When they finally got to Delphine's apartment, they were both weary. The reception at the police station hadn't been very sympathetic.
"Oh yes, this has been happening to a lot of women," one of the intake officers shrugged. "We can't investigate them all." Although these facts didn't seem surprising after a few moments' thought, the news was not welcome. After some negotiation, Delphine found that Matilde had family to the northwest, and arranged for her to get to them.
"I suppose we should be relieved that they're not just shooting them," Cosima had remarked as they neared the front door of Delphine's building, "I'm sure that's happening to suspected collaborationists in some cases." But it was no great comfort to either of them. If they were honest with themselves, they both knew that "justice" had a slippery and mutable nature even at less chaotic, emotional times, and there might be many who had committed crimes who would never be confronted, while others who did little wrong might be vilified.
Delphine sighed, but before she could say anything, the concierge approached her.
"Mademoiselle Cormier, a man stopped by for you, named Scott Smith. He had some boxes he said were for a guest of yours…"
"Ah, okay," she responded. Cosima allowed herself a small smile.
"Aw, we missed him. But at least my stuff is here."
"What is it?" Delphine asked.
"Some more clothes, a couple other things. You'll see."
"Very well, then. Jean-Paul, where are these boxes?"
"We brought them up to your door, but I didn't let him in. I can send a maintenance man up to help you, if you wish."
"Uh, yeah, a couple of those are heavy," Cosima inserted, causing Delphine to raise an eyebrow.
"Okay. We'll go up and wait for him."
"Very well, Mademoiselle."
Delphine and Cosima took the elevator to her apartment ("ooh, an automatic-button lift. Very swanky, Mademoiselle Cormier,") and paused outside to see the boxes.
"Hmm. When I invited you to stay here, I didn't know you'd be moving in."
"Very funny, but I'm sure you'll be happy to see some of the things I had brought over."
Cosima looked around her with interest when they entered the well-appointed flat, but immediately and gratefully sank onto the sofa when Delphine offered her a seat.
"Ugh. I'm sorry, I'm just pretty tired. The ol' body isn't up for too much wandering, yet, I guess."
"Don't be silly, I want you to be comfortable and get rest so you can heal. Can I get you anything? Water, tea, coffee, wine?"
Cosima grinned.
"What, no maid service? No butler or cook?"
"I have someone come in now and then, but I prefer to handle things myself," Delphine replied, giving her friend an admonishing poke on the shoulder. "Besides, it's not like I'm a princess. My family is… was well-off, but my funds aren't unlimited."
She looked down, remembering she might be the last of her kin. Cosima took her hand and squeezed it, guessing the thoughts crossing Delphine's mind with the switch of "is" to "was."
"I'm sorry," she said, plainly but sincerely.
Delphine nodded and moved toward the kitchen.
"So? A refreshment?"
"Can I get one each of a glass of water and some wine? If that's not too much trouble… princess?"
"Not at all, ma cherie," Delphine softly smiled at Cosima's grin. She was gone but a moment when the doorbell rang. There was a pause as she made her way back to Cosima to set the drinks on the coffee table, and then jogged to the door.
"Mademoiselle Cormier," said the man at the door.
"Yes, if you'll just help me…"
Cosima levered herself back up and walked toward them. A man came in bearing a small suitcase and a box.
"Uh, just put everything down here, we'll have to figure out where it's going," Cosima said.
The man nodded and proceeded to carry in the rest of the boxes. There were a few that left him bent and huffing. Delphine raised her eyebrows. He tipped his hat as he left and Cosima slipped him a tip with a cheery "thanks!"
Delphine cocked her head.
"Sooo…?"
"Right. So, where am I staying? Where's the guest bed?"
"Oh, well I… in here," Delphine answered, pointing. Cosima picked up the suitcase and reached for a small box, grimacing.
"Oh, let me get that, Cosima. I know your ribs still hurt you."
Once these items were placed on the chest at the foot of the bed, Cosima immediately turned around.
