Recovery (5/?)
Title: Recovery (5/?)
Character/Pairing: Wash/Taylor
Word Count: This chapter; 3,027 So far; 8,119
Genre: Hurt/Comfort, Drama, Romance, Fluff!
Rating: PG-13
Warning: Language
Spoiler Alert: All Season 1 episodes
Summary: Without her by his side Commander Nathanial Taylor realizes all that he has lost but news soon circulates and hope for a future he'd though lost is within his grasp.
Author's Note: I apologize I haven't had time to respond to everyone's comments. Thank you all for your wonderful comments, I'm glad others are enjoying this story. Figured the best way to respond to your comments was to get another chapter up quickly, enjoy!
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
She woke again a few hours later. Taking a deep breath, as much as her tight lungs would allow, she opened her eyes again, was pleased when her eyelids cooperated with a little less resistance this time around. Luckily she still had her head turned toward the man sleeping in the chair next to her. She didn’t want to admit it, but even the simple act of moving her head to the side had taken a worrying amount of energy. Ignoring that thought when her eyes focused; she stared at Nathaniel as he slept.
He looked haggard, which could most likely be attributed to the chair he was sleeping in if the grimace marring his features was anything to go by. A smile formed as her thoughts turned to that of her miraculous luck, she was alive, Nathaniel was here; Terra Nova was still standing. Though she would never regret the decision to give her own life to save those of the ones she loved, she was very happy to still be in the land of the living. She didn’t know what benevolent force had allowed her to survive once again; she silently sent a very big thank you out to whomever or whatever was out there watching over her.
Moving her hand across the bed she attempted to lift it to touch Nathaniel. Her hand wouldn’t cooperate though, glaring at her hand in frustration she tried again. After the third unsuccessful attempt she sighed and let her hand flop back to the bed, weakness robbed her of any ability to shift closer and reach him. Touching her tongue to parched lips she attempted to speak but the words stuck in her throat, dry and constricted from lack of use. If she’d been able a growl of frustration would have escaped her but she found she was even too weak for that. She didn’t give up though; trying again she was pleased when a whispered croak managed to leave her lips.
“Nathaniel.”
The sound of her voice sounded weak and unreal to her own ears but it had him bolting upright in the chair. A groan of pain escaped his lips at the quick movement but died mid-way through when he found himself staring into Lieutenant Alicia Washington’s eyes, her open eyes.
“Alicia?” he blinked and brought a hand up to rub at his eyes as if to confirm she was really there, really awake.
“Yes” she managed with a slow smile forming on her face.
He stood up so fast he knocked the chair right off of its legs, and then he was there leaning over her, taking her hand into the heat of his.
“You’re awake.” He said it as if he was finding it hard to believe.
“I should notify Dr. Shannon and- ”
“Nathaniel wait.” She croaked. “Not yet.” She needed to understand everything that had gone on and that was going on before anyone else entered the room.
“Water.”
With a squeeze to her hand he strode across the room to the sink situated in the corner and filled a plastic cup with water. Grabbing a straw from the dispenser he returned to her side, pressed a button on the bed so she was put in a semi-sitting position and put the straw to her lips. Inwardly grumbling to herself at the uselessness of her body she took the straw between her lips and was able to draw enough liquid from it to soothe her throat. When she was finished he set the cup on the table beside her bed and gripped her hand in his again. She gripped back with as much strength as she could manage.
He reached up with his free hand and touched her cheek with the backs of his fingers. She was alarmed by the unsteadiness of his hand.
“I thought I’d lost you.” He murmured.
Her heart clenched at the forlorn expression that crossed his face and the desperately sad tone of his voice. It was painful to see such a strong man brought low by his emotions. The only other time she’d seen a look like that cross his face had been when Ayani died.
“Nathaniel I- ”
He cut her off. “No, I would have done the same in your position. Sometimes though I just wish you weren’t so damned honorable Alicia.”
She smiled at his disgruntled tone.
Catching his eyes with hers she turned serious. “How- How am I still-?” She couldn’t finish the question.
