After having being kicked out of the infirmary several times and asked, not-so-politely to come back only when she was told she was allowed, Elissa was getting fed up. The doctors had released Mako after only a few hours, but Raleigh was still inside and they wouldn't even tell Elissa when they were letting him out. Mako had offered her assistance in getting Elissa into the infirmary and the women were currently standing down the hall, waiting for their moment.

"I see two doctors and one nurse," Mako said, peering into the large room. "I should be able to keep them distracted."

Elissa smiled up at Mako, internally marveling once more at how much their relationship had changed. Even a month ago, Mako would never have helped Elissa like she was now. "Thanks Mako."

She nodded, once, returning the smile. Elissa watched the younger woman enter the infirmary before moving down the hall to stand at the doorway, listening and doing her best to watch without being seen. After a few seconds, Mako had the doctors and nurses engaged in a conversation—Elissa wasn't close enough to hear about what—and they were all facing away from the door. Elissa slipped inside and silently made her way to the door on the other side of the room, leading to where the beds were kept.

Raleigh was in the bed farthest from the door, sitting up and watching television, shifting a bit like he was restless. He caught Elissa's eyes as soon as she entered the room and she gave him a wide grin, eyes lighting up.

"How did you get back in here?" he asked, moving over so she could climb onto the bed beside him.

"Sneakily and with Mako's help." She snuggled under his arm, wrapped her arms around him.

"You've got her breaking the rules now? You're a terrible influence."

"I know." Elissa lifted her head, smiling smugly.

Raleigh returned the smile and she pushed herself up so she could kiss him on the mouth, somewhat tentatively. That facet of their relationship was still new, still kind of scary in all the best ways, but when Raleigh kissed her back, Elissa sort of sunk into it, most of the tentative thoughts vanishing. When they did break apart a second later, they were breathing heavier and Elissa was blushing. She drew her bottom lip between her teeth and pressed her face into Raleigh's shoulder, nuzzling the soft fabric of his t-shirt.

"You're okay, right?" she asked. "I mean, they're not keeping you in here because something is wrong?"

"I'm fine EJ," he assured her, lips moving against the top of her head. "Just exhausted and I need to get my oxygen levels back up apparently."

"Yeah, well you finished the mission without any oxygen being fed into your suit. You were nearly dead." She lifted her head again and punched him gently in the stomach. "If you pull that almost dying shit again, I'm going to kill you, and Mako would help me."

Raleigh gave a breath of laughter before he grabbed Elissa's chin and kissed her again. "I'm not going to be able to get away with anything with the two of you around, am I?"

Elissa wrapped her arms around him tighter, returned the kiss. "Of course not." She kissed him once more, rougher, deeper, pulled herself closer—everything short of climbing into his lap. "But seriously Rals, I don't know what I'd do if you died too. I know that's cheesy and it's terrible to say, but it's true and I was so scared when Mako said you weren't breathing, when Tendo couldn't get a read on your vital signs—"

Raleigh wiped the tears bubbling over Elissa's eyelids away and pulled her into a tight hug, kissed the top of her head. "It's okay, EJ. I'm here, I'm fine, I'm not going anywhere." She reigned in her emotions quickly, like she'd always been able to do, but he could still see the fear in her eyes. She hadn't spoken to anyone about what she'd felt, that much was evident. Maybe she'd been scared he still might slip away, maybe she just didn't want to bring anyone's mood down. Raleigh hushed her and held her close. "I'm not going anywhere."

A commotion outside the room drew Elissa's attention away from whatever she was going to say—it seemed Mako could not keep the doctors and nurses occupied any longer. Elissa smiled up at Raleigh through the remnants of her emotion, and kissed him again, quickly.

"Looks like I've got to go. Come find me when they set you free."

Raleigh nodded. "Promise."

Elissa pulled herself free of Raleigh's arms and booked it to the door at the same time Mako appeared. The women turned and waved at Raleigh before they vanished into the hall, leaving annoyed doctors and an amused patient in their wake.