Damage Control

"I'm going to hold onto this in case you two run into any unsavory element. Comprende?"

Outside of Lil' Tops's place, Briggs helped Paige to the car, "Come on." He opened the passenger door, and looking her over, said, "Keep pressure on that. I'll drive you to the hospital."

Paige stopped him, "No." She took a shaky breath, "No hospital. Briggs, we can't b-bring any attention to this."

Briggs shook his head. "Damn. Fine. Sit down." She did and he asked, "You cold?"

She nodded and he took off his jacket, draping it around her shoulders and driving off a little before pulling over. Her hand was still bleeding, but he wasn't going to attend to it outside the bastard's place. Getting out, he opened the passenger door again, going for the first aid kit they kept in the glove department, opening it on the dash.

He turned back to Paige. "Let me see." When he went to gently grab her hand, moving it a little to try to see the damage, she yelped. He stopped. "Okay, okay, sorry." He pulled out disinfectant and butterfly bandages, splashing the disinfectant over the wound; Paige tried not to pull back. Gently pulling the skin together, he stuck the butterfly bandages over the hole in her hand, pulling gauze and tape out to secure and keep it clean. "Well, I'll say this for him, guy knows how to handle a knife. You might have a hard time moving it till it heals, but it shouldn't cause any lasting problems. He just wanted our attention…or got lucky."

She gave a short, mirthless laugh, "Yea."

Grabbing an ace bandage to secure the dressing and keep her hand still, he stopped a moment to look at he and said, "Paige, I'm sorry. I told Mike we'd be pushing too hard. I should have stood by that."

Paige shook her head, though everything was shaking. "We got it though."

"Mmh," Briggs barely acknowledged, securing the wrap with the two pins that came with it and looking around. "Okay. Deep breaths. I'll be right back."

Looking around, he took one glance back at Paige-checking on her, one glance back the block they'd just driving-a part of him wanting to go back and return the favor of a knifed hand to Top, but Briggs took another glance for where he was really headed, a street-side food vendor. He wasted no time in greetings and what do you want, saying tightly and immediately, "One water," and walking back to the car, handing Paige the bottle, "Drink. It'll help. We're out in the kit-get that restocked- we've got pain meds back at the house, though."

Paige gave a small smile, appreciative, and let the sun make her feel a bit better. It was actually a nice day. "I know," she said.

When they got back, she'd take care of the dress; she did like it and knew a few good tricks for getting blood stains out, even on white. Paige looked over at Briggs as he drove them up back home. Not that she didn't understand, but he was incredibly tense. She said, "Paul, don't blame Mike. We needed this."

Briggs made a face, raising his eyebrows as if to comment, but certainly not in agreement. Parking, Briggs didn't say anything besides, "Get some rest."

AN/Disclaimer: Don't own any characters. First italicized line is taken from the show Graceland. Needed/wanted a little TLC here in "Tinkerbell" for Paige, so here it is. Reviews are welcome!