Chapter 6

A Few Hours Later

Peter Benton stood as she heard Kayla stirring, knowing that she would most likely fight the tube in her throat. As predicted Kayla attempted to get her hands to the tube, although her arms were too weak to lift as well as being in soft restraints. "Kayla, just open your eyes" Peter spoke taking Kayla's hand. He was soon rewarded with Kayla's half opened eyes.

"Kayla, do you remember what happened?" He spoke gently and when she looked at him appearing to be very confused he continued speaking. "When the police exchanged gunfire with your father you attempted to move away and one of your ribs punctured your lung." At this he took a moment to look at the monitors and was slightly shocked that her oxygen levels were still too low. "However at this time you will need to remain on the vent for a few more hours, ok?" At this Kayla nodded and closed her eyes drifting off to sleep. Once he left the room, he came face to face with Luka and the head of the hospital Kerry Weaver.

"How is she doing?" Kerry asked in an angry tone.

"It's going to be a while yet before she will be taken off the vent, she's still very weak and not really up to breathing on her own yet." Peter replied tiredly.

"Peter, you need to rest I'll watch her for a while" Luka spoke gently.

"I'm going to have a cot brought into the room, so we can stay with her. She's still very confused when she's awake" Once the cot was in the room, Peter lay down and was asleep within seconds.

Close to Midnight that evening

Luka was now resting on the cot while Peter was watching Kayla as she slept. He had previously decided that he would wait until Kayla woke before trying to extubate her. At almost the same time Luka and Kayla stirred, "Kayla, open your eyes" they were rewarded with her eyes opening.

"Kayla, we are able to extubate you now" At this Kayla nodded and over the next moment she was left coughing slightly and Luka slipped an oxygen mask over her face until she settled down.

"How are you feeling?"

"Very sore"

"You're going to be okay; however it will be a few more days until you can go home" After which he gave her another dose of pain medication.