Black Magic Women

96

"What?" The words sounded shocked and almost accusing, as if Hilda had offended Mary on a very personal level, though Mary simply didn't want to believe her ears, having been disappointed enough for two lifetimes. She regretted sounding as harsh as she did but Hilda's warm face told her the woman understood.

"She has woken up. The first thing she asked me about was you. I told her I'd tell you to come up," Hilda said and the relieved look shooting across Mary's face made her own eyes sparkle again, giving her hope that not everything had been lost. Seeing those two love birds made her own heart swell.

"And you're only telling me this now?" Mary said, shooting out of her seat immediately.

"Careful. You might want to take it slow," Hilda yelled after the brunette but her words went unheard as she bolted up the stairs, not believing she hadn't heard Zelda's heart beating. The whirlwind of emotions, harvesting her insecurities had distracted her enough for her only to start noticing Zelda's mind nudging her own when Hilda had drawn her attention to it.

She sped up the stairs, taking two at a time, calling out for Zelda. I'll be right there Zelds.

"She'll regret this in the morning, won't she?" Ambrose said and the two Spellman family members left in the living room watched Mary, who moved so fast she practically left a cloud of dust behind her.

"She'll scream bloody murder as soon as those painkillers wear off," Hilda said and shook her head, already feeling sorry for the brunette for when she'd feel the effects of her actions kick in.

"Then let's just hope Zelda will be there to pick up whatever she destroys in her agony," Ambrose said.

"Oh, dear. That's your aunt. She is the one who starts throwing things when she gets angry or is hurt," Hilda said, remembering the one time her poor beloved antique set of tea cups fell victim to one of Zelda's episodes.

"They were hand painted by Picasso," she mumbled underneath her breath, still visibly upset about the incident.

Meanwhile, Mary had reached the bedroom door, already out of breath and ignoring the agonizing pain shooting through her entire body. She practically fell through the door, the poor thing slamming against the wall with a bang that would have even woken sleeping beauty from her slumber.

Mary's eyes immediately went to Zelda, who was looking back at her lovingly. The red headed witch was no longer lying in bed, unconscious but sitting up; very much awake. Mary didn't waste another second and made her way over to her side in lightning fast speed.

Zelda used some of the strength left within her weakened body to conjure up a chair which Mary's bruised body fell into gratefully. She wouldn't have stood another second after her record time run up the stairs.

Mary reached for Zelda's hand, tears welling up again. She looked at Zelda's pale face and just couldn't keep from pulling her into a tight hug.

"Careful," Zelda said, hissing in pain as the brunette put just a tad too much pressure onto one of her tender spots and Mary backed away instantly, apologizing repeatedly. She felt bad for causing Zelda even more pain than she already was in and her scarred nature made her want to make it up to her.

"Don't worry. I am fine," Zelda said and took Mary's hands into her own, hoping it would finally stop her from apologizing and convince her that the witch was indeed fine.

"I thought you were dead."

It came out of both of their mouths at the exact time, making them laugh quietly. Neither had felt like laughing in quite some time, so it felt good that their first few minutes back together seemed to have chased away the dark cloud that had followed them around like the plague.

"I love you," Mary said and closed the space between them, pressing a soft kiss against Zelda's lips, devouring each and every second of the long-lasting moment with her loved one.

"I love you too."

Both of them looked at each other and neither of them had to say just how grateful they were to be sitting there; together.

"I think it's a sign for us to stop getting into these kinds of situations when both of our first words to each other are 'I thought you were dead'," Mary said and made Zelda chuckle.

"Well you know us. No rest for the wicked," Zelda said and squeezed Mary's hand and felt her heartbeat quicken. She smirked at the brunette, though had to wince as the motion made one of the cuts on her forehead burst right back open.

She reached up, feeling the sticky substance run down her rough skin and all of a sudden felt tingles run through her body. She looked at Mary bewildered as a wet cloth appeared in her hand and she went to work on the blood trail. It only took her a few seconds to figure out that Mary had probably channeled her powers in her worry and made the cloth disappear.

The redhead watched as Mary bit her lip, fully concentrating on the task at hands, not even noticing that she was doing so. Zelda didn't even feel the burn, too focused on watching her loved one to be aware of the stinging of the cream Mary had found on the nightstand and put to good use.

"All finished and cleaned up," Mary said and looked at the product of her work proudly.

"You look cute when you are concentrated," Zelda said and Mary shot her a warning glance. Both of them knew how much she hated being called cute, part of the reason Zelda did it ever so often.

"I don't."

Zelda tried to make room for Mary to lay down but soon found herself in too much pain to do so really, wincing and moaning with every small movement. Mary found it hard to watch Zelda's face contort in pain but knew there was only so much she could do to lessen her misery.

"I hope he is in a worse shape than we are," Zelda said and Mary's eyes flickered dangerously for just a second, until she had caught herself.

"Sadly, he disappeared before I could give him a taste of his own medicine but as soon as we've nursed you back to health, we'll give it to him together," Mary said and Zelda had finally settled into the bed, sighing in relief.

"It's nice of you to nurse me but what about you? You look like you've been to heaven and back," Zelda said and looked at Mary's bruised face worriedly.

"Nah, I'll be fine. I am on some kind of pain killers for now, so I don't really feel a thing."

"Then come on, lie down with me. I think we could both use some sleep and I feel much safer with you by my side," she said, smiling.

She didn't have to say it twice as Mary immediately got up and snuggled up to the redhead, hugging her underneath the covers and pressing a soft kiss against the tip of her nose.

"I missed you," Mary said and Zelda just looked deeply into her eyes.

I missed you more.

The two of them looked at each other, each lost in their own thoughts, until their eyes were slowly too heavy to hold open, so they fell asleep, their hearts beating in one steady, rhythmic beat again.

---

so our favorite witches are reunited!