Robert's Recovery

[CADENCE HIGGINS]

Day 2


The day had passed in a blur. One minute the infiltration was going according to plan, the next a wave of bullets fanned through the air, one catching Robert in the head. Part of his skull was shattered and his brain was visible. Despite it all, he was alive which both did and didn't surprise Cadence. Robert was tough, even with the darkness looming overhead, he was one of the strongest, toughest men she had ever encountered which was saying a lot of a Gargoyle politician. As devoted secretary she had followed him to the hospital, trying not to show how worried she'd been. He was unconscious and she knew she needed to be his voice during this time.

Cadence waited in the hospital's waiting lounge during the lengthy surgery, having nodded off a little here and there. It wasn't until some time late in the evening that Peter arrived to check on Robert. At that point he was in recovery but he wasn't in stable condition. They didn't know what the mans fate would be, which was when Peter told Cadence that he would be stepping in as the Gargoyle leader considering Robert's state, and to not bother coming in to work under him. She may have fooled Robert into think she was a worthy secretary, but Peter had lost his trust for her when she had blatantly defied Robert's orders and undermined his authority. Peter wouldn't stand for that type of behavior, and she was discharged from her duties. Truth be told Cadence didn't care. She had only been in the position because of Robert, who was probably laying on his death bed.

Sometime in the wee hours of the morning she had been granted permission to see him. She went into his room and looked him over. He looked so vulnerable and weak; not like Robert at all. Her jade eyes scanned over the equipment helping him stay alive before they landed on his face, her jaw set taught as she watched him. This simply would not do. He shouldn't be in a hospital like this. She moved to his side and looked down at him. "Don't get too comfortable. You'll be in your bed by the end of the week." She told him softly watching him for another long moment before leaving the room. Cadence didn't like seeing him this way, and she had a set plan to make other arrangements for him.

---

Day 10


True to her promise, Cadence had gotten Robert released from the hospital once he was stable. He still hadn't woken from his coma or given any real sign that he was capable of hearing her or anyone when they spoke to him. She made the arrangements for him to go home though, a nurse on call in his house twenty four hours a day to care for him. During that time Cadence stayed with him for the better part of the day. Her evenings were still her own usually, but she even spent some evenings in his company since she didn't have much else to do and though he was only lying there, he was still company. She read the paper to him and updated him on the Gargoyle news, or what little she heard now that she wasn't in the office.

His progress seemed slow to Cadence considering she was used to Gargoyles healing practically overnight from major injuries. The darkness had reduced Robert to nothing more than a human and his ability to heal was slow and tedious.

Sometimes when Cadence visited she would slide into bed with him and lay beside him as she spoke about what was going on with the rebellion and the darkness. She would say thing intentionally to rile him up to see if she could get some sort of rise out of him. Whether it was something she knew was insulting or something that would get him heated, but he never showed signs of anger or lust. It didn't stop her from trying, though, whispering all the filthy things she would do to him if he opened his eyes for her or how Peter was acting as a better leader than Robert ever had. It wasn't true, though. Robert was ten times the leader Peter could ever hope to become, but she knew those words might get a reaction. Despite his lack of response she continued to try, and she would keep continuing until his eyes opened.

---

Day 22


With each passing day Cadence was growing a little more concerned that Robert might not pull through. She often wondered why she would even care if he came out of this alive or not. She still hated him, didn't she? Then she had to wonder, if she hated him why did she stay by his side for over three weeks overseeing his recovery? Why did she spend her days keeping a watchful eye on his nurses and checking and rechecking that they weren't screwing up their jobs? Deep down she knew it was because she cared. She hated that she cared, but more so she felt like her brother would have wanted it.

Cadence spent a lot of time thinking of the story Robert had told her about her brother. It made sense. He wasn't entirely responsible for Jude's death. He couldn't have really stopped it considering there had been so many against him, and Robert had taken his vengeance upon them all when he was able to. It wasn't just that, though.. Cadence found she missed his rough touch. He often teetered on the line of being cruel and she liked knowing that she was, for once, truly in power. She could do anything, really. His life was completely in her hands and she often reminded him of that as he slept the days away.

Robert's doctor didn't seem to know if or when Robert would wake. He'd been back to the hospital twice in the last week. Once for surgery and once because his vitals weren't looking good. Cadence had to fight tooth and nail to get them to release him back to her custody and she found she needed to stay longer hours and truly keep an eye on everything. She didn't need these poor excuses for nurses screwing anything else up.

For now Cadence sat quietly at his side reading a book. She looked down at the pitbull sleeping beside him. She'd never seen him so vulnerable. He was growing thin and frail and he looked almost peaceful, a huge change from the frazzled look he often wore, typically buried in too much work. Her hand reached down and she pushed his hair back, combing her fingers through it until she touched the pillow. She repeated the action, simply admiring him and then sighed. It would be better for her if she didn't offer such simple caresses. Who knew what he could and couldn't feel while he slept.

---

[ROBERT SNOW]

Robert didn’t know how long he’d been asleep. It felt like eternity. He was vaguely aware of the voices around him, the things being said to him or about him. The only voice he could readily identify was Cadence, but it took him a very long time to realize who it was. All of the voices sounded like they were coming to him from underwater. Everything felt like one long, dark dream, though. Usually there was no pain because he just wasn’t conscious; but when he was, even if only a little, the ache in his skull was hammering and nearly unbearable. Sometimes a soft touch would soothe him when he felt that pain. The touches felt like ones his mother would bestow on him as a boy and he was convinced that’s who was there with him in this strange, dark time. His mother and Cadence…why was Cadence there? Had she done this to him? He wanted to ask her what was going on, but he couldn’t move or speak, just lay there drifting in and out of consciousness, uncertain of what was real and what was just a dream…

Then one day as he rose from the deep pool of his unconsciousness, he just kept rising until the sounds that reached his ears were clear and sharp. There was a steady beeping and the sound of rain pattering on the window. Where was he? It smelled familiar, not like a hospital. He swallowed and the dryness of his throat made him cough, which in turn made his head pound excruciatingly. His head shifted, his neck stiffer than he could ever recall it being. Every part of his body felt so heavy. A warm weight on his hand made his fingers flex instinctively, squeezing whatever he was holding gently. Slowly, his eyes opened, looking to see what the weight was. It was firm but soft and he could hear a soft sound of surprise as his eyes adjusted. He blinked quickly, willing his eyes to focus on the amorphous form moving beside him. Steadily his vision was restored, finding a wide-eyed Cadence at his bedside. The weight in his hand was hers. He stared at it for a long moment, still blinking as his throat tried to wet itself. It didn’t take long for his eyes to come back to Cadence, searching her shocked face for an answer. Why was he here? Why was he in his bed with her beside him?

