Disclaimer: I do not own the Fosters.
It had been a long day at work. Stef had spent the majority of her day doing paperwork and finally this afternoon she was able to go out on a patrol. As much as she was looking forward to this part of her day, it most defintly did not end the way that she had planned. As she and her partner decided to stop for coffee, they had seen some guy snatch an elderly womans purse and make a run for it. They had attempted to cut him off with the cruiser, but when that didn't work, Stef baled out of the car and headed after the suspect on foot while her partner went around the block trying to cut him off. She saw him run down an alley, and went after him. She ordered him to stop several times and as soon as it seemed like she had him cornered and he was going to cooperate, she found herself being hit. Stef was extremely well trained and attempted to take him down in the hand to hand combat that she seemed to be faced with, that was until he pulled a knife. She had managed to avoid most of the strikes, but he still managed to make a slice in her side and one on her face before she was able to get it away from him. It was about that time that her partner pulled in behind them and he got involved in the fight. The suspect managed to get a few good blows in on Stef, striking her in the ribs a few times as well as in the face with his hands. It was when she hit the ground that she felt him kick her in the ribs and then felt a huge weight fall on her as her partner took him down. It had definently not been a good day. If she didn't hurt enough from being beaten on and cut up, she definently hurt from having two rather large men land on top of her.
Soon, her partner had the suspect cuffed and handed off to other officers. The paramedics took a quick look at Stef and decided that she really needed to go to the ER. She decided that she needed to let Lena know that she was going to be late, but that she really didn't need to tell her why. It would only cause Lena to worry and she would know soon enough. Now all she had to do was hope that Lena wouldn't be completely furious with her for not telling her. She knew that Lena worried and didn't know how to make it so that she wouldn't other than just not telling her.
Before the paramedics took her to hte hospital, she pulled her phone out and hit the send button next to Lena's name. She held her breath and hoped that she could get through thsi without Lena suspecting anything.
"Hey Stef, what is going on?"
"Lena, honey, I am really sorry, but I am going to be really late tonight."
"Is everything okay?"
"Everything is fine, we just had to do an arrest and we have to get all of the paperwork filed tonight. I am really sorry."
Lena had a feeling that it was more than just what Stef was telling her, but she really didn't want to push. The sound of Stef's voice was enough to tlel her that something had happened, but when Stef was like this she knew that she wouldn't be able to get it out of her until they were face to face.
"Okay, I will save you a plate. I love you so much Stef. Stay safe."
"I love you too babe, and I will be. I will see you later or in the morning."
Both women hung up their phones. Lena knew that something was up with Stef, and Stef wasn't sure if she really managed to keep Lena from figuring out what was going on. There was something about the way that Lena had told her to be safe and that she loved her that made Stef figure that she really didn't buy what she was trying to sell her.
About that time, the paramedtics loaded Stef into the ambulance and they were on their way to the ER with her partner right behind them. As much as Stef hated to admit it, she was really starting to hurt from the beating and then realized something else, she was bleeding and hadn't even noticed it. He must have got her with the knife at some point, but she didn't recall when. This seemed to be the first time that she noticed it even though the paramedics had taped a dressing on it.
After arriving at the hospital, Stef was taken in to see the doctor and must have fallen asleep since the next thing she knew, she was in a room with her partner sitting by her bedside.
"Hey, what time is it?"
"Well, welcome back to the world sleepyhead," her partner cracked before answering her question, "Its about one in the morning."
"How long have you been here?"
"About six hours, the same as you."
The next thing he had to say definently took her by surprise.
"You know, you are one big idiot, Foster. You really shouldn't have lied to that girlfriend of yours."
"I don't need her to worry. She already strongly dislikes my job, I don't need to make it worse." Stef said. How could she worry Lena like this when it was really nothing.
About that time, the doctor came in and told her that she was really lucky. Besides a few bruised up ribs, she only had a shallow cut on her side and the side of her face from the blade. She had a headache from what she assumed was hitting her head on something and her face was a bit swolen up where the suspect had struck her, but the doctor told her that she would be able ot go back to work in a week or two. He then stitched up her cuts and the nurse got her discharge paperwork together.
Stef's partner decided that he would take her home since it wa salready really late and she didn't look like she was going to be able to drive much. They had given her some pain killers in the ER, but all she really wanted to do was go home. Now she just had ot figure out waht to tlel Lena.
