Chapter 6
"Girlfriend… I don't have a …""Alexandra Van Der Meir, the rich socialite," Spencer said.
Ashley was a little put off by Spencer and got off the edge of the bed. "Alexandra and I are only friends."
"Friends, yeah right… I know Alex and she can't be friends with anyone of the female gender, especially very attractive females. And you Dr. Davies are… a very attractive female." Spencer blushing as she said that.
"You think I'm attractive Spencer?" Ashley asked grinning.
Spencer looking down as her fingers fidgeted with her blanket, "yes I do. But getting back to your girlfriend… Alexandra."
"Spencer, Alex is not, I repeat not my girlfriend. She's my… fuck buddy. We fuck each other when we're in need for one another's company. There are you satisfied?" Ashley said angrily not knowing why she was angry at Spencer's question regarding her having a girlfriend.
"Ashley do you see where I'm going with this? Whether Alex is your girlfriend or fuck buddy as you call her. She is actively in your life. She's a healthy sexual woman and you are a healthy sexual woman. What chance do I have of keeping you with me in my condition with Alex flaunting herself at you." Spencer said, avoiding Ashley's stare.
"I don't want to be wondering when you leave me to go to work or you're late coming from work or visiting someone, that you're not out fucking Alex or that Alex will be their to take care of your needs the way I can't."
"Spencer I'm not with Alex, she's just a friend."
"Does Alex knows that you two are just friends and nothing more, Ashley?"
Ashley made no respond to Spencer's question. She knew how possessive Alex can be.
"Please understand my situation Ashley, I need… I want my body to respond to you physically. For it not to would be pure torture for me. And don't think Ms. Van Der Mier won't throw my physical limitations in your face every chance she had just to frustrate you."
"Spencer I…."
"Ashley we need to think long and hard about the direction our feelings are taking us in. Are we ready for what lies ahead for you and me," Spencer said sadly. Ashley I don't know what to do? I know I'm attracted to you but what do I do about it? I'm tired right now. So if you don't mind, I'd like to rest."
"Certainly Spencer, I'll be back to check on you later," Ashley said feeling dejected knowing Spencer was right. She needed to end whatever it was she had with Alex if she was going to begin anything with Spencer.
Before leaving Ashley turned to say something to Spencer but she kept her eyes closed and made no response as Ashley quietly left her room.
/
Several days later Ashley performed surgery on Spencer, which was successful as far as fusing the broken vertebrae's onto the spine. Now it was up to Aiden and his team to get Spencer walking again.
Spencer wakes up, not in her room but in recovery, in traction and Ashley is right there in the room waiting for her to wake up.
"Ashley…" Spencer whispered.
"I'm right here Spencer. You did great, you're in traction right now, after few days we'll put you back in a regular bed. How do you feel?"
"I feel like a piece of meat between two slices of bread in this thing," Spencer said giggling. "What's going to happen next Ashley?"
"We're going to let your body rest for few days, than Aiden and his team will come in and begin your physical therapy."
"I know what I said earlier about us and Alex, but will you still come and see me?"
"Yes, I would like that, I'll come and see you everyday."
"Yes that would be great, I don't think I can go through this without you," Spencer said smiling at Ashley who had a big smile in return for Spencer.
"I'm going to go right now and let you rest, but I'll be back later and sit with you for awhile."
"I would like that Ashley, thank you."
Spencer's parents walk in, "knock, knock" Arthur said. "Spencer, sweetheart how are you doing?"
"Okay dad, hi mom."
"Hello Dr. Davies, how did the surgery go?"
"Very well." she told Arthur but looking at Paula. "Spencer should be out of traction in a few days. Remember she can't have any movement at all right now."
"If she hadn't had the surgery she wouldn't be in that contraption," Paula said.
"Paula, please not now," Arthur said. "Spencer needs all of our support if she's going to walk again."
"Fine, fine Arthur," than Paula turns to Ashley who is still in the room, "Dr. Davies was it something else you needed in here," she said giving Ashley an angry look.
"No, I'll just leave you two alone with your daughter, good day. Spencer I'll see you later."
"Okay Dr. Davies."
Madison and Aiden see Ashley leaving Spencer's room, her mind somewhat occupied.
"You know Dr. Dennison, it's none of my business but I think Dr. Davies is becoming a little too familiar with her patient Spencer Carlin."
"What do you mean Nurse Duarte?"
"Haven't you seen the looks Dr. Davies gives Ms. Carlin, the stares when she thinks no one is looking and she's here all hours of the night just sitting in Ms. Carlin's room watching her sleep. Don't you think that's more personal than professional Dr. Dennison?"
"Your right, I think it's none of our business." With that said, Aiden walks away but decides he will have a talk with his friend and ask her about the relationship between the doctor and her patient.
/
Spencer is finally released from her bed of torture and placed in a regular hospital bed.
"Good afternoon Ms. Carlin, Dr. Dennison said, how are you feeling today?"
"Fine glad to be out of that contraption, it was very uncomfortable."
"Sorry about that. Let me introduce my team to you. We have Sean, Sherry and Boz, they will be your companions for the next six weeks. All three are certified physical therapists and excellent at what they do. They thrive on motivation, Ms. Carlin. Motivation is number one in your progress to walking."