“What…” he whispered and then coughed, willing his voice to come back. It was hoarse and deep, but it came back after another cough. “What happened?” His eyes roamed over his body and saw the electrodes attached to his leaner torso. He’d lost weight and he felt ravenous. “Why am I hooked up to machines?” His head especially felt heavy and he brought a hand up to touch it only to feel bandages beneath his fingertips. How long had he been asleep? Why couldn’t he remember?

[CADENCE HIGGINS]

Day 28


The morning had started as any other would have that past month. Robert had been in a comma for nearly a month now and though he was getting better, there were no real signs of him waking anytime soon. The TV was on in Roberts room on low, an infomerical playing softly in the background as Cadence sat on the wingback chair she often did in his room next to his bed. She had a book open on her lap and was steadily reading when she heard a noise that made her look up in shock.

Robert had coughed. It was the first sign of life other than him moving his head a few days before, but even then it had been briefly. She watched him with surprised, jade eyes as he moved his head once more and it truly seemed as though he was rousing from his sleep. She put the book down on his nightstand and edged closer to him, reaching out and taking his hand in hers. His fingers twitched and then squeezed lightly, surprising her further. Was he waking? Would this be as awkward as she thought it might? Slowly Robert's eyes opened and Cadence sucked in a breath, watching with surprise and curiosity. Today would be the day that Robert awoke!

“What…” Cadence felt her breath catch in her throat as he began to speak, not having heard him talk in so long. He coughed again before continuing in a voice much raspier than his normally was. "What happened?” She could see him examining himself and she pulled her hand away from him gently as he took in the sight of himself. “Why am I hooked up to machines?”

She was surprised that he asked so many question right away, but then she knew it was stupid to be surprised by that. It was Robert. If he didn't ask questions she should be concerned. "You were shot in the head." She explained in her normal voice, though gentler than it usually was. "It happened when we invaded the camps to free the Therians and Avisaille. It's been twenty eight days since the accident. You've undergone two surgeries and your skull had to be placed back together. Up until now the doctors were unsure if you would come to or not, but I knew you would sooner or later. It takes more than a bullet to bring Robert Snow down." There was a mile air of sarcasm in her tone as she looked into his lean, handsome face. "I wouldn't let them keep you in a hospital." She added more softly, leaning back and trying to pretend that she wasn't moved by the fact that he would most likely be alright now. "Oh, and Peter's been kind enough to take over for you. He also dismissed me." She said this time not bothering to hide the bitterness in her tone. Not that it mattered much since she wouldn't want to work under Peter anyway, but it was the principal of the matter.

[ROBERT SNOW]

Robert watched Cadence’s face, seeing how shocked she was. Why was she so surprised? How long had he been asleep? “You were shot in the head.” Though her voice was gentle, he was stunned to hear it. Was that why his head was bandaged up? “It happened when we invaded the camps to free the Therians and Avisaille. It’s been twenty-eight days since the accident. You’ve undergone two surgeries and your skull had to be placed back together. Up until now the doctors were unsure if you would come to or not, but I knew you would sooner or later. It takes more than a bullet to bring Robert Snow down.” Even with all of the information he was trying to process, trying to remember the incident, he gave Cadence a small smile at her last comment. Apparently, it did take more to bring him down. But had it really been twenty-eight days? He’d missed an entire cycle of the moon while he slept, and evidently a skull reconstruction. No wonder his head was in such excruciating pain…It was nice to know Cadence had retained such faith in him, however. How far she’d come to smile at the prospect of his survival…He felt a strange sort of warmth toward her in that moment. “I wouldn’t let them keep you in the hospital.” That made him smile just a little more. She had insisted on his comfort even without him telling her to do so. Yes, she’d changed a lot since he’d first hired her, since before he revealed the truth about her brother.

“Oh, and Peter’s been kind enough to take over for you. He also dismissed me.” That changed his mood entirely. Peter took his position? He shouldn’t have been surprised; the Gargoyles needed a new leader with the health of their current one was in question. Even so, it infuriated him. That was his position. He was the leader of the Gargoyles! Now, there was no way he could take his position back. Hooked up to machines and hardly able to talk, how could he possibly take his position back? There was no precedent for this in Gargoyle history and he doubted he would be able to wrest power back from Peter if he had officially been named leader and not interim leader. It made him bitter and he clenched his jaw tight, swallowing hard and glaring at a far wall beyond the foot of his bed. Then his thoughts turned back to Cadence. She’d been dismissed…yet she was still here, by his side. It was his fault for getting shot that she’d lost her job, but still she had looked out for him. His blue eyes turned back to her, gentler now as he felt his anger slipping away. When was the last time he let someone else’s plight distract him? The drugs and the coma didn’t allow him to think much on that as he looked at the woman at the side of his bed.

“I’m sorry you were dismissed. For what it’s worth…thank you for looking after me and my interests. I’ll be sure to compensate you for the time you’ve spent with me.” The more he thought about it, the more he was amazed that she’d not only made sure he was comfortable but she’d stayed by his side this whole time. Twenty-eight days was a long time to wait for someone to wake up…yet she hadn’t lost faith in his ability to do so. Why would she do that for him? Still out of it, he reached out a heavy hand and brushed her soft cheek with the back of his fingers. “Thank you…” he said much more softly in his deep, hoarse voice. His hand fell back to the bed and he sighed before he pushed his hands on either side of his body. He was apparently clothed from the waist down, though naked from the waist up, and as he shifted himself, the cool air on his bare skin woke him up further. Just pushing himself up higher in his bed to a sitting position made his whole body ache and his brow furrowed as he leaned his head back against the cold, wooden headboard, groaning softly. “God, my head hurts…” he growled, bringing a hand to his head. “Are there any painkillers around here?” His eyes shifted to Cadence once more, hoping she would tell him there were. Even some Advil would help a little…

[CADENCE HIGGINS]

Though she didn't show it, Cadence was pleased to see that Robert seemed upset about Peter's take over. She had never cared much for Peter and it was nice to know that maybe Robert would feel the same now. Peter wasn't fit to run the Gargoyle's, not like Robert had and it had taken Cadence a very long time to admit how very capable Robert actually was. Even when she despised him she knew he was good for the species. He was strong and though intimidating to most, he had the right view on the way things should be. Peter was more modern in his way of thinking, and it almost seemed as though he encouraged interspecies relations. The gargoyle's had always done things on their own without consulting the other guardians, but it seemed Peter liked the idea of them all coming together in a sense. Maybe she was simply old school, but she didn't like his new aged way of thinking.

