Chapter 14

Nicole had been trying all morning to get alone with Waverly. She hadn't really got to talk to her since she had been shot. Every time she would walk into Waverly's room someone was there. First Doc so Nicole volunteered to go get everyone
some breakfast. Then Dolls was there but Wynonna shooed him away. She went back after lunch hoping Wynonna had left and her heart leaped until she saw Waverly's eyes dart to the bathroom and there was a flush. Her heart ysank and she didn't
hide it from her face this time.

"The flush power on that thing is amazing." Wynonna said walking out of the bathroom buttoning her pants. "Where was that when I was in juvie?"

"Hey 'nonna?" Waverly asked sweetly.

"What's up kid?" Wynonna looked up and saw Nicole, "oh hey Haught-stuff, how's it hanging?"

"Low and to the left." Nicole replied cooly. Wynonna shot her a surprised smile and was about to retort until Waverly spoke up again.

"'Nonna, could you maybe run out to the homestead and get me some clothes in case I get discharged?" Wynonna gave her a strange look. "No I'm not going to sign myself out again." Waverly responded to the look.

"The doc said you'd be in here a couple more days, baby-girl."

"I know, you know me. I like to plan ahead," Waverly replied with a soft smile and a shrug of her shoulders. "Plus, you could really use a shower." Waverly raised her eyebrows as she teased her sister. Wynonna narrowed her eyes at her
and then turned her head sideways and took a big sniff. She turned back to Waverly and then walked over to the chair her jacket was laying on, and scooped it up. She walked up to Waverly's bed.

"I'm not going because I agree with you, but because I know your stubborn and won't rest until you have the next 3 days planned out." Wynonna said giving her sister a wink. "Later Haught-pants, don't try any funny business while I'm gone." She waved
at Nicole on her way out. Nicole looked at Waverly quickly and Waverly just shrugged. And then a smile creeped over her face.

Nicole couldn't help but smile down at the little brunette. She walked over to the bed as Waverly scooted over to make enough room for Nicole to sit beside her. She sat on the bed facing the little brunette. They sat there saying nothing
for the first few moments just smiling at each other. Nicole took in a deep breath and as she let it out her smile faded and all the emotions she was holding in flooded her face. Fear, worry, anger, concern. She couldn't name them all
and most important were her feelings for Waverly. Feelings she felt but wasn't sure she was ready to admit just yet. Nicole closed her eyes trying not to let everything out. She felt a soft hand on her cheek.

"Hey," Waverly whispered softly to her. "It's ok. I'm ok." She smiled up at the major as she opened her eyes to look at her. Nicole could feel tears pooling in her eyes, but she refused to cry. She needed to be strong for Waverly, she
was the one lying in the hospital bed. When she saw Waverly's smile she melted.

"I thought I lost you." Nicole said with a dip of her head. "I was so scared." Waverly hooked a finger under Nicole's chin and pulled her up and towards her face.

"Come here." She whispered. Nicole leaned forward and Waverly leaned just a little but enough that Nicole knew what she wanted. She pressed her lips against Waverly's soft ones. She started to pull away but Waverly was pushing deeper
into the kiss. And so did Nicole. Waverly's hands found their way on to Nicole's cheeks and they held her there while Waverly kissed her. Waverly kissed her until Nicole could feel her shoulders, that she didn't even know we're tense,
relax. Waverly kissed her until she felt her body melt into her. Waverly kissed her until all those feelings of worry, of fear, of doubt, started to vanish. Waverly kissed her.

Waverly pulled back but held Nicole's head right where it was. She leaned back just enough to look into those beautiful brown eyes, and smile. Nicole smiled back, and then brought her hands up to grab and gently hold Waverly's forearms. Waverly
smiled and Nicole looked into those eyes and she was sure she was a puddle of goo right about now. The way Waverly made her feel was like no one else could. Waverly just kept smiling and Nicole's smile continued to grow until her dimples
popped out.

"There they are," Waverly said with a wink. Nicole shook her head and blushed. 'This woman' she though to herself. Nicole finally pulled Waverly's hands down from her face and held them in her lap.

"Waves," Nicole said with a sigh, "what were you thinking going into that camp?" Nicole's emotions were coming back. Waverly thought for a moment. Her reasoning was silly, she knew that, but it was her reasoning none-the-less.

"Everyone has their role in Black Badge," Waverly sighed. Nicole looked at her quizzically. Waverly guess she would have to explain. "Dolls, Dolls is always the boss, the man in charge. The man with all the toys we need to send
the demons back to hell. Doc, Doc is the gunslinger, and our connection to the past." Nicole nodded as she saw where Waverly was going. "Wynonna, well Wynonna is Wynonna, the crazy chick with the big ass gun." Waverly smiled. "And
you, you're the biggest bad-ass of them all." Nicole just smiled and shook her head

"I'm not a bad-ass."

"Oh, yes you are." Waverly said with a wink, "and it's super hot." Nicole could feel her face blushing again.

"What does any of that have to do with why you went into that camp?" Nicole tried to stay on topic even though her mind was wanting to wander to their night together. Waverly sighed and dropped her head, she looked back up and Nicole could see a
look on her face she couldn't quite place, somewhere between disappointment and sadness.

