*PLEASE NOTE: This is sort of a second part one-shot of my series: Post-Covid: Undiscovered Variant (obviously based off of the Post-Covid special) So, there will be references to it, but if you haven't read it it shouldn't be hard to follow.

Very much wanted to do more adult Stendy from Post Covid, cuz it actually made me love them even more as adults. I needed to get fluff/angst energy out so enjoy!

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It had only been months. A few months since Wendy left Harvard and worked in the research department for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of Colorado. Moving back to South Park had been what she'd wanted for years now. Ever since she moved into Stan's place under a year ago and had been engaged since, time was counting down on their upcoming wedding. Stan had left two weeks prior for a Space Force coordinated moon travel from the Colorado base, and was to be expected home with the troops again soon.

Getting a call that there had been some kind of accident on Stan's shuttle on their way back caught her frozen in the middle of their living room. Being told they had no other news from the troops in space beyond that is what sat her down on their couch. Getting another call that there was an attacked explosion caused her tears to burst.

Still in her work clothes of a purple blouse, blue work skirt and o-belt of that day, Wendy couldn't breathe. Sat on the couch as her face heaved rigid breaths into her palms and cupped her falling tears. Wondering what she could've possibly done wrong to let her fiancé walk into this. All of Stan's missions were monitored, and all his missions were safely protocolled by the Space Force Marines. He was a sergeant, he knew what he was doing.

Our technology is too advanced for that.

I'm always gonna come back home.

"Dammnit, Stan-!" She continued to ball uncontrollably, more than she remembered ever doing in her life. She'd discarded her reading glasses to the coffee table in a hard slam, possibly cracking one of the lenses. Eventually having to lift her legs up onto the couch cushions and lie down as the heavy weight of her heart sunk her. No news had been declared but no news was still nothing. It couldn't...he wouldn't...

Her eyes stung as much as her heart. Unknowing of whether Stan was truly okay or not, but unknowing nonetheless. That was enough to presume the worst thing that could ever happen. An attack meant damage, and for all she knew Stan was far too close to the point of impact. Her trembling hand clawed the couch's cushion in agony, wondering how much longer she could stand the pain.

Doorbell rings buzzed through her crying, urgent knocking coming for the front door's other side. No less her friends who she called about the news. The problem was she couldn't bear herself to talk, let alone lift herself up to answer.

"Wendy?" Kyle called desperately. "Wendy, open the door."

She lifted herself with assembled strength, wiping her tears though they still shed. As she made way to the door, she still heard the concerns having trouble reaching her hurting head.

"Wendy," Heidi spoke. "Oh, Wendy, please answer.."

When she opened the door, that of her ashy-brown-haired friend looked at the woman, concerned. Wendy just barely made out the familiarity of Heidi's floppy ponytail brushed over the shoulder of her pear-green turtleneck. For both Heidi and her husband, Wendy's state wasn't one she liked to show too often. Even if a cry of her's was seen once in a blue moon.

Heidi caught her friend in her arms out of the fright that heaved at Wendy's chest. Kyle circled the two from behind as Wendy's tears shed into the material of Heidi's sweater. She couldn't take what this was doing to her...please, someone take it.

"I'm gonna stay with her tonight," Heidi whispered. "I'll call you and the kids in the morning."

Kyle nodded above Wendy's hiding head. "I'll make some phone calls."


Her emotion had gripped her so tightly, Wendy had eventually dozed off out of sickness. Waking up on her bed with only her mother's quilt laid over her while the rest of the bed was made. Still in her clothes from yesterday. Dried out of tears and left numb. She looked to the creeping sunlight of the bedroom window left open a crack by Heidi. The fresh breeze felt good but didn't kill this ugly thing rotting away at Wendy's core.

Wendy lifted herself, feeling the ache in her head alone from how much was poured from her system last night. How much still ached at her. She overheard the clattering of dishes down the hall of the single-floor house and figured Heidi made herself comfortable as a personal servant. Not feeling it was necessary to be served in any way, Wendy got up and brought the quilt with her.

The archway leading from the living room to the kitchen leaked with the aroma of bacon and eggs. Wendy approached as she clutched the quilt's ends tightly, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes and scratching the nest in her hair after sleeping both badly yet deeply from the chaos. She turned in on the kitchen to Heidi busy finishing up her cooking, looking over to her friend gently.

"Morning," Heidi said. "How d'you feel?"

"You don't have to do this.."

"Of course I do." Heidi said, handing her a glass of water. "Drink."

