Health and Healing Part 1. Kate/Renee.

As Kate awoke, she became suddenly aware of how warm and comfortable she was. A normal girl wouldn't complain, what was nicer than waking up in a comfy bed? But Kate was all too aware of the fact that she hadn't had a good night's sleep in ages, and when she did sleep, it was during the day. Eyelids still shut, she could tell that the room was dark, no sense of light peeking through a window. She laid there, her mind quickly shifting through all the scenarios of what was going on when all of a sudden, all her thoughts came to an abrupt stop. "This isn't my bed."

The thought passed through her mind multiple times, over and over again. The confusion became worse, and was meddled with muted panic in the very back of her mind. Now, all the scenarios were even worse. What if she was in a hospital? How did she get there? Oh God what if when she opened her eyes she was in a hospital bed, surrounded by government officials and damn there goes everything. Her life would very well be over then. As her mind raced, she finally realized that it was time to get it over with and figure out what was going on.

She opened her eyes, and blinked repeatedly as they adjusted to the pall of darkness in the room. Her fears were instantly vanquished as she realized she was in a bedroom, not hers as she had already guessed, but this was already off to a better start. She turned her head to the right, noting the room was filled with files and books just stacked upon stacked all over the floor and on the small desk in the corner. There was a large window as well, curtains drawn, but the twinkle of Gotham's lights blinking in and out of the small part in the middle. Turning her head to the right, she noted the nightstand, with a small LED alarm clock that read 9:14 pm and reading light. There was more stacks of what looked like police files, pushed against the wall and a closet with the doors latched tight.

Now more assured, but still on edge, Kate began to push herself up and out of the bed. As she was almost sitting straight up, her breath caught in her throat as she felt a jabbing pain in her lower stomach above her hips. She peeled away the heavy covers fully, and saw observed the fact that she was in a plain tank top and sports shorts, which was not her normal sleep wear. "This keeps getting stranger and stranger" she mused as she slowly lifted the shirt, and saw that her lower abdomen was wrapped in what appeared to be a clean and fresh dressing of medical bandages. As she threw the covers completely off, she noted that there was matching bandaging on her left thigh. Once the shock of the dull, stabbing pains subsided, she pushed them out of her thoughts, and swung her legs off the bed and stood up, testing her balance and stretching out her muscles. She was very sore, that could not be denied, and the wounds (that she was beginning to assume came from a run in with a particularly violent gang she had a few nights ago... at least, that's the last fight she could remember) were unpleasant feeling to say the least. Regardless, she quietly walked over to the door, ready to figure everything out. As she approached it, she heard muffled noises, what sounded like a combination of the news, quiet music, and somebody moving around. Kate composed herself, ready for either the most confusing and awkward (and possibly painful) confrontation of a one-night stand, or to fight her way out. She slowly reached for the knob and turned it, excruciatingly slowly trying to be as quiet as possible. "Well shit. I was not expecting that."

Kate squinted as her eyes adjusted to the sudden brightness of the main part of an apartment. She looked around, taking in the large sliding glass doors that had its blinds partially closed, the large worn couch that had a make-shift bed set up on it complete with haphazardly tossed blankets and pillows, the coffee table across from a moderately-sized TV (the source of the news apparently). The living room connected straight to a kitchen, small with just the essentials and a long, tall counter that had even more books and papers like in the bedroom spread across it.

"Ah she emerges! Good morning sleeping beauty!" an all too familiar voice rang out from the kitchen area. The fridge door shut and the dark haired woman walked over to Kate, leaning her back on the counter. She held a bottle of water in one hand, and a beer in the other. Kate is very rarely speechless. But this was one of those moments. She could not believe that out of all the possible ways this strange night could of ended, it was like this. She never expected to walk out of that room and be standing in front of Renee Montoya; ex-lover, ex-partner, and queen of disappearing with out telling anyone. It had been almost a year since she had last seen her, and even then that was just a run in. She wasn't even sure if they actually even talked then. Ah she hasn't changed at all really, Kate thought, looking her over head from toe. Her curly brown hair was pulled back into a messy low bun, wisps of hair framing her face. Her eyes were still a deep brown, with a mischievous light, her lips curled into the half-smirk Kate remembered so well. She was clothed in a white tank and baggy black sweat pants, and Kate almost laughed to herself when she finally connected the dots and realized that she was very well wearing Renee's clothes.