"And then there's me." Waverly blinked away tears that were forming. Nicole squeezed Waverly's hands.

"Don't say it like that. Wave you are the most important part-"

"No. No I'm not." Waverly pulled her hands from Nicole's and crossed them over her chest. "I'm just Wynonnas little sister. I know that. All I have is my research. Without it, I wouldn't be a part of black badge. Dolls has
his smarts and his guns, Doc is THE fastest gun in the world and he knows the revenants, most of them personally. Wynonna, well Wynonna is Wynonna but she's the Earp heir, they can't do any of this without her. And your just the most amazing
person ive ever met." Waverly smiled a sad smile at Nicole and Nicole felt like her heart was breaking. "All I am is my research. If I had come back empty handed," Waverly stopped there and turned to look out the window. She couldn't
articulate her biggest fear. She felt Nicole's hand on her cheek gently guiding her face back around to hers. Nicole planted a soft and sweet kiss on her lips.

"You can talk to me Waves." Nicole said with a reassuring smile, "that's what girlfriends are for." Waverly's heart lept, it was official. Nicole had said girlfriends. She smiled a sweet smile at Nicole and leaned up as best she could.

"Girlfriends?" Waverly asked doing her best to hide her excitement. Nicole got a bit nervous now. She worried she presumed too much, she was moving to fast for Waverly. They had been dancing around each other for weeks now and when they
finally had their first date, and slept together she worried she was pushing Waverly too fast.

"Yea, I mean unless you don't want that." Nicole was trying hard to back track now. "If that's too fast for you we don't have to. I mean we don't have to put a label on it." Waverly's smile just grew she leaned into Nicole and planted
a kiss on her lips to shut her up. Nicole kissed her back.

"I would love to be your girlfriend." Waverly finally responded when they pulled apart. The sigh Nicole let out showed her anxiety releasing. She smiled that dimpled smile at Waverly that drove her crazy and Waverly suddenly wanted nothing in the
world than to be snuggled up with Nicole in bed, kissing, touching. Nicole grabbed her hand softly.

"Waverly Earp," Nicole looked into those beautiful eyes. "You are so much more than just research. And I challenge anyone to say different." Nicole smiled at her as if she just figured something out. "You're the glue."

"What?" Waverly laughed. She had never been referred to as a craft supply before.

"You're the glue. Doc and Dolls can barely stand each other what with tripping over their rulers trying to find out which ones-"

"I get your point." Waverly says holding up a hand. Nicole laughs the softest laugh Waverly has ever heard.

"Between that and Wynonna, never choosing between them, I'm still not sure what's going on there." She rolled her eyes and shook her head. "And me, well I'm not even sure where I fit in this rag tag group of misfits, but you." She pulled Waverly's
hand up and placed a soft kiss on it. "You are the glue that holds everyone together. Even without your research, and your amazing muffins," Nicole said with a wink, "your are the backbone of this unit. You keep everyone sane and
together." Waverly's heart swelled. She reached up and pulled the red head into a crushing hug. Nicole hugged back gently not wanting to hurt Waverly's wounds.

"Thank you." Waverly whispered into Nicole's ear. She pulled back just enough to plant a kiss on Nicole's lips.

"Ms. Earp, we, oh sorry!" He doctor said averting his eyes from the two women. Nicole jumped up off the bed and about 3 feet away from Waverly. "Didn't mean to interrupt, I should have knocked." Waverly just smiled and shook her head.

"What's up doc?" Waverly sounded like Wynonna. Nicole gave her an eye roll and the doctor smiled.

"Well we just went over your charts and I think we could look at releasing you tomorrow morning. I want to get some more fluids in you and you will be sent home with some pretty strict instructions but I'm sure your ready to be out of that hospital
bed." Waverly's eyes lit up.

"Yes I am." Was all she could get out. The doctor came in and checked Waverly's vitals and smiled at Nicole as he exited. Nicole had moved herself to the corner of the room to ensure she was out of the way and wasn't looking as the doctor
raised Waverly's hospital gown to check her wounds. Waverly had just shook her head as Nicole stared at the ceiling the entire time the doctor was there. Once he left she looked back to Nicole. "Not like it wasn't anything you hadn't
seen before." Wavelry smirked over at Nicole. Her face turned as red as her hair and she couldn't help but look at the floor. "Come here." Waverly patted the bed where Nicole had been sitting and Nicole obliged.

"I'm sorry I scared you." Waverly said grabbing Nicole's hand.

"I'm just glad your ok." Nicole squeezed Waverly's hand in return.

"I heard that story you were telling Wynonna. About Private Collins." Waverly said softly waiting for a response from the major.

"I thought you were asleep."

"I had woken up, I wanted to hear it, I'm sorry I didn't let you know I was awake." Waverly felt a little guilty, like she had spied on her. "But I hardly know anything about you, and I want to know everything, not just the good, but the not so
good too." Waverly looked at Nicole's face searching for a bit of anger or anything really but Nicole sat stoically for a moment. Then a sigh of relief washed over her.

