((Backdated to right after Suspicion in Injury))

Weary and drawn, Gwen fumbled with the keys to her apartment. A little yip from inside indicated Reilly had already sensed she was there and prompted the girl to move a bit faster to keep the little sheltie from going into full blown bark mode. Grabbing the appropriate key from her key chain, Gwen shoved it into the lock and turned the deadbolt before opening the lock on the actual handle. With a soft swoosh sound she pushed the door open to find Reilly tip tapping around in circle, tail wagging excitedly.

The little dog always managed to help raise her spirits. Shutting the door behind her and tossing her keys onto the table next to the door she knelt down to give the dog some love which he very happily reciprocated with licks on her hands and face.

Greetings done, Gwen rose and walked into the tiny living room, dropping her purse on the couch before depositing herself on it with a heavy sigh. So many things had happened in a single morning and, though some of it was enough to make her extremely happily, other things weighed down on her heart.

She had just returned from visiting Isaiah in the hospital and seeing him in that state was horrible. It was never nice witnessing someone you cared about being stuck in a hospital and connected to all sorts of devices and machines. He had looked so tired and, if it hadn’t been for the morphine they were pumping into him, Gwen was sure he would have been in extreme pain with the injuries he sustained. It hadn’t taken much for her to find out what he was suffering from once she asked a nurse after Isaiah had fallen asleep. She may not have much knowledge with burns but Gwen could only imagine how long it would take to fully recover from something of the sort especially when skin graphs were being talked about.

Then there was the bit of info he revealed about the war. That was a very troubling factor on her mind considering he hadn’t given her a straight answer about which side he was on. Not that it was terribly surprising. Drugged up or not Isaiah had sense about him and was probably being careful. Still she worried. What if he was with the Negaverse? Did that really matter to her?

Her mind drifted to the memory of him laying in bed talking about Sid and relationships before dropping the question of wanting to ask Gwen out. It had been an awfully wonderful surprise, and one that she thought might have been induced by the painkillers, but his gaze had told her otherwise.

Gwen smiled softly at the memory. It won’t much matter either way what side he’s on. She thought in determination to convince herself. Either way it won’t change my feelings for him. And that was certainly true, but there was that bit of doubt in her mind that worried it might change his opinion down the road. And, if it came out, what would she be willing to do to stay by his side?

That was an answer she wasn’t prepared to answer yet.

The sound of panting next to her face drew Gwen out her thoughts as she looked over at the dog. “I...forgot to feed you in my rush this morning didn’t I?” She questioned as she reached over to scratch the dog under his chin. “Let’s get you taken care of before I hop in the shower and gather stuff up to take to the hospital.”

The dog seemed to understand what she was saying and leapt off the couch and hurried into the kitchen. Gwen chuckled before pushing herself up from the couch and following her scampering pup.

Word Count: 643