Chapter 25: Back to You

Eleanor was starting to think she'd never feel this again.

His lips moving against hers, finally responding to her kiss once more.

She didn't even give him the chance to speak, and it seems his reflexes are intact, since he wasted no time either.

Even though his movements actually lack that usual strength, she's so damn relieved, because everything seems to be working just fine. All her fears evaporate in the air. She had been so worried, thinking about the worst scenarios...

Charles waking up and having to relearn how to do everything.

Coming back from the coma completely mental. Mad like her ex-husband.

A messed up mind...

Coming back without any memories of her.

But none of that happened and she actually takes a moment to thank God or whatever higher power there is for this most wonderful, precious gift.

Tears of happiness are flowing nonstop as she pulls away, moving into a sitting position and hovering just above him, holding his face with both hands. His gaze is just a little bit unfocused, she can see he's feeling so weak, but he's smiling at her and damn it, it's the most beautiful thing she has ever seen in her two lifetimes.

"You came back to me."

She doesn't give a fuck how cliché it sounds, all she wants is to express all her emotions, for once in her life, to let all of it out. To let him see it.

She wants him to see it.

He swallows hard, eyes glinting for the briefest moment and she's almost begging him to say something, needing so desperately to hear that perfect voice again...

"You - alright?" Is the first thing that leaves his lips, she can see his struggle to get the question out, it sounds somewhat choked and so damn raspy.

And hell, he's been in a coma for almost two weeks, but the first thing he asks is if she is okay.

Fuck, she loves him.

Fresh tears roll down her cheeks and she nods immediately, leaning in closer with a tight smile and letting her thumbs stroke both his cheeks.

"I am now."

"How much-"

"How much time?" She rushes to finish the sentence for Charles, not wanting him to make too much effort. "Eleven days now."

His eyes travel over her body then, and she quickly realizes what he's doing.

What he's looking for.

"The bullet didn't even touch me. I'm fine. Not a scratch... Thanks to you."

After she says those words, a scowl comes to her face and she slaps his left shoulder. Not as hard as she's used to, but she just needed to do it.

"You fucking idiot! What were you thinking, you could have died! In fact, you came so damn close to dying-"

"Could have been you." His voice, hoarser than usual, makes her fall silent immediately. That hard look refuses to leave her face as she keeps his gaze. "I did promise... To protect you."

Her scowl starts to vanish. Charles shrugs, averting his eyes. "From him. From anyone."

Features softening, she brings a hand to his cheek, caressing his skin lovingly.

The gesture seems to surprise him and he looks at her face again.

"That promise goes way back, doesn't it?"

With some effort, he moves his left hand to hers, bringing it to rest over his heart now. He seems suddenly haunted, and Eleanor frowns at this.

"What?"

"I thought... He'd hurt you. Once I was... gone."

She just loves him more and more with each word he says.

"That's why you told them, and me, to call Flint."

"Did you?"

"Jack did. I was... Too distressed to think about my own safety."

Letting out a sigh, he gestures slightly with his head, silently telling her to come closer.

She obeys without any hesitation.

"I still think it's a dream..." One tear rolls down her face as she lays down again, snuggling against his side and reveling in the feeling of his arms closing around her. "I've had... So many dreams. About you waking up. So many nightmares too... About you dying."

Still somewhat weak, he locks their fingers together on his chest, just above the bandages.

"Not a dream."

Eleanor lets out a shuddering breath, squeezing her eyes shut for a few moments and then opening them again, afraid to see him back in the coma... But he's still staring at her with that wonderfully familiar adoration when she looks at his face.

It's only at this moment that it truly hits her.

He's back.

Alive.

With a choked sob, she moves to bury her face in the crook of his neck, tears of happiness, relief and love flowing freely. And even though he's taken aback, he's quick to respond, tightening his arms around her as much as he can.

"I must go and get the doctor-" His low growl cuts her off, the message clear.

The last thing he wants is that she leaves his side.

"They need to know you woke up. They said there's... tests they need to run-"

"Tests my ass. I'm fine."

Her scoff is automatic.

He seems to be getting full control over his speech again with each word he says, though his voice is still much rougher than usual.

The familiar urge to fight him and do the rational thing rises in her chest. But truth be told, she has no desire to leave him either, even if it's only for a minute.

It still feels so surreal.

Too good to be true.

"You took a fucking bullet for me."

He shrugs, as if that's the most natural thing in the world. For some reason, it makes her angry.

"I'm serious." Her eyes narrow as she looks at his face. "You could be dead. All because of me."

Again.

