Disclaimer: I don't Disney or anything related to it. I also don't own the country group Rascal Flatts or anything related to them either. I really enjoy their music. And I don't own anything related to CMTP (Country Music Television Pure) either.
I own squat. :D
Author's Note: Welcome to my second chapter of this story. I know my last chapter had kind of a cliffhanger. My first major cliffhanger, actually. At first I didn't think I would, but then I decided to go through with it. Pretty rotten of me, eh. ;) If you know me by now, then you know this will have a happy ending. I hope you enjoy the second chapter. No flames,
please. And please read and review.
Squad Unit 19, over and out!
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DOWN TIME
Minnie didn't like hospitals. They were cold, smelled weird, and the reason for being in them was never good. Besides that,
they seemed to have a eery feel about them. She didn't like them before, and now that Mickey was in there, she hated them. What she wouldn't give to have her sweetheart walk through that door right then, take her in his loving arms, and caress all the worry and fear away. She already missed him. She kept pushing the "What if" thoughts from her mind. Though she had strong faith that Mickey would be all right, the thoughts of the worst kept trying to plague her mind. She kept pushing those horrid thoughts out of her head. She continued to hope and pray the whole time. Minnie folded her hands and looked up to the ceiling of the waiting room.
"God, please let Mickey be all right. Please let him be okay. Please let him make it through this. Please, Lord, please let Mickey be all right."
Though her prayer fell on deaf ears to anyone in and around the waiting room, she did feel a little better, for she knew she had been heard. She knew Mickey was being watched over. She's never doubted that. She had strong faith and belief. She knew that Mickey was in good hands. This helped her to relax a little. She decided to try and get her mind off of it a little.
She glanced up to the TV. It was on a news channel. A blond, female news reporter was on.
"And most of the homes in the area has been evacuated due to the smoke as the wildfires continue to burn the surrounding areas here in California. More evacuations may be done as the..." Minnie blocked the rest out as she got up and went over the TV. Pulling a chair under it so she could reach, she got up in it to change the channel.
"In other news, gas prices have reached five dollars and twelve cents a gallon. Residents are..." Click. She changed it. She changed it to CMTP. She jumped down from the chair, slid it back from where she got it, then went back over to her previous seat and sat down. She just glanced at the screen to see the last video just going off. The next video started.
It was What Hurts The Most by Rascal Flatts. The irony was uncanny. Two star crossed kids, both deep in love, the guy was killed in a car crash, and the girl was left to deal with it.
Here Mickey and Minnie were. Two star crossed kids, both deep in love, he was involved in a car crash, and here she is waiting in the hospital for word on his condition. She hoped and prayed that this night didn't end like the video. Her eyes were fixated on the screen as she watched the video. Her ears picked up every word of the lyrics. Every word tugged at her heart, which was already fragile due to the nights prior events. Every word, every scene brought her closer to tears. Just a little way into the video, tears began to fill her brown eyes again. By the time the video ended, she was crying.
Minnie just wanted to throw her arms around Mickey, hold him tight, tell him how much she loves him, and never let go. The door to the waiting room started to open. She quickly attempted to pull herself together. She wiped her eyes and cheeks as she turned to the door. It was the doctor. Her heart paused. She knew he was there for her. She was the only person in this waiting room. Her whole world paused as it waited for the answer to the question she wanted and needed so desperately to know. She immediately stood up.
"Miss, Mouse," he said.
"How is he?" she asked. She didn't try to hide the worry and shakiness in her voice. That was the only thing her heart wanted and needed to know right now. Her whole world stopped as it hung on to those words. Whether her life and everything with it would shatter, or whether it would be all right and all the pieces would remain together, clung to those words.
"He's fine." Her prayers had been answered.
Minnie's heart began beating again at those wonderful words. She let out a long held in breath of relief as a smile came to her face. Her entire world and everything in it was still together. No pieces was missing. She still had her reason to live.
"Your boyfriend was very lucky. He'll be sore for a while, but he'll be fine."
Minnie then asked the next question she desperately wanted to know.
"Can I see him?"
"Sure. We moved him to a private room. Take the elevator to the third floor. He's in room 531. I have to check on the x-rays, so I'll be by later."
