Derek walked to the bed, but he didn't put her down. He sat on the edge of the mattress, settling her on his lap.
The room was warm now. The sun was fully up.
Marissa looked at him. She touched his face, tracing his cheekbone. She needed to ground herself in the present.
"Have you taken your bath?" she asked, noticing his damp hair and the fresh scent of soap on his skin.
Derek nodded. "Yes. I woke up early. I didn't want to disturb you, so I used the guest bath down the hall. I met the Shadow on the way back."
Marissa looked at his chest. His shirt was open at the collar. She could see the edge of the bandage she had applied two days ago.
"I will have to dress your wounds," Marissa said, her voice returning to its practical tone. "It has been two days since the last dressing. We need to check them. It is close to healing, but we must be careful."
Derek smiled. "As you wish, Doctor."
