Arms of The Angel (Kyle, Mercedes?, Openish)

[Kyle Aodhagán †]

Kyle’s brow was creased deeply, his azure eyes narrowed in concentration as he dabbed at the wound with a gentleness he didn’t think possible for his rough hands. His gaze only shifted up fleetingly as she voiced her opinion on what most shifters would do with their tails, and for a moment his lip curved up at the corner in a shadow of a smile.
“My tail is much too large to tuck.” He replied huskily, and the smile was gone as if it had never been, that fierce look of concentration frozen on his visage. “I wouldn’t call it bravery as much as stubbornness. I don’t know the meaning of the word run.” The dragon added pensively.

His eyes were locked on Mercy’s small, but practiced hands. She worked quickly, but tenderly to sew up the wound while he touched the lesions lightly from time to time with the gauze. Soon enough the fount of crimson was closed, and though the shoulder was swollen and bruised, it looked as though the southern waitress would live to see another day.

The shifter stood over Kayla as the petite doctor moved to toss her gloves and wash up, considering what had taken place earlier that evening and what might have ensued had he not been curiously enchanted by the woman’s amazing food. Having had time to think on it, the ancient dragon assumed that it had to have been either that or the woman herself, for the short time spent in that little diner while he ate had made him feel human; something he hadn’t experiences in centuries.

As much as he wanted to ignore the sense of companionship he felt towards her, Kyle simply couldn’t, and though he would have preferred the sentiments to remain buried as they had been all these years, the dragon knew he owed her something.

“I should try unearth more information about the Redcap to make sure their claws are not venomous.” He said as she came back towards him with a thoughtful pat on his bicep. Immediately his muscles tensed, and his brow creased again. What was it with women and all the touching?

Besides, it would make it much harder to distance himself from Kayla if she found him here when she awoke. How would he explain what had happened tonight? Would she believe him if he explained it all away as a bad dream?

Her inquiry about the number of shifters in the area drew his thoughts away from his explanations for the moment. Kyle lifted a steady hand to wipe at his brow, considering how much information he should let out about the war that was spilling out into the human realm.
Finally the shifter realized if the werewolf was going to protect her self, the truth was what was necessary.

With a nod of his head Kyle sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. “There are more shifters here now, yes.” He began guardedly, considering each word before he spoke it. “There are a lot of other supernatural creatures here as well. New Orleans seems to have become a hotbed of otherworldly activity lately, as you can very well see from the type of creature that attacked Kayla tonight.”

He inhaled slowly, and let it out as a growl. Just thinking of the conflict going on around so many unsuspecting people made the dragon surge with rage.

Kyle was about to go on to tell her about the rips in the realm but the sound of Kayla’s gravely voice drew his attention away from the doctor. “I’m here…” He told her firmly, crossing his arms over his chest to keep from taking her hand. It wasn’t his place. The last thing he needed was to seal the connection between them even further by offering kindness.
Her face paled and he tightened his jaw, thinking that he should have made the Redcap suffer a little more for the pain he had caused the human.

Kayla’s wide, watery gaze suddenly found him, and the dragon felt his resolve thaw a little more. Damn her and her doe eyes!

“Repayment is unnecessary.” He answered and had to shift his gaze to the floor. “I did what is in my nature to do…” Blinking away the unfamiliar sensation of awkwardness, he lifted his eyes to her once again. “How are you feeling?”

Stupid question Kyle…really.

[Mercedes Rowe]

Mercedes couldn’t help but smirk at Kyle’s response to his tail being too large to tuck. “Now you have my interest peeked. I can’t quite pinpoint the beast in you..” She tilted her head, thinking about it. After a moment, she shook her head. There was the smell of sulfur, but she couldn’t quite put two and two together. “Stubbornness, I highly doubt. I still think it’s bravery,” she said in a matter of fact voice.

