LEO
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08/12/2003
Redhawk Base
Phoenix, Arizona
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"He should be coming out of it soon by the looks of his heart-rate, Elijah. Prepare the IV to administer more painkillers,"

I recognise the voice of Rosa.

"How are those damn burns healing up? Skin graft settled?"

I'd recognise that old, scratchy voice from anywhere. None other than Commander North. I feel so fucking heavy, every breath I take drains immense amounts of energy from me.

I can't even bring myself to open my eyes. Something soft interlaces with my hand.

"I think he's waking up. Leo?"

My favourite voice. The southern twang that ricochets off the end of her words. I must be fucking delirious or something.

She's in Australia.

"Leo? Can you hear me?" The voice coos again, reaching for a grasp on my awareness.

There's no fucking way.

Hearing her gives me the strength to peel my eyes open, blinded instantly by the harsh light of the med-bay. Rosa shouts an order, the beam dims slightly as I divert my gaze to the side.

Turns out I'm not delirious.

"Nova?" I whisper in disbelief, moving to sit up until she gently pushes me back down with her arm.

"Yeah, yeah it's me. Take it easy, alright?" She smiles, leaning forward running her thumb across my cheek.

Her touch is something I've been completely starved of.

"You're actually here?" I murmur, "or am I hallucinating?"

"I'm actually here, in the flesh," she chuckles. I can feel Rosa fumbling about with my wires.

"But, you're in Australia-"

"-was in Australia. I hopped the first few flights back when I got the call," she glances away, taking a deep breath before her gaze settles on me once again.

She flew all the way from Australia just to sit at my boring bedside? That's over a days worth of travelling, not to mention leaving her Dad.

"You should've damn seen her, Hendrix. Came sprinting through those gates in a summer dress like there was no tomorrow," North snorts, taking a step forward and patting my shoulder.

"I wish I had seen it," I chuckle, sitting up slightly with his help.

There's not a better sight to see when I've woken up from a coma than my girl.

"Where can you feel pain, Leo?" Rosa asks, I catch the grimace on Nova's face as she looks at my leg.

Fuck. My leg.

It's cocooned in a solid cast from just above my thigh to my ankle, propped up on a block. I can't feel it, yet.

"You broke your leg," North points out.

"Really? I thought the cast was just for dramatic effect," I huff, Nova chuckling as she rakes her fingers through some unruly strands of my hair.

"I'll leave you all for a little," Rosa soothes, adjusting the IV bag before striding towards the door.

"How long was I out?" I cast my eyes between them.

"A few days, they decided to induce the coma,"

I glance sideways, towards my arm. Jesus Christ.

It's wrapped in a clear material, showing everything that's underneath. My skin is completely marred, a maroon hint spreading up.

"Burns," Nova sighs, "you've got a skin graft,"

"That's going to be one hell of a scar," I cringe.

"Would rather it be a scar and have you alive, though," she smiles. That absolutely gorgeous smile.

She looks slightly different. Her skin always had a tanned hue, but now it's completely golden; most likely from the Queensland sun. Darker freckles are speckled across her nose, those stunning green eyes seem to pierce out so much more than normal.

That's my woman.

"I was talking with Shields whilst you were out, Hendrix. I'm going to have to discharge you from service for a few months," North blunts, snapping me away from my admiration.

What?

"The hell do you mean?" My eyebrows furrow, Nova shoots him a stern glare. You'd think by the look on her face that she was the Commander here.

"I mean, you're not going to be particularly fit for service with a damn leg like that. It's the best thing to do," he leans forward to pat my shoulder. If I could, I'd move away.

But I'm pretty fucking strung up in position by all of these damn wires.

"So what, I'm just meant to be completely fucking useless for three months or however long it is? I can't just do nothing, goddamnit North," I hiss.

They share another glance. What the fuck is going on?

"I'll leave the both of you for a little," North says, completely ignoring my question as he dismisses himself from the room. We both follow his steps as he closes the distance between the bed and the door, disappearing onto the other side.

"He's actually going to make me sit and do nothing?" I scowl. Nova's lip curves and she diverts her gaze.

