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It might have came as a shock to most people when Gwendolyn Caspian said that, despite her crazy and risky method of attacks that her Senshi counterpart partook in, she never woke up in a hospital before. Oh, she attended hospitals before, courtesy of Negaverse generals such as Benitoite and Painite, but she never passed out or really fell asleep. Now here she was, waking up in a hospital bed, no longer in her Senshi attire and feeling quite naked, despite the sheets and gown, with IVs in one arm and feeling quite... well, she wasn't going to lie. She felt horrible.

Being rammed by a giant, three headed centaur monstrosity and slamming into the playset would leave anyone feeling as though they've been hit by a train, and now that the adrenaline rush and unimaginable desire to save her friend was gone, she was feeling it at full blast. Hopefully they'd give her some meds, though she'd never want to admit to needing them...

Her mind was just as scattered as the youma that she and Sutai had somehow dusted, and she looked around the curtained roomed she was in. Where was Sutai... no, Anandi, as she had transformed back into her civilian self before calling 911. 'Where is she... did... did I get the words out? I can't remember...'

It was a feeling that Gwen was unfamiliar with... fear, fear for her friend's safety, as well as rejection. It was petty to think about that in such a time, but the thought couldn't be silenced now that it had weaseled its way there. She called out, looking around from one side of the curtains to the other. "A...Anandi? Am I even pronouncing that right?"

Gwen's eyes immediately shot towards the tiger plush in the curtain, and while she was touched by the sight of it, she was more eager to see the girl that held it but she waited as patiently as she could for her to reveal herself. She tried to control her feelings, even though she had no idea why she was even bothering with that. After what she and her friend just been through, she had every reason to break down and weep, gush out her emotions like a sobbing ninny, clinging to Anandi the entire way through. But... her pride refused to let her drop her tough act, even when Anandi revealed herself from behind the curtains, holding the white tiger plush with the silver bow... even as she laid in a hospital bed with IV tubes in her arm. Yes, she prided herself in being one tough gal... if not for just herself, but for Anandi as well.

"Made of steel, huh? Of course I am... don't they know who I am? Don't answer that... last I checked, that's not a good thing to do," Gwen said as a joke, trying to sit up as Anandi came to sit on the bed. She only got a little ways up before even she had to lay back down, trying to hide whatever discomfort she felt and play it strong for her. "Glad to see you got me to a hospital, though... thanks for that. Really..."

She dropped her tough gal act for a moment, and to hear the slight hint of nervousness that took her voice would have floored anyone that thought they knew Gwen well. "And... your super fluffy tiger of steel?" Gwen couldn't ignore the way she said that last part. In truth, she couldn't remember when she had passed out... but she was certain she got the words through. What she said could have been proof, but... maybe she was looking too deep into things. Best to make sure... "When did I finally conk out? And... did I say anything before doing that?"

The thought of Maddy rushing to the hospital made Gwen more physically ill than the beating itself, and no matter how hard to tried to hide, she knew that some of her displeasure would be heard when Anandi mentioned that they were going to contact her family. "My sister is going to be hysterical... or maybe she'll leave me locked up in here and tell me that it's what I deserve... you're going to help me out with an excuse when she shows up, right?"

Gwen hated lying to Maddy, but it was for her own good. The thought of her sister being dragged into this made her sick at times, but she fought down the queazy feeling. That could have easily have been the butterflies in her stomach from, well... the fact that her confession was real was enough to bring some redness to her cheeks, and the way she grabbed the tiger plush was her way of trying to distract from that embarrassment she felt. Gwen was never a master of emotions, and the ones that fell on this end of the spectrum were usually a mystery to her, though she experienced them much more often than she cared to admit. But for Anandi? She was willing to drop her guard... in a manner of speaking.

So when she pulled the tiger plush close, she made it a point to try touching Anandi's hand, and she hoped her smile was so big that it would hide her blush, even if only a little. "If that's okay? Your tiger just fought her butt off to save you, and you're going to ask if that's okay? When I'm the one who confessed first? You're... you're adorable..."

Her voice cracked, but only a little, and she gave a snort and did her best to act tough. Stand strong. After all, she was Anandi's knight in shining armor! She couldn't afford to be weak! "So, then... it's official then! Good, because... I had been feeling this way for some time and I couldn't figure out the best way to tell you. Figures something so simple as a confession would lead to me being in a hospital bed..."

