A/N: I actually…really like this request. It combines something from The Mentalist (an awesome T.V. show) with Austin & Ally. It's kinda sad though. This is the time I'm trying to write in 3rd person focusing on Ally..that'll be a new experience, I mostly focus on Austin.
Request Prompt: When Ally's dad is hospitalized, Austin shows her he truly is her knight in shining armor. Can it use the quote "You are safe, you are loved, and you are wise" from Charlotte Jane?
Disclaimer: I own the clothes on my back. That's it.
She's not quite sure if this is real. One moment, she's counting the cash in the register, the next, she can hear screams. Screams piercing into her ears, leaving the memory of them ringing in her head, screams she knows she'll never forget. Her dad is on the ground, a hand to his chest, and another hand gripping hers. She grabbed her phone to call 911, but it took them nearly an hour to get there.
And that brings her back to where she is now, in the hospital, hearing the rushing of carts, the crying of people, and the beeping of machines. She doesn't want to cry, but she can't bring herself to be strong. The ringing of her phone disrupts her thoughts, and maybe that's a good thing.
"Hello?" Ally answers, voice cracking.
"….Ally? What's wrong?" Austin said.
"My dad…had a heart attack. I'm at Miami County Hospital.."
"I'll be there in 5 minutes."
"Wait, Austin-"
All she heard was the click and the dial tone. She sighed. He wasn't going to leave her alone, anyway. She knew better than that. A smile played at her lips for the first time since last night. Austin.
He showed up at the hospital in seven minutes, which in his defense, is record time. He quickly found her, and sat beside her in the waiting area. "Are you okay? What happened?"
She sighed. Should've known people would ask, she thought.
"I…I don't know. I was counting the register, and he just started screaming, and.."
"Shh, it's okay. It's okay Als."
He wrapped an arm around her and pulled her into his chest. She gripped onto the part of his jacket that wasn't zipped.
"When's the last time you slept?" Austin said, running a hand through her hair.
"Two nights ago," she admitted, biting her lip.
"You need some rest, Als."
"Here?"
"Well, where else would you?"
She sighed. He was right. She was exhausted. Still, she doubted she could go to sleep with so much on her mind. She repositioned herself, head still on his chest.
"Deep in the meadow, under the willow, a bed of grass, a soft green pillow.." Austin sang quietly, then began to hum. Her eyes stirred, and shut. She tightened her grip on his jacket, and he smiled.
She fluttered her eyelids open, waiting for her vision to clear. A part of her forgot where she was, what had happened. Unfortunately, that didn't last long. She stretched, and sat up to find she was sleeping in Austin's lap.
"Hey, sleeping beauty," he said, smiling. She looked up at him, a blush on her face. Had she really slept on his lap?
"How long did I sleep?" she asked, sitting up.
"About an hour. I expected you to sleep longer," he muttered.
"Have you heard-"
"I'm sorry, I haven't," he replied. He already knew what she was going to ask. Better to spare her saying it.
She sighed. A thousand people in this hospital, so many questions, and not one answer or someone to help her. She wasn't allowed to go back there. They said she was "too young". All she wanted was to see her Dad and go home. A tear ran down her face, but she wiped it off. She couldn't break down. She wouldn't.
"Hey, how about we go to the hospital cafeteria?" Austin perked up.
"But…"
"Ally, you haven't eaten in what, 2 days?"
She nodded.
"Then we're going, come on," he said, as he grabbed her hand.
She poked at her jello with her spoon. It jiggled. She gave a slight smile, and looked up at Austin.
"You don't have to stay with me, you know. I can handle it on my own," she muttered, knowing he was supposed to be hanging out with Dez today.
"I know." he said, taking a bite out of his burger.
She finally dipped her spoon into the jello. It tasted like artificial sugar. She grabbed a napkin and spit it out.
He laughed.
"Besides. I couldn't live with myself if I left you here alone," he said.
"Thanks Austin, that's really sweet."
Austin shrugged. "Now, how about we get you some food that doesn't taste like how Dez smells?"
She nodded, and let him - just this once - escort her to the vending machines.
She ended up getting a Nutty Buddy, and he got a pack of Donuts.
"You just ate corndogs, why do you need donuts?" she asked, returning to their seat in the waiting area.
"Why not?" was the only answer she was given.
The stir of the hospital annoyed her. It was full of attendees with fake smiles, and it smelled like a large bathroom. Better than smelling of death, she thought.
They sat in silence for awhile. She felt guilty. It was her problem, and now he has to suffer with her. As much as she wanted him here, she really wished he would've just hung out with Dez. He wouldn't have had to stay here with her. Or see her this way.
"Miss Dawson?" a nurse said, a fake smile on her face, like the rest of them.
"Yes?" she said, sitting up. Austin took his arm off of her.
"Your father went into cardiac arrest last night - he's conscience now. As of now, his condition remains stable."
"When can I see him?"
Her smile faltered. Ally shifted uneasily.
"Sweetie, I would love for you to see him, but the area is restricted to those over eighteen. Those are the rules," she said, the smile still on her face. Ally wanted to slap it off. "For the mean time, you should go home. Get some rest. We'll call you if anything changes."
With that, the nurse was gone.
"Do you have anywhere to go?" Austin said, tracing circles over her knuckles with his thumb.
"My mom gets back from her business trip in a week," Ally said, blinking back tears.
"You're staying with me."
She didn't protest. She stood up, and when he offered her his hand, she took it. He put her under his arm, and they walked out the hospital doors together.
He started humming the lullaby again. She just hummed along.
He slipped into the door quietly, checking his watch.
"It's 2:30, Austin." she said. "Are you sure your parents are okay with me staying?"
"I already checked. They get off work in about three hours. We're alone 'til then," he replied.
She walked up the stairs to his room.
"Austin?" she asked, quietly.
"Yeah?"
"Can I take a shower?"
"Sure. The bathroom's down the hall on the left side."
"Thanks."
"Hey, Ally?"
"Yes?"
"We'll get through this. Together," he said, squeezing her hand lightly.
She nodded.
A/N: Is it sad that my heart kinda broke just writing that? It's so sad for me. Probably just because I can relate to it.
Anyway, leave a review and tell me if I should continue, how to improve, if you liked it, and such.
Much love,
~Rebel