When Stef managed to walk through the door, it was about 2:30 in the morning and she really hadn't expected anyone to be awake. She didn't want to disturb Lena so she thought about just sleeping on the couch. She slowly made her way into the kitchen to get a glass of water and then made her way into the living room. There she found Lena layig on the couch dozing. She started to make her way towards the stairs when she heard her lover's voice.
"Hey Stef, I didn't realize you were home. Why are you so late?"
This made Stef stop dead in her tracks. Now she knew that Lena would see her face and the way that she was moving slowly. She also knew that she need to make sure that Lena wouldn't freak out.
Without turning around, Stef started. "Hey Love, now I don't want you to be upset, but I just had a little run in with a suspect. "
About that time she turned around and heard a gasp escape Lena's mouth as Lena became completely awake at the sight of her bruised and battered girlfriend.
"Stef, why didn't you call me? When did this happen? Are you okay?"
"Lena, I'm fine. I just got a little bruised and a little cut up this afternoon. My partner drove me home, so there was no need to call and worry you."
"No reason? Stef, look at you? Wait, did you say this afternoon?"
"Yes love."
"You called me this afternoon and didn't even tell me."
"Babe, I didn't want you to worry and it really wansn't a big deal, I promise."
All of a sudden, Lena burst into tears. She couldn't believe that Stef had gotten hurt and didn't even call her.
Seeing Lena's reaction caused Stef's heart to sink a bit. Maybe she really should have called her, but she just didn't want her to worry. She made her way over to the couch where she took Lena in her arms. She winced when Lena bumped against the cut in her side and her bruised ribs, but Lena needed her comfort now, and that was all that mattered.
"I'm so sorry Love, I should have called. I just hate seeing you upset and I knew that you would be if you knew I got hurt. I promise I will call next time something like this happens."
Lena nodded into Stef's shoulder, but still couldn't manage any words. After about ten minutes, Lena's sobs had subsided and she finally pulled away from Stef, taking just a minute to kiss her before completely losing contact.
"Hey honey, I am really sorry, but I am so tired, could we head to bed," Stef asked with uncertainty in her voice. She didn't want Lena to feel like she was ignoring her, but she was also so tired that she could barely keep her eyes open.
"Of course baby, I'm sorry." Lena took Stef's hand and helped her up the stairs and into thier bedroom. There she sat Stef on the bed and startted to undress her. Once she had freed Stef's shirt, she saw all of the bruisng and the cut.
"Stef, how could you have held me downstairs for so long with all of these," she asked jesturing to the bruises.
"Honey holding you was all I wanted to do and it doesn't matter how much it hurt. It makes me feel better having you in my arms."
Lena continued to undress her girlfriend and then got her into her pajamas. She then helped Stef over to her side of the bed and pulled back the covers so that she could slip in. After turning off the lights, Lena made her way over to her side of the bed and climbed in. As worried and angry as she had been earlier, she was now just relieved to have the woman she loved laying in bed next to her. A smile came to her face when Stef slid up next to her and placed Lena's arms around her waist. This was what felt right. As much as Lena hated Stef's job, it was a huge part of her and she could never take that away from Stef. She just wanted to make sure that she was safe.
Lena held Stef in her arms all night. When morning came around, Stef was sleeping somewhat peacefully and so Lena decided that she would go an make some breakfast. After calling in to work to tell them that she was taking the day off, she made her way into the kitchen where she prepared some french toast and bacon for her lover. She made her way upstairs to find that Stef had awoken and looked even worse than the night before. She climbed into bed with her girlfriend and got her started on breakfast.
Once both women were done eating, Lena just held Stef. The feeling of being in Lena's arms was enough to make Stef feel very little pain, and she loved the fact that she felt so at home being held by Lena.
"Thank you Lena for taking such good care of me. I am really sorry that I didn't call you yesterday. I just hate seeing you upset and I thought that might be harder to handle than just living with the beating I took. I love you so much."
"I love you so much Stef. I just want to be able to be there for you when you need me. Speaking of which I have taken the next few days off so that I can stay home and care for you. You look like you are in a lot of pain. Next time, just know that I may worry, but I want to be by your side through everything."
"Thank you my love. You are always there for me when I need you."