Work Text:
“The woods are lovely, dark and deep. But I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep. And miles to go before I sleep.”
Adam stirred in his bed, while the girl in the chair next to him looked up from the book she was reading aloud from.
“Detective Karadec?" Ava spoke his name quietly, and the man blinked open his eyes. “Hey.”
“Ava?” Adam’s mouth was dry as he spoke, and Ava immediately picked up the cup of water, putting the straw to his lips.
“My mom’s getting you some food.” Ava said, drawing the straw back and placing the cup on the table once he was done.
“Shouldn’t you be in school?”
“School's done for the day.”
Adam furrowed his brow. “What time is it?”
Ava checked the small watch on her wrist. It was one he’d gotten her for her birthday, and despite her claiming she didn’t need a watch because she had a phone, she wore it anyway. “Dinnertime, I think.”
Adam nodded. “Guess I slept for a while.”
Ava shrugged. “You probably needed it.”
Adam smiled slightly. “Probably.”
Ava held her book up slightly. “Want me to keep reading?”
“Sure.”
Ava opened her book back up and moved onto the next poem. The book seemed to be an anthology, based on the fact that she was reading him poems of different styles. Although, Adam had to admit he wasn’t always paying attention. That tended to happen when one was going in and out of consciousness due to a head trauma.
“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.”
Adam didn’t know at what point he had slipped back into a full sleep, but when he woke all he saw as a blurry figure. “Morgan.”
The figure came into view and smiled. “I’ll give you one more guess.”
“Lucia.” The name felt dry on his tongue, and he was hit with the realization of what he’d just done. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean…”
“I know.” Lucia said, still maintaining her concerned smile.
He could hear Morgan’s voice in the hallway. She was saying something about food — avocados, apple sauce, and meats. Then a younger voice — which he placed as Ava's — said something about a cookie.
"Oh, Mom, he’s awake.” Ava said, now speaking from the doorway.
“Ava.” Adam couldn’t help but smile at the sight of the teenager.
“Hi.” Ava greeted, walking over to the bed. "Sleep well?"
“Mm." Adam hummed. "Sorry I fell asleep while you were reading.”
Ava shrugged. “No big deal. You needed the rest, and I was happy to keep you company.”
Adam nodded, then winced.
“You look terrible.” Ava remarked, folding her arms on the bed. “Like, worse than when I was here earlier.”
Adam snorted quietly, then winced again. “Hospitals will do that to you.”
"So will explosions.”
"Mm. True.”
Ava took note of the woman standing off to the side. “Hi.”
Lucia, who had been looking between the two of them, blinked when she was finally spoken to. “Hi.”
“Are you his sister?” Ava asked, having given the woman a quick once over.
Adam’s laugh was interspersed with coughing, while Lucia stared at the teenager in mild shock.
"Okay, well, based on that look, I’m clearly wrong.”
At that moment, Morgan entered the room. “Oh, Lucia! Hi!”
Lucia shifted her expression from shock to politeness, and smiled at Morgan. “Hi.”
"Wow, you look hot.” Morgan observed, returning the smile.
"Yeah, I love the dress.” Ava agreed, and walked around to the other side of the bed. “Hey, I made you something.”
"Oh?” Adam turned his head in her direction, and watched as she pulled a card out from the pocket of her oversized cardigan. It was handmade, and had a sunflower as the cover’s main design.
"Elliot signed it, and Chloe too. Well, sort of.” Ava said, opening it up and showing him the message inside. It was a sweet get-well note, with Elliot’s signature and Chloe’s small handprint underneath Ava’s name.
"Thank you, Ava.” Adam said, offering her a warm smile.
Ava nodded, then pulled up her sleeves. “Is it okay if I give you a hug?”
"Of course. Thank you for asking.”
Ava smiled and leaned over to give him a gentle hug. “I’m glad you’re okay.”
“Me too, kiddo.” Adam said, one hand coming to rest on her back.
Ava smiled into his chest, then sighed quietly. After another moment, she drew back and straightened up, arms returning to her sides. “I’ll bring you an apple fritter later. I’m sure my mom will want to visit again before the day is over.”
Adam smiled. “I look forward to it.”
Ava nodded and walked back over to her mom, who was standing by the door, then gave Adam a brief wave before stepping outside.
"Your daughter?” Lucia guessed, looking over at Morgan.
"Yeah, my oldest.” Morgan said, smiling proudly. “She’s very fond of Adam.”
"So I see.” Lucia said, while Adam read the card over again.
Morgan smiled at him, then reached over and gave his shoulder a brief squeeze. “I’ll give you guys a minute.”
"Thank you.” Lucia nodded, while Adam returned her smile.
“See you later, partner.”
Morgan grinned. “Back at you, partner.”
After closing the door behind her, Morgan walked over to the chairs in the hallway, and took one next to her daughter. “Hey.”
"Do you think he’ll be okay?” Ava asked, rotating her watch on her wrist.
Morgan nodded. “Yeah, the doctors said he’s gonna be fine. They’re just gonna keep him a few days for observation.”
"Can I come back and read to him again?” Ava asked, and Morgan smiled.
"I think he’d like that.”
"Maybe I can bring some coloring books next time, too. Do you think he’d like those?”
Morgan wrapped her arm around Ava’s shoulders. “I’m sure he will, honey.”
Ava smiled, then went back to typing on her phone. From what Morgan could tell, it seemed to be the first few lines of a poem — one about wit and bravery and how the hero always saved the day, even at great cost to themselves. A title peaked out at the top of the screen: Not All Heroes Wear Capes (Some Wear Badges).