"You don't want to unpack," Delphine inquired, puzzled.
"Nah, that'll wait. It's just a few clothes and toiletries." She led her friend back to the boxes.
"And the rest," Delphine prompted, as Cosima just stood there, smiling. The shorter woman glanced at the boxes, and then pointed at one.
"Open it."
Delphine pursed her lips, giving Cosima a suspicious look, but she reached down and opened the box.
And stared.
"Cosima… what…?"
"Yeeeesss?"
Delphine pulled the flaps apart and pulled out a large console with a speaker, dials, frequency display and ports for different attachments. Its housing was a beautifully buffed, inlaid wood.
"You… you got me a wireless?"
"Yeah. The other parts are in the boxes. You know, headset, antenna, tube tester. I, uh, I know it's not your dad's, but it seems like it meant so much to you. And…" She twisted a ring on her finger, her voice growing softer. "We can get in touch. If I have to go back to Bletchley, that is. And we never would have met, if…"
But Delphine had already moved forward, put the wireless on the couch, and was wrapping her arms around her. Cosima could feel Delphine's tears dropping against her face and hair and hear her voice hitch when she spoke.
"Thank you… oh, my… Cosima, only you. Thank you so much."
They stood embracing each other tightly for moments, just careful not to compress Cosima's ribs. Delphine sobbed softly a couple times, and shifted one hand to cradle the back of Cosima's head. Cosima closed her eyes, and gently stroked Delphine's back until her breaths became more even. Then she pulled back slightly, to look at her friend's face.
"Hey, you gonna be alright, there? Is there anything I can do?" She watched as Delphine smiled slightly, and gave a tiny shake of her head, trying to quell her tears. "No? A glass of water and a glass of wine, perhaps?"
Delphine let out a little laugh, and bit her lip, then looked into Cosima's eyes. She leaned forward and pressed her forehead against her friend's.
"Thank you," she said again. "It's wonderful, and so are you."
They breathed for a moment. Cosima looked down, an uncertain look on her face. Delphine took this in, and gave her a little squeeze.
"Unh," Cosima gasped, and Delphine suddenly jumped back.
"Oh, mon dieu," she exclaimed. "I pressed your rib! Are you alright? Did I hurt you?"
Cosima waved her hand in what was supposed to be a calming motion, but the wince on her face told the truth.
"Uh, just a little… I'm fine. Relax. I just think I'll… sit down…"
Delphine made sure the cushion was clear and helped ease Cosima down. She shifted, flustered, and then turned to run out of the room.
"Hold on!"
She came scurrying back with a bottle of aspirin, and gave them to Cosima.
"Here…"
Cosima took them and chuckled.
"It's okay, Delphine, it was only for a moment. Let's just have our refreshments and sit down for a bit."
"Okay… erm, I guess I can have Luc help us move these later." She looked around at the boxes.
"Hey, wait. Take a look in that one first." Cosima pointed one out.
Delphine moved over to the box and tugged it open. She ran a finger over the contents.
"Record albums?"
"Yep. A little birdie told me you have a player, but most of what you had was classical, so I brought you a little something more modern to perk you up, maybe make you dance."
"You…" Delphine smiled, and moved back to the sofa. She sat next to Cosima, squeezing in close due to the wireless occupying seating space.
"Let me check your side, though. I wouldn't want your wound to have opened up." She reached down and untucked Cosima's blouse.
"Delphine…" Cosima protested, but Delphine only hushed her and moved one hand up her torso, spreading her fingers around her bandage, warm on her skin.
"Just let me see…"
"Delphine," Cosima said, firmly this time, and caught the blonde's wrist, moving it away. "Just stop."
Delphine looked up at her. Her wide, pretty eyes met her friend's, concerned and questioning. Cosima blew out a sigh.
"Delphine," she murmured. She took another breath, and her eyes were searching, unsure, perhaps a little afraid.
And then she closed them.
And she pressed her lips to Delphine's in a soft kiss.