Trust is Key

"Okay Welcome back to hell." Antalya muttered to herself as she unbuckled and leaned on Maverick's arm for support, a bullet in her leg stopping her from moving freely and making her light headed. "Can we get to the infirmary soon please?"

"Easy now." He said as they went down the ramp, "Calm down Tally, you're losing blood the more you talk."

"Then why don't you carry me?" She joked not expecting him to actually stop and pick her up in a cradle. "Jesus Maverick I was kidding!"

"Well it's either this or have Logan do it." He grunted as he ran up the steps and hit he elevator button, "Personally I would rather do it myself."

"Funny Davenport." She scoffed as the door slid shut. He looked down at her and she caught her breath has his eyes glowed in the white interior.

"How old are you?" He asked abruptly.

"I turned sixteen last Tuesday." She said as he stepped out and made his way to the infirmary. "Why?"

"The Other you." He said awkwardly, "Said that they gained Logan's ability to slow aging and was twenty six."

"Hell no." she laughed and gasped as pain laced up her leg. He gently laid her on the cot and pulled out a first aid kit.

"Hold still." He said taking out a pair of scissors

"Wait what are you…" she gasped as he slipped the cold metal under her pant leg, "So you want to get in my pants?"

"Stop joking." He paled as he saw the extent of the injury.

"What is it?" She asked looking him in the eyes as he stood over her. "Maverick…"

"You have four bullets in your leg." He stated flatly and she sucked in a breath as nausea washed over her. "Easy now."

Maverick put a hand on her head and took out a thermometer. Sticking one end in her mouth he shook down the end of his sleeve and watched the time. Reading the temperature he sighed sharply cursing under his breath.

"Mav…" she started to speak but something was rising in her throat so she turned to her side and coughed. Blood splattered the wall and she froze looking at it eyes wide.

"Oh no you don't." He pulled her face upward and looked her in the eyes his own calm and collected. "I need you conscious and alert; don't go passing out on me now."

She nodded and he ripped her pant leg up to the top of the thigh where they were. They were arranged in a perfect square. He took a breath and pulled out a pair of tweezers.

"Are you sure you know what you're doing?" She asked. He looked down at her and half smiled.

"We'll find out now won't we?" he tied a tourniquet around the top of her leg and she cried out.

"Don't joke with me Davenport." She hissed through clenched teeth.

"Trust is key here Antalya." He looked down at her his brown hair falling in front of his eyes, "Do you trust me?"

She found herself nodding and he nodded back going down to her leg and pulling out the first bullet. Antalya kept her gaze on the ceiling and hearing the tinkling of metal on glass gave her hope that she would live.

Pain shot up her leg.

"Jesus!" She shouted and her leg twitched causing another shot of pain.

"Stop moving." He scolded holding her leg down.

"Not my fault." She teared up as he pulled out the last bullet and wrapped her leg with gauze. Maverick went up to her head and helped her sit up, keeping her injured leg on the table and her uninjured one off. He sighed with relief and hugged her.

"You and your father," he whispered into her ear, "Both have trust issues."

"I know." She hugged him back breathing in the smell he carried with him everywhere. Paint, Canvas and Pine needles.

Maverick backed up a little and sat beside her on the cot taking off his blood stained gloves.

"Hey Maverick." She looked at him as he blinked back, "Want to get me some new clothes?"

"Sure." He smiled and kissed her gently, catching Antalya off guard. "Trust me for once will you?"

"Okay." She whispered back as he left to find her some clothes. "Holy shit Maverick."