Disclaimer: Please refer to chapter one.

A/N: I was so nervous about posting this chapter, I hope you enjoy it. And as always, thanks to Sylvie.



WHITE ROOM

=== Day Three: Orchid, Beauty, and Apology===


The lift wasn't white. Whoever had made the color arrangements for this building had lost their mind. The lift was blue. The walls, the ceiling, the floor were all blue and I couldn't help but think I was inside of a fish tank. The small rectangle room was empty, except from me and the white orchids in my hand.

The orchids were handpicked; I inspected the flowers, the leaves and soil in the pot myself. The flowers had to be young, so they could bloom in time and cherish the woman who would receive it. The leaves had to be all green, no chance to wilt under the Nevada heat. The soil had to be rich, fertile and new so when she brought the plant home, it would take a long time before she needed to replace it.

The door spread open with a ding and I walked out. It was like being transferred from an ocean to white fluffy clouds. Blue lift and stark white corridor, ocean and clouds, me and orchid, Sara and smile; how appropriate.

"I want a shirt!" She exclaimed as I pushed the door to room 304 open. Her voice was weak and coarse because the desert heat managed to abrade her esophagus wall.

"Good morning to you too, my dear," I put the plant on a bedside table before giving her a kiss.

"Morning," Her greeting was mumbled by my lips, her lips still felt parched but I still loved to taste them. Her gaze averted to the plant. "Another plant, Gil?" she cocked an eyebrow and pursed her lips. "Have I threatened to leave the lab again?"

I grabbed her lightly and kissed her again. "Heavily injured and still a tease."

Sara's chuckle energized the whole room. I could swear that the soft petals of Coelogyne flexuosa Rolfe came to life as they were luckily caressed by her fingertips.

"It's beautiful, thank you." Her voice cracked, I didn't know if it was because of her sore throat or simply because she was happy. I was just glad to see her eyes sparkle with joy.

"So are you sweetheart." I mimicked her move on the petal, caressing her palm. "Thank you."

She shied away, she always did. Flattery was rare in her life, that's why I tried to keep it coming steadily.

"I need a shirt." Sara tugged at the edge of the hospital gown, distracting me. "This thing is… ugly and uncomfortable. I don't know how many nurses I have flashed at."

I smiled; I had my time with the gown too. I didn't blame her. "Do you want to use mine?" I gestured to my backpack, lying in the corner.

"Please. Find me a button down one, it's easier to wear."

"You know what? I think I have something perfect for you." I dug inside the backpack and lifted the one she "loved" the most; a blue Hawaiian shirt. "Button down, 100% cotton, and has been proved to be comfy."

She groaned and I laughed. She hated the shirt right from the first day I bought it. It was a reminder of our first holiday together as a couple; a chaotic holiday due to bad weather forecasting and a leaking roof on a beach cottage.

"Find me something else please."

"Just Polos and my windbreaker," I dug deeper to convince her.

"Fine," She huffed, "Help me put that hideous thing on."

With a smile, I carefully took of the gown off first, glancing at her body every so often. The skin on her back was red, blistering just like most other part of her body. I moved closer and gave it a kiss on her shoulder.

"It must be painful," I whispered, as I brushed my fingers softly on her back.

"Just uncomfortable, the gel helps a lot." She gestured at a tube over the counter.

"Let's apply it again," I reached for the tube and squeezed out a generous amount of its content onto my palm. Sara lifted the white blanket to cover her bare chest while I was applying the ointment on her back.

The skin looked like it was angry, red and scorched in some parts. I moved from her shoulder downward; gently rubbing two fingers against her skin.

She flinched when I reached her shoulder blade.

"Sorry," I stopped. My fingers halted in mid air, the ointment still on my palm.

"It's okay," she leaned forward, "Just be careful, more gel less rubbing."

"I'm so sorry Sara."

She looked over her shoulder; the corner of her eyes met my eyes. She knew what I was apologizing for. "Gil…"

"I'm sorry; I shouldn't have let her take you. I should have found you sooner. I….I… I'm sorry" It had been so long since words had failed me. Why couldn't I ever grab the chance to say something right to her? Why couldn't I ever tell her what I felt deep inside?

The blanket twisted around her body when she turned to me. The brown eyes burrowed deep into mine. "Not your fault."

"It is my…," The words halted in my mouth as she pressed a slender fingers over my lips.

"I said it's not your fault." She turned again, her angry red skin glaring at me. "Just apply the gel, please."

I did as I was told, giving extra smoothness to my touch. When I was done with her back, I moved to the front. I was lifting my fingers over her chest when she smiled.

"Nice try Bugman," She dipped her fingers into the dollop on my palm and started applying it to her chest slightly above the blanket that was covering her breasts.

"What? I was going for the arm." I cocked an eyebrow, a teasing smile tugging at my lips.

"Really?" she winked at me. "My bad. And there I thought you just wanted to grope me."

I started to rub the gel against her bare arm, the sunburn was worst in this part. "Come on, I'm not that low."

She chuckled, the throaty sound music to my ears and my guilt abated a little.

"Prove it," She lowered the blanket and started rubbing her breasts. I sighed and averted my attention to the task in hand; trying my best to ignore where her hand was lying.

"You don't believe my sincerity?" I believed that the blush spreading on my face had betrayed me.

She smirked; dipping her fingers to the ointment again. "Do my ugly toes and I'll believe you."

I made no comment at her challenge, but moved to the counter instead. The tube was half empty by now; I would have to ask the doctor to give me another prescription for this cortisone gel. I squeezed the ointment onto my palm and moved about her feet.

Sara was always shy about her toes, kept saying that they were ugly. Sometimes, in the throes of passion, I would move from her thighs to her feet, grazing her beautiful legs with kisses. Whenever I moved closer to her toes, she would flinch and squirm; threatening to stop our lovemaking.

It was no different this time. As I started to rub her foot, she flinched.

"Gil, I was only joking."

"Hmmm," I ignored her as I concentrated all my attention to applying the ointment on her left foot.

"Giiil…" She retracted her foot but I held it in place.

"Gil, okay, okay, I believe you." She pursed her lips. "You're not a groping boyfriend." She emphasized.

I ignored her as I covered each of her toes with the cold ointment. She had leather boots on in the dessert. The material had bitten into her skin, causing severe blisters on her toes.

"Giiil," She squirmed.

"I love you Sara, every inch of you." I finished the job and sat beside her. She shied away, averting her gaze to the forgotten orchid. "From head to toe." I cupped her chin, gently forcing her to look at me.

"Now, can I help you apply this sticky thing onto your stomach?" I gestured to her midsection. "I swear I won't be groping around."

She playfully punched me as I laughed and rose to pick up the Hawaiian shirt.

She finished applying the gel onto her stomach in the same time I managed to maneuver the shirt over the IV pole. I helped her slip the sleeve over her cast and buttoned the shirt and soon she was clad in a piece of cloth she had sworn never to wear.

I chuckled; the shirt was so loose on her slim body. The sleeves hung down low on her arms.

She sighed, "I can't believe I'm saying this but this thing is truly comfortable."

"Told you," I smiled, "I'll bring the straw hat next. I bet you'll be awfully cute in it."

"Ewww, please not the hat."

I laughed and lied down beside her. She leaned back onto me as I carefully wrapped my arm around her shoulder. "Sleep, now."

She complied. Soon her eyes closed and her breathing evened out and she lay there as beautiful as ever; just like the orchid perched on the table.

"I'm so sorry, Sara. I'm so sorry" I whispered the words before letting sleep overcame me.

End of chapter two


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