Apologies for the delays in updating this story! I have quite a bit written, just need to get it transposed in to . Here's a short precursor.
Present Day- 3:27 AM
Los Angeles
Deciding sleep simply wasn't coming, Hetty quietly slipped out of the AJ's arms and turned off her alarm set to go off at 4:00. Not wanting to wake him, she gathered her robe from the end of their large bed, wrapped it around her now chilled frame, and slid out from under the covers.
As she quietly padded towards the bathroom, she stopped at seeing the peaceful expression on her husband's face. Smiling gently, she walked over to the edge of the bed and placed a soft kiss on his cheek. Satisfied that he merely grinned in his sleep but didn't wake, she moved to the bathroom to get ready for her early briefing with the Director.
She was almost finished, having showered, dressed and applied a bit of makeup when there was a small knock at the bathroom door. Turning, she grinned upon seeing a bleary-eyed AJ step into the brighter light.
"I'm sorry if I woke you," she said softly.
"No…I turned over and you weren't there. I got worried," he said, moving forward and placing his hands on both her arms. "It's still early."
"I know," she answered. "I couldn't sleep…so I thought I'd get a head start on the day."
He waited a few seconds, surveying her appearance, before asking the question he had been worried about since falling asleep himself some hours ago.
"You're not too…sore…are you?" he asked cautiously.
"No, no," she assured him, looking up and offering him a small smile.
"And you would tell me if I…?"
"AJ…" she began, placing her hand in the middle of his chest, hoping to ease his worry, "…last night was…"
A blush began creeping up her neck as her eyes raised to meet his. She didn't have to say it…he understood.
AJ held her gaze for a moment before visibly relaxing. Wrapping his arms around her, he let out a sigh.
"I never want to hurt you," he whispered against her hair.
"I know," she replied quietly, squeezing him gently before pulling back. "And you didn't."
He nodded silently before rubbing a hand across his head. She could see he was still nervous, worried about something…and she hated that she was most likely the source of his concern.
"Why don't you try to go back to sleep?" she said, patting his chest lightly. "I'll put the coffee on before I leave."
"I'd rather you stay home today," he countered, letting go of her waist and placing his hands on his hips.
"And what good would that do?" she asked, turning back and running a brush through her hair.
"You could at least get some rest…I know you didn't sleep, Henrietta," he said, turning to lean against the bathroom counter and look her in the eye. "If you need to go in for the briefing, fine. But then come home."
She set the brush down and placed both hands on the counter, collecting her emotions before responding. While she knew it was just his concern overriding his logical thought, she was not one to be saddled at home all day. Never had been and never would be.
He studied her silently, his own arms crossed. He knew he was pushing her buttons…but something was off. Last night, she had shown him a vulnerability he had not seen before…vulnerability that frankly scared him coming from the strongest woman he'd ever met.
When she pushed back from the sink to stand straight, he didn't waver, simply raised an eyebrow at her before she could protest. If he were going to make anything clear, it was that this concern he had was warranted…and their discussion had only just begun.
