Disclaimer: I do not own anything to do with Emmerdale, it all belongs to ITV.
SO... feels good to be back writing again :) hopefully get some more reviews soon. I don't think the last chapter was one of my best, but I'm going to try and stick at it.
I try and listen to different songs to get the mood for the chapter, the song I'm listening to for this one is 'Losing your memory' by Ryan Star, you should check it out!
Remember Me...
Losing your memory
Emma gasped and Pete's mouth flopped open. This had to be one of Ross's wind ups, he had always been a joker! Any minute now he would crack up laughing leaving them both feeling like right idiots. Or maybe he was pretending, trying to get away from Pete's inevitable fury. Pete didn't know whether to laugh or go on a mad rampage.
Emma reached out a shaking hand to brush Ross's hair off his forehead. Ross recoiled as best he could lying in bed covered in tubes and wires, a look of wariness and confusion on his face. His eyes were vacant, they held no recognition. He really didn't know who they were.
"I think you'd better step outside" The doctor said, trying to usher Emma from the room as the beeping of Ross's heart monitor steadily increased, indicating he was beginning to panic.
Once outside in the corridor the doctor let out a sigh. "We've been running tests on him, but seeing as we didn't know his name it was hard to confirm whether he did have amnesia. He isn't the easiest patient to work with and he has been rather confused since he has woken up from the coma". Well that made sense, Ross hadn't always been the chattiest of people. "We'll now we at least have a starting point on where to begin on out tests, if you don't mind waiting in the waiting room Mrs Barton, we need to run a few tests. Can you confirm it is indeed your son?".
Emma was staring ahead and Pete wasn't quite sure she'd heard the doctor.
"Yes that's Ross" Pete answered for her. She was in shock, and so was Pete. His brother was alive, it was nothing short of a miracle.
Pete had led his mother into the waiting room, allowing the doctors to carry out some tests on Ross. She hadn't really said anything, just stared ahead of her at nothing. Pete wasn't sure what was going through his head, but he was worried for her state of mind.
He had rung his father and brother, revealing that it was indeed Ross in the hospital and that he was in a bad way. They were both on their way. Pete sat their uncomfortably, he should really go and see Debbie but he didn't want to leave his mother alone. That wasn't the only reason he stayed where he was, Pete was mulling things over in his mind.
Sure Ross wasn't dead, but in what condition was he in? Surely there would be an investigation into how Ross ended up in that condition, if Ross didn't remember and drop him in it anyway. Should he carry on pretending that nothing was wrong or should he just own up and get it all out in the open. Pete didn't know.
Seeing Ross in there looking so vulnerable and innocent, it had almost made Pete feel sorry for him. Almost. Although he felt guilty for what he had done to his younger brother, he hadn't quite forgiven him for what he had done. Deep down there was still a burning of anger. He still felt it when he saw Debbie, he still felt anger when he looked at her but after what he had done it felt wrong to let her suffer. She had been through a lot too after all. Pete couldn't bring himself to see Debbie yet, not until they had more knowledge on Ross's condition anyway. He didn't want to see her reaction. Would there be a reaction?
Pete was brought out of his musings by the arrival of his father and brother. Both were bright red in the face, wide eyed and had matching expressions of worry and concern.
"What happened? Where's Ross?" James questioned, Emma just shook her head and looked into her lap. Pete took a large gulp.
"They don't know what happened dad.. he had a bad head injury. They need to run tests on him" Pete answered for his mother who was silently crying.
James collapsed into the nearest chair, while Finn remained on his feet looking restless. Pete was aware of the close bond him and Ross had and it killed him to see Finn looking so distressed. He knew he felt guilty for all of the things that he had said to Ross on the morning of the wedding and he blamed himself for Ross going missing. Pete hated that he couldn't bring himself to ease his brothers guilt and admit the truth. Finn had screwed his face up to prevent the tears from falling.
"What tests? How bad is it?" Finn asked in a quite shaky voice. Pete could clearly see what was going through his brothers mind.
"It's bad kiddo, but it's not your fault Finn. It's not" Pete replied firmly, aching to just spill the truth but knowing the reaction he would receive.
Finn said nothing, but took off his glasses to wipe the steam off that had formed on the lenses. It was just as well, because he missed the dirty look that Emma through his way. She may not have admitted it deep down but Pete was sure a small part of her blamed Finn.
Finn collapsed into the seat next to Pete. Pete immediately wrapped a comforting arm around his shoulders and gave them a squeeze. Finn had been through such a hard time lately, with Val and now Ross. Val had been like a mother to him and her sudden demise and took it out of the younger man. She had been there for him and had even helped him find his mother when no one else would, she had treated him like one of her own. It was then that Pete realised that due to his guilt over Ross he probably hadn't been there for Finn as much as he should have been. He could have kicked himself. Pete vowed to himself that he would never let his brothers down again, he would protect them and be there for them as best he could. He would redeem himself. He would work as best he could to forgive Ross and Debbie for there deceit, as hard as it was he had to do it. He just hoped Ross would forgive him, if he even knew who he was.
Pete didn't know how long they had sat there waiting for news. His mother and father had bought them coffee and snacks from the vending machine on several occasions. Finn had curled up in his chair and had fell asleep with his head on his brothers shoulders. He looked exhausted and thinner than usual, he had been through so much in his short life. He was such a good person, so much better than Pete, it really wasn't fair.
It seemed like years before the doctor finally stepped into the waiting room, his face grave. Emma and James leapt to their feet and Pete shook Finn awake. All of them looked towards the doctor with wide concerned eyes.
It was a different doctor than earlier. He looked to be in his early fifties, he wore a crisp white shirt and neat black tie. He ran his hand through his thinning brown hair which was pepper with grey. He had announced this news many times in his long career, but that never made it any easier.
"My son, Ross Barton, how is he?" James asked, fear creeping into his voice.
"Mr Barton, Mrs Barton" The doctor said in acknowledgement, "My name is Doctor Lewis and I am the Doctor who is currently looking after your son". The doctor took a quick flick through the papers on his clip board before he addressed the concerned parents.
"Your son received a rather nasty head injury, due to this he is currently suffering from a condition called retrograde amnesia. He is unable to recall memories from before the amnesia. Although he does remember some general knowledge and facts, he currently has little to no memories".
Pete felt like all the air had left him. His mother and father exchanged looks of alarm and Finn put his head in his hands, his shaking shoulders indicating he was crying silently.
"What does that mean.. What?" James stuttered, unable to comprehend what the doctor was telling him.
"Mr Barton, I'm afraid your son has lost his memory. For most cases this is only temporary, and they begin to regain the lost memories over time. Older memories are more easier to recall than newer ones, as they are more deeply encoded in the brain. He may regain his latest memories, however its too soon to know for sure. I'm sorry". The doctor looked on sympathetically. "We are currently treating the head injury, however where the memories are concerned there isn't a lot we can do". The doctor looked between the four shocked faces, "I leave you to allow this to sink in before discussing Ross's treatment plan. Again I can only apologise" The doctor gave them all one last sympathetic look before leaving the four Barton's.
Pete had taken his brothers memories. He had done that. Ross may never remember his first kiss, the first time he won a football game, their childhood Christmases. It was all gone and it may never come back.
Pete could feel his stomach twist and he ran from the room. Leaving his family staring at his retreating back.
Hope you enjoyed it! Please review! :)
