"Sean sure thought you and I were an item." he said to Vic.
Outside the door to her hospital room Walt heard noises. He did not know how long he had been sitting by Vic's bedside, nor did he care. He'd left her when she was vulnerable too many times in the past, and he would not make that mistake again. If he's learned anything from working with Vic, it is that she's a good friend. As a matter of fact, Vic is a much better person than Walt is and that is part of what scares him.
Beneath her tough-girl persona, Vic has a heart of gold. Walt remembers how after Cady's auto accident, Vic sat with him by his daughter's bedside. Without saying anything Vic Moretti can be silent when she chooses to do so} Vic sat with Walt until his daughter awoke. He remembered the gentle way Vic put her hand on his shoulder—not in a sexual way, but instead a tender, nurturing way that brought him comfort in one of his darkest moments.
A young, overweight nurse put her head in the doorway.
"Sherriff, I need to take Vic's vitals. "He said
"Ok," Walt stood up and stretched. "Is there a coffee machine here?"
"Right down the hallway and to your left, "she said as she stuck a thermometer in Vic's mouth.
"Thanks."
Walt followed his nose down to the lounge and saw the coffee machine. Digging into his pants pockets, he found some change and made his selection. A glance at the wall clock told him that it was well past midnight.
He sipped the coffee and burnt his tongue
"Damn, "he cursed. He really needed a beer, but the hospital's no-alcohol policy precluded that request. His stomach rumbled, and he realized he had not eaten anything since a quick breakfast in the cabin early this morning.
He walked down past Vic's room until he found the nurses' station.
"Can I borrow someone's cell phone?" he asked the young nurse at the desk.
"Sure" He fished an IPhone from the pocket of his scrubs and handed it to Walt.
Walt dialed the number to The Red Pony
Henry answered on the third ring.
"Henry, it's Walt. I'm at the hospital with Vic. "
"How is she doing?" his best friend inquired.
"Stable but still unconscious. Listen, can you make me a burger and fries and have someone deliver it to me here?"
"I will do more than that. I will deliver the meal to you myself. What is Vic's hospital room number?"
Walt told him, and henry said he would be at the hospital with the food in an hour.
"Thanks, Henry, "Walt said.
Walt handed the phone back to the nurse and walked back to Vic's room. When he entered, Vic was alone in her hospital bed. The nurse had taken the bag of blood products and replaced it with a bag of clear saline solution.
"I see you got all the blood you need, "he said as he took Vic's hand in his own. It felt warmer. Her looked closer at her face and noticed that some pick had returned to her cheeks. Gently he touched her cheek and felt tears in his own eyes.
"You are beautiful, and I am sorry that I've not told you that until now. I've been a damn fool for not seeing that the person I love has been literally at my side for years. "