NOVA
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06/12/2003
Redhawk Base
Phoenix, Arizona
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My heart sinks to my stomach.

He's lying unnervingly still, hooked up to all sorts of machines. His right leg is completely plastered up in a cast, held up by a block.

He looks dead.

There's two people at his bedside, although I thought there was a one person rule. North whips his head around, jaw immediately falling to the floor.

"Well I'll be fucking damned, Shields?!" He gasps, shoving up out of his seat and striding over to me. Before I even get a reply in, he shocks me by yanking me into a fatherly embrace.

"Hi, North," I sniffle, pulling away as he releases me.

"I can't believe you're actually here. Weren't you in-"

"-Australia? Yeah, I got the first flights back after Vincent called," I nod slowly, stepping aside and walking towards Leo's bed.

There's a girl with glossy, ruby red hair sat beside him; a hand on the edge of his bed. I don't know who she is, but I definitely don't appreciate the way she's lingering and how she hasn't bothered to look in my direction.

"Who are you?" She suddenly finds the audacity to scoff, shooting me a side glare.

If she looks at me like that again, I have half the mind to launch this bitch out of the fucking window. Especially if she doesn't move in the next three seconds.

"Nova Shields," I fold my arms, unable to stop my nose from crinkling in annoyance.

I watch in satisfaction as her eye twitches the second I tell her my name. She knows exactly who I am.

But she doesn't budge, keeps her ass perched in the seat.

"Hm," she shrugs, "I've been keeping Leo company," a smug little grin plasters across her face, one that I instantly want to slap right off.

I'm a girl's girl through and through, until I'm disrespected.

"Thank you, well now I'm here. You can go and do something else," I smile sweetly.

"And who gives you the right to tell me what to do? Me and Leo have had a great time together whilst you've been away, honey," she smirks, raising her eyebrows in an attempt to belittle me despite the fact I've got a good few years on her.

I don't buy it for a second. My trust in this man will never waver.

I also don't have time for this. My sweet persona instantly dissolves as I reach forward and yank her up by the collar. North doesn't interject from where he's lingering by the door, I guess somebody needs to humble her.

"Listen, honey. I've been travelling for thirty-seven goddamn hours to reach my boyfriend's bedside. You can make it easy for yourself and walk out of that door, or I'll personally beat the fucking shit out of you until you're laying in the next bay along, understand?" I grit out.

Her eyes widen, so do mine.

Did all of that really just come out of my mouth?

I guess all the frustration and exhaustion just snapped. She glances at North for backup, but he simply nods and gestures to the doorway.

I release my grip. She sneers, stomping away as North slams the door behind her.

Now I get the chance to sit down next to Leo. I analyse his face, the fresh cuts in his skin that slash through the usual harsh lines of intensity.

I take one of his large, rugged hands into both of mine, careful not to mess with the wires as I rest my head on the edge of the bed.

"You've got to be alright. You will be alright," I whisper, pressing my lips to his palm and listening to the comforting, steady rhythm of his cardiac monitor.

North takes his time in striding over, perching down next to me.

"I can't believe you flew out this quickly, Shields. I really, truly can't. I knew you would roll up at some point, but you seem to have gotten here in a damn heartbeat," he sighs through his scratchy voice.

"When and how did it happen?" I ask quietly, pressing my lips to Leo's hand again.

"Damn raid in Columbia on the 2nd. Couldn't have seen it coming at all. The bastards planted it as a way to blow up any fucking evidence, Hendrix and Banksy got caught up in the blast," he grimaces.

"I'd murder them all slowly if I had the chance," I say. "How's Banksy holding up?"

"He's alright, doing better than Hendrix. Fractured his arm and a few ribs, was unconscious for a good few hours,"

"What's Leo's known injuries?" I brace myself.

"Badly broken leg, as I'm sure you can see," he gestures to where it's hung up in a cast, "third-degree burns on his left arm, he's got a skin graft. Blunt force trauma, hence the induced coma," he shakes his head, placing a hand on the side of his bed.

My whole body hurts, aches for him. I just pray he was unconscious from the second it happened, that he didn't have to feel those burns.

I can't help but cry. I'd have taken all of that pain and trauma for him in a heartbeat, he doesn't deserve any of that.

"He's going to be a damn shocked man when he wakes up," North forces a chuckle.

I don't even want to think it, but it flashes before my eyes like an unwanted TV commercial.

If he wakes up.

"When will they be stopping the inducement?" I sigh, swiping my eyes across the bedspread.

"Should be tomorrow. Rosa will be around soon to check on him,"

I lean back in my seat, keeping a firm hold of his hand as I gaze at his face again.

My Leo.

"Who was that girl?" I gesture towards the door.

