Compassion

Scene

Athena came to and her senses were filled with honey oak wood. Taking a deep breath of the alluring scent she sighed in contentment adjusting her head on the warm muscular surface. Her eyes popped open. Muscular? Her heart skipped a beat when she looked up and saw his face less than a few inches from her. The slow rise and fall of his chest told her that he was still asleep, a chest that her head was still rested on. Against her will, her eyes were drawn to his lips, lips that once were hers to kiss at will. She remembered the gagging sounds the tribe made when the couple publicly displayed their affection and she fully well remembered how those lips were capable of making her feel. Reluctantly leaving his lips, her eyes took in his face and how defined his cheek bones and jaw was, and grimaced at the slight rubble in it, she had never been a fan of a lot of facial hair. She saw how peaceful in his sleep he appeared and how it gave him the boyish look he had lost after fully maturing. Her heart skipped a beat when she glanced at him and found his eyes on her. His nostrils flared and she didn't move as he buried his head in her hair. "I thought I smelt--" he muttered into her hair pausing when he sniffed again, "never mind. How are you feeling this morning?"

She shook her head at herself and sat up sighing slightly after distancing herself from his woody scent. It reminded her too much of the home she had before it had been broken and the absolute freedom of the run with her own kind. Elijah frowned when he saw sadness flash in her eyes. "I know it takes you time to cope but please know that you did the best you could."

She looked at him with widened eyes. He thinks I am thinking about losing my patient, which is what I should be focused solely on. Feeling ashamed of herself, she left the rooming hoping he did not catch a glimpse of her tears. They did not go unnoticed. Composing herself she made breakfast and paced as it cooled. As long as she continued to remember the pain he caused her, she would be fine. She went to her restroom and grimaced at her red rimmed eyes and messy hair, but washed her face and gained control of her emotions. She would be alright like she had been before he came rolling back into her life. Her head snapped back up and she felt a tinge of excitement. "The wheelchair!"

She ran outside and dragged it into the house adjusting it to where she knew he would feel comfortable. She went into the room and leaned against the door. He looked up a little worried, "there you are. Is breakfast ready? I can smell it from here." He said giving her a small smile.

She grinned, "I am feeling a little better now," and he nodded when she muttered a shy thank you, "how would you like to get out of that bed?" He looked puzzled when she disappeared and it cleared when he saw her wheel in the wheelchair. "I brought it from work and I figured it would help. Laying in bed must be a little stale." She explained.

"A wheelchair?"

"Yes, it is what humans use when they cannot walk, but it allows them to get around without putting pressure on the injured limbs."

His face darkened but seeing the excitement in her eyes, he could not bring himself to argue. Instead he looked away and rubbed the back of his neck. "I do not think this the best idea. I think my legs are feeling better and I do not need that--"

"I know being in a wheelchair makes it more of a reality Elijah." She said softly, "but it is best that we accept it and kind of work with it. If you can get around the house and become adjusted to using the chair, it makes it easier for me to work my longer shifts without worrying whether or not you've eaten."

He knew he was being selfish, but he had done a great job ignoring the lack of feelings in his limbs. She was right, sitting in that chair made it a reality, a reality that he was not sure he was ready to face. "is there a chance of me walking again?" He asked still not meeting her eyes.