Fate & Fur

@ BearGirl

Aiden hummed happily as she ran her fingers through his hair, nuzzling his nose into her hair as he scooted closer. "You'll be out of here soon enough, I promise, my love.." he murmured, content to fall back asleep, although when he heard the nurse enter he sat up with a tired groan before moving back into his chair by the bed so the nurse could do her check on Bailey without him being in the way.

When she mentioned food Aiden's stomach growled, but he cleared his throat to hide it, looking at Bailey when she said she didn't feel hungry. "Please, Bailey? At least try? You might feel better if you eat a little bit." He said as he took her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.

@ katahdin

Bailey glanced down at Aiden before looking up at the nurse. While she didn't really want to bother at all, Bailey had a feeling that the two of them weren't going to let it go. She understood, of course, one needed food but nonetheless, she felt sick just thinking about eating. "Okay, just something easy though," Bailey said as she looked up at the nurse. They had a short discussion about what the kitchen made before the nurse headed off to submit it to the kitchen.

With that settled, Bailey looked down at Aiden. Her fingers running along the back of his hand gently. "You should eat too. Maybe you should get something from the cafeteria." She whispered to him. "Plus visitors' hours are going to be over soon... Are you going to head home and rest?"

@ BearGirl

Aiden smiled a bit when she finally agreed to get something to eat, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. "I know you don't want to eat, and but even just a few small bites will help, and if that's too much drinking some water is better than nothing." He pressed a kiss to the back of her hand, looking at the clock when she mentioned that visitors hours were almost over. "If they make me leave I'll go home... But I probably should get back to make sure your apartment is all set up by the time you can come home tomorrow."

He stood, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "I'm going to grab something from the cafeteria, I'll be back in five minutes. Try not to miss me too much." He teased soflty as he squeezed her hand before reluctantly letting go to head down the hall to the cafeteria.

@ katahdin

As Aiden spoke, Bailey nodded to him. She knew he was right about eating as much as she could handle. It would be good for her. Though she didn't want him to leave her overnight because of visitors' hours. But he couldn't stay if the hospital told him to leave. "I hope they don't make you go home." Bailey said softly.

At Aiden's leave, Bailey deflated. She didn't feel safe alone anymore. But she had to remind herself that she wasn't alone at that moment. Her room may be empty but there was a whole hospital beyond her door, that contained doctors, nurses, and security. She would be okay until Aiden came back. While she waited for him to return, the nurse came in with Bailey's food, setting it down on the tray that could be shifted over her bed.

(Should we skip to them leaving the hospital together?)

@ BearGirl
(Yeah I'll skip ahead)

After dinner, the nurse did make Aiden leave for the night once visitor hours were over, with Aiden promising to come back first thing in the morning to see her. He barely slept that night, busy setting up all of their things in the new apartment, crashing on the couch for a few hours of sleep before heading back to the apartment after taking a quick shower.

When he walked into her room he grinned tiredly, looking absolutely exhausted, although he was clearly happy to be back by her side. "Good morning, Bailey. The nurse just told me that the doctor will be in any minute, and once she's through with her checks, we can get you home." He smiled, pressing a kiss to her cheek as he sat down in the chair by her bed. "Did you eat breakfast?"

@ katahdin

"Good morning," Bailey said, a hint of a smile coming along her face as she watched him head into the room. She was able to sleep well through the night, but it had taken her some time to settle down. Even so, Bailey looked a little less pale than the day before. And she was pleased to finally be heading out of the hospital. "I haven't had breakfast but can we wait until we get home?" Bailey asked him, her eyes getting wider as she did so. "Your food is much better."

Before Aiden was able to respond, the doctor headed in to do her final checks on Bailey. It took some time, but once the doctor was finished, she turned to both of them. "You are ready to be discharged." She told her. "But we should go over how to care for your injuries, and you should schedule an appointment with the nurse to check on your lungs and your leg." The doctor turned to both of them before beginning to go through aftercare. "Your stitches should be fine and they will dissolve by themselves. So just be gentle with that area and that will care for itself. As for the writing on your arm, just keep putting ointment on it and change the bandages out and that also should be gone before you know it. Now, your chest and leg are a bit more troublesome. You had two broken ribs and a collapsed lung. Your lungs are now functioning normally again but keep the bandages where the chest tub was clean and tight. The area should reclose soon. And as little moving as possible for the next few weeks for your ribs. The bandages around your torso is removed now except for the chest tub. Finally, your leg. It is set in a cast and you'll need to come back to get it removed in a few weeks."

