Taking in their linked hands, Annabelle blinked the last of the sleep from her eyes and let loose a small grin.
(Well, ok. This is different. The last time I woke up in the hospital I could barely get a nurse to bring water, much less have my own personal bedside doctor. And a cute one at that, look at that body! At least I'll have some entertainment in this place)
Slowly letting her eyes travel over Simone's form
(definitely better than that skaggy nurse I had when I broke my arm)
Annabelle's grin grew into a full fledged smile at Simone's increased discomfiture.
"So, is this part of the Imprint thing, or is this a full service hospital?" she teased.
Now a bright scarlet, Simone dropped her hand and stood.
Clearing her throat, she replied, "Actually, it is part of, 'the Imprint thing', and is one of the things we need to talk about while you're awake. We don't have very much time, but your "up" time will increase the stronger you get. Glancing at the clock hanging on the wall, "but right now, we'll have about 5 minutes."
"Five minutes huh? Time enough for…a lot of things" Annabelle responded looking at Simone with a sexy grin, biting her lower lip. definite possibilities Anna
(Oh. My. God. A 17 year old Annabelle. I barely made it the first time.) Lips twitching into a small smile despite herself, Simone continued.
"First things first, this is for you." Holding out the bracelet, she watched Annabelle examine it.
"Uh, gee Doc, you shouldn't have. We haven't even been on a date. Yet." Annabelle said smiling up through her eyelashes.
(Déjà vu Bradley?)
Rolling her eyes internally, Simone replied evenly, "It's actually a contact monitor so you can reach me if I'm not here when you wake up. Just press your thumb here and say my name. " Watching Annabelle break out laughing at her words, she reviewed them before her face flamed hotly.
(I could have chosen a better way to say that)
Still smiling at the chagrined doctor,
(she's even cuter when she's embarrassed)
Annabelle slid on the metallic blue bracelet. Letting loose a small yip when it abruptly shrank around her wrist she muttered, "Haven't seen that before". "So, Dr. Bradley, or Simone?"
"What?"
"Which do I use? Dr. Bradley," at this Annabelle leaned in closer, "or Simone? " she finished in a whisper, looking into Simone's eyes.
(Time to turn it up)
"Uhh, either will work Annabelle."
"Simone then." Eying the older woman, Annabelle decided to push at little bit more. "I like how it…rolls off my tongue". Licking her lips, she watched for Simone's reaction.
(God help me I do too) thought Simone. Looking further at a smirking Annabelle, Simone was suddenly struck by a revelation that made her wince, and made Annabelle start back in confusion at the expression on her face.
The chair scraped across the floor as Simone abruptly moved away from the bed to the window. As she wrapped her arms around herself, she watched the ebb and flow of people on the patio below.
(Must be shift change.)
(This isn't your Belle, Simone. She's not coming back. This is a lonely, rebellious, 17 year old kid who just got dropped off with a bunch of strangers. Again. This isn't your lover, isn't your wife, isn't the moth…STOP. FUCKING ENOUGH)
With a sigh, she dropped her head against the glass.
(What's going on? What did I say? This can't be the first time someone's hit on her. She's definitely not straight, not unless my mysterious 'injury' broke my gaydar…There's something…) Annabelle thought as she watched the woman in front of her.
Taking a few calming breaths, Simone stood by the window for a minute before she squared her shoulders and turned back to the bed.
(You get her fully recovered Bradley, just like you would any other…patient. Face it and...deal...later. Stop behaving like a petulant child)
"Simone, are you ok?" Annabelle asked gently, trying to get Simone to look at her.
(She looks exhausted, like her soul is tired. What the hell? Ease off Anna)
There was a brief silence before Simone met her gaze. "Sorry Annabelle, it's just been a long…ti…night" Simone said with a wavery smile before sitting down again and studying her hands.
Quietly, Annabelle asked, "so what else do you need to tell me? Before…" Yawning, Annabelle settled back into her bed, "before it's naptime again?"
"Two important points. Okay, maybe one since it looks like our times almost up" Simone said with a small smile as Annabelle gave a huge yawn. "The main one is what you accurately guessed before, that tactile touch is indeed an important part of an Imprint as well as your continued recovery."
"In English Simone, getting sleepy here" Annabelle said through another yawn.
(fine)
"You're going to want to touch me" Simone said bluntly.
(Well that woke her up)
"Excuse me?" sputtered a now alert Annabelle. "What the hell kind of hospital is this?"
Simone sighed and rubbed her forehead. "Relax, Annabelle, basic contact usually suffices. I know it's not because yo…you're attracted to me. It's just part of our Imprint. Because of the way it was formed, physical contact with me is an actual medication for you. The need will increase when you're stressed or upset as well. This is just due to the type of injury you sustained. Which we'll talk about more later" Simone hurriedly finished as she saw Annabelle begin to ask a question. "The need will go away as you continue to recover, but generally it's the strongest at the beginning."
