by D McEntire
When Tank broke the kiss, then eased out of her arms, what little vision she had became even hazier as if a mist had wafted and settled into the room. She knew there was nothing she could do but gaze at his face as long as her vision held, letting it burn into the recesses of her mind and in her heart.
"Sonya."
His voice was full of sorrow. She shook her head to cut off his concern.
"No. I'm grateful I was blessed to be able to see you, at least once. Now I know you on the outside. Will you let me on the inside as well?"
Tank's quick exhale suddenly reminded her of his wounds. "You're hurt. We need to get you to a hospital." She wanted to touch him in hopes of knowing the severity of his injuries, but she stopped herself. She didn't want to cause him more pain than he no doubt already suffered.
"I can't go to a normal hospital. I'll call for an ambulance to pick us up and take us to a clinic set up in the Portland neighborhood."
Pulling the cell phone from his pocket felt like such a bad idea, but Tank had to do it. He had to call for help. Now that his entire focus was not on Sonya at the moment and the adrenaline of tonight's events was wearing off, his mind was fully aware of his injuries, and his body screamed in protest.
After hitting one of the speed dial buttons and listening to several rings, He heard Trigg's voice came on the line.
"Tank, is everything okay? Did you find Sonya?"
"Yes." Tank grunted. His energy was quickly fading. "I've got her. She's fine and David's dead. I need an ambulance from the new clinic. Have it pick us up at the school."
"What's wrong? Are you injured?"
Trigg's voice was thick with concern and in that moment, all of the Watcher's recent antics, including the one involving Sonya's bra, were forgiven and forgotten.
"David shot me twice, but nothing really serious. Lucky for me he was a lousy shot and didn't hit anything major."
"I'll call them, and I'm on my way as well."
Before he could protest, Trigg had ended the call. "Help me to a chair," he asked Sonya. He hated leaning on her, but was leery of making the trek himself. His legs were rubbery and would probably give out on him before he made it two steps forward. Then Sonya would have to deal with helping him off the floor.
Tank knew he needed blood to replace what he'd lost, but he wasn't going to ask that of Sonya. Not now. Not here.
Sonya did as Tank asked and helped him to where she knew the location of her desk and the chair behind it. She thought about sitting him in the nearest student chair, but quickly realized that was a bad idea. With his massive frame, he'd be too heavy and would end up on the floor atop broken pieces of the chair after it shattered beneath his weight.
Beside herself with worry and guilt, Sonya self-consciously wrung her hands. Everything that had happened tonight had been because of her. David had had a weird fascination for her. Tank's association with her had brought him into this bad situation. There was also the fact she'd done something stupid by coming here alone. She'd done just as David had planned and had fallen right into his trap.
Tank's hand stilled hers, and his thumb stroked her wrist.
"Sonya, everything's going to be okay. Don't worry. I'm going to be fine, and none of this is your fault."
"How did you know what I was thinking?"
"It's written all over your face, and I can also feel it. It's almost as if they're my own emotions."
The sound of the front door of the school opening had Sonya feeling a little relieved. "In here. Please hurry."
The clink of a gurney grew louder before it entered the room. She felt the presence of two men, who she figured to be EMTs, then another presence she recognized. Trigg was here. He walked up behind her, and she felt his hand on her arm.
"Come on, Sonya. Let the EMTs take care of him. You can ride with them to the clinic."
Trigg's voice was soft, soothing.
Sonya allowed Trigg to pull her several steps away. She tried her best to remain calm as she listened to the technicians talk to Tank.
"Get a clean-up team in here. I'm sure I covered the place pretty good with my blood. There's also a metal stand in the corner by David's ashes. It's coated in..."
Tank's voice trailed off as he barked orders at Trigg. Sonya knew why. The stand was coated in David's blood from where she'd used it to beat him to death. She thought about her clothes and how they no doubt had blood on them as well.
What Tank had said before he'd stopped talking passed through her mind, knocking her thoughts of blood off track. "Ashes?" Sonya was confused. What was he talking about?
For a moment, Sonya didn't think anyone had heard her because of the commotion within the room, until Tank spoke. She noticed the apprehension in his tone.
"When a vampire dies, the chemistry breaks down and creates an acid which cremates the body, clothing and all. It's not a pretty sight, but it's something you should know."
Sonya thought about his explanation, which sounded like something out of a horror novel. Her mouth formed an O, but she didn't question him further. She'd rather end the morbid discussion and not think about it again.
"Okay, we're ready to go," one of the EMTs said right before she heard the clank once again of the gurney. They were wheeling Tank out the door.
Sonya stepped forward to follow them, but Trigg grasped her arm tighter to stop her.
"Wait, there are instruments and chairs covering the floor."
As Trigg carefully maneuvered her out of the room, Sonya wanted to scream. Tank was probably out the door by now and loaded into the ambulance. She desperately wanted to be by his side.
He's going to be okay.
Sonya kept mentally repeating those words to herself.
After one of the EMTs assisted her into the rear of the ambulance, she sat on the bench and tried to hold her trembling at bay. Tank's hand clasped hers, his thumb once again stroking her skin.
"It's going to be fine, Sonya. I promise."
