Elle Jones (agent_elle) wrote in aafterthebattle, @ 2012-09-13 12:05:00 |
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Entry tags: | elle jones, phil coulson |
Who: Agent Elle Jones and Agent Phil Coulson
What: Coulson is recovering in Elle's home
When: One week after his release from hospital. (September)
Recovery was taking a while as far as Phil Coulson was concerned, but he behaved himself and did as he was told for Elle’s sake as much as his own. For that reason as much as his speedy recovery, they finally released him to her care, with full instructions on how he should act. He wanted to be informed on things, but he felt she would let him know when he would be allowed to work again. After all, she was supposed to be his wife.
Walking wasn’t too hard any longer, but he looked to ‘Jennifer’ for guidance.
Elle wasn’t sure if she was just as relieved or moreso than Coulson when he was released from the hospital. She made sure every instruction was printed out in double so that she and Coulson both had their own copy. The house she had was more of a manor that had been in her family for generations, which meant their bedrooms were upstairs. Stairs, at this point, weren’t good for Coulson, so when they got to the manor she set him up on the sofa downstairs instead, though it was only for a bit. They’d settled into a routine over the week he’d been there, but sometimes there were things she didn’t entirely know how to cope with, since she’d never lived with anyone other than her father.
Occasionally glimpsing the infamous Phil Coulson without a shirt on happened to be one of them. She’d asked Fury for his clothes to be sent to her, and when she realised he had very few ‘casual’ clothes she got him a new wardrobe, insisting that he wear it to remain comfortable. She walked downstairs after receiving news of what happened in Las Vegas from a source other than Fury. She cleared her throat to announce her presence, and hoped he had a shirt on this time.
Phil had just tugged his shirt on as she cleared her throat. “Hello...?” He wasn’t sure what he should say, but he was waiting on her. Perhaps she had news of the others or was coming to tell him what his newest orders would be, but he didn’t want to ask and upset her. He was certainly trying to keep things peaceful.
“I don’t have any orders for you... But...” She glanced down, then took a breath, “I have it on very good authority that two Asgardians appeared in Las Vegas. Thor and Loki...”
He couldn't believe what he was hearing and didn't want to respond to it. Thor and Loki? He sat very still for a minute and looked incredibly blank. When he finally spoke, it was a single word. "No."
Elle swallowed hard. She didn’t have any details to give him, and that was the worst part, in her mind. She really hadn’t wanted to tell him about it at all, but she’d rather he heard it from her rather than the news if it got out. She moved to sit next to him and said softly, “they appeared together... No one has been hurt yet.” She rested her hand over his, “that’s all I know, but... I didn’t feel right keeping it from you.”
He shook his head and sighed, closing his eyes. Suddenly this pounding sensation began in the back of his head near his spine and it hurt as much as throbbed in a dull manner with his nerves responding abruptly. He turned his hand around to hold hers as the other hand reached to rub the spot on the back of his neck. “At least...I’m here.” Really, he didn’t have much to say, but he was grateful she had told him.
She looked at him in concern and squeezed his hand gently. “You’re here and no one knows where ‘here’ is... Do you... need anything? Your medications...?” A hug? She would admit it only to herself, but she had realized in the time they’d spent together that she had started developing stronger feelings for him than simply liking him as a colleague. Elle was pretty sure this wasn’t the best time to admit that, though.
Opening his eyes, he slowly turned to look at her. “I probably should take them. The one for pain,” he paused, rubbing his neck a bit more and sighing again, “might be best. I feel something in my spine.”
It was interesting feeling when he noticed her squeeze of his hand, and honestly he wondered why she was so caring toward him, but he felt for her a little more than their work relationship as well. People who knew him would be able to tell if they saw, especially that he was allowing her to fuss and give him orders. Sure, he was tired of fighting, but he appreciated her care more. In fact, he wondered if that hadn’t helped him heal quicker.
Elle nodded and slowly pulled away, quickly going to the bathroom that he was keeping his medication in. She then got a glass of water and brought both the pills and the water to him, then sat beside him. “You know, you’ve been healing well... I’m sure we could move you to a proper bedroom as opposed to keeping you here on the couch.”
He took the pills as soon as she had given them to him, drinking a little more of the water before setting that down. With a glance to her, he blinked slightly. “If it’s not going to inconvenience you. The couch isn’t terrible. You’ve been more than kind.”
Elle couldn’t help but laugh just a bit. “Really, it isn’t an inconvenience. There are more than enough rooms upstairs. And all of them have beds much more comfortable than the couch.” She stood and offered her hand to him. “Let’s get you upstairs before the pills fully kick in for you.”