Gwen couldn't help but allow a rather smug grin from making itself comfortable on her face, all in hopes of hiding whatever remnants of the blush that would otherwise be visible for her friend, no... girlfriend to see. That word would take a lot of getting used to... but Gwen was always eager to try new things. Compliments she took in like a dog lapped up water after a long walk, and today was no different, despite her predicament. "Well, it's about time someone thinks I'm a hero... anyone else would be standing there lecturing me on how I shouldn't be putting myself in danger like that. That's my job as a Senshi, you know... to protect others, no matter what."

Then she added in, almost sheepishly. "Especially those I care about..."

She wasn't sure why she was trying to hide it now, given that it was official between them now. It was always vexing to her how she was so bold and open about a lot of things, but simple matters of affection always got the better of her. But she didn't want Anandi to see that, so she remained as she were known by her friend, the strong and unwavering Senshi of Tigers. She subconsciously hugged the tiger plush that Anandi got for her and looked at the containers that were presented to her. She had never tried Indian food before, and not one to lie, Gwen accepted the container and popped it open to give it a glance. "Never had it before, but I heard that it can get really spicy... is it spicy enough to knock the ferocious Tiger off her feet?"

She was eager to try it- the fight had left her with such an appetite, and she was very curious about Anandi's cooking. There was a lot the two of them needed to know about each other, and now seemed like the perfect time to start. "What's it called? It smells..." She tried to think of the word, as it curled into her nose and almost made her want to sneeze. "Interesting!"

They had always said that happiness spread to one another like wildfire, that the mere sight of another person's joy could leap from that person and onto the other, and most of the time, Gwen openly challenged that statement. Yet, the sight of Anandi's joy was working wonders for her sore body, as she felt herself wanting to join in with her bouncing. But being that there was now food in her lap and an open drink, Gwen refrained. Her mind was simply too focused on the feast ahead of her, and she was surprised to find out just how freakin' hungry she had become in such a short amount of time waking up.

"Too spicy? I just took on a three headed centaur creature... I think I can handle spicy!" Gwen puffed her chest out and accepted the fork and the challenge that was laid before her. Gwen had tasted all of the items she listed on an individual basis, but never together, but she wasn't going to let doubt get the better of her any longer. She scooped up a portion and put it straight in her mouth... and that was when Gwen realized that she had never truly tasted spicy until now. And yet... despite the rise of flames in her mouth, she really, really liked the taste. A lot. Spoonful after spoonful, she scarfed it down, until there was nothing but specks of rice and the feel of flames in her breath. She tried to speak, but the heat was just too much, and she motioned for the soda can, too afraid of opening her mouth and spitting flames at poor Anandi.

Once she chugged the entire can, she let out a large breath and made sure to turn away from her, as though there were no 'flames' so to speak, there was still the matter of her breath likely smelling like a mixture of the poha jalebi she just devoured and carbonated soda... Her interests were perked at the amount of food that Anandi brought, and she couldn't help but give the smallest hint of a nervous chuckle. "You're mom... she must think I'm a real tiger to be able to eat all of that!"

Knowing herself, she probably could. She'd have one hell of a stomach ache the next day, but she knew she could wolf it down, no problem. She looked at the empty container and handed it to Anandi, not realizing that she had specks of rice and other remains of the dish on her cheek and chin as she smiled. "But this was great! Spicy as crazy, but... I think I like spicy!"

Gwen never once thought about the notion of getting fat; given her time spent running around the city, both as a civilian trying to escape from school, as well as a senshi defending the streets from the likes of the Negaverse and DMC each and every night. Besides, Senshi and magical beings didn't get fat... not that she had seen, anyway. Though she had to admit, the thought of her being rolled out of bed was humorous, she had no intention of ever finding out if a senshi COULD get fat. Besides, she definitely wanted to bring some home with her... the thought of Micah trying some of it was enough to cause her to grin from ear to ear, and she tried to hide it when Anandi asked her about her family.

"Well, if the doc says I'm fit to leave at any point, then I suppose we can just... go..." Gwen glanced around and peered at herself under the blankets, noticing that she was in a hospital gown still. Well, of COURSE she'd be, she just woke up! She didn't want to think about waiting here any longer, especially when she knew Maddy was going to rush right in and drown them all with hysterical sobs, thus making the situation even more awkward for them. The thought of Maddy and Anandi meeting up frightened her; not because she was ashamed of her blooming relationship with Anandi, but... what if it pulled Maddy into this mess? What if Maddy demanded to know the truth of what happened? What if she didn't accept them... either as what they truly were, or as a couple?

