074 Healing
"They're horrible," Maddie protested, trying to push Vida away.
"Yes, and they're making you better, so take them anyway," Vida said patiently, offering the pills again.
"No." Maddie rolled over, yanking at her blanket.
Vida glanced up, meeting Chip's eyes; he sighed, pulling the blanket back down. "Come on, Mad. You know you're going to take them. Just get it over with."
Maddie glowered, snatching the pills from Vida. "I don't need them anymore," she muttered, dry-swallowing them.
"They're nearly all gone, anyway," Chip promised. "Just another two doses."
Maddie sat up, wrapping the blanket around herself. "I should be helping. I'm fine."
"Enjoy the time off," Vida advised her. "Xander'll put you back to work soon enough."
"Talking about me behind my back?" Xander dropped down beside Maddie.
"Ego, Xan." Vida grinned. "I'm gonna go help Clare."
Maddie watched her go, frowning. "Is she angry at you?"
"Maybe. How do you tell?" Xander didn't meet her eyes when she turned. "I'm sorry I couldn't get you in earlier, Maddie."
"I'm glad I didn't get caught." She touched his leg, startling him into meeting his gaze. "It's not anyone's fault. Except Necrolai's, maybe. Not yours."
"That's what Nick said, more or less, but…" he looked away again, playing with the edge of her blanket.
"Why is Vida angry with you?" Maddie prodded gently.
"I was angry with her," he said distantly. "She wouldn't hide, she was watching you, and they'd have seen her. I…" He looked up, forcing himself to hold her gaze. "I hurt her. I'm pretty sure I scared her."
"Vida's pretty tough. And she's not scared of you now." Maddie glanced away, smiling as Vida laughed at something Clare had said.
"Yeah, but I didn't…" Xander looked at his hands again. "I was so angry with her, Maddie, I just wanted to…I couldn't help you, I couldn't help them…if they'd gotten in…"
"They didn't," Maddie reminded him. "And I'm fine. Xander, you can't control everything. Things happen."
"Yeah, but…"
"No buts. We're all fine. Let that be enough for now."
He laughed softly, leaning over to kiss her forehead. "I love you."
"Yeah. I love you too." Smiling, she curled into his arms, waiting for his breathing to even out into sleep before following suit.
