Compassion

Promise

  Gazing at her again he whispered a prayer of healing for them both and lost himself to slumber.

His eyes opened and she was the first thing he saw. He smiled slightly when a light snore escaped her lips and he shifted carefully not wanting to wake her. Her hair fanned his chest and she took most of the covers as he had always remembered. He figured at some point John must have put the blanket on the pair and he made a mental note to thank him. He realized he could not hate anyone who had Athena's best interest at heart. He thought back to the night before when he nearly changed and figured he had John to thank for that as well. He concentrated glancing down at his feet and tried to move his foot and smiled when he saw his toes twitching and strengthened his resolve to dedicate his time to being able to walk. No longer, he decided, would he mope around and drown in his self-loathing but instead, work and train himself and assist his own healing process. Along the way he would atone his wrong done to Athena.

Smiling and confident he leaned down to kiss her forehead. "If you would have me," he whispered, "allow me time to make up for my foolishness, I will make you so happy, I promise. I will love you forever and a day." He smiled remembering the vows he made their wedding day. "If you will not have me, I will find a way to accept that, but never will I find another you. Never will I try." Her hand that rested over his heart gripped his shirt briefly before her hold loosened and she rolled over to her other side. He swallowed his chuckle and pushed himself up preparing himself to get out of bed when she rolled over again nearly on top of him. Still a crazy sleeper. Some things do not change. He smiled again at her and swore he saw her grin a bit but it could have been wishful thinking. Not wanting to leave the comfort of the bed, he decided to make her breakfast some other time. He scooted down and wrapped his arms around her slim form at peace for what seemed to be the first time in forever.

His alluring scent surrounded her and she could not seem to pull herself from it. Breathing deeply she slowly opened her eyes and jumped when she saw how close to his face she had been. She tried to get up but winced when she felt a bit of pain relaxing only when his arms tightened around her. "You've awakened." He stated.

"Very observant."

He smiled at her sass. "Thank you, I try on occasion." He laughed a bit at her eye roll but got serious. "How do you feel? You had quite the night. Do you want water?" 

"I am fine. Just a little tired. Do not worry yourself."

"Yesterday,"

"It takes time for silver to leave me but luckily the bullets basically just grazed me. Thank Goddess they were not lodged in me at any point. Even with my tolerance that may have been fatal. I do not remember everything, but I do remember your help." She sat up awkwardly. "Thank you. And I am sorry." I am probably a mess right now. 

"You're as beautiful as ever."

"Did I say--"

"You did. Athena, last night was the scariest night of my entire existence--"

"I was fine, just--"

"A flesh wound. you always say that. I could have lost you, and most of the time I was barely able to help you. My choices led to that. Had I not--"

"Elijah, last night showed me how short life could be. Shows how fragile even our lives are, we can be here one moment fine but too much silver and in an instant we are immobilized. Life is too short to dwell on regrets and what we should have done. I too could have tried to get some clarification in our case." 

He shook his head but instead brought her hand up and kissed her palm lightly. "I need you, or I am not complete Athena. These years without you, I've been just a shell. I cannot take back the time or undo the hurt, but I will spend the rest of my life making you happy if you will allow me."