“You should be glad that you never could teach Lucas how to hit a target.” Despite the seriousness of the situation he smiled at the memory of her attempts to teach his son marksmanship.
“He missed.” He said simply.
“If he missed then why am I in this bed feeling as though I’ve been hit by a slasher?”
He chuckled. “The bullet grazed your temple but he also hit you with a sonic blast. Luckily for us nobody in the Phoenix Group could pass as a competent medic, they thought you were dead. Reilly and Reynolds were checking the perimeter when we first got back to the colony and they found you near the south side of the gates."
His expression turned grim. "You’ve been in here for thirty-three days now.”
She gaped at him. “Thirty-three days.” She repeated weakly.
He gripped her hand tighter. “You’d been left out there for quite a while. You developed a respiratory infection and went into respiratory distress three days after you were brought to the infirmary. Dr. Shannon had to have a drain put in your lungs and they put you on a respirator for two weeks.”
She couldn’t stand the horrified expression on his face as he remembered those terrible weeks. “So that’s why I feel like I have a nyko sitting on my chest.”
He smiled at her bad attempt to cheer him up.
She looked up at him uncertainly. “I heard you talking to me.” She paused. “At least I think I heard- ”
“You did.” He assured her. “Dr. Shannon said talking to you was probably the best medicine we could give to get you conscious again. I think everyone in the colony came in to chat with you at some point.”
She grimaced; she hated the thought of others seeing her in a weakened state. She’d always hated being weak, always would. Just because the reason she was weak at the moment was because she’d been shot in the head at point blank range and should all rights be dead didn’t make her feel any less uncomfortable at being her the object of everyone’s concern.
Remembering bits and pieces of random conversation that she’d thought at the time been the work of her imagination she looked at Nathaniel.
“I have a vague remembrance of vampires in Terra Nova,” she paused; her brow furrowing, “and some sort of bizarre version of Little Red Riding Hood.”
She looked at him strangely when he burst into laughter. “Of course those are the kind of conversations you remember.”
Still chuckling he explained. “The first would be Zoe Shannon; she’s convinced Terra Nova is harboring a colony of vampires. The other is courtesy of Sam and Leah Marcos; they were reading you Little Red Riding Hood but got distracted and added a few of their own ideas to the story a bit.”
She smiled; it was good to hear him laugh. She had a feeling he hadn’t been doing much of that recently.
“What happened while I was out, how did we get the colony back? I guess Shannon gave you my-”
He cut her off before she could continue. “There’s plenty of time for that later, I think it’s about time we alerted Dr. Shannon.”
Reaching with his free hand he grabbed his comm off of his belt. Ignoring her protests he activated it.
“Dr. Shannon, this is Taylor.”
He waited about thirty seconds before he got what sounded like a very groggy but sharp Elizabeth Shannon on the other line.
“Commander, has something happened, is there something wrong with Lieutenant-”
He interjected before she could continue. “She’s awake Doc.”
There was silence for a long moment and then, “I’ll be right there.” Followed by the sound of a muffled crash and the sound of what sounded like Jim cursing before the link went silent. He grinned at the disgruntled expression on Alicia’s face.
“Let the circus begin.” She grumbles.
Ten minutes later a flushed Elizabeth Shannon enters Alicia’s room. The rest of the Shannon family is outside waiting, Jim Shannon had hovered at the door but Elizabeth had shooed him away telling him to keep an eye on the kids.
She lifted both of Alicia’s eyelids and flashed the eye scanner in both before checking her vitals. Despite the aura of delight coming off of her she still acted the consummate professional.
“Any gaps in your memory, trouble remembering or confusion?”
“Only when I first woke up, when I saw the Commander most everything came back.”
Nathaniel sat up in the chair, “Wait, when you first woke up? Why didn’t you wake me?”
A smile slipped over her face despite her best attempt to keep a blank expression. He was seriously put out that he hadn’t been made aware the first time she gained consciousness.
She affected a bland tone. “I’m sorry Sir, but I could barely move at the time.”
