Lifting Spirits
Joseph glanced to the small carrier box that rested in his passenger seat. He hoped Rhiannon liked kittens or he could have made a really bad choice. Of course, getting it past the doctors and nurses was going to be something to see. He drew his car to a stop and smirked. He'd worry about that later. His hands raked through his slightly longer dark hair before they adjusted the collar on his shirt. As always, he was dressed in jeans, a tanktop and a dark shirt. The only ring he wore was the one Rhiannon had given him and a few leather bracelets decorated his wrists. He glanced to his cigarettes and he decided against them as you couldn't smoke in a hospital. He leaned over, wrapping his hand around the handle to the pet carrier. "Time to meet your new owner." He whispered to the very cute kitten who regarded him with big eyes. Joseph stepped out of his car and made sure to lock it before heading into the hospital. His leather coat was casually thrown over the top of the carrier and a flirtatious smile here and there did wonders for getting past nurses.

Rhiannon sat indian-style with her back against the headboard of her hospital bed. She was wearing her own clothes-- a pair of jeans and a navy tank top-- and fully expected to be discharged at any minute. Not that she could understand why they'd kept her so long, other than to make her life difficult. She gave the charge nurse an exasperrated look as she checked her blood pressure for the twentieth time. "I'm pretty sure it hasn't changed in the last half-hour," Rhiannon remarked dryly. The velcro cuff ripped loudly as the nurse made a 'humph' sound and pulled it off. She turned and waddled towards the door. Behind her, Rhiannon pulled her sling over her head and tossed it on a table. She flexed her sore shoulder carefully.

Joseph got to Rhiannon's room just in time to watch a rather disgruntled looking nurse walk out of the room. He arched an eyebrow before sticking his head around the door. "I see you've been making friends." He commented in that low relaxed drawl he had before he offered Rhiannon a stunning smile. He then slipped inside and walked over to place a kiss to Rhiannon's hair. "Hey."

Rhiannon's sour expression turned into a genuine smile at the sight of Joseph. "Thank god, an ally," she responded. As he leaned down to kiss her hair, Rhiannon reached out to wrap her arms around his waist. She kissed the center of Joseph's chest and rested her forehead against it. "You're lucky it's not closer to sunset. I might have thought you were one of those harbingers of doom with the dinner trays." She took a deep breath, not pulling away until something made a shuffling sound beneath his jacket. "Joseph... what's going on under your coat?" Confusion was written on her face as she looked up at him.


"Ahh yes. The present is getting bored of being cooped up." Joseph said with a soft chuckle. He drew back and move his jacket from over the carrier. He then tossed the jacket aside and lifted the carrier to rest it down against the bed. "A little something I thought might make you feel better." He left the carrier locked so Rhiannon could open it and see inside. He moved back to the door and shut it. He also made sure to lock it, he didn't want any nurses or doctors coming in now did he. As he turned, he rested back against the door and watched Rhiannon.

The confused expression never left Rhiannon's face as he placed the small carrier in front of her. Rhiannon leaned forward, but all she could see behind the metal door was the soft edge of a cloth someone had placed inside. As she unlocked the latch and pulled the door open, a small squeak could be heard from the back. Very slowly, a white and gray ball of fur made its way towards her and looked up with bright eyes. Rhiannon's mouth fell open, and at first she was speechless as she reached out and took the kitten into her hands. It meowed again and clung to the material of her shirt as she cradled it to her chest. Rhiannon's voice was soft as she whispered, "It's okay, baby," and ran her fingers through its fur. She looked up at Joseph with eyes that were a little shiny and laughed. "I hope this is for me, because you're never getting it back."

Joseph laughed softly. "Of course it's for you." He glanced back to the door one last time before he walked over to the bed. He took a seat on the edge and he lifted one leg to rest down on the bed. Joseph twisted his waist so he could take a better look at Rhiannon with the new kitten. "I thought you would like her." He lifted his hand and ran two fingers across the top of the kitten's head. The kitten nuzzled against his fingers and attempted to purr but it came out more like a hiccup than anything else." I figured this was better than flowers or chocolate. Was I right?" He tipped his head to one side and regarded Rhiannon with his dark brown eyes.