"As scared as I was that night. Nothing compared to the fear of losing you." Nicole said softly. Waverly could feel a tear falling down her cheek. She had never wanted to hurt Nicole. Nicole's hand pressed softly on her cheek and her
thumb wiped away the tear. "Just promise me not to go out and get shot anymore ok?" Nicole smiled at her. Waverly nodded her head ferverently. Nicole leaned in for a kiss Waverly wrapping her hands around her neck holding her close.
The moment was interrupted by Nicole's phone singing Ghostbusters. Nicole pulled her phone from her pocket and Waverly couldn't help but laugh as she saw Dolls face.

"Ghostbusters? Really?" Waverly laughed. Nicole just shrugged and smiled. She slid the phone back into her pocket. "Do you need to go?" Waverly asked not wanting to keep Nicole from her work, but not wanting her to leave either.

"Not right at this moment. I'll wait for Wynonna to get back."

"She will probably be another hour," Waverly sighed. "Want to watch some TV?" She asked holding up the remote.

"Sure." Nicole replied turning around to face the screen mounted on the wall. Waverly scooted farther over in the bed and made room for Nicole to lean back beside her. Nicole gave her a look making sure she was sure. Waverly nodded and
slid one of her pillows over. Nicole leaned back and Waverly lifted Nicole's arm and snuggled herself right up to the red head. Nicole's heart felt like it would beat out of its chest. Waverly never ceased to make her heart flutter.
Nicole placed a soft kiss to the top of Waverly's head as Waverly flipped the tv on and went through the channels.

Nicole was still in the bed with Waverly watching some show about cooking that Waverly had insisted on, but who was now very much asleep. Nicole couldn't get over how perfect it felt to hold this little woman in her arms while she slept. Waverly's
arm was draped over her stomach and their fingers were intwined. There was a knock at the door and Nicole panicked. If it was Wynonna she needed to distance herself from the sleeping Earp as fast as possible but she didn't want to wake her either.
The door opened before she had time to make a decision.

Dolls walked into the hospital room to see Nicole with one leg off the bed trying her best to slide out from the grip of the sleeping brunette. He just smiled and shook his head. "I take it Wynonna isn't here?" He held up some brown
bags, "she texted and asked me to bring dinner." Nicole took his point and managed to slip away from Waverly without waking her. She walked over to the little table where Dolls wants getting out the containers of Chinese from the bag.

"Good thing I wasn't Wynonna or you may have been woken up by peacemaker." Dolls said with a nudge to Nicole's side. She smiled and laughed.

"Yea." Nicole turned around to look at Wavrrly sleeping peacefully. "I just needed to be near her, X."

"I get it Nic," Dolls handed her a box and a set of chopsticks. "But you have to be careful. Wynonna doesn't have a lot of family. She will protect it with everything she has, including that big ass gun." Nicole just looked at
Dolls.

"I love her." It was barely above a whisper and Dolls had to look at Nicole to even be sure she said anything. Nicole was a little surprised she said it out loud, although the feeling had been there for a couple weeks now. Waverly Earp had
made her feel like no one else ever had. Dolls reached over and patted her on the shoulder.

"In that case, I'm happy for you." He pulled out another box from the bag and set it on the table. "I also hope you can still run that 4 minute mile." He looked up at Nicole and smiled. Nicole just laughed and punched him in he shoulder. "While
bobbing and weaving." Dolls threw on the end. They both started laughing.

"What's so funny? Oh! Chinese!" Wynonna had walked through the door. Nicole put a finger to her lips and pointed to the sleeping Waverly. Wynonna made an I'm sorry face and grabbed the box of Kung Pow Chicken Dolls held out for her.

The three sat around quietly eating their food while Waverly slept. Dolls stashed her Shrimp Lo Mein on the mini fridge in the room and then looked it Nicole. "We should get going." Nicole looked at Dolls not wanting to go but knowing she
should. "Wynonna could I talk to you in the hall for a moment?" Dolls said looking to Wynonna. Wynonna looked at him and then shook her head.

"Yea sure I guess." Wynonna got up and left the room followed by Dolls who gave her a wink and held up 2 fingers. Nicole smiled and nodded her thanks. As the door shut she got up and went over to the still sleeping Waverly. All
she wanted to do was curl up with this beautiful woman and spend the rest of her life snug in each other's arms, but she knew that wasn't possible. Instead she placed a soft kiss on Waverly's forehead. Waverly's stirred just a bit and
blinked her eyes open for a moment to look up at Nicole and smiled.

"Hey you," Nicole said softly rubbing the back of her fingers up and down Waverly's cheek. "I gotta head home but I'll see you tomorrow ok?"

"Mmmmmkayy" Waverly managed to get out before her eyes closed again. Nicole could only smile as she realized this woman had her heart. She placed another soft kiss on her cheek and headed for the door. It almost hit her square in the
face as Wynonna came back through.

"Watch out Haught-pants," Wynonna pushed past her and took up residence in her chair again flipping through a magazine of motorcycles. "Your friend is super weird by the way." Nicole just smiled realizing Dolls didn't have a good reason to get Wynonna
out of the room but she was grateful all the same.

"Later Earp." Nicole said back as she closed the door behind her.