Wendy couldn't deny that her mouth felt like a desert. She pulled out a stool and sat at the center island as she took the glass.

"Coffee?"

"No, thank you," Wendy spoke hushed, scratching the sleepy mess of unwashed makeup from her under eyes.

"Okay," Heidi said serving a plate of the bacon and eggs in front of her. Wendy still rubbed her eyes and pretended to not see the dish, ignoring the fork Heidi offered her. Her friend looked at her sternly. "Wendy, you need to eat something."

Wendy took the fork and poked at her eggs. "Did they call..?"

"No, hon.."

Wendy closed her eyes, no tears escaped though on account of how much she rid the night before.

Heidi sat across from her, taking her free hand. "We're gonna keep an ear out. I called Bebe, she's gonna drive out from Denver as soon as she can."

Wendy responded with a bite of her bacon.

"It's gonna be okay.."

She swallowed, shifting from how it hurt against her raw throat. "And what if it isn't?"

"It will be," Heidi said. "We all love him, he'll make it home. Swear it."

Despite her hardest to fight, Wendy's downcasted gaze scrunched in pain. Eventually she widened her frown as she shakily lifted her palms to mask her tears. Heidi got up and came around the island to hold her friend.

"Oh, Wendy.." Heidi said. "I wish there was more I could do.."

"You've done so much.." Wendy assured her through her agony. "I-I just want to bring him home.."

"I know.." Heidi rubbed her back, hoping to send soothing waves through her. "I know.."

Wendy breathed against Heidi's shoulder, clutching her a little more tightly. "Are the kids, okay?"

"We haven't told them, yet.." Heidi said. "We don't want them to worry, right now."

Wendy nodded against her. Sweet little Adam and Ella shouldn't have to know just yet what could've potentially happened to their Uncle Stan. When there were actually more news to give, then would it be better to sit them down. Wendy could barely handle it herself, let alone the kids.

"Kyle is taking them for a hike near Stark's today, please go with them."

"I can't," Wendy said, pulling back and wiping her nose. As long as she was alive, she wasn't just gonna wait around for Stan to come home to her. Dead or alive. "I need to wait on the phone."

"That's what I'm here for." Heidi said. "Go breathe."


It had been a whole night and well into noon, and still no word since the attack. That could only mean so few options to Wendy and she was screaming internally. Agonized over where Stan could be. Mad she couldn't be there to stop it. Exhausted from feeling her world shake.

Stark's Pond hiking trail couldn't be more gorgeous that day. Not a cloud was seen and the sun warmed the leaves surrounding them amongst the path. It was completely ironic to Wendy considering everything. Even with how heavy her chest was and how much her head ached, seeing Adam and Ella in good health brought a sliver of golden light to all this. She and Kyle watched them run ahead on the hike's path as Kyle called every once and a while not to run out of sight. Wendy walked by Kyle, quiet for the most part. He offered an ear to listen but Wendy wasn't exactly up just yet for talking when she didn't know what else there was to say. Kyle wasn't exactly one to stray from an important conversation, though.

The group reconciled by the water of Stark's, again. Kyle and Wendy sat on one of the benches as Adam and Ella kicked a ball around. Ella came to offer Wendy a plucked flower, hugging her aunt before she ran off, again.

Wendy played with the small petals of the daisy between her fingers. "Bebe said she just left. I don't know about Kenny."

"He's stuck in one of his New York labs, he's trying to catch a flight." Kyle explained. "I'm keeping him on standby."

"Good, I don't wanna freak anyone else out."

Kyle looked to her.

"I need to go see Sharon and Randy," Wendy said. "I can't imagine what they're thinking right now.."

"It's great you want to, but it's so valid for you to take a breather."

Wendy smiled woefully at him. "If I don't, I'll be left to just deal with it more."

Kyle frowned. "Look, spare me," he turned to her. "Stan would want you to be taking care of yourself before you try to rectify everyone else's situation."

"Kyle, you know it's not that easy.." Wendy said. "Stan's base won't even tell me what the hell is going on.."

Kyle stared woefully at the grass, trying to think the positive but only having the worst scenario come to his mind. "I wish we knew where he was..."

Wendy nodded, placing Ella's daisy in her pocket.

"Jesus.." Kyle half-laughed mostly out of hysterical fear for his life-long best friend. "I can't imagine what he thought when it was happening.."

Wendy blinked back to the glossiness of her eyes. "I always told him, don't try to be a hero."