His anger didn't last long and soon Cadence found his gaze back on her, more gentle now. Her facial expression never changed, staying as stoic as ever. “I’m sorry you were dismissed." Robert Snow apologizing? Had the knock on the head changed him? "For what it’s worth…thank you for looking after me and my interests. I’ll be sure to compensate you for the time you’ve spent with me.” She was shocked even more by his gratitude, but the only physical clue was the way her lips thinned out slightly as she stared at him. His hand moved up to her face and she sat still as his fingers brushed over her cheek ever so gently. Cadence didn't know how to feel about his affection. Robert's touch was often rougher and his words more brash. What happened to him? “Thank you…” he said much more softly in his deep, hoarse voice. His hand fell away but the look on her face never shifted, not giving anything on her mind away as always. Maybe he had changed but she certainly had not. "Yes, well.. being out of my job under you forced me to make some decisions, and seeing as I needed work and you preferred my secretarial abilities, I knew this would be what you wanted." She explained in a soft, matter of fact voice trying to play it off as though she felt she had no choice but to accept this "job".

Cadence watched as Robert pushed himself up some, surprised a nurse hadn't come in and freaked out yet that he was awake. "God, my head hurts…” he groaned and a flicker of a smile slid over her face. It was hard not to make a snide remark. “Are there any painkillers around here?” She knew that there were some prescribed to him for when he woke, but they were with the nurses. "The pain medication you have been receiving is all done intravenously, though the nurse has pills. However they don't trust the pills to be sitting around. I might steal them." She said in a tone that was mocking. "The nurse can give you something. Would you like for me to go fetch her or are you not ready for all that. She's going to want to do an examination, I can promise you that. Maybe even another sponge bath." She added the last part almost tauntingly, wondering if he would be as amused by the unattractive woman washing him down as she had been.

[ROBERT SNOW]

“The pain medication you have been receiving is all done intravenously, though the nurse has pills. However they don’t trust the pills to be sitting around. I might steal them.” Robert was in too much pain to smirk, but he did find the humor in that statement. More than humor, however, he felt irritation. “Naturally…” he grumbled. He knew the nurses hadn’t expected him to wake, but there could have been something there just in case and they weren’t around. He didn’t even care if it was an injection or a pill, he just wanted the pounding in his skull to stop for a little while. “The nurse can give you something. Would you like me to go fetch her or are you not ready for all that? She’s going to want to do an examination, I can promise you that. Maybe even another sponge bath.” Robert cocked a brow and turned his icy blue gaze over to Cadence. A sponge bath? He could bathe himself, damn it. And if anyone was going to see him so vulnerable, he would prefer it be someone he trusted…which narrowed the pool to two people: his mother and Cadence. “I would much rather prefer you give me a sponge bath.” His voice all though low and bordering on menacing also held sarcasm and a hint of teasing. In truth, he’d do his best to bathe himself if he could help it. Reaching up and scratching his chin, he realized he was going to have to shave too. The bristling hairs on his face no doubt gave him a very disheveled appearance, which he didn’t appreciate.

Sighing heavily, he ran his hand over his bandaged head briefly before he nodded. “I’d like to get this out of the way. The sooner I can get out of this bed, the better.” His eyes returned to Cadence’s, his gaze stern. “But she must understand, the moment I say the examination is over, it’s over. And I require those medications as soon as possible. I trust you will be able to communicate that to her.” The old authoritarian Robert was returning the more awake he felt. Cadence did as he asked, his eyes watching her as she walked away. He already felt embarrassed about the way he’d brushed her cheek, and it was very hard to embarrass Robert Snow. Of course there was the excuse that he was doped up and had been unconscious for about a month, but it was the principle of the action. He was not nor would he ever be an affectionate man. Why had he bestowed such a gentle touch on a woman who was once intent on destroying him? He wondered if she was satisfied now that he was, in fact, destroyed. Would he ever gain the power he had before? The outlook certainly appeared grim.

When Cadence returned, an older, stout Hispanic woman dressed in scrubs followed his tall, willowy assistant into the room and her hand came to her chest. “Ay Dios mio!” she gasped and Robert’s brow contracted low over his eyes. God had nothing to do with this—as far as Robert was concerned, that son of a bitch died a long time ago. He simply wanted to get this examination over with. “Yes, it is stunning.” His voice was thick with sarcasm. “Did you bring the medication my assistant requested for me?” His head was about to explode. “Yes! I brought Percocet for your headache.” She produced the bottle and walked it over to him. He took it from her graciously, his limbs still feeling like he was underwater, and he poured four pills into his hand. All four were popped into his mouth and he took the glass of water from the nurse and downed it. When had his throat ever been so dry? The nurse watched him fretfully. “Oh no, Mr. Snow! That is too much!” His icy gaze landed on the glazed, aged eyes of the simple human woman standing beside him. Ingrate… “Ma’am, I have a very different tolerance than any other person you have encountered.” The woman seemed satisfied with that and nervously looked between Robert and Cadence. Finding no solace in the other woman, she evidently decided to refocus her attention with a forced smile. “Well, I must examine you. It’s just a few simple tests, okay?” He sighed heavily, waving his hand with impatience. “Yes, yes, do what you must and get this over with.” Honestly, he didn’t know if he could handle a daily check up from this simple and quite unattractive woman.

[CADENCE HIGGINS]

It was difficult for Cadence to keep her amusement hidden at the pure look of disgust that Robert offered when he found out that he'd received a sponge bath. Did he honestly think they would allow him to fester in his own filth for a month? Her eyes glittered slightly with how funny she found it, though her mouth stayed neutral to her feelings. “I would much rather prefer you give me a sponge bath.” She could tell there was sarcasm mixed in his petulant tone which only amused her further. "I'm quite certain you wouldn't have known the difference." She said back, her tone hinting at her feelings on the matter. She found it beneath her to scrub the filth off Robert Snow but she would have done it if he commanded. Fortunately for her he was too comatose to offer such instructions.

