Thirty minutes later, they were all led back to Maggie's private room and before the nurse opened the door to her room, she turned to speak to them.
"I can only allow you all to stay a few hours, only two of you will be allowed to stay overnight. Agent Bell may be a bit dizzy, tired, and out of it but that's just a side effect of the pain medication and the blood loss," She stated matter-of-factly.
"Thank you," OA replied as he let Erin pass in front of him before walking into the room. The nurse gave a small nod and walked away.
Upon seeing Maggie cleaned up Erin could be heard whispering, "Why is she so pale?" OA placed a hand on her shoulder and answered, "Because she lost a good bit of blood. Her body should be able to replenish it on its own by morning, she'll be alright," Erin nodded and sat next to Maggie on the edge of the bed.
The others looked on and watched the two interact. Tiff, Scola, Isobel, Jubal, and Halima saw through OA's facade and knew he was barely keeping himself together. His sisters noticed that he seemed to be attempting to protect Erin as if she were one of them. They all knew that what they saw was because there was nothing of greater importance to OA Zidan than Maggie Bell.
"Alhamdulillah," Halima whispered when she noticed that Maggie was awake and seemed to be alert. After hearing his mother's remark, OA looked up to meet Maggie's gaze.
"Hey you," He smiles.
"Hey, miss me?" She asks with a knowing grin.
"Always," He replied and squeezed her hand.
"How're you holding up? I'm sure this has been a lot to take in for you, too," Maggie asked turning to Erin.
"Yeah, but I'm okay," She replied with a semi-forced smile, "Although you should be thanking me, the hospital called Mom and Dad to tell them what happened. When they called me, I managed to keep them from driving eight hours to come nag you until you head back to work," Erin smirked and Maggie barked a laugh.
"Thanks, I'll call them in a bit and let them know I'm okay."
"How long do they expect before you can ride a desk?" Isobel asked curiously.
"Probably a couple of weeks. He said once my concussion symptoms have mostly subsided I can go on desk duty and I can do that while I do work through my PT. He estimates I won't be out of the field more than two months but that depends on how fast my shoulder heals and how easily I take to the PT," Maggie answered. Isobel nodded. Maggie noted the grim look on OA's face at the thought of having to be in the field for two months without Maggie.
"Omar, it's two months, we'll get through it. You'll be with Tiff and Scola, it'll be fine," OA gave her a small smile and shook his head. He should have realized she would read his mind. Halima smiled to herself. She was grateful her son had someone who knew him like Maggie does.
"I know, Mags. But they aren't you, it won't be the same," He turned to them to clarify but they waved him off having understood what he meant and knowing that the dynamic between Maggie and OA was very different from any other set of partners either of them had ever met. They also knew that that dynamic is why they had such a great track record and communicated so easily, even without words, with each other. OA nodded gratefully at them for understanding.
"No, it won't. But this work, our job it has to get done. We all have our strengths on this team and work together well. We can't be down half of our manpower in the field, that takes away so much and we know more than anyone that this city deserves the best we've got, and right now, that's the three of you out there kicking ass and taking names, two months and I'll be right there with you, partner. For now, I need you to do it for me," Maggie encouraged softly and OA nodded, "Besides I'll still be in the JOC. I'll still be on your six, every step of the way, theirs too."
"Yeah, okay. But one day more and I'm out, partner," OA said with a fake pout on his face.
"Deal," Maggie chuckled and patted his hand.
"Ugh, you two are so cutesy I'm getting a cavity over here," Erin joked and Maggie playfully punched her shoulder.
"I second that," Amira piped up and jumped out of the way before OA could pinch her side. He turned back to Maggie and shrugged.
"Little sisters, can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em," Maggie smirked.
"I'll second that," OA grinned. Everyone laughed before they started to take turns wishing Maggie well and left to go back to work. Omar's mom and sisters said their goodbyes as well.
"Eman, would you mind taking everyone home or to Am'ma's or whatever? I'll order groceries to be delivered to Am'ma's so you don't have to stop on the way," OA asked.
"Yeah, no problem," She replied as Amira turned OA's truck key over to him and the four of them left as well; leaving only Maggie, OA, and Erin in the room.
Later that evening, OA went to get dinner for the three of them and a nurse brought a couple of cots for Erin and OA to sleep on for the night. She also brought sheets, pillows, and blankets for them. While he was gone Maggie called her parents to let them know she was alright.
"Hello?" Maggie's mother, Andrea answered.
"Hey Mom, it's me. I just wanted to call and let you and Dad know I was alright."
"Are you sure? We can be out there before tomorrow morning?"
"I'm sure Mom, Erin's here, and OA is on his way back with dinner, they're both being allowed to stay overnight and I'll be able to go home in two days. I really appreciate the offer to come but I promise, I'm okay," Maggie replied as OA walked in.
"OA, huh? Your partner? Are you sure there's nothing going on with you two? You seem awfully close to just be partners," Andrea replied with a slight smirk on her face. Erin barked out a laugh before covering her mouth with her hand and attempting to not give anything away to their mother who was on speaker phone. OA paused and looked in the direction of Maggie's phone like a deer caught in the headlights. Maggie raised her eyebrow at him. He nodded.
"Well, the answer to that question has actually changed since the last time you asked me. OA and I, we're together now, Mom, but it's really new. It hasn't even been a week."
"Now, your Daddy and I just have to meet him. It's already been almost five years since y'all got partnered up, and now you're dating him. It's been long enough, Maggie Beth, I simply must meet him soon," Andrea replied and Maggie had to chuckle at the midwestern drawl that slipped from her mother's mouth once she got excited about something.
"Listen, Mama, I'll be out of work for about two weeks after I get out of the hospital. OA will still have to work but what if you Daddy came out here once I was home? You could finally meet OA and I might even let you fuss over me, just let me get home from the hospital and y'all can come out for a week or so."
"Alright, I'll let your Daddy know. You think you could pick us up from the airport so we don't have to drive out there?"
"Yeah, we can do that, Mama. We'll schedule a night to go out to dinner, and Erin can join us too."
"That'll be nice, Maggie Beth, we'll see you then."
"Alright, don't forget to send us the flight info, I love you."
"I will, I love you too, bye Baby."
"Bye Mom," Maggie replied and hung up.
"Maggie Beth?" OA asked with a smirk.
"It's short for Maggie Elizabeth," Erin replied with a grin.
"Don't you dare start calling me that. The only reason I let my parents do it is because I don't dare tell my mama to call me something else," Maggie answered.
OA nodded and passed out their food so they could eat. They turned on the tv and let it play some mindless show. Once they finished eating, Erin and OA took turns changing into pajamas. He brought up both his and Maggie's go bags and Erin borrowed a pair of Maggie's sweats to sleep in. They'd set their cots up on one side of Maggie's Bed with OA between the two sisters. He would have put himself on the other side of her but the nurses needed to be able to get to her IV and check her vitals, so he settled for being as close to the door as he could.
They said their goodnights and Maggie was asleep seconds after her head hit the pillow.