Oh Shit

Tala didn't think this all the way through. She could always leave him with the bowl and sponge but she knew he would have problems moving and twisting into position with his leg. Biting her lip hard she takes a timid step forward. Her eyes going down his body before coming back to his face. Her eyes narrowing as his eyes give away how amused he is by her discomfort. 

She continued chanting in her head 'be professional, be professional, be professional'. Hell, she even tried to picture a 70 year old patient but one look at his toned muscular arms and she knew she was screwed. She squeezed her eyes shut momentarily trying to calm her nerves. A gentle touch to her hands makes her eyes snap open meeting a pair of dark brown stones glistening with a look of understanding. He helps guide her hands down to the hem of his shirt, his eyes never once straying from her. The constant eye contact putting her at ease. She lifts the material slowly as his arms go up. The thin fabric coming off with ease. 

Once the fabric is officially in her hands. Her eyes are still set on him but her hands are squeezing the material. She didn't even realize when she stepped right up to him. His fingertips grazing the side of legs before gently reaching up taking the shirt from her grasp and setting it on the sink next to the bowl. Her eyes finally leaving his to grab the sponge from the bowl squeezing some of the water out of it before turning to him. Her feet betraying her as they take the final step between his legs before she leans down to brush the skin of his neck. 

"Fuck"

It was a mere whisper and she was sure she wasn't suppose to hear it. Instead of saying anything about it she focuses on the gentle strokes to his neck before slowly following the trail of water down to his chest catching most of the running driblets. She couldn't help but admire the art piece before her. Not just his muscular structure but the tattoos littering his upper torso. It would have had to take a lot of time and patience to complete. Her eyes dancing over the colors and shapes completely entranced with his body. 

Unbeknownst to Tala was how Duke was now gripping the sides of her legs in an iron grip. His restraint to not tug her onto his lap hanging by a thread. He knows due to the damages on his upper leg it would hurt like a bitch but damn was it tempting. Her eyes drinking him in like a master piece that needs to be admired. He could feel his chest heaving with the dark look of lust swirling in her eyes. Using every strength he had, he closed his eyes to not allow the image of her leaning so close to him make him tip over the edge. 

Tala felt satisfied with his chest a few minutes ago but just couldn't tear her eyes away. God, he was a gorgeous man. She blinked rapidly finally ripping her eyes away from his remarkable chest. She dipped the sponge again before taking his arm gently and lifting it. Her eyes glancing to his face to find his eyes are closed. She pulls the sponge down the length of his arm then cleaning the underside of it. He chuckled slightly near his armpit making her lip lift slightly. The tension somewhat left the room as she mirrored the action on his other arm. 

"Lean forward slightly please"

Her words coming out softly but he obliged non the less. She had to gulp watching as his muscles contracted showing the clear indents on his back. When he leaned his head forward she took a moment to look at the large tattoo covering the length of his back. It was in the shape of the shield. A cross was in the center with a woman clinging to it while what looked like hands attempted to pull her down away from the cross. In the top corners were angels descending down to the woman. 

"This is beautiful.." her finger tips grazing down the length of his spine slowly. 

"Death will find everyone eventually. It is up to us to decide whether or not we want to be heaven bound or at the mercy in hell."

She began moving the sponge around his back drinking in each detail of the art work before capturing a smaller tattoo at the base of his neck. A single word written below the small image, Free."

"Duke, your art work is exquisite." She said in complete truth.

His head slightly tilts to look over his shoulder. "Thank you angel."

She could feel the blush creeping up her neck from the term he has used several times on her. She dipped the sponge and came around his front before leaning down in front of him. Her hand taking his good leg and gently lifting it before cleaning his lower leg on both sides before traveling up. She bit her lip keeping her eyes focused on the task rather than straying to the dark tight fitted boxers. 

The next leg was the tricky one. She began again on his lower leg and went slow watching his facial features to measure his pain currently. The numbing medication had worn off by now so she didn't want to get too close to hurt him or to soak the wound. When she saw him lock his jaw she looked and remembered it just in case they had to do this again. A gentle sigh escaped her happy with the job she had done. 

"Alright Duke, almost done."

She turned his chair pushing the back up to the sink. Moving about the room to gather her shampoo before turning on the water making it warm for him. Her eyes betrayed her as she peeked at him to find he was already looking up at her. Her eyes snapping back to the faucet for a moment before turning to him. Her hands coming up to maneuver him to wear he needed to be. One bracing his neck the other brush back his locks pressing his head back.

"Close your eyes."