Giving up on his fate, Robert finally nodded and spoke once more. “I’d like to get this out of the way. The sooner I can get out of this bed, the better.” She nodded herself and stood, finding his gaze on her once more. “But she must understand, the moment I say the examination is over, it’s over. And I require those medications as soon as possible. I trust you will be able to communicate that to her.” She pushed and obedient smile on her youthful face picking up on the firmness of his tone, giving her the illusion of innocence. "Of course, sir." She said compliantly as she made her way from the room, practically swaggering.

The nurse was watching her Spanish soap operas when Cadence had found her. Cade could care less if the woman watched her shows on her down time. It wasn't as though Robert needed constant care and she herself sat in watching over him. The nurse came when needed, taking vitals and pumping fluids of every variety into the still body, keeping him alive. That was all Cadence expected. When she told her that Robert was awake she practically jumped from her seat, forgetting all about the love affair between Eduardo and Rosita. Cadence passed on Roberts clear instructions and the woman collected the tools she would need for his examination and went directly to Roberts room.

“Ay Dios mio!” The nurse gasped and it was all Cadence could do not to laugh at the look on Roberts face, She turned her face away to smile smugly, a hand coming to her face in an effort to shield her mouth from Robert's view without looking to obvious. “Yes, it is stunning. Did you bring the medication my assistant requested for me?” Had it been anyone else Cadence might have felt a little bad for them, but not Robert. He had all of this coming. “Yes! I brought Percocet for your headache.” Cadence turned back and watched as Robert took too many pills for the average human to consume and the nurse look on with terror. Cadence folded her hands behind her back and watched the exchange from a distance, deciding Robert was awake now and can give his own instructions to the help. When the nurse looked her way she gave no indication that what Robert said was false, which seemed to maybe satisfy her. She wasn't the most capable woman, Cadence decided.

The testing proceeded. The nurse took Roberts blood pressure, checked his eyes, throat and ears. She took his vitals and listened to his heart. By the time Robert showed clear signs of annoyance, the nurse was wrapping up and explained she only had to chang his bandage. She then explained he could start on a liquid diet and work up to solids. She promised to bring some soup up in fifteen to twenty minutes and then she turned to Cadence, instructing her to come get her if there were any problems. As if Cadence needed to be told that. She forced a smile and gave a compliant little nod and watched as the woman left her with Robert once more.

Cadence finally made her way back towards Robert, having stood in the corner of the room during the exam. She sat on the edge of his bed, her body turned towards him as her jade eyes bore into his. "Now that wasn't so bad, was it?" She asked, her tone sweet though obviously mocking. "You could use another shave." She said softly, her tone less teasing now as she examined his scruff. "I attempted to keep up with it while you slept, but the nurses didn't much care for me doing too much with you other than reading." She turned to the chair she normally sat in, staring at it for a moment and gathering her thoughts. In a weird way she was glad he was alright. Turning back to him she folded her hands in her lap. "Is there anything I can get for you?"

[ROBERT SNOW]

Robert could tell how much his torture amused Cadence. These tests were unnecessary in his mind and the more the little Hispanic woman prodded at him, the more he wanted her to simply be done. She checked his blood pressure, his eyes, his ears, his throat…what did any of that have to do with him waking up? By the time he was throwing her dirty looks, on the verge of telling her to get away from him, she was practically done. To top of this joyful round of testing, she told him he would be on a liquid diet and have to work up to solids—lovely. He was already feeling how empty his stomach was. The thought of any food was a relief, however, and he nodded as the nurse said she would leave to make him some soup. As she walked out, she instructed Cadence to let her know if anything went wrong. His beautiful assistant was enjoying this far too much, obvious by the glimmer in her eye after the nurse left. Robert simply glared at her, not nearly as amused as she was. That woman had given him sponge baths…the thought made him cringe. Why couldn’t he at least have an attractive nurse to take care of him? Cadence wasn’t sauntering toward him and it distracted him momentarily from his thoughts.

“Now that wasn’t so bad, was it?” The way she said it in her sugary sweet, mocking tone made Robert scowl at her as she took her seat next to him on the bed. This was her way of paying him back for all of his rough treatment. As soon as he was feeling better he was going to teach her a lesson… “You could use another shave.” Just the mention of his scruff made him scratch his jaw. “You noticed that too?” he asked with a semi-mocking tone. He wanted out of the bed simply so he could clean himself up. “I attempted to keep up with it while you slept, but the nurses didn’t much care for me doing too much with you other than reading.” She read to him? His brow contracted slightly as he gazed at her, trying to remember her doing so…he’d heard her voice more often than any other. Perhaps one of the times he’d heard it, she was reading to him. The thought made his stomach tie in a strange knot. Why had she done it? He simply refused to ask, but he couldn’t help but be curious. As he watched her, her eyes wandered to the chair near the window where he assumed she had been sitting before he woke. Had she read to him while sitting in that chair? It was such a…caring thing to do, and it made him somewhat uneasy. He wasn’t used to seeing this side in anyone…and he certainly wasn’t used to liking it.

“Is there anything I can get for you?” Her words snapped him out of his thoughts again and he nodded. “Yes, a toothbrush and some toothpaste please.” His mouth not only felt dry but disgusting. He was glad Cadence was at a distance because he was sure his breath reeked. As soon as she had fetched the items, he vigorously brushed his mouth until he was satisfied there was nothing left behind and his breath was a hundred times better than it was. He spit into the glass the nurse had brought him water in and swallowed the little bit of toothpaste left in his mouth, his tongue running over his teeth. Just that simple action made him feel much, much better. Once finished, he placed the toothbrush and glass on the nightstand for the nurse to collect and then he looked back at Cadence, seated on the edge of his bed once more. For a moment he simply gazed at her, appreciating seeing her with his own eyes again instead of simply hearing her voice. He suddenly reached up and pulled her face toward him as he moved in, his lips colliding with hers. It had been far too long since he’d kissed her, a far too long since she’d pleased him. Of course the better activities they engaged in together would have to wait until he was a bit stronger, but at the moment he could be satisfied with simply devouring her mouth. Her mouth was sweet and soft as it always was, and his fingers curled in her blonde waves tightly. If only he could ravage her the way he so wanted to.