When her voice breaks, his arms tighten briefly around her.

"Dead or not, that was my own choice." Eleanor actually has to struggle to make out his words. He just sounds so gruff, but she still understands. "Has nothing to do with you."

Not wanting to let any more tears out, she hides her face into his chest. Failing to see his frown.

"Now I'm awake... and you go back to normal?"

"What do you mean?"

His chest rises when he inhales deeply. A grunt of pain follows swiftly and she meets his eyes in concern, but he chooses to ignore it.

"Heard you."

There.

Those two words bring a wave of panic crashing over her.

When he was in the coma, all she wanted was for him to be able to hear her. And now that he's confirming he could, she's scared.

She's such an idiot.

"Everything?"

"More or less. You begged me to come back. Now that I did-" He coughs and her eyes fill with alarm as she sits up, but he's quick to shake his head reassuringly. "You're already trying to hide again? Thought we were past that."

Capturing her lower lip between her teeth, she feels tears burning in her eyes when he reaches to brush her hair behind her ear.

"Or do I have to get shot again-"

"Don't even joke about that."

She had been intending to sound stern. But her voice comes out so broken, so sad and quiet. His eyes remain glued to her face as she takes a few shaky breaths.

"I don't know how to do this." Her quiet confession makes his heart clench. "While you were... gone, it was so much easier. I want... to fight and scream at you, because you almost died-" A choked sob. One stubborn tear escapes, only to be wiped away by Charles' thumb almost immediately. "You almost left me, and I am so fucking angry with you for that. But I..."

He patiently waits as she finds the words to say, her hand still resting over his heart.

"...I'm just so damn relieved. Losing you again... I don't think I'd be able to handle it. Not again. I just want to scream in joy right now, but I can't. Just as I can't slap you in the face for your stupidity."

"Maybe when the wound heals."

She scoffs, a smile tugging at her lips as she shakes her head at him. "I'm seriously starting to think you're into that."

His crooked smirk suddenly makes her break, her tears flowing freely.

She thought she'd never see that smirk again.

Her sobs are the only sound in the room as Charles watches her face silently, letting his thumb wipe away each and every teardrop while she tried and tried to regain her composure.

"You're back." Her voice is a strangled thing as she grips his hand tightly, bringing it from her cheek to her lips so she could kiss his knuckles like she has done so many times during the last few days.

Her eyes fall closed and she gathers the courage.

"I love you."

Eleanor is actually surprised. The words just slipped out of her lips so easily. And she doesn't even feel uncomfortable.

She still averts her eyes though, staring down at the bandages instead of looking him in the eyes, and his silence is not unexpected, of course.

But it's still unsettling.

A small, stupid part of her had actually hoped he would say it back...

"Love you too."

Her heart leaps to her throat, wide eyes meeting his again.

It's the first time. The first time ever they both say it to each other...

And she couldn't be happier.

Pure joy mixes with the most exciting fear as she lets out a brief, choked laugh. All the love shining in his eyes...

It makes her feel warmer than she ever did before.

He nearly died for her. And she suddenly wants to do everything she can for him.

"Is there anything I can get you? Just name your request, you'll have it."

"Anything?"

Her eyes glint, a stupid smile refusing to leave her lips as she gently holds his face in her hands.

"Anything, my heart. Anything."

"A cigar?"

The request comes quickly and her smile is replaced by a scowl.

"Absolutely not."

"Alcohol, then."

"Charles. Vane."

Her warning tone leaves no room for argument and he rolls his eyes briefly. Those blue depths are filled with mirth though, and she can't help but smirk at his next request.

"Then maybe a kiss? If it's s not too much to ask for too?"

Eleanor does battle hard not to let her amusement show.

But it's useless.

"As many as you want."

It feels as if the world has stopped turning when their lips meet.

After all those kisses they have shared over the past few months... How come this magic still sparks in such a way?

Will it ever stop?

Paradise feels just within her reach as Eleanor pulls away slowly, thumbs stroking those sharp cheekbones, his beard...

"Was I hallucinating..." Charles begins, frowning slightly as she waits for his next words. "Or did you scream at Teach, back at the Ranger?"

She raises her chin out of habit, the left corner of her lips twitching up. "I did. I warned him to stay away from you and it worked. He vanished. The Revenge has been gone for nearly a week now."

Pride fills his eyes. The briefest chuckle escapes his lips as he plays with a strand of her hair.

"My lioness." Eleanor can't help but smile fully at the comparison. "We're so damn lucky your married time didn't extinguish that fire."