@ BearGirl

Aiden smiled happily as he took her in, relieved that she was starting to look better, and seemed a bit happier than the day before. Of course it'd be a long while before she was fully healed, but he'd be there with her every step of the way. "Of course I can make you breakfast. What would you like? Anything specific?"

He looked up when the doctor came in and began her checks, watching her closely to make sure that Bailey was alright. He listened carefully to the doctors instructions, taking the papers and pamphlets of information that they were given with a smile, folding them and tucking them into his back pocket to bring home to read later. Once Bailey had settled everything with the nurse about her next check in and she was dressed and in a wheelchair Aiden happily brought her out to his car, where James was waiting with a bouquet of flowers and a few balloon.

When the young wolf spotted them his eyes lit up and he hurried over, looking Bailey over worriedly. "Hi Bailey. Aiden told me what happened, and asked if I'd help him get you home. I hope that's alright. I also got you these flowers and balloons, to cheer you up." He smiled, ignoring Aiden's muffled laughter. "I'll put them in the back though, so they don't bother you during the ride." He explained, setting his gifts in the backseat before helping Aiden get Bailey loaded into the car. Once everything was set the trio left the hospital and headed back to the apartment, where Aiden and James helped Bailey inside to the elevator, and then carried her down the hall to their new apartment .

"Welcome home, Bails." Aiden murmured once they were safely inside, pressing a kiss to her cheek.

@ katahdin

As Aiden brought her out of the hospital, Bailey glanced up just in time to see James hurrying over to her, a worry look in his eyes. She smiled gently at the young man, though was a bit forced. Bailey was happy to see him but she would be lying if she said she was in good spirits. "Thank you, James. That is very sweet of you." Bailey said as she watched him put the balloons and the flowers in the back of the car. And, before she knew it, she was holding on tightly to both men as they helped her get out of the wheelchair and into the car. And then doing the same as they moved through the apartment building.

Once she was set down in one of the chairs in the living room, Bailey had let out a breath of relief. She had been afraid they would be too rough carrying her, or worse, drop her onto the floor. But now that she was safely set down in a chair, Bailey was able to relax her muscles again. She smiled softly at Aiden before lightly taking his shirt in her hands and keeping him close so she could press a soft kiss against his lips. "Thank you, Aiden. It is a lovely apartment, and thank you for setting it up to me. I am so grateful."

Bailey then looked up to James. "And thank you to you as well. I heard that you brought my things from my old apartment. It does mean a lot to me that I don't have to go back there."

@ BearGirl

Once Bailey was settled in her seat with her let propped up on an ottoman and a blanket over her lap Aiden allowed himself to relax a bit, having worried that Sandra might have tired something again when they were moving her, although he was relieved that his fear seemed to be irrational. He smiled when he felt her hand grip his shirt, and happily leaned down to return her kiss, gently brushing his fingers over her cheek.

"There's only two apartments on this floor, yours and mine, and you need a special key to get to this floor in the elevator, and the door on the stairs is locked, so no one can come in that way. We both have keys, of course, but I've also given one to James, and left one at the pack house, in case anyone needs to come over." He explained, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

While Aiden had been getting Bailey situated James had run back down to the car to bring up the balloons and flowers, along with a couple bags of groceries they'd gotten before picking her up from the hospital, and the young wolf was in the middle of putting the groceries away when Bailey thanked him. He looked at her and shrugged, offering her a little smile. "I'd have done it even if Aiden hadn't asked. Sandra used to be kind of nice, but the past few years she's turned into a jerk, and you're not the only one who wants to leave her territory. Plus, when that one guy tried to stop me and my friends, I got to beat him up, which was fun." He grinned a bit at the memory before returning to work putting the groceries away.

@ katahdin

Bailey nodded to Aiden as she listened to the key explanation. It did make her feel a lot better knowing that anyone would have a hard time even getting onto their floor. And she didn't have an issue with James or the pack having access. It made sense, in case they needed to see Aiden or if they were part of guard duty for her now. Which was something Bailey wanted but hopefully she wouldn't have to need a guard forever. "Okay, that sounds good," Bailey said as she let go of Aiden's shirt.

