing that Alex would continue to twitch and twist in her bed. Grabbing for her medical bag, she quickly pulled out a syringe and vial of medicine. Before she could return to inject it, the woman on the bed went lax.
A red trickle of blood ran out of the corner of her mouth and Nina's eyes went wide.
"Alex?" She crawled on the bed to get a better look at the woman. Her eyes were now shut and when she pulled a lid open, the pupil didn't react to the light. Moving to place her ear on Alex's chest, she found her heartbeat remained faster than normal. Pulling back the covers, the nurse looked under Alex's shirt to find a dark purple hue to her skin.
"Internal bleeding. Hang on Alex… just hang on!"
Another cliffhanger... I know, sorry. This was a good place to stop for this installment. Got to keep you wanting more and enticing you to drop an amusing comment in that little box below :)
Thanks again for reading, more fluff to come!