Page 50 of Two For One

“Is he awake?” Xiomara’s voice was scratchy.

She attempted to get up as I shook my head, pushing her back down.

“He’s awake and in better shape than we thought, thanks to you packing his wounds,” Blake looked at me.

“That was all her,” I said, remembering she had had some EMT training.

“So, he’s ok?” Xiomara asked, attempting to sit up again as I glared at her, but my stubborn witch didn’t listen.

I helped her up. She winced where I held her and I couldn’t contain the growl that escaped.

“He’s actually great. The bullets passed right through, hitting nothing critical,” he said, looking over at Xiomara. “The doctor is patching him up and we are doing a transfusion. You should be able to see him within the hour, maybe sooner if he doesn’t settle down.”

Xiomara sagged in relief. “I want to see him too.”

“Eat something,” Blake gave Xiomara the protein bar he had left earlier.

She scrunched her face. “I’m not hungry.”

“Then at least drink something,” he said, handing her a Gatorade.

“Fine,” she said bitterly.

“Don’t be like Ezra, we are just trying to help,” Blake chuckled, leaving us alone.

Xiomara took a sip, then chugged the rest.

“Eat, it will help the exhaustion you’re feeling,” I said, opening the bar for her.

She nodded, taking it and looking up at me.

“Thank you for coming for us,” she said softly.

I nodded, attempting to say something to show my devotion, but nothing felt significant enough. “You need me and I will always come, no matter the time or day. I will always come for you.”

“Thank you,” she said, sniffling. “I…I…”

Her lip trembled adorably. I pinched her chin, keeping her eyes on me as I swept one of her tears away, licking the saltiness off my finger.

“I think it’s too dangerous to go back to your apartment,” I said, cupping her cheeks, hoping to ease what I was going to tell her. “I don’t know when it will be ok to go back.”

She nodded. “I figured, but… I want to go back for Maleficent and look for Merlin.”

“Of course,” I said, kissing her softly. “I will ask Madame Red to see if you could stay there for a night until I can get a read on this situation and I can find a more permanent solution for you.”

Her lip trembled again.

“I’m sorry you got caught up in this mess.” I kissed her again. “I will do everything I can to make sure you are safe⁠—”

“Is Ezra going to stay with me?” She interrupted me.

“Doubtful, but maybe you can convince him?” I huffed.

“Ok,” she said softly. “I don’t want to be alone, so he stays or I go with⁠—”

“No,” I snapped. “Absolutely not.”

She glared at me. “I will not stay at Valentine’s while I worry. If he doesn’t stay with me, then I won’t stay either.”