Is she fucking smiling?

"Nov?" I lean my head forward as much as I can, trying to grasp some sort of clue about her reaction.

"Yeah, Leo. You're going to be pretty damn useless when you aren't here," she chuckles.

"I'm still going to be here, Nov. Just, incapacitated," I grimace.

"Not true," her eyes whip to meet my own, a smile flashing across her plump lips.

"Isn't it?" I tilt my head, eyebrows creasing together. She's talking like some sort of damn riddle. Maybe the sun got to her a little too much.

Unless-

"You're finishing the year off with me, Leo. I've spoken to North, it was actually his idea, believe it or not. It's that, or quite literally just stay in base for the next few months," she takes my good hand in hers, raising it up to her cheek.

Holy shit.

"You're being serious?" My voice is barely a whisper as I glide my thumb across the sharp ridge of her cheekbone. She nods, and if I'm not blind, her eyes look like they're watering over.

"Yeah Leo, I am. As soon as you're fit to walk with a crutch, we're getting out of here for the next few months. Together," the beam across her face is unmatched. I don't think I've ever witnessed her smile so radiantly.

"I love you." Those three words are all I can bring myself to say, curling my hand around to the back of her neck and dragging her forward so she almost sprawls over top of me.

"I love you too, but I don't think Rosa will appreciate it if I mess up your wires," she laughs, burying her head over the side of my chest.

"I don't give a damn. I just need to hold you, I've missed it," I sigh into her hair, mind spinning wild with this news.

"Well, we'll have plenty of months to make up for the time lost," she muffles into the comforter.

Months. Months with her. Peaceful months, months of which we can just enjoy each others time without worrying about being called on a mission. Months were we can just live.

"We can drive up to Tennessee," I suggest, she nods into the covers.

"And Nebraska. Maybe I'll get to meet your family, after all," she tilts her head, emerald eyes boring into me.

"I'd love nothing more," I say, then hesitate as something creeps into my mind, "actually, there is something I'd love more."

She raises her eyebrows and hums in intrigue, leaning back as I push myself forwards.

"You'll find out, eventually," I grin, and I can see her inner turmoil to avoid slapping my arm.

"You're keeping me on tenterhooks, Hendrix? Don't you think you've done enough of that these past few days?" She gestures to the bed and bites down a chuckle.

"You're one to talk," I snort, turning my head to see two chairs pulled together, "has that been your bed?" I joke, but she nods.

"Yeah, I've slept right there since I got here. Couldn't have you waking up alone and scared in the night, could we?" She teases.

"I'm so lucky," I whisper, despite the fact it was meant to remain as a thought.

"Oh I know you are, and so am I," she says breathily. I slide my finger under her chin, bringing it forward until her lips press against mine. It's slow, it's passionate. It doesn't make up for all the time lost, but it kickstarts the time we're going to have.

There's only Nova.

Hand me anything in this lifetime, I'd deny it. I've got everything I need right in front of me. The gorgeous, sarcastic, motormouthed, brave, stubborn, headstrong woman whose lips are on mine.

She's the other half I never thought I'd find, that's actually been in plain sight all of these years.

And if I have it my way, it'll stay this way until we're both like the shooting stars we saw that night in Panay.

--

01/01/2004

"What a way to start the new year," she grins, shoving the last of my cases into Marcus' van as I lean helplessly on my crutch.

It's been about three and a half weeks since I woke up. To my annoyance, I'm definitely not able to walk on my own yet, but Nova doesn't seem to care.

It just means that as soon as we get to our rental after the flight, she's the one driving for the first few weeks. I won't admit much like this, but I'm definitely the better driver out of the two of us.

"It'll be weird without you here, Hendrix," Tara and Banksy approach from the left, both giving me a careful hug. I wrap my free arm around them.

"Take care of Novie, yeah?" Tara offers a bittersweet smile.

"More like I'll be goddamn taking care of him!" Nova throws over her shoulder, I glance back at Tara and shrug.

"Hate to admit that she's probably right," I laugh.

