Simon’s Warehouse
10:15 am
Nikki became aware of light around her. She heard familiar sounds and she smelled something amazing. Slowly, her eyes opened and after several seconds, she saw the familiar sight of Simon’s warehouse come into focus and she smiled, until her cracked lips stopped her. She tried to move and a sharp pain exploded from her left shoulder, a whimper escaping her lips. Seconds later Simon’s face came into focus and she felt his hands on her, trying to relax her back into the bed. She relented and sighed when the stabbing pain began to subside.
“Easy Butterfly, easy. You’re safe and you are going to be ok” gently raising her chin to meet his concerned stare, “Ok?” Nikki felt a cool cloth touch her lips, immediately soothing them. Simon gently put a straw to her lips and she took a sip and it felt like life itself returning to her body. She relaxed back into her pillows and just stared up at Simon, drinking him in and filling her with even more life. She smiled up at him and cleared her throat,
“How did I get here? What happened to my shoulder?” She paused, took a breath and swallowed, “and what the heck is that awesome smell?” Taking another sip of the water. Simon smiled down at her, a smile that did make everything ok. That look that was only for her. Love. “What kind of meds am I on anyway?” Simon laughed at that, really laughed shaking the bed. He finally finished and leaned over and gently laid his lips on hers and that was even better than the drugs. Simon pulled back,
“You pulled up right at the same time the rocket came back and hit Rojas’ van. I tried contacting you but I couldn’t get you on your earpiece. You saw the explosion and turned the car to the right to protect your teammates in the car with you.” Nikki frowned and looked up,
“Yes, I remember that. All of our coms went down, I tried to contact you as well. I think they were using some jamming equipment. I remember seeing the explosion and turning the car and yelling to get down” she stopped, out of breath and shaking slightly. Simon gently laid the cool cloth on Nikki’s forehead and squeezed her hand, the one that was not attached to a burning fire pit.
“A piece of shrapnel came through your side window and lodged into your shoulder. Thankfully it missed bone and you should be ok in a few days. Not 100% ok but able to move ok. Once you were taken care of, I brought you back here and D and I have been taking care of you since. The smell,” he paused and had that expression he gets that looks like a little boy caught with a nudie magazine, “the Rage gets a little crazy when he is worried so he has been cooking nonstop. He just finished with peanut butter and jelly crepes….and waffles…pancakes…. bacon…. sausage…He was just about to make his special gourmet hash browns. I think those things have magical properties.” He finished, turning expectant eyes on Nikki. Now she was the one laughing and wincing at the same time.
“I love you” taking his hand in hers and squeezing it. “Where is Dante anyway?” she asked looking around the loft.
“He’s down reading to Tango. He likes to read those dark, creepy horror stories to him. Those things give me nightmares.” He said with a small shudder. “Kids.” Nikki could only shake her head.