Welcome to Gaia! ::

Washington Becker was a patient man.

When it got dark on their little island, and a certain dark-haired woman hadn't slipped through his door, he thought nothing of it. She was probably caught up in her work. He used the time to read, thumbing through the dog eared pages of his Bible. He used the time to think. Time to pray.

But it had been hours, and still she hadn't come by - at which point he finally gave in to his concern, putting away his holy book and making a pass by her dorm, and then the life labs.

Nothing.

It was by sheer dumb luck then that he overheard a lab tech talking about a spar gone horribly wrong - another one - and how an intermediate lab tech would probably be missing her shift for the next several days, if not the whole week. A woman with the last name of Belrose. His heart skipped a beat, and with a grim expression he made his way to the infirmary. Had it been Jerry? But no, he wouldn't ...Probably just another accident, with someone unrelated. It had happened before.

Please, God, let her be alright.

The sight that met him as he quietly poked his way through the small sea of hospital beds wasn't a pleasant one, and he could feel his stomach drop. Stitches cut harsh lines along her lip, and her pale, pale neck was wrapped in gauze. The rest was hidden by a thin sheet. He remembered the last time he'd been here, and a distant part of him wondered if they were still as scratchy. Wash felt disconnected - he stood there for many moments, just taking it in, holding his breath, as if that would somehow change things.

They were hunters. This kind of thing happened. Get a grip, it's not as bad as it looks. Sally. She was right, in a way - Sasha's weapon would certainly speed her recovery process. She wasn't going to die. He bowed his head anyway, and prayed, white knuckled hands clasped together. He then took a deep, steadying breath, and found a seat somewhere close enough to keep an eye on her without disturbing her.

By this point, Wash had very nearly fallen asleep in his chair. It was by sheer act of will - and counting the ceiling tiles and later, the floor - that he'd managed to stay awake. He didn't know what else to do. He was afraid that if he left her, she might wake up alone... Was that better, or worse?

He started when he heard her strangled cry, and he couldn't help but make his way to her bedside, just within reach. He laid a hand tentatively on her head, petting her hair - a butterfly-light touch.

"Shhh," he murmured. "Shhh, you're fine, you'll be fine." She was awake - she was awake, and she was upset but... It meant she still had enough sense to be upset, to be sad or angry or...anything. Anything was better than that stillness, with the beep of the monitors and the stark white bandages. She would be fine, and it felt as if the entire world had been lifted from his shoulders.

Wash gave her a wide, warm smile. "A little late for the mummy look. Didn't anyone tell you Halloween was last week, miss?"

He thought about it.

"No, I don't," he replied, but raised an eyebrow.

"As a matter o' fact," he added, removing his hand from her hair and making a show of stretching; one that caused his shirt to lift just enough to show the line of hair against his dark skin that trailed into the top of his jeans, "my sheets aren't half as scratchy." He dragged his nails against the stubble on his chin a bit, pretending to consider.

If she really wanted him out, he'd leave, but.. He lowered his voice, kneeling next to the little bed to be at eye level with her. "Now, you're a grown a** woman and can take care of yourself just fine, but I imagine you may find certain other vistors a bit more, er, unwanted." Wash sighed, and ran his hand through his hair. "Your choice."

He had to admire her stubbornness. Covered in bandages up to her ears, and she was still ready and roaring to kick him out. Mmmm-mmmm.

He laughed with her, a deep chuckle. Wash quickly sobered at her question though, shaking his head. "Not sure, honestly. Could ask a tech. I only noticed when you, ah, hadn't stopped by - figured you were up late workin' and overheard..." He shrugged. She knew what had happened better than he did, obviously.

At her request - "O' course." He made his way back toward the doors of the ward. Conveniently, there was a water cooler along the wall on the way in, with little paper cups. The problem, he realized as he made his way back, was getting her up to drink it.

He set the glass carefully on the small table next to her bed. "Can you sit up?" He'd also grabbed an extra pillow for her to lean on, and held it in his other hand.

Wash shook his head, laying the pillow just past her feet. "Can't do anythin' halfway, can you?" He slid the blanket back and scooped her up gently, one arm along her back and the other under her skinny knees. "Next time, maybe try losin' a little more gracefully, yeah?" Wash smiled to take the sting out of his words. He was careful not to jar her overmuch, watching her face for signs of discomfort. He settled her into place, grabbing the extra cushion and sliding it behind her.

"Tenacious, you. I hope ya gave as good as ya got." He handed her the cup of water. "Didn't they give you any pain meds? You seem awfully lucid for someone who looks like they got hit by a truck." He walked back to retrieve his chair, dragging it a little closer so he didn't have to tower over her.

He gave her a wide grin, and settled back down into his chair, crossing his legs. If she could be this snarky, she was fine.

"I look forward to it, little lady."

To her next question - "Me?" He feigned a surprised face, blinking rapidly and giving her big, innocent eyes. "Never."

A pause. "Maybe a little bit." He shrugged. She probably wouldn't like it, but there it was.

"I'm more worried 'bout the poor fool who put you in here." His smile now was just a touch wicked. "When you get out and are kickin' their teeth out their a**... Well. I'm surprised they haven't started dockin' medical expenses from our pay. Damn infirmary's been a revolvin' door." The hunters all seemed to be intent on eating each other up alive. Stir-crazy he could understand, but... It was oddly vicious, unruly. He had stood apart from it, so far. He was one of the lucky few.

"Oh ho, is that so?" He smiled. "It would be my honor."

Wash yawned, shifting so that he slid down the seat into a more comfortable position.

"It'd be nice to see some real sunlight for once, instead 'o all this damn fog."

"Hmmm..." He mulled over the question. He missed home but -

No. He couldn't go back.

"I dunno, never really traveled much."

Everest, the pyramids, the ancient cities of Greece. Exotic jungles, wild locale. So many places to choose from. Wash remained silent for a long time. Finally, he just said what was on his mind.

"Frankly I'd go any damn place as long as they had a good meal and good cup o' joe." He gave a short, tired laugh.