Rhiannon looked down as Joseph stroked the kitten's fur, then smiled at her sounds of appreciation. Joseph had a way with all females. The kitten continued to cling to Rhiannon's shirt with her claws, looking around with large eyes. The tip of her pink tongue could be seen poking out of her mouth. "Yeah, you were," Rhiannon said softly, then looked up. She lifted a hand to the back of Joseph's neck and pulled him closer. "Thank you."

He gave her a slow smile. "Very welcome." His hand moved to her hair and rested there for a moment. He brushed his nose over the tip of hers before curling his fingers around some strands of her hair. His eyes watched Rhiannon's and every emotion he felt in regards to this woman could be seen from within their depths. He dipped his head to one side and kissed her cheek very softly. He took his time to savour the taste of her skin before his lips moved to her next cheek. He was being careful with his kisses, he didn't want to hurt her after all.

Rhiannon met Joseph's eyes as he leaned towards her, and her mouth curved into a smile as his nose brushed hers. She let her eyes close while he moved his lips over her cheeks, just enjoying his nearness. She took in the way he smelled, the
shape of his mouth, and the touch of his fingers in her hair. The kitten, held between the two of them, looked up in curiosity as Rhiannon turned her head to
intercept Joseph's mouth on its way across her cheek.

Joseph chuckled softly but let his lips open to welcome her kiss. A slight groan rumbled from deep within his chest. It had been a while since they had been this close. Too long in his opinion. His teeth caught her bottom lip very gently and he gave it a slight tug before releasing it. There was a slow passion in every kiss he gave. He raised his free hand to find one of hers and entangled their fingers together.

The laugh came from deep in Joseph's chest, and it warmed something inside Rhiannon. As she kissed him back, she knew she needed to be careful of the injuries she'd sustained the day before, and of the delicate kitten between them. Having to restrain herself only increased the intensity she felt,
however, and even though her mouth responded to his slowly, there was heat building as she wished she could drag him closer and show him how much she'd
missed him. Her fingers tightened around his, showing him how she felt.

He ran his tongue slowly over hers and tasted every part of her mouth before he very reluctantly pulled away. He was left gasping for air. "How in the hell do you do that?" He asked with a lift of one eyebrow. His tongue slid over her bottom lip very slowly. His eyes met hers as he did this and a playful glint overcame them. The kitten made a small noise as she batted at Rhiannon's hair and Joseph had to laugh. "Whaddya know? She's getting jealous." He then purred softly and the kitten blinked those large eyes of hers at Joseph. He lifted his shoulders into a shrug and moved back in to kiss Rhiannon lightly. "If
you want, I'll make sure her area is all set up. I still have that key you gave me."

It was on the tip of Rhiannon's tongue to ask exactly what she did to him, when the cat began to demand attention. She looked down at the tug and laughed, untangling the kitten's tiny claws from her hair. At Joseph's offer, she nodded.
"That'd be great. There are some soft blankets in the hall closet, but that's probably a wasted effort. I haven't had a cat since I was a kid, but if I remember correctly, she'll claim my bed in ten minutes." Rhiannon pulled the cat away from her shirt, despite the displeased meows the cat made. Rhiannon gave her
a kiss on top of the head and then put her back in the carrier.



"Usually the way it goes." Joseph said with a nod of his head. He shut the door to the carrier and ignored the pitiful sounds the small kitten was making. After this, he raised his eyes to Rhiannon. "So, how you doing? The doctors and nurses
treating you okay?" He tightened his hand on hers and waited for her answer.

Rhiannon quirked her eyebrows upward and ran her thumb across his hand. "I'm alright, ready to get the hell out of here. The charge nurse is a beast. Probably on the books with the Watchers' Council. Some sort of... purgatory demon. I'm going to have Matthew check it out."

