Page 108 of Fire and Ice

Much to Jack's satisfaction, Viktor left after a few hours. Even with Derek's easy-going nature, there was simply too much testosterone bouncing around the walls. Apparently, Jack was not the only one to notice that.

A nurse came in to check Maia's pulse and other vitals and remarked to the two men, "Whew, good thing the blond one left. I was afraid this room would spontaneously combust with all the raw male energy from you guys."

Maia giggled as a blush crept up Derek's and Jack's faces.

"Lucky girl," the nurse muttered and batted her eyelashes at the men before she left the room.

"Don't you guys need to be somewhere? I'm sure you all have something better to do than babysit me?"

"Trying to get rid of us, Maia?" Derek asked.

"I need to be at New Park tomorrow morning," Jack said. "But I can be back tomorrow night and check you out on Wednesday. Derek will stay with you in the meantime."

"You don't have to do that, Jack." Maia said, "I'm sure I can ask one of the Guardians to take me to my house in DC."

Jack glanced at Derek as he took the hint and left the room.

Jack sat at the edge of Maia's bed and said gently, "What do you think is happening here, Maia?"

"Why don't you enlighten me," Maia replied, looking uncomfortable.

"You're moving in with me," Jack said bluntly. Maia's eyes grew huge.

"I know we're together, Jack. But don't you think that's moving too fast? New Park is 30 minutes from DC, we can still see each other."

"Have you forgotten the beltway traffic? I'm not wasting time driving back and forth," Jack said. He gently grazed the back of his hand up and down her cheek. "I want to take care of you while you're recovering from this. Most of all I want to go to bed with you at night and wake up with you in the morning."

"Jack ...you sound serious..." she laughed nervously.

"I am serious about you, babe. Have you not figured that out yet?"

Maia's breath hitched and Jack smiled. "I don't want you to stress about it. Just sleep on it and if you want to argue about it, we can do so when I come back tomorrow night. But if you remember how bull-headed I can be, best you let me have my way."

Maia grimaced. "Neanderthal."

"I see you remembered. Get some rest, Maia, I can see you slowly fading. I need to get back to the hotel and freshen up. I'll send Derek in to sit with you."

She leaned back on her pillows and slowly closed her eyes. Jack got up slowly. Maia's eyelids fluttered to half-mast. "Jack?"

"Yes, babe?"

"You shouldn't let Viktor get to you. He's got a twisted way of showing he cares."

Jack smiled. "Don't worry, babe, he won't."

***

The visitors started pouring in on Tuesday afternoon. Rick Grayson was the first to stop by. The bruising on his face was darker, but the swelling had gone down. Maia imagined she didn't look any better.

"Rick!" Maia greeted enthusiastically. Working on the Baltimore project and spending time together in captivity had forged a bond between them. "I never did thank you for digging me out."

"You crazy fuck," Rick muttered affectionately as he gave Maia a kiss on the forehead. He nodded to, Derek who was lazily observing from the couch.

"Rick, have you met Derek Lockwood?" Maia made the introductions between the two men. Derek stood up to shake Rick's hand. "So you're the famous Richard Grayson."

"More like infamous," Rick said mockingly. "Getting myself abducted like that."

"So how's the head, lady?"

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