A small frown came over Bailey's face at James' words. She hadn't been expecting him to run into any trouble when getting her things. They have done enough, haven't they? What more could they possibly want from her? "Someone tried to stop you? From moving my things out?" Bailey asked as she looked intently at James, waiting for him to confirm it or not. Bailey had been really hoping that this would be the end of things. They got her revenge, and she was out of their territory now.

Her worried eyes turned back to Aiden. "What more could they possibly want? Haven't they already done enough?"

@ BearGirl

"They were just being assholes, don't you worry." James reassured her as he finished placing the flowers he'd gotten her in a vase, setting it on the little dinner table before taking a seat on the couch.

"Sandra didn't like that I'd sent members of my pack into her territory without permission." Aiden clarified, brushing his thumb over her knuckles soothingly. "Which is funny, since it's exactly what she did a few days ago. But James and the others held their own against them. I'm pretty sure your friend, Val was there.."

"Oh yeah, she's the one who broke Allan's wrist. But I broke her nose and a couple of her ribs, so I'd say we're even." James interjected, although fell silent when Aiden have him a Stern look, not really wanting Bailey to hear all of the ugly details. She'd been through enough.

Turning back to Bailey he pressed a reassuring kiss to her lips. "None of them can get to you here, that's all that matters. I've increased patrols along the border, and everyone is on the lookout for members of her pack. A few of the wolves living downstairs have offered to keep lookout for anyone strange coming through the building, and once you're all healed up, someone will be with you whenever you decide to leave the apartment, whether you want them to walk right beside you or keep their distance. No one is ever going to hurt you again, Bailey, I swear it."

@ katahdin

Bailey started to relax as Aiden explained why members of his pack had been attacked when collecting her things. It was just a territory issue, and nothing more. That did make her feel a bit better but she still wasn't particularly happy about it. At least, it had nothing to do with her and that was all she really wanted. To be out of trouble between the two packs. Let them fight about something else.

Though as James explained what happened during the fight, Bailey tensed up once again, her eyes widening a bit. "What?" She let out a small gasp. "Are pack fights always like this? Is Allen going to be okay?"

Before Bailey could really get wound up about the skirmish between the two groups, Aiden pressed his lips against hers. She started to calm down once again, but still felt anxious about it all. Though her attention was turned back to Aiden as he explained that she was safe here. Despite all of the safety protocols in measure, Bailey was still afraid of what they could do. But, still, she nodded to Aiden slowly as she squeezed his hand. "I trust you." She said softly before laying her head on his shoulder.

@ BearGirl

"Allan's young and inexperienced at fighting, the break was mostly his fault." Aiden explained, brushing his fingers through her hair gently. "He'll heal in no time, but his pride might be wounded for a bit longer." He chuckled, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "I'm glad you trust me, Bails. I probably don't deserve it after what happened, but I'm grateful."

"Aiden's always down on himself, as you may know, so you shouldn't pay much attention to him." James grinned a bit as he stood from the couch. "I should get going, but if you need anything, just give me a call." He waved before heading out, leaving the two alone in the apartment.

Aiden sighed once James was gone, pulling her closer, although he was careful that he didn't hurt her. "So, be honest, do you hate the apartment?" He smiled a little as he played with her hair, obviously teasing, although he was a bit worried about what she'd think.

@ katahdin

As James headed out of the apartment, Bailey thanked him once again. She knew she needed to message him at some point to help James with his college essay, but surely it could wait a few more days until she felt a bit better. Especially since the medication that the hospital had given her made Bailey so sleepy. Though Bailey didn't mind that much as there wasn't a lot she could do while she had her injuries.

Once the door was closed and Aiden was pulling her closer, Bailey let out a pleasant hum and wrapped her arms around his neck. She pressed her face into him lightly. She wished she could climb onto Aiden's lap, to cuddle into him. Though this was about all her body could handle at the moment. This was definitely one of those times where she wished she could heal as fast as him and the other wolves.

"I love the apartment," Bailey whispered to him, a soft smile on her face as she spoke. "It is so nice and spacious. And I am excited to decorate it myself once I feel better."

