Natalie #3
“Shit.” I hear something clatter to the floor and heavy footsteps get closer. Strong arms lift me from the chair to the bed. “ Sit up, Natalie. Deep breaths.”
“You idiot, Bull.” I hear Peacock tut. I feel a hand gently rub my shoulder. “Are you okay?” She whispers.
“Mmm,” I manage to get out after a few seconds. “Sorry.”
“You have nothing to be sorry for,” Bull sighs. “Me and Pea mess around all the time, I should have thought before I acted. My apologies.”
I nod and slowly open my eyes to see two very concerned faces looking back at me. “I guess you don’t like your name?”
“I don’t mind it, I just don’t like people knowing it . I’m not mad at you, darlin’. I know she asked you,” he nods towards Peacock. “So I’ll get her back later, we will have to remember to cool it down around you.”
“Aww come on, Bull.” Peacock moans from the other side of the room, “I was only having a laugh, no need for payback.” She holds her hands up in defeat. “Come on, I was just trying to cheer Natalie up.” She gives him her widest grin. “Forgive me?”
“Nope.” He pops the P as he answers her then turns back to me.
“Are you comfortable enough to let me look over all your wounds? Peacock here will stay the whole time if you want.” I nod my head, “okay, Pea, do you want to go and get your drinks? I saw they were on the side, then come straight back.”
“Sir, yes Sir.” She salutes him playfully and opens the door.
I turn to see Bull pulling out some gauzes, ointments and whatever else he needs when I am distracted by a cup being shoved into my vision.
“Best drink it while it's still hot.” Peacock smiles.
I take the cup from her, take a sip and sigh contentedly.
Drinking Julian's favourite beverage always makes me feel even a little bit relaxed.
“He may be a grumpy asshole at times, but he sure knows how to make a good cuppa.”
“Cuppa?”
“Yeah, I’ve never understood it either, but that’s what Julian likes to call tea sometimes.
He’s a little weird.” She shrugs and pulls a face.
“But we love him so it’s all good. We all love each other and will do anything for one another here.
You are now part of that as the boss’ girlfriend .
” There’s that word again. Girlfriend. She takes my hand as Bull starts putting some ointment on my legs.
I watch him confused. “That’s for the bruises. ”
“Natalie,” Bull sounds serious as he looks my way.
“Think of me as your doctor right now okay?” I nod.
“I need you to tell me what happened in that office. I saw the blood and Howard definitely wasn’t injured until Miss Shooty here hurt him.
” Peacock huffs out a laugh beside me. “So, can you tell me what happened?”
They both have mixed expressions on their faces once I finish telling them what happened. Peacocks is a mix of anger and sadness, Bulls is a mix of pity and fury. I look between the two, unsure of what to do now.
“I knew he used the gun on you, I saw the blood, but I thought it was vaginally.” Peacock says quietly.
“Can I examine you?” Bull asks, pointing to between my legs. “If you don’t feel comfortable we can take you to a female doctor, she will be discreet and won't ask you anything.”
“No, I don’t want to leave here.” I shake my head quickly. “I feel safe here.”
“Oh, Natalie.” Peacock's lip quivers. I whimper then clear my throat. I’ve cried too much the last couple of days, I can’t cry again.
“Pea.” Bull shakes his head. “So, may I?”
I nod, I can’t trust myself not to start bawling if I open my mouth. He turns and asks if I can remove my underwear then lie on my side. I do as he says with trembling hands. Peacock kneels beside the bed, keeping eye contact with me the whole time.
“You have travelled a long road alone, Natalie. The journey wasn’t easy, you hit a lot of bumps and turns along the way.
But, you will look back at your footprints one day, and you will be proud of how far you travelled, of how many turns you tackled and bumps you walked over.
” She says, distracting me from what Bull is doing.
“And going forward, your journey will be easier. Because you’ve already handled whatever Hell has thrown at you.
And from now on, you will have us to walk the path with you.
” She smiles and Bull hums in agreement.
“You’re not alone anymore, Natalie. You have us to help you straighten out that path.
To help lift you over the bumps. You don’t have to fight alone from today.
I know that trusting us isn’t going to be easy after what you saw.
But I promise, one day we will be good friends.
Hell, you may even replace Bull as my best friend.
” She winks and Bull gasps audibly before chuckling, making me smile.
“And if any of those three break your heart, or worse, break your trust. I will gladly get my gun and shoot the bastards in the face.”
“Wouldn’t be the first time.” Bull mutters. “Luckily, Dante managed to jump out the way in time.”
“What happened?” I inquire.
“I…” Pea huffs. “I may have got the wrong end of the story. And I may have been a little drunk.”
“Some woman hit on Dante when we were out one night,” Bull starts the story, “He told her to back off and she went completely mental, calling him names and everything. We left the bar and she followed. Pea was in the bathroom at the time. This crazy chick started hitting Dante, punching and kicking him. He shoved her away, and that was all Pea saw. As soon as we got back here, well…”
“I may have got a little trigger happy.” She blushes with embarrassment. “But now I make sure to get the full story before,” she mimics shooting a gun with her fingers.
I’m not the only one thinking she’s crazy right?
Bull finishes his examination, covers me with a blanket then walks around until he’s in my line of sight.
“You have some tearing, so you’ll have to use stool softener for a little while and take painkillers for the pain. I know I shouldn’t say this, but try not to have sex for a while either. You have severe bruising in and around your vaginal area.”
“Okay.” I whimper. “Thank you.”
“No need to thank me, I’m just doing my job.”
A loud crash and another alarm rings out, making the other two quickly jump up.
“Stay here with her.” Bull tells Peacock. “Once I leave this room, lock the door and don’t fucking answer it unless it’s one of us.” He grabs his knife from the bag, takes out his mask and slips it on, then runs out the room.
Peacock does as he asks and slides the deadbolt across the door.
“What’s going on?” I ask, but she doesn’t answer me.