"I need help." She said to the space in general, her hand pressed tight against her ribs. Her sudden appearance in the ER caught the attention of Abby, Pratt and Morris who were all nearby, but most importantly: Gates.
"Sam!" The young doctor ran forward to her as the three Residents also hurried over to help their friend.
"Tony." Sam's voice was wavering but she threw her arms around him, burying her face in his neck. Tony wrapped her in a secure embrace, but released her when she moaned in pain.
"What's wrong?" He asked quickly as Abby, Greg and Morris gathered around her.
"My ribs." Sam told them, touching her side again. "Probably just bruised a bit."
"Sam – your hands!" Gates exclaimed, holding her arm carefully to examine her palm.
"What happened Sam?" Greg asked as Abby laid a hand on her friend's shoulder.
"Steve." She said quietly.
"Let's get you to a bed." Pratt suggested, guiding the nurse down the corridor. Tony kept his arm around Sam as they walked. Archie and Abby exchanged a knowing look behind them.
"I'll let Jerry know you're back; he can notify the cops." Morris announced, and headed back to the front desk.
Tony and Greg helped Sam into the bed in exam 3 and Abby started to check her over. It was only now that Tony noticed the rips in Sam's shirt, how low her jeans sat on her hips, and the bruises visible on her throat and around her collarbone. There were marks down her cheeks which indicated that she had been crying, and splatters of blood on her top, most likely from having her hand pressed against her painful side. Her eyes were red and her face pale; she looked a mess. Tony had never seen her like this, and it scared him.
Chuny came in at that point and began removing the shards of glass from Sam's palms, cleaned the wounds and bandaged them. Sam smiled at her gratefully. Tony remained by her side throughout, watching her to make sure she was okay. Once she was done checking her ribs – which were bruised but not broken – Abby met Greg's eyes. Greg nodded slightly in understanding before suggesting to Gates that the two men give Sam some privacy to get changed.
Reluctant to leave her, Tony only allowed Greg to lead him out of exam 3 after Sam had requested a decent cup of coffee. Alone now with her patient, colleague, and friend, Abby wheeled the stool to Sam's bedside and sat down.
After a moment, Sam met her gaze. Abby could plainly see the hurt and vulnerability in her eyes, and the tears threatening to spill, so she reached out and gently took Sam's hand. Knowing that she would tell her in her own time, Abby remained silent. Eventually, Sam spoke.
"Steve... he... he raped me." Sam's voice was quiet as she blinked back tears as the memories returned. With her free hand Sam wiped a stray tear from her cheek before continuing. "He said he... he would rather we were both dead than... be apart and all screwed up." She suppressed a sob. "He pointed his gun at me... I thought he was going to kill me!" At this, Abby stood up quickly and pulled Sam into a hug. She simply held her as she cried.
Tony stood outside exam 3, his heart breaking at the scene unfolding before him. The sight of Sam sobbing into Abby's shoulder was one that twisted in his gut. He and Sam might not have been exactly serious, but he realised now just how much she meant to him, and how it pained him to see her like this. Wanting more than anything to march straight in there and hold her in his arms, Greg had to hold onto his shoulder to stop him.
"She just needs some space." Pratt assured his friend quietly. "After everything she's been through, she's gonna find it difficult to trust people straight away."
"People?"
"Well... you know..." Greg trailed off. Tony shot him a confused look.
"I know you and Sam are..." He raised his eyebrows with a smile.
"Oh." Tony looked back through the window again, slightly embarrassed.
"Just give her some time Gates." Pratt advised. They stood there together for a moment and watched as Abby released Sam and the two women sat back down in their respective places. Abby said something to her, to which Sam nodded in response, and then the doctor stood up and exited the room.
"She wants to see you." Abby told Gates, stepping aside to let him in. Nothing else needed to be said, they were doctors; they all recognised the signs.
Tony hurried into the room and over to the bed.
"Hey." Sam said softly, but she smiled as he sat down in the seat Abby had vacated.
"Hey." He replied. Tony reached out a hand gingerly and was pleased when she took it. He squeezed her fingers gently and rubbed light circles over her palm through the bandage.
After a minute Tony spoke, but his focus was fixed on Sam's hand in his larger one, resting on the edge of the bed.
"Do you wanna talk about it?"
"Not just yet." Sam responded. "I don't think I..." Tony looked up at her.
"That's okay. Whenever you're ready, I'm here, okay?" Sam nodded.
"Thank you." She whispered. Feeling more tears forming Sam squeezed his hand. "Tony..."
Tony leant in closer to her and brushed a strand of her brown hair away from her eyes. His lips hovered above hers. He paused, not wanting to do anything she wasn't ready for.
Sam could see the look of care, affection and love in his eyes. She closed the gap between them, pressing her lips against his in a sweet kiss.
As the door swung closed behind Tony, Abby turned to Greg. "Do you think she'll be okay?"
"Yeah." He answered, folding his arms as he met her eyes. "Like Jerry said, Sam's a tough cookie, she'll be fine."
"And what about them?" They both turned to regard the couple again.
"Gates is a good kid, he'll look after her." Greg said. The two Residents could help but smile as they watched their friends' embrace.