He obliges and she heaves a breath she wasn't aware she was holding. She uses a cup on the basin to drop some water in his hair, her fingers brushing through the soft strands feeling the silkiness on her fingertips. He sighs relaxing his neck against the sink. She was tempted to kiss his forehead but resisted. Lathering his hair with the shampoo, she made sure to massage his head in the process hoping to ease some of the tension for him. 

"Last rinse.."

Her words almost silent. She fills the cup again rinsing his dark locks of the residue several times before satisfied enough to turn the water off. She grabs a towel and dries his hair before checking his body for any left over water but it seemed to have dried on its own. She sets the towel to the side and grabs some oils she uses to keep her hair healthy. She takes a few dabs to her finger tips and runs it through his hair. 

"What is that?" He says practically asleep. 

"Coconut oil... helps keep hair soft." Her hands still massaging his scalp making him groan gently. 

"God Tala.." Her mind replaying the hoarse words on replay as different scenarios dance in her head. She retracts her hands and wipes them trying to cleanse her mind of those images. Turning back she finds he hadn't moved making her giggle softly. 

"You have to move Duke. Come on," she encourages gently. 

"Mmm.. I don't want to!" He whines with a child like pout making her erupt with laughter. 

She lifts his head before pulling the chair out slightly so she could walk behind it and begin pushing out the wheelchair. She quickly turns snatching the shirt almost forgetting the fact that he is practically naked. She drops it on his shoulder as she pushes. He glances at it before looking up to her with a twinkle in his eye. 

"You telling me to put it back on?"

She shrugs nonchalantly, "Option is yours." Burn the damn thing.

He turns back around to hide the smile since it was clear she didn't know she said the last part out loud. She wheels him back into Rick's room leaving him slightly back while she walks over to check on him. His eyes following her movements as if she was performing a dance. She just seemed so ethereal. 

The man's eyes began to open just slightly making Tala give him a small smile. He had beautiful blue eyes to go along with his blonde hair. He seemed to try focusing on her while she checked his temperature. 

"Hello Rick. My name is Tala and I found you a day ago or so. You will need to take it easy for right now and try to relax. I'm going to ask you some questions and I just want you to give me a gentle nod or shake of your head in response, okay?"

He nods his head slightly indicating he heard her. 

"You were in a terrible accident and have damage to your abdomen and upper leg. Do you feel any other pain?"

He shakes his head after focusing for a moment trying to pin point the places of pain. 

"That's good. Would you say you were in a lot of pain?"

He nods his head weakly. She gives him a soft smile. 

"I am going to give you some more pain meds but that means you will fall asleep again. Are you okay with that?"

He nods again making her nod in return. She turns to get a needle and the serum. She fills it before turning back to him. 

"Once I inject this, you should feel it rather quickly. I will be here when you wake."

He nods once again and she does as she said. His eyes flutter close and she lays the needle back on the dresser. Her attention turning to the walking sin. His eyes are focused on Rick seeming deep in thought. She understood his worry but it was up to Rick how quickly he would cover. The traumatic experience and pain wouldn't be a quick recovery. It will take some time. 

"Hey Duke-" his eyes meet her. "I am going to radio in for supply. Do you want anything specific?"

He shakes his head seeming to still be in a daze. She nods walking over to the desk on the far side of the room. She sits down and starts it up. After turning the knob a few times, she finds the station she needs. 

"Roger?"

Hearing a snort behind her, she turns to find Duke looking at her with a look that says 'really'. Her brows pull together in confusion. Her confusion doesn't last as her friend's voice wafts through the speaker. 

"Tala, you there dear?"

"Yeah Roger. I was wondering if you could place my normal order. Hopefully the path will be clear in a few days time for me to do the pickup."

"You got it hun... anything additional?"

She thinks about it for a moment before glancing at the unconscious man on her bed. Duke's words about the man make her remember something. 

"Actually yeah... I need to know if we could borrow your computer when we come into town. I have a friend that needs to talk to someone."

"No problem Tala. See you soon dear."

"Thanks Roger. Bye."

She turns it off and turns back to Duke. "The man's name IS Roger."

"Yeah? Oh wait!" She finally understands his amusement making her giggle as he chuckles. After the laughter dies down, "I didn't even realize that."

He just rolls his eyes before they fall on Rick again. "Why do I need a computer?"

"You said your friend has a wife that is pregnant at home. You need to let her know he is alive."

He looks at her silently for a moment before a small smile lifts his lips. 

"You really are an angel Tala."