I feel like I have a million things I need to say to Sailor, yet at the same time, I feel as though I’ve said everything I need to say to her in one single sentence. I love you.
It really does say it all, and I’ve announced it in front of her dad, Raven, and half a dozen total strangers. And I don’t care at all who knows it. She’s back. She’s safe. She’s alive. And I love her. Isn’t that all that matters?
I will move Heaven and Hell to be with this girl. I’ll fight all the gods and anyone else who stands in our way. I will fight to love her, fight to keep her dad safe. Because hearing her call for me when she was at her most vulnerable has finally convinced me that she feels this thing every bit as much as I do. That she too will be willing to fight for us. And knowing how stubborn she is, no doubt she will be the one who finds a way for us to be together.
I know I have to tell her about the gods’ ultimatum though. I should have told her sooner. I should have trusted her to find a way around their threats, but instead of letting her in and telling her how I really felt about her, I resisted my feelings because I didn’t want to compromise the mission. I should have known better.
I feel a tugging sensation on my hand and I snap out of my head and back into the room. Sailor smiles at me.
“I kind of wanted to hug my dad,” she says with a soft laugh, looking down at our hands.
I realize the tugging was her trying to get her hand free from my iron grip, and I release her hand with a muttered sorry. She hugs her dad tightly and she even gives Raven a quick hug. Okay, maybe she’s not quite back to normal, I can’t help but think.
“What happened?” she asks.
“That’s what I’d like to know,” Adam says, glaring at the doctors, whom I had almost forgotten were still there.
“Maybe we should talk somewhere a little more private,” one of the doctors says, nodding towards the door.
He steps to the door and pulls it open. The nurses have already left and now his colleague steps out. Adam looks torn between finding out what the doctor has to say and staying by Sailor’s side. As the door opens, Nexus walks in, followed by the team. I notice Sunday is back on his body. He looks a little pale, but otherwise he seems okay. Nexus is using her invisibility enchantment again. It would be a bit much to try and explain to Adam what one of the substitute teachers from the school—a role Nexus has reluctantly taken to keep an eye on us around school—is doing here, but the team is visible again.
“Umm, you can’t all be in here,” the doctor says.
“Please let them stay, Dad,” Sailor whispers.
“It’s fine,” Adam says to the doctor. He turns his attention to the team. “Just don’t get her all worked up guys, okay?”
He gets a round of nods and then he gives Sailor another quick hug and heads towards the open door. Raven starts to follow Adam. He reaches the group and Mel gives him a quick hug.
Taken aback, he thanks her and says they will be right back.
“Raven?” Sailor says.
“Yes, dear,” she says.
She sounds nervous, like she’s waiting for Sailor to tear strips off her or something. I’m kind of waiting for the same thing.
“Thank you,” Sailor says with a smile.
“Fucking hell, how hard did she hit her head?” Jinx mutters.
Mel digs him in the ribs with her elbow and he rubs the spot and frowns at Mel. I can’t say I’m thrilled that he said it out loud, but I’m kind of wondering the same thing myself.
“For what?” Raven asks, clearly as confused as the rest of us.
This is it. The moment Sailor will strike her down with a cutting comment. She surprises me when, instead, she gives Raven a genuine smile.
“For being there for my dad. I know he couldn’t have done this alone. And well, I’m grateful that he didn’t have to. So thank you,” she says sincerely.
Raven steps towards Sailor and reaches out and strokes her hair back from her face.
“Where else would I be?” She smiles. “I really do have feelings for your dad, Sailor, and I think we could have something really special. With your permission I’d like to find out. And I’d like to get to know you better too. Maybe we could have a girl’s day out or something once you’re feeling better. I really would like us to be friends.”
Sailor frowns ever so slightly and her mouth puckers as she thinks about it. Her face breaks into a smile again and she nods her head.
“I’d like that too.” She smiles. “Perhaps we should start over.”
Raven nods, a delighted smile on her face. She goes to join Adam, who is standing in the doorway. I can see the relief on his face now that Sailor has come around to at least giving Raven a chance. Adam puts his arm around her and guides her out of the room. The doctor follows, pulling the door closed behind us.
Nexus appears, and Sailor jumps and then laughs.
“Cool trick,” she says.
“I’m full of them.” Nexus grins.
“So, Sails, how hard did you bang your head?” Jinx asks. “Because you sure seem to have come around to the hot teacher.”
Sailor rolls her eyes and waves his comments away.
“She can rot in hell for all I care. That was for my dad’s benefit.”
