"This time next week, we'll be back home," Aoife was trying to reassure Ellie. They had just arrived at the hospital, and Ellie's nerves were through the roof.
Maggie had wanted to accompany them on the trip, but a last-minute crisis at the DEO had prevented her from coming.
"I know. And you're going to be fine," Ellie's voice cracked, which annoyed her. She so needed to be calm for Aoife's sake. Aoife was being so brave. She hugged Aoife.
Aoife could feel Ellie shaking, but she didn't say anything. In two hours, they would take her down to the operation, and six to eight hours after that, it would all be over. "Let's just focus on tomorrow," Aoife tried to sound reassuring. "It'll all be done. And you can try to beat me at chess." Aoife had been teaching Ellie how to play chess, and her progress in just a couple of months had been remarkable.
"Your ass is mine, Aoife Kelly," Ellie tried to sound badass.
Aoife whispered into her ear, "My ass is always yours, babe," and laughed when Ellie blushed.
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Ellie paced the waiting room. Aoife had been taken down … she looked at her watch … 27 minutes ago. Surely it was longer than that. She looked up to the clock, and saw that it said the same. She could have sworn it was at least two hours.
She sat in a hard, plastic chair, and put her head in her hands. She tried to breathe evenly. Aoife was the one going through the hard stuff. All she had to do was remain calm. It would be over soon. She looked at her watch again. Thirty-one minutes. In the back of her mind, she heard the door to the waiting room open. She didn't bother to look up. She knew it was far too early for any progress report on Aoife, and she didn't care about anything else.
She was vaguely aware of a body sitting next to her, and was briefly irritated. There were at least 30 other chairs that were available. And then she felt a hand on her own. She looked up, startled, and saw Kate's deep blue eyes. "Hey Ellie, you doin' okay?" Kate asked softly.
Ellie blinked. And then the floodgates opened.
As Kate took her in her arms, she remembered just how young Ellie really was. She was so glad that Kara had flown her to the hospital in Seattle, and she was still a little exhilarated by her first long flight with her. "She'll be okay," she whispered to her. "I talked to Alex, she went through it all with me."
"Callie went through it all with us this morning," Ellie said, through her tears.
Kate held her until she calmed, and then she pulled back, to look into Ellie's face. "C'mon, there's no point in sitting here. It's okay," she could see Ellie about to protest. "I just spoke to the nurses. They have both our cell numbers. And it's going to be at least six more hours. So let's get out of here. You need some air."
Ellie was starting to feel a little nauseous, partly from the smell of the antiseptic, and partly from the stress. She allowed Kate to pull her to her feet.
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"So this is Seattle?" Kate liked the city. "Hey, look," she pointed to a tattoo and piercing parlour. "I always wanted a tattoo. I nearly got one last month, but Kara says she likes me without ink."
"So you're going along with that?" Ellie was a little surprised.
Kate nodded, and grinned. "Whatever makes my girl happy. She wouldn't stop me. In fact, she told me to go ahead if it's what I want. She just prefers me without."
"Aoife likes body art," Ellie said. "In fact, she's designing a tattoo for me. It looks great. It's a tiger, 'cos I was born in the Year of the Tiger, in the Chinese calendar. When she's all done, we're going to go together to get it done. She thinks I'll look really hot," she blushed, as she said more than she had intended to.
Kate smiled. "That sounds like a great thing to do. As long as you are sure you won't ever regret it."
Ellie shook her head. "I love tattoos. I was always going to get one as soon as I hit 18. And now I'm with this amazing artist who has drawn it for me." She had another idea. It was something that she had discussed with Aoife, and Aoife was all in favor. And she wanted it all healed before she started at the Academy, so the timing was perfect. This could be a great surprise for her girlfriend. "This place looks good, right? Safe?"
Kate peered through the window. "Looks good in there. And they've got all the safety certificates. You got something in mind?"
Ellie grinned, as she reached for the door.
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They got back to the hospital with over two hours to spare, on Ellie's insistence. She had relaxed on their outing, but now her nerves were through the roof. Kate had never seen such tension in anyone.
It seemed like days before the door opened, and Callie stepped into the room. She was still wearing her scrubs, and held her surgical hat in her hand. Most importantly, she was wreathed in smiles.
"She told me before we started that I had to come to you the instant it was over," Callie said, "so I haven't had time to change. But she's fine. She's great. It all went well, and she's in recovery now."