Elizabeth silenced whatever he’d been about to say with an I-will-throw-you-out-of-this-room-yet-even-if-you-are-the-Commander look.
“Are you able to feel everything Alicia? Arms, legs, hands, feet, toes and fingers? Any numbness or weakness?”
“Yes, I can feel everything just fine. Other than my butt from lying in this bed there’s no numbness. But I’m weak, everything is weak! I can barely lift my hand!” She grumbled, seriously affronted at her body for not responding to her the way it should.
Elizabeth lay a hand on her shoulder. “That is perfectly normal. Coming out of a coma like this is not like you see in the movies Alicia. Your brain and your body have suffered a severe trauma and it’s going to take a bit of time before you’re back in working order. You know, you’re very lucky to be alive, let alone to have it looking like you’re not going to have any serious complications from this.”
As she spoke Elizabeth’s voice shook with emotion. Alicia managed to grab hold of her hand, rare emotion entered her voice.
“It’s okay Elizabeth.”
Elizabeth nodded and wiped at her damp eyes with a sleeve.
“I can’t ever thank you enough for your sacrifice Alicia. If it weren’t for your actions we-” She broke off unable to continue.
“No thanks are needed Elizabeth.” Alicia squeezed her hand. “I would do it again without hesitation.”
Elizabeth nodded, she was without words for a moment, all she could manage was to squeeze Alicia’s hand back. “We’ll have to run more tests in the morning but from what I can see you are making a remarkable recovery. You’ll need to get plenty of rest.” She help up a hand as Alicia opened her mouth. “I know, you’ve been in bed for a month now, you’re thinking all you’ve done is rest.”
Elizabeth smiled when Alicia’s mouth snapped shut.
“You need natural rest now.”
Seeing as Alicia’s attention left her and went to the door she turned to see Zoe standing there with a repentant looking Jim. “Sorry” he mouthed.
Elizabeth smiled. “Would you possibly mind a couple of visitors for a few minutes? I tried to get them all to stay at home but they all woke up when Jim fell over a toy Zoe left in our room.”
Alicia grinned at that last bit and addressed Jim. “You seem to be falling down a lot lately Shannon.” She said with a smirk, watching as he comically affected a horrified expression.
“You just had to remember that story didn’t you Wash?” he grouched.
Alicia chuckled at both his expression and Elizabeth and Nathaniel’s intrigued ones.
“Seeing as they got up at four in the morning to come see me I couldn’t possibly turn away these visitors.”
Jim turned away from the room and motioned to Josh and Maddy who quickly entered the room. Maddy was already in tears when she entered and all she could manage was a watery “Thank you,” and a hug before she left the room to collect herself.
Josh was uncomfortably shifting from foot to foot and uttered a quiet but sincere “It’s good to have you back,” to Alicia before he too left the room.
Zoe Shannon approached Alicia and lifted a stuffed dinosaur onto the bed. “This is Carl. I made him to keep you company while you get better.”
Alicia smiled fondly at her and took the dinosaur and examined it for a moment. “Thank you Zoe. He’s beautiful, I’m sure he’ll be a great companion.”
Zoe smiled with delight and before she could be stopped she climbed onto Alicia’s bed and hugged her.
“I’m really glad you’re alive Lieutenant Washington. I really like you. Commander Taylor was very sad without you.” She mumbled into Alicia’s shoulder. "I gave him a hug too to make him feel better."
Alicia smiled and smirked at the uncomfortable expression on Nathaniel's face.“I like you very much as well Zoe and I’m very glad to be back.” She said. “I’d hug you back my arms don’t seem to want to cooperate with me right now.” She chuckled.
“All right Zoe; it’s time for you to go back to bed.” Elizabeth admonished as she peeled her off of the Lieutenant.
Jim stepped forward and grabbed Alicia’s hand and shook it. “Good to have you back Wash.” He said with a grin. “Everyone in your unit will be glad to have you back; they’re going to need you to terrorize them back in shape. Been slacking without you.” He added.
