I own nothing this is just for fun
Spectacle - noun - anything presented to the sight or view, especially something of a striking or impressive kind; a public show or display, especially on a large scale.
Breathe, just breathe.
I take a deep cleansing breath as I stand on the sidewalk looking up at the twenty-story architect's dream of curved glass and steel. The large contemporary doors shows my reflection; my eyes too big for my face, displaying the apprehension of my impending actions. Above the door the words GREY HOUSE is displayed discreetly in the same steel, matching the overall style of the tall imposing office building.
It's been two days since I was released from hospital and this is the address they gave me. The address of the man who practically saved my life. Well, that might be a bit of an overstatement, but I'm truly grateful that I wasn't left on the sidewalk for some psycho to find me. I wonder what he does in this magnificent building. Or what he really looks like. If I believe Kate's rendition of the nurses' descriptions - he's hot, like GQ magazine; effortless hot.
My eyes flutter open to the sound of slight snoring. Man, I feel like I've been drinking for days with a massive hang over. I haven't felt like this in over six months. Instinctively I lift my hand to rub my forehead for some relief of my throbbing head and realise the slight pulling of an IV. Huh? Hospital? How the hell did I get here?
A strawberry blonde head springs to life from the edge of the bed, her eyes wide; caught surprised from her napping.
"Oh, Ana! You're awake! You scared the crap out of me, Steele. Hang on a sec I'll grab a doctor for you." Kate quickly moves off leaving me to examine my surroundings. By the looks of it, I'm in a small private room, not the ER; I must have been moved to a ward already.
A few minutes later she comes back, a slight bounce to her walk and a sly grin.
"Man, there are some hot doctors who work here! I really hope one of them is for you 'cos I wouldn't mind another look at that!" She says grinning as she takes a seat beside me on my bed. "How are you feeling?"
"Like I was hit by a bus. I wasn't hit by a bus, was I?" Stupid, irrational thoughts now swimming around in my head.
She chuckles at my ridiculous conclusion, "No, silly. You were unconscious, but I don't know why. You're a bit cut up with grazes, so I think you must have fallen and knocked yourself out. You really need to be more careful when you go for a run, Steele. Your clumsiness knows no bounds."
"Where am I?" She looks at me incredulously. "I mean which hospital." My voice shallow; my thoughts trying to find some sort of recollection of what has happened over the last 24 hours.
"Seattle Grace Mercy West."
Well that's a bonus I suppose; thankful that I'm at a hospital that knows me well.
"How'd you know I was here?"
"Mom and Dad are listed as emergency contacts. They called me. I've got to call them back when we know what's going on so they don't worry any more than they need to. Mom said they'd be on the next flight back."
"No, Kate. I'm fine. Call them and tell them not to come back. They've been looking forward to their holiday for ages. I don't want them coming back for nothing. You're probably right, just me and my silly clumsiness. I'm a bloody walking disaster sometimes." This is true. I've been known on many occasions to trip over my own feet.
"I'll call them when we find out what happened. Ok?"
I nod in agreement. If it's something to be concerned about Kate's mom will want to know and be here and there'll be no stopping her - like mother like daughter. "How'd I get here?"
Kate's eye light up and she leans towards me, "How you got here. Weeelllll, that's a story in itself. You're the latest hot gossip of the hospital." She winks. Kate is a sucker for gossip.
I arch my brow, confusion plastered all over my face, imploring her to continue.
"By the time I got here you'd already been moved, and they wouldn't tell me what was going on 'cos I'm not family," her voice lowered; pained by the protocols. Continuing, trying not to be too affected, "so I called a friend, who's brother's girlfriend's best friend is a nurse here at the hospital and she said that two hot guys brought you in," she rambles.
"Yeah, apparently they must have found you while you were out on your run, cause they were also in their running gear when they brought you in and from the way she was describing them…" Fanning her face, Kate states dramatically, "... Oh. My. God. The picture in my head from her description..." She closes her eyes briefly, inhales and dreamily chuckles, "sex on legs she told me... Hmmm, sex on legs."