After her hands had been cleaned, she had moved back to the woman’s side and nodded to Kyle. “I would appreciate it if you could. I would like to know as well. Plus, if it is venomous I would like to keep a close eye on Kayla for a few days. I don’t want another infection to progress in her wound, if we can prevent it or have it coursing through her blood stream without realizing it.” That did worry her, but she hoped the drugs she had given the woman would work to keep her blood clean.

Her eyebrows rose with intrigue as he began to speak about shifters and supernatural creatures in the area. “Yes, I was curious how you two came about a Redcap. I have never been around a creature such as that before. Granted, I have seen a lot in my days, but not these otherworldly creatures you speak of. I hope I never run across one..” A worried look crossed her face. She was just about to question how these otherworldly creatures were even entering into their realm when Kayla stirred and began to speak.

She pressed a gentle hand onto Kayla’s uninjured shoulder, pinning her to the bed. “Don’t move too much. It’s best to get your rest and let your wound heal for at least twenty-four hours. Tomorrow we will work with you to get you moving a little bit at a time.” Her smile softened, “And you’ll be pleased to know it isn’t as bad as it looks. You were lucky to be brought in so quickly. If you had lost anymore blood than we would have had to worry.”

She brought her hazel eyes upon Kyle, almost giving him a look that he should not mention anything about venom to Kayla, but she didn’t think he would. There was something about him that spoke a lot of trust. Also, he seemed like a very smart man, smarter than even she, so she merely smiled and never passed the look his way.

She had become very accustomed to thinking of her patients first, and she had seen people come in here and speak freely of things that she spoke with them out of confidence. The job could be grueling at times, but at the end of the shift she tried not to hold any ill will towards the friends and family that entered. She knew they only spoke out of fear.

[kayla]

Their words spoken before she came to never penetrated the veil of unconsciousness, even as she had started to come around. Only the muffled murmurs of their tones, like listening underwater.

She listened as her guardian angel spoke, ...what was in his nature to do...

But of course it was in his nature, she thought to herself. She didn't have Casey's gift (or even know about it for that matter!) but she knew he was good, noble, and kind despite the distance he tried to place between himself and others. A weak smile hinted at her lips.

"I hurt and feel like horse puckey so I guess that's good....means I'm still alive." Her tongue felt like it was sticking to the roof of her mouth. Nothing like cotton mouth from drugs to make you a little less eloquent.

Looking up to the Doctor she tried for another strained smile and nodded, not trying to sit up again. "Alright Doc...anything you say but.. can I possibly get a little glass of water or like...one the size of the Atlantic? Feels like a squirrel done climbed in my mouth and took up nest."

She waited a moment, taking a breath and trying to get comfortable,...an impossible feat at the moment. What had Kyle told the doctor and had he shown up in here with wings and all? Somehow she doubted that. If he'd done that they would have him locked in a room and dissecting him.

A sigh left her lips as she looked over at the stitches and paled a little more, the dark circles under her eyes showing up in stark relief. "Ty's gonna kill me." she muttered more to herself and decided then and there that noway, nohow was she calling him for a ride home. Speaking of home...

"Doc? Will I be able to go home tonight? I mean I appreciate all you've done and I know I gotta take it easy and all but..." she tried to shrug and winced as the wound reminded her of why that was a bad idea, making her still. "...my legs are workin' fine and I really don't think I'd be gettin much sleep here. I promise I'll come back tomorrow. I just gotta get things situated at the Cafe and call my employee to make sure he knows he'll have ta open up in the mornin'. "

She let out a breath and blinked a few times. Who knew that talking could take that much out of a person?!? But then again, she did have a tendency to marathon babble, a thing she never really paid too much attention to till now.

Her eyes slid to Kyle and she blinked slowly. "I hate to as ask ya this after all you've already done for me but I'd sure feel better if you was the one that saw me home, or.. at least to a cab. I don't wanna put you out no more though so if Ya don't want to that's understandable."

