A/N: I will slowly be uploading a slightly different version of this story from the one found on my Live Journal Page. I plan on adding a few deleted scenes and maybe extending some others. PLEASE LEAVE A REVIEW IF YOU ENJOY MY STORY, or if you don't. I really appreciate feedback.
Disclaimer: Primeval and its characters belong to Impossible Pictures. No copyright infringement is intended.
Chapter 1: Sleeping Beauty
"What do you mean, 'It's psychological'?" Connor growled at the doctor.
Danny put a restraining hand on his shoulder, but Connor shook it off.
"I mean that there is nothing medically wrong with her, nothing at all. We've run every test, scanned everything. Her brain is functioning in a completely normal way," the doctor explained.
"Then why won't she wake up?" He was still angry. He was confused, scared and angry.
"As I said, I think it's psychological. It's as if she really is just sleeping. It must be a form of catatonia. Her responses are like those of a heavily sleeping child. If you try to rouse them, they'll sit up and move, but they won't open their eyes, there is no verbal response. No substantial reaction of any kind. I'm going to recommend that she's moved to a psychiatric facility."
Connor looked up sharply at the doctor, a look of horror on his face. Then, his expression became calculating. "There's nothing medically wrong with her?"
"No, nothing medical." The doctor looked at him strangely.
"Then I want to take her home."
"That would not be advisable. You're not set up to take care of her at home."
"Then I'll get it set up. Whatever it takes, but I'm not shutting her in some 'facility' with people who don't really care."
"Connor, I think you should listen to the good doctor on this one," Danny cautioned.
"No, damn it! I'm taking her home." Connor looked back to the doctor. "Just tell me what I need."
The doctor agreed to keep Abby in the hospital while Connor arranged for her home care. Connor had argued with Danny over this, but eventually Danny had given in and agreed to help in any way possible. Connor had sent him off to talk to Lester for him.
It took Connor a week to make all the arrangements and, he assumed, a lot of string-pulling on Lester's part. The nurses were kind enough to spend time coaching Connor in how to take care of Abby and each day that she remained in hospital he learned something new and useful.
Lester had allowed him to take a leave of absence provided he worked from home as much as possible. Connor had also promised to come in at least once a week to service the ADD. That conversation had gone a long way to securing Lester's eventual agreement to keep paying Connor his full salary. God knows he was going to need the money.
The hospital staff insisted on Abby being in a wheelchair as they made their way out of the hospital to her waiting mini that Connor was now driving. Once they were through the outer doors though, he picked her up and carried her the remaining distance to the car. She looked so fragile as he laid her down in the partially reclined passenger seat.
"Once again, I must advise against this course of action. You do not know how to deal with this situation, Mr. Temple," the doctor cautioned, as Connor buckled Abby into her seat.
"Stop," Connor said rather forcefully as he held his hand up. "This is my best friend, the only one I've got. She's locked herself away in her own mind. She's not talking to anyone. So, she won't be talking to anyone in a mental institution either. I can make her much more comfortable at our flat than in some sterile environment. I've done everything you told me to do, so unless you have anymore constructive advice, there's nothing more to be said."
"If she wakes up, call a doctor immediately. Hell, call me. I'm just trying to help."
Connor dropped his hostile stare. "Thank you, doctor; I'm just a bit stressed. I know you're trying to help. I'll call someone if anything changes, I promise." Connor walked around the car, got in the driver's seat, started the engine and, without a backward glance, drove away from the hospital.
He looked over at Abby's unmoving form. "Don't worry, Abby, we're going home and everything is going to be just fine. Rex, Sid and Nancy can't wait to see you. I've kept an eye on them for the last couple of weeks. Even followed your rules with Rex. He might be a bit cross with me because I haven't sneaked him any treats. Not one. Not since, not since… not since that last anomaly…" his voice faltered. "Anyway, I've got everything set up for your return. I can't wait for you to wake up, Abby. Abby, could you just try to open your eyes for me, mate?" He reached over and touched her cheek.
"You have the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen." A tear slipped down his cheek. He turned his attention back to the road. God, if only she could tell me what had happened on the other side of that anomaly. All he knew was what he had seen when he'd found her.
He shuddered at the memory.