"Fucking hell, don't even get me damn started. Ruby James, she got into the group through a family link. If I had it my way, she'd be 'outta the damn gates,"

"Family link?" I tilt my head.

"She's the granddaughter of Roman Fleetwood," he groans.

Oh, fucking great.

"Nice to know I just threatened to beat the shit out of the founders grandchild," I run a hand down my face.

"She deserved it. She's been a damn pain in the ass since she arrived apparently, we were in Panay at the time. Don't worry, it won't affect your job. Roman knows of you, has respect for you,"

"Roman Fleetwood knows who I am?" My eyebrows shoot to my hairline.

"Of course he does, damnit Shields. He-"

We're interrupted as the door swings open, Rosa pacing inside. Her surprised gaze falls upon me.

"Nova?"

"In the flesh. Hi, Rosa," I chuckle. She strides over and wraps her arms around my shoulders.

"It's great to see you, I'm sure Leo will be glad to know you're here," she says warmly.

"I didn't travel thirty-six hours for nothing," I grin, rubbing my thumb across his hand.

"I'm just checking his vitals, don't mind me,"

I lean aside to allow Rosa some space. North's gaze turns towards me, the hardened expression in his eyes softening.

"He's been miserable since he arrived back here in June, right after you'd left for your year out," he says quietly.

"I really appreciate you letting him stay with me until I left, especially after everything that'd happened," I smile.

"Of course. Are you okay to talk about that day, Shields? I understand if not,"

I drag a sharp breath in. Am I okay to talk about that day?

If I don't, it'll just build up on my shoulders until it's the only thing I can think about. That's how it's been whilst I was in Australia.

"Yeah, I'm okay to talk about it," I nod after a few beats.

"I felt like a proud damn father when I heard what you'd done. I knew you'd get your vengeance, Shields. I fuckin' knew it. You're a hell of a young woman, never forget that," he pats my shoulder.

"It was, strange. It didn't feel real for a few days, then the satisfaction settled in. It really helped having Leo there, so thank you," I say, eyes wandering back towards where he's laying on the bed.

"I know that look," North chuckles.

"What look?"

"The look of young love," he settles back into his seat, "I never saw it coming. Not between the pair of you, the way I'd have to hold constant meetings about your lack of camaraderie. Hell, I didn't think there'd ever be a day where you tolerated each other," he laughs.

"Honestly? Neither did I. It was just as big of a shock to me as to you," I snicker.

"You know, he's going to be out of action for a while once he's awake. Even when he's fully recovered in every other way, he's going to have issues with that leg," he gestures.

"What are you implying?" I lean forward, Rosa leaving the room without another word.

"What I'm implying is, I'm going to discharge him out of service for a few months. There's not much he'll be able to do here, and you're on your year out,"

Holy shit.

"Are you saying-"

"-that he can finish your year out with you? Yes, Shields. That's exactly what I'm saying. He needs time to recover and I doubt he'll want to be cooped up in base, so he may as well go with you for a few months," he chuckles.

I release Leo's hand for a second to jump up and wrap my arms around North like a fucking teenager.

"Thank you," I whisper.

"I honestly think you've both earned it. I mean, you immediately flew from fucking Queensland to be here. If that doesn't prove how much Hendrix means to you, I don't know what does,"

His gaze drops, right towards my ring finger.

"Damning hell, are you-?"

"-no, we're not engaged," I laugh, "it's was my Mom's. Dad let me have it," I poke out my left hand as he analyses it.

"How is your old man?"

"He's fine. His wife is lovely, so are the kids. It felt great to be part of a normal family for once. The only hard part is not being able to mention what happened to Mom, and the bastard for that matter," I grimace.

"He who we damn shan't name. I can imagine that's tough on you, Shields, but I'm glad your 'pops has happiness," he offers a wrinkly grin, smile etched by smokers lines.

"Yeah, I'm glad too. I also just have to say this," I change the subject, he raises his eyebrows. 

"I'm stupidly, insanely in love with Leo, which is very well clear, but I also know that the rules are the rules. Will we ever be allowed to work together again when we're both back in action?" I tilt my head, bracing for an answer.

He takes a deep breath, "I'll have to think on that one, Shields."

"Of course, that's understandable. I just had to ask," I nod.

We fall into silence. I gaze at Leo's face, at the comforting rise and fall of his chest.

"You can use his cabin if you want, stay here for as long as you need. Why don't you go and get changed, take a shower and get some food? It'll probably help you relax a little better," he breaks the silence gently.

It doesn't even sound like North is speaking right now. The tone is too delicate around the edges.

"Yeah, I could do with taking a shower. I've been in these clothes since I ran out of the front porch in Australia, I probably fucking stink," I chuckle, "please get somebody to find me immediately if anything changes,"

"Of course, Shields," he nods as I stand up. Carefully leaning across, I plant a soft kiss on Leo's bruised forehead before hesitantly walking towards the exit.