“Jim!” Elizabeth scolded. “She’ll not be going back on active duty for weeks!”
Jim chuckled and took Zoe’s hand. “Good luck convincing her of that.” He responded, then with a wave he tugged Zoe out the room with him.
Sighing with exasperation Elizabeth turned her attention back to Alicia.
“All right after that visit you look just about done in. Are you in any discomfort? I could give you some more pain medication if you need before I leave.”
“I’m fine Elizabeth; whatever you’re giving me is working pretty well.”
Elizabeth nodded. “Very well, now you go ahead and get some rest, you’ll need plenty of it to help your body completely recover."
Elizabeth turned to Taylor as he nodded in agreement.
“And you Sir, you need to go and get some sleep in a real bed, not this chair you’ve been occupying for the last four weeks.” She scolded him and with that final comment and a pat to Alicia’s hand she left.
Alicia looked at Taylor with a raised brow. “You’ve been sleeping in that chair the whole time I’ve been in here?”
He looked affronted at her incredulous expression. “Of course, unless one of us is OTG you know that I always sleep where you sleep.” He grunted.
She smiled at that but it quickly turned to a frown as she contemplated the chair he was currently sitting in. “Yes, but Nathaniel that has got to be the most uncomfortable looking chair for sleep that I have ever seen.”
“You would be right; I’ve aptly named it the chair-of-death.” He stretched and she heard all sorts of snap, crackle and popping coming from his body. “But as you know I’ve slept in worse places.”
She shook her head. "That is true, but now I’m awake and I think you should go to your quarters and get some sleep in a bed Commander.”
He smiled at her use of his title; she only used it when they were alone and she was annoyed with him.
“Sorry Lieutenant but I’m not going anywhere. How are you feeling?”
“Don’t change the subject on me Nathaniel-”
“I mean how do you feel, you’re a medic, are you up to some company in that bed?”
Catching on she smiled. “Hmm, I think that would be just what the doctor ordered." Her smile feel. "But Nathaniel we can’t, the infirmary will be open in a few hours and if anyone sees us.” She paused.
“That’s not a problem any longer; everyone knows about us now, have since I’ve spent every night here in your room. Though from what I’m hearing the whole colony had suspected for years now.”
“Nathaniel!” She hissed. “Now what is everyone going to think, they’ll think I’ve slept my way here! God what is everyone under my command going to think!”
He chuckled. “You don’t have to worry about any of that and you know it. Everyone in this colony knows you’ve earned you’re status the hard way and all of your boys are terrified of you when you're in Lieutenant mode so I don’t think you have any problems there either. Practically everyone in the colony has been in here at one time or another in the past month to see you Alicia; they all care for and admire you. Besides I don’t think it was ever much of a secret anyway other than from the brass back in 2149 I think everyone knew.”
Ignoring her surly expression Taylor lifted the covers off of her and gently slid her body over then climbed in beside her and turned her so her back was to his chest then pulled the covers back up over the both of them. Her body stayed rigid for a moment then she relaxed back into him unable to stay mad at him for long after thinking she'd never have another moment like this with him. A part of her was glad their relationship was out in the open but there was another part that had liked the secrecy. She was going to very uncomfortable getting the knowing looks that they were undoubtedly going to be receiving from everyone in the colony now. She sighed in resignation. She really couldn’t complain this is what she’d wanted after all. She was pulled from her thoughts as Nathaniel spoke again.
“See, now I can get some sleep in a real bed and I get to stay with you. Killing two birds with one stone Wash. That should comfort both yours and Dr. Shannon’s minds. Problem solved right Lieutenant?”
She hummed in her throat as her body absorbed his heat and closeness. “I do have to admit, I believe this was an excellent solution Sir.” She conceded. Sighing happily she drifted off in a cocoon of warmth and strength, stirring slightly when he spoke softly in her ear.
“I love you Lieutenant Alicia Washington.”
She smiled sleepily.
“I love you Commander Nathaniel Taylor.” She whispered and then closed her eyes and slept.