When he finally pulled away, his nose just barely brushed the tip of hers, looking in her green eyes seriously. The hand in her hair combed through its length before he ran his fingers down the length of her arm. “I heard you.” His statement was rather sudden and he wasn’t quite sure why he was telling her this, but he felt it was imperative to do so. “I couldn’t understand what you were saying…but I heard you.” The look in his eyes was intense, unsure what he was trying to communicate with that statement. He supposed it was something like gratitude for her diligence, but also something like reassurance that her words didn’t fall on completely deaf ears, that she wasn’t crazy for talking to him in the state he was in. Even with the Percocet and other painkillers in his system, he didn’t want to say those things flat out. That would be akin to the stroke he gave her cheek when he’d first woken up, and he didn’t want to replicate such a weak action. But he had heard her, and he wanted her to know that.

[CADENCE HIGGINS]

“Yes, a toothbrush and some toothpaste please.” Cadence nodded her compliance and then got up from her spot to fetch him his toothbrush and toothpaste. She brought them to him and watched as he took care of his mouth, knowing his breath must have been horrible. No one had really cleaned his teeth while he was out, but she supposed someone should have thought to. Cadence looked away as he carried out his business, not interested in watching this personal act, and when he placed the glass down she looked back at him, surprised to catch his gaze.

Their eyes met and she watched him in return, unsure what to do. Should she say something? Should she excuse him to be by himself? Did he want to be alone for now? She never expected him to take her face so suddenly and pull her towards him. She sucked in a breath of air before his lips mashed against hers, and she settled into his kiss quickly, returning it with a surprising amount of vigor. It had been the first time in a month that he had commanded something normal of her, and she gave in willingly. She felt surprisingly weak at the familiarity of his actions; the strong hands curling into her hair, the stubbly face scratching her delicate skin, the way his lips commanded her entire body to respond to him, and it did. Cadence was still disgusted with how much she had allowed this man to get to her, but he had. She craved his firm hand and he never left her wanting, unless of course he was in a coma.

When Robert pulled away she sucked in a breath, her green eyes opening to look into his. The fingers trailing down her arm made the hairs at the nape of her neck stand on end. “I heard you.” He said suddenly, his words soft and she felt her body heat. Heard her? Heard her what? “I couldn’t understand what you were saying…but I heard you.” She simply stared unblinking into his eyes, unsure what he wanted. Was it a compliment? Had she done something wrong? Right?

Cadence was quiet for a long moment, never faltering in watching his eyes. She couldn't cave, not now, not ever. She was strong and stubborn, and she had no idea if this was a game or not. "You read the paper." She finally said, explaining herself. "You couldn't very well read it in a coma, so I did it for you." Her tone didn't indicate she had done it out of anything other than a simple work task. "Had to keep our dear leader up to date." Her tone faltered for a moment, growing a little softer, maybe a little kinder. "Former, but far more suitable leader." She corrected a little more softly. She had the strong desire to move in once more, feel his firm touch once more, but she didn't move towards him. She simply stayed put, gazing back into his intense eyes. "Now, Is there anything else I can do for you, sir?" Her words held a clear sexual undertone, her eyes almost mischievous.

[ROBERT SNOW]

Robert wasn’t surprised when Cadence didn’t know how to react to his statement. He didn’t know how to react to his statement. It wasn’t often that Robert was at a loss for words or an explanation of his behavior, but he was bewildered by the multiple things he was trying to convey with that simple assurance that he had heard her. He wanted her to know that she wasn’t mad, that he’d known she was there, that he was grateful for her presence, that he wouldn’t be awake or possibly even alive now if it weren’t for her care…How could a simple sentence hold so many meanings? “You read the paper.” Her words were as simple as his own had been and he was confused by them. “You couldn’t very well read it in a coma, so I did it for you.” That was all. But were there multiple meanings to her words too? It certainly didn’t seem so. Why did it matter anyway? Fucking Percocet…it made him loopy and lose control and he didn’t like it. “Had to keep our dear leader up to date.” He offered a small quirk of his lips, appreciating the action at least. She was a good assistant for all the trouble she tried to make for him. “Former but far more suitable leader.” The corners of his mouth turned up more and it was odd how kind she was being…and how much he liked it. He’d never been quite like this with anyone before: friendly…Well, except for her brother. Jude was the only person he ever considered a friend, though. Were he and Cadence friends? In his non-drugged mind, he would say absolutely not, she was an employee. But right now…he felt much less rigid about it. The throbbing in his head was fading and he was feeling much more relaxed. Later he would come to find he didn’t like it.

“Now, is there anything else I can do for you, sir?” The look in her eyes and the sound of her tone was enough to convey the kittenish meaning of her words. He smirked and glanced to her mouth before his eyes traveled down the long lines of her thin frame. With a heavy sigh, he looked back up into her eyes, a hunger glowing in his own. “If only there were, Cadence.” They both knew he was too weak for anything sexual at the moment, as much as the thought turned him on. How he would love to slam himself into her over and over again until she screamed…If he kept thinking like that, it was going to become pretty obvious just how much he wanted her even after sleeping for twenty-eight days. His hand came up and cupped her cheek, his thumb running across her soft bottom lip as he fantasized about the things she could do with that mouth. “The things I’d like you to do for me…” His voice was a low growl, hungry and dangerous and the smirk that spread across his face only emphasized the wickedness of his thoughts. “But then, what would the nurse think?” he asked in a darkly mocking tone. Meeting her gaze once again, he suddenly felt the overpowering desire to kiss her again…so he did. He pulled Cadence into a hard kiss, his fingers firmly at the back of her neck, holding her face close to his. His tongue explored her mouth for the first time in twenty-eight days and it was as sweet as he remembered it. The lady knew how to use her mouth expertly.

