GhostWatch (FF)

Chapter 42

Charles awoke to a blinding light that glared in his face. Squinting, he slowly opened his eyes to see he was in the infirmary.

'What happened?' He wondered as he tried to sit up, only to met with a flash of pain in his abdomen, forcing him to relax again. He stared at the ceiling as memories flashed in his mind of Zeljan.

'I know what you're thinking, but you need to wait until you're healed. You sustained more damage than me.' The Rider said.

'Better me than you, you're more important than me.' Charles said. 'That's not true, you're the important one here. You successfully brought Overwatch back, stopped Zeljan, and finally defeated Jackson once and for all. You're the leader here Charlie.' The Rider retorted. Charles smirked as he glanced down to see Angela slumped on the end of his bed, a clipboard gripped in her hand. Her hair fell out of its usual ponytail, obscuring her face from Charles.

'You've sustained a few cracked ribs, your spine also took some damage, a few bruises, a fractured jaw, and a broken leg.' The Rider listed off.

'Aww, you do care.' Charles replied. The Rider made a hissed laugh before growing silent. Charles lifted himself up again, fighting against the pain flowing through him. As he did this, Angela's head moved as she looked up and gasped lightly.

"Charlie!" She said standing up and placing a hand on his shoulder, easing him back down. "No sudden movements, you need your rest." She ordered. Charles eased back up on his bed as she smiled.

"I'm fine Angi, just my jaw hurts that's all." He replied. She sighed and smiled, he noticed tear streaks down her face. Charles raised a hand, caressing her cheek.

"I'm here Angela. Everythings okay." He said, comforting her. "I-I know, just after we found you, dazed and blood everywhere, I was just scared I'd lose you." She said as fresh tears welled in her eyes. Ignoring the pain, Charles sat up and ushered Angela to lay down next to him. She complied as he relaxed back down in the bed, Angela resting on his side as to not add more pressure to anything broken. She rested her head on shoulder as he kissed her head and laid his cheek on her hair. Julie and David walked in and smiled at the two lovebirds.

"Glad to see you up." David said as Julie walked over and stood on the other side, she grasped his hand and rubbed his head.

"How are you feeling?" She asked. "I'm doing fine now mom, just tired." Charles replied. "That's an improvement. Considering you've been unconscious for a week." David said.

"A week?" Charles asked. "Yes, the injuries you've sustained have healed, but your ribs and leg are still injured." Angela said raising her head. Charles sighed and relaxed back on the bed as Angela pushed her hand through his hair.

"Well, we just wanted to check up on you. We'll let you get your rest." David said as his parents kissed him and left. Angela sat up and smiled as she got up to finish her work.

'I don't want to be restrained to this bed forever.' He thought as he removed the bedsheet and swivled his feet over the edge of the bed and lifted himself up. Pain flared before easing as he controlled his breathing. His feet touched the cold tile floor as he glanced up and sighed. With the rest of his strength, he lifted his upper body up as he leaned on his good leg for support and grabbed the bed. He glanced down to see he was in a loose fitting hospital pants and shirt, courtesy of Angela. He grabbed his IV pole and used it to hold himself up as he walked to the door and opened. He noticed new faces talking before someone looked over and stood at attention, the rest following suit.

"Commander on deck!" He said as the troops lined the sides of the hall and saluted him. Charles smiled and waved them off.

"You're fine, I'm just Charles." He said, causing a few to have looks of confusion. He laughed lightly as he walked to the rec room where he could hear Lena, Hana, and Lucio yelling, Gabriel and Ana telling them to calm down, Reinhardt and Torbjorn arguing about who's hammer is better, just all and all his family being happy. He stopped in front of the door and took a deep breath as he straightened himself, ignoring the pain, and entered. The door opened as the noise ceased to see who entered. Charles stood in the doorway and grinned.