Gwen couldn't hide the small grimace from her face as she looked towards the rest of the food that Anandi brought, hoping to hide some of the sudden nervousness that she felt. "Yeah, Maddy's her name. Well, it's Madelyn, but I call her Maddy. She's pretty nice, but she's probably going to be... erm... pretty upset when she gets here. And she can be a little... irrational... when she's upset."

Perhaps they should leave now, before Maddy arrives. Better to face her alone and not risk Anandi getting hurt in the crossfires, than to see the fall out of Maddy's overprotective sister rant when she got here. Sure, it would be a little malicious to put her sister through that, but she really didn't want to stick around for that, even though she had just faced off with a three headed monster just hours ago. Youma had NOTHING on Maddy when she was in one of those moods!

"We can leave soon, or now, even, if you like! Have you seen what they did with my clothes?" The thought of transforming and just running through the window to make their escape had crossed her mind as well, but she was certain that they'd get caught at this time of the day. Not to mention she just ate... and was still pretty damn hungry!

Gwen was more than happy to see her clothes again; escaping from the hospital, and Maddy's inevitable wrath and then water works show that would follow immediately afterwards that would make Alice's flood of tears seem like a sprinkler show in comparison. She motioned for Anandi to turn around so that she could slip out of her gown and into something more comfortable, not wanting her to either see her naked, or the scars that she sported at her side, something that not even Maddy had gotten the chance to see. She wasn't sure if Anandi had noticed them earlier, but she was willing to keep the illusion up for a little while longer.

"Sure, you can call her Maddy. She loves that nickname, actually... insisted that I call her that because Madelyn sounds too proper for her." Gwen explained, putting on her bra and then slipping her turtle neck on, not caring if she messed up her hair or caused it to stand on in thanks to the static. "Besides, when I was little I had a bit of a speech impediment and my Ls came out as Rs... and that just got annoying. So, Maddy it was, and always will be, even when she's an old hag in a wheelchair."

The thought of meeting Anandi's family excited her, so much that she had gotten dressed and to her feet a little too fast. She was halfway through her sentence when her head started to spin, and whatever training she had with gymnastics was worthless as she lost her balance and toppled to the floor on her butt. "I bet they'll love me! After all, what's not to-woah..."

'Well, there goes nice strong tiger, Gwen...'

"I'm fine, I'm fine, just... not used to be thrown around like a ragdoll, you know?" Gwen tried to recover some of her vigor, even if it was to blow off her own condition, but she simply couldn't fight off Anandi's concern any longer. And in truth, she rather liked the idea of being babied, or she would have, if her accursed pride would allow her the chance to simply indulge in the opportunity. The thought of being babied or waited on bothered Gwen to no end, but what could she do? She was simply too run down from the previous fight to refuse, so she might as well try to make the best of it, correct?

So, she graciously accepted the Gatorade that was passed to her, taking a few sips and reluctantly trying to get comfortable in the bed once more. Maybe she'd be lucky and Maddy was simply too swamped at work to leave; given the holiday season coming up, and Anandi would have to be the one to take her home.

Yes, that, combined with the Gatorade and the tiger plush she now held, made her feel much better, and Gwen could do nothing to hide her excitement. "I'll also have to introduce you to a very special friend of mine. He's technically my roommate... my illegal roommate. But I'm sure he's going to love you, especially how easy it'll be to hide in that hair of yours."

She'd have to introduce her girlfriend to Micah the rat, along with her sister and, if luck was ever on their side, her own mother and the little bun in the oven, so to speak. It was a lot to take in, but Gwen was content to take things one step at a time for now. First thing first, was letting Anandi know how much she truly appreciated her presence here, and without warning, she scooped her friend into an embrace. Though she pressed her face against her side, she was certain that her words could be heard, and she felt absolutely no shame in admitting to her, "I love you. No matter what, I love you."

She didn't think about the possibility of either family's not accepting it, for whatever reason. She didn't care about the danger that they would have to face and the obstacles ahead of them. She loved Anandi, and she'd do anything for her. Anything. Even withstand that god-awful tasting Gatorade she handed her...