Chapter 2

It had been eighteen hours since the tornadoes and the victim flow at the hospital had slowed to just a few per hour. He was tired and still unable to absorb the events that had happened mere hours ago. He kept thinking about Babe and her lying dead on the gurney. He had kissed her on the forehead but had to retreat back down to the ER to 'get his mind off it'. He couldn't keep thinking about her lifeless body, it hurt too much. With every thought of Babe came a thought of Amanda. Amanda. I can't stop thinking about her. Why the hell not, I keep asking myself! I don't even really know her. He hadn't see her since he left her room ten hours ago. He had promised her he would be back but he couldn't gather the courage to face her again. It would just bring up more thoughts of Babe and more hurt would come.

Amanda had finally come back from the test's the doctors ordered. How many pictures could it take to find out what is broken? You would think one picture would show it but I guess not! The orthopedist had said she would need surgery to pin the femur together in the next day or so but it would be good as new. The ribs would heal on their own and so would her collapsed lung over time. But surgery? Really? It wasn't that she was afraid to have the surgery, it was the fact that she was going through all this alone. First it was the tornadoes and then she found out Babe had died and now she was stuck in the hospital with no one and she was going to have surgery. She thought about Jake. I mean we were going out for awhile, maybe I could ask him to help me through this. No I can't do that! He is obsessed with Taylor and is probably with her right now! Thatwas the last thought of Jake she allowed herself to have and the next thought she had was of David. I wonder when David will be back? He said he would come by but it's been hours since he left. He probably realized what a nut job I am. There I go again making it about me when he just lost his daughter! No wonder he hasn't been back I probably remind him of his daughter, I am just a painful reminder. Just face it Mandy you are meant to be alone! She lay there thinking these thoughts as she waited out the next couple hours and prepared for the next couple of lonely days in this hospital.

David had finally gained enough courage to go into Amanda's room and check on her. She was surprised when he walked through her door not expecting him at all.

"I told you I would be back." He said forcing a smile on his face while he picked up her chart and trying to focus on her and not the thoughts that were going through his mind.

"I didn't think you would be back, I mean you didn't really have to come by. I know you have more important things to deal with." She said trying to keep away from eye contact.

"You mean Babe?" he replied as he struggled to force out that word without being choked up.

"I know it must be hard for you to still be here and to see me is probably just a painful reminder, so I understand if you just want to look over me and leave."

"No, I think it might help me to help you." He said seeing her face fall as she released the previous words.

"If you think it will help you, I'll do whatever you need me to." She said her face slightly perking up as she realized that maybe she would have someone there for her after all.

"You don't need to do anything but get well. I see you are having surgery on your leg in two days. It looks like Dr. Taglieri is going to put in a few pins in. You are lucky, a break like that can kill you if it severs the artery. It will take some time to heal but eventually you will be as good as new." David said trying to be at least a little reassuring.

"Yeah that's great I will be fine and my best friend is dead leaving her four year old motherless. It should have been me." Amanda said in anger as she began crying. David had moved in sitting next to her on the bed. He cupped her face with his hands and pulled her head up so that their eyes would meet.

"Don't ever wish yourself dead. What happened to Babe was a tragedy but it would be just as big a tragedy if you had died." He said all other thoughts lost to him as he saw this young woman wishing she had taken the place of her best friend. There was so much love in her eyes and lots of pain too. It was exactly how he felt and without even thinking he placed his lips on hers.

One minute she was wishing she could take Babe's place and the next David telling her she should never wish herself dead. The next was different, he was kissing her! She wanted to pull away thinking she didn't even really know this man and he was kissing her. It was her best friend's father and her doctor and it was wrong on so many levels but she just couldn't bring herself to pull away.

It only took a few seconds to register in his head that he had to stop and stop now! What the hell was he thinking! She was his patient and only twenty four and he was basically forcing himself on her. What the Hell David! You need to get a hold of yourself and stop this before it gets out of hand! You sick bastard. He quickly pulled back and removing his hands from her. "Oh my god, AmandaI am so sorry! I shouldn't have done that! I will leave now and dismiss myself from your case. I'll understand if you want to press charges but for now I am just going to leave you alone." He said so disappointed in his behavior that all he could do was apologize and get away from her hoping he didn't upset her too much.

I can't believe he just did that! David Hayward just kissed me and it wasn't sarcastic or demeaning. It was almost a comforting kiss. And I liked it! Amanda what the hell is going on with you?? She had no idea what had just happened except for the fact that David Hayward had just kissed her and she didn't mind. He was obviously upset and wasn't thinking clearly. I mean he is burying his daughter in two days! I doubt he was kissing me because he knew it was me but he was grieving and people do crazy things in grief.

David stood outside the door of Amanda's room lightly beating his head against the wall. He couldn't believe he had just done that. He was and always is professional around patients and he doesn't try making out with them when they are grieving and upset. He obviously needed more time to process Babe's death before he could see Amanda Dillion again otherwise he might do something even more ridiculous and lose his medical license.

Well now she really is alone. Insane mother, dead father, adopted brother who she is estranged and an ex who is obsessed with other woman and a dead best friend. There really is no one left that cares about her. The only person who remotely gives a shit is apparently David in his own twisted way. I mean he did come to see me again today at least in a professional way. At least he cares somewhat unlike anyone else.