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Twenty

"T...Touko...Tou...ko please..."

She shifted in her sleep, one thing she could say about the testing was that it did have it's upsides she could respond much more quickly. She couldn't remember when she was brought in she sat up slowly until she saw him on the ground in his cell. His jumpsuit was bloody from whatever test they put him through she hopped off the bed and went to the glass. He coughed up a bit of blood though he smiled her mouth fell seeing his face wasn't just bloody his eye was missing she went to press the intercom it only had one function and it was meant to call Colress.

He was there in a moment his easy smile fading as he went to look in on Ghetsis he was about to open it when he was zapped by the electric charge of the wall.

He held his hand as a man walked in, she blinked he was faded it seemed she wondered if she had really hurt herself when she hit her head it was like he was a disappearing image.

"No need for panic we just roughed him up to test his healing capabilities."

"And you ripped out his eye for what?" Touko snapped.

He shifted the blob of color wanting to rub his chin it seemed.

"Did Zangoose do that? He's such a playful scamp, that wasn't really the point but he'll be fine, those cells are also life support systems state of the art. If the walls were blinking red he'd be in danger so relax it's nothing."

Touko doubted that as she watched Ghetsis struggle to breathe knowing that no matter how much he choked he was on his own. She swallowed the lump in her throat as she slid down watching him shake. When he went still she worried he wasn't going to wake up.

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Touko sat up with a start rubbing her temples she looked over at Ghetsis pulling the blanket down before she flipped on the light she didn't see any wounds. He was breathing, she rubbed her hands together nervously feeling the rising lump in her throat, she touched his eye piece fit to him like any sort of artificial body part. She sighed and moved to get up she was sweating and it was still too warm for her liking. The snow outside didn't seem as pretty while she was worked up. She didn't know why she couldn't see him...was that her father? She wasn't sure it could have been.

"Touko...?"

She paused in the doorway to the bathroom and looked at him, she really hated looking at him with so many losses she didn't care to think much more on that than she needed to. He sat up as she returned to bed to hug him around his neck. He sighed though not out of annoyance as he pulled her closer.

"You should be careful, wouldn't want me to get used to this affection."

"I don't care about that...I saw you..after the attack in the cell."

"...I see, a nightmare."

"A memory...not just my mind playing tricks on me."

He smiled then as she pulled back to look at him, not a smirk, or an attempt to hold back just a light smile.

"I know it's haunting isn't it, it was different for me your freedom was paid for with stolen memories, but there were times I needed it just because of it's effect on my mood when you weren't around. Though that recovery cycle was the same all those vivid thoughts good and bad that you can't change a thing about."

She looked down they certainly were vivid even the sterile scent of the room feel of the cool sheets was clear in her mind.

"...Yeah...if it's so much stress to talk about...the memories why can I talk to you?"

"Because as I said I only needed to be monitored for my own good...according to the Triad I tended to get violent when I didn't know where you were. But I assure you I'm fine, I'd just be glad to see you acting the same as you used to."

She settled on her knees as she looked at him there was bit of moonlight coming in when he was relaxed he looked his best. She chewed on her lip.

"I couldn't have been the same anyways...after the time we spent separated by glass."

"The feeling is the same, don't stress out okay?" he said softly cupping her cheek, she looked at him as he did she covered his hand with hers.

He only stared at her, remembering all the nights the testing was too much and he wanted the glass out of the way. Even when he reacted negatively and didn't want anyone touching him, when she wasn't like the scientist that was almost enough to pull him out of his ways. Her chest ached a bit, it was the emotion too...he was one of her friends she could only watch if he was meant to die then that was it. He bent his head to kiss her.

He didn't want her thoughts keeping her awake like his did for him but he was glad there was a part of her coming back that still cared.

That may have never stopped save for the memory loss she clearly couldn't control.

He didn't move to take it any further than a light hug, it was more to reassure than anything else, she could tell and took a calm breath. That was different too, but then that was to be expected she had memories...knew she was missing more though the feelings were coming back, it should feel different.

He wasn't just the boss she was handed off to, she moved to kiss him again he was back against the pillows in a moment as he held her. It was just another way to feel secure after a rough night. He ran his fingers through her hair absently thinking of the times trapped he would have wanted to do the same thing. She always was the prettiest woman he'd ever seen he hadn't yet been jaded against those that were more attractive so he wasn't surprised that she was sweet or cared. He kissed her forehead slowly there was some peace as they held one another he was pleased she still held on.

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