2022-04-06 - I'll Watch Over You

It was very very early in the morning when Zara got the call from Ava that she needed some help. Not just healing, but medical. Bring extra supplies, and numbing agents. Sneak what you can from the burn unit please. Pretty please. It was clear that Ava's voice was strained, and she'd possibly been crying. The door was left cracked and Ava is already seated at her table, with her hand settled out in front of her.

It's not a pretty sight.

Charred, blistered and looking as though she should absolutely be in the hospital right now rather than at her own kitchen table. It was worse, but thankfully Aidan has already healed some of the damage that was done. There's a bottle of painkillers on the table which at least explains how the crying has stopped and why she's not screaming at the moment as she sits there, staring off and waiting.

Not the most pleasant of morning phone calls - Zara would prefer a 'you won the lottery' one - but she is immediately on the way to help her friend. A stop at the Burn Unit on the way is not an issue and it gives her a good idea of what has happened to Ava.

No knock on the door as Zara enters and takes it all in. No looks of horror. No cries of distress. She is a professional and immediately gets to work. Though, since this is her best friend burned to a crisp, there will be some questions she wouldn't ask others. "Did you try to use your gifts again?" she whispers, slipping on some gloves before getting out the burn gel. "You should be at the hospital, Ava. A burn is not a hard thing to disguise as a genuine accident."

Zara's lips tighten as she takes in the damage. "I should try and heal you. Fuck Town Hall." The gloves are coming off again. "And how many of the painkillers have you taken?"

"You should heal first," Ava agrees. "Aidan already did some, but you too will speed it up. I can't do my work with only one hand. If I go to the hospital, it's going to be suspicious when it heals as fast as it does." Which explains why she's not there. "Low level heals seem to still be allowed by Them. It's just the Big Heal they seem to stop us from doing. For whatever reason. But the healing is still going to take time, so it still has to be treated because it's going to hurt like hell when I can feel it again."

Her voice is drawling as her head turns to her best friend, eyes red. "No. I didn't do that. It was a Dream. Nightmare, really. These people, person, he died. I couldn't save him. Turned into a monster. Turned other people into monsters. I had to keep my fire in my hand so that the store wouldn't go black. It was all the light we had. It was eating the light. So I had to keep making the fire." Pouring power into the hand, creating fire over and over again. That's a lot of power use, and a lot of fire. She's probably lucky it wasn't her whole arm.

"Two." Painkillers. "I don't want to fall asleep again."

"I don't know Aidan" Zara whispers as she tenderly takes her friend's arm and summons her healing gift "Is he a doctor?" She frowns at the burns. "I don't want to know how bad it was before he healed you." Low level healing it is as the power flows from one to the other. "It might not hurt. Depends on how much healing I can do. If I fix up your nerves but your skin is still burnt, then, yes, it is going to hurt. But I'd rather fix the sub-dermal than make your skin look pretty over internal bleeding."

"The person who died turned into a monster because you didn't save them?" Zara can feel some healing going on, and no interruption from the Grump. So far, so good. "I thought you were immune to flame." Some perspiration from the effort forming on her forehead before she releases Ava's arm. "Not perfect, but hopefully better. Sleep is the best thing for an injury...but not when our dreams are so shit. I can stay with you while you sleep if you think that will help."

"Aidan lives next door. Not a doctor, but he's a healer like us. Stronger than us in the powers, even. It was much worse before he got to it. So many blisters," Ava whispers in horror. "Do what you can do and we'll hope for the best." Her lashes flutter as the healing runs through her for the second time tonight. It's always so warm and fuzzy. She's so used to being the one who does the healing. "I'll never get used to being on the receiving end of this," is murmured as the fingers of that hand begin to twitch and visible signs of repair are immediate. They can watch as flesh mends itself and healthy color returns to some of the digits. Third degree burns start fading into something more akin to first degree.

Ava lets out a soft breath. "Immune? Why? Because I'm so hot?" There's a laugh, but there's no genuine humor in it because Ava is just too numb at the moment. "Thank you," she whispers, knowing that the physical work still has to be done, so she stays still. "He was always going to be a monster. His neck twisted around, his body moved like it shouldn't, rib cage opened up. He wasn't alive when he was the monster. He was already dead when I killed him. But I still--"

"Deacon is coming. But you can both stay. I'm not sure I'll be able to sleep anyway."