The silence of the room apart from her own talking was grating at her nerves. She never did do silence well. Even on the stillest of country nights back home there were tree frogs and crickets and cicadas that sang and created background noise. The muffled shouts from the other ER rooms and the still air and sterile smell of the room was unnerving to say the least, the tension of it running through her body. If she were to be told that her hair was standing on end like a scared cat right now, she'd believe it.

The last hospital she'd been in had been the one at UK Medical Center in Lexington. When her grandparents had been air lifted there after their wreck. The experience had left a solid negative emotional connotation in her in regards to hospitals. She'd lost two people that meant more than the world to her in that moment, in that place. It had been grief so strong it had literally brought her to her knees when the doctors had told them that neither had made it. Memories of hitting the cold tiled floor assailed her, making her heart rate jump and her breathing pick up pace a bit though she tried to appear calm and rational. The same sterile smell was in her nose and the distant sound of the intercom was heard. It was like someone had cut a slash from her memory and was replaying it like a loop.

She'd never wished more in her life than that moment that she had a teddy bear to hold and hug....or maybe a big, huge, intimidating bald guy.

[Kyle Aodhagán †]

Kyle couldn’t let the glimmer of a smile grace his countenance when the little country woman answered his asinine inquiry.
He brought his thick arms across his chest, lofting a brow in amusement. “Horse puckey? I hope that’s not something on the menu at your café…” He teased her quietly; pleased by her ability to see the brighter side of things. Kayla was right. Being above ground, no matter how sore the injury, was definitely better than being six feet under.

The shifter waited quietly as she and the doctor exchanged words, tensing again only at the mention of someone (or something) named Ty that was going to kill her. No way. Not after the shit that they’d been through tonight.

“Do I need to defend you from this Ty, Kayla?” he asked stiffly with a serious look on his face. “If you start to make this guardian angel thing a habit, I’ll expect payment in cobbler AND bills at the first of every month.”

What was this? Was the dragon actually…joking? The act was simply unheard of!

In all seriousness, Kyle was only half teasing. After tonight, whether he knew it or not, he had cemented a companionship with the female that would carry on even after she had completely healed. Until then the dragon meant to protect the delicate female; sassy mouth and all.

When the waitress addressed the doctor again, Kyle glanced at Mercy expectantly. In his opinion Kayla needed to stay in bed for at least until he could find out more about Redcap wounds from the Council library, but far be it from him to tell her how to do her job. The dragon cleared his throat and pretended to be interested in a stray fabric on the pocket of his jeans.

His brow was furrowed in concentration when Kayla directed a question at him once again, and though he hoped the doctor wouldn’t allow her to leave, he nodded solemnly.
“You haven’t even begun to put me out, Kayla. I will see you home and see that you are properly settled so that you can heal.” Kyle raised his eyes back to the doctor and nodded seriously. “And if she decides to keep you here I would willingly contact your employee so that he may take care of things at the café…”

(( bah…my post may seem a little off. I didn’t know what the Doc would say about her going home, so I just kind fudged it. ))

[Mercedes Rowe]

Mercedes laughed at he southern woman’s expressions. Then she laughed slightly harder as Kyle made a joke about it being on the menu at the woman’s cafe. “Oh dear, I don’t think that sounds very appetizing,” she teased the woman right along with him.

“One Atlantic sized glass of water coming up,” she smiled at Kayla and moved to fill up a large styrofoam cup with ice and water. She set it down in front of her. “I don’t suggest you gulping it down quickly. The medication can cause you to become ill to your stomach. So, just take slow sips here and there,” she forewarned her.

The mention of some man going to kill her had brought her gaze back over the woman. She looked across to Kyle and smiled as he mentioned defending her. He truly was a guardian angel, even if he didn’t like to be called that. He was such a warm and caring person. It was hard to find people such as him these days.

As Kayla started to go on about getting out of there and getting back to work, she looked down and frowned at her. Then she glanced across at Kyle, their eyes meeting for a moment as he spoke of helping by giving her various options. Her hazel eyes fell back on the woman. “I believe you should let Kyle do as he suggested, get in touch with your employer. You are going to have to stay here for at least another three days, I’m sorry to say.”

