Chapter Nine: Errand Running (Part Two)

After about an hour an a half, Cindy was done with her tests and was sleeping, while I did my dutiful 'guard watch' and sat in the chair beside her, watching over her.

The rise and fall of Cindy's chest could have created a nice hypnotic effect, for me to even go to sleep myself, had it not been for the sudden hitches and jerks of coughing that kept interrupting the rhythm. But as far as scrounging for a means of comfort, it was all I had to hold onto throughout the coughing, wheezing, ghostly skin, and lack of any other motion on Cindy's part. Hell, even the wheezing had its merits since – morbid as it was to think – both it and the motion of her chest attested to her being alive. Granted, I doubted she was about to die on me, else that would've really been a mistake not to let Flack come down, and it was probably that I was simply overreacting, but then it was also possible I was completely underreacting, an what I really should have been doing was panicking an getting Flack an her brother down here right there an then.

The doctor's hadn't told me much so far, in fact they'd barely said anything to me at all, so I really didn't have a clue whether I was taking all this well or not. You know, a little helpful hinting from the professionals wouldn't have gone amiss.

Not to mention the fact I never really seen someone this sick before – I mean, sure, I'd seen dead people (far too often for my liking, I might add) an I'd been around my fair number of sickly kids infected with flu an chickenpox an all those things –especially when I was younger – but they'd never look like … well, looked like this, to be honest. So I found myself finding assurances where I could, to keep my nerves calm and my mind clear.

But that was easier said than done.

x

After a while the doctor – Dr. Pender as I was soon informed, which released the inner high-school-kid in me, and I had to fight to keep the smirk off my face – came back in and asked if he could ask me a few questions.

I shrugged, telling him simply, "Sure, not sure how much help I'll be, but yeah, ok, sure."

"It would seem that Ms. MacIntyre has a severe case of pneumonia. D'you know if she's been ill recently?" he said, watching me carefully, clipboard in hand.

"I really don't know," I answered. "She's been fine for the last few days at least – well, 'cept from this mornin' when she started coughin' all over the place, an spittin' phlegm all over us."

He looked at me, sort of alarmed at this, so I had to quickly retract that, "Oh crap, no sorry, jus' miss out the last bit. She was coughing all over the place, that's it – no spitting of anything over anyone, just coughing to herself, s'all she was doin'."

Dr Pender nodded, jotting this down – and I briefly wondered if he'd actually 'quote' me; the fun Cindy would've had reading her chart if he did – and then asked, "Has she been exposed to any harsh elements that would cause this to flare up like it has?"

I sighed a little, casting a glance across at the blonde, before turning back to the man, "She was outside last night during the storm … pretty underdressed, an I don't think it was the first time she's done it recently either. So she was probably out in the others the past few nights as well."

The doctor nodded again and wrote something down in his chart, before looking up at me once more, "And how about rest? Is she getting enough of it?"

I shrugged again, shaking my head, "I don't have a clue, sorry."

But that was a lie. Even just taking it from last night's 'experience', we'd been up for ages, before we'd had any of our little…incidents – which occurred at completely ungodly hours, I might add – so in truth, the girl had probably only had a few hours sleep in total – if that even. Not to mention she'd run out on me half way through to go play in some rainstorm – which didn't exactly do much for my ego, I'll admit – but I suppose better that than for another guy – right?

"That's alright, I'll ask her when she wakes up," he replied with a smile, before telling me, "It should be soon and hopefully she'll be feeling better – a little at least. We've put some antibiotics in her IV so that should help too."

I merely nodded in return and readjusted my position in the chair to continue my wait.

x

A while later, but what was probably only about twenty minutes, Cindy began to stir.

Her eyes opened and she blinked a few times, taking in her surroundings.

She didn't seem to notice me still sitting there, however – making me think, rather selfishly I admit, 'Great, and this is the thanks I get for sitting in this crappy plastic chair for the past two hours or so, while my ass goes numb, making the whole experience so much more enjoyable!'

Instead, Cindy was staring at the IV bag hanging over the bed on her left. I stayed seated in my place, simply watching her, not wanting to chance it and try and break her trance-like state, as her head followed the tube from the bag down into her hand.

She continued to look at it for about another minute before sitting up suddenly and trying to rip it out. Her fingers scratched wildly at the tape, jostling the needle in her hand, causing it to bleed, and slippery crimson spurted out, covering the bedding.

I jumped up then, and instantly reached across the bed, pulling her hand away from the IV, as I told her seriously, "Stop it!"

Her head shot up to look at me and she stilled completely and right at once – which was only a little disturbing in itself – letting me take her hand and put it back to her side.

"You're alright," I said, trying to comfort her – though I didn't really think that was what she was worrying about, or even thinking about, just then.

I was about to expand further, and tell her what the doctor had told me – which, I suppose was practically nothing – but at least she'd know what the diagnosis was, and that I hadn't been completely overreacting when I told her we had to go to the hospital; when the nurse from earlier came in.

And Cindy was just thrilled to see her, especially when she caught sight of her hand, and scolded her she was like a five-year-old, saying, "You really shouldn't do that."

"Take it out," Cindy ordered simply in response.