"Can I see her?" Ellie was on her feet, her face as white as a sheet. She stumbled a little, and was steadied by Kate's hand.
Callie looked at her kindly. "Soon. Very soon. They'll be taking her to her room in about an hour. I think you should go with your friend...," she smiled at Kate.
Kate held out her hand. "Kate Collins, sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. I'm a friend of Ellie's. And Alex's. A family friend."
"Dr Calliope Torres, I'm Aoife's surgeon. And an old colleague of Alex's," Callie smiled.
"I've heard all about you," Kate said. "Alex says you are the best in the business."
Callie grinned smugly. "And again, Alex Danvers is exactly right," she laughed. She looked toward Ellie, who looked like she was about to cry.
"As I was saying. Let Kate take you to get something to eat. The food's not the best here, but I can recommend the meatloaf and the potato salad. Go, eat, get yourself in order. And then be in room 3002 in an hour, and you'll be there when Aoife's wheeled back in. Okay?"
"Doctor's orders?" Kate teased. She liked the feisty surgeon.
"Doctor's orders," Callie agreed with a smile.
"Dr Torres?" Ellie's voice was shaky.
Callie turned to look at her.
"Thank you," she said quietly. "Thank you."
Callie's heart melted. She would be just the same if it were here wife Arizona. She stepped forward and hugged Ellie tight. "My pleasure," she said.
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"Are you sure you're okay?" Maggie was concerned. Alex had taken one hell of a hit.
Alex rolled her shoulder, trying not to wince. "I'm great. Let's just get out of here, pick up Addie, and head home."
Maggie could see that she was exhausted, so she just nodded agreement. Addie was staying after school with her friend Beth's family, just while Ellie and Aoife were away. They'd have to fix up something more permanent, once Ellie started at the Academy. They couldn't expect Aoife to keep taking her every day.
"You stay in the car," Maggie instructed as they pulled up outside Beth's house. Addie came running to the door, excited as always to see Maggie. Maggie lifted her in her arms, thanked Beth's mom, and headed to the car. "Mama's got a sore shoulder," Maggie told Addie. "She says it's fine, but I think we should be a little careful with her, just for the next couple of days."
"Okay Mommy. And I won't say anything to Mama," Addie had learned that Alex didn't like any fuss when she was hurt. "She will be okay, though?"
Maggie squeezed her. "She'll be fine. And she still wants to go swimming on Saturday."
"Are Ellie and Aoife back? Is Aoife okay?"
"Aoife's operation went real well," Maggie looked at her watch, as she lowered Addie to the ground. "Ellie's going in to see her right now. They should be home Thursday, and Aoife wants us all to go swimming at her house on Saturday."
Addie smiled, and let Maggie secure her in her seat. "Hi Mama," she said to Alex, who smiled in return.
"Hey Bug," Alex's voice was tired. "Did you have a good day?"
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Ellie was pacing Aoife's room. "She should be here," her tone was clipped.
"She will be. Soon," Kate tried to reassure her. She didn't bother with platitudes. She knew she would feel the same, and wouldn't relax until she saw Kara in person. At least it was unlikely to happen with Kara – unless she blew her powers out. She had never seen her without her powers, but it sounded scary.
"You don't have to stay," Ellie tried to lighten up. Kate had stayed with her, patiently, for hours.
"I'll go when she's back and settled," Kate said. "Kara made me promise to see her, so I can give a full report," she smiled. She heard the 'ding' of the elevator.
Ellie didn't realize she was holding her breath as a sleeping Aoife was wheeled back in. She had a few wires attached, and her arm was in a large, upright sling, which looked very uncomfortable. Callie followed behind the bed. She put a gentle arm on Ellie's back. "Breathe," she reminded her, softly, smiling when Ellie took a deep breath. "She's okay. She's good. And we can lower that sling tomorrow. She'll wake up in the next fifteen minutes or so." She reached into her pocket and pulled out a card. "That's got my cell number on it. I don't give that to anybody," her eyes crinkled. "Call me any time you need me."
Ellie smiled, swiping at her tears. "Thank you," she said, softly.
Ellie picked up Aoife's uninjured hand, and relaxed when she felt its warmth. She looked round to see Kate pushing a chair up behind her, and sat in it gratefully.
