12 Plot Points Of Christmas: A Writer's Challenge

Chapter 7: A Betrayal

"You both look very cozy," Dr. Lowenstein said, seeing Beverlee in a very comfortable position curled up on Loki's lap on the bed. "I'm sorry, but I must disrupt this moment between you. It's time for Beverlee to get some real rest." He gave Beverlee a mock disapproving look. "You were supposed to tell me when you finished eating, but I can see why you didn't..." he grinned knowingly at her.

Beverlee smiled back at Lowenstein, then turned her head to look at Loki. "Huh. All good things come to an end," she sighed.

"Only to have more good things happen later," Loki said looking at her with affection, caressing her cheek. "Come on now," he gently lifted her from the pillow on his lap, helping her to sit up with that pillow now placed against the headboard.

Loki and Beverlee watched Lowenstein as he placed his medical bag at the foot of the bed. Unzipping the bag, he took out and put down a white cloth beside it. A pair of gloves, some alcohol wipe packets, a syringe in a clear package and a vial were also produced from the bag and placed on the cloth. Putting on the gloves, he took the item out of the package and filled the syringe to a certain level with the vial's contents.

"Loki, if you could assist me?" Lowenstein asked. He picked up an alcohol wipe, and handed it to Loki, "I need you to open the packet up, and I'll point to the area you need to wipe with it."

Pushing one of Beverlee's robe sleeves up to expose her arm with one hand, Loki wiped the area where Lowenstein had directed. He then held the sleeve so Lowenstein could give her the injection.

"You'll just feel a pinch," Lowenstein said to Beverlee.

Beverlee turned her head away as she never liked needles. She found 'the pinch' was not that bad, but she still closed her eyes, wanting it over as soon as possible.

"There we are," Lowenstein said, finished with the injection.

He walked back to the foot of the bed and tossed his gloves into a nearby waste bin. From his medical bag, he pulled out a small refuse container and put the used syringe into it to safely dispose of later. That and the remaining items went back into the medical bag.

"Get yourself comfortable, Beverlee," Lowenstein said. "Sleep will come quickly."

Beverlee nodded and got back under the covers, lying on the side of her uninjured arm. Loki helped pull the covers around her.

Lowenstein looked at Loki, "Come on, let's let her sleep."

"If you don't mind, I'd like to stay with her until she does," Loki said, as he looked at his friend. He could see the medication was taking effect by the way her body relaxed and the expression on her face.

"All right. I'll see you in a couple of days. If there are any developments before that, let me know." And with that, Lowenstein left the room.

"Beverlee," Loki whispered, "you'll always be safe with me." He curled up beside her a very short distance apart.

"You've really been grand," Beverlee sang in a soft sleepy tone.

"I thrill when you touch my hand," Loki said, reaching out and lightly laying his hand on hers.

Beverlee's eyes soon closed and she was fast asleep.

How he wished he could stay in her room and simply watch over her, but he knew there were people outside the door waiting for him. While he could appreciate Beverlee being taken care of in such a place of comfort, being amongst his teammates, along with all the amenities this place had to offer... He really wished the both of them could be back at her domicile.

Slowly and quietly so as not to disturb her, Loki climbed off the mattress, then walked toward the door. He turned around to give her one last look, then, reluctantly, turned around to open the door.