Character/Pairing: Wash/Taylor
Word Count: This chapter; 3,027 So far; 8,119
Genre: Hurt/Comfort, Drama, Romance, Fluff!
Rating: PG-13
Warning: Language
Spoiler Alert: All Season 1 episodes
Summary: Without her by his side Commander Nathanial Taylor realizes all that he has lost but news soon circulates and hope for a future he'd though lost is within his grasp.
Author's Note: I apologize I haven't had time to respond to everyone's comments. Thank you all for your wonderful comments, I'm glad others are enjoying this story. Figured the best way to respond to your comments was to get another chapter up quickly, enjoy!
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
She woke again a few hours later. Taking a deep breath, as much as her tight lungs would allow, she opened her eyes again, was pleased when her eyelids cooperated with a little less resistance this time around. Luckily she still had her head turned toward the man sleeping in the chair next to her. She didn’t want to admit it, but even the simple act of moving her head to the side had taken a worrying amount of energy. Ignoring that thought when her eyes focused; she stared at Nathaniel as he slept.
He looked haggard, which could most likely be attributed to the chair he was sleeping in if the grimace marring his features was anything to go by. A smile formed as her thoughts turned to that of her miraculous luck, she was alive, Nathaniel was here; Terra Nova was still standing. Though she would never regret the decision to give her own life to save those of the ones she loved, she was very happy to still be in the land of the living. She didn’t know what benevolent force had allowed her to survive once again; she silently sent a very big thank you out to whomever or whatever was out there watching over her.
Moving her hand across the bed she attempted to lift it to touch Nathaniel. Her hand wouldn’t cooperate though, glaring at her hand in frustration she tried again. After the third unsuccessful attempt she sighed and let her hand flop back to the bed, weakness robbed her of any ability to shift closer and reach him. Touching her tongue to parched lips she attempted to speak but the words stuck in her throat, dry and constricted from lack of use. If she’d been able a growl of frustration would have escaped her but she found she was even too weak for that. She didn’t give up though; trying again she was pleased when a whispered croak managed to leave her lips.
“Nathaniel.”
The sound of her voice sounded weak and unreal to her own ears but it had him bolting upright in the chair. A groan of pain escaped his lips at the quick movement but died mid-way through when he found himself staring into Lieutenant Alicia Washington’s eyes, her open eyes.
“Alicia?” he blinked and brought a hand up to rub at his eyes as if to confirm she was really there, really awake.
“Yes” she managed with a slow smile forming on her face.
He stood up so fast he knocked the chair right off of its legs, and then he was there leaning over her, taking her hand into the heat of his.
“You’re awake.” He said it as if he was finding it hard to believe.
“I should notify Dr. Shannon and- ”
“Nathaniel wait.” She croaked. “Not yet.” She needed to understand everything that had gone on and that was going on before anyone else entered the room.
“Water.”
With a squeeze to her hand he strode across the room to the sink situated in the corner and filled a plastic cup with water. Grabbing a straw from the dispenser he returned to her side, pressed a button on the bed so she was put in a semi-sitting position and put the straw to her lips. Inwardly grumbling to herself at the uselessness of her body she took the straw between her lips and was able to draw enough liquid from it to soothe her throat. When she was finished he set the cup on the table beside her bed and gripped her hand in his again. She gripped back with as much strength as she could manage.
He reached up with his free hand and touched her cheek with the backs of his fingers. She was alarmed by the unsteadiness of his hand.
“I thought I’d lost you.” He murmured.
Her heart clenched at the forlorn expression that crossed his face and the desperately sad tone of his voice. It was painful to see such a strong man brought low by his emotions. The only other time she’d seen a look like that cross his face had been when Ayani died.
“Nathaniel I- ”
He cut her off. “No, I would have done the same in your position. Sometimes though I just wish you weren’t so damned honorable Alicia.”
She smiled at his disgruntled tone.
Catching his eyes with hers she turned serious. “How- How am I still-?” She couldn’t finish the question.
