Gwen lay there for a moment, Grail’s words replaying in her mind, ‘You can trust Rance…’, and she began lifting her head off the pillow to try to sit up. “Actually, Rance, I do know you. And I’d appreciate the help.”
Rance moved back toward her quickly, holding a hand out in front of her for her to hold on to, while at the same time placing a hand at her back to help her sit up. “Let’s take it slow. Give it a second or two for your body to get used to sitting up instead of lying down. It’s been a while.”
Gwen was still gripping his hand with one of hers as she steadied herself with her other arm. She took deep steadybreaths, and let them out slowly. Eventually, she nodded. “Okay, I think I’m good to stand.”
“I’m not letting you stand alone,” he said.
She flashed a quick grin. “No, I meant with your help.”
“Oh, okay, yeah, let’s get you up.” He pulled his hand gently away from her grip to take hold of the comforter and sheet and throw them back off her feet and legs before returning his hand to her so she could hold him for steadiness. She moved her legs a little before he helped and gently placed her feet on the floor, then waited.
“How you feeling?”
“A little shaky, but not bad. I actually feel a little stronger than I did before I passed out.”
“It’s probably the fluids and the blood,” he said, his attention focused on her body and balance as she tried, with his help, to stand. “There you go!” he said, as he stood beside her and kept her supported with his left arm around her waist, and his right still in front of her, her using it like a walker to stabilize herself as she moved forward.
“Fluids and blood?” she asked as they slowly moved across the carpeted floor toward the bathroom.
“Yeah. Luckily, some of the Variant that arrived are highly skilled combat medics. They figured out what the problem was and got the wound cauterized, then stitched and bandaged. They gave you a couple of bags of fluids, and some blood.”
“I’m very grateful. I want to thank them personally as soon as I’m able. Maybe tomorrow. Do you know who donated blood? I’d like to thank them, too.”
He looked down at her as she looked up at him. “I did. It was important to me that it was my blood you received.”
Gwen squeezed his hand where she held it. “Thank you, Rance. I’ll be forever grateful.”
“You’re welcome. But I’d have done anything to make sure you’re healthy. You don’t have to thank me.”
“So, does this mean that I’m going to get a little cranky and gruff?” she teased as they got inside the bathroom.
“What do you mean?” he asked, as he helped her get over to the toilet.
“I mean that you’re cranky and gruff, or at least you were the first time I met you. I have your blood inside my veins, will I get cranky and gruff, too?”
Rance grinned as he chuckled a little. He even blushed a bit from his embarrassment from his behavior. “I apologize for not quite being my charming self. But in my defense, I was under an unusual amount of pressure and doing my best to keep it to myself.”
She looked up at him and laid her hand gently on his shoulder. “There’s nothing to forgive. You behaved in an exemplary fashion all things considered. I was just trying to tease you a little.”
Rance shook his head slightly, still wearing a hint of a smile as he leaned over and lifted the toilet lid. “Okay, so how are we going to do this? What works for you?”
“Can you help me get seated, then I’ll call you when I need you again?” she asked.
“I can,” he said, beginning to lean her into a sitting position.
“Hold on! I need to lift my gown, shirt, or… what am I wearing?” she asked, looking down at the large button down shirt she was wearing.
Immediately, he looked sheepish and avoided her direct gaze. “It’s one of my shirts. They needed to be able to look at your wound. I gave them one of my button down shirts so they could do so without disturbing you too terribly much while you were resting.”
“So, this is yours?” she asked.
He nodded. “Underwear are Bonnie's. I was going to put mine on you along with the shirt, but Bonnie wasn’t having it.”
Gwen laughed softly, then placed her hand on her wound. “Oh, that’s sore,” she said, blowing out a breath. “Really sore.”
“They said the flesh was healthy. But the wound was jagged. It took several times to get the bleeding to stop, then it’s stitched inside and out.”
“I’m glad they were here,” she said as she started pushing at the edges of the panties she was wearing. “I can’t get them beyond my thighs. Can you help?”
