Work Text:
February 16, 2556, 2045 Hours
Erica was quite content as of late. While recovering from her injuries, she didn’t have to worry about any missions or intel briefs or anything of a military bearing. Only her family and herself.
She was happily laid back on their sofa in the living room. Glass of wine in her left hand, her right hand rubbing the shoulder of the female Spartan curled into her side. Kat and her were enjoying their night with their new favorite couple. John and Kelly, who took up the couch next to them. They had just finished a nice dinner as a thank you for watching the boys and were exchanging stories as they drank wine in the living room. Erica snapped out of it when she felt Kat laugh.
“...For the life of me I still don’t understand how this man has survived the shit he has pulled. But he somehow has.” Kelly laughed.
Kat smiled with a laugh playing at her lips. “I know the feeling. This one somehow always finds trouble wherever she goes.” They all began to lightly laugh, until Erica’s breath hitched. Before Kat could react, Erica was sitting straight up, her hand on her side with a pained expression on her face.
“Babe are you….” Kat began but was cut off by Erica holding up her hand in a gesture signaling hold on.
“I-I’m...I’m fine.... Just having sharp pain is all.” Erica said through strained breaths. Kat’s left hand reactively went to Erica’s back, rubbing circles as her right hand cupped Erica’s hand that was firmly placed on her ribs. “I just need a minute.”
“It's the frag, isn't it?” John asked knowingly, as he absently rubbed his hand on his own scar across his chest. Erica replied with a nod as she tried to regain her breath.
“We are going to go. Let you two take it easy, thank you for tonight we should do it again soon.” Kelly stood with John, both understanding the struggles of recovering from wounds. Kat smiled and got up with them and walked them out. After saying their goodbyes she moved back over to Erica. She could tell she was in a lot of pain.
“Tell me what I can do.” Kat asked as she kneeled in front of her. Her hands find Erica’s as their eyes locked. Erica was barely containing the pain as tears threatened to slip from her eyes. “Oh Erica.” Kat placed a kiss on her forehead.
“I need to lay down.” Erica struggled, she was having a hard time concentrating on breathing as the pain kept spiking with every breath she took. Kat nodded and stood up, her hands not leaving her wife's. Erica slowly stood and began to follow Kat to their bed. Kat helps her gently lay down and get comfortable, as Erica finds a spot she can lay in where the pain is minimal and she can breath a full breath, her eyes locked with Kat’s. She could see the pain reflecting in her eyes. “I’m sorry.” Erica lets out as she pulls Kat in.
“What are you sorry for?” Kat questions, she moves her left hand to cup Erica's face. She searches Erica’s eyes, trying to get a read on her.
“For putting you through all of this, I know it’s hard on you and the boys.” Erica let a tear slip as she curled into Kat.
“You don’t need to apologize. It’s not your fault baby.” Kat ran her hands over Erica’s buzzed hair before placing a kiss on her lips.
Erica leaned into the touch and let out a sigh. “It is my fault…. I didn’t clock the IED and not only let myself get hurt but I got those Marines killed….”
“Stop.. Don’t think like that. You did your best, and you're still here. That's all that matters anymore.” Kat cupped her face and looked into her wife's eyes. Erica nodded before settling back into Kat’s hold.
“I love you Kitten.” Erica's voice was muffled into Kat’s body. Kat smiled while she bit her lip. She ran her hand down her back and kissed the top of her head.
“I love you too.” Kat ran her hand one hand through her wife's short hair as the other rubbed circles into her back. She continued this till she felt Erica’s breath even out. She placed another kiss on her forehead and closed her eyes. She matched Erica’s breathing as she too slipped into sleep.