Sweeter Than Wine

Absent

"Come on, love, we've gotta patch you up..." John says, scooping me into his arms. I say nothing as I bury my face into his shoulder, crying silently.

John presses soothing kisses to the top of my head, briskly walking back to the house.

I barely acknowledge when John gingerly sets me on the bench in the upstairs shower.

The water turns on, and I finally open my swollen, water logged eyes. I stare at the gaping wound on my thigh, blood still oozing rapidly from the torn flesh.

A pair of rough fingertips gently tip my chin up, and I'm staring into the soft, doe-eyes of Paul. "Keep your chin up, love. They won't hurt our George, not when you threaten...." His eyes flick to the wound on my leg.

I nod, wiping the excess tears from my face. "They'd better not...." He places a chaste kiss to my lips, "they won't. Not when they're gambling on you..Let's get you all closed up now, yeah?"

I nod, "yeah...it hurts really badly..." Ritchie and John start wiping gently around the weeping wound. I suck a breath trough my teeth, tossing my head back in pain.

"I know darling...we're sorry..." Ritchie coos, kissing my knee gently. Paul holds my hand as john gently wipes the warm cloth over the wound itself, a scream of pain bursting fourth from my chest.

John's head snaps up, a look of torment on his face, "I'm sorry, love....we're going to seal it now, okay?"

I nod, resting my heated cheek against the cool tile of the shower wall. I feel warm wetness gently brush the painful slice on my thigh, the pain soon turning into a warm, pleasant numbness.

"There...that's better, now isn't it?" John asks, kissing my sweaty hand. "It is...." I croak out, leaning my head forward again, "but....my back..." I say, now noticing the burning lacerations across my back.

Paul helps me stand, leading me to John's room. I peel my swim suit top off, tossing it onto the floor unceremoniously, then lying gingerly on the bed.

"Christ...." Ritchie says, "this one's gonna hurt, darling..." I take a deep breath, "let's just get it over with..."

I feel the bed dip in several spots as the lads get comfortable around me.

I spend the next 20 minutes in suffering, as the boys pick small pieces of jagged gravel from my back.

Finally they finish, sealing my wounds with soft swipes of their tongues. I sigh tiredly, sitting up on my knees.

John rubs my back softly, and I speak, "twenty four hours...we've only got twenty four hours..."

"We'll get him...." Paul says, a hint of uncertainty lacing his tired voice.

"You guys need to feed...you haven't eaten in days..." I whisper, recalling how easily Paul and Ritchie were pushed into submission earlier.

"______..." John says, a hint of caution in his voice. I cut him off abruptly, "John...Paul...Ritchie....listen. We need to be ready to save Geo...that means you need your strength..."

The three exchange a long look, before Paul speaks, "...you're right...c'mere, love." He gently moves my hair behind my ear, inserting his fangs, drinking delicately.

Ritchie and John follow suit, drinking their fill, my head swimming as they finish.

I stand on wobbling legs, and head to the door, Ritchie rising from his spot. I hold my hand out, "I'm fine...I just want to get dressed for bed..."

I slowly shuffle down the hall to my and George's room, pausing outside the door, heart thumping heavily in my chest.

I push into the room, the scent of George filling my nose. I squeeze my eyes shut as a tear slips down my cheek.

"Geo...." I whisper into the still air, covering my mouth as a sob racks my body. I slide my bikini bottoms off, kicking them to the side.

I open the wardrobe, pulling out a pair of George's boxers. I slide them up my legs, and turn to the clothes hamper in the corner of the room. I pull the first shirt I grab out, putting it on delicately, almost afraid to lose the scent of George.

I slowly button it up, bringing the sleeves to my nose and breathing in deeply. I crawl into the bed, holding George's pillow to my chest as I sob openly into it.

I feel the bed dip as someone sits, placing their hand gently on my back. "I'm f-fine..." I stutter, wiping my eyes with the sleeve of George's shirt.

"You aren't....and it's okay....but you know we will be getting him back. I promise you." Paul says, soothingly rubbing my back.

Paul lays behind me, holding me close, whispering sweet little nothings in my ear.

Soon John and Ritchie join us, my mind swirling madly with memories.

"We're coming soon, Geo..." I mutter in the blackened room before sleep pulls me under.