"Deacon Fade? The detective?" Zara looks a bit embarrassed. "Oh, um, if he was coming around to look after you, I won't get in the way. I thought that if you could produce fire, then fire would not hurt you. Even if it was just in a dream. That's a bit like a spider having venom but then dying from it because it is in its body. He was already dead when you killed him. Uh-huh...I might need a few moments to process that" she smiles.

"If you don't want to be on the receiving end, don't get hurt" Zara winks. She seems satisfied at the mobility of the fingers and the healing of the burns. Ava's flesh more a bright pink as if being caught by a rush of hot tap water. It will still sting though. "If you're not going to sleep, make sure you rest, okay? For me. No using your hand in an active way. Maybe come into the hospital tomorrow for a check-up? I can't really steal away with things like x-ray machines."

"Yeah, the detective. I don't think you'd be in the way. He might like having someone to talk to while I was asleep. Or maybe he sneaks in a nap too, I don't know." Ava sounds drowsy, even as she fights the sleeping. "Well, it's just like any of our powers, use it too much, you get a consequence. This was my consequence. Plus we're supposed to throw the fire not hold it." She looks at her hand again. "We made it out alive, though. I wasn't sure we would. I would do it again if I had to."

Ava lopsided smiles at the don't get hurt comment. "Gee doc, why didn't I think of that?" she wonders with a chuckle. "I'll sleep if someone watches me and stays awake so I can't Dream. Otherwise, I will rest. Promise. If it's not all healed by tomorrow, I'll come get it checked out with you."

"You'll come by tomorrow and get it checked out regardless" Zara says in that stern, yet friendly, way she has to use to get Ava to do sensible things. "Detective Fade was with you in the Dream?" An amused snort at her comment. "Remember when dreaming about people you knew didn't end up almost killing you? Anyway, was he in the Dream with you? Otherwise, I'm going to have to start asking questions why this man is coming around to watch over you." A wiggle of her eyebrows. "Though I suppose it would be more worrying if he came over to watch you sleep but didn't tell you about it first. I think that's stalker material."

Zara can't help but notice Ava might be losing the fight to stay awake. Normally that would be a good thing in healing situations, but after what has happened, not so much at the moment. "I'll stay until he gets here, okay? He might not want another person around. Might cramp his style."

"Noo, not him. Two other friends were. I had to protect them, keep them out of the dark. And Ravn had to open a door out of the Dream. Then I killed the thing. Then I woke up in bed." Ava's eyes drift as if she's trying to piece together if that was the right sequence of events. So far so good. "My hand still felt like fire. Ran next door. Aidan helped. Came back here. Called you. Called Deacon. Then I sat here, took pills. Sat here and waited." Her breath comes out shaky. "I wish I could remember nice dreams."

There's a harsh laugh at the waggling brows. "I might welcome the stalker material if it meant someone was watching me while I slept. Can't Dream when someone is watching you. So it's creepy, but helpful." She leans on Zara heavily. "Thank you for coming so fast."

"Never believe that I won't be here the minute you need me" Zara assures her friend, wrapping her arms around her to give her a tight, comforting hug. "Can I get you something to eat? Drink? Get you some of your strength back while we wait for your stalker. You know Detective Fade from work? Always good to know a policeman who can take care of any reports that need to be made. And you can tell them what happened and not be flung into an asylum."

Ava leans into the hug, returning it one armed. Clearly she needs it because it's clung to. "Hehe, stalker. It's funny because when he stopped by the other day he did a little sweep around the house first and I really did think it was a stalker. Almost hit him with a baseball bat. But we've known each other for years. Since I was a teen, actually." She shifts to straighten up. "I should be offering you stuff, not the other way around. I'm sorry."

"Why should you be sorry, you loon?" Zara snorts in amusement. "Your arm burnt to a crisp and you're on painkillers. I think I can understand your forgetfulness to play Society Hostess. You've known him since you were a teenager? What's that, about three weeks?" Releasing Ava to let her sit up, Zara gives her an affectionate squeeze to the thigh before rising. "Tell me where everything is, and I'll cook up whatever you want. My treat. Until you taste it, and then you'll probably think it's more of a trick." At least she can figure out the direction of the kitchen. "Why do you have a baseball bat handy? Is this a bad neighborhood or are you training for the Major League?"