"I can't do that," the nurse answered.

"You take it out or I will," she replied stubbornly.

The nurse was a little taken aback, which was making me rather amused actually, and told Cindy, "I'll call the doctor and you can speak with him about it."

"Fine," the blonde sighed and the nurse left to go out and use the phone across the hall.

Cindy turned her attention to me then, as I stood by her side looking down at her.

"Sorry," she mumbled softly.

"S'ok," I told her in return, and we shared a smile as the doctor quickly entered the room.

"Ms. MacIntyre, how you feeling?" he asked, as he walked up to her bedside to check her IV.

"Better… thanks," Cindy answered, giving him a quick, brief smile. "But I'd like you to take this out so I can go home."

A smile tugged at my lips as her stubbornness shone through more clearly then than ever.

"I'd like to ask you a couple of questions. Your boyfriend answered some for us but we would like to ask a few more before we can let you go," Dr. Pender said looking between the two of us.

Cindy smiled, looking at me, and her eyes twinkled, as she joked, "Yeah, he's really sweet isn't he?"

"Ask away," she told him, though I sensed a restriction on this coming into play soon.

"Well, he told us you have been spending a lot of time outside in the rain. Is that true?" he said straight-off.

She shot a glare at me then, but I merely brushed it off with a shrug, and she rolled her eyes.

"Yeah, 'suppose. Though, it's kinda unavoidable don't you think?" Cindy replied sarcastically.

"When was the last time you slept?" he spoke next.

"Five minutes ago," she answered with a smile.

The doctor gave her a disappointed look, "Before you came in tonight, when was the last time you slept?"

"Last night," she told him without a moments thought.

He eyed her for a moment, considering this, "And before that?"

"The night before?!" Cindy responded, with a look that clearly said, 'Where are you going with this?'

"Ok, and how long would you say you spend asleep during these times?" he asked.

"I don't know," she replied. "A couple of hours, maybe."

My head snapped up to look at her then, a couple of hours? Maybe? Granted, I knew she could easily function fine on about four or five hours sleep a night, I often did if a case ran long or I got called in at odd hours – but a couple? That's like two! An each night? Damn!

"What?" she asked sheepishly.

"Ms. MacIntyre, your body needs much more than that to function properly – " he told her.

"My body functions quite well thank-you very much," Cindy answered him, annoyed, as she cut him off.

"I'm afraid I'll have to disagree with you there. You have a severe case of pneumonia. This, along with, the amount of time you've spent outdoors and the lack of rest your body has been getting, means it can't fight this infection. We're going to have to keep you here for a few days," he informed her seriously.

"No way," she replied, not having any of it, and she sat up, wincing only a little, however, at the throbbing in her side.

"The pain you're feeling is from a couple of cracked ribs, which occurred from the force of your coughing. If you don't take care of yourself, it will only get worse. It'll just be a few days," he ended on a softer tone, trying to appeal to her… better side.

But softer! I'm starting to think it's not just a thing about me an hurt chicks, I'm starting to think it's just Cindy. Which may possibly be a scarier thought than the original.

What I didn't really take into account for, at that moment, was the fact that even if she didn't seem to get along with Flack all the time, she was still his best friend, and practically a sister to the guy – she wasn't going to let this go lightly.

"I appreciate your concern Doctor, but I'm not staying here. I would also appreciate it if you could take this tube out of my arm right now, before I do it myself. Then you're going to write me some prescriptions so I can go home," she said rather matter-of-factly.

"Ms. MacIntyre, I don't think you're… " Dr. Pender began again, but he really shouldn't have bothered 'cos Cindy just interrupted him, and put a stop to his efforts.

The whole exchange was actually kind of amusing.

"I really don't care, 'cos I'm not staying here. So you can either give me what I need or I'm gonna walk out of here without your consent or the help you're offering. It's your call," she told him, finishing with the smallest, and shortest, of smiles.

He sighed deeply before putting a pair of latex gloves on resignedly and taking her IV out. Then he wrote a few prescriptions and handed them to me wordlessly.

"I just want it to be noted that I don't agree with this, and I think it's an extremely bad idea," Dr. Pender said turning around as he reached the door to leave.

"Also, I would advise the next time you go outside, you wear more than just that which you wear to the beach," he added, looking pointedly at Cindy then.

She watched him walk out the door, rolling her eyes at his comment and muttering mocking noises under her breath at the words he had just said. She turned to her side to find me standing smiling at her, holding her furry boots out for her to take and put on, which she did.

"What?" Cindy asked, looking up at me after, and eyeing my amused look with questioning and slight suspicion.

"Nothing," I replied. "I jus' haven't seen someone bully someone else like that in a while."

"Well, being my 'boyfriend', you should get used to it," she replied, and smiled sweetly back at me, as I laughed quietly.

x

We filed her prescriptions at the hospital pharmacy on our way out, and walked through the reception once more, with Cindy glancing back briefly to give the little old lady at the counter a small smile.

Her coughing wasn't as bad as it was before but it was certainly still present – and it still didn't sit well with me, or make the journey downstairs more pleasant.

"I can see myself home thanks," Cindy told me as we began walking towards the exit.