"Thank you." With that said, Minnie made her way through the hall, to the elevator, up to the third floor, and finally to room 531. But for her, the trek took too long. The time didn't seem to pass by fast enough until she could see her love,
and be with him again. As she rode the elevator, she put her hands together, and looked up to the roof of the elevator, and smiled.
"God, thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you with all my heart. Thank you, Lord," she smiled. Just then, the doors opened. She walked out of the elevator with a fast pace. She walked down the hall until she found room 531. She took a deep breath. She didn't know what his condition was. But she didn't care how banged up he was. She had to see him. She opened the door to his room.
There he sat, on the bed, in a light blue hospital gown. Minnie walked closer to his bed. As she approached, she noticed a bandage wrapped around the cut he had earlier. His eyes were closed. She instinctively looked up to the machine that was monitoring his heart rate, breathing and oxygen. Everything appeared normal. The beeping from it could be heard. She walked over to the side of his bed and sat down on the edge of it. As the bed shifted from her weight, Mickey slowly opened his eyes.
"Hi, Minnie," he smiled softly, with that warm, kind, boyish nature that always charms her.
Minnie smiled even bigger at the sight of his eyes and the sound of his voice.
"Oh, Mickey!" she wailed as she leaned closer and wrapped her arms around him. He wrapped his arms around her. Tears of joy began to fall from her eyes. Nothing soothed the pain, worry and fear in her heart like embracing her true love and feeling him embrace her back. She began to shake a little from crying. He gently began rubbing her back to relax her.
"Oh, Mickey. I'm so glad to see you. I was so worried. I was so afraid I was gonna lose you," she uttered as she held him, resting her head on his shoulder.
"You didn't lose me, Minnie. I'm right here. It's okay," he said warmly. Minnie pulled back a little to meet his gaze. He cupped her cheek delicately in his hand. He wiped away a tear that started to fall. She couldn't help but smile. His warm smile always was contiguous. She's already began to relax. She's not crying as much anymore.
"It's okay. You don't have to worry. I'm fine," he smiled. Minnie smiles back. She leans down and presses her lips to his. A few seconds later, she pulled back to meet his smile. She begins to softly stroke his shoulder.
"I'm so glad you're okay, Mickey. I can't imagine life without you. The thought of it scares me. I need you. I love you, Mickey Mouse," Minnie smiled lovingly.
"I love you, too, Minnie. I need you, too. I can't imagine life without you, either," Mickey smiled back. She kisses him lightly on his forehead. She moves her hand to his head and gently begins to stroke the top of his head.
"You just lie here and rest, baby. I'll be right here beside you. If you need me, I'll be right here. I'm not leaving your side," she smiled softly.
"Thanks, doll," he smiled back, still rubbing her back. He leans up and kisses her on her lips. He pulls back after a few seconds to meet her warm and loving brown eyes. Minnie sits up on the side of his bed as she takes his hand into hers and begins gently rubbing the top of it with her thumb. She's stopped crying now.
"How do ya feel?" she asked with a hopeful and curious tone.
"I'm a little sore, but I'll be fine. Nothin' some rest won't take care of," he smiled.
"What happened out there, Mickey? I heard a loud crash, and then you scream. It made my heart sink into my stomach. I was so worried. What happened?" Minnie asked curiously.
Mickey thinks for a moment as he recalls the events that transpired.
"I was talking to you. I pulled up to this truck that was pulled onto the opposite the side of the road. It was facing the wrong way down the road. There were some flares on the road, so I slowed down. As I got close, it quickly went into reverse and slammed into me. I tried to avoid it, but he was moving too fast. By the time I jerked the car over he was lined up for a hit."
"Sounds to me like they wanted to hit you," Minnie said, a little shocked and curious, but also angry at the driver of the truck.
"I know they did. I saw who it was."
"Who?"
"Pete."
"Pete?!"
"I saw 'em just before he hit me. After the impact, I opened my eyes and saw him in the driver's seat. He smirked as he drove off. He musta thought he done me in. Luckily he didn't get a closer look."
"I'm glad he didn't."
"Then I heard your voice, Minnie. I tried to get the phone, but it was knocked in the floorboard at my feet. I must've blacked out, 'cause the next thing I know, you woke me. You gave me the strength to hold on."