For some reason, fresh tears come to her eyes. But she doesn't even give him a second to react.

Her lips crash hard against his again and Charles immediately brings his arms around her. His right hand travels up her back under the blouse, index finger tracing her spine and leaving goosebumps in its wake as her heart beats faster.

And damn it, she knows he's fragile right now, she knows he needs some time to recover, but how can she bring herself to say no? How can she tell him to stop? When she's longing for him in such a way, and to feel him respond to her kiss, her touch, again... It's intoxicating and she never wants it to stop, it needs to go on-

"She did it, darling!"

The door opens abruptly, that familiar voice bringing them back to reality.

Harshly.

"Max is safe-"

Jack stops in his tracks, staring at the bed as they pull away. For only a second, he's completely confused.

And then a bright smile comes to his face.

"You're awake - By all means, do not stop on my account!" He turns around, hurrying back to the door, but then stopping at the last moment and facing them again. "Actually, do stop on my account, you need to recover after all-"

Charles glares daggers at him while Eleanor laughs and wipes her tears away, getting to her feet.

"Just shut the fuck up and give me a hug."

Only after Jack closes the distance to the hospital bed and pulls her into a tight hug, a huge smile plastered to his face, she realizes what he just said.

Pulling away and meeting his eyes, she tries not to feel too much hope, maybe she heard wrong...

"Is Max safe?"

To her immense relief, his smile doesn't falter.

"Safe and sound. On her way here, in fact. She was adamant about coming to check up on you."

"And Woodes?"

Charles speaks before Jack can answer.

"The fuck is going on?"

They both look at him again. Those little smiles never vanish.

Charles takes a look around, as if realizing something, and the slightest hint of concern comes to his eyes. "Where's Anne?"

"She's okay." Jack is quick to reassure him, squeezing Eleanor's shoulders then stepping closer to the bed. "She had to fly back to LA. Rogers was holding Max and Idelle as his prisoners. He..."

Eleanor rolls her eyes when he glances at her. "Just do it. Just say it. I can handle it."

After a moment's hesitation, Jack sighs heavily, focusing his attention back on Charles. "He tortured Max. Trying to get some answers. Apparently, his current mental state is far worse than we initially thought. He thinks you're hurting Eleanor. And that's not all; he's in league with Ned Low."

Charles meets Eleanor's eyes. Their minds connect and she immediately moves closer, climbing into the bed by his side again. He seems to have grown tired of his current position, and she scowls when he tries to move, to sit up on the mattress.

Their former discussion is forgotten for a few moments as Eleanor helps him move. He fights and doesn't accept it at first, but when it becomes clear he can't do it on his own, he finally lets her assist him. Jack watches the scene in silence, lowering his eyes briefly when Charles nods at him to continue.

"Anne didn't give me too many details when I called her, all I know is that Max gave the governor a false lead. He's looking for the two of you, yes, but far away from here. Let's just wait until the girls come back. So we can have some more information."

Giving Charles a look, he smirks only briefly.

"You missed a lot. But I'll let this one tell you everything. I'm sure you and her are dying for some more alone time." Eleanor lowers her head to hide her soft smile, and after hesitating for a moment, Jack reaches to squeeze Charles' shoulder. "I'm glad you're back."

She's smiling so brightly.

Her eyes dance with happiness.

"You came back to me."

The wind blows on her perfect hair, sunlight hitting her face as she walks closer.

She's wearing a blue sundress. The exact same color as one of the dresses she wore in the past. It was always his favorite; her eyes looked so beautiful whenever she wore it...

Pearly white teeth are revealed when she laughs.

Why is she so happy?

"You're back."

The sun is like a halo around her head. She's an angel.

And she is his.

His beautiful, beautiful angel.

Reaching out for her, Rogers doesn't try to fight the smile that comes to his lips.

All his.

This perfection, all his.

But just as he touches her hand, he blinks.

And his perfect wife is gone when his eyes open.

A starry sky greets him instead, and he takes a look around.

"Welcome back, friend." Ned's voice fills his ears and he clenches his jaw, getting to his feet and closing the distance to the bridge.

"I said you were not allowed to touch the helm."

The barbarian shrugs, eyes glued to the ocean. "You fell asleep while steering. Doesn't surprise me, you've been at it for two days straight. I supposed it would be better if I kept the yacht going... After all, the faster we find your Eleanor, the better, isn't that right?"

Still irritated, Rogers shoves him away and takes control over the helm again.

"Where are we?"

With a roll of his eyes, Ned walks away. "Few hours away from Cuba. Oh, and I took the liberty of including Cancun in our list of places to go, I think he could..."

