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“The procedure, if successful will take approximately 18 hours, after which I suspect we will need to keep you sedated for another 24-48 to allow your body to adjust to the massive amount of changes it has undergone.” Angela's words were slow and well thought out. She had to have rehashed this speech a hundred times in her head. During your discussions with her, it had been obvious. She hadn't intended to turn into Gabriel into the creature that drifted in between the reality of life and death. It had been a side effect. One she would never allow to happen again.
Gabriel had surprisingly approached her to see if she had any treatment options. Angela had offered a shot, one she had taken two further months to test in as many ways as she could before offering it as an option to him. He had much to your surprise, come to you. Gabe hadn't directly asked for your support, but it was evident he needed it. He had asked for your input on the whole process and had demanded you be the only one to go with him on the permission required for before the procedure could begin.
Your thoughts were interrupted when Gabriel spoke, his voice harsh. “And I have your word. You'll kill me if it isn't successful? You cannot bring me back as this again.”
You looked up from your thoughts and noted the somber nod Angela offered. “Of course Gabriel...”
He turned to you. “And if this witch, goes back on her word. Will you do it?” His request took you aback. Despite everything, it hadn't come to your mind that you would ever be in a situation harm, Gabriel Reyes. Your heart thudded, as the events of recent months flashed before you. He was the only reason you weren't still under Talon's thumb. The only reason more than likely you'd survived interrogation and many things besides. You weren't quite sure what he was to you, but you owed him this much at the very least.
“Yes, but only if the procedure won't work.” You can't bring yourself to meet his eye.
“You are honest at least.” He nodded his head, and his words come out in almost a growl. “And it's not like I have any other choices.” Gabriel turned back to Angela. “When do we begin Doctor?”
“As soon as you are ready, you've already absorbed enough energy to be closer to solid. We need to start before that fades.' She offers him a blue gown.
“I'm not-” He starts to argue, but you interrupt.
“Look, if she is going to do all this invasive shit. You need to be in a gown, now as a former special ops commander and almost terrifying monster, grow up and change please. Or am I going to have to do it for you?”
“You're hilarious, missed the true call of comedy.” He grumbled, excusing himself out of the small lab and med-bay into the bathroom to dress in the gown.
“Well if you need help with those robes let me know!" You call after him loudly, the door is slammed shut. "Things I do for a friend.” You say shaking yor head.
Angela let out a sigh of relief. “I know I don't deserve his trust. But I am thankful for your help, and he wouldn't be this...this reasonable if you hadn't been involved.”
“I thought he had asked you if you could fix him?” You raise an eyebrow.
Angela shakes her head. “Not seriously, sarcastically he asked and I gave an honest and serious answer. It was several days before he came back to me and told me to see what I could do. And here we are two months later. I hope that this heals him.”
“Me too.” You hear soft footsteps behind you. You turn and have to fight to keep a straight face and suppress a laugh.
You hadn't anticipated how amusing it would be to see such an intimidating figure dressed so.
“If you would just lay down here Mr. Reyes, I'll get my equipment together.” Angela gestures to one of the beds. With a scowl, Gabriel sits on the bed and covers his scar covered legs with a blanket. He turns to face you but doesn't speak. The two of you simply look at each other for a long moment, you wish you had it in you to tell him how you felt. But now defiantly wasn't the time, supposing there ever was a time.
You notice the change in his face, the more energy he absorbs, the less monstrous he appears. There is an extra set of lidless and sightless eyes. But the mouth on his right cheek is absent. If this treatment worked all that should be gone, but there was no way of being certain.
“You promised Y/n, please. I am trusting you. I need to know you'll keep your word. I need you here." His words are spoken low, and you were certain at first you had misheard.
You slowly walk to the side of the bed and settle yourself in a chair. “I'm not going anywhere until you wake up. And if the worst happens, I'll make sure care is removed, and you go out as humanely as possible. But that isn't going to happen, your strong. You have to come back to me, and I need you-” You stop yourself your throat feels tight.
“Y/n, if this works out. I think I'll owe you a dinner.” There is a hint of mirth in his words.
“You'll owe me dinner, and help in finding the other six.” You say wiping tears out of your eyes.
“More than fair, I guess I have a compelling reason to get through this now.” He nods more to himself than at you.
You stand and press a quick kiss to his forehead. “You have me, friends, here and don't forget your poor sisters. They deserve an update after all this horrific mess, and you are a terrible brother.”
“Friends seem like a loose term for everyone here. But,” Gabriel's hand takes yours, and he grips it. “I have you, and Maria will probably kick my ass. The only reason I got good at hand to hand combat. Older sisters will do that, I'll need to come up with a good story for that one.”
There is a small cough, Angela stands in the doorway she looks apologetic. “I'll need to ask you to step out, this should only take a few minutes to start, and then you can come back and stay with him.” She informs the two of you.
You nod, and Gabriel let's go of your hand. “Be nice, don't give her a hard time.” You order trying to sound stern.
He snorts and rolls his eyes indigently. “Look, kid, I trained you. You don't get to order me around, but in this case, I will be following what you say. I'll see you in a few days I guess.”
“In a few days of course.” You simply nod trying to smile, you let yourself out of the med-bay and settle yourself into a chair lining the wall.