Compassion

Bullets

She was awakened later that night by screaming. She sprinted to her room from the couch and saw him on the bed writhing in agony. "Ahhhhhhh." Turning on the light, she saw his skin breaking. "Athena. What. Is. Happening." He clenched his jaw. She met his pain filled eyes shocked.

Turning the light on, she saw the skin breaking open. "I can't believe it. Your body. Your body is expelling the bullets."

"So. Much. Pain." He grunted.

"I know, I'm sorry. With all of the poison inside you I smelled, I thought the buckets dissolved but these are still solid. You immune system is probably the strongest I've ever seen."

"What. Does. That. Mean?" He bit his lip to keep from screaming. Instead, he instinctively reached for her hand. She squeezed it and studied his wounds, her mind doing calculations.

"Your body is completely ridding itself of the rest of the silver. When wolves are usually shot, remnants always stick around because a silver bullet is designed to dissolve within the blood stream and destroy from the inside out. Actually," she got excited. "that probably explains the paralysis!" She let to of his hand and bought her tools to the bed side. "I will need to make little incisions into your skin where the original wound is so the bullet as it leaves does not do anymore unnecessary damage to your tissue." She leaned her head working and he did not take his eyes off of her face. He was awed by the sheer concentration and intelligence in her eyes as she carefully removed every bullet dropping them on the ground. "Turn over." She carefully eased him on his stomach. His skin tingled where she ran her hands up and down his spine. "Ok sit still. This is the most difficult one. We don't want any further damage done to your spine." She concentrated for hours waiting for the right moments and slumped when the last one fell to the ground with a thud. Helping him over she scanned his skin. "Gosh now these new wounds are open." She turned to get her new kit, the light reflected in her tired eyes.

"Wait. Ow."

"What?!" She rushed back to the bed. "Is something oof--"

"These wounds can wait. Lay down." He said grabbing a hold of her wrists and pulling her down.

"You are losing blood as we speak I need to--"

"The bullets are out?" He interrupted.

"Yes but the wounds.."

"They will heal, your mission is accomplished. I am in pain and your presence helps." He added a wince for good measure. He pulled her to him by the wrists laughing when she fell over his chest. "What are these?!" He yelled outraged observing her fingertips. Over her fingers were various burn marks and bruises.

She snatched her hand away. "They're small burns from holding the bullets as I took them out. They will heal."

He grabbed her hand again. "Do they hurt?" He asked softly.

"Not much." He bought her fingertips to his lips softly kissing them one by one. He could taste the silver on them burn his taste buds but he found it bearable as he felt her relax.

"Better?" He murmured.

She pushed back her emotions and reminded herself that he may be helping the physical pain but he had cause her so much more emotional anguish. "Yes."

"Rest." His thumb brushed the bags under her eyes softly. "You have not gotten enough rest lately. I will manage as you rest." He was curious at his need to see her rested and reminded himself of the photos he saw. But nevertheless, the woman is exhausted.

"I am not tired." She could not hide her yawn.

"I'm selfish but not cruel." He smiled slightly at the understatement. "It'll make me feel better if you rest. Rest with me." He murmured. Eventually she fell asleep beside him. The pain he felt had dulled into just an ache as he studied her face. Asleep, she looked younger and carefree. His eyes snapped to the dull scar over her brow identical to that of his. He traced it with his thumb and was surprised as it glowed bright silver. Opening her eyes, her midnight eyes stared into his midnight eyes.

"Humans are so prideful." His wolf said to hers.

"They will find their way back." She assured him.

He woke up that next morning and smiled when he noticed her still asleep. Whether he wanted to admit it or not, the woman beside him had saved his life, but still the past five years could not be erased. Athena woke up and caught Elijah studying her eyes, a warmth in them she had not seen in years. She sat up quickly, "how are you feeling?"

"Stiff but better." He smiled slightly. She directed her gaze to his legs.

"Anything?" She asked softly.

"Nothing." He sighed.

She rose and wrinkled her nose playfully. "Someone, needs a bath."

He sniffed himself. "That is called musk." He teased.

"That is called, my nose is bleeding."

He laughed. "How am I getting to the restroom?" She blushed and left the room to run the bath water before shifting into her wolf. Entering the room again, she barked what he knew was a demand. He slowly pulled himself onto her and she slowly worked them into the bathroom. He appreciated the fact that she did not embarrass him or made him feel less like a man. She lifted him into the bath making sure his weight was balanced between her and the bath and not so much the his lower body. When he settled she shifted back and donned a robe. "I got it." He murmured. "You've done enough."

She slammed the cloth she picked up down. "Are we seriously back to this?!"

"Why do you think I need you for everything?! So what I'm paralyzed. I have it!" She left the bathroom annoyed.

"Fine! Have a great bath." Entering her kitchen, she noticed the lack of food and took the chance to run into town for supplies do and check on her position at work. She opened the door and stood in the doorway. "I am going to the store in town do you--"

Elijah grunted as he worked to wash and balance himself.

"Fine then..." She rolled her eyes and peaked outside before grabbing her jacket and hat to put over her ponytail. "Looks like a storm is coming."

In town she hurriedly bought the necessities that would last her. She studied the packs of meat. "Beef for stew or chicken noodles?"

"Athena." She turned to see a casually dressed Roger grinning down at her.

"Oh, hello Roger. I hope all is well." She said awkwardly.

"I was under the impression that you were out of town with family matters. You've not been at work." He said with an eyebrow raised.

"Oh, yes." She forgot she asked Betty to cover for her. "I just got back and needed to stock up on food." She picked beef and chicken and made her way past him.

"Oh well hopefully we will be seeing you at work soon once you are settled again."

"Yes most definitely." She pushed the hair that escaped her pony tail back as her items were rang up. She looked back to see Roger studying her. "Yes?"

"Oh, nothing. You are just beautiful is all."

She blushed and smiled genuinely. "Thank you Rodger." She paid the register clerk and waved before editing the store. He rushed out behind her.

"Athena, would you like for me to follow you home, word has been around that there have been some strange happenings lately with not so gentlemanly men coming to these parts and whatnot."

Her curiosity peaked but she shook her head in negation. "No thank you, I believe I will be fine."

"You certain?"

"Yes. Thank you again." She got into her car.

"See you very soon Athena." She gave him one last small wave before driving back to her house.