Where I Belong.
"Gina?"
Gina's eyes flickered open a little, closing as soon as they'd opened. She tried again; desperately trying to fix her gaze on the person she could hear calling her name.
"Gina?" The voice repeated a little softer, a hand closing over hers. "You're alright now…"
Her expression darkened a little and she released a short groan of pain before her eyes gave in and allowed her to look up. "…Smithy?" she whispered.
The man's eyes creased into a soft genuine smile and he nodded, "The operation's over now." He squeezed her hand as tightly as he dare, smiling more as she returned the gesture. "You're ok…"
Smithy sighed softly and paced outside the room, waiting for the doctors to finish with Gina, glaring through the window. He hated feeling so useless, watching his friend suffer when there wasn't a thing he could do to stop it, or even make it easier for her. His posture stiffened as he saw her pull her arm from the doctors grip and give him an indignant glare, obviously in pain. The doctor apologised and lifted the clipboard from the end of Gina's bed, making a note on it, ignoring Gina's request for nicotine replacement therapy.
Smithy on the other hand - smirked and caught her gaze, wriggling an authoritive eyebrow at her, Gina smirking back at him and playfully rolling her eyes.
&&&
"Are you sure you should be in, ma'am?" Smithy followed her through the station like a dutiful puppy, holding the doors open for her, much to Gina's annoyance.
"Sergeant, I'm perfectly capable of sitting behind my desk and holding a pen, god knows I've had enough practise."
"I know." Smithy sighed and looked a little awkward. "I just think-"
"Don't." Gina cut him off. "It's dangerous. Especially for you."
Smithy chuckled and leant in her doorway, watching her settle and gather her bearings. "It's good to have you back, ma'am."
Gina glanced up and looked at him for a few seconds, before her lips softened into a smile and she winked at him, "Now sod off and do some work."
&&&
A little while later, Gina glanced up to see Smithy watching her from his office, immediately looking away once she caught his eye – as he had every other time she's caught him spying. She sighed and slowly pushed herself up to her feet and moved across to his office, standing in the open doorway.
"Sergeant."
"…It wasn't me."
"Smithy!"
Smithy sighed and dropped his pen, sitting back in his chair. "I don't think you should be in." he said plainly, knowing she'd appreciate him being blunt rather than sugar-coating it.
"I know you don't." Gina sighed and moved further into his office, slowly picking her steps and sitting on the edge of his desk, her hand cupping his cheek in a motherly fashion. "But you've known me long enough by know to realise I don't listen to you."
Smithy gave a dry chuckle and sighed, glancing up at her. "…Let me take you home, Gina?" he asked her softly. "You can tell me off all you want later – but…just get some rest." He held her gaze and softened his tone further, covering her hand with his. "...For me?"
Gina sighed and gave him a tired smile, "For you." She repeated with a soft nod, letting him help her stand, and not objecting to his arm being around her back as he led her outside to his car. "This isn't the end of it, Sergeant Smith." She challenged weakly, though a mischievous smirk lined her lips.
"I never believed it was, ma'am." Smithy chuckled softly, helping her in.