Chapter Seventy: Coming Home

I'm coming home
Tell the world I'm coming home
Let the rain wash away all the pain of yesterday

P Diddy - Coming Home

The hot water felt glorious on Maggie's aching flesh as she stood beneath the monsoon shower head, running her fingers through her wet hair to rinse out the remaining traces of conditioner. Her fair skin had turned a healthy pink color under the scalding hot water as it soothed away the aches and pains from the previous day. She'd lost track of how long she had been soaking under the shower, it had given her the time and mental space to collate a list of her bruises. Her entire right side was a patchwork of dark shades, spanning up from her ankle along her thigh, over her hip marring her torso, arm and shoulder. The colors faded into yellow with light brown splotches blending in with the purple and black. Most of it was from when she took a tumble down the stairs with that asshole Orion, the rest was from the beating she had taken from the Chinese gang member. It had been a long time since she'd been hit like that, she hadn't realised how much Antonio had been pulling his punches when the two of them spared together. She'd have to speak to him about that when he got back, he had been underestimating her abilities. She was proud of how she'd fought yesterday, she was battered to hell but Will Halstead had given her the all clear when it came to internal bleeding and broken bones.

The agony was manageable, she'd taken a couple of pain killers every four hours to offset the tenderness in her muscles and joints. The good news was that she was still alive, the pain was a requisite of that, a healthy reminder that she could have ended up in the morgue.

She felt like she'd gotten a new lease of life this morning and she thought that had something to do with Gabriel's visit last night. Her brother knew how to get her through her darkest days and she was glad that Al had called him. Gabriel had been the only constant throughout the duration of her life, no matter what happened they could lean on one another and trust that everything was going to turn out alright in the end.

Maggie turned off the water before stepping out of the shower cubicle and wrapping a plush navy blue towel around her naked body. It took her a few minutes to towel herself off before changing into a grey Nickleback shirt and black pajama shorts. She bundled her damp hair up into a messy bun before hanging up the towel and leaving the bathroom.

It was the soft sound of even breathing that caught Maggie's attention as she stepped into the living room. She circled around the side of the sofa, a small smile gracing her pretty features as her eyes came to rest upon Antonio Dawson. He was still wearing that olive green hat of his, his head tipped back against the couch, his dark eyes closed. His usually clean shaven face was lined with dark stubble. His arms were folded over his chest as she watched the even raise and fall of his diaphragm.

His black holdall was resting on the floor alongside his feet. Maggie slipped onto the couch beside her lover's sleeping form, she pursed her pert pink lips together before blowing a breath of air gently into his ear. Antonio shivered involuntarily at the intrusion before those beautiful brown eyes of his flickered open.

"Hey." Maggie said softly, propping her head up with one hand. "Let's get you into bed."

Antonio nodded drowsily, clasping Maggie's hand as she gently pulled him to his feet. Their connection thrummed to life as their fingers entwined, it made his heavy heart grow lighter as his body came in contact with hers, those familiar curves fitting against him just right. She felt perfect, every inch of her was warm and welcoming as he wrapped strong arms around her lithe form drawing her to him. Maggie looped her arms around his waist, burying her face into the confines of his broad chest as she held onto him as tightly as she could.

"I missed you." He whispered as her wet hair brushed across his grizzled cheek.

He inhaled her delicate floral scent, his muscles unfurling as her gentle fingers caressed the curve of his spine. He could feel himself beginning to relax under her ministrations, the misgivings of the past few days seeping away as he clung to her. It still amazed him that Maggie had this power over him, she had a way of soothing his soul that he had never imagined could be possible. Her lips grazed his earlobe lightly, sending a delicious thrill tingling through every single one of his nerve endings as she spoke.

"I missed you too."

Hey guys, it has been a very long week but the good news is I have the weekend off and the next couple of weeks shouldn't be so bad (fingers crossed)

Anime: I think we all missed him, I just want to hug him now he's back and be like never leave! You have to let me have some fun with you :p I think Gabe has one big one that no one knows but it just endears you rather than anything else. I think Antonio still has a trick or two left up his sleeve.

Lauren: I'm glad it gave you such a physical reaction. I loved Cooper and his friendship with Mike Diaz during that ep however I am excited for you to see what comes of this case. I think it's safe to say both Antonio and Maggie will be able to forget it.

Tiffany: He's back! Our boy is back and now they are back together again! Thank you for your kind words.

Soccer: Finally they are back together again but for how long?