As his fingers slowly gripped a fistful of the blonde locks at the base of her head, their kisses became more heated. Even though he knew they couldn’t go much further, he wanted to ravage her mouth as much as he could. The longer they kissed, though, the more he realized he was beginning to need her kisses. It was bizarre, but it fed the fire building in his belly. The nurse was going to get quite a surprise if their kiss lasted much longer. As if she could hear his thoughts, the door to the room opened and the small Hispanic woman made a sound of surprise to see Cadence and Robert in such a passionate liplock. Immediately, Robert pulled away from Cadence’s mouth, though his fingers were slower to release her. His eyes were cold as he watched the almost secretive smile on the nurse’s face, as if she was privy to some secret. This wasn’t some soap opera that she no doubt wasted her brain cells on. She had no idea what was between Cadence and himself and she shouldn’t act like she did. Stupid woman. “I brought you chicken soup! I help you.” He glared at the woman sharply. “I’m more than capable of feeding myself.” She clearly got the point and whatever smugness was on her face vanished as she set his tray on the nightstand with a nod and hustled from the room. “Just let me know if you need anything, Mr. Snow.” He gave a curt nod before looking back to Cadence once the door was closed. A smirk came to his mouth as he pushed himself up into more of a sitting position. “It appears you were saved by the nurse.” His tone was teasing as he reaching for the tray, looking forward to putting something in his belly.

[CADENCE HIGGINS]

His smirk was almost comforting. He hadn't changed after all.. She watched with sultry eyes as his own panned down her body, and when their eyes met once more she saw the hunger for her clear as day. “If only there were, Cadence.” She knew he was still weak from the head trauma he had incurred, but it just didn't sit well with her that the most powerful man she'd ever known was bedridden. It had taken Cadence a long time to even admit the amount of power Robert had, and now that she had accepted it she was slightly turned off by the lack he currently owned. Had the darkness not been there this would have been nothing. He'd have her slammed against a wall, taking her any way he pleased and she would have been doing her best not to show how desperately she needed that savage touch he was so famous for.

Robert reached a hand up, sliding it over her cheek as his thumb moved over her bottom lip. She parted her lips slightly, never losing his gaze as they had a silent conversation about the sexual injustice of this situation. “The things I’d like you to do for me…” His voice was a low growl, hungry and dangerous and the smirk that spread across his face made her practically salivate in anticipation. It had been too long, and she craved her addiction as a heroin addict craves theirs; knowing it's wrong for them but unable to keep away. “But then, what would the nurse think?” he asked in a darkly mocking tone. She smirked slightly. "Since when does Robert Snow care what the help thinks?" She asked in an equally mocking tone. Robert seemed to like her answer, for he pulled her into a hard kiss that made her stomach twist with need. Her tongue swiped over his with as much gusto as his did hers, her hands resting on his thighs for support as he held her so firmly close. It was Robert, but it felt so different. His stubble was too long and his face too gaunt. Still, he used a great deal of force in holding her close, but not nearly as much as he might when up to snuff.

Slowly Robert slipped into his old role, grabbing a chunk of Cadence's hair and tugging enough for her to feel the pain which only turned her on further. Her hands slipped up, moving to the tops of his legs where her hands slipped into the crease between his legs, hip and groin, her thumb dangerously close to the powerful tool she'd been missing for the last month. Robert's mouth worked harder against hers, heating her body and readying it for Robert though her mind knew full well things wouldn't escalate further than what they had already.

The door opened suddenly and Robert ripped his mouth from hers, his fist still clenched in her dirty blond locks making Cadence gasp slightly. Finally he eased his touch and Cadence turned her head slightly to look at the nurse, feeling the tension radiating off Robert like a hot sun. “I brought you chicken soup! I help you.” It was all Cadence could do not to smile and laugh at the look on Robert's face. She herself could care less about the nurse, and if the woman dared ask her about her affair with her boss then she would likely put her in her place, but Cadence wouldn't worry about that now. She was far too amused with Robert's annoyance. “I’m more than capable of feeding myself.” The woman seemed almost hurt by his temper. It seemed she expected him to be more grateful since she had washed and cared for him while he was in a coma, but this woman didn't have the luxury of knowing the type of man she was bestowing her care upon. “Just let me know if you need anything, Mr. Snow.” She said before hustling away.

The moment the woman left, Robert slunk back into the man he became when she was with him behind closed doors. It seemed Cadence was privy to this side of Robert. “It appears you were saved by the nurse.” His tone was teasing as he reaching for the tray of soup. Cadence raised a brow at him. She had been saved? "I think you're quite mistaken, sir." She corrected, sitting up more herself, her hands long having moved away from the close proximity to his groin. "It is you who is unable to perform, therefor you're the one that needed to be saved from the nurse." She taunted lightly moving to stand up. It was so rare that she was in a role of power with him. "Perhaps I should go. I've been here nearly eight hours which is a full days work, and I'm clearly a hindrance to your recovery. When would you like for me to return?" She asked, knowing he wouldn't want her to leave, but trying to coax the old Robert out somehow.

[ROBERT SNOW]

Cadence raising her brow made Robert smirk some, inspecting the soup in front of him. “I think you’re quite mistaken, sir.” Her hand moved away from its precarious spot near his groin and he was sad to feel it go. If only he could perform the way he so desired. This immobility was killing him. “It is you who is unable to perform, therefore you’re the one that needed to be saved by the nurse.” His eyes threw her a glower of warning, not liking to be reminded of how incapacitated he was. He was well aware of his weakness and he despised it; Cadence bringing it up made anger boil in his stomach. Anger and shame…he wasn’t going to stay in that bed for very long. The thought of doing so made him sick. He was eating this soup and then demand the nurse take the catheter out so he could begin moving. “Perhaps I should go. I’ve been here nearly eight hours which is a full day’s work, and I’m clearly a hindrance to your recovery. When would you like for me to return?” Disappointment left a dull ache in Robert’s body and a bitter taste in his mouth, but perhaps it was better that she leave. There were things about to happen that he didn’t want her witnessing—getting his catheter out and walking for the first time in a month for starters. He frowned at her, but nodded while looking back down to his soup. “Yes, go home. I will expect you back here at three o’clock tomorrow afternoon. And please let the nurse know I will require her in about twenty minutes.” Robert watched Cadence leave with mild hunger still burning in them. He hoped soon he would be able to act on his most basic needs.