Kate walked out of the doorway fully, and towards Renee. "Don't look so surprised Kate, it's not like this is the first time I've saved you from stab wounds." Oh that's it, Kate thought, shaking the confusion and surprise out of her head and confidently walking over to the other woman. She looked down at the two bottles, and saw that Renee's knuckles were wrapped like they had been through hell. Kate smiled to herself, noting that obviously The Question was still in action. She reached for the beer, making eye contact with Renee and chuckling at the face she made as she took it and popped the cap off. Obviously by her expression Renee had been intended that for herself. She walked over to a barstool and plopped herself down as she took a large swig.

"First off, what the hell is exactly going on?" She pushed her short red hair out of her face, giving a stern look to Renee, "And try to control the sarcasm on this one, I'm still not sure how I feel about this."

Renee rolled her eyes, flipping her body around so that she was facing Kate, leaning her forearms on the counter. "Well simply, I was on patrols and luck would have it that I saw a blood trail leading to a nearby roof. I hurried up there because god knows in Gotham what a blood trail leads too. I was expecting to find some poor soul that got on the wrong side of one of our friendly neighborhood psychos but instead I found you. Well... it was obvious you gave them hell, I looked down into the alleyway below and saw some hyped-up, steroided-up thugs knocked out. But someone got you good. And deep. I used the biochemical mask to create a pseudo layer of skin...to stop the bleeding. Obviously I just couldn't take Batwoman into Gotham Central Hospital and scream for a doctor and apparently you moved-" Kate raised her eyebrow at this, amused that Renee remembered where her old place was and Renee just gave her the 'Oh please' look before continuing on. "So I brought you back here. I played doctor for a bit, doing what I could before I called in a doctor friend who owes me a favor to stitch you up. And here we are. Beer probably isn't the smartest thing to drink after being out for a few days by the way." She finished, matter-of-factly with a nod towards the drink in her hand.

Kate was silent, taking in the story. It made plenty of sense, she remembered that fight and was still pissed that they had managed to get such a good stab in. She felt Renee's eyes on her, watching her drink, like a parent would watch their child try to eat for the first time after having the stomach flu. Kate mumbled something sarcastically thanking her for her concern. They were quiet for some time before Kate, still looking into the empty space in front of her, spoke up. "How long have you been back Renee?" she asked quietly.

Renee let out a hearty chuckle, sliding the water across the counter. "At least drink this too. Alcohol on an empty stomach is a bad idea, and you need some water in you." Kate nodded, grabbing the water and pulling it next to her. "It's been almost four months now, got a new place and-"

"And you didn't think to tell anyone?" Kate interrupted, slamming the glass bottle down and standing up.

"I didn't think it was that important. Plus The Question works out a lot better in the shadows. Sorry I don't have to be so damn flashy and announce my return!" Renee fired right back, obviously taken aback.

"Whatever. You never think about others. You're obviously still so involved in your research and conspiracies that-"

"Says the girl who's life I just saved again!" Renee spat back, her voice raised. Kate pressed her lips shut, her gaze defiant, but said nothing more. She sat back down, opening the water and taking a few small sips. "Look... I was going to try and get in contact with you again. A few people I was going to get in touch with again. But I was just waiting for the right time." Kate let out a "humph", back to staring at the wall. The silence was thicker now, heavier in a way, and Renee couldn't stand it anymore. "How's Maggie?" she asked, stepping back from the counter and shuffling some papers that were nearby.

"I suppose she's fine." Kate stated back. Renee quirked an eyebrow, questioning the distant answer. When she and Kate were very "on again, off again" Kate loved to take every free moment to wave in her face her newest girlfriend. "How did you-"

"I know a lot. I run my 'business' off of intel and information."

"Of course. How could I forget?" came the sarcastic response. "We haven't seen each other in a few weeks. Our jobs just don't quite mix I guess."

"Oh. Sorry."

Kate just shrugged, letting the silence sit once again. She stood up, and walked around to the other side of the counter and took the place of leaning on it. "Thank you... by the way." That made Renee smile, putting down the papers and walking over to the fridge.