After a few minutes, Aoife's eyes fluttered. And then her fingers twitched. Then she opened her eyes. She gave a woozy grin. "Hey, sexy."
Ellie laughed. "How are you feeling."
"I feel good," Aoife smiled. "Real gooood. These drugs are great," she closed her eyes again, instantly asleep.
Kate put a hand on Ellie's shoulder. "I'll go, give you two some privacy. I'll be at the hotel tonight, so call me if you need me, I'll leave my cellphone on."
Ellie looked at her, gratefully. Kate had made the day so much less awful. "You've been so kind."
"That's what family's for," Kate dropped a kiss on the top of her head. "Give her my love," she gestured to the sleeping Aoife, and slipped out of the room.
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"So how bad is it?" Maggie demanded, as soon as Addie was in bed. Alex looked pale and drawn, and she was protecting her shoulder every time she moved.
"I'm okay," Alex started, and saw Maggie's death glare. "Truly. But it's badly bruised. It'll take a couple of weeks, according to Hamilton."
"I need to see," Maggie's voice softened. She took Alex's hand and led her to the bedroom. When Alex was seated on the bed, Maggie very carefully removed her shirt. She hadn't even tried to get a bra on, and when Maggie saw the bruising, she wasn't surprised. Horrific black and purple marks covered her left shoulder and much of her back. "Hamilton checked for internal bleeding?"
Alex nodded, tiredly. "She did a CT. Totally clear. Just hurts like hell," she didn't usually admit to pain, but she was so tired tonight, and Maggie was so tender.
Maggie kissed her very softly. "I'm getting the arnica," she headed to the bathroom, returning in mere seconds. She warmed the cream between her hands. "Lie down, babe. And tell me if I'm hurting you."
Maggie's hands were so soft, so careful, that Alex wanted to cry with the tenderness of the touch. Within fifteen minutes, she was sleeping soundly. She didn't wake when Maggie carefully removed her pants, or when she pulled the covers over her. She was vaguely aware of Maggie sliding in next to her, and involuntarily she snuggled into Maggie's front. She slept for 12 hours solid.
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Ellie sat by Aoife's bedside all night, refusing to budge, regardless of what Aoife said to her. When Aoife awoke the next morning, Ellie was asleep, her head on Aoife's bed. Aoife ruffled her hair gently, and Ellie looked up, a smile crossing her features as soon as she saw Aoife's face. "Hey," she said, softly.
"Hey, yourself. So you stayed all night," Aoife tried to look pissed, but Ellie refused to acknowledge it.
"You look good," Ellie said. "How's the pain?"
"It's great. I think they've got all the drugs working for me. I'm still a bit … woolly," Aoife laughed ruefully. "I don't think I'll be doing the crossword this morning."
"You never do the crossword," Ellie laughed. It was so good to see Aoife looking so well.
Callie rapped on the door as she came in. She greeted them both, and checked Aoife's vitals and charts, and examined her. "Textbook," she said, smugly. "I knew we could do this."
Aoife grinned at her. "So do I get to go home, doc?"
Callie laughed openly at her. "Yeah, sure," she waited until she saw the startled look on Ellie's face. "48 hours from now, and not a moment earlier. And that's assuming you behave yourself. I'll be back this afternoon. Try and get her to do as she is told," she advised Ellie.
Ellie laughed, watching Callie's departing back. "So no misbehaving for you, Ms Kelly," she teased, still holding her hand.
"Shame," Aoife felt euphoric. She had been more anxious about the operation than she had realized. She had put most of her energies into trying to protect Ellie from worry. She winked at Ellie. "I'm just in the mood for misbehaving. With you."
Ellie grinned. "Not a chance, Kelly. Although I do have a surprise for you."
Aoife looked askance.
Ellie undid the top button of her shirt, and looked toward the door to make sure nobody was coming in. She slid Aoife's hand into the right cup of her bra, and watched her face as Aoife came to a realization. "You did it!" Aoife gasped, as hers toyed gently with the bar in Ellie's nipple.
"Yeah," Ellie looked a little anxious. "Do you like it?"
"Do I like it? I love it," Aoife's voice deepened involuntarily. "Let me see. I need to see it."
"Somebody could come in!"
"Then you'll have to show me fast," Aoife insisted.
"It's still kinda red. I only got it done yesterday. Kate and I went into the city, she wouldn't let me stay here."
