In Sickness and in Health (Kyalin)

XOXOXOXOXOXOXO

A couple days passed with nothing interesting happening, but today was the first day that Kya was working at the hospital. They had really needed more healers and practically hired her on the spot.

"Good luck at work today. Show those other healers who's boss." Lin gave her a kiss on the cheek.

"There's only two other healers and they're both pretty young. I think I'll have to teach them a lot just to keep the clinic running."

"Like I said, show them who's boss."

"Okay, I will," Kya laughed, giving her a quick side hug. "I'll see you after work tonight. Love you."

"Love you too. Bye," Lin responded before Kya had to rush to work.

As she left, a quiet filled the apartment. Lin finished eating before heading to the bedroom to get dressed. She bent her armor onto herself, and as she closed the closet door, she snuck a glance at Kya's anniversary gift hidden in the corner.

I hope she likes it, Lin thought.

Unable to stay any longer, lest she be late, Lin left for work. On her way, she made a point to avoid the street where Soya's stand was stationed. As Lin walked, she lamented the fact that she was still on crutches. She had been on them for several days straight and her underarms were getting sore.

Once at work, the morning went fairly smooth. Lin unenthusiastically stayed at her desk and reviewed the large stack of papers in her office. During her lunch break, she went to the bathroom, and on her way back, she overheard a few officers talking about something that piqued her interest.

"A fight broke out at a hospital, southeast quarter. 4 involved, 3 bystanders injured."

Lin stopped in front of their desk. "Have any officers been sent out there yet?"

"No, ma'am."

"I'm coming then."

"But Chief, your leg," he protested. "Are you sure?"

"I said I was coming," she said sternly. She looked the young officer in the eye, daring him to challenge her.

He gulped and nodded. Soon after the conversation, two Satomobiles marked with RCPD drove towards the hospital. In the passenger seat, Lin anxiously bent a clump of earth into various shapes.

They parked outside the clinic on cracked, gray pavement and walked in. Immediately, Lin noticed the size. Calling this place a hospital was very generous. The small, stuffy waiting room was lined with about ten chairs with a receptionist desk at the front. Behind the desk was a white curtain, slightly ajar, that revealed there were no actual rooms, just beds separated by more curtains.

Two of the officers went off to start their investigation as Lin and Officer Ming walked up to the receptionist, a plump man with a thick brown mustache.

"Are you here to check in?" he asked, noting the crutches. "You'll have to take a seat. I'm afraid we're running a little behind today."

Lin said nothing in response, so Officer Ming took this as her cue to explain why they were there.

"We are here because there was a fight reported," she clarified kindly.

The receptionist stood. "Of course, officers. My mistake." He bowed slightly. "You can speak to our head healer. She helped to break up the fight earlier." He went to open the curtain but found that Kya was already standing in the opening. "Oh, here she is now."

Lin felt a wave of relief knowing that Kya wasn't one of the bystanders injured, but she kept a serious look on her face. Their eyes met and Kya's narrowed.

"Chief Beifong," she said coldly, "I would be happy to detail the incident for you, if you would follow me to one of the rooms."

Kya led Lin to a "room" with an empty bed and closed the curtain, though that did little to give them any privacy. She stood with her back to the wall and crossed her arms in Lin's direction.

"What are you doing here?" she hissed, careful to keep her voice low.

Lin matched Kya's volume but tried to keep any malicious tone out of her voice. "I wanted to make sure you were okay."

"Well, I am!" Kya's voice momentarily dipped out of a whisper but she quickly brought it back. "What we're you thinking? You're still on crutches!"

"It was just a simple check-in. There was no danger involved."

What Kya couldn't do with volume, she made up for in expressive gestures. Her arms were flying around, hands punctuating each point. "That's not what I was talking about, Lin." Her voice softened but still retained an irritated tone. "I love you, but you can be so stubborn sometimes."

Lin didn't have a chance to respond since she heard one of her officers approaching. She took her eyes off Kya and resumed her professional, rigid posture.

"Chief, so sorry to interrupt. I would knock, but with the curtain and everything. There's not really a door, but you already know that so—"

Lin cut off the young officer, who stopped talking with relief. "What do you need?"

"We've finished up out here and we're ready to go," he relayed.

"Ok. I'll be out in a minute. Dismissed."

As Lin turned to leave, Kya stopped her and gave her a kiss goodbye. She whispered in her ear. "See you at home."

——

Later that night, Lin arrived home to an empty apartment. She found a note on the kitchen table for her from Kya.

Went shopping
Don't wait up
Love you

XOXOXOXOXOXOXO
-Kya

Lin smiled down at the note, shaking her head at the long string of X's and O's. She figured that Kya was out buying an anniversary gift since she always waited until the last minute anyway. Kya's procrastination was one of Lin's pet peeves, but she occasionally enjoyed the antics it got them both into, even if she was brought in them somewhat against her will.

Not knowing when her girlfriend would return home, Lin decided to turn in for the night. After all, she would need her rest since tomorrow was their anniversary.