Code and Conduct

The most ignorant nightmare I've ever had

I awoke to a stinging sterile smell penetrating my nose. I then felt the not-so-soft sheets and blanket and realized where I was. My eyes shot open, my mind going into a panic. Nobody was there. Or so I thought. Out of the darkest corner of the small hospital room came a looming, dark figure. A man, about 6'2 stood over me, knife in hand. When he spoke, he had a slight Hispanic accent. "You die tonight, pretty girl." Andrew Alexander, I thought to myself. Shit. I looked down at my arm which was clad in a purple cast. At least Nik knew my favorite color. "Fuck off, Alexander." I hissed. "No, no, no, Alethia. You injured my baby girl. And now, I have to injure you in return." he quickly moved to hold my arms down with one hand and put the knife to my neck. I spat in his eyes before he could realize what I was doing, kneeing him in the gut as I did so. "You BITCH!" he seethed. "Proud of it, too, wussy little man. You prey on me when I am vulnerable not when I can really kick your ass." I retorted, a vindictive smile playing on my face. He sneered at me and made a move towards me again. "Take one more step and I pull the nurse's cord." I said, gripping the red string in my hand, threatening to yank it at any second. He stopped and the door flew open and Nikolai stepped in with Emmeline and Demitri. Nikolai had Andrew pinned to the wall in a matter of milliseconds. "Do not touch my girl." Nikolai seethed in his face. "Your girl?" Alexander mocked. "Yes, my girl, dumbass." Nikolai snapped. "When did you become so weak, Davidson? Your girl. Last time I checked, you didn't let some stupid girl be your second in command." Andrew laughed. "I'm your worst nightmare, honey." he spat at me, attempting his getaway from Nik. "You're the most ignorant nightmare I've ever had." I said, just as he escaped Nik long enough to cross the room. Thankfully, I thought quick and bashed his face with my cast pretty good. "I think you underestimated me, Andrew Alexander." I began, staring at his bloody face. I now had him pinned under my foot. "Nikolai doesn't have me as his second in command because I'm his girl. He has me as his second in command because I take nobody's shit. Because I'm not afraid to stick up for myself and beat the hell out of anyone for any person in the gang. Now, run home and tell your minions how you got your ass beat by a girl." I sneered and made my way out of that forsaken hospital and to the car with everyone else. "Wait." Nikolai said as we were nearing the car. We all spun around to stare incredulously at him. "I need a minute with Alethia. Demitri, Emmeline, go to the car." he said, but by the time he finished his second sentence, the other two were already in the car with the doors shut and windows up. "Alethia.." he said, bringing me into a warm hug. I immediately wrapped my arms tight around his muscular build. I breathed in his scent, so grateful that I was okay. "I'm so sorry, baby." he whispered, kissing the top of my head. "For what?" I questioned, not moving to look at him yet. He remained silent. I pulled my head away from his chest and stared up at his blue eyes. "What? What are you sorry for?" I pressed. "For dragging you into this. For.. for falling in love with you." I drew in a sharp breath when he said these words. "W-what?" I stammered, fighting back the tears welling up in my eyes. I turned my head away. He didn't respond. I turned back, tears now streaming down my face. I pushed him away and yanked my keys out of his hands. "You're sorry for falling in love with me, huh? You wish you hadn't?!" I screamed, pushing him hard in the chest. He didn't attempt to retaliate. "No, I'm not sorry I fell in love with you, Alethia. I'm sorry that it has caused you so much pain to be caught up in all this. I'm sorry that.. that you can't have your family." he said, staring at me, guilt in his eyes. I softened a bit, walking closer to him. I put my hand on his chest. "I'm sorry I pushed you.." I said, looking into his eyes. "It's okay." he assured me. "I'm okay, Nikolai, you know? I miss them, yes.. but I'm okay. I'll see them some day again.." I said, searching his face and hoping the tension in it would ease. He sighed, his face relaxing. "Okay.. hey. I love you." he said, putting his hand under my chin. "I love you too." He kissed me, holding me tight to him. Eventually, our mini kissing session was interrupted by Emmeline and Demitri's complaints. So we went home and got some well deserved sleep.