"Kate was here?" Aoife was touched.
"She'll be along soon, she texted last night to say she'll drop in on her way to the airport."
"She's sweet," Aoife said. "Now show me!" she demanded, as she reached for a button.
Ellie swatted her hand away. Glancing once more at the door, she opened her shirt and pulled her bra down.
Aoife's face broke into a huge smile. She reached out and touched the bar, and then the pebbled flesh surrounding it. "We're going to have some fun with this," she said huskily.
Ellie quickly covered up, and pushed Aoife's hand away. She grinned. "It'll heal in the next couple of days."
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"I could have flown you home," Kara grumbled, when she met Kate at the airport.
Kate pulled her into a deep kiss, enjoying the feel of Kara melting slowly into her arms. They both knew it was dumb for Kara to fly Kate any more than necessary, as the risk of her real identity being uncovered was too great. "Nah," Kate said, when she pulled back, panting slightly. "I wanted to be met like this at the airport. Please tell me we have the evening to ourselves tonight?"
Kara shook her head. "Games night. And we have to go, especially as Ellie and Aoife are away. Alex says Addie's really missing them. I promised we'd be there by 5pm."
Kate looked at her watch. "So that should give us, what, two hours to ourselves this afternoon?"
"Two and a half if we don't stop for lunch," Kara grinned.
"You always stop for lunch."
"Some things are more important. We'll grab some potstickers on our way over to them tonight."
"So you did miss me?" Kate teased Kara.
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Alex took one look at Kara and Kate when they arrived for games night, and let out a bark of laughter. They were both rosy-cheeked, and Kate's hair was still damp from the shower. Kara was also standing at the door, eating potstickers so enthusiastically it looked like she hadn't eaten in weeks. "Well, there's no need to ask if you two had a good afternoon," she chuckled.
A scampering noise heralded the arrival of Gertrude, followed just seconds behind by Addie. Kara bent to pet the puppy, while Addie hurled herself at Kate, who drew her into a tight hug. "Hey, Doodlebug. It's good to see you. Are you going to play Pictionary with us tonight?"
Addie nodded. "Mama has been teaching me to play darts, too. She gets me to stand on a box. But I have to be real careful that Gertie isn't in the same room with us, 'cos it can be dangerous, and we don't want to hurt Gertie."
"How's the shoulder?" Kara demanded of Alex.
Alex gave a rueful chuckle. "I swear you and that wife of mine are in league."
Kara grinned. "We text each other. Just in case somebody forgets to tell us things that are important. You didn't answer my question," she said, even as her eyes x-rayed her sister.
"I'm fine. As you've just ascertained," Alex said, drily. "It's a little tender, but no lasting damage."
"Just how did you do that again?"
"Infernal Infernians," Alex said. "Trying to turn over the bar."
"You should have called me!" Kara sounded pissed.
"It's fine," Alex reassured her. "We handled it."
Kara glared, but her attention was distracted. "Pizza!" she yelled, and made her way to join the others.
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Maggie stood at the door of Addie's room, just watching as she slept. Alex was still downstairs, doing something with her computer, so Maggie took the opportunity to check in on their daughter. Addie had been in her element all evening. She loved all their friends, and really enjoyed herself. Maggie thought back to almost a year ago when they had welcomed Addie into their lives, and she couldn't help smiling. There had been tough moments, but the joy Addie had brought to them both – to them all, she realized – was overwhelming.
"The Bug okay?" Alex's voice was quiet. Maggie hadn't even hear her come upstairs.
"See for yourself," Maggie smiled, as she moved to one side. Alex leaned over Maggie's shoulder, and smiled at what she saw. She wrapped her arms around Maggie. "We did good, huh?"
Maggie nodded. "Yeah," she agreed. "We did good."
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"I'm glad we've got a big couch," Kara smiled, as she snuggled up into Kate. Kate was flipping through channels on the television. And then a flash came across the screen. "Major landslide at East Mountains; train feared trapped in valley."
In two seconds, Kara was changed into her Supergirl outfit. The East Mountains were about an hour's drive away from National City, she could be there in a minute. "Be careful," Kate advised. As she watched her girlfriend fly out of the window, she had an uneasy feeling. She picked up her car keys. She might not be able to do much to help, but she could at least go, see if there was anything she could do. As she left the apartment building, she called Alex to keep her up to date with Kara's plans.