"We don't know anything yet," Kyle tried to assure. "And Stan's a survivor."

"Kyle.." Wendy closed her eyes, unsure just how real this was. "I can't.."

His arm took her by her opposing shoulder so she had support to lean against. Letting her head rest on him as his hand rubbed her arm to relieve her of this horrible pain neither could bear even as a double.

"He'll be home.." Kyle knew Stan. He knew his best friend well enough that he'd see this through to the other side. He just had to.


Shelly drove up from Pueblo as fast as she could earlier that morning. Wendy visited with her to see her and Stan's parents at Tegridy. Wendy needed not to be the only one worrying right now and look out for Randy and Sharon, as well. They were but weeks and weeks away from being her official parents-in-law. Even in Wendy's on and off relationship with Stan over the years, they had remained family as much as Stan did to Wendy.

She felt sick to her stomach that she couldn't do more. She sat in the porch room of the farm's house on one of the white wicker couches with Sharon's delicate hand clutched in hers, as Shelly sat across on the opposing couch with Randy.

"It's..It's not normal for something like this to happen," Sharon worried shakily, her hand still held by Wendy. She lifted her aging eyes across the way. "Is it?"

Randy downcasted his gaze. A dramatic man for the most part, but this excuse went beyond that. "I gave him a pat on the back last time I saw him."

Shelly shook her head. "Dad-"

"It could've been a hug."

Wendy gave solace by listening. It was unnatural for parents to see their children go before them. Wendy could barely handle what she didn't know, she couldn't imagine how Sharon and Randy felt dangling on this thread. As Sharon's hand tightened on hers, she subconsciously squeezed back in automatic assurance. Sometimes, being the rock helped Wendy distract herself from her own pain. Maybe too much as Kyle would put it.

"When did you last speak to him?" Wendy asked Shelly.

"Probably a text telling him he was a dumbass.." she said. "Something along those lines."

Wendy faintly smiled.

"But, they have communications to the ship," Sharon continued to question out loud to herself. She looked to Wendy. "Have they told you anything else?"

"No, Sharon, I'm sorry.." Wendy hated to inform. "Just that they'd get to me with something soon."

"Something soon," Randy snarled under his breath. "Like those bozos know anything when something like this happens."

"Randy," Sharon worried.

"I always told him the soldiers on the other receiving end get shit."

Shelly faintly rolled her eyes. "And he's told you they prepare for a reason. A hundred times."

"Stan would know what to do," Wendy attempted to ease. "He'd have to."

Randy raised his older eyes to her. "He's got that Marsh fighting blood. Stubborn."

"Like you," Sharon reminded.

Shelly nodded to herself. "I've always thought it got us into trouble.."

Wendy looked down, masking the stinging in her eyes.

"He's always been like that," Sharon reminisced. "But, in such a modest type of way."

Shaking off her pain, Wendy returned to being a rock. "Can I do anything else for you guys?"

"No, thank you, Wendy...I think we all just need to process." Sharon said. "I can hardly eat or sleep."

Wendy looked between her and Randy. "Can I make you dinner, then?"

"Oh, no," Sharon said. "You go home and rest."

She frowned frailly. "I wish I could."

"You can stay here if you're too tired."

Wendy beamed from Sharon's generosity. "Thank you, but I guess I should wait on Stan."

Randy shifted uncomfortably.

"Oh, Randy, I'm sorry-"

"No," He attempted to assure. "There's just a lot I regret."

Shelly had trouble withholding her tears, leaning against her father as he took her shoulder in a hug. "Dad, please don't..."

"I feel the same.." Wendy spoke in a hush. "Hell, I wish I'd give him a reason to always fight."

"Honey," Sharon reached her other hand to Wendy's that held her's. Her maternal smile consolingly reached Wendy. "We know how important you are to Stanley. He couldn't think of a reason not to come back."

Wendy looked down at Sharon's gentle touch of the engagement ring hugging Wendy's finger.

"I suppose now is as good as any time to tell you," Sharon said. "We're so happy you're part of this family."

Wendy looked around them. "I feel happy just to be.."


