He awoke to a dark room and an empty bed. Where had she gone? He pulled himself up to a sitting position and listened.
He heard her voice in the living room and decided to investigate. She had thoughtfully placed his crutches against the wall on his side of the bed, as well as a robe. He smiled, shaking his head. What didn't she think of? The last few days, it had been like she had anticipated his needs, even before he did. They had enjoyed their time alone together, making good use of it. Even his last session with Dr. Scot had gone well.
He slowly made his way into the living room, going carefully as his eyes adjusted to the dim light coming from the room.
"Yes, I understand that's what you think is best, but…." she was saying on the phone, her back to him. She sounded frustrated. Her silk robe swayed around her ankles as she paced around the room.
"Well, I'll see what I can do, but right now, I'm occupied with more pressing matters…..What's that? Oh, well, I think you know what I'm talking about. Please don't play dumb with me. I…"
Her stance told him she was growing irritated. He had witnessed it too many times towards himself not to recognize it now.
She sighed, exasperated. "Fine. I'll see if my contact knows anything and I'll get back to you…..No, I'm not turning my list over to you! Do you realize how many years it took me to cultivate…..Yes, yes, I understand that, but…"
He could imagine her rolling her eyes at this point. Who was she talking to? What were they asking her to do? He knew he was the "pressing matter" she referred to. What was he keeping her from? He frowned, his good mood of the past few days fading.
"That's fine. I'll be in touch."
She closed her phone and turned around, seeing Flint leaning against the doorway.
"Oh. How long have you been there?" she asked, trying not to sound guilty. "I didn't mean to wake you."
"Who was that?"
She bit her lip, and he wondered if she was debating on lying to him.
"Just someone who thinks they need me for something. They really don't," she assured him quickly. "Their agents are perfectly qualified to do the same thing as I did. But, I promised them I'd keep an ear out for the information they're looking for."
"What am I keeping you from?" he asked. His tone might have been soft, but she heard the steel behind it and knew he wouldn't accept the lie she had been about to tell.
"It's nothing I can't do from here. Just some quick computer work, a call to one or two of my contacts, and I'll have the information they need. I really can't say more than that," she answered, her tone apologetic.
She hated seeing that look on his face. "You have a job to do, and I'm holding you back. I could get the same treatment at the VA Hospital as I am here," he reminded her. "There's no need for you to babysit me. There's even one close to my parents."
Her face hardened. "It's not babysitting." She looked at him, narrowing her eyes. "Is that how you see my role?"
He hesitated too long and saw the pain flicker in her eyes before she masked it. "You would've done the same for me, had our roles been reversed." She paused. "You would have, right?" She hated the fact she had to express her doubt of his feelings for her.
"I certainly wouldn't have had your resources," he answered dryly before he could stop himself.
"That doesn't answer my question." Her tone was soft, the hurt creeping in before she could prevent it.
"I would have been with you, yes," he finally answered, his tone exasperated. "Do we have to go through this now?"
"Do you even know why?" she asked, rubbing her temple where she felt the beginnings of a headache.
He sighed. "Let's not play this game, okay? Just come back to bed and we'll hash through whatever this is in the morning."
"No, I don't think so," she answered. "You go on - I might as well start on this job. I'll be in as soon as it's done," she lied. She wondered if her mother still had the coffee maker in the kitchen. She usually kept the basic necessities available.
"Is there anything I can do to help?" he asked, knowing full well what the answer would be. She was using work as a wall between them. It was an old trick she had often played.
"No, but thanks," she said, giving him a quick smile that didn't quite make it to her eyes. Turning, she headed for one of the smaller rooms that her mother had designed as an office. She closed the door firmly behind her.
Sighing, he made his way back to the bedroom, knowing he needed a pain pill and some sleep.