xp_logs | Angelo, Marie, Logan (Reply)

Angelo comes back from the X-ray room and is given a bed for the night.

Hank rolled Angelo back into the examination room a good forty-five minutes later. The X-rays had shown multiple fractures to his ribs and the CT had shown a broken nose and a fractured cheekbone. He was telling Angelo all of this, on the way. "...so, we'll wait until the swelling goes down a bit to treat your nose."

Angelo nodded, having recovered slightly from his previous exhausted state, then winced at the jolt to his aching head. Looking up as they entered the room, he saw Marie and glanced down again immediately.

Marie was waiting for Angelo, sitting in a chair this time with her hands wrapped around a mug of tea. She'd changed and was wearing flannel pyjama pants and an oversized Aran sweater. "Hey, Skin," she said gently, when she saw Angelo. She put her cup aside and moved to lean over Angelo as soon as Hank stopped the gurney. "I'm so sorry." Her face and neck were free of any sign of injury.

Angelo looked up at her wearily. "Did what you had to do", he told her.

"Yeah. I'm still sorry." Marie was wearing thin white gloves that were soft on Angelo's skin as she stroked his hair back from his face. "I... " She looked up at Hank. "Does he have to stay here tonight?"

Hank nodded. "Looks like I have another guest, yes. But Angelo and I are old friends, now, aren't we?" He smiled genially.

Angelo managed a rueful smile that quickly faded. "How long've I got to stay this time?"

"Just overnight for observation," Hank assured him kindly.

"I'll stay with you," Marie offered. "I don't want you on your own tonight."

Angelo looked over at her, gratitude in his eyes. "Thank you."

Marie smiled down at him. "What are friends for?"

Angelo frowned, looking at her. "Did I hurt you? Don't remember much after we got jumped..."

"A little," Marie admitted, smoothing her hand over his hair. "But it's okay now."

Angelo looked away. "I'm sorry too, then." He glanced back up, taking in her lack of injuries. "Logan's helped you?"

Marie nodded. "He always does," she said simply. "And even if he couldn't, I understand. And it's okay, really. I promise."

Logan cleared his throat from his seat in the corner of the room. He'd been quiet, but really, hearing Marie talking about him like that made him feel like he was listening in on something he wasn't supposed to hear.

Marie looked up and gave Logan a positively meltingly affectionate look and a small smile.

Logan looked mildly uncomfortable with the blush that crept over his cheeks. He frowned at her, but there was affection in his eyes.

Angelo smiled, watching the two of them, then winced and moved carefully in an attempt to get off the table. "Can I have an actual bed, then?" he asked lightly. "If I'm stayin' here?"

Hank hmmed, eying Logan with some amount of surprise. "I think that can be arranged, yes."

Angelo sat up, swinging his legs carefully over the edge of the table and easing himself to the ground. "Right. Any one in particular?"

"Here," Marie reached out to Angelo, looking distinctly annoyed with him for moving. "Cut that out and let me help you."

There's one just behind that door," Hank said, waving his hand toward a small private room to his left.

Angelo grinned wryly and leaned heavily on Marie, revealing more than he'd have liked how weak he still was. "Fine by me."

Marie pulled Angelo close. "Let's get you tucked in. How's your head?"

Angelo, wincing with every movement towards the room, answered honestly. "Hurts. Think that was the dumpster..."

Marie nodded sagely. "Hell of a hollow ringing noise," she said dryly. "I'm going to assume that was from the dumpster and not your skull." She lost her composure and giggled.

Angelo turned to look at her, amused. "Well, I'd hope so, yeah."

Marie put her head on Angelo's shoulder, still giggling, as she helped him into the other room. "Nah, I know there's stuff in your head. I have proof now."

Angelo pulled her into a one-armed hug, suddenly remembering what she'd told him about getting people's memories. "Sorry. You shouldn't've had to see that stuff."

"You shouldn't have had to live it, honey," Marie told him, helping him into the bed. "I'll be fine. And so will you."

Angelo nodded, sliding into the bed and pulling the blanket over himself with a shiver. "I know. But thanks for sayin' it anyway."

Marie tucked Angelo into the bed and kissed his hair. "You want me to stay, then? I'm just going to go get a book or something, okay? I can use the time to study."

Angelo looked up at her, eyes shadowed and vulnerable. "Please stay. Yeah."

"I'll be back in a bit, then," Marie promised. "I know what you're afraid of," she added in a whisper. "You're not alone with it. It'll be okay." She leaned over Angelo and embraced him very gently, sheltering him.

Angelo leaned into her embrace, needing the comfort more than he'd ever admit. "Thank you."

Marie held him for a long moment and then let go. "I'll be back," she said again. "Anything you need?"

Angelo considered that. "Uh... nothin' you can bring with you, I don't think. Not for right now."

"Okay." Marie stroked his cheek between swelling bruises, very lightly. "Hang in there. Back soon."

Angelo nodded. "Not goin' anywhere."

Around 2am, Angelo has another nightmare and Marie does what she can to help.

Angelo had, surprisingly, actually managed to fall asleep. Exhaustion had undoubtedly played a large part in this, but it wasn't destined to last. After only an hour or two's peaceful sleep, if that, he began to twist and whimper in the bed, pleading brokenly, in Spanish.

Marie, half-sleeping in Logan's arms in a chair nearby, lifted her head to look over at Angelo. She crawled out of Logan's lap and sat down on the bed by Angelo's side. "Angelo, honey." Her voice was soft but firm.

Angelo didn't wake quite yet, continuing to mutter unintelligibly, tossing and turning in distress.

Marie reached out and with care born of experience, grabbed Angelo's near arm gently to keep control of his hand and body. "Skin," she said in his ear, hoping her nickname would cut into his awareness. "I'm here. It's Marie."

Angelo stilled, and his eyes opened slowly. "...Marie?" He curled in on himself protectively, shivering a little.

Logan had woken up at the first whimper from Angelo, but let Marie take care of him. She knew him best, after all.

"I'm here." Marie laid down beside Angelo, tucking his arm across his chest but not letting it go, and pulled him back against her. She could speak softly into his ear like this. "No one's going to hurt you."

Angelo leaned back into her arms, letting his head fall back onto her shoulder. "I know that. When I'm awake."

"Then I'll wake you up and remind you," Marie said soothingly. "Close your eyes."

Angelo obeyed, curling closer into her arms like a child. "Stay here?" he asked softly.

Logan watched quietly, the smell of trust and fading fear heavy in the air. Marie was amazing and Angelo seemed to appreciate that, which was something /Logan/ appreciated.

"What are friends for?" Marie asked him in soft, amused tones. "All night. I promise. Sleep now."

Angelo nodded tiredly. "I'll try..."

"Good." Marie snuggled him a little closer. "Let's aim for morning, shall we?"

"Sounds good", he murmured, already sinking back into sleep out of pure exhaustion, although the security of her presence helped.

Logan let a small smile hover on his lips. Marie needed a friend like that. Someone she could care for who /understood/ her, who wasn't afraid of her mutation. He watched them sleep for a while, before drifting off, himself.