Secrets and Sins

3. Well this sucks

~Ava~

Ava regained awareness slowly, hearing the slow beeps of the heart monitor and feeling the soft cotton sheets under her fingertips. Her head felt like it was full of cotton wool, her thoughts slow and meandering. Forcing her eyes open, Ava's vision was blurred from sleep. Letting out a frustrated huff, she tried to lift her hand to rub her eyes. But her hand wouldn't move, panic clawed at her insides, horrible memories of being paralyzed in the orphanage springing to the forefront of her mind. The beeps from the machines sped up to match the pounding of her heart.

"Hey, hey, hey. Easy now." A slightly calloused, familiar hand cupped Ava's face, thumb running across her cheekbone soothingly.

"You're safe, I'm here. You are not alone" Bea's blurry face appeared in front of her, the woman's features becoming more focused as Ava felt her panic begin to subside.

"Water?" Ava rasped out; her throat felt like sandpaper.

"Oh, of course." Bea replied, leaving Ava's field of vision for a moment before returning with a white plastic cup with a straw poking out of the top.

She raised the straw to Ava's lips; Ava gratefully drank almost the whole thing before pulling away. She didn't notice how Bea's gaze lingered on her mouth a moment too long.

"Thanks Bea." Her voice much clearer already, Ava turned her head from side to side, taking in her surroundings, "Hospital?"

They were in a small, sparse room. Everything about the room was white and clinical. Several machines were to the Halo bearer's right, various wires and tubes connecting her to them. On her left, the only chair in the room, and a rather uncomfortable looking one at that, occupied by Bea.

"You were in pretty bad shape." Bea started, voice trembling slightly. "I didn't know what else to do."

Ava wished she could touch her, comfort her, but the Halo bearer's traitorous appendages were still not cooperating. The best she could do was give the other woman a sympathetic look. Bea seemed to get the message though, and took Ava's left hand with both of hers, smoothing the pads of her fingers across her knuckles.

Ava studied the sister warrior's face; it was obvious she was exhausted. Bea's face was pale and drawn, dark blue smudges under her exhausted eyes. Despite it all, Bea was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen.

"I missed you." It seemed too simple to describe what Ava felt, but in the moment, it was all she could think of. Being here with Bea again was indescribable, like finally gasping in a breath when breaking the surface after a dive.

"God Ava, I missed you so very much." Bea's reply was quick and sharp, desperation leaking into her voice, like she was afraid the Halo Bearer might disappear at any moment.

"Language." Ava chided gently with a smirk, leaning her head back. She shut her eyes briefly as she breathed in deep only for rugged throb of pain to steal that breath away, reminding her why she was in hospital in the first place.

"You okay?" Bea asked, noticing Ava's discomfort.

"Yeah, I just forgot about the holes in my stomach for a second." She replied with a sardonic grin.

Bea nodded, a grim expression adorning her face, before she schooled it back to neutral. "You should rest. You've been through a lot".

Ava pouted. She didn't want to miss a moment of having Bea with her, especially after so long apart. But sleep beckoned her, making it hard to keep her eyes open.

"Okay, but you have to stay with me. Promise?"

Bea nodded, and just as Ava was almost asleep, she heard Bea murmur something back.

~Beatrice~

"Always." And though Beatrice was certain Ava was already asleep, but she said the next part anyway, "I love you."

She leaned back in the insanely uncomfortable chair and tried to relax. Exhaustion warring with Beatrice's need to be awake to protect Ava. Eventually she shut her eyes and was fast asleep within seconds.

It wasn't long before Beatrice woke again, back aching in the rigid chair. She stretched her arms above her head trying to relieve some of the stiffness. When that didn't work, she stood, hoping movement would help loosen her up.

Ava stirred beside her; the noise of her standing must've roused her.

"Bea? Whads happenin?" Ava's voice was thick with sleep, her words running together in a way that made Beatrice's heart melt.

"Nothing Ava. Go back to sleep."

"Mmmm, sore back? Come ere." Ava husked out, managing to roll over slightly.

Beatrice was thrilled to see the Halo bearer had regained some movement but didn't think sharing a bed would be a great idea right now.

"I don't think I should Ava, I don't want to hurt you."

Ava pouted over her shoulder, eyes half open. "Pleeeeeeease?"

She hesitated for a moment, still unsure. Ava whined softly. The noise sent a jolt through Beatrice, her face flushing. Trying to rein in the feeling, Beatrice took a deep breath to steady herself, now was certainly not the time.

"Fine."

"Yaaaaaaay." The Halo bearer sounded half asleep already.

Beatrice removed her running shoes and her socks as the left one had dried blood from the earlier graze to her knee. A nurse had tended to her while she had been waiting for Ava to be finished in surgery. She then carefully, as to not disturb Ava, lay on top of the blanket beside her. The Halo bearer immediately rolled towards her, pressing her face into the crook of Beatrice's neck and humming happily.

She didn't realize she had been holding her breath while Ava got comfortable until her lungs were screaming. Beatrice exhaled shakily before ever so slowly and softly draping her arm over Ava's hip, mindful of the injuries.

Despite the questions about how and why Ava was back, Beatrice felt her mind and body relax. It would be the most restful sleep she's had in days.