Tough Love

Chapter One Hundred Twenty-Two

Chapter One Hundred Twenty-Two

Eli's P.O.V.

As Arrow and I sit in the living room to eat, I worry about what's going on with Dani. She's acting weird and I don't understand the sudden change. Arrow's voice snaps me out of my thoughts.

"She ok?"

I shrug and instantly regret the movement, letting out a groan of pain.

"I don't know, man. Maybe she's just tired. She didn't hear us come into the kitchen and we shocked her. It happens sometimes if she's taken off guard."

"Seeing that makes me so angry. I don't know how you hold it together. I'd want to rip some heads off or something."

I sigh, "I do. Every day I want to punish someone for the way they've treated her. Actually, multiple times a day, but I know that's not going to help her. I stay calm because I have to. If I don't, she'll panic even more. She is the way she is, and I love her for the way she is; scared parts, bad bits and all."

Arrow chuckles, "You're going soft on us, Eli. I never thought I'd see the day."

I smile at the thought, "Your day will come. Ash's too. I'll just sit back and wait for it. Then I can remind you of all the times you ribbed me for it."

"Fair enough. Although, I think you'll be waiting for pigs to fly if you're waiting for me to settle down. That's not my style. I'm not that guy."

"That's what we all say. Just you wait."

I take the sling off so I can eat and switch the TV on. We settle into silence while we eat and watch some random daytime program. My thoughts are still on Dani's strange behavior, but I know I'll have to wait until she's ready to discuss it.

Arrow leaves a few hours later, but before he goes, he triple checks that Dani is ok. Again, I notice that she's more comfortable with him than anyone else, maybe even Ash. It's like they've shared something that only both of them can relate to. Obviously, I would never ask what that is. It's private between the two of them, but I do notice the difference in their conversations. I'm glad she feels like she can be more comfortable around him.

I see Arrow out and then head back into the kitchen. Dani is cleaning up the lunch mess so I stand and watch her for a few minutes. She's muttering to herself in a language I don't know but I like hearing her talk in different languages. I love how natural it sounds coming from her lips. It's like she was born speaking every language she's learned.

I whisper, "Hey... You doing ok?"

She nods and then shrugs, like she's not sure about her answer.

"You want to talk about it?"

"Not yet."

"Ok.How about we take a nap? I didn't realize I would get so tired so quickly."

"You're recovering, it's going to make you tired. You should really be resting, Eli."

"I will, when you rest too. Come on, everything else can wait until later."

I make an attempt to take my t shirt off, but I get stuck with half of my arm out of the sleeve. I let out a hiss of pain and then say, "Babe? I need your help. I can't get out of the t shirt. Can you just pull that sleeve please?"

I attempt to move again, but Dani's voice is stronger than I've heard it in a long time, as she says, "Wait! You'll rupture your stitches. I'll help you."

The shirt is half covering my face, so my smile is masked by the fabric. She's worried about me. While I don't like the fact she's feeling worried, it does remind me that she cares. Dani helps me out of my shirt and then she checks the dressings.