What the cat dragged in.

22 Scars

Kelly looked up at Victor, afraid that if she took her eyes off of him that he would disappear and she would be back in the darkness that had held her captive for so long. His mutton chops were connected by a rough growth of stubble. She should see the exhaustion etched around his eyes.

"You look like you haven't slept in days." Her own voice sounded strange to her. The gravelly feeling in her throat took a moment to hit her.

He grinned down at her. "Thanks. Wanna tell me how bad I smell now?"

"Maybe in a few minutes." She smiled and immediately winced.

Concern flashed across his face. "You in pain?"

She nodded slowly. "Everything hurts."

The door opened quickly and Kelly jumped, cowering against Victor's chest. He held her tighter. She vaguely recognized the blue doctor that rushed in as the one who had promised not to let her die, but the other man was a stranger to her. She recognized a look of shock when she saw it though.

"Miss Demmer?" The doctor said.

Kelly nodded. "Sorry, I don't remember your name."

He smiled and squatted down in front of her. "Quite understandable. Dr. Henry McCoy." He turned on a small light and raised it to her eyes. Kelly pushed it away.

"Can't I at least have a glass of water first? I feel like I've been swallowing sand."

McCoy kept his eyes on her. "Logan, water please."

The other man disappeared into a small bathroom and emerged with a paper cup of water. The longer she looked at him, the more Kelly was reminded of Victor. He was staring as he held the water out to her. Kelly held those intensely curious eyes, but didn't reach out to take the water. Victor held her a little tighter and took the cup. Kelly relaxed against him.

"This is my brother, Jimmy." He held the cup to her lips. "Usually he ain't mute."

He tilted the cup slowly. Cool water drained into her mouth and down her throat in a heavenly river. She doubted anything had ever felt so good. A tremor of pleasure coursed through her. For a minute, what he said didn't register. When it did, the water was still far more important to her.

"Brother?" She asked when he took the cup away from her lips.

"Didn't tell her about me?" Jimmy or Logan or whoever he was didn't take his eyes off of her.

Victor gave a little shrug and a cold smile. "You ain't been on my mind lately, Runt."

"Could you two continue this discussion somewhere else, please?" McCoy sounded annoyed.

"Jimmy can. I'm not goin' anyplace." Victor's arms tightened around her. It was the protective side of him coming through. Kelly wanted nothing more than to sink into those arms and hide there for the next few months. She knew there would be time for that later.

"I'd prefer to have a few minutes alone with Miss Demmer." McCoy's eyes were fixed on Victor.

"Why?" Victor's anger was rising now.

"Because she's my patient and she's just made a nearly miraculous recovery. I need to examine her."

Kelly stroked her forehead against his cheek. "Victor, I'll be okay."

He returned the gesture, only with more vigor. She moved with him. "You sure frail?"

She managed a little smile. "If you'll come back."

He grinned. "Take more than all of these assholes put together to keep me away." He held her close and got up, depositing her carefully on the bed. Kelly arranged the blanket around herself so that she could move.