"Right. Okay then…thanks for playing. Time for another doctor" said a distinctly freaked out Annabelle as she crossed her arms defensively.
"Annabelle…"
"I'm not doing that" Annabelle said heatedly before the room abruptly disappeared in front of her.
"…how heavy the burden of Christ can be".
Bitch. Who the fuck does she think I am? One of these giggling Powerpuffs? I've met and beaten worse than you, you pretentious, polyester…If she thinks I'm putting on that Arts and Crafts reject piece she's deluded. I'm Annabelle fucking Tillman!
"I'm not wearing that" Annabelle said with a defiant smirk from her chair.
Eat shit and die. And you, I thought you were cool! Totally stabbing me in the back! You won't even look at me now! Look at me!
"Annabelle…Annabelle. Annabelle!"
Annabelle dazedly came back to the hospital room to find a very concerned Simone shaking her. Getting no response, Simone cupped Annabelle's face, forcing her to look at her. Seeing nothing but complete confusion looking back at her Simone rapidly glanced at the monitors.
(no alerts, is she going under again? Micro strokes? Nerve feedback? The 'bots were pulled out, maybe…)
So as not to startle her, she softly asked, "Annabelle, where did you go?"
Battling to put her swirling thoughts into words, Annabelle stuttered, "Simone, I…I, this office, it was there, but I wasn't…it wasn't me!" And with that Annabelle burst into frustrated tears.
(What?)
Dropping her hands and looking at the sobbing woman in front of her, Simone was at a loss of what to do.
(I know she's not my Annabelle, but…Jesus, I can't just watch her…Get a grip Bradley, she already thinks you're some sort of pervert trying to take advantage of her)
As she tentatively put a hand on Annabelle's back in comfort, the dilemma was abruptly solved as Annabelle grabbed hold of Simone's arm and half pulled her on the bed, holding onto her for dear life and crying into her neck.
(Belle, fuck, Annabelle, whoa…)
"Shhh…Annabelle, it's ok, I'm here, you're ok…shhh". Continuing to mutter soothingly, Simone gathered Annabelle against her and laid them both down on the bed. Feeling her grab her shirt in a death grip and pull even closer, Simone let Annabelle cry herself out against her. As she continued her soothing caresses over Annabelle's back, Simone gradually felt Annabelle relax.
Waiting until the room had been quiet for a few minutes,
(maybe she's ready to tell me where she went, was it just a blackout? Could be her neural net getting up to speed, another problem? But…)
Simone softly said, "Annabelle?"
Getting no response, she turned her head slightly and saw a very asleep Annabelle with her head comfortably nestled on Simone's shoulder. The smile unexpectedly made its way onto Simone's lips.
(some things stay the same Bradley; she always wore herself out when she was upset. Remember?)
The thought tugged at her, and the smile fell away.
(No. I didn't remember. Not until just…it must be speeding up now. Snap. Crackle. Pop.)
Watching the shadows from the trees outside play across the ceiling, Simone sighed and listened to Annabelle sleep beside her. Unconsciously tracing her fingers over Annabelle's hand that was still locked in her shirt, Simone sank into thought.
(What else have you forgotten Simone? What's still to come? Do you even know where you're going anymore? Does it even matter at this point?)
Distracted by Annabelle shifting, Simone took the opportunity to study her. Trailing her eyes over the tear swollen eyes, down the lips full of promise, over that stubborn chin, she looked at the face she knew better than her own.
(even worn out from crying, she's absolutely beautiful. Better go before she wakes up with you in her bed. Somehow I don't think that would help her to trust you)
As Annabelle continued to sleep, Simone suddenly became very aware of her warm breath grazing over her neck. Feeling her belly tighten in response, Simone silently groaned.
(you've got to be kidding)
As she felt her nipples harden against her shirt, Simone gritted her teeth at the unwanted arousal.
(It's been so long…she smells exactly the same, so kissable and warm…Jesus, I've got to get out of here. NOW.)
Slightly panicked, Simone quietly but quickly tried to work her way out from Annabelle's grip without waking her. Finding that Annabelle still had a death grip on her shirt,
(she can have it, just let me get out of here!)
Simone unbuttoned the dress shirt.
(Just put her head on the pillow, leave the shirt and you're home free)
Gently, Simone edged the pillow under Annabelle's head.
(Almost there)
Just as she was about to slip out of the shirt, Annabelle muttered sleepily and threw a bare leg over Simone's jean covered thighs, making the hospital gown rise dangerously. Catching a glimpse of perfect skin, Simone froze and closed her eyes tightly.
(she's so soft there, warm. lickable even)
Inadvertently taking advantage of Simone's distraction, Annabelle continued to cuddle closer. Sighing, she rested her head back on Simone's shoulder, and slid a slender arm around Simone's newly naked torso before finally growing quiet again.
(It's going to be a long night.)