From the other side

Elizabeth opened her eyes, her vision blurry and unfocused. It took her a moment to get her bearings, to remember where she was. Slowly, the memories came back - the attack, the hospital, her mother.

She looked over at the chair next to her bed, her heart clenching at the sight of her mother and Doug there, fast asleep, their heads leaned against each other.

It was a strangely adorable sight. These two very tough, very strong people, who always seemed to be at the top of their games, now both looking so vulnerable and weary, clinging onto each other for comfort.

She let them sleep. She took her phone out and took a photo of them sleeping. It was a beginning of a relationship she could feel it.

From her point of view, she could capture her mother's face, the rare moments of peace and vulnerability etched on her features. There was a small, unconscious smile on her mother's lips, even in sleep. And Doug, his head leaned against her mother's, a steady and reassuring presence even in slumber.

Clicking the button of the camera, she captured the moment, a small, bittersweet smile curving her own lips. It was a moment she knew they would want to remember, and one she knew she would cherish.

Her fingers lingered over the photo, the image of her mother and Doug ingrained in her mind. She was struck by how right it felt, how natural it seemed.

She pocketed the phone, deciding to let them sleep a bit longer. Her mother, in particular, looked like she needed it.

It was a few hours later when they woke up. The sun was setting, the sky outside the window fading from blue to purples and pinks. Kamala stirred, her neck aching and stiff from the uncomfortable position she'd been sleeping in.

"Hey mummy"

Her eyes flickered open at the sound, her body immediately alert. She sat up, her gaze falling on her daughter, and her heart leapt into her throat.

"Liz!" she exclaimed, her throat tight with emotion. She scrambled out of the chair, leaning over the bed, her hands reaching for her daughter. "Oh, Liz, you're awake."

"Hey stop yelling you will wake Doug up"

She immediately lowered her voice, a flicker of guilt crossing her face. "Sorry," she whispered, her fingers finding Elizabeth's and holding them tightly. "How are you feeling?"

"Hmmm like I've been shot?"

She winced at her daughter's casual tone. "Don't joke about that," she scolded, her eyes flickering over the bandages and tubes. "You could have died, Liz."

"You too Kam"

"Me? I wasn't the one shot." she retorted, her eyes flickering to the bandages across her daughter's chest. "I'm not the one currently in intensive care."

"Mom that bullet was meant for your heart"

The truth of her daughter's words struck her, and her shoulders slumped slightly. "I know, I know," she whispered, guilt fluttering in her stomach. "But that doesn't change the fact that you almost-" her voice caught, her eyes suddenly watery.

"Say it" she wanted to take her hand but she hissed from the movement.

The sound of her daughter's pain brought even more guilt crashing over her, her voice coming out as a hoarse whisper. "You almost died," she admitted, the words like sandpaper in her throat. "And it would have been my fault."

"In any scenes it would not be your fault Kamala." She tried again and hissed form pain but catched her hand.

Her daughter's hand gripped her own, slender and strong despite the injury. Kamala leaned forward, her eyes locking on her daughter's face.