“You should be glad that you never could teach Lucas how to hit a target.” Despite the seriousness of the situation he smiled at the memory of her attempts to teach his son marksmanship.
“He missed.” He said simply.
“If he missed then why am I in this bed feeling as though I’ve been hit by a slasher?”
He chuckled. “The bullet grazed your temple but he also hit you with a sonic blast. Luckily for us nobody in the Phoenix Group could pass as a competent medic, they thought you were dead. Reilly and Reynolds were checking the perimeter when we first got back to the colony and they found you near the south side of the gates."
His expression turned grim. "You’ve been in here for thirty-three days now.”
She gaped at him. “Thirty-three days.” She repeated weakly.
He gripped her hand tighter. “You’d been left out there for quite a while. You developed a respiratory infection and went into respiratory distress three days after you were brought to the infirmary. Dr. Shannon had to have a drain put in your lungs and they put you on a respirator for two weeks.”
She couldn’t stand the horrified expression on his face as he remembered those terrible weeks. “So that’s why I feel like I have a nyko sitting on my chest.”
He smiled at her bad attempt to cheer him up.
She looked up at him uncertainly. “I heard you talking to me.” She paused. “At least I think I heard- ”
“You did.” He assured her. “Dr. Shannon said talking to you was probably the best medicine we could give to get you conscious again. I think everyone in the colony came in to chat with you at some point.”
She grimaced; she hated the thought of others seeing her in a weakened state. She’d always hated being weak, always would. Just because the reason she was weak at the moment was because she’d been shot in the head at point blank range and should all rights be dead didn’t make her feel any less uncomfortable at being her the object of everyone’s concern.
Remembering bits and pieces of random conversation that she’d thought at the time been the work of her imagination she looked at Nathaniel.
“I have a vague remembrance of vampires in Terra Nova,” she paused; her brow furrowing, “and some sort of bizarre version of Little Red Riding Hood.”
She looked at him strangely when he burst into laughter. “Of course those are the kind of conversations you remember.”
Still chuckling he explained. “The first would be Zoe Shannon; she’s convinced Terra Nova is harboring a colony of vampires. The other is courtesy of Sam and Leah Marcos; they were reading you Little Red Riding Hood but got distracted and added a few of their own ideas to the story a bit.”
She smiled; it was good to hear him laugh. She had a feeling he hadn’t been doing much of that recently.
“What happened while I was out, how did we get the colony back? I guess Shannon gave you my-”
He cut her off before she could continue. “There’s plenty of time for that later, I think it’s about time we alerted Dr. Shannon.”
Reaching with his free hand he grabbed his comm off of his belt. Ignoring her protests he activated it.
“Dr. Shannon, this is Taylor.”
He waited about thirty seconds before he got what sounded like a very groggy but sharp Elizabeth Shannon on the other line.
“Commander, has something happened, is there something wrong with Lieutenant-”
He interjected before she could continue. “She’s awake Doc.”
There was silence for a long moment and then, “I’ll be right there.” Followed by the sound of a muffled crash and the sound of what sounded like Jim cursing before the link went silent. He grinned at the disgruntled expression on Alicia’s face.
“Let the circus begin.” She grumbles.
Ten minutes later a flushed Elizabeth Shannon enters Alicia’s room. The rest of the Shannon family is outside waiting, Jim Shannon had hovered at the door but Elizabeth had shooed him away telling him to keep an eye on the kids.
She lifted both of Alicia’s eyelids and flashed the eye scanner in both before checking her vitals. Despite the aura of delight coming off of her she still acted the consummate professional.
“Any gaps in your memory, trouble remembering or confusion?”
“Only when I first woke up, when I saw the Commander most everything came back.”
Nathaniel sat up in the chair, “Wait, when you first woke up? Why didn’t you wake me?”
A smile slipped over her face despite her best attempt to keep a blank expression. He was seriously put out that he hadn’t been made aware the first time she gained consciousness.
She affected a bland tone. “I’m sorry Sir, but I could barely move at the time.”
