Someone moved him out of the way. Kell stepped back, letting the doctor's start the IV, watching as Maille was draped in sterile blue cloths, nurses brought warm towels and tucked her upper body carefully as she shook. Her eyes were glued to his.

A nurse pressed him back to Maille's side as a young  doctor rubbed her stomach with antiseptic. Trays of sutures and other things were brought. 

The smell, the lights--- unfamiliar to them both.

Someone brought him a plush chair and he sat gratefully, his own legs feeling shaky as he viewed what she could not see, the deep penetrating rip in her skin now being cleaned, but still oozing a fair amount of blood.

"Maille." He stroked her hair, leaning close to her face, blocking her view.

"I don't get this, Kell. I don't get what I'm feeling."

His lips screwed up in remorse. His head cocked to one side, and he squeezed his eyes shut.

"I have always been safe, Maille, you are free to feel whatever you want. Your feelings will always be safe with me."

"But not reciprocated." She mumbled, as he laced their fingers, and held them to his chin. He hunched into himself, rocking back and forth, biting his lips as the full weight of the confusion he'd caused hit him.

"Yes, reciprocated."

Someone immobilized her other hand as they began to unwrap his makeshift bandage. Maille's turned momentarily to see a nurse lay her arm on soft pillows, the strapped into the padding so they could work on it. A cool antiseptic flowed over her stinging palm.

Her eyes snapped back to Kell's. "But you're..."

"I'm not, Maille. I'm not, okay?" he whispered raggedly.

"Not?"

''Never."

"Safe?"

"Always."

"It's okay to feel...." she was suddenly enlightened. He wasn't gay? Then these feelings, these very confusing feelings... were all right?

"Please feel, Maille." he kissed her neck and her chin and looked into her eyes. "Please feel." he repeated.

"Sir... you're going to have to move back now. Maille, can you stay calm? The IV is in, and you should be feeling less pain." Professional voices warned.

Kell stepped back from her. He was ushered out of the room. Maille felt sleepy and relaxed, and free of pain, in all ways. The confusion was leaving. It was okay to feel....

When she came to she was still in the ER. Her mom was sitting next to her holding her hand, rubbing the skin. Her dad was on the other side standing by her feet, talking to somebody, Steve. She was embarrassed. She fluttered her eyes, feeling groggy and indistinct. Where was Kell?

 He was sitting beside her, his head bent and resting on the pillow next to hers. She turned to him. Her mouth was to his ear. "You called my mom."

"I did." He admitted, blue eyes only half open.

"Why?"

"Family is the most important, Maille."

She sighed. He who had never had a family, knew that family was the most important. She took a deep shaky breath. "Am I okay?"

"Yeah, not bad at all. You're going to be fine. A little sore. You tore your tummy up a bit and your hand." he whispered, his breath in her ear sent shivers down her spine.

"Look who's back with the living!" Steve was saying and wiggled her toes encouragingly. Her mom and dad were kissing her then, her mom was crying, but wiping judiciously at her tears. They were all saying things to her like how silly she'd been to run off, how she knew better than to run in a dark field, how grateful they all were to Kell.

Maille put her free hand up to Kell's face and gently cupped it. He took her fingers and put the little one in his mouth and sucked on it gently. Her parents were silent. Then she felt the cool breath as he blew on it and she smiled.

"Why is Stevie here?" She whispered against Kell's neck.

"I called him to come and administer the blessing to you. For healing."

"You called him to give me a blessing?"

"Stop repeating my every word, Maille Mann, yes, I called him. He is the logical choice, no? Worthy priesthood holder, with the power and authority to give this blessing."

Maille's eyes drifted to Steve's. "Thanks." She said simply and Steve squeezed her toes again. "Can you guys.... give us a minute?"

Maille's father ushered her mother through the curtains that separated her from others in the ER, as Steve gave Kell one more perusing glance. Kell nodded at him, by way of thanks, or just acknowledging him. Maille didn't understand the nods between men, but she knew when it happened that it meant something.

Now no one was in the cubicle with them. She lifted her bandaged arm.

"The pain meds made you sleepy, but you are free to go home." Kell told her gently.

"Help me up then?" She felt his arm beneath her back lifting her, as the stiff bandages around her stomach crinkled. She swung her bare legs over, wondering when they'd stripped her of her clothes. Kell handled the jeans to her, but then also handed her some loose fitting hospital pants.

"These will probably be easier to get on." He eyed her carefully as she tested the pain levels and the new feelings of pressure in her abdomen. She nodded, catching her breath. "Do you want my help?"

"Yes." She said simply, knowing she couldn't pull up her jeans right now, nor tie the hospital pants. She slid off the hospital bed, wincing, and as Kell held the legs of the pants, she rested her free hand on his shoulder and stared at the top of his dreads, and then at the machines now dark and unresponsive. He pulled the pants up around her hips, his fingers deftly guiding the material, and then still standing very close, he tied the drawstring. 

His eyes rose to hers, so close, causing her breath to catch again. From somewhere behind him, he produced the hospital shirt, exactly like the one he was wearing. Only then did she fully realize she was only wearing her bra, and it was splattered in her own blood and brownish anti-septic. 

He stepped back. "Do you want me to help you with the shirt too?" His fingers pushed her hair off her shoulders and he deftly scrunched the material and pulled it over her head. Maille lifted both arms and thrust them through the sleeves, her eyes on Kell's as he settled the shirt over her. "I seem to be always dressing you, Maille Mann."

She bit her lip. His palms slid softly from the side of her breast to her hips, creating a warm path straight to her heart. They stayed against her skin, and her eyes rose to meet his.

"I still don't understand."

"I lied to you. I'm not gay. I've never been with a man." He said simply, searching her face for signs of distress. 

She swallowed hard.  "When we get home can you explain it to me? Why you lied?"

He nodded in tiny jerks. "If you will promise not to run off, or hide somewhere."

A small smile curved her lips. "I promise. I'm not mad. I'm actually relieved. I've heard about girls who are attracted to gay guys, always pining after what they cannot have."

Kell drew in his breath sharply, sounding suspiciously like a far-away train whistle. He stroked her hair back once again still searching her eyes. 

"Maille."

"I trust you still." She managed as he pulled back the curtain and handed her her shoes. 

She bent with another grimace, and Kell knelt and slipped her shoes on for her. When he looked up, Maille's fingers curved softly around his cheek as she gazed down at him.

"I hope so, Maille Mann. I hope you do."

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