"Stef." Lena whispered.
"Huh?" Stef groggily replied.
"Are you feeling okay baby?" Lena said tucking her wife's blonde hair behind her ear.
"Never better." Stef said with a small smile.
"They said you can come home tomorrow."
"I can't wait." Stef whispered as she tried to make herself more comfortable in the hospital bed.
Lena picked up Stef's hand, rubbing her thumb across her skin absentmindedly. "How is she?" Stef asked. "Monte?" Lena questioned. Stef nodded. "I'm honestly not sure. I hadn't talked to her since you were in surgery. Callie said she's been in the waiting room over the last few days. I saw her earlier and she doesn't look well." Lena whispered. Stef was quiet for a moment then she said "You should talk with her love; she's been through a lot."
"I don't want to leave you here alone."
"You've been cooped up in this room for a few days babe. Go out and get some fresh air." Stef said squeezing her wife's hand "I'll be fine."
Monte was still in the waiting room. Back in the same chair, sitting in the same position. "Monte." Lena said as she sat in a chair beside the brunette. Monte looked over and smiled. Her smile didn't reach her eyes. Lena gave her a worried look then said. "Let's get out of here for a little while. I need some fresh air."
"Are you hungry?" Lena asked as they left the building. Monte shrugged her shoulders. She probably hasn't eaten. They walked down the street the hospital was on. "Is Italian okay? There's a little Italian restaurant just around the corner." She said pointing. "That sounds fine." Monte said.
Monte looked broken. She looked like her natural glow had been dimmed. Lena hooked her right arm in with Monte's left as they walked up the sidewalk. She felt the brunette relax as they walked arm and arm.
The restaurant was a dark noisy environment, people laughing and talking loudly. They were seated in a corner booth. They both sat down and scooted in, sitting almost side by side looking out over the rest of the room.
"Are you okay?" Lena asked looking over to the brunette.
"I could be better." She replied.
"I don't want to imagine what could have happened." Lena whispered. "I'm so sorry you went through that."
"I feel guilty because I brought Stef-"
"You shouldn't feel guilty." Lena interrupted as she put her hand on Monte's knee. "Monte." She said trying to get eye contact. "Everything's going to be okay."
Lena wanted to talk more but she didn't want to ruin what little appetite Monte had. She decided to wait until they were finished eating.
"Have you been home?" Lena asked as they walked out of the restaurant back toward the hospital.
"No."
"Where are you staying?"
"At that Hotel." Monte said pointing with her thumb to a hotel on the other side of the street as they walked. "I bought new clothes but I've got a few things in my apartment that I need." She whispered.
"Would you like me to go with you to collect your things?" Lena asked. "I really don't mind."
"I don't think you want to see it. I called a company that deals with-" She paused. "But they are booked and won't be able to come by to clean until the end of the week."
"The end of the week is days away Monte. I'll go with you, if you're up to it."
Monte nodded her head as she hooked her arm in with Lena's.
Monte's hands shook as she tried to unlock the door to her apartment. "Here let me." Lena said gently taking the keys. "You sure you're okay? You can tell me what you need; I can find it for you so you don't have to go in." Monte shook her head. "No, I'm fine."
Lena slid the key into the lock and turned it. She opened the door. They both stood outside of the door frame looking into the apartment. The first thing Lena noticed was straight ahead; blood splattered on a wall above the dinning room table, she looked down, her eyes trailed from the table to the floor in front of the door at her feet. Blood stained the wooden floor. She had listened to Monte's statement and knew she was looking at her wife's blood. She looked back up toward the table playing the images in her head. She turned to Monte and took her hand to lead her inside. Lena guided her through the front door into the hallway each being careful to step over the dried stains. "Your room?" Lena asked pointing to a door off the dining room. The brunette nodded.
They both walked into the bedroom, Monte followed Lena closing the door behind her. She leaned up against the door and sighed. "Are you sure you're okay?" Lena asked after scanning the room.
"I just need a moment." Monte said as she closed her eyes.
Lena let Monte collect herself. She stood waiting patently then she heard a deep breath come from the younger woman. "Okay." She whispered. Lena watched Monte walk into her closet. She came out with a large suit case and put it on the bed. Over the next few minutes Lena watched as Monte quickly grabbed handfuls of clothing from her closet and dresser, tossing them into the suit case.
Monte went into the bathroom and came out with a black bag of essentials. "My phone charger." She whispered turning around to go back into the bathroom. She came back out. "I'm not sure where I left it." She said to Lena. Lena looked around the room, she checked all the outlets. "Maybe the living room?" She asked. They both left the bed room. Stepping over stains, Lena found the charger in the living room close to the sliding glass door. "All set." She said. She insisted on carrying the suitcase for Monte. Lena took one last look at the apartment before closing the door behind her.