Elizabeth silenced whatever he’d been about to say with an I-will-throw-you-out-of-this-room-yet-even-if-you-are-the-Commander look.
“Are you able to feel everything Alicia? Arms, legs, hands, feet, toes and fingers? Any numbness or weakness?”
“Yes, I can feel everything just fine. Other than my butt from lying in this bed there’s no numbness. But I’m weak, everything is weak! I can barely lift my hand!” She grumbled, seriously affronted at her body for not responding to her the way it should.
Elizabeth lay a hand on her shoulder. “That is perfectly normal. Coming out of a coma like this is not like you see in the movies Alicia. Your brain and your body have suffered a severe trauma and it’s going to take a bit of time before you’re back in working order. You know, you’re very lucky to be alive, let alone to have it looking like you’re not going to have any serious complications from this.”
As she spoke Elizabeth’s voice shook with emotion. Alicia managed to grab hold of her hand, rare emotion entered her voice.
“It’s okay Elizabeth.”
Elizabeth nodded and wiped at her damp eyes with a sleeve.
“I can’t ever thank you enough for your sacrifice Alicia. If it weren’t for your actions we-” She broke off unable to continue.
“No thanks are needed Elizabeth.” Alicia squeezed her hand. “I would do it again without hesitation.”
Elizabeth nodded, she was without words for a moment, all she could manage was to squeeze Alicia’s hand back. “We’ll have to run more tests in the morning but from what I can see you are making a remarkable recovery. You’ll need to get plenty of rest.” She help up a hand as Alicia opened her mouth. “I know, you’ve been in bed for a month now, you’re thinking all you’ve done is rest.”
Elizabeth smiled when Alicia’s mouth snapped shut.
“You need natural rest now.”
Seeing as Alicia’s attention left her and went to the door she turned to see Zoe standing there with a repentant looking Jim. “Sorry” he mouthed.
Elizabeth smiled. “Would you possibly mind a couple of visitors for a few minutes? I tried to get them all to stay at home but they all woke up when Jim fell over a toy Zoe left in our room.”
Alicia grinned at that last bit and addressed Jim. “You seem to be falling down a lot lately Shannon.” She said with a smirk, watching as he comically affected a horrified expression.
“You just had to remember that story didn’t you Wash?” he grouched.
Alicia chuckled at both his expression and Elizabeth and Nathaniel’s intrigued ones.
“Seeing as they got up at four in the morning to come see me I couldn’t possibly turn away these visitors.”
Jim turned away from the room and motioned to Josh and Maddy who quickly entered the room. Maddy was already in tears when she entered and all she could manage was a watery “Thank you,” and a hug before she left the room to collect herself.
Josh was uncomfortably shifting from foot to foot and uttered a quiet but sincere “It’s good to have you back,” to Alicia before he too left the room.
Zoe Shannon approached Alicia and lifted a stuffed dinosaur onto the bed. “This is Carl. I made him to keep you company while you get better.”
Alicia smiled fondly at her and took the dinosaur and examined it for a moment. “Thank you Zoe. He’s beautiful, I’m sure he’ll be a great companion.”
Zoe smiled with delight and before she could be stopped she climbed onto Alicia’s bed and hugged her.
“I’m really glad you’re alive Lieutenant Washington. I really like you. Commander Taylor was very sad without you.” She mumbled into Alicia’s shoulder. "I gave him a hug too to make him feel better."
Alicia smiled and smirked at the uncomfortable expression on Nathaniel's face.“I like you very much as well Zoe and I’m very glad to be back.” She said. “I’d hug you back my arms don’t seem to want to cooperate with me right now.” She chuckled.
“All right Zoe; it’s time for you to go back to bed.” Elizabeth admonished as she peeled her off of the Lieutenant.
Jim stepped forward and grabbed Alicia’s hand and shook it. “Good to have you back Wash.” He said with a grin. “Everyone in your unit will be glad to have you back; they’re going to need you to terrorize them back in shape. Been slacking without you.” He added.