As someone that was very dedicated to her work, she knew that it would be hard for Kayla to process that one. She’ll want to get up and get back to work, but Mercedes couldn’t let that happen. She needed her here to keep an eye on her, in case Redcaps were venomous or until Kyle was able to get the information she needed about them.

The worry on the woman’s face had her feeling bad for her. “If you want I can go with Kyle and speak to your employer, inform him the reason you can’t come in. If he is in dire need of help I could give a hand until you get yourself on your feet.”

Why was she always offering up her services? Wasn’t saving lives enough? It seemed to go beyond the call of duty, but she would do it if it would keep the woman there for a few days. The things she did for her patients. She really needed to be less caring, but she didn’t foresee that ever happening.

“So, how’s that sound to you?” She brought a gentle hand down onto Kayla’s hand, giving it a pat.

((It was perfect~))

[kayla]

She couldn't help but laugh at Kyle's deadpan teasing and the chuckle left her lips hoarsely, the movement making her wince and sober somewhat.

As the good Doctor went to get her the water she looked at Kyle as he spoke of defending her from Ty. The thought of it was simultaneously amusing and terrifying and it showed on her face. "Oh.. no. Not like that. I mean.. sure he might wanna wring my neck or something for giving him grey hairs worrying over me...well..if he had hair that is. But no I don't need no defendin' from him. He's my.. well..he's.." she floundered for the right word. Boy friend? Sounded so high school. Male friend? A little too vague and left open the thoughts of less than pure actions. Not that she hasn't had some less than pure thoughts but she just wasn't they kind that was cut out for the casual sex style relationships that were so popular these days. Call her old fashioned, she didn't mind one bit. That sparked an idea and she smiled slightly.

"He's my beau.But anytime you want some cobbler or a good home cooked meal or any other little thing you're always welcome in my kitchen sugar." She didn't even think about it as she used a term of endearment for the man. It was just the way it was in the South. Everyone was honey or sugar or darlin or some variation thereof. It was as natural as breathing for her.

She took the water from Mercy and sipped as instructed when she really wanted to gulp the damned thing down. A small thank you was whispered to the woman as she took small, sips, testing how it felt on her stomach and listening to the other two. She didn't like the prospect of being in this place. Not one bit.

Swallowing the huge lump that formed in her throat and blinking to make sure there were no tears to fall she nodded slightly, not speaking for a moment so her voice would not break. Another realization hit her then and it sent dread through her. She hated to worry anyone and she was fairly sure that trying to explain to her honey that a homicidal midget attacked her then was disposed of by her dark guardian angel that flew her to the hospital on his wings would result in him thinking she was bona fide crazy and not want anything to do with her.

But...being missing for a few days and unreachable didn't seem a viable option either. With a sigh she tried to put together some story that might be believable as she rubbed her face with a hand.

"Y'all are just too nice. Don't think I'll forget it. I suppose Casey will have to hold down things at the Cafe for a few days. Just glad I made some stuff up in advance and put it in the freezer. He'd just have to pop it in the oven and cook it." She made a mental note to be sure she had backups like that in the future as a regular thing.

She looked to the Doctor and just now registered what she'd said and realized that she thought some boss was why she wanted to get out. "But Casey's my employee...I'm the owner. But he hasn't been working there long and well I'm not sure.." But she didn't know what she was not sure of. She felt like a heel leaving him alone to run it all that much she was sure of.

With a resigned sigh, looking none too happy but not about to protest she nodded to Kyle "I got his cell number on the rolodex on my desk in the loft. Oh and when you're there, if you wouldn't mind, would you grab my cellphone too? I guess I got some calls to make myself." One she really didn't want to make.

Her eyes shifted to him again and grew a bit sly, hoping he would go along with her and knowing how horrible she was at lying.."I guess I was real lucky to have you pull me outta the swamp from that gator." pulling the closest thing she could think of that would be viable out of her hat and then she said no more, afraid that the more she talked, the more transparent she would be, never knowing that the good Doctor already knew the truth.

