Stolen Shadows

21 - Home

The world came back to her in waves. First, it was the bed beneath her, too soft but perfectly warm, two pillows propped beneath her head and shoulders. Next, it was the sounds: the monitors, one for her heartbeat, one for her breathing, one for something she didn't know. There were voices outside in the hall, hurried footsteps and the sound of something rolling by on wheels. Finally, it was the hand folded around hers and holding on tight.

Addison opened her eyes. She blinked a few times, adjusting to the sunlight filtering through the curtains, vaguely remembering that it was dark when she fell asleep. No, not fell asleep—passed out. Different things.

The hand holding hers squeezed, and Addison squeezed back.

Sophie leaned forward, her other hand brushing the hair back from Addison's face. "Hey," she whispered.

Addison stared at her. Just stared. At the way her lips parted in a sad smile, but shiny and soft and perfect to be kissed. At the way her eyes were glistening with unshed tears, the puffiness beneath her eyes giving away that she had been crying at some point, that she must be exhausted.

"Hey," Addison breathed back. And then Sophie leaned in and kissed her.

Their hands stayed clasped together, but the other was free to roam. Addison tangled hers in Sophie's dark hair, pulling her closer. Sophie's hand moved to Addison's jaw, holding her there, not letting the moment end as their lips were soft against each other's.

Addison tasted salt and realized she was crying. She pulled away, and Sophie's thumbs swiped at the tears.

"You're okay," Sophie whispered. "You're safe."

Addison nodded once, swallowing hard. "I missed you," she said softly. "I shouldn't have left your apartment."

Sophie smiled, hand stroking Addison's hair, tangling in the soft strands. "I missed you too."

"I'll stay next time."

Sophie kissed her on the forehead. "You better."

---

It took a few weeks for Addison to come back to herself. She was mobile after a few days, back at the office as soon as she could walk. There was a welcome back/congratulations-on-not-dying party that the team put together, consisting mainly of cake and champagne. Addison had gone along with it, for the first time in too long enjoying herself with her friends. Sophie never left her side. The team may have noticed, but had silently agreed that it would be kept quiet.

The first week was a marathon, but when it came to a close Addison felt better than she had in a long time. And, falling asleep that night in Sophie's bed, skin tender and limbs bare—she couldn't have wished for anything better.

That weekend, after pulling some strings and making some calls, Mike met Addison outside the city as a free man. Of course, he didn't know he was meeting Addison. He'd gotten a message from the vigilante with a time and place and a promise. When he stepped out of his car into the deserted parking lot for some hiking trails, he stopped dead in his tracks.

Addy smiled. "Nice to see you without the handcuffs," she called.

Mike took slow, measured steps forward. "What are you doing here? I'm meeting someone—"

"Oh, I know," Addison said. "Some Batman wanna-be, I heard?"

Mike's mouth dropped open. "No way."

Addison shrugged. "Now you know why I couldn't tell you."

"No. Fucking. Way," Mike repeated. "You—the police chief! Is the vigilante!" He laughed out loud. "Holy shit, dude. You've got the entire world fooled, don't you?"

Addison laughed with him. "Not the whole world. Other than you, two people know. Two people I trust. Can I trust you with this, Mike?"

He nodded. "Of course. Always. You kinda changed my life."

"About that." Addison reached into her coat and pulled out an envelope. "One way ticket to Italy. I've got a friend there, reserving a place for you. But." Addison held it out to Mike. "It's temporary. If you're gonna be okay over there, you've gotta step it up."

"I will. I promise." Mike took the envelope. "I... I don't know how to thank you."

Addison shook her head. "Don't. Please. I'd probably be dead right now if it weren't for you. Or arrested. So I'd say we're even."

Mike smiled and held out his hand. Addy took it, drawing him in for a hug.

"Have a good time for me," she told him.

"Aye aye, captain."

They separated, and Addison watched him get into his car and drive off. She smiled to herself. That was it. The last thing she had to do. And now, she could go home.

---

The radio was on when Addison arrived at Sophie's place, Christmas music playing throughout the apartment. She shrugged off her coat and scarf, smiling as Sophie danced in front of the stove, a wooden spoon in her hand. Sophie glanced over her shoulder with a smile. "How'd it go?"

"Good," Addison called back. "He's all set for a new life. And I'm all set to get back to mine." She hugged Sophie from behind, kissing her on the shoulder.

They swayed back and forth, Addison's kisses traveling across Sophie's neck, until a timer went off and Sophie pulled her attention back to cooking.

After dinner, they lounged on the couch together, wine glasses in hand. Addison draped her arm over the back of the couch and Sophie sat snug against her side. The Christmas tree they decorated together was across the room, casting a warm golden glow over everything.

Sophie took a sip of wine. "What do you want for Christmas?"

Addy shrugged. "I don't know. I've got what I want already," she added, nudging Sophie's hip.

Sophie smiled, shaking her head. "Come on, there has to be something."

Addison put down her wine glass, then did the same with Sophie's. She turned towards her, her hand tracing the line of Sophie's jaw.

"I can think of one thing..." Addy closed the space between them, lips meeting with the bitterness of the wine. Her teeth scraped Sophie's lip and her breath catched, hand traveling to the button of Sophie's jeans. Sophie hooked her hands at the back of Addy's neck, pulling their bodies closer as Addison's hand traced a path up the inside of Sophie's thigh. She gasped, head tilted back, and Addison took the opportunity to trail kisses against her skin. They moved together, Sophie panting in Addy's ear, heat sparking between their bodies.

After, Sophie curled against Addy's chest, waiting for her heart to stop racing.

"I think I love you," Sophie whispered. She didn't think about it; just said it. Addison shifted beneath her and she looked up, worried she made a mistake. But Addison was smiling.

"I think I love you too," she said.

And then she kissed her.