Chapter Eleven : Intoxicating
Nothing could get Theresa Kane to lie down in a bed. Not even a gunshot wound in her side.
And it was driving Bravo nuts.
"Tessa, you're being unreasonable." Jason crossed his arms over his chest, glaring right back at her.
The rest of the Bravo was hanging around Theresa's hospital bed - Cerberus laying on the bed by her left side - watching the exchange with wariness and awe. Wariness because both Theresa and Jason looked like they were about to deck each other - when, really, neither would ever lift a finger to hurt the other. Awe because Jason wasn't backing down from her killer glare - not many could hold her gaze when she had this particular look on her face.
They were back home and Theresa was in the base infirmary. After she woke up on the cement, Bravo carrid her to the C-17 and laid her down on the crates and used it as a makeshift gurney. Luckily for her, a blood clot formed and the wound stopped bleeding. Trent was able to start an IV line and after giving her two shots of morphine, Theresa was out like a light for the whole plane ride.
She was the perfect patient.
Until she woke up.
The female huffed, "I've been stuck in bed for two days, Jace. Two days. I'm fine. If I gave to sit in this bed for a third day, I'm gonna be a loon at the end of it."
"You were shot. You needed a blood transfusion because you lost 30 percent of you blood. You almost died, Theresa. If you lost anymore blood, you would have died." Jason fumed, hands gesturing to emphasize his point.
"I almost die everyday." Theresa shrugged her left shoulder nonchalantly and Jason's eyes narrowed dangerously. But that look had about as much effect on Theresa as her killer glare had on him. "Besides, if it was you in this bed, you would have been out of it yesterday."
"The doctor said you had to take it easy for at least 7 days and at most, 10 days."
"Yes, exactly. Take it easy. Not stay in bed the whole day."
"That quack was to scared to tell you to stay in bed in fear of getting punched." The Master Chief gave her a pointed look. Sometimes Theresa forgets about her reputation around base and her famous short temper.
"Then he shouldn't be a doctor on a base full of Navy Seals." Theresa retorted, somewhat petulantly. Snickers were heard from around the bed, causing the female Seal's lips to twitch upwards. "Besides, Trent said it's fine to move around so long as I don't pick up heavy things or try to shoot a gun or throw a knife."
At that, Jason couldn't aruge anymore because he trusted his medic. He could, however, shoot him a betrayed glare, to which he just got a smirk in return. "Okay, but I'm hiding all of your knives and guns for the next two weeks."
"Two weeks?" Theresa screeched in horror. "How is that fair?"
"That is how long it is going to take for you to be cleared for active duty. Might as well take advantage of it." Jason gave her a smug smile that knew no bounds.
"Why can't you just stop mother henning me? You're worse than Lisa." She glanced at the woman that was standing inbetween Sonny and Eric. "No offense."
"None taken." The petty officer assured her with a light smile.
Theresa looked back at Jason, "Don't you have a mission you that needs your attention or something?"
"We're off rotation because our girl is down." Jason informed her, smug smile widening.
Theresa pulled a face and rolled her eyes, "You can function just fine with five men."
"Yes, we can, little lady," Sonny was the brave one to butt into their conversation. "Is that we don't want to."
"That's really sweet and all, and I love you guys to the end of the world, but you're starting to smother me a little." Theresa crossed her arms over her chest, careful to hide the wince that wanted to escape when her stitches pulled at the small action. "So, shoo." She gestured to the infirmary enterance with her head.
Jason opened his mouth to protest, but something in her gaze must have changed his mind because he promptly shut his mouth and nodded before leaving reluctantly - reminding her to call him if she needs help getting around. The rest of Bravo - with the same reminders as Jason and well wishes - left after the Master Chief.
All but one.
"You can go to, you know?" Theresa told her best friend, voice soft and gentle. The bags beneath his eyes told her that he hasn't left her side once since she's been brought in. Which matches up with memories of the last two days. Well, what she can remember around the morphine. "Go home, see Elena, eat. Oh, and shower. You stink." She wrinkled her nose for effect.
"And what are you going to do?" Brock asked, cocking an eyebrow at her knowingly as he crossed his arms over his chest.
Theresa deflated even though she should have known that she wouldn't be able to pull one over on her best friend. A sigh slipped past her lips as she admitted, "I was just going to the cafeteria. Stretch my legs and get some fresh air."
Brock snorted, "Jay is going to have a fit."
"How about you let me worry about Jason?" Theresa rose her own eyebrow at him.
"What if you faint again?" Brock challenged, reminding her of when she tried to get out of bed the first day - high as a kite on pain meds - and collapsed to the floor once more, taking ten years of his life time. Again.