"You're what? Five or six years older than me? Hush! That's nothing! I'm 32, that's plenty outside of teen years. I was sixteen, he was, oh god, twenty-four. I was getting harassed by this guy at the library, and I got up to leave, the dude started to follow me. I didn't get very far before he tried to grab me, and all of the sudden Deacon was there. Flattened the guy. Very heroic. Very smooth. We talked, went to the diner and had a little dinner, flirted a little and had an amazing time. Then I was like, oh my god, I'm going to be late, my parents are going to kill me. He was like, parents, how old are you? With all of the color draining right out of his face." Ava is giggling at the mix of memory and drugs. "I said sixteen and he bolted up out of his seat like it was on fire. He said, heeeeell no. Let me get you home, you are not legal!"

"We've been friends ever since then, and started working together after he became a cop and I became the coroner, obviously." She puts her chin on the table, looking blearly eyed. "Then he pushed me up a changing room door and kissed me the other day. Then walked out when the shop lady tutted at us."

"Then he definitely doesn't want me hanging around when he comes to watch you sleep. He'll probably sleep with you" Zara teases before gesturing towards the kitchen. "You still haven't told me what I can get you. Don't worry, I can carry on a conversation from a distance. You looked older than sixteen when you were sixteen? Which means that you pretty much haven't aged a day since." She disappears into the kitchen and, true to her word, can still be heard yelling from there.

"I take it that he didn't ask to kiss you first. It was a burst of passion thing. And I assume you didn't mind since he's coming over." Zara is opening cupboards and the fridge. "Ooh, wine. We'll have that with our meal. I could do a salad. Anyone can do a salad. Pasta?"

"Just water is fine. Plus whatever to eat. I know I shouldn't have had the pills on an empty stomach, but I'm also not that hungry. So I'll just eat whatever you put in front of me." Ava is still just kind of staring off, but responds easily enough. "Less about looks, I think, more about attitude. I grew up fast having my powers so young. I got them at six. Getting sucked into Dreams started when I was about eight. Looking back I probably seemed a lot older than sixteen."

"I didn't mind, no," she smirks. "White wine or red? Yeah, pasta. Anyway, he came over again later and said he wanted to try the whole relationship thing. We're taking it slow, but giving it a shot."

"It's a red. Good for the blood" Zara replies about the wine, "Your body needs to recuperate and it needs food to do that. You started young, sorry to hear that. I wasn't that young but I wasn't far off it. Before high school." They've probably discussed this in the past but it's been a while since they've seen each other. Do you know if Deacon has already been married or anything like that? Or has he been waiting all this time for you to mature like a ripe fruit." A little laugh at such a 'poetic' way of putting things. "Sorry, Ava. I'm glad you're trying it and I hope it goes well. Does he have any brothers?"

"I know, I know. Plus pills on an empty stomach, bad. Bad Ava. I said I'd eeeeat." Graned, drinking with the pills might also be bad, but having a little won't hurt anything. "It prepared me for a life here. It had its ups and downs, you know. I don't regret it, that I got them young. It led to a lot of great experiences when I was a kid. I was able to help a lot of people, too. Folks I wouldn't have been able to, otherwise." There's a snort. "No, never married, except to his work. Maybe he was waiting for me," she snickers without any actual belief behind the words. "Mmm, I think he has a younger one. I'll see if I can get you the digits."

"Men like younger women, not older ones. I've just been through that. Never mind. I'm sure I can find someone one day." Zara appears with two winces, placing them on the table before heading off to get the food. "Only one of those is yours!" she calls back. It's not long before there is a pasta salad for them both. "Eat up. Medical advice."

"All those people you helped when you were a child, they don't remember you? They didn't come back every five minutes for more? It's a wonder they didn't proclaim you a Miracle Child and have you out in a tent performing healing." Zara picks up her glass to toast her friend. "Your good health and good luck on your new adventure."

"Some men like younger women and not older ones. Some love older women. You hush." Ava glances at the one set in front of her, not even moving to touch it just yet. She's not likely to move until Zara is back the second time, so they're both safe for the moment.