[Kyle Aodhagán †]

The dragon arched in eyebrow in exaggerated consideration as Kayla stumbled over her words to describe the elusive Ty. He noticed her body temperature spike for a moment; her cheeks flushing slightly to color what had been sickly pale and her heart beat rose from a slow thrumming to a staccato beat as she finally gave the man a name. Her Beau. He tried his best not to let the amused smile creep over his face, but it was no use. There was -obviously- some story going on there, but it was none of his business, and so it left it at that. A quiet nod was returned at her charming invitation, and though he acted indifferent towards it, inside it warmed him immensely.

Kyle folded his hands in front of him, silently watching the exchange between the human and the werewolf. He was already prepared that the doctor’s response to the waitress’ inquiry would upset her, but he was also prepared to follow through with the suggestions he had made. It was the least he could do. For some reason the avenger believed that had he not been at the diner, the Redcap would probably not have been there either. It was an absurd way of thinking, but the ancient shifter was prone to such reproachful beliefs toward him self.

Finally Kayla conceded to their propositions and Kyle let out an exhalation of relief. He could tell the little southern woman was strong of will, and had she argued with Mercy’s orders, there would have been no changing her mind.

Bending slightly at the waist in affirmation of her request to get her phone from the scene of the assault, the shifter turned to go, pausing at her clever comment about the alligator.
He offered her an uncharacteristic smile and placed a hand on her arm; a gesture that was as tough for the dragon as admitting his fondness for the human.
“I would do it again Kayla, but let us hope it is unnecessary.” He told her in a slightly stiff, yet somewhat affectionate tone and then nodded, moving to go.

He paused at Mercy’s side, whispering low so that Kayla’s human ears could not perceive it. “We will speak more upon my return about the matter that was addressed earlier.” Kyle told her quietly and then disappearing into the chaos ridden hall.

(( Okay guys, Kyle’s gone at this point. I think we can just assume he came back with the phone and lalala…and Mercy, you and I already spoke about assuming that he and Mercy talked about the war and schtuff. Luffs y’all! ))

[Mercedes Rowe]

Mercedes watched the exchange between Kyle and Kayla. She could tell by his body language alone that he had become very fond of this woman. His words even warmed Mercy’s heart. He was a good man. She glanced at Kayla and knew she was a good woman as well.

As the girl sipped her water, she shifted, listening to her talk about her beau. It was sweet. She could smell the changes in the woman as she spoke of him. Her lips lifted slightly, trying not to smile too much as she spoke about him to Kyle. She cast a quick glance his way, trying not to laugh as Kayla tried to explain her love interest to Kyle. The poor girl was probably afraid Kyle would hunt this man down.

All she could be happy for right now though is that the woman agreed not to go into work. That would have been detrimental, given the circumstances. Not until they found more about Redcaps, anyway. She knew Kyle would get her the info she needed as far as that was concerned.

Her lips nearly reached her eyes in amusement as Kayla went on about Kyle saving her from a gator in the swamp. She knew better than that, but she was not going to tell the woman that she did. It was far better entertainment to have the woman telling her some made up story. It was endearing as well. She had made up a lie to cover Kyle’s ass. That alone made even Mercedes see the trust one could have with this woman.

Kyle was ready to leave though. He stopped next to her and whispered for her ears only. She nodded in recognition. She would prefer they spoke of it alone, anyway. She didn’t want prying ears to hear what he had to tell her, and she wasn’t thinking of Kayla, though she knew as a human she shouldn’t be told.

After Kyle left she gave Kayla’s hand a pat. “I have to get back to the rounds, but if you need anything there is a call button on this remote here,” she picked up a big remote attached to the bed. “It also controls the television, if you get bored.”

She headed for the door. “It was pleasure to meet you Kayla. It’s too bad it was under such horrible circumstances. I’ll come back later to check up on you.” And she strolled out of the room.