"Cerb can come with me." The female bargained hopefully, knowing that it was futile to argue that that was day one and today, is day three. By her side, the canine's ears twitched at the mention of his name and Theresa rubbed her hands over his fur.
"Okay." Brock agreed, albeit looking like he'd rather play in traffic than letting her walk to the cafeteria on her own.
"Thank you!" She rejoiced and the blinding grin he recieving in return made him feel a teeny tiny bit better about leaving her. "Now, go."
Brock huffed before looking at his dog, whistling once to get his attention. "Cerberus, stay with Tessa."
"Yes, yes, he understands. Now go and get some rest." Theresa verbally ushered her best friend excitedly with a bright smile on her lips.
"When you're done eating, you get some rest too." Brock told her sternly.
"I've been resting for the last 48 hours, unlike you."
"Tessa." Brock's tone held a warning.
"Yes, mother, I will come back here and rest after I'm finished eating. I promise." Theresa snarked light heartedly, knowing that his mother henning - just like the rest of her team's - comes from a place of love and concern.
Brock finally left, looking back at his best friend over his shoulder ever two seconds as he did. Cerberus followed his master with his eyes, but did as he was ordered and stayed by Theresa's side. She gave him an affectionate head rub.
"Come on buddy, let's go get something to eat." Theresa sat up straight and didn't bother hiding her wince when pain shot through her side on the right side of her body, the area above her hip throbbing somewhat. She pushed through the mild pain and rubbed a hand slightly over the bandages.
"Let me tell you something, Cerb, there is nothing sweeter than freedom after being couped up in a bed for a small eternity." Theresa told the canine as she walked down the hallways and made her way to the cafeteria. She breathed in deeply, happy to have air fill her lungs that wasn't tainted with the sharp and sterilized smell of the infirmary that reminded Theresa all to much of a hospital.
Footsteps coming closer to her from behind pulled Theresa out of her thoughts. She waited for the person to walk past her, but he or she never did. Frowning, she subtly slowed her pace and heard the footsteps do the same. Her frown deepened. Someone was following her. It wasn't her brother's, she knew how each on of them sounds - even when they try to sneak up on her.
Curiousity got the best of her and mid-stride, Theresa whirled around to see who it was. Her eyebrows rose in surprise when she spotted Spenser - who froze with a deer-in-headlights expression on his face. He shook himself out of it and tenatively took a step forward, only to back up two steps when Cerberus gave a warning growl and stepped infront of Theresa.
"Down, Cerberus. He's alright." Theresa looked down at the dog as she spoke, making sure her tone was deep and commanding, just like Brock taught her. The canine listened and retreated back to the female Seal's side.
Theresa turned her gaze to Spenser's, she would never admit it out loud, but she likes his intense blue eyes. Her pulse spiked ever so slightly and her cheeks started to heat up as they continued staring into each other's eyes.
"Word around the base is that you got shot." Spenser said out of the blue, breaking the silence that fell on them so suddenly, that for a second, the woman was startled.
When she processed the words, Theresa's eyebrows rose in surprise for the second time. "Well, hello to you too, Spencer."
"Can you just give me a straight answer." Spenser asked shortly, looking more than a little worked up, clenching his fists by his sides.
"Good Lord, whoever said men doesn't gossip, obviously has never worked on a base before." Theresa rolled her eyes. Her brows dipped when the blonde didn't even crack a smile from her teasing words. His expression just remained blank, eyes expectant as he waited for an answer. "Yes, it's true."
Spenser inhaled sharply, exhaled shakily. The blonde licked his lips, Theresa's attention pulled to the action for a milisecond, before he asked, "Where?"
"Right there." She motioned to her wound with her left hand.
"Is it deep?" He asked, eyes locked on the place where she gestured to.
"Not realy, got some stitches and lost some blood, is all." Theresa shrugged her left shoulder, knowing that if she used the other one, she would pull at the stitches and it would start throbbing.
"If the pain worsens, or if it swells or it becomes red or goo comes out of the wound, then you need to see a doctor. And if your fever goes above 100, you need to go to the hospital. And you need to keep the wound clean and dry and make sure to change the dressing daily. And don't forget to apply some antibiotic ointment before you re-dress it." Spenser rambled, hands fidgeting as he spoke.
Warmth spread through Theresa's chest when she noticed the concern written plainly on his face.
"Wow, Spenser. Thank you so much. I mean, it's not like I haven't been shot before. Wanna take a look too?" She snarked, not wanting him to see how affected she is by his concern. Not when she didn't understand it herself or know why.