Nightfall hit over South Park when it felt like it had been night forever for a very brave sergeant. Shock and recollection still cycled through his brain and his body felt too tired to move, left wearing only military slacks and a jacket thrown over his tee. His head reeled painfully as he rested in the passenger's seat of the car, receiving a ride home from one of his co-soldiers who lived in Colorado Springs. With their injuries pulled through pretty easily by standby medics, they'd actually gotten off luckier than some who had to be hospitalized in comparison. He'd hate to think what would've happened if he hadn't pulled Rogers out of the airlock immediately after his own hit to the head. What would've happened if Petes hadn't hit the button to close the damn thing and block off the damage. So many things that kept the soldier wide awake in his return to earth with only a smidge of connection left to their main units back at the base. Now, as the night lights of South Park's streets past the car window, the soldier couldn't think how he'd been able to stand the last few hours since getting off the ship and given leave once his injuries were sustained. Hell, if that head injury had been any worse maybe he'd need extensive care.

"Stan?"

He rubbed his hand to his eyes, warding off the headache. "Hm?"

"Which way?"

Stan blinked in trying to recollect direction, pointing ahead. "Get off Main street here on the left."

When the light turned green, his fellow soldier did so.

"I should've stayed behind with Petes, see how she's holding up," Stan said.

"Her husband met with the medics at the hospital," his friend explained. "You have a family to get to, too. We all do."

The car pulled off Main street, continuing along until directed to turn right. Stan watched the familiar housing go by in the car's now slow drive, not sure how he was gonna explain himself at all to those he loved. His phone was far dead, and all he'd thought about was getting home as soon as he could after checking in with other soldiers on the mission.

"Just up here," Stan motioned to a cute one-story coming up. As the car pulled to a stop in front of it, Stan looked at his home in the shape of the night. Thinking briefly how he'd almost thought maybe last he was here would've been the last time.

"Isaak," Stan turned to the driver, holding a hand out that he shook. "Dude, thanks."

"Anytime," he nodded, genuine in his gaze. "Glad you made it back."

Stan opened the passenger's door, as he went to the back to retrieve his duffle bag and throw it over his shoulder. He came back around to the opening as he peered inside. "Let me know when you're with the kids."

"If I can make it to the phone."

Stan smiled, shutting the door as he backed up. The engine started up again and he watched his fellow soldier off into the night from where he stood. Hesitant from his tiredness and assured as he turned back to look at the quiet standing of his house.

Sometimes he wondered if his life was a true reality, but this whole experience put that in check. As he dragged his feet up the pathway and onto the porch steps, he shrugged his duffle further up his shoulder. Not waiting for shit as he opened the door.

Those of their friends who lived in South Park, along with the visiting additions of Bebe and Shelly, gathered in Stan and Wendy's living room. Expecting less response out of Wendy right now since she excused herself to take a minute in the bedroom. Most likely warding off the migraine she was developing.

Kyle nodded mid-conversation as Stan entered. "Yeah, Kenny's stuck in New York still, he-" he stopped from the door's obvious opening.

Tweek, being the first to notice, clutched Craig's arm in the process. "Stan."

The door just barely closed as sleep-deprived and sickly worried eyes all turned to their friend. Standing there as if he were home from just another trip of military duties.

"Jesus Christ," Kyle said as others quickly got up with him. Kyle rushed over as Stan walked up to him, swinging his free arm around him in his best friend's greeting hug. "Stan, holy crap.."

"I'm fine.."

"Oh, thank god," Heidi said as she hugged him. "We were so worried..."

"I'm okay, I swear.." Stan said, receiving a circle of grateful friends around him. He shared a pat with Token and let his duffle bag drop to the floor.

"Well, what happened..?" Butters asked, bewildered as anyone by his sudden appearance.

"I'll get there.." Stan said, reeling the past day over and over in his head again. He looked around at the others. "You guys didn't have to wait here."

"Are you kidding? What else were we gonna do?" Clyde reminded.

While Stan dedicated a lot of himself to make sure he wasn't worried over, he couldn't look past the love and support of his friends. Friends who had been in his life for god-knows how long by now. "Thanks, I mean it."

"You're a fucking viking, dude," Craig said, reaching in for a hug Stan accepted. "Thank god."

He received more gratefulness all around, pulling away from Bebe to look past her at his sister. "Shelly?"

On the verge of tears, but fighting them nonetheless, she waited as her little brother approached and hugged her tightly. Sniffing softly into his dirtied uniform jacket and wanting to hold him but punch him all at the same time.

"I'll kill the crap out of you if you scare me like that, again.." Shelly shivered.

Stan's hand rubbed her back, looking into the air with sad vacancy. "I know, Shel. I'm so sorry.."

"Did you call mom and dad..?"

"My phone's been dead since landing, I just sped home when they let me go," He pulled back from his sister, noticing one obvious absence. "Where's Wendy?"

