Chapter Text
Fucking hell it's been a night.” Nico tipped his head back against the wall, let out a sigh that took the last of his energy with it. Spider like and at the ready, his long limbs crossed over his chest and at the ankles. Anyone who didn't know the redhead would have thought he was cooling his heels, waiting for a ride. “I need about seven shots and triple that for sleep.”
In the front of the house, a fire roaring and a coffee table covered in food sat before them. Each had taken up a position to cover the space and keep watch, though Nico was still smeared in blood and Adam was gripping his phone so tight it might break. Others were hunting down Cassiel, looking for any crumbs that would lead them to their master mind.
“Tell me about it.” Not for the first time, Adam glanced up, hoping and failing to hear the tell tale wheels of the Doctor's range rover. “You and Val should-”
“I'm not going anywhere so you can stop that kind of talk right now.” He glared, twirling a knife briefly before letting his arm drop. Even his idle nervous habits were a bit much at the moment. Not that he'd ever admit it.
“Damn you sound just like the boss.” Adam scowled back.
“I'll take that as a compliment.” He smirked back.
“And now you sound like Val.”
“He should be so lucky.” The woman in question came in from the back of the cabin, in a fresh set of thigh highs and heels. Her skirt was immaculate, her full lips in their signature pout -
She'd left blood along one sleeve. Or perhaps she'd missed it, just like she had the coagulation of blood across her brow. She was as shaken as the rest of them then.
Nico pushed off the wall. “How are they?”
“I staunched the bleeding for Davina, but there was a lot of it.” She replied, grim and quiet.
“She got tagged by the second guy, right?” Adam asked, shades up and brow drawn in worry. Val nodded.
“She also took them both out but that Doctor needs to move his ass. Gabe's going to need stitches at the very least,but he's not moving until she and Mikey do.” She reached for an apple, half smiling when Adam passed her a freshly chopped fruit salad instead.
“I thought you said Mikey was good?!” Nico spun on Adam, who put his hands up.
“The little boss was up and running when I was there.” He explained in a hurry. “And Boss didn't say anything about him needing attention. That woulda been the first thing out of his mouth if that was the case.”
“Mikey’s fine.” Val promised, spooning up her snack. “Scared out of his mind, but any little kid would be.”
Nico retrieved a wipe from the first aid kit on the couch, sighing. “We're just lucky we showed up when we did. That could have gone south if we'd been much later.”
“I don't think so. Not with the super nanny here.” Adam grinned. “Did you see the shot she took dude out with? Totally clean, a textbook kill shot.”
“Gotta admit, it even made my twisted toes curl a little.” Nico snickered and dabbed at Valentine's head. “Who knew she had it in her?”
“The boss did.” Val said, sinking into a chair and pulling out of his reach. Nico rolled his eyes and started mopping at his bloody fingers. “And a good thing too, that body was right at the bottom of the window.” She continued.
The light hearted teasing cut off as the three considered what her words meant. A body with a bullet to the head, limbs still outstretched as though he'd been poised to enter.
Or do worse, judging from the gun they'd found just inside the window frame by the bed. If Davina's timing had been even a second off…
“Should go see if Mikey’s hungry or something-” Nico grunted, turning as he continued to clean up his hands.
“He's asleep.” Val reached out, hanging onto his sleeve. “All three of them are.”
“He might have nightmares or some shit like that-”
“I told you, he's fine.” Still hanging onto him, she looked up at their friend. “Go check for the doctor again, if he takes much longer we might have a problem.”
“On it.” Adam rushed out, the door slamming behind him and Val falling quiet once again.
“Why won't you let me in there?” Nico demanded, yanking away.
“Because you don't need to be.”
“He and Mikey are hurt, where else would I-”
“Gabe asked me to leave them alone for a bit.” Val interrupted. Nico glared, but his dagger began twirling again.
“What do you mean?” He asked.
“I said I would bring Davina in here and keep watch and he asked me not to take her.” She ate more fruit. “He wants her with them for now. He was holding onto her pretty tightly and I didn't think it would do his condition any good to argue.”
“Pretty ti- Val we're his family, we-”
“And she's his nanny.” Val looked up at her long time associate. He paused and stared hard.
“Do you know something I don't?”
She shrugged. “Generally, yes.”
Nico speared a chunk of fruit from her bowl with his knife and took a bite. “You know what I mean.”
“I know Gabe, same as you. I know his behavior concerning Davina is… singular. In many respects.” Val took her time to chew, swallowed like there was all the time in the world. “And I know if she wasn't here, Mikey wouldn't be either.”
Again, they sat in silence. Finally, Nico sank down by her knee, snagging a can of whipcream off the table.
“The way she killed those bastards was impressive. You think she learned that at her fancy nanny school?” He asked, spraying a tuft of cream into his mouth. Val followed it with a piece of strawberry.
“I think I'm glad she's on our side.”
****
His thigh was on fire, the cold sweat his body had been drenched in had dried uncomfortably, and every muscle was wrung out from exhaustion.
But Gabriel had never been so happy.
“Papa… mm… ducks… tookmahmuffn…” His precious little boy, curled up tight under his right arm. Gabriel smiled at the sleepy complaint, kissing his little blond head.
“Papa will fight those mean ducks. It's okay.” He rubbed his back and watched sleep reclaim the child, swallowing hard as tears filled his eyes again. If he'd been even a few seconds slower on the uptake, what might have happened?
Nothing. Because Davina would still be here.
Perhaps happy was the wrong word. Relieved? Thankful? In awe? Whatever it was he was feeling, the woman in his arms was the reason for it all.
She was far too pale for comfort, her breathing growing increasingly shallow and her blood stained his clothes as much as his own. But every inch of Davina was beautiful, was marvelous, was brilliant.
She'd saved his son. Again. This time, from one of his own, a coward but a formidable family member nonetheless.
And she's courting death for her troubles.
No, he couldn't think like that. He held her body a little closer, trying to keep her warm when she shuddered.
“Mikey… behind… me…” She whimpered, shaking again. “Stay- stay behind…”
“Shhh it's alright. Mikey is safe. I'm here.” He smoothed her hair, hoping his touch would soothe the agitated young woman. “I'm here Davina.”
“Gabriel…” And her voice broke, a tear slipping past her eyelashes. “Hurts- it hurts…”
Her pain tore at him in a way he hadn’t felt in a long time. “I know prezioso. I'm sorry, I'll fix it soon.”
“Gabriel- Gabriel…” She shifted again and cried out, the movement sending waves of pain through an already injured body. He grit his teeth and pressed his lips to her forehead.
“Everything is alright now. You're going to be fine Prezioso.” He promised in a whisper. His lips against her skin soothed, let the tension slip away from her muscles. But then she was too limp, and that was worse.
“Stay with me Davina.” He willed his voice to pour strength into her, to mend what was torn. “Please. Please, stay with me.”