"I'm sorry for leaving, and coming back, with out telling you. Even?" Kate eyed the half sandwich and salad Renee was pulling out of the fridge.

"We will be if you give me that."

"Hungry?"

"Starved."

Renee laughed again at that and Kate couldn't help but smile back. As crazy as the woman could drive her, and as pissed she was at her tendency to slip away and back with out so much of a 'hello', her playful and smart-aleck attitude was infectious, as was her laugh. And maybe she missed having her around. They had a lot of history and sometimes she found herself thinking a lot about what Renee was doing half-way across the world or down in her lighthouse. She always told herself it was in no way a romantic longing, just like missing a friend. And deep inside, she was very relieved that coming out of the room she was greeted with her, and not something or someone else. It was one of the better-case scenarios next to walking into a happy, sane, and safe family, complete with her mother and sister. She took the food out of Renee's hands and walked over to the couch, plunking herself down and digging into the food. After a few minutes Renee walked over, and joined her on the couch, keeping her focus on the news.

In between bites, Kate patted the pillows on the couch "Sorry I put you out of a bed. Im surprised you didn't just sleep next to me, you already saw me naked apparently, Im sure my unconscious body wouldn't of minded," she teased, gesturing towards the new clothes she was wearing. Renee shot her a dirty look, and Kate could of sworn she saw a blush creep into her cheeks. This made Kate burst out laughing, causing the jabbing in her wrapped stomach come back and making her hold onto it.

"Tempting." Renee shot back, her face still flushed as she turned back to the T.V.

The night went on with small talk, all avoiding the more personal topics and focusing more on "work" topics. Finally around midnight Renee got up and returned with a mug of hot tea and two round, white pills. Kate just looked at her questioningly as she placed them on the coffee table in front of her. "You keep trying to mask it but I know you're in pain. Take it, one more night off your feet won't kill you."

"Renee." Kate started in a annoyed tone "I've had worse. Plus I can't just stay here.." As soon as she said it, she knew that wasn't the right thing to say. A look of hurt quickly flashed across Renee's face but disappeared just as quickly. "I don't mean it like that, I just -"

"I won't tell you where your Batwoman outfit is until you've had enough rest." Renee said simply with a shrug. This caused Kate to roll her eyes, popping the pills in her mouth and swallowing them with the tea. She had to give her a hard time just for show really, because as much as she did want to go out and be back on the city in her cape and cowl, the warm bed and a few painkillers did sound like a good idea. At least for one more night. Renee smiled proudly, marking Kate's cooperation as a small victory and she walked with her back into the bedroom.

"Are you going to tuck me in? Sing me a lullaby?" Kate teased as she climbed into the bed.

"If you want little girl." Renee dryly remarked back.

"I'm taller than you. Stronger too."

"Mhmm." Renee sat on the edge of the bed, mindlessly moving books and files around, messing them up more than actually organizing them. Truly, she had enjoyed the night together, even though it was awkward at points, and painful at others. Being off on her own for so long had made her lonely, and she hadn't realized it until she saw Kate that night. She was still going on some kind of rant in the bed next to her, but her words were slurring as the strong pain killers were kicking in.

What she hadn't told Kate is that after the panic of finding her there half-dead was filled with a lot more screaming and possibly a tear or two. That she had flew down the fire escape and found a thug that was still conscious, and she beat him until he wasn't. Kate had a place in her life and heart, no matter how much she would not admit that it was still strongly there. And she was furious and upset that she could lose her like that. She hadn't told her that she had almost approached her many times in that four months. Sometimes in costume, sometimes out. But in the third week of the second month she had saw her with Maggie. And it was obviously a date. She knew she shouldn't be that hurt. That people move on. But it still hurt, it still made her heart race, and not in a good way. But most importantly, she didn't tell her she sat by the bed as she was recuperating, praying that she would wake up even though the doctor assured her she would. That sometimes she would do her intel work sitting at the desk in a corner singing Spanish songs her mom used to sing her when she was sick.

Kate had finally mumbled herself to sleep and Renee looked over at her, restraining the urge to caress her short hair, or take up her joking offer of sharing a bed. But she just sat there a few minutes longer in the dark, before getting up and heading back out to the living room, ready for another long night of meditation and research.