"Yes, please." Spenser nodded and stepping forward. He grabbed her shirt and pulled it up, ready to inspect the wound for himself.
"What the-" Theresa cut herself off with eyes blown wide in shock. She started slapping at the blonde's hands, getting a whiff of his scent and it made her want more. "Get your hands the hell of me."
Spenser's brows pulled together in confusion, "You just said-"
"Yeah, that wasn't a really offer. You never heard of sarcasm before, Spenser?" Theresa backed up, she needed breathing room, his intoxicating scent was making her head spin and her stomach feel that same feeling when she realised that she cares what Spenser thinks about her. What did Brock call it? Oh, yeah. Fluttery. Her stomach was fluttering. Why, though, she had no idea.
"Oh." Clay said sheepishly, ducking his head and rubbing his neck.
"Yeah, oh." Theresa echoed with a somewhat mocking, somewhat satisfied smile.
It was silent for a moment, "Can I see?"
"No, you can't." Theresa denied and suddenly felt the need to explain herself when his face fell. "Trent will have my head if the bandages is moved again."
An amused smile pulled on Spenser's lips as he asked, "Again?"
"I, may have, pulled it off once or twice, or seven times and he had to redress it everytime, cause I don't like the base doc and they wouldn't let me do it myself." Theresa admitted, giving him an innocent smile. Spenser snorted a hearty laugh and the female Seal couldn't stop herself from joining in.
When they stopped, Spenser bit down on his bottom. He looked into her eyes, wondering if he should say it - and risk getting a fist to the face - or just keep quiet. Throwing caution to the wind, he admitted, "I was kinda worried."
Warmth spread through Theresa's chest again and this time she took a second to analyze the feeling. It was strange, yet it made her feel heart beat speed up. But in a good way, unlike when she lost blood. In fact, she likes this feeling. She likes it every much, almost as much as she cares about what the blonde infront of her thinks about her.
Theresa offered him a warm smile in return for his concern, but couldn't resist teasing him a bit. "I kinda noticed."
Clay's breath caught in his throat. He has seen her smile before, but never was it aimed at him. Until now. And it was breathtakingly beautiful. Suddenly, the smile dimmed and Clay wanted nothing more than to put it back on her face. Then he frowned, because Theresa suddenly seemed nervous. No, that couldn't be right. She wasn't the type to get nervous.
Theresa cleared her throat and adverted her eyes from his, "About what I said the other day, I shouldn't have."
Spenser realised this was the closest he was going to get to an apology. Not that he was looking for one to being with. Remembering his conversation with Brian a few days earlier - right before the rumors that Lieutenant Commander Four was shot during a mission started to circle the base - the blonde shrugged.
"You were right." He admitted easily.
Theresa nodded. She knew she was right, but she had no bussiness being so vicious to him because of her anger. "Still, I could have worded it better."
"It's fine. Really." Spenser gave her a wide smile, eyes sparkling. The fluttering feeling deepend and warmth spread through her chest again, while something grew its roots deeper into her heart.
Composing herself, because Clay Spenser was just a guy and she works with guys everyday and there was no reason to feel so off kilter, Theresa shoved her left hand into her pants pocket.
"So, I, uh, I was heading to the cafeteria." Theresa jabbed her right thumb behind her, gesturing in the general direction of the cafeteria. Clay nodded, but didn't say anything, obviously not catching her him, so she elaborated. "You can join me. If you want."
Spenser's jaw dropped opened and his heart beat skyrocketed as he was stunned silent and his mind raced with questions.What did this mean? Does she like him the same way he likes her? Well, he much more than likes her, but that's not the point. Oh, man, he is such a freaking goner when it comes to Theresa Kane. And so stupid. He was also over thinking it.
"People will talk." He blurted when he could form words again and he wanted to hit himself in the face. Theresa rose her eyebrows in question. "A Greenie and a Lieutenant Commander eating together? Come on, Four, that's gonna raise some brows."
"Maybe to your face," Theresa smirked, caring more about his answer to her offer than the gossip that will most definitely circle the base. "But not to mine."
"You seem really sure about that." Spenser noted.
Her smirked turned cocky, something which Clay found that ridiculously hot because normally her face was either completely stotic or housed a terrifying glare. "I dare you to find one person on this base, just one, that will say something to my face because we ate together."
"Do you like it when people are afraid of you?" Spenser blurted. He hoped she didn't take offence to his question.
Theresa shrugged, trying for indifference. In all honesty, she wasn't really bothered by his question so much as she was bothered by her answer. "I'd prefer it if they respect me, but in this all boys club, I'll take what I can get. And if fear is the only way for them to stop pushing and shoving at me, then I'm not going to change my ways anytime soon."