"Not at this time at night. This is a dangerous city for a young woman, 'specially a woman wearing nothin' but skimpy little shorts and a barely there bikini top," I told her.

She rolled her eyes at my comments here, her lips curving upwards slightly, but I ignored her carrying on, "I find it irresistible. I'm not 'bout to take the chance another guy will as well."

"Irresistible huh?" Cindy smiled mischievously, and nudged me in the ribs playfully.

"Yeah, and now you're just askin' for trouble," I replied, but with a smirk.

Cindy tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, a smile still playing on her lips, and I caught sight of a shiver run through her as we walked through the automatic doors. The night was a bit chilly, with clouds covering up the stars. But it didn't look like it would rain, which I was extremely grateful for – Flack had been kind enough to inform me, that thus far, Cindy had never missed a rainstorm if she'd been able to – and as I later found out, via a 'side-note' from the doctor, she'd actually been hospitalised three times already for pneumonia in the past. So, obviously she was familiar with the drill.

"And what would this trouble entail?" she asked with that mischievous twinkle in her eye, as we stood together just outside the hospital – both clearly thankful to finally leave it behind.

I smirked, "First off, I'd warm you up a bit."

Cindy nearly laughed, as she nibbled slightly on her lower lip. When my jacket landed on her shoulders, she did laugh. I laughed then as well.

"Naughty girl. Get your mind outta the gutter," I chided jokingly.

Cindy laughed again, sending me a smile, before she snuggled into the soft inner lining of my blazer.

"Why? It's nearly midnight, and a rather handsome young man is taking me home. Aren't I allowed a few errant thoughts?" she relied, and flashed me a small smile to accompany it.

I laughed once more, before smirking at her and answering, "I suppose I do deserve them."

Cindy elbowed me again, as she said, "You arrogant little… "

And then she sighed, shaking her head at me, and rolling her eyes as I flashed her a smile.

"Wait here, I'll go get the car," I said, and jogged across the asphalt towards where I'd practically 'dumped' my car – but in my defence I didn't actually have that much time to find a parking space an then get back to Cindy before she freaked out an left me, and the building all together – I wasn't even going to think about what I would do if she'd done that to me just now.

I pulled back into the ER and stopped the car near the front entrance where she stood – rather expertly too, I might add, given that I had to avoid people, ambulances, other cars, and wheelchairs too! To be honest I'm not sure how I did it, probably because I'm pure genius, but that's just me.

Cindy clearly knew what I was thinking to myself, as she rolled her eyes at me, and told me with a smirk, "You really are an arrogant son of a bitch."

"What?! I didn't even say anything out loud!" I retorted defiantly, as she got in the passenger side.

"I could tell by the look on your face. You were gloating on the inside," she replied with a knowing expression on her features, and shut the door.

"I wasn't gloatin' on the inside, Cindy," I answered her, and she raised an eyebrow at me in amusement.

So I decided to have myself a little fun, as I continued, "For your information I was picturing you naked. That's what my facial expression was conveying… pure… unadulterated… sexual fantasies that involved you, me, and nothing between our writhing bodies but this here paper rose sticking out of your mouth."

And I leaned across and swiftly placed the small decoration between her lips.

She rolled her eyes at me and laughed, "That's Bullshit, Messer."

And I pretended to look aghast at her statement, as she carried on, "You can try to distract with me with all the groping, graphic little details you want, but I'm a professional – "

It was my turn to laugh then, before she finished, " – And I know that you were gloating about how you managed to manoeuvre you car through all of these people and finally park it in front of the entrance. An amazing feat, I'm sure!"

And I couldn't help but smirk at her deduction, as she told me, "Now just admit it already. You're an arrogant bastard."

I rolled my eyes, "Fine, I'm an arrogant bastard."

And I smirked at her then, as I added, "But you love me for it."

And I plucked the paper rose from her fingers, and pulled the car out and began to drive off.

x

"Thank you," she said, turning to look at me as we stood outside the door for Flack's apartment. "For taking me there and staying with me, I mean."

"You're welcome," I answered with a bemused smile as I half-shrugged. "Was nothin'."

She rolled her eyes at me, and just nodded, accepting this. The door opened, revealing our tall, dark-haired, blue-eyed mutual friend Don Flack standing on the other side, and Cindy stepped into the apartment wordlessly.

"You can run your own errands in future," I told him, with a slight smirk, as I glanced by him and watched Cindy walk towards her bedroom.

He nodded, putting a hand on my shoulder, looking round briefly then too as she opened the door and went into the room, and he told me sincerely, "Thanks, Danny."

He didn't comment on Cindy's outfit, or even raise an eyebrow at it – obviously he'd known her too long – but anyone within a ten-mile-radius of either of them could tell how much they cared for one another, an I supposed that was what really mattered.

God, I was turning into a complete sap.

"It was nothing," I replied simply, shrugging it off.

"Nah, it wasn't. It was everything," he answered. "And I mean it. Thank-you."

"Just helpin' out a friend, Flack," I responded with a smile, and he smiled back, nodding in understanding, before we separated and I left while he went to 'tend' to Cindy.

TBC…


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Steph
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