Love Thaws: Melting

Trust

"Don't move."

Elsa twisted and writhed on the cold metal table. The lights above her were blindingly bright, causing her pain whenever she glanced at them.

"Mr. Adams, secure that strap please." Elsa grunted as her bonds tightened. "Thank you, Mr. Adams." The tone was cool and calculated.

Elsa still tried to struggle, though she couldn't do much more than wiggle. Elsa felt a sharp pain shoot up her shoulder and bit her lip to keep from crying out.

"24601, this would hurt less if you simply held still."

Elsa kept fighting. She would never stop fighting. She was panting now. And trembling. Her hospital gown was soaked in icy sweat. Elsa glanced over and saw the needle underneath her skin, pulling it up slightly. It had been entered parallel to her arm, sliding underneath the pale layer of skin on top. The needle was secured by multiple layers of tape. A thick stream of blood ran out of the place where the needle pricked her skin, dripping down her arm. Elsa was hit with a sudden wave of nausea as dots dances in her vision. She saw a plastic bag off to the side, being filled with a thick black-red substance. Elsa turned over and emptied her stomach's contents.

"Uh, that's disgusting," someone murmured. Elsa couldn't see who it was; her vision was too blurred. She was trembling and sweating profusely now.

"Someone clean that up. Gross."

"Hurry, we need something to wash down its throat. The acid could be damaging."

It. Elsa, though she was looking away, could still feel the slender, cold piece of metal. She imagined it sliding underneath her skin, piercing her flesh. Elsa vomited again. There were more disgruntled exclamations from the scientists. Elsa grimaced and tried to wipe her face on her hospital sleeve, but only succeeded in smearing it. She had always thought she was tough. And strong. Apparently she wasn't.

"This was a bad day to schedule an examination on it."

"Don't we have some gas? It'd be really helpful if she was unconscious."

"Can't. Director's orders. We don't know how our medicine would react with it. It might not be able to tolerate anesthetics. The first time she was gassed was a mistake because she'd gone into a minor panic attack."

Her body stiffened. No, not an examination. She clenched her jaw tightly. She hated examinations.

"What kind of exam?"

"Cerebrum."

No.

"Do they have the equipment set up?"

"Yeah. Hey, who was getting the mop?"

"Joe, roll in the equipment, would you, man?"

Elsa heard movement and held very still. The squealing of wheels turning on the cement floors reverberated around the room.

"Hold still."

Elsa winced at the sight of the needle, attached to an impressive metal instrument. She tried to shy away, but was bound tightly to the table. A little too tightly. She couldn't feel her feet anymore, except for the tell-tale needle prickles. She gasped as he held up a needle, connected to a long cord. He held to closer to her. Elsa couldn't escape. She could only scream.

"NOO!!!" The sound was loud and harsh, stripping her throat raw. She hardly sounded human.

Elsa felt herself being restrained, suffocated. She thrashed wildly, trying to escape her bonds.

"Elsa!" Jack yelled in her ear, startling her.

Elsa could feel a restraint wrapped tightly around her waist, pinning her arms. She gasped and fought for all she was worth, kicking her feet frantically.

"Hold still!"

No, she wouldn't hold still. She'd never hold still. Elsa fought with renewed vigor. She went completely limp when she had drained herself of all her energy. Of all her life. Tears poured from her eyes. Her breath came in shallow, heavy pants.

"It's okay, Elsa. You were having a nightmare."

Having a nightmare? I live a nightmare. Her breathing finally calmed, but her heart didn't stop pounding. Elsa trembled, but she still didn't have enough energy to move.

"It's okay. It's okay, Elsa."

Elsa held completely still when she felt something warm on her back. Jack continued to rub circles into her back, soothing her. The stiffness gradually seeped from her body, leaving behind sheer exhaustion. 

Jack hugged her to his strong chest. Elsa was too tired to do anything. To think anything, except that his arms felt nice around her. Elsa simply reveled in the feeling of existing. Mattering a little to someone. His warm breath gently stirred her hair. Occasionally, he'd skim his fingers down her arm, comb his fingers through her hair, or tenderly caress her face, as if assuring himself she was still there. Elsa forgot all about her resolve to stay away, to not trust him. She nestled closer.

Jack's breath hitched when she moved closer. He took the initiative and tucked her frame into his. He felt fire course through his veins as he felt her soft curves meet his hard planes. She'd been gone for so long, taken from him. And now she was here. In his arms. Jack brushed his fingers down her bare arm, savoring the warm sparks he could feel when he did so. 

He felt his heart swell. It had just dawned on him that he wasn't alone. Of course, he'd thought about being with her, but he hadn't really realized what it'd be like to have her again. Her breathing calmed and she was totally limp in his arms, completely trusting. Jack hoped this was a good sign, though he wished she could trust him when she was wide-awake. But he'd take this. Jack knew he hadn't had her consent to do so, but he couldn't help himself. Jack kissed her forehead ever so gently.

"Goodnight, Elsa."

If only she would trust him.