"Enjoy your few months off, I'm jealous," Banksy fakes a scowl, lips curving into a smile as he pats my shoulder for a final time.

"Try not to miss me too much, I know things will get pretty boring without me." I snicker as he nods, leaving me with Tara.

"Make the most of it, Leo," she beams, giving me a final hug before leaving to say her goodbyes to Nov, which are significantly more emotional than her goodbyes with me.

North comes lumbering over, halting before me. "All set, son?" He raises his eyebrows, glancing behind at where Marcus' van is getting loaded.

"I hope so," I chuckle. To my complete surprise, he wraps an arm around me and pulls me into a fatherly embrace.

"I'm proud of you, son. Although, I don't expect you to waste this damn time that I'm giving you," he pulls away, gesturing to Nova and shoving an envelope into my hand.

I have a feeling about what this is. It's something that he ordered the intel to organise for us, and something I didn't expect to work.

It's also a surprise for Nova, for now.

I carefully open the envelope, leaning on my crutch as I confirm the contents with a grin.

"Thank you for helping me sort this whole thing out, North," I nod in complete and utter appreciation, he bares a grin etched with smokers lines.

"I'll see you in a few months, Hendrix. And- oh for fucks sake-" he suddenly grimaces, rubbing a wrinkled hand down his face. I whip around to the best of my ability, watching Nova engage in a conversation with Ruby.

For fucks sake indeed. I heard all about their squabble when I was out cold, they've naturally avoided each other since then.

More so, Ruby has given a wide berth to Nova's fist.

I try and read their facial expressions, but I cant gather anything. That is until they exchange a nod and Nova outstretches her arm, clasping her hand with Ruby's and giving it an affirmative shake.

Oh. That went much better than I thought. No missing teeth.

"Well, I'm very fucking glad the air seems to have cleared there. Would've been damn intense when Nova joins the Hawks, otherwise," North remarks.

"Yeah, you're right-" my sentence stops, breath hitching as I whip my head to face him.

What did he just fucking say?

He cocks his head in my direction, grinning like the cat who ate the fucking canary.

"It's taken a lot of damn considerations, plenty of fucking meetings and changes between the groups. Of course, we had to go for the approval of Fleetwood himself. Turns out, the main man is actually pretty damn fond of Shields. He heard all about the, Nicholas situation and gained a newfound respect," he shrugs, as though it's absolutely nothing.

"So-" I gawk.

"-yes. When you're both back from your year out, she'll be coming back here. She doesn't know yet, I thought I'd leave it to you to tell her," he slaps my shoulder.

"You're one hell of a Commander," I chuckle. "Thank you. Really, thank you,"

"I will make one thing very fucking clear though, Hendrix," his tone lowers, sending something creeping up my back.

Jesus Christ.

"What's that?" I brace, gripping the handle of the crutch.

"No damned babies sprouting up in base!" He roars. I breathe out a laugh and sigh of relief simultaneously, nodding.

"You definitely don't have to worry about that," a chuckle flies from my lips as I glance at the time.

And I realise we don't have that much left.

"Shit, it's one-thirty,"

"Go on," he ushers, "I've given a cell to Shields, we'll only be in contact if absolutely necessary. Don't want to miss that flight!" He gestures to the envelope.

I nod, pivoting around the crutch. "Damn right. I'll see you in a few months."

"Take care, son," he calls after me as I push towards the car.

"Ready?" Nova beams.

"Of course," I grin as she pulls open the door, helping me inside. "Aren't you a gentleman."

"Of course," she winks, shutting the door once I'm inside and speeding around to her side.

I catch Marcus' eyes in the front-view mirror, he shoots a small nod that speaks a thousand words.

"Right, so the rental place is about a twenty minute drive," Nova mumbles, fumbling through her bag to check she's got the documents.

I hum in response, knowing very fucking well we aren't going to the rental place.

Marcus twirls the volume dial up for the radio, revving the engine before pulling out of base. To my surprise, 'Old Time Rock and Roll' by Bob Seger blasts out, launching me right back to the Philippines.