Ned continues to talk.

But he doesn't listen.

His shoulders are tense. Jaw still clenched hard. He's still exhausted, but he will keep going.

His precious jewel... After the dream/hallucination, his despair to find her has only grown even stronger.

He just needs to have her in his arms again, safe...

And also to gut that monster alive, right before her eyes.

Those sweet thoughts are more than enough to make the exhaustion go away.

She's biting her lower lip nervously.

Standing in the hallway, right in front of that door.

Maybe she should turn around and walk back into the guest room...

She's acting like a child.

Gathering her courage, Abigail raises her hand to knock. And just as she's about to do so, the door opens and she comes face to face with her captor... or is he her rescuer?

He's shirtless.

And she's pretty sure her cheeks are red.

Finally lowering her hand, she averts her eyes as Billy says a quick apology and walks away from the door.

He comes back a few seconds later, wearing a shirt now, and she's somehow relieved and bummed at the same time.

Damn it, what in the world is wrong with her?

"Hey. Were you able to get some rest?"

She just nods, eyes still lowered to the floor, and there's an uncomfortable silence as they walk to the staircase.

Mary watches from the living room as Billy leads their new guest to the kitchen, her face an expressionless mask.

He comes back a few minutes later, alone, and she doesn't even have to tell him to come closer.

"I can explain." Her cousin begins in a quiet tone and she scoffs. "Mary, she needed me. The men were going to hurt her, I had to-"

"And what happens when Teach comes back from wherever he went to drown in guilt, what happens to us when he finds out you have brought an outsider to his kingdom, Billy? What happened to putting Davina first?"

Glancing over his shoulder and making sure Abigail was still in the kitchen, he moves closer to Mary. "About that... We need to talk. I've been thinking. We should leave this place."

Confusion fills Mary's eyes. "What the hell?"

"It's not right. What we do, what happens at the headquarters... This is not a good place to raise a child, and we know that. We need to leave, urgently. Before Teach comes back."

"Something happened... This is not like you, something must have happened to make you think like this, all of a sudden..."

With a heavy sigh, Billy walks over to the window. His eyes soften and he watches his little girl, playing in the sand near the ocean. "I just want Davina to have a better life. To grow up somewhere... safe."

"And Charles? She will never forgive us if we take her away from her brother, especially at such a delicate time."

"Before Charles came here, we agreed we were going to do what was best for Davina, even if that meant leaving him behind." He reminds her, looking at her over his shoulder.

"And what about your new friend?"

Walking closer to Mary again, he speaks in a hushed voice. "Abigail came here seeking Eleanor. I think we should go to the trauma center and tell her about this. Maybe she'll help us."

Mary considers his words for a moment, then nods at him. "Alright. I can head over there right now-"

Her phone rings. With a sigh, she answers the call, just as Davina walks in through the front door.

"Cousin Billy, can I play with Abigail? Please?"

He ruffles her hair as she comes to stand in front of him, but his attention is focused on Mary.

"Really?" She laughs. Her voice is filled with relief. "When?... Okay. I'll... Oh my God, Jack, I can't believe this!" Another laugh. "Alright. I'll tell Davina and we'll be there soon."

Eyes filled with happiness, she ends the call.

"Mama, what happened?"

Mary can't help but let out another short laugh.

"Your brother, baby girl! He's awake!"

Notes:

MerielJames: Oh, I had a feeling it was you, yep :P lol poor Charles! He's gonna have a hard time, Eleanor will remain really concerned about his well being for a while, and that means no unhealthy habits for now. He won't be happy about that haha. Glad you like Billy and Abbie :D Awww but you're so sweet! I'm always so glad to know my writing brings such happiness to some people, thank you for telling me that ;) Would be nice to get published one day lol Who knows, I do have some ideas for an original story XD

Roza-Maria: Exactly, love! The title of that beautiful song lol Yay for the fluffy ship! I like that name! :D They're so adorable, I'm loving to write them already. So glad I could make you emotional with that scene! I almost cried while writing it XD It was a chapter filled with many emotions, yeah... And Utley. If what I'm planning works, we'll see more of him. Also, we will meet Olivia and little Melissa... Have you noticed she's the same age as Davina? I have some stuff planned for these two little girls ;) Because I love Utley, and I need to write more about him lol. So happy you liked Charles' awakening! I was unsure how to write it, but in the end I think I like the result :D

Next chapter teaser:

"I'm sorry." Her quiet voice and words make the older woman scoff. "I... kinda had no other choice."