@ BearGirl

Aiden hummed happily as she wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing a few gentle kisses over her face before settling back against the couch with a sigh, smiling gently at her. "I'm glad that you like it, Bailey. It's a bit bigger than my old apartment, which means if you get upset with me then there's plenty of room for you to avoid me." He teased, letting out a little laugh.

"I bet you'll be all healed in no time, and this place will be unrecognizable once you decorate it. And if you want to buy new furniture feel free, like I said before, I've got more money than I know what to do with." He grinned, pressing a kiss to the tip of her nose.

@ katahdin

Bailey let out a small sigh as she closed her eyes and cuddled close into Aiden. At least, as much as her body would allow her to do so. "Even if I was ever upset with you, I do not think that it would last long. I would probably just kick you out onto the deck for a few hours." She whispered softly, teasing Aiden lightly as she did so. "Or you could always run back to your old apartment and hide from me."

The young women then let out a small tired yawn before continuing on. "I just wish I was healed now. My body hurts and it's too hard to move around. And I can't even cuddle with you like I like to." Her hand reached up and lightly brushed along Aiden's cheek. "And, when I am ready, I'll decorate it with my own money. You have done more than enough for me."

@ BearGirl

Aiden chuckled softly at her teasing, gently ruining his fingers run through her hair with a little hum. "I suppose you're right.. Do you want me to bring you up to bed? Or do you want to try to take a bath first?" He asked when he noticed her yawn, frowning as she spoke about how much pain she was in.

"I wish I could take it all away, Bailey, I really do.. There might be some medicine at the pack house that would speed up some of your healing, but odds are you won't be able to do much for a few weeks." He explained with a frown, pressing a gentle kiss to her lips. "But then when you finally get to cuddle with me after waiting so long, it'll be even better." He smirked a bit as he bit back a laugh.

@ katahdin

-skip forward a few weeks-

Now that time had passed, Bailey was beginning to feel back to normal. Her stitches were gone, her bruises faded away and her ribs healed as well. As for the word on her arm, it was almost completely faded as well. The only thing that Bailey needed to wait for was her leg. But, at least, she was finally given the approval to move around with crutches which made life so much easier. She always had a pack member close by but moving by herself was truly better than being carried around. Plus, she even got to sleep how she wanted to once again.

Though her life had changed a lot since that attack. Now she had guards that followed her around. It seemed that she was never alone, which the woman didn't mind currently. Even right now, as she was making cookies, Isabella from the pack was sitting on the couch, watching over Bailey to ensure that nothing happened. And, her nights have been rough as well. Once Bailey was done with her medicine, she felt as though she was plagued by nightmares.

As she took one of the cookies off of the pan and onto the cooling tray, Bailey glanced up worriedly at the time. Aiden wasn't late by any means but she wanted him at her side.

@ BearGirl

Aiden had stuck by Bailey's side most days the first few weeks, but once she was able to get around on her own he had to return to the pack house to deal with business. Sandra and her goons had pretty much kept to their territory, although somehow they were occasionally able to sneak out and leave nasty letters and packages outside the apartment, which Aiden always made sure was taken care of before Bailey saw. She'd been through enough. He was getting sick of it though, and knew he'd have to do something soon to put Sandra in her place.

He'd left the pack house early, having spent most of the day discussing possibilities for what the pack needed to do, and he was exhausted. He barely made it into the apartment before slumping into the nice armchair Bailey had gotten for him, running a hand over his face, as if he could wipe away his stress. Although, the smell of cookies and the site of Bailey looking rather happy did help. "Are those for me?" He grinned a bit, standing with a huff to move over to his love and press a kiss to her cheek.

@ katahdin

A little giggle left Bailey as Aiden moved up behind her and pressed a kiss against her cheek. She tilted her head up and pressed a gentle kiss against his lips. "They might be for you," Bailey told him before she turned around and wrapped her arms around him loosely. "Or maybe I made them all for myself and have no intention of sharing." She teased him lightly before leaning forward and pressing a light kiss against his lips.

Bailey looked over Aiden's face for a moment before laying her head against his chest gently. She could tell that the man was rather exhausted. Her hands slid from his side and she reached up, pressing a hand against her cheek gently. "You should go sit down. The cookies should be done soon and I ordered us dinner which I believe is already on the way."