__________________________________________________

The night was a long one. At least the nurse had learned to stop arguing with him and simply do as she was told. It hurt terribly to have the catheter removed, but he was relieved when it was. He hated having to lean on the small woman to limp to the bathroom and it put him in a worse mood with her. It wasn’t her fault, but she was all he had to take his frustration out on. To his surprise, she continued to be kind, which could only mean she was as simple-minded as he assumed she was. It caused him to like her even less. He hated simpletons…After a shower and a good shave, though, he was in better spirits. The rest of the night was devoted to become comfortable walking again. Of course the nurse was nervous about him doing so, but he wouldn’t take her advice to lie down. His head was killing him from being upright for so long when he finally did sit down, but it felt so good to move his legs again. He downed painkillers and soon found himself back asleep after five or six hours of getting his body back to normal. Sleep came easily after having done it for a month, but his body was restless now. Several times in the night he woke, as if his body was making sure that he could do so still. But by four o’clock he was too exhausted to keep reassuring himself that he would wake again and he fell into a more restful sleep.

Waking late the next morning, he was ravenous. The nurse gave him oatmeal and he had to admit he was glad to be easing back into food. One less thing he needed was to get sick now by eating the wrong thing. He showered again and clothed himself in dark navy, fine linen pants and a plain white button down shirt. With a few painkillers, his head reduced from a booming agony to a dull pain and he read the paper. There was a story about the escape, the government still assuring citizens that it was safe for these people to be out amongst the public despite their…condition. Had their true identity been exposed yet? Well, the Therian and Avisaille identities. Gargoyles and Blurrs would remain a secret for now. Unless Peter managed to convince Periwinkle otherwise…he doubted the man would try. As soft as Peter could be in his opinions, he was a shrewd and private man. He would know there was no advantage in revealing their existence. Robert would need to call him tomorrow…today he wanted more time to prepare himself for that conversation. He had seen the man as a good colleague and he felt somewhat betrayed by having been deposed by him. An impossible thought came to mind…what if that shot to the head had been orchestrated? Peter wouldn’t…would he? Robert couldn’t remember much of the infiltration now, but he did remember that Peter was the last person he saw. His eyes narrowed in suspicion, staring blankly out the window.

That’s when the door to his room opened and his icy eyes turned to find the beautiful woman he’d been waiting for. He smirked at the look on her face to see him clean, dressed, and sitting in the very chair she’d been in the day before. His legs were still stiff, so he remained sitting as he gazed at her. “You look surprised, Cadence.” The tone he used was bordering on playful and even some of the hoarseness in his voice was gone from having downed gallons of water the day before.

[CADENCE HIGGINS]

Cadence got a thrill out of being the one in charge. It was so rare for her to be considering their arrangement, but she knew she had the upper hand. Plus there was the added benefit that if she pushed him hard enough he might recover sooner. “Yes, go home. I will expect you back here at three o’clock tomorrow afternoon." She gave a nod of her head, her infamous stoic look on her face. "And please let the nurse know I will require her in about twenty minutes.” "Yes, sir." She said softly, lust tickling her words as she spoke them.

Cadence didn't look back as she left. She didn't like seeing Robert so weak, and now that he was awake it was strange. When he slept it didn't seem so bad, as though he were simply just slumbering in the night. Even that seemed like an odd thought considering what they were. She told the nurse he expected her in twenty minutes and saw herself out, glad the woman didn't mention the moment she'd interrupted.

Cadence took herself home as instructed and spent the rest of the evening thinking about the way she wanted things to go from now on. Robert was awake and no longer her boss, not in the same sense he had been before. If he chose to keep her on that was his own business, but did that not make her his personal sex doll? Would she still be doing secretarial things for him? Now that he'd been taken down, was it worth fighting to destroy him? She had seen him destroyed. It was his current state of existence, but was she satisfied? It was a lot to think about and she didn't know what she wanted to do. She could leave him and move on with her life. For once pursue her own dreams, whatever those were. But she was already attached to the man she had grown up despising. She had been pleased with his recovery and had she not spent every day by his side? His warm mouth had been so inviting when he'd kissed her and she was wanting more from him. She wanted his rough touch, his harsh words, his commanding tone.. She liked him putting her in her place, even though she knew she was willingly going there.

Cadence decided she wouldn't make any rash decisions now. She would see how the next few days went. Maybe he would dismiss her anyway and save her the trouble of making a decision, but even then she hoped he wouldn't.

Cadence had slept late, or rather not late enough depending on which time she kept. As far as humans were concerned it had been a very late morning. She got up, ate a small breakfast and got herdelf cleaned up and dressed for "work". As always she dressed for business, wearing a delicate ivory blouse with a ruffled front and a tight, black pencil skirt that came to just above her knees. She wore black pumps to complete the ensemble, her ears adorned with pearls. She made hr way to the house she'd been going to everyday for the last month, parking outside and making her way in promptly at three.

When Cadence opened the door to Roberts room she stopped, standing in the doorway a little shocked. She was expecting Robert to be lying in bed, but what greeted her was a clean, shaven man sitting in the chair she had been keeping warm all month. The surprise must have shown on her face for Robert smirked at her, clearly enjoying her reaction. "You look surprised, Cadence.” He sounded like his old self and she felt that familiar twist in her stomach at the way he looked at her, that mischievous twinkle in his eye. "I am." She offered, coming in and shutting the door before making her way closer to him, her strides long and slow, her hands folded in front of her. "I wasn't expecting to come back to this amount of progress." She noted the paper had already been opened which meant he'd read it already. What did that leave for her to do? "So what's on the agenda today, sir?" She asked, her tone mild and professional, not hinting at what she would have liked to be on the agenda. She stood straight, the emotionless look plastered on her face, as always refusing to give away how she truly felt. Things might have changed, but she was going to fight showing it as long as she possibly could; at least until she knew where she stood with this whole Robert business.