"In the back, she needed to lay down." Shelly said. "Oh, she's gonna be so relieved, you have no idea."

Stan gripped Shelly's shoulder, but brushed passed her. Knowing he had other important matters at hand still. "I'll be back, thanks guys."

His friends left him to it while the relief sank them back into the living room's comfort. Stan went down the familiar hall leading to the master as he could only imagine where to begin with all this. He barely knew how to speak it to his chosen family back there, let alone now.

Grappling the shut bedroom's knob, he twisted it gently and entered the dark room. Seeing her resting figure that sent a soothing wave through his chest. Her back was to the door from her side of the bed as she faced the moonshine pouring in from the window. Wrapped in her mother's quilt and Stan couldn't tell if she'd tuckered herself out or not.

"I'm okay, Shelly.." Wendy muttered in a tear-stained voice. Though her voice was ridden with grief, Stan wanted to hear her again. Having not spoken to her since their last call before the attack.

He approached her bedside, coming to her front where her eyes remained closed but branches of tears stained her cheeks. She kept a fist wrapped tightly underneath the quilt tucked closely to her chin. Stan sat by her knees, creating an indent in the mattress though Wendy still didn't open her eyes. As if trying to ward off the bad dreams of real life.

When his hand brushed her hair away from the exposed part of her cheek, his familiar touch poked Wendy's senses. Making her eyes fly open and ignite with the utmost revelation by one look at him.

"Stan-" she sniveled, rising to her seat with almost horror in her shock. Her hands grasped his face in a moment of wondering if it was a trick of truth. But the brush of his skin and familiar stubble of his five o'clock shadow underneath her hands proved it to be real to her.

Stan's eyes looked just as frightened for her. He sealed the proof with a hand gently taking her by the back of her head and urging her forward in a pressing kiss. Tears leaked through her sealed eyes as she still gripped his face and his arms moved to hold her upper body close. Her hands fell to his shoulders with what room she had in his slowly wrapping hold as the string of affection continued.

"O-Oh god, I thought-" Wendy didn't have time to speak as he kissed her in between. "I thought-"

His continued pecks made it helpless, and she sighed against their entanglement. Stan pulled back only barely to mutter into their shared breath.

"Wendy, I'm so sorry.."

Her hands found his face again as she gave him another kiss. "Don't you dare be.."

His arms looped around her shoulders and torso as the relief weighed them to the bed. Wendy kept close against his chest while his face masked itself in her hair. Certain neither wanted to be nowhere but here again.


"Another country's military in space," Stan explained to his friends in the living room. He sat closest to Wendy at the end of the couch with his hand laced in hers against her knee. "They had an automatic chemical laser satellite protecting their path to the moon to keep their fleets safe. It was just to shoot any stray opposing satellites or rocks."

"How'd it get you?" Kyle asked.

"Our coordinates were just off for our path slightly, somehow. I don't know why their machine is that close anyway," Stan said. "I don't think it could've been a coordinated attack. It's supposed to sense satellites, not shuttles."

Wendy buried her face to Stan's shoulder, trying not to relive the agony of thinking the worst of what could've been.

"It struck our backway," Stan said. "The airlock was strong enough to block off the room, but our signal was cut off until miles before the exosphere. The entire back crumbled to bits from that one shot."

"Is everyone okay?"

"Rogers' has a concussion. Pete's, she's in the hospital.." Stan said. "My head got thrusted against the opposing wall, I lost consciousness in and out for a minute. No internal bleeding though."

"What if you're concussed.." Wendy reminded.

"I'll keep an eye on it."

Wendy's phone buzzed on the coffee table, though she refused to let her hand leave Stan's.

"Who is it?"

"Your mother."

"I guess we should give you guys space," Craig said as he gently took Tweek's hand in rising as others followed. The hour was well spent reconciling with their returned soldier, but it was time everyone got the rest they all lost. As the doorbell rang, Stan and Wendy rose while still attached.

"Cartman," Kyle said, going to get the door. He opened to meet with the recently new tow worker. "Dude, hey. Stan's home."

"Hey, good," He entered, trying not to show too much concern. With his life only turned to a new start recently, this accident caught Cartman at a difficult time. He'd been meeting with potential lawyers all day to help him out with his community housing, so he wasn't able to get over here 'till then. "Stan?"

Stan made sure it was okay to leave Wendy's side before coming to Cartman's front as he was met in a bro hug. "Hey, man.."