"First I want to check your limbs, using this pin stick." Aiden raised the sheet off Spencer's legs. "Can you feel this Ms. Carlin?"
"No."
"How about this?"
"No!"
"Okay that me turn you over I need to test the area around your spine. Can you feel this?"
"No, doctor."
"Okay that's what I expected. I'm not surprised that you don't feel anything yet, it's only been a few days. So today we're just going to evaluate you Spencer, see what your limitations are and get you out of that bed."
Just then Ashley walks into Spencer's room. "Dr. Davies what brings you in here this afternoon."
Ashley looks at Aiden strangely, "she is still my patient Dr. Dennison I came to see how she was doing."
"Well we were about to evaluate MY patient to determine what her limitations are and I would like it if you were not here…doctor. You are a distraction." Spencer watches the two doctors butt heads.
Ashley glares at Aiden as she approaches Spencer's bedside. She bent down to Spencer's ear so only she could hear, "how are you doing sweetie?" Ashley whispered.
"I'm fine, a little nervous about starting therapy today."
"I know babe but you're strong and you'll get through it. I'll see you after your therapy," Ashley said as she brushed her lips against Spencer's ear. "Bye Ms. Carlin."
"Bye Dr. Davies," Spencer said as she watched Ashley leave still shivering from Ashley lips against her ear.
Aiden just stood there watching the two ladies interact with each other, determine to see if there was any truth to what Madison had said. "Okay guys why don't you get started with your evaluation on Ms. Carlin. Excuse me Ms. Carlin, Dr. Davies may I have a word with you in the hall."
"Yes doctor what can I help you with?"
"Ashley what the hell is going on between you and Ms. Carlin?"
"I don't know what you mean Aiden? I came to see how my pat…" "Stop the bullshit Ashley, I can see it a mile away. You're in love with Spencer Carlin aren't you?"
"Don't be ridiculous Aiden, she's my patient."
"Not anymore her care has been transferred over to me. She doesn't need anymore surgery. She doesn't need an internist to prescribe her medicines. I can do all that without you, so why are you still on her case?"
Ashley looks down at her feet trying to come up with a plausible answer that would placate Aiden's curiosity. "Okay I've become a little attached to Ms. Carlin, she is an interesting case and I feel for her. She's been through a lot and she asked me if I would continue to check on her, on her progress. Besides Aiden, this case could be monumental. Your studies could open a lot of doors for a lot of severely disabled people why should you get all the glory if this procedure should be a success."
"I don't believe you Ashley, I saw you and Ms. Carlin in there. You were very intimate with her. And as far as the glory… you never cared about that, it's Ms. Carlin you want to be near. Admit it, you're in love with her?" Aiden said rather harshly.
Beep, beep, beep.
"That's my pager I have to go." "Ashley I'm not finished."
"Gotta go, someone's in need of my services," Ashley said running off. She couldn't move fast enough. She did not want to answer Aiden's question. She was still unsure herself on how she really felt about Spencer, especially after the conversation she and Spencer had the other day. She was certain she wanted to get to know Spencer on a different level, but she also knew she had to get things straight with Alex.
/
Ashley was sitting in the cafeteria thinking of Spencer and wondering what to do about Alexandra when suddenly she appears, walking towards her. "Ashley Davies why haven't you been answering my calls? I've been calling you day and night. Why are you ignoring me? What has gotten into you lately? Is there another woman in your life?" Alex questioned quite loudly.
"Oh God! Alex will you calm down you're making a scene. Please sit down and stop your ranting. I have not been ignoring your calls. I've been… busy with work."
"That's never stopped you before, you used to call me every night. Now I can't even get two minutes with you."
"I apologize Alex, how can I make it up to you?" Ashley asks, realizing she no longer wanted an intimate relationship with Alex, not if she continued to get closer to Spencer.
"Well… You can escort me to the Platinum Ball Saturday night. Everybody who's anybody will be there and I want the most gorgeous woman in the world to be by my side."
"Aww! Alex you know I hate going to those affairs, especially the ones that cater to those snobs you obviously like to rub elbows with. They are so phony."
"Ashley! You asked me how you can make…" "Okay, okay what time do I pick you up?"
"We're going to be fashionably late. I'll pick you up in the limo at ten o'clock. Thank you sweetie," Alex said coming around the table to place a kiss on Ashley's lips. "See you Saturday night."
"Yeah, right... Saturday." Ashley said, she would tell Alex than she no longer wanted a sexual relationship with her. They could still be friends but nothing more.
A few minutes later Madison appears at Ashley's table, "Well Dr. Davies, I hear you've got a big date Saturday night. Hmm!" Madison sheepishly said, after witnessing the entire scene just minutes before.
"Yes Madison, is it something you wanted?" Ashley asked irritated by Madison's prying.
"Oh no! I thought you just might want to know that they will be transferring Ms. Carlin to the rehab facility SATURDAY EVENING at eight o'clock.
"WHAT! On who's orders."
"Dr. Dennison of course." Madison said with a knowing smirk.
"Excuse me Madison, I have to go."