Coulson smirked, taking her hand and standing up. “Twenty minutes. Maybe fifteen... I haven’t eaten as much.” He glanced over at the water before walking a few steps. “Thank you...”
“You don’t need to thank me, Phil...” She smiled at him gently and took his arm to help him balance better, leading him to the stairs and carefully helping him up, making sure he was close to the banister. “I’m just glad you’re healing so well.”
He put his weight more on the banister than against her, though he appreciated her efforts. He also appreciated her smile as it was warm and comforting. “It’s due to the care I’ve gotten from my nurses and caretaker.” He paused on a step, lips quirking. “And my wife, of course...Jennifer.”
She smirked a bit and shook her head. “I think it’s safe to drop the act for now. You did well with it, though. I was very proud of you in hospital.” She quirked her lips, gently rubbing his arm to encourage him up the rest of the stairs, and kept him as balanced as she could. “Just think, a month ago you couldn’t manage this... You’ll be back at S.H.I.E.L.D. before you know it...”
His arm felt warm at her rub and he smiled a little. “Before I know it, hm? Before we both know it, no doubt. You’ll be glad to be rid of me, won’t you? That American agent you liked better through conversations than being a stubborn mule in person?” He looked around curiously at the top of the stairs. “Where do we go from here, Miss Jones?”
She shook her head a bit, doing her best not to seem unhappy. “I wouldn’t say that...” She walked him into the room across from hers, smiling just a bit as the room had already been prepared for him. “Right here. My room is across the hall, so if you need anything you can just call for me.”
He looked around and took in the room, smiling crookedly at the room already set up. Walking over to the bed and sitting on it, pressing on the bed with both hands and nodding. “You don’t have a child monitor in here, do you?” The pills were already kicking in to relax him a bit, so he felt like he was able to settle better.
Elle couldn’t help but snort at his comment. “God, no. I really don’t want to know what you do now that you’re awake. There is that little bell on the night stand, though, if you need me and can’t call out.”
Coulson looked over at the night stand and slowly leaned to reach for the bell, stretching and tapping it lightly to hear the solid sound, then gradually slipped to rest better on the bed, muttering more than speaking loudly. “I’m boring when I’m awake...”
She helped cover him up as he moved to lie down and shook her head, voice gentle. “That’s not true, Phil. If it were I wouldn’t want to talk to you as often as I do.” She almost reached out to caress his cheek, but managed to stop herself, clearing her throat gently instead. “Should I bring you some more water?”
He settled a little better and grinned softly. “I think that would be good. Thank you, Elle...” With that, he rolled onto his back and stared at the ceiling.
She nodded and went back downstairs, getting a water bottle from the kitchen and returning to his room as quickly as she could so that he wouldn’t be alone for terribly long. She was considering putting a gate across the stairs just so he didn’t try going up and down them by himself, but she simply rolled her eyes at the thought, considering he’d just break it and go downstairs anyway.
She set the water on his night stand and sat on the edge of his bed, watching him curiously. “I take it the pain medication has kicked in?”
“Beginning to...” He answered, stretching slowly. “Mmm... Perhaps I should have eaten more...”
“I think so, yes,” Elle said with a slight smirk. “But at least this way you can rest. When you wake up I’ll have something ready for you, all right?”
“Something ready...?” He repeated, turning to look at her better. Yes, those pills were kicking in. “Such as? You already made me a room...”
She really couldn’t help but be amused by his change in behaviour every time he had to take medication. It was rather nice to see him slightly confused yet completely relaxed. “Such as a meal. Is there anything in particular you’d like to eat?” Elle knew he’d hated the hospital food, and even after he was released to her care he’d still had to eat light meals, but the doctors had said after this amount of time he could eat normally if he so chose. She just hadn’t told him that to keep it a surprise.
"Oh..." He paused briefly and smiled, "a steak would be wonderful..." His mind was growing fuzzy and he really hadn't eaten, so those pills were taking full effect quicker than he had expected.
Elle nodded and patted his hand. “You’ll have one waiting for you, then.” She smiled a bit and ran her thumb over his skin a bit. “Now get some rest. You can’t push yourself too hard, after all.”
He nodded a little in response, eyes getting heavier. His voice droned a bit as he closed his eyes and spoke softly. “Thank...you...love...” Before he could say another syllable, he was out like a light.
Elle’s eyes widened nearly to the size of saucers at his comment before she shook her head and cleared her throat lightly. It’s the drugs, that’s all... Despite telling herself that (and this wasn’t the first time, either), she found herself staring at him sleep for a few minutes before haltingly leaning in to kiss his cheek softly and murmur, “you’re welcome...” She pulled away quickly and stood, licking her lips lightly before leaving the room in a hurry, running her hands through her hair.