—

"It's so refreshing to see you. It's been horrible being out of contact," Tara groans as I rummage through the small selection of summer clothes that got launched into my bag.

"It's strange to be back so suddenly. When I got the phone call from Vincent, I almost threw up," I grimace, turning to her. "Just glad I get to see you as well, of course. Bittersweet."

"How was Australia?" She asks.

"Different, but great. The weather was much better than it is here," I chuckle.

"Yeah, I can imagine. Do you need to borrow a pair of cargos?"

"Please," I sigh, throwing aside my pile of thin clothes. I'd packed for hot weather when I went to Australia, I don't think a dress is exactly fitting to walk around base in.

Tara stands and strides towards her drawers, pulling out a black pair of cargos and throwing them to me. I instantly begin to change, sliding on a white shirt that I stashed in my bag.

"They might be a little big, but probably more appropriate for the winter," she laughs.

"Feels much better, thanks Tarantino," I grin, clasping them up at my waist, "I'm going to go back to the med-bay, sit with him,"

"Of course, they're serving dinner at 7 if you want to get some,"

"Yeah, I'll definitely pick some up. See you later," I wave, leaving her cabin.

The chilled breeze rustles past, ground still muddy from the earlier spell of rain. Goosebumps immediately sprout up across my whole body.

I guess I'd adapted to the heat a little too much.

"Nova Shields?"

I whip around, hearing the voice I now recognise. Ruby is striding in my direction with her head tilted high.

"Yes?" I raise my eyebrows.

"I don't appreciate what you said to me in there. Leo and I are really close, have been for a while. It's true that we had some fun,"she shrugs, I erupt into laughter and shake my head.

I didn't realise we were recruiting thirteen year old girls.

"Funny, he's never mentioned you. Look, I'm not in fucking high-school. I know you're only in this group from a family tie, but that does not mean I'm going to be disrespected by you," I fold my arms.

"I'm telling the truth," she smugly purses her lips, batting the thick eyelashes lining her blue eyes.

"I know for a fact we've got a polygraph in the main office. Want to bet on it?" I grin, she immediately shuts her mouth as her expression falters.

"Thought so. Excuse me," I step to her side, she grabs my fucking wrist.

"I'll get you kicked out of this fucking group if you disrespect me, Shields,"

"I think you're mixed up between disrespect and just stating the obvious truth, Ruby. Your grandfather respects me, take a leaf out of his book,"

Her grip tightens on my wrist. Is she really trying to threaten me?

"At least my family is stable. Didn't your brother kill your Mom or something? And then you killed-"

She doesn't get another word out before I hook her across the jaw with my free hand. She staggers back, falling into the dirt. I can already feel a crowd forming around us, but I don't care.

If she puts my Mom's name in her smug little mouth again, she'll have no teeth.

"What the fuck?" She groans, holding her jaw.

"Say it again, I fucking dare you," I hiss. Tara runs up beside me.

"What's going on?!" She gasps, laying a hand on my shoulder.

"That bitch punched me for no fucking reason," Ruby seethes from the floor, pushing to her feet.

"A punch is the least I'll do if you mention my Mom again," I grit out, clenching my fist in preparation for another strike. She's very fucking lucky I don't have my Smith&Wesson right now.

Ruby frantically glances around for backup, not receiving any.

"That's a very fucking low-blow, Ruby," Marcus says from the side.

"I don't have anymore time for this," I sigh, cracking my knuckles and striding towards the med-bay.

If I lose my job for humbling the founders bitch of a granddaughter, then so fucking be it. Nepotism was never my thing.

North is already jogging out, almost crashing into me. "I heard a commotion, what in the damn hell happened?"

"I punched Ruby," I sigh, he erupts into laughter.

"About time somebody did. Nice work as always, Shields," he chuckles, stepping aside to let me through the doors.

I walk into his room once again. He hasn't moved, he's still deathly still. Walking over to his bed, I lean across and press my lips gently against his cheek.

I guess this is how he felt, waiting for me to wake up after I'd been stabbed by Nicholas. He had to wait around a week, I don't know how he did it.

Jesus, I love him so fucking much. If he's not okay, I have no idea how I'll cope.

He'll be alright. He will be. He has to be.

"Leo?" I whisper, false hope leading the expectations that he'll suddenly open his eyes.

He doesn't.

I adjust the chairs at his beside, sitting on one and pulling the other under my feet so I can settle. I don't plan on staying in his cabin, I plan on sleeping right here next to him.

"I'll stay right here until you wake up," I say softly, hanging onto the idea that in some way he can hear me.

I pull his hand into mine, running my thumb across it yet being careful not to budge the cannula.

"I'll wait for you, Leo. I'm not going anywhere,"