"The image you've got going on that good, huh?" She nods profusely. I smile, thankful for Kate's attempt to make me feel better. "I'm sure this friend's girlfriend's brother's aunty- whatever- is just exaggerating. Anyways, how does that class me as...", raising my hands, using my index and middle fingers as inverted commas, "...'hot gossip'? I'm sure I'm not the first chick to be brought into a hospital by some good looking guy."
"Guys my dear. Plural. Yes. But you haven't heard the rest."
Kate sits me up and helps me get more comfortable. Fortunately, whatever they have running through this IV has kicked in and my throbbing headache is all but a dull thud.
"So, apparently one guy was a bit older. Gorgeous copper locks, hazel eyes. And the other dark hair, buzz cut, grey eyes. Both with bodies to die for. Not to mention, sweaty... which means clingy shirts and short shorts. Think wet t-shirt comp but with hot guys."
"Kate, you could be describing a dogs breakfast and it still wouldn't get why this is 'hot gossip'."
"Jeez Steele, let me finish. Anyways, younger dude carried you in bridal style, yelled all sorts of profanities for you to get the best care money could buy. When they got the doctors onto you, he wouldn't leave your side, held your hand like if he let go you'd disappear. And get this. She said that everyone noticed the way he looked at you, like you were some old couple who have been happily married, in love for years not just meeting on the street a few minutes ago. A real life Romeo and Juliet moment! That my dear is why you are hot gossip."
Nurses like to gossip.
I've learnt that over the years and since I was told that I had a seizure, I knew it wasn't likely that I would remember any of the events leading up to it. it was always the same when I had one. I've been seizure and med free for a few years now but according to my neurologist a CT scan and an EEG later, looks like they have come back. I mean I knew it was possible; them being like volcanos and all; lying dormant and all of a sudden can erupt, but after I few years I thought my chances of being seizure free were increasing.
Unfortunately for me that means back to regular check-ups and dosage trials of medication. Apparently just because I've had seizures before doesn't mean I can go back to what worked. Back to the drawing board again to be poked and prodded I suppose. Joy.
Kate was upset that she had no idea I had epilepsy. Or have epilepsy - depends on which way you look at it I suppose. It's not something I like to discuss. In my experience whenever you mention you have something wrong with you, your brain especially people treat you differently; yes they may not mean too, but they do all the same. I can see the sympathy in their eyes and I guess over the years I just want people to see past the condition and see me. It's not too much to ask, is it? I know some may say it's reckless, that I haven't even worn my med-alert bracelet for years, well not since I was seizure free for 12 months. I wasn't born with it, it was thrust upon me. I was upset and angry about it for years and I've tried to move past it and I guess part of my way of dealing with it is to pretend it didn't exist. I guess to some extent that was true. Until now … again.
"Well, hello there pretty lady. Do I know you?" A well dressed, pretty good looking guy approaches me pulling me from my dark thoughts. Eyeing me up and down. Why I let Kate talk me into wearing this figure hugging dress is insane. Something about hot guys and looking good.
"Erm… No. Sorry, I have no idea who you are."
"That's a shame 'cos you look a lot like my next girlfriend." Oh please, you have got to be kidding me. Ignoring him, I keep looking at my reflection trying to psyche myself up into entering the daunting building.
"Can I ask you a question?"
"I suppose." If it will make you fuck off and leave me alone.
"Would you sleep with a stranger?"
"No." Is this guy serious?!
"Well then ... Hi, my name is Jake." I roll my eyes. And this is the reason my dating history is practically non existence. I seem to attract the crazies.
"Sorry Jake, but I have a boyfriend." I don't but hey, what he don't know won't hurt him.
"I have a pet goldfish."
"What?"
"Oh, I thought we were talking about stuff that didn't matter." Really? Does this guy have no morals?
Continuing to stare at the glass, I can feel him eyeing me over again. Sorry buddy, but I'm not biting. In a move to get my attention, he walks around, half behind me, getting too close for comfort; his devilish grin reflecting in the door.
"See pretty lady, Don't we look good together?" Is this guy serious? What is with the lines? Get any closer buddy and you won't know what hit you.
He steps in closer; his body now only inches from mine: my breath hitches, astonished by his persistence. "See baby, you want me. I can tell. We could have some real fun."
Oh, buddy you fucking with the wrong chick.
