Logan

150. I'm Okay, Thomas

*Aeron's POV*

I saw the text from Natalie and instantly jumped in my truck to get to the fire station. The cold had subsided, but still stung my face and I walked into the main doors, roughly bumping into someone.

"Oh sorry," I saw a woman about Natalie's age, she was gorgeous, but in a conventional way. Too thin for my liking, but she had nice eyes.

"Wow, hey. Looks like I got lucky running into you."

"Do you know where I might find Natalie, Natalie Koughlin?"

Her smile faded, her eyes rolled and she let out a sigh, "Oh, what is with everyone being so infatuated with her. Desi, then Briar, pretty sure even the Captain favors her."

Why did she open her mouth? Oh, wait, I think I know who this is. "You must be Elena."

Her eyes lit up and she put her hand out, and I kept my hands in my pockets, "That's me!"

"If she's not here, is Desmond Raleigh here by chance?"

"I'll go get him." She winked at me and I felt my stomach churn.

"Aeron!" I turned to see Natalie and she rushed to me, her voice raspy, "What are you doing here?"

I scooped her up in my arms and let out a satisfied sigh, "I just wanted to make sure you were alright love."

"I'm fine," she said, kissing my neck and cupping my cheek, "I'm okay, I promise."

I let her down and saw the small bandage on her thigh, the bruise starting to form, pink and red.

"They had to rip my tights, I really liked those." She quipped, "Do you like my dress?"

She opened up her jacket a bit more and I saw the deep v neck and sparkles, and the slits in her dress I noticed she'd hemmed. "Absolutely breathtaking. You bruise so easily, I forgot." I kept my hands in my pocket, if she hadn't been at the hospital and not feeling well, I'd be tempted to touch her. "But I'm so relieved you're alright."

"Natalie!" Desmond cried out and the two of us turned to see him racing up, then an awkward display of emotions as he seemed to be conflicted on how to greet her. He took her hand and kissed the back of it, his face a look of concern and relief. He squatted down and grazed his thumb against the bandage and looked up at her. "I'm sorry they had to cut your tights, I know you really liked those." Natalie looked up at me and I shrugged.

Desmond looked up at Natalie and she looked at him, and I knew. Something still sparked between them, they still wanted each other, regardless of what one said about the other. I looked away and Huxley and I made eye contact, and he simply shrugged, a look of satisfaction in his grin.

Before I could say anything Captain Ripley bounded down the stairs, and Desmond moved away before Thomas rushed Natalie, his little flashlight in her eyes, checking things, and Natalie said nothing as she played his game, then lifted her other leg and teased, "I can stand up with one foot too, and I can only go up to Q if you need me to say the alphabet backward." She laughed and I saw the look of relief on his face. His arms pulled her into an embrace and she fell into it, smiling and he cupped the back of her head.

"I'm okay, Thomas, really." I saw the look of relief on his face, were those tears? "This is nice." We all three looked at each other.

Thomas pulled away clearing his throat, wiping one eye, "You're really okay though? No swelling, no rash from what I can see, but you can never be too sure."

Natalie nodded and shrugged her shoulder playfully, "I told you I'd be home by 11:00." Ripley only barely chuckled and his smile faded but he nodded, then stood straighter.