"Oh, Mickey," she uttered, leaning down closer to him, raising her hand to his head and strokes it gently.
"You give me the strength to hold on, too," she smiled. She kisses his forehead lightly.
Mickey and Minnie share a loving smile with one another. Just then, the doctor walks in. She sits up on the bed as he does.
"Hello, Mister Mouse. How are we feeling?"
"A little sore," Mickey replied.
"I've checked your results." This gets Mickey's and Minnie's attention.
"You're a very lucky young man. I've seen people come in here that's been in crashes not even as bad as yours, and they've been in worse condition. Apart from some minor internal bruising around your ribs, some minor external cuts and a few bruises, you're fine. You will be quite sore for about a week, but you'll be okay."
This sends a major relief through the young mice.
"I've also checked your x-rays, and are happy to say that you have nothing broken. There are no internal injuries, no trauma. Just some soreness, minor bruising, and a few cuts. But we will be keeping you over night, just to be sure. If everythings all right, you can go home tomorrow."
"Thank you," the mice said in unison. The docor leaves out of the room. Minnie turns back to Mickey.
"Are you sure you feel okay?" she asked, concern clear in her voice.
"Yeah, I'm alright. Just sore. But that'll go away after a few days," he smiled. Minnie smiles affectionately and slyly as she leans down closer to him.
"Don't worry, Mickey. I'll take care of you. I'll help you get better. I'll be right here beside you," she smiled.
"That's one good thing to come outta this," he grinned. Minnie chuckles as she leans down and kisses his cheek.
"Thanks, sugar," he smiled.
"You're welcome, baby doll," she smiled back.
"How do you feel?" Mickey asked. Minnie softly strokes the top of his head as she speaks.
"I feel better, now that I know you're safe," she smiled. Her smile fades as she continues.
"I was so worried, Mickey. When I heard the crash, when I heard you, when I saw you, it scared the heck outta me. The only thing I could think about was you. All I could think about was making sure you were okay." She leans down closer to him, moves her hand to his his cheek and begins to stroke it tenderly as her smile returns. Tears begin to form in her eyes again. Mickey places his hand on her cheek and softly strokes it.
"It's okay, Minnie. I'm alright. Don't cry. It's okay," he smiled softly. Minnie sniffs as she smiles at his warm words.
"You mean everything to me, Mickey. I couldn't make it without you. I need you. I love you so much," Minnie smiled softly,
stroking his cheek with her thumb, staring into his warm eyes.
"You mean everything to me, too, Minnie. I love you, too. I'll always be right here beside you. I could never leave you," Mickey smiled softly back.
Minnie's heart melts in her chest. Her crying ceases.
"And I'll always be right here beside you. I could never leave you, either," she smiled softly.
"I'm sorry I scared you," he said with a disheartened tone.
"That's okay. What matters to me is that you're alright," she smiled, kissing him lightly on his forehead. As she pulls back, she remembers something.
"Oh! I need to call Chief O'Hara and tell him about what happened."
"He may already know," Mickey said. Minnie gets off the bed as she walks the few feet to the phone on the table.
"Maybe. But I'll call him anyway. I can tell him what you told me."
"You don't have to."
"I want to. Besides, he needs to know what happened so he can start looking for Pete. I don't want him to do this to you and get away with it, Mickey." Mickey couldn't help but smile. Minnie can be stubborn at times. But then, so could he. He does admire her. She's got a strong heart and a will to match.
Minnie dialed the number to the police station and sat down on the edge of the bed.
"Hello. Detective, Casey."
"Hello, Casey. This is Minnie."
"Hi, Minnie. How are ya?"
"I'm fine."
"I just heard about Mickey's accident. How is he?" Minnie looks down at Mickey with a smile.
"He's fine, thank goodness. Nothing's broken. He'll be sore for a while, though. But I'll be keeping an eye on him," she smiled warmly, giving Mickey a wink with her last sentence.
"That's a good idea," Casey chuckled.
"Is Chief O'Hara there?"
"'Fraid not. He left about seven minutes ago. He found out about Mickey bein' in the hospital, so he's on his way there. He should get there soon."
"All right. Thanks, Casey."
"No problem. Keep an eye on that boyfriend of yours," he chuckled.
"I will," she chuckled. "Talk to ya later, Casey."
"Later. Bye."