Cartman pulled back. "Gave us a freaking scare there, dumbass.."

It was worth cracking a small smile. "I imagine." He looked to the others as he stood by Shelly who nodded to him in reminder. "I don't mean to break this up, but my parents are freaking out."


In the homey kitchen of the hemp farm's house, the Marsh family sat at the picnic-styled table centre room. Assured in their silence that they needed the moment to process. Stan sat beside his fiancée nearing the familiar 'Hemp Sweet Hemp' sign underneath the arrangement of white kitchen cabinets. Across sat his older parents, with Shelly to his left at the table's head. Wendy stared at her mug of tea, rubbing her finger tightly against its china to prevent herself from striking another emotional nerve.

"Have you spoken to your parents?" Randy decided to ask her.

She refrained from her small action. "Yes, they've been calling on and off all day. I told them to get some sleep."

"You should, too," Stan said, perceptive of the ache in her eyes. "I should check in with Rogers and a few others."

"Stanley.." his mother worried.

"Just a check-in."

"Stanley, please," Sharon held half her face in her palm. "You're not doing yourself well if you don't put yourself first for a night."

Stan scratched the faint greying of his sideburn, trying to muster more patience for his parents' sake. "I will, I'm not the only one though."

"I don't think you're looking at this as much as you should," Shelly called out quietly, clutching her tea tightly in both palms.

Stan rolled his eyes up slightly. "Like I said, I'm not the only one. It was a whole team on that shuttle."

Wendy stared down as her frustration made her only more restless.

Stan shook his head. "It was just was a bump."

"That's not a bump," Wendy muttered harshly.

He looked to his right at her.

"We work on things every day. It's stuff like this that reminds us that we need to build for better protection." Stan said, unable to grasp Wendy's avoiding gaze though he tried. "Okay?"

"And then next time?" Wendy doubted. "You don't just crash on the side of a road. You're in outer space."

He didn't respond and just stared at the table's checkered tablecloth.

Randy blinked. "Stan?"

"Yeah?"

"Remember the code of Tegridy?"

Stan pressed his eyes closed in high annoyance. "Dad, not now. Please."

"Go back to simple living when things mattered. Like hard work, and..?"

"..tegridy', I know." Stan reminded.

"It's multi-meaningful," Randy said.

"I got that..."

"Appreciate simple living," Randy said, capturing Stan's attention. "Hold off the phone calls for one night?"

Stan held his gaze before nodding with a blink. "Okay."

"Will you guys stay over? You don't have to drive back to your house." Sharon asked.

Stan avoided the plead in his mother's eyes. "I don't know, I kinda just wanna be in my own bed."

"Please spend the night? Shelly is, too." Sharon begged. "There's enough space in your old room for you and Wendy, and-"

"Sure, mom." Stan said, reaching his hand to her's to calm her. He looked at Wendy. "Right?"

"Of course."

Sharon nodded through highly-stressed relief, clutching her son's palm. "Sometimes a night under the same roof is just what we need."


Stan felt Wendy move in the night, figuring she was going to the washroom. He slept in boxers and a white tee while Wendy borrowed a blue tee nightie from Shelly as they fit together cozily in Stan's childhood bedroom.

He drifted in and out of sleep, still recalculating what had happened over the past twenty-four hours. He didn't know how long he'd gone back to sleep since Wendy got up an came back to bed. He tried sleeping facing the wall as he shut his eyes, turning in an exhausted groan for something comfier. His arm reached where he expected her familiar warmth to be, but was met with only the fitted sheet. He opened his eyes to see her part of the comforter tossed and disbanded while left with only the imprint of where his fiancée once was. Gone for longer than just a bathroom break.

Stan threw his hand to his side. "Wendy.."

The empty room responded with nothing, and he rolled onto his back. Rubbing his eyes and sitting up slowly to adjust.

As she sat outside hugging herself on the front porch's step, her focal gaze was lost in the vast field's barely lit blanketing from the tint of the moon. The wind was brisk that night and settled the headache that kept Wendy awake. As the screen door squeaked slightly, it only startled her a bit though she remained in her spot. The breeze surpassing the Marsh farm settled nicely on her skin as she breathed it in. Though the self-clutch of her arms and goosebumps of her skin didn't go past Stan.

"It's freezing, come back inside."

Her clutched figure shifted on the old step. "I just need to breathe a bit."

Stan had her right in front of him, and yet somehow felt as if she were miles away from his reach.