I reach for her hand, tapping my thumb on the back of it in time to the music. She turns her gaze from the window into my direction, and smiles.

It's contagious.

And I can't wait to catch it for the rest of my life.

—

"We're going in the complete wrong direction!" She moans, lunging between the seats to look at the GPS.

"Marcus knows what he's doing, shush," I snap, yanking her arm back towards the back seat.

"I know, I'd trust Marcus with my life, but he must know the rental place is the other way!"

Marcus chuckles and indicates, pulling off and into the turn for Phoenix Sky Harbour. I watch her eyebrows crinkle, head whipping to face mine.

"Why are we at PSH?"

"Don't ask, yet," I snicker as he pulls up just outside of our terminal. He hops out of the car, opening the door on my side and leaving Nova's mouth gaping wide open.

"I'm not allowed to ask why we're at the goddamn airport?!" I hear her yell from inside the car as I carefully shuffle out, leaning on the crutch.

"Nope," I laugh as she gets out on her side, nose twitching in annoyance as Marcus pops the trunk and hauls her bag towards her. She catches it last minute, an irritated glare plastered across her face as he pulls out my case.

"Oh, Nova Shields, always so impatient," I tease as she flings her bag onto her shoulder, clasping her fingers around the handle of my case.

"Have fun, see you in a few months!" Marcus hollers before swiftly hopping back into the van and speeding away like he was never there in the first place.

He probably just wanted to escape from the boatload of questions on the tip of her tongue.

"Leo-"

"Nope. Shush. No questions until we're at that front desk." I press the index finger from my good hand against her lips. She kisses it.

"Fine. Just because I love you, and pity you because you're in a crutch," she bites down a grin.

"You have such a wonderful way with words," I say sarcastically, pressing my weight into the crutch to help me get through the doors.

I have to time this right.

I can see the questions hanging off the tip of her tongue as we move at fucking sloth-pace in the queue.

I can feel the hairs on my neck pricking up, my hand is getting clammy around the handle of this damn stick.

I'm fucking shitting myself.

There's just one couple left in front of us now, getting called up to the front desk. I strike the match.

"Can I see your Mom's ring again?" I gesture to her left hand. She nods, sliding it from her finger without a second thought and placing it into my palm.

I pretend to study it carefully, slowly. I even go as far as sticking it on the end of my pinky finger. I just need to stall her.

"Next!"

I take the biggest breath I've ever inhaled, right through my lungs. She fumbles with our bags for a second, gesturing me to follow as she makes her way towards the desk.

"Details?" The lady asks, Nova turns to me and shrugs.

"I don't even know where we're going. This is your part," she laughs, planting my case onto the conveyor.

I lean against the desk, keeping the rink hooked on my pinky finger as I bring the envelope from my back pocket, opening it up and placing the tickets onto the desk.

Nova leans forward to finally catch a glimpse of what I've got planned, and her head whips to face me instantly.

"Las Vegas?" Her gasp comes out as a shocked whisper. I laugh, nodding my head and pulling the ring from my pinky.

I drag in a sharp breath and heave out a nervous chuckle simultaneously, "I know I can't exactly get down on one knee, this is the best I can do."

Her mouth falls ajar before her hands firmly clamp over it. I hold the ring out in front of her.

"Yes we're going to Las Vegas, for one reason," another deep breath.

"Leo-" her eyes are plastered wide open.

Here we go.

"Nova Eleanor Shields, will you marry me?"

I brace myself. Everything falls silent. Everybody around us stops their bustle to watch the scene play out.

To me, there's just the both of us.

And everything we've been through is completely worth it as her head starts to frantically nod.

"Yes, yes! A million times, yes!" She cries, poking out her left hand as I slide the ring back where it belongs.

I don't give a damn who's watching. I curve my hand around the back of her neck and yank her lips towards my own.

There's some cheers around us. Nobody telling us to stop holding up the queue, luckily.

I hesitantly pull away after a few long moments, catching her teary-eyed grin.

"Nova Hendrix, has a nice ring to it don't you think?" She beams, I nod.

"Always has, Nov."