our hospital facilities are nationally acclaimed

[cross_and_bow]

Bella wakes up a day and a half later, a medical miracle with a splitting headache. (Between what she knows about her own construction and what the doctors mutter to the nurses, the demon stepped on her, it broke her spine, she passed out from pain and shock, and she could have easily died if she weren't blessed or the Slayer - both were probably called for.)

[Sherlock? Giles?] she attempts, when she's solicited and received pain medication.

Comments

[cross_and_bow]

"If we run out," agrees Bella.

[eversomuchfun]

That time has not yet come, but it is fast approaching.

On the other hand... there are fewer Defenders pouring out of the ground than there used to be.

[cross_and_bow]

Bella concentrates her efforts on the direction in which their master supposedly hides, so it will be safe for Sherlock to make a break for it while she covers them on the other side sooner.

[eversomuchfun]

Sherlock keeps going for the nearest Defenders, because it won't do them any good if they clear a path in one direction and get clobbered from the other.

[cross_and_bow]

And now they're - as far as Bella can see -

out of squares.

"Get him! I'll try to lead the last Defenders away," she says, vaulting out of the back of the pickup and sprinting through the grove, taking flying leaps over fallen trees.

[eversomuchfun]

He leaps out in the other direction and flings himself down a tunnel that doesn't presently have a Defender climbing out of it.

[cross_and_bow]

There is a Defender on its way to rectifying that situation!

[eversomuchfun]

There's room in the tunnel for both of them, more or less.

Sherlock dives straight past it.

[cross_and_bow]

It makes a grab for him, but this isn't its lucky day. It does turn and chase him, though.

[eversomuchfun]

It can do that if it likes. Sherlock bets he is faster.

[cross_and_bow]

The tunnel leads to the throne room, where the man who was originally sitting in a circle of dancing Defenders is pacing. He is most alarmed to see Sherlock approach, but if he can conjure up a new Defender on short notice, he doesn't do it right then. Instead he chooses this time to deliver insults.

"Interfering brat! Do you know what you've -"

[eversomuchfun]

That was a poor time to deliver insults.

[cross_and_bow]

Alas, the man will never have time to regret his decision.

The Defender disintegrates.

[Sherlock! The ones that I managed to lead away are dust - did you get him?]

[eversomuchfun]

[Yes I did,] he says. [Now I will see about climbing out.]

[cross_and_bow]

[Can you get to the original tunnel, with the handholds, or should I drive home and get you rope?]

[eversomuchfun]

[Yes. I can get to the original tunnel from here.]

He sets about doing that.

[cross_and_bow]

Bella's waiting for him at the top to help him out when he gets there.

And she hugs him, hard.

[eversomuchfun]

Sherlock hugs back, a little surprised.

[cross_and_bow]

"You're okay," she sighs. "I'm so glad you're okay. I love you."

[eversomuchfun]

"I am glad I'm okay too," he says, hugging her a little harder.

[cross_and_bow]

Is this half-wrecked orange grove in the dark a suitable place for adrenaline-fueled makeouts?

Meh, probably not, she's gonna go for it anyway.

[eversomuchfun]

Brilliant plan. Sherlock supports it fully.

[cross_and_bow]

Bella puts up a busy message against Gilesly intrusion that says [All's well, out of squares but safe, will call when I get home].

And she kisses her boyfriend very very thoroughly.

[eversomuchfun]

Eventually, he gets around to mentioning, "I love you too."

[cross_and_bow]

"Thought you might. You've been calling me 'love' offhandedly for months now. Didn't quite have the nerve to inquire outright though."