“Jim!” Elizabeth scolded. “She’ll not be going back on active duty for weeks!”
Jim chuckled and took Zoe’s hand. “Good luck convincing her of that.” He responded, then with a wave he tugged Zoe out the room with him.
Sighing with exasperation Elizabeth turned her attention back to Alicia.
“All right after that visit you look just about done in. Are you in any discomfort? I could give you some more pain medication if you need before I leave.”
“I’m fine Elizabeth; whatever you’re giving me is working pretty well.”
Elizabeth nodded. “Very well, now you go ahead and get some rest, you’ll need plenty of it to help your body completely recover."
Elizabeth turned to Taylor as he nodded in agreement.
“And you Sir, you need to go and get some sleep in a real bed, not this chair you’ve been occupying for the last four weeks.” She scolded him and with that final comment and a pat to Alicia’s hand she left.
Alicia looked at Taylor with a raised brow. “You’ve been sleeping in that chair the whole time I’ve been in here?”
He looked affronted at her incredulous expression. “Of course, unless one of us is OTG you know that I always sleep where you sleep.” He grunted.
She smiled at that but it quickly turned to a frown as she contemplated the chair he was currently sitting in. “Yes, but Nathaniel that has got to be the most uncomfortable looking chair for sleep that I have ever seen.”
“You would be right; I’ve aptly named it the chair-of-death.” He stretched and she heard all sorts of snap, crackle and popping coming from his body. “But as you know I’ve slept in worse places.”
She shook her head. "That is true, but now I’m awake and I think you should go to your quarters and get some sleep in a bed Commander.”
He smiled at her use of his title; she only used it when they were alone and she was annoyed with him.
“Sorry Lieutenant but I’m not going anywhere. How are you feeling?”
“Don’t change the subject on me Nathaniel-”
“I mean how do you feel, you’re a medic, are you up to some company in that bed?”
Catching on she smiled. “Hmm, I think that would be just what the doctor ordered." Her smile feel. "But Nathaniel we can’t, the infirmary will be open in a few hours and if anyone sees us.” She paused.
“That’s not a problem any longer; everyone knows about us now, have since I’ve spent every night here in your room. Though from what I’m hearing the whole colony had suspected for years now.”
“Nathaniel!” She hissed. “Now what is everyone going to think, they’ll think I’ve slept my way here! God what is everyone under my command going to think!”
He chuckled. “You don’t have to worry about any of that and you know it. Everyone in this colony knows you’ve earned you’re status the hard way and all of your boys are terrified of you when you're in Lieutenant mode so I don’t think you have any problems there either. Practically everyone in the colony has been in here at one time or another in the past month to see you Alicia; they all care for and admire you. Besides I don’t think it was ever much of a secret anyway other than from the brass back in 2149 I think everyone knew.”
Ignoring her surly expression Taylor lifted the covers off of her and gently slid her body over then climbed in beside her and turned her so her back was to his chest then pulled the covers back up over the both of them. Her body stayed rigid for a moment then she relaxed back into him unable to stay mad at him for long after thinking she'd never have another moment like this with him. A part of her was glad their relationship was out in the open but there was another part that had liked the secrecy. She was going to very uncomfortable getting the knowing looks that they were undoubtedly going to be receiving from everyone in the colony now. She sighed in resignation. She really couldn’t complain this is what she’d wanted after all. She was pulled from her thoughts as Nathaniel spoke again.
“See, now I can get some sleep in a real bed and I get to stay with you. Killing two birds with one stone Wash. That should comfort both yours and Dr. Shannon’s minds. Problem solved right Lieutenant?”
She hummed in her throat as her body absorbed his heat and closeness. “I do have to admit, I believe this was an excellent solution Sir.” She conceded. Sighing happily she drifted off in a cocoon of warmth and strength, stirring slightly when he spoke softly in her ear.
“I love you Lieutenant Alicia Washington.”
She smiled sleepily.
“I love you Commander Nathaniel Taylor.” She whispered and then closed her eyes and slept.