Harry feels a presence sit down next to him as he sits in the waiting room of the hospital waiting to hear about Ruth's condition. A hand slips between his two hands clasped between his knees. "One of your colleagues called, dad. I had to come and check on you. Have you heard anything?"
"Hi Katherine. No, I haven't heard anything yet. There was so much blood." Harry breaks down and begins to cry. "I thought she'd died. My colleagues had to bring her back with adrenaline and then the paddles."
Katherine hugs her father and lets him get all his emotions out. "It's okay daddy. I'm sure she'll be okay. She's getting the very best care in the world."
"She's here because of me! She got wounded trying to protect me! She very nearly died for me because she knows I have a family I want to be here for. She didn't realize that not having her in my life was going to make thing harder for me. I don't know what to do. I feel helpless! I hate feeling helpless!" Harry says sullenly.
"Dad, you must have done this a hundred times. What makes this one so different?" Katherine asks gently.
"This is Ruth! This is the woman I love! She must be okay! I can't believe this is happening! Ruth was always meant to be safe! She was an intelligence analyst. She's not a field operative. I always told her she would be safe!" Harry collapses into tears.
"Harry, I came as quickly as I could. Have you heard anything yet?" Malcolm asks running into the hospital.
Harry sniffs loudly. "No, I haven't heard anything yet, Malcolm. Thanks for coming."
"There's nowhere else I'd be but right her waiting to find out about Ruth." Malcolm says seriously.
"Thanks for coming, Uncle Malcolm." Katherine says with a sad smile.
"It's not a problem, Katherine. I knew your dad was going to need some support when I found out Ruth was injured. I haven't seen you for a long time, Katherine." Malcolm hugs her gently.
"It's good to see you, Malcolm. I'm sorry it had to be under these circumstances." Katherine says quietly.
Harry looks up when he hears footsteps coming down the hall. He sighs heavily and hopes that the news will be positive. He can hardly stand as the surgeon approaches.
"Sir Harry Pearce, we have an update on Ms. Evershed. She's resting comfortably, but she was very lucky. You got her here just in time. Have her family members been contacted?"
"Yes, I contacted her mother, but she can't get here right away." Harry tells the doctor. "Do we know when she'll be awake?"
"Not yet, Sir Harry. She has suffered a very serious injury and she did go into shock. After the anaesthetic wears off there is a possibility that she may remain unconscious until her brain knows her body is healed. My suggestion is that you all go home and get some rest. I will call you as soon as she wakes up." The doctor tells Harry.