[ROBERT SNOW]

“I am.” It was obvious by her lovely face, and Robert got satisfaction out of Cadence being surprised. It meant he had exceeded her expectations, as he always did, and he was happy to continue doing so. Robert was an exceptional man, after all. He watched as she closed the door and made her way over to him, her strides long, slow and deliberate. It drew his eyes to her legs and hips and he felt that old familiar hunger deep in his gut. She had aimed to please him with her outfit today, it seemed, and she’d done a fine job. But even though it had been a month since he’d found himself comfortably between those long, slender legs, patience was a virtue. He wanted her wild for it and a few hours’ worth of genuine work would certainly leave her wondering. “I wasn’t expecting to come back to this amount of progress.” Nodding, Robert could understand why. “If I could remove these bandages from my head, I would be as good as new, if not a little stiff.” It still made him inwardly wince to move after remaining stationary for a while, his muscles not used to so much activity, but the pain would surely be gone after a week. “So what’s on the agenda today, sir?” He placed his newspaper on the side table next to him and slowly got to his feet. It was obvious he was sore, but he didn’t let it show on his face. If he could continue to look dignified, the fact that his muscles ached would go unnoticed. “Let’s discuss that in my office.” As he passed her, he placed his hand on the small of her back and guided her out of the bedroom. They would return later for certain, but for now, he didn’t want to be interrupted by the nurse.

As they made their way down the hall, they passed the nurse watching her soap opera with his maid. Upon seeing him, they both lurched to their feet as if to look like they were actually working. He simply gazed at them with cool, calculating eyes, his face as stoic and stern as ever. “There will be no interruptions while I am in my office, is that clear?” The ladies nodded, the maid much younger and nicer to look at than the older nurse, but both showed equal fear in their faces. He nodded in return and continued down the hall with Cadence. His office was large and trimmed with elaborate crown molding, the slate blue of the walls reminiscent of his eyes. The furniture was a rich mahogany and tall, custom built bookshelves lined the walls, encasing hold and beautiful books along with newer and fascinating titles. Robert was something of a bookworm and most of his interests lay with history, politics and philosophy, reflected in his vast collection. He also had some antique trinkets on the shelves and a beautiful antique globe stood proudly beside the bookshelves. The chairs and sofa in the room were lined with leather, giving the entire room an elegant and distinguished feel. It was perhaps his favorite room in this house. He took a seat in one of the leather chairs facing the tall windows that lined a far wall and invited Cadence to do the same in the chair across from him. Folding his hands in his lap, he considered his words carefully before he spoke them.

“First, I would like to speak to Penelope about a position within the Council. Having been ousted from my seat as leader, I would like to return to my work on the Council in a position equal to my previous position, now Penelope’s, or perhaps slightly higher. She’s getting on in years and she should be able to appreciate my relieving some of her stress. If I can’t have my spot as leader, I will have my previous position. Even Peter can appreciate that.” Running his hand over his now smooth face, his eyes were bright and intense as he gazed across into Cadence’s beautiful orbs of Jade. “And secondly, I would like to investigate Peter’s involvement in my shooting.” That would surely catch his assistant’s attention and he wondered if she had harbored similar suspicions. “He was the last person I saw before I was shot. He was right there in front of me, watching as the bullet hit. I can’t help but wonder what role, if any, he played in that. I haven’t quite figured out his motive for wanting me out of office, however, which makes it hard to prove he did it at all. This is where you come in. I need you to fill me in on everything that’s happened in the last month. Perhaps his actions will provide a clue as to why he would want me dead to take over my position.” It troubled him deeply to think that Peter would want him dead and actually take steps to make it happen. He had trusted the man as his second, in charge of his security detail. Why would he want Robert dead? What good did it do for him? He was hoping Cadence could shed some light on the answers.

[CADENCE HIGGINS]

Cadence waited patiently for Robert to get, noting how he struggled but never once did he wince or show his pain, though it was apparent in his movements that he was feeling it. “Let’s discuss that in my office.” She nodded, liking the idea of them conducting actual business and getting things back to normal, or as normal as things would be considering their current situation. The hand on the small of her back reminded her of how things were before his accident and she walked close to him, her eyes straight ahead as they moved slowly to his study. She waited patiently for him to tell the women not to interrupt them, smirking slightly at the horrified looks on their faces. Cadence understood why others feared Robert, but she didn't have it in her to do that. There was little that scared her, though she had been a little frightened upon seeing him shot. She would never admit that, even to herself really, but it was true. The thought of losing him had devastated her to some degree. He was fortunate to be alive.

Cadence had been in Robert's office several times, but it had always ended in sex. Hard, rough, fucking that would have left her beaten and bruised had she been human. Her body instinctively prepared for such torment though she knew it wasn't likely to happen this time. The girl took a seat in the leather chair next to her boss, not getting too comfortable knowing that she probably wouldn't be sitting there for long considering some work he would be giving her to do. She doubted very much he would want to sit and shoot the shit all day. “First, I would like to speak to Penelope about a position within the Council." Cadence watched her boss as he spoke about wanting his old position back, something she was certain wouldn't be a problem. Robert had been well respected and certainly revered. He had been a good leader, and thought Peter was doing a suitable job, she was certain some might like to see Robert remain on the scene.

“And secondly," Her eyes never left his, keeping a mental list of the things he wanted her to do for him. "I would like to investigate Peter’s involvement in my shooting.” Her brows raised at his accusation. Peter? The man had practically worshiped Robert, but then again he hadn't necessarily liked many of the things Robert had done, keeping Cadence on after the Sebastian debacle for starters. “He was the last person I saw before I was shot. He was right there in front of me, watching as the bullet hit. I can’t help but wonder what role, if any, he played in that. I haven’t quite figured out his motive for wanting me out of office, however, which makes it hard to prove he did it at all." It would be impossible to find that out. Well, maybe not impossible, but Cadence wouldn't begin to know where to look for evidence like that.

"This is where you come in." She watched him intensely, genuinely interested in what he needed from her. "I need you to fill me in on everything that’s happened in the last month. Perhaps his actions will provide a clue as to why he would want me dead to take over my position.” That was it? Get him up to snuff? She had hoped he wanted something juicier from her. "Sorry to disappoint but he hasn't done a whole lot." She offered, reclining in her seat a little, sliding a graceful leg over the other, her hands folding gently in her lap. "He hasn't changed any policies, though he has been working with the other leaders. He seems more interested in building relationships between species than you were. I know he's looked into aiding the refugees by finding them safe places to stay until things settle in the community. The Avisailles and Therianthropes haven't been hunted down, and many have fled the city, but most still live in fear of recapture. Peter has worked on relieving some of the burden those leaders face. He doesn't seem to share your views of species superiority." Her head cocked slightly to the side. "What makes you think he is to blame?" She inquired, genuinely curious. Sure, he had been the last person he saw, but that could easily be explained away as they had been close to one another. Peter was always Roberts shadow. It didn't mean he wanted him dead.