"You mean the whole big, bad, scary mean girl thing you have going on?" Spenser rose a knowing brow.
"It's okay, you can say bitch. I've been called that before and I'm going to be called a bitch again." She gave him an amused look. "And yes, that's what I meant."
"I don't think you're a bitch." He protested immediately.
"But you think I'm intimidating?" Theresa couldn't help but retort. That remark still bothered her.
"Yes," Spenser nodded. The female Seal locked her jaw and adverted her gaze. "-but in a good way."
Something inside of her chest loosened and she could breath a little easier for the first time in weeks. A thought struck her and she looked back at the blonde, tilting her head in curiousity.
"Are you afraid of me?" Theresa eyed him hesitantly.
"I get the feeling I should be. I mean, I've seen you break someone's nose for calling you unqualified, but strangely, no, I'm not." Spenser shook his head, giving her that boyish smile of his. The fluttering in her stomach returned.
"You should be." Theresa agreed. Then she hesitated. Later, she would blame her next sentence on the morphine. "But I'm glad you're not." The female Seal pursed her lips, avoiding his deep blue eyes that seemed to reflect every emotion he was feeling. "So, are we eating or not?"
Spenser's mind short circuited a little when Theresa said 'we' and he distractedly answered, "Yeah."
The wide smile that automatically spread on her face made her cheeks ache a little and Spenser's heart tripped. "Well, lets go then."
They walked in silence, sneaking glances at each other when they weren't looking. Arriving outside of the cafeteria, Theresa leaned against the nearest wall, slightly out of breath.
Spenser's concern flared up and both he and Cerberus was at her side in an instant, hand gently coming up to rest on her left shoulder. He made sure to keep his grip light, giving her the option to shrug his hand off. "Four, are you okay?"
"Yeah, just give me a second." She nodded, closing her eyes briefly as she caught her breath. Unconsiously, Theresa leaned into his touch and closer to him. Usually, when people she barely knows touches her, she wants to punch them in the face and get far away from them. And never, ever is someone outside of Bravo allowed in her personal space bubble.
Theresa promptly ignored the annoying little voice in her head that said the few inches of space between her and Spenser was to much and she could close the remaining distance.
"Maybe I should take you back to the infirmary." The blonde suggested, worry shining brightly in his eyes, the feeling eating away at his stomach.
Her eyes snapped opened instantly and she shook her head fiercely. "No, no. I'm fine."
"Four-"
"Spenser, I was shot three days ago and lost a lot of blood. And although I'm fine, really, my body is still healing. My mind and determination can only take me so far when I don't have the rush of adrenaline pushing me." Theresa gave him a stern look when he opened his mouth.
"Which is exactly why you should go back and rest some more." The blonde tried to reason with her, deep down knowing it wouldn't bear any fruit.
"You sound just like my brothers." Theresa huffed, rolling her eyes at Spenser. "I've done far more, in a far worse condition and, mind you, on much less sleep."
"BUD/S?" Spenser guessed.
"Yep." Theresa nodded, giving him a lazy grin. "Come on, I'm hungry." She pushed herself of the wall and they walked into the cafeteria.
The moment people started noticing who exactly just entered the cafeteria, the whispers started. Theresas rolled her eyes. Good grief. This was worse than high school. She continued walking to the grill line - Spenser on her one side and Cerberus on the other - and paid no attention to the eyes that followed them.
"This way." Theresa gestured with her tray of food to an empty table in the middle of the cafeteria.
Spenser stopped in his tracks, eyes widening comically. "That's Bravo's table."
"You're gonna end up with us anyway." The brunette walked back to him and nudged him in the side with her left elbow.
"If I make it through selections." Spenser reminded her.
"You will." Theresa said, no doubt or hesitation in her turn. It made Spenser's cheeks heat up and his heart sing.
"And then Chief Hayes still has to choose me." He pointed out.
"He will." That tone, that firm and confident tone that left you with no choice but to believe her. And if this was about any other topic than the Jason Hayes, the blonde would have easily believed her.
"I don't know if you noticed, but he doesn't like me very much." Spenser gave her a somewhat bitter smile.
"Oh, don't worry, Spenser," Theresa gave him a sideways glance as they walked, a light look on her face while the corners of her lips twitched, but no smile made an appearance. If they were still outside in the hallway, she would have given him a smile, but there was to many eyes right now and she really didn't want to give them anymore ammunition for the rumor mill. "Jace will pull his g-string out of a twist by that time. Promise."
Clay snorted in amusement before trying another excuse. "You could get into trouble."