Joseph glanced back towards the doors. "Hmm, I passed two guys who seemed engrossed in something or other. The darker one kept glancing towards this room. Would that be Matthew?"

Rhiannon perked up at the mention of Matthew. "Yeah, that's my Watcher. He's been here pretty much since we checked in, running back and forth between here and Kris' room. The other one is Kris' Watcher, Dominick. I'm not sure what they're working on right now. Reminds me, I need to run some things by Matthew later." Rhiannon paused, glancing towards the door, and lowered her voice. "I haven't ... told him everything. It's hard. I feel like I'm just getting to know him, and I guess I'm afraid he'll be disappointed. The strange thing is, he looks at me like he knows some times, but he doesn't push."

"That's a good thing, isn't it?" Joseph asked in the same lowered tone of voice. His fingers ran through her hair." And from the sounds of things. These Watchers of yours are meant to help Slayers and if that is the case. I can't see why the
knowledge of what happened would change how he seees you. I mean, correct me if I'm wrong but didn't you just take out a nest of vampires not to mention, two
Masters?" He tipped his head to one side and met her eyes with his own." How could he ever be disappointed in you?"

Rhiannon met his eyes. "Disappointed that I didn't tell him before he got into this with me. It's a little like selling someone damaged goods." She held up Joseph's hand and alligned their fingers, averting her eyes as she did. "He'll want to know who did this, and the answer won't make him happy. And then he'll wonder why I haven't staked him, when I can't even answer that question."

Joseph kissed her forehead and muttered softly. "One thing at a time, Rhiannon." His hand slid from her hair to the small of her back. "And you aren't damaged goods. You're still the woman I fell in love with. You're a little quirkier than you used to be but you're still Rhiannon. Tristan can't ever take that from you." His eyes wandered to their hands and they traced the shape of the two hands together. "And if Matthew doesn't like what you have to say, send him my way and I'll set him straight."

Rhiannon couldn't help but laugh. Oh, to be a fly on the wall during that conversation. She pulled his hand closer and pressed a kiss into his
palm. "I don't doubt it for a second." She looked at his eyes again and asked, "Is your family still in town?"

"For a couple more days and then they fly back." Joseph answered with a nod of his head. "Mum's still in Venice and is apparently loving it." He rolled his eyes slightly.

"You roll your eyes, but I know you couldn't be more relieved," Rhiannon said with a knowing look.

Joseph leaned in and kissed her nose. "Yeah, you know me too well." He gave her a mock dramatic look." I've lost that tall, dark mysterious stranger thing I had going on."

Rhiannon's mouth curved into an appreciative smile. "And become the tall, dark
irresistable boyfriend." She pulled his hand to the center of her chest and held it there. "I think I like this version best. It means you're mine."

"You know, I like it better when you explain things." He smiled at her and leaned forward to nuzzle his nose against her hair. "I love you and I'm glad you're okay. Not to mention, very proud."

Rhiannon dropped her forehead into the crook of his neck. "I love you, too. Thanks... I think I'm a little proud of me, too, for a couple of reasons. One of which is trusting someone else to go in with me. If it had just been the nest, I dunno, maybe I could've done it. Maybe not. But running into what we did... if she hadn't been there, I wouldn't have made it out."

Joseph lifted his hand to stroke over and through her hair." I'll have to meet this Kris of yours and give her my thanks for helping you." He inhaled the scent of her hair and let out a small breath." I'm glad you've found someone you can do this sort of thing with. Especially another Slayer with the
same strengths and abilities."

Rhiannon kissed his neck lightly before leaning back. "Me, too. It's rare to find another one that's as dedicated to it." Her tone intensified as she continued, "Most Slayers think that having more of us makes it a part-time destiny. I don't think they could be more wrong. I think we need to fight hard now, while the numbers are in our favor. There's no way to know what's coming next. I mean, look at Searchlight. It's not even a Hellmouth, and there are things rising there that the Watchers have never seen."