Just before the ambulance doors closed, Sonya heard Trigg talking to Robyn on his cell phone, explaining in short detail what had happened and the fact they were taking Tank to the clinic. Sonya felt a little uneasy going to a clinic and not a hospital, but realized it was her previous life as a human talking. Tank had lived for over two hundred years. He knew what he was doing, she hoped.
After the doors closed and the EMTs settled up front, the ambulance pulled away from the curb and onto the street. The gentle sway of the vehicle should have relaxed her, but Sonya was beyond relaxing.
Feeling Tank tug on her hand and pull her closer to him, she hesitated for only a moment, not really understanding what he wanted. She moved from the bench and knelt beside where he lay on the lowered stretcher.
A strong arm snaked around her shoulders and urged her forward. She rested the side of her face on his chest and listened as he spoke softly in her ears in that low, rumbling voice, the one that constantly sent chills up and down her spine whenever she heard it.
"Sonya, I need to hold you close. I thought I was going to lose you."
Tank's voice was slow and a little slurred. She figured the EMTs had obviously given him something for the pain. Sonya wished his body would heal as fast as her burns had healed, but knew the situation wasn't the same. Gunshot wounds were no doubt a big deal, even for them. Both he and the girls had said vampires weren't immortal. The thought scared her even though he'd promised he'd be okay.
The rhythm of his heartbeat beneath her cheek was slow, but steady, and she realized he was drifting off to sleep.
"I thought I was going to lose you too," she murmured, but he hadn't heard her words. She could tell by the even breathing he was fast asleep.
Sonya raised her head, found and cupped his face with her hands, then kissed his lips. The thought of losing him, someone who'd captured her heart and soul, just when she'd found him was too much.
She traced his face with her fingers, letting the picture of him she'd tucked away inside her mind retur
n. He was beautiful, both inside and out, and he was hers. Wasn't he? She deeply hoped it to be true. He'd risked his life for her. Surely that meant something, didn't it?
The question bouncing around her mind made her desperately want to know the answer, but that topic of discussion would have to wait. Tank was injured and getting him help was all that mattered right now. Her cheek found his hard-lined chest again, and she let her own eyes drift closed.
Sonya must have fallen asleep because the sharp click of the ambulance doors opening startled her. Raising her head from Tank's chest, she rubbed her dry, scratchy eyes.
"Here, ma'am, let me help you down."
A hand touched her arm, and she moved forward to allow the EMT to assist her out of the ambulance where she stepped aside to ensure she stood out of their way.
The stretcher made a scraping sound as it was pulled from the ambulance then clanked as the wheel section was released and crunched on the gravel below.
"I'll walk her in."
Trigg's familiar voice caught her attention and was music to her ears at that moment. She didn't want to bother the EMTs, but her cane wasn't with her. With everything that had happened in the classroom, the cane had been the furthest thing from her mind. She'd left it behind.
"Thank you."
The woosh of doors opening sounded in her ears, followed by the heavy smell of antiseptic and other medical chemicals. When she'd visited her grandmother in the hospital before the woman had died, she'd noticed the same smell, but now it seemed to be multiplied. Placing her hand on her stomach, she willed the nausea from nerves and being in this place to dissipate.
"You can sit here."
Sonya sat on a bank of hard plastic chairs Trigg had led her to.
"They have him in a triage area to prep him for surgery. Though bullets will generally come out on their own as his body heals, they want to make sure nothing major has been hit, and he doesn't have any internal bleeding."
Internal bleeding?
He's going to be okay. He's going to be okay.
Sonya absently nodded, then lowered her head as she repeated her mantra over and over in her mind. She didn't know what else to say or do, except wait.
"Where's your cane?"
"I must've left it in the classroom," she said quietly while nervously twisting her hands in her lap.
Trigg's hand settled on her shoulder. Though the gesture brought a little comfort, she still felt numb, alone and afraid.
"Tank's going to be fine. He's one tough mother...dude. You'll see."
Sonya hoped that was true.
"We've checked on Mrs. Kennerly. She's going to be fine. Just some blood loss. We've got someone caring for her right now."
Sonya felt relieved at the news, but not as much as she should, she thought guiltily. Tank's situation stole all her emotions at the moment.
After Trigg removed his hand, she heard him walk away. He began speaking, his voice growing farther away. Sonya knew he'd called Robyn once again.
Placing her hands in her lap and clasping them together tightly, she waited.
Minutes turned into an hour, which seemed to turn into several hours. Sonya stretched out among the chairs and dozed off.
The clang of a metal object hitting the floor jerked her awake. When she stirred, she noticed someone had covered her with a blanket. She also realized she was no longer lying on the plastic chairs, but in a comfortable recliner.
With a yawn and a stretch, Sonya settled her legs on the floor.
"Did you sleep well? I had Kern bring you in here where you'd be more comfortable."
The rumbling voice startled her at first, but it also made her tingle. Tank. He was okay. She stood and reached out her hands to find his hospital bed. His hand clasped hers and drew her forward until she came up against the bed's soft mattress and metal frame.