I close the gap by taking a half step back, surprising the moron with my tenacity; he returning a gasp. My body now half flush against his. I run my hand behind me up his leg towards his crotch, then in a kung-fu like move, I grab, twist and turn. My dad would be so proud. Jake, now bent over in agony, hands pinned back up against his shoulder blades. I lean in from behind and whisper in his ear, "I've got one for you Jake. Are you a clock? 'Cause your ticking me off."
"Excuse me ma'am." A tall gentleman dressed in a black suit looking very Men in Black, obviously some sort of security comes through the glass doors and approaches me, "Can I help you?" Assessing me and my current little predicament; I can see a slight hint of a smile playing on his lips.
"Umm, no I'm fine. Thank you."
"Yes, you seem to be." Releasing Jake who stumbles forward a few steps, gingerly straighten his body, Mr Man in Black turns to him, "Now toddle off Jakey and try your luck somewhere else."
We both watch him stumble through the glass doors, holding his prised jewels glancing over his shoulder occasionally towards us. I can't help but let out a giggle.
"Sorry ma'am. Jake is known for his… antics. Are you waiting for someone?"
"Errm… No."
"May I ask why you have been standing here staring at the door for the last 20 minutes?"
"Oh, sorry. Just got caught up in my thoughts and deciding if this was a good idea."
"Good idea?" He eyes me and my large handbag containing my package, probably trying to decide if I'm a threat or not. Great can this day get any better? All I seem to attract lately is trouble. "Ma'am? May I?" Gesturing towards my bag.
"It's just a bomb. It's not a gift or anything." His eyes and stance now move to high alert, backing away whilst talking into his sleeve.
Crap, crap, crap. Good one Steele, where's your brain to mouth filter.
"Oh my god, I mean its a gift, not a bomb. See? I'm sorry. It's a gift, its a gift." I say whilst trying to shove my open bag in front of his face.
"Ma'am, can you place the bag on the ground and walk away slowly." His voice stern, showing no emotion.
Oh you've got to be kidding me. This day is just getting better.
"Seriously, its just a gift. I'm sorry. Brain to mouth filter. I do that a lot. Really, I'm no threat. It really is a gift. A guy saved my life and I just wanted to thank him, so you can call off the cavalry." Nodding towards the three other men in dark suits that have now joined Mr Man in Black.
"Ma'am, please. If that's the case, just indulge me then."
I put my bag on the ground and step back into one of the men who I hadn't noticed walk around behind me.
"What are you doing? Let go of me?" People are now gawking, like I'm some sort of car accident.
"Ma'am, please if you could come this way while we check the package." Dark suit says, pulling me towards the glass doors.
"It's just a gift, for crying-out-loud! And get your god damn hands off me!" I try yanking my arm out of his firm grasp, his fingers digging into my arm. "Oww, let go!"
"Ma'am, please." His grip tightens, continuing to drag me towards the glass doors. "This way, before you make more of a spectacle of yourself."
The rage that was slowing growing within me is now starting to spew out of my ears. How dare he make out that I'm some crazy woman! Yes, I admit I was staring; single handedly took down a man who was probably twice my own weight and I was carrying large, now suspicious package. But, spectacle of myself! Spectacle of myself! I'll show you a god damned spectacle.
"GET. YOUR. DIRTY. HANDS. OFF. ME!" I scream into the face of the man, manhandling me. Anger now seeping from every orifice of my body ready to take action again and take this man down if he shows no signs of letting go. A brief hesitancy flashes across his face, reading my body language that I mean business. His grasp lessens its hold from my arm, but he refuses to let me go indefinitely.
"What the hell's going on here?"
A/N - I want to thank you all so much for your patience with me especially since it has been a while since i last posted and for the continuing reviews, faves and follows of my story. Again, i want to apologize in advance as the updates for this will get sporadic especially due to the pressures and work load i now have with law school. Reviews, feedback, suggestions are always appreciated and wanted. Knowing that i'm doing something good keeps me going to see this through.
A huge shout out to Sasha Cameron for taking the time to beta part of this chapter for me especially when your so busy at the moment and to froggynights and fatimatrahan for caring that i hadn't dropped of the face of the planet :)
oh and credit where credits due: my little Greys Anatomy inspiration. I'm sure those who love the show might pick up on which little bit i might be referring to. LOL
much love ox