"Oh please, if they try it, I'll just pull the 'I got shot' card." Theresa informed him smugly.
"That's mean."
"I never claimed to be nice."
"Then what exactly are you?" Spenser pondered playfully, having no problem to smile at he.
"A human being, just like you." Theresa answered in a deadpan voice.
"You sure about that? Cause you seem more like the female version of Jason Bourne to me."
"Okay, that's an exaggeration." The female Seal rolled her eyes, leaving out the part that's she has heard that one before. And, like before, she thought the comparison was ridiculous. Theresa was good, great even, but not like that.
"I've heard the stories about you." The blonde told her.
She rose her eyebrows at him, "And you believe everything you hear?"
"No, but I bet most of it is true."
"Probably." Theresa admitted with a nod of her head, putting down her tray before taking her usual seat. Spenser went to take a seat next to her. She gave him an amused look. "So, you have a problem with people gossiping and sitting at Bravo's table, but not a problem with sitting next to me."
Spenser froze for a second before a perfect explanation came to mind. "You said you lost a lot of blood. You could faint."
Theresa pulled a face at that, picking up her glass of orange juice. "I had a transfusion and I've been sitting in bed, doing nothing but healing, like a good patient for the last two days. I may still be low on energy, but I'm not going to collapse at any given moment."
"I could still happen. Hypothetically." Spenser said, eyes alight with amusement and lips twitching upwards to smile again. The blonde found it very easy to smile around Theresa when she wasn't training him or putting up her mask of ice.
"Hypothetically, the Sun could suddenly stop shining and everyone on Earth would die a slow and miserable death." Theresa smirked at Spenser. "I'm not worried about their of those things happening."
"You can be very persuasive when you put your mind to it." He noted matter-of-factly.
"I didn't put my mind to it." Her smirk widened.
"That's a scary."
"I know, I know, I'm great and scary." Theresa nodded, picking around her carrots and peas. "Old news, Spenser, get over it and eat."
"They're all staring." Spenser noted, glancing around. He fiddled nervously with his fork.
"I can see that." Theresa glanced around, glaring harshly when she met someone's eyes. Quickly, the eyes watching them lessened.
"Doesn't it bother you?" He asked, keeping his eyes on his plate.
"No, why would it?" She frowned at him. What did bother her, was that it made Spenser uneasy. She shoved a spoonful of peas and carrots into her mouth, chewing slowly and looking around the cafeteria to glare at anyone that looked at them.
"I don't know, maybe because it could damage your reputation." The blonde still kept his eyes on his tray.
Theresa swallowed just before snorted, suddenly very amused as she turned her head to him. "Trust me, Spenser, being seen with you can only improve my reputation."
Spenser's eyes snapped to hers. "What does that mean?"
"You are a very . . ." She paused for a moment, gesturing with her spoon as she thought over her words. "-desirable bachelor amongst the majority of the woman on base. Our age and older."
He looked surprised. "Really?"
"Really." Theresa nodded with an amused smile on her face. Her smile dropped and a frown took its place as she watched Spenser's eyes flicker around nervously. "You really need to stop worrying so much about people think of you. You're never going to get anywhere if you let what people think of you hold you back or bring you down."
"How do you do it? How do you not care what people think about you?"
"Oh, that's easy." Theresa gave him a bright grin, forgetting about all the eyes that could see her smile at someone other than Bravo. After all, she doesn't care what they think of her. And she could easily deal with rumors. So, she let her smile shine at Spenser and told him how she's made it thus far. "People who doesn't know me, can't make a fully informed decision about me, so what they end up thinking of me - based on self-drawn conclusions, assumptions and the little bit they do know about me - doesn't bother me. And given the fact that I don't have a very high opinion of most people on this base, I can't exactly blame them."
Spenser's eyebrows rose. He didn't expect such a long and honest answer from her. "Huh."
Silence fell on them and while Theresa starting eating some more, Clay didn't. He just kept staring at his food as he was caught up in his thoughts. "Something wrong with your food?"
"No." The blonde shook his head. "Just wondering."
"About?" Theresa questioned with a light frown as she scooped up some mashed potatoes.
Spenser hesitated for a long while, "When I make it onto Bravo, could we be friends? Like, for real?"
Theresa stilled before she turned to her companion. Slowly. Eventually she replied to him. "I already answered that question."
"But-"
"Eat your veggies, Spenser, it's good for you."
AUTHOR'S NOTE: this was the longest Claresa scene yet (THANK YOU TO THE ONE WHO CAME UP WITH IT.) im shit with shipnames. i hope you enjoyed the chapter.