Sonya's heart beat a mile a minute. "How are you? Are you okay?" She tugged on her hands because she desperately needed to feel him. She wanted to run them over every inch of his body to know for herself he was whole and well.
Tank chuckled, then coughed.
"I'm fine, Sonya. The bullets have been removed, and there's no sign of any other injuries. I'm already healing. I'm just waiting for donated vampire blood. I suggested they find Trigg or Kern. I'm sure they'd be willing.
Sonya felt something inside, something deep that pulled at her heart and mind. For some reason, she didn't want Trigg or Kern to provide for him. Her entire being seemed to protest at the thought, saying she should be the one to give him what he needed.
Sonya had no idea where those thoughts and feelings were coming from, but they wouldn't leave her be. Instead, they intensified. "No, Tank. Let me help you," she blurted out, then held her breath, wondering what he was going to say. Would he refuse?
This man had the power to tear her to pieces with just a word, Sonya warned herself. He might not know it, but he held her heart in his hands. She'd never given her heart to anyone, but he definitely had hers.
Tank was silent. He couldn't yet speak because his heart was in his throat. She was offering herself to him, offering to feed and nourish his body back to health with her life essence.
"Sonya, are you sure?"
Sonya's hand slid up his neck and over his face where she placed a finger on his lips.
"Yes, I'm sure. You risked your life for me, Tank. Let me do this for you."
Tank hoped Sonya offered herself out of something more than just gratitude. He hadn't gone after her to be a hero. He'd done it because he loved her.
Loved her?
Yes, he loved her. The realization didn't hit Tank as hard as he thought it would. Most likely because he didn't feel the need to fight it. It felt right. She felt right.
"Okay," he breathed, then shifted on the bed to give her room to lie beside him. He wanted her in his arms while he took what she offered. His hands began to shake as he reached for hers once more.
"Lie beside me on the bed."
He waited as she placed one hip on the bed and scooted over so her butt sat fully on the mattress. Tank settled his blanket over them.
Sonya cleared her throat, and Tank could see the nervous look on her face.
"How do we do this?"
Oh the ways I could take you.
Tank had to back off from that thought. He wanted to cover her body with his and take from her in a more personal way--her neck--but he was reluctant to voice that wishful thought. He didn't want to move too fast or make her more uncomfortable than he knew her to be right now.
When she'd fed from him, she'd done so while in the throes of the conversion and her body's need to replenish what it had depleted. It had been instinct, self-preservation.
This was different. There was no drive, though he surely had the desire thing going on. Right now, he told himself, he'd settle for whatever and however she offered.
"I can take what I need from your wrist."
Sonya felt his shaky hands, and it touched her heart to learn she wasn't the only one a little nervous.
When Tank had pulled the blanket over them both, she discovered he was naked, and her breath had caught in her throat. The feel of his bare flesh against her made her want to reach out and run her hands over every inch of him. She tamped down the thought and tried to focus on what she needed to do for him, not what she wanted to do to him.
Tank had offered to take from her wrist. Though she wanted to feel him holding her close and taking from her neck as she'd done after her conversion, she figured there were several factors against it. They were in non-private place, sharing a small hospital bed and he was still healing from gunshot wounds.
"I think that would be easier." She tried to keep her voice cheery, but felt a little disappointed they couldn't do more. Lifting her arm, she held out her wrist.
The brush of Tanks lips on the inside of her arm as his fingers encircled her wrist almost made her shiver. He kissed his way up to her elbow, then returned to the wrist where he delic
iously swirled his tongue around the pulse point several times.
"I'm sorry if I hurt you, Sonya. I'll do my best to be gentle."
Sonya touched his head with her fingers, then ran her hand over his short, military style hair. "Don't worry about me."
A sudden prick on her wrist followed by a sting made her wince, and she hissed. The pain abated quickly. She relaxed into the embrace of his arm, which held her to his side.
Her free hand in Tank's hair, she felt the short mass underneath her fingertips. Each pull on her wrist sent waves of electricity through her body, flowing to her thighs and between her legs where a dull ache began. His erection rubbed against her thighs, and his hips rocked slowly.
A drop of moisture slid along her leg. Without breaking contact with her wrist, Tank's free hand removed hers from his hair and guided it down between his legs.
Sonya didn't have to see to know what he wanted. Her fingers encircled his large shaft, or as much as her small hand could curve around it. His flesh was warm, and his skin smooth and soft, but beneath it was solid and thick.
She let his growl of pleasure rumble through her and roll over every nerve ending in her body. He was hard and pulsing under her fingers as she slid them along his soft flesh. He rocked into her hand while continuing to drink.
Tank eased his fangs into Sonya's wrist, only sinking in the tips so he didn't hurt her too much. As soon as her warm, sweet blood flowed into this mouth, he was taken to heaven. The taste shot through him like a cannonball, and his mind screamed more.
Sonya stroked him, slowly, softly. A moan escaped his throat. He knew he fed greedily, but he couldn't hold himself back. Desire consumed him, and his erection throbbed as it jutted against her thigh.
Without thought, he brought her hand to his erection. Her touch almost sent him over the edge. As her hand moved, so did he, rocking against her palm, imagining himself inside her warmth.