"What room is this Kris in? I think I'll pay her a visit." Joseph said with a smile. His hand moved to rest against the side of her neck. "I'm sure it's nice to know that you aren't the only dedicated Slayer out there?" His thumb stroked slowly over the skin of her neck as he simply watched her. He saw the fire in her eyes as she spoke about what being a Slayer was and he had to admire her passion and dedication.

Rhiannon tilted her head. "I mean, I'm not, obviously. There are hundreds of Slayers, maybe more. No one really knows. I used to get so angry when we'd go to Cleveland and hear some of them complaining about sacrifice. Dates they'd never have, jobs they couldn't pursue. Well guess what? If we don't 'sacrifice', those dates and jobs aren't going to exist for anyone, because we'll be in a hell dimension." Rhiannon shook her head and closed her eyes. "Okay, I'm done ranting. Kris is two doors down the hall, on the right."



Joseph chuckled softly. "It's okay to rant and trust me, I like that you can rant when you're with me." Joseph rested his hands on either side of her face and curled his fingers slightly before he leaned in and pressed two light kisses to her eyelids. "Ranting can be fun."

The tension that had built in her shoulders relaxed the moment Joseph leaned closer. "So can you," she replied, letting her hands rest on the tops of his thighs and squeezing lightly. Rhiannon opened her eyes when he'd finished his kisses. "Thanks for putting up. And for my present... now I've got to think of a name."

"That's the best part." He said with a nod of his head. "And I can just tell she's going to be a little spitfire. Especially if that noise is anything to go by." He eyed the carrier as the kitten was both meowing and pawing at the door. Two little legs stuck out from between the small squares and tiny nails flexed as the kitten squirmed within the carrier.

Rhiannon tipped her head in consideration. "If only she had thumbs, I could teach her to hold a stake. She'd be a force to be reckoned with, I think." She looked back at Joseph. "She might be in need of a litter box." Rhiannon gave his thighs a few playful swats. "Besides, if you don't get out of here soon, I'll start considering all the things we could do with that door shut."

Joseph lifted an eyebrow before he scowled. "You've gone and got me all interested but alas, that will have to wait until you are better." He gave her a wink and a suggestive grin. As if to say, he was somehow going to make it better. He shifted from the bed and flexed his hand. The bones within it seemed to crack and he let out a breath as they did. "So until then, focus on getting better and I'll take care of the kitten and anything else you need done. Okay?" He lifted a hand and ran it over the side of her face.

Rhiannon reached up and ran her nails from his elbow down to the wrist near her face. "Uh huh," she said, nodding slightly. She returned the suggestive smile, as if to say, 'I didn't hear anything after your first sentence.'

Joseph gave her one of his slow smiles. The ones that made his eyes sparkle. He leaned down and caught her lips in a passionate kiss. A promise of another day. His hand slid to the back of her neck and he cradled it as he continued to kiss her. His mouth tugged at hers and his tongue ran over hers very slowly. After a moment, he pulled away and ran the tip of his tongue over his bottom lip. "Well I should go before ...I start contemplating things." He nodded his head slowly and exhaled a slightly ragged breath.

Rhiannon opened her eyes a little sluggishly, with one hand still wrapped around Joseph's wrist, and the other curled into his shirt hem. She bit her bottom lip, brown eyes shining darker than usual. "I'm pretty sure I'll be contemplating things long after you're gone," she replied with a smile that spread across her face. "I'll see you very soon."

"Take care of yourself." Joseph then picked up the carrier and jangled the key for her house in his hand. Before he turned to leave the room, he looked back over her shoulder and gave her a wink. The kitten meowed again and he simply shook his head. "Alright, alright." He walked to the door, unlocked it and walked out into the hall. He recalled 'two doors down the hall, on the right' and walked in that direction.

Rhiannon watched Joseph leave the room. Once he was gone, she flopped back on the pillows and groaned. Hospital discharge needed. Now.