"Wendy," he ushered gently. "Come talk to me."

"I'm fine.."

She would have to play a lot smarter if she was gonna convince Stan of anything. Neither of them were short of brains, and both knew how to read each other to a peg. It kept them on their toes, but never let them get away with acting fine when they weren't.

Wendy paid numbing attention to the creak of the old step that Stan stepped onto, lowering himself to sit down by her. Sharing the cold with her if she wasn't gonna come out of it.

"I never always liked spending nights here.." He said. "When my parents bought the farm when I was a kid it just made things complicated."

Wendy stared off into the fields' night basked with tiny dots of fireflies sneaking a peek above the grass and growing pot. "At least its beautiful.."

"Yeah." He said. "So, you wanna tell me anything?"

Wendy hugged the warm cotton of the nightie against her, keeping protected from the night air. "Do you?" She said. "I know the others are still in trouble. You wouldn't leave the phone alone."

"Gia Petes."

"Is she okay?"

"She's not doing well in the hospital. I think head trauma."

"Permanent..?"

Stan said nothing. Wendy closed her eyes in affliction. Torn by how both a soldier and friend of Stan's didn't need to suffer for simply doing her job. "I'm so sorry, Stan...I wish I could do more.."

"It's okay, there's nothing you could."

"It's just gonna make me worry when you go, again."

Considering it was his job, that wasn't the most reassuring. "That might be a problem"

She huffed in a slight laugh though her worry made Stan rise from the step. She watched as he went and kneeled before her seat and took her by her knees gently.

"I need to keep going back."

"I know that."

"But would you still wanna marry me?"

"Yes," Wendy breathed, taking his hand tightly. "Oh my god, how could I not?"

Stan shook his head. "Sorry, it's just.." he pondered. "It's not easy leaving you knowing something could happen here, too."

Wendy's eyes went adrift in thought. "That's fair.." her hand squeezed Stan's and he looked up at the panic hugging her eyes. "God, I just can't get the idea of you being so close to that impact. What if you'd been closer? You-"

"Wendy, I know," Stan's other hand laid over theirs' intertwined. "But, I'm fine. More than fine."

Despite his attempts, Wendy stared at him in concern. "That's not enough.."

"Wendy-"

"I said I wasn't gonna be the kind of partner who stresses every time you leave for mission," her hands ripped from his to hold her face in softening the ache of her pounding heart. "A-And now I've let you walk into this. I wouldn't be able to take it-"

"Babe, you have the right to worry. But there's nothing you have to for, it's over-"

"You're a sergeant, Stan!" She cried. "If they need someone to take a bullet, or blow of an impact of a fucking shuttle attack, who is gonna be at the front of that war?"

His hand grabbed hers, giving her no choice to pull it back by its strength as his eyes pierced into hers. "I will always come home. Fuck, you think I don't worry about you when I'm away?"

"I'm not miles away in the galaxy."

Wendy gasped slightly by the way Stan's other hand tugged at her forearm to bring her closer. Keeping her still as stone as she didn't mean to scare him the way she let her own fear consume her.

"You know our history as well as I do," he reminded. "Don't act like you don't have a reason for me to be scared for you. Accident or whatever the hell in a lab."

Wendy blinked her eyes closed, slowing her fear down as Stan casted his gaze to her knees and back. Lifting his fingers to brush away a dark lock draping over her shoulder and rubbing the cold cheek of his beautiful bride-to-be.

It's taken tooth and nail for them to get here, and he couldn't bear the thought of suddenly losing her. The incident with Goodwin back at Harvard had been a close call and already dreadful enough, but he'd been with her the whole time to see things were under control. To imagine her suddenly being gone without a chance to blink...he couldn't blame her for feeling the same.

Stan took the hem of her nightshirt by her knees, allowing Wendy to move her arm in suspicion as he gently rolled it up. "What are you doing?"

He stared intently at the fading stitch marks of where she'd been shot on her lower left quadrant. Said to stay there most likely for the rest of her life. A reminder of her chance to survive after saving the world, probably for the billionth time. Yet an ill reminder for Stan of how that fight ended with a trip to the ER and a lot of blood loss for Wendy. Something in the history books now, but still painted fresh in memory. Just as this accident would end up.

She carefully watched his gaze scan the scar, of what looked like a small circle of the skin indicating the bullet's original entrance. Stan's two fingers touched it gently as Wendy still stared at him orbiting his soft touch.

His eyes looked up in resenting his nightmares. "You think I don't have those same fears, too?"