"The beauty of the Veil's forgetting ability. Those without the shine pretty much immediately forgot what happened. They just knew they were never really hurt that badly. Or, they slipped and fell, and I helped them up off the ground to help them walk off a twisted ankle, rather than the shattered one it had been a second before. The Veil protects itself." Her chin lifts off the table. "To our good health and no more bad Dreams please."

Glasses 'tink' and wine is sipped. "Not too bad" Zara decides on the drop. "But what about those who Shine but not in the same way? I mean, we know what each other can do. Though working together is by far the most sensible and helpful thing we can all do, I am sure there are those out there with baser instincts who would be happy to exploit their fellow gifted. Sorry, getting a bit maudlin and negative there. Last thing we need at the moment."

"Dig in and eat up your salad. When can we expect Prince Charming? If you called him at the same time as me, he should be here by now" Zara teases.

"There weren't a lot of those in high school for me, honestly. Most of the other kids who shined were in the big families. They already knew what was up and that we were supposed to be quiet about it. They probably knew more than I did at the time," Ava sighs. She starts to pick at the food, nibbling and enjoying it even if she isn't actually hungry. That doesn't mean the food isn't good.

"I called you first, actually. You were almost here before I realized I'd have to sleep again, eventually. Then I called him. He had to stop at the station and request tomorrow off officially so he could stay with me. They're probably giving him a hard time or something because it's so last minute." Clearly she feels kind of guilty about that.

"They probably want to know all about you" Zara teases playfully. "And he's probably getting more and more frustrated that he can't be here instead. They're not likely to say 'no' to him taking some time off, are they? This is why you always call in absences, never do them in person. Hey, if he needs a medical certificate to take the day off, just let me know. Probably not a good idea to get a certificate off you. That usually means you're dead."

"Definitely shows he cares. You should be happy about that." Zara picks at her own food too but that was because she had already eaten. Otherwise, this is the best salad that has ever been created or ever will be, because it's made with love.

"It's not like they don't already all know me at least a little. I'm there all the time because of coroner stuff. But I guess it's a little different now, huh?" That gets a little groan of realization from Ava. "Nah. They're probably just giving him a hard time. If it takes too long, you can call them up and yell at them, though. I'd pay to see that. It'd be kind hot," she grins.

"I am happy. He's a good guy. Even if it doesn't work out relationship wise, he's a good friend to have. That's important."

"Let's hope you can carry on being friends if the relationship falters. Like I said, I don't even get the break-up calls much less the 'let's still be friends'" Zara laughs. "But, hey, all my fault. Too busy to spend the time needed to build relationships. Maybe I should see if there are any locals who offer a 'Boyfriend Experience'?" Another bite of pasta salad. "Hot, huh? Remind me to yell at Deacon when he finally arrives. Get you worked up for him." A poke of her tongue at her friend.

"Seriously, though, if you need to sleep, I can hold the fort until he gets here. And you should sleep."

"No. You stop talking the blame for that. Relationships are two way streets. I'd hit you if I could move my body that much. You're lucky I'm all drugged up, that's the only reason you're getting away with that this time." Ava takes another bite and another sip of wine before smirking. "All worked up for what? My falling asleep while he watches to make sure no Veil creatures come and snap me up? So romantic."

"The Boyfriend Experience. Not a bad idea for a dating place."

"It's not really a dating thing, Ava. It's where you hire someone to pretend they are your boyfriend or, more usually, a girlfriend" Zara explains. "Which means you do romantic things or living together things and, I guess, at the end of the night they break up with you, just so you get the whole experience. Calm down, Ava, I'm not taking the blame for anything. They're the ones who are missing out. As long as there are batteries in the world, I'll be fine. And if you're worked up before you fall asleep, you'll have better dreams." A shrug. "Maybe? Worth trying."

"Time to get you to bed, sweetheart?"

"It could be a dating thing. Like arranged marriages, just without the marrying. It could be a thing. You don't know, it could work." There's a little scoffing from the drugged up Ava before she takes another small bite and then sets the fork down. She really can't manage more. "Damn right they're missing out. You're amazing." Her lids really are starting to droop, but she's fighting it so hard.

There's a sigh and a nod at the last bit. "Okay. You'll wait until he gets here?"

"I will wait until he gets here" Zara promises in a soft and solemn tone. She is deadly serious. "Even if he takes a week to get here. Sleep. I'm here to watch over you."