"Bye-bye." Minnie gets off the bed and hangs up the phone. She giggles a little as she does.
"What's so funny?" Mickey asked with a curious smile. Minnie sits back down on his bed.
"Casey told me to keep an eye on you," she giggled.
"That's Casey, all right," Mickey chuckled. She leans down closer to him.
"I WILL be keeping an eye on you. Not because someone told me to, but because I want to," she smiled lovingly and playfully. She kisses him playfully on his nose. She pulls back with a giggle.
"Casey said Chief O'Hara is on his way," she said.
"Okay," Mickey replied.
Mickey and Minnie continue to talk. Chief O'Hara arrives shortly. Mickey explains what happened to him.
"Well, at least you're alright, Mickey. Just take it easy tonight. Pete won't get away with this for long," he said.
"Thanks, Chief," Mickey replied.
"Just take it easy for tonight. Tomorrow, you can go home."
"Looking forward to that," Mickey chuckled.
"Oh, uh, Chief... I left my car out there at the crash site. I can't take Mickey home tomorrow without it," Minnie said.
"Already taken care of. It's waiting out in the parking lot. Another car is waiting for me. Here's your keys," O'Hara said,
handing Minnie the keys to her car.
"Thanks, Chief."
"I'll go and let you rest. Take it easy, Mickey. I'll see you tomorrow."
"See ya, Chief," Mickey and Minnie said in unison. O'Hara waves to the young mouse couple as he walks out. They wave back.
Minnie turns back to Mickey.
"Feelin' any better?" she asked with a smile.
"Yeah. I'm feelin' better. Still sore. But I'll get over it," he smiled.
"I'm so glad," she smiled, giving him a loving peck on his cheek. She gets up, and goes around to the other side of his bed where a small blue recliner is. She sits down in it and takes his hand into hers.
"At least you can go home tomorrow," she smiled comfortingly.
"I can't wait," he chuckled. She chuckles as well. Mickey sees Minnie sitting in the chair.
"Minnie, if you want to go home, you can. I'll be fine," he said. Minnie is a little surprised to hear this, but also touched. But her mind and heart are already made up.
"No way! I'm not going home and leave you here, Mickey. I couldn't sleep in my bed knowing you couldn't sleep in yours. I'm staying right here," she smiled with a firm tone.
"Are you sure?" he asked.
"I'm positive. I told you I'd be here by your side, and that's where I'm gonna stay. I don't mind. I want to," she smiled.
Mickey smiles at her her.
"I feel guilty, though."
"Don't be. You'd do the same for me."
"You know I would."
"I want to do this. I'm not leaving your side."
"Okay. Thanks, Minnie. That means a lot to me."
"You're welcome, Mickey. Anytime." Minnie leans closer and strokes his head gently.
"Now, you go ahead and get some rest. I'll be right here if you need me. If you need anything, don't hesitate to let me know, okay?"
"Okay. Thanks."
"You're welcome." Minnie leans over and kisses Mickey softly on his lips. She pulls back after a few seconds to meet his warm gaze.
"I'm really glad you're here with me, Minnie," he smiled.
"Oh, Mickey. I'm really glad I'm here with you, too," she smiled. She kisses his cheek.
"Good night, Mickey," she smiled softly.
"Good night, Minnie," he smiled back.
"I love you."
"I love you, too." They share one more good night kiss, then Minnie settles down in the recliner. She lays down facing her sweetheart. He lays with his face facing his sweetheart. They take each others hand as they settle down to sleep.
"Night," Mickey smiled.
"Night," Minnie smiled.
With smiles on their faces, and their hands intertwined, Mickey and Minnie doze off as sleep overtakes them. They're happy and content. They're still together. Just as they were before. Minnie still has her sweetheart, and Mickey still has his.
They still have each other. And they're both very thankful for that.
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Author's Note: Casey is a real character used in today's Disney comic books. He was first seen in this era in Mickey Mouse and Friends, November 258, released in 2003, to my knowledge. It was published by Gemstone Publishing. Sadly, these comics were cancelled in 2006, due to rising paper prices. But Walt Disney's Comics and Stories, and Walt Disney's Uncle Scrooge is still being released today. So, if you want to start your own Disney comic collection, now would be a good time to start. ;)