She blinked sadly. "Of course not.."

Stan looked at the scar, and to reel him from the distraction, Wendy took his grip on her shirt and lowered it. Getting him to look at her by the small touch of his chin. "I'd rather be close to you for something like this than a billion miles away. What if there's no chance the next time?"

"There won't be a next time," his hands held her knees in soft strokes. "I won't let it."

Wendy frowned. "Stan, there are so many things in this world that are bigger than us. And you don't exactly have a record of keeping away from them."

Stan smiled, leaning down to kiss one of her hands. "You're one to talk."

His fiancée grinned faintly. "Still.."

Stan's hand laced with her's against her knee. "We can do it.."

Wendy knew that was true. Through hell and high water, they've made it. This was too scary of an event though for Wendy to just look past. As she stared into her love's assuring gaze, she gently clutched the material of her tee. Tugging at the point of the target on her quadrant.

Stan eyed her movement. "I was scared on the shuttle. But you and everyone gave me a reason to fight."

"I wish I was there.."

"I'm so glad you weren't.." Stan urged. "Listen, this accident is only going to make our safety stronger. That's our priority, you've gotta believe that."

Wendy had no other choice to offer. "I will, in time.." she said. "It's just hard.."

Stan's gaze dove deep to her knees again, feeling his heart plunger in thinking of the worst. Had something happened to him, he couldn't think about what he would've done to Wendy. Promising this life together that they were ready to build only to leave her high and dry right away.

And if the tables were turned...he would never forgive himself.

"I know, baby.." he murmured. "It's just got me thinking if it were reverse.."

Her brow knitted together in worry. "Oh, hon. Please don't think that...I'm fine."

Stan couldn't help but dig himself in deep. Truthfully, the events of the last twenty-four hours only gave him a reason to fear losing people in his life. Losing the woman of his dreams.

"It's so stupid.." something deep in his voice struggled as his jaw clenched, his eyes not looking at Wendy directly now. "Because you're right here...it's so stupid.."

"Sweetie.."

He aggressively fought the gloss that layered over his eyes with a scowling brow. "I can't...Jesus, I can't handle something like that. This whole damn thing just made it worst..."

Wendy's heart hurt at his struggle. "I promise you won't have to.."

He blinked his eyes. "I.."

The first tear to go over the bridge trailed down his cheek.

"Stan.." Wendy leaned forward as her fingers wiped away the lot of tears that came down now. Stan's shriveled brow looked downwards as his fist clutched Wendy's other hand like a life preserver against her lap.

"Shit.." he muttered shiveringly. "Goddamn it.."

Her thumb stroked over his tight grip, with no indication of letting go. "I know.."

He pinched his tearing eyes by the bridge of his nose as a small moan pierced through the air.

Wendy reeled his head in closer to her chest, closing her eyes softly to his hair as his other hand grabbed hold of her hip in a terrified clutch.

"You're so valid to feel scared.." Wendy whispered. "You know that.."

"I-I wouldn't be able to stand it.." Stan said. "It's not like I could stand leaving you behind, either..."

Her hand caressed through his hair to get him to look up, again. She held his face gently as adoration buried softly in her eyes.

"I can have faith that we'll see through these accidents...and stop fearing life.." Wendy said. "I just need yours, too."

She broke her other hand free to use both to wipe the tears from his face. Softly holding him as he blinked; "Don't ever leave.."

Her lips curved in a teary smiled, reeling his face forward as their lips intact and Stan held her by the waist in her seat. They drew more kisses as Stan lifted them both to stand so he could draw Wendy closer as she wrapped her arms around his neck. Nuzzling his cheek and kissing the side of his face.

"Stan.." she soothed with her voice. "Oh, honey. I love you.."

Stan held her closer once she drew her lips back from his skin, caressing the soft cotton of her nightie as he buried his face to her neck gently. "God..I love you."

The crickets' gentle tune and whistle of the wind around them suddenly sounded less mocking and more romantically peaceful. Making a slumber seem more reasonable for them now.

"I offered to make your parents dinner.."

Stan opened his eyes.

"It's a good thing they said no, 'cuz I suck at it."

He rumbled in soft laughter against her neck, pulling back and giving another tender kiss to her lips. Wendy smiled against it as she let him lead her back inside for a rest well needed.


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There we have it! I would love to do more adult Stendy from Post Covid, whether that means other stories or making this one-shot into another series. Idk, we'll see!

-McSgwizzle