DISC: I DO NOT own any of the characters from Elena of Avalor. They belong to Craig Gerber. I do however own anyone you don't recognize as well as the idea for this story.
Enjoy!

"The Long Hall"

Chapter 10

"Isa?" Elena stopped half way to their destination. Turning to face her sister, her heart broke at the expression on the twelve-year-old's face. Reaching her arms out, she hugged her close. "Esta bien, esta bien…I'm so sorry, baby. I should have realized this would be hard for you because of your own experience. I know Naomi would want to see you, but you can come see her tomorrow," Elena kissed Isabel's head. She continued to hold her sister, guilt squeezing her heart.

"It's okay. I'll be fine," Isabel tried to convince her, even as she shook in her sister's arms.

Elena shook her head.

"Isa, I'm gonna take you to café Angelica's so you can eat something. Then Gabe can take you back home. You're not fine and that's okay. I want you to know that," she assured her. Pulling away a minute later, she wrapped an arm around her still shaking sister. Leading her back the way they had come, Elena prayed the twelve-year-old would be okay. Entering the lobby, Isabel tensed as the same aroma hit her. Swallowing hard, she willed herself not to throw up. As they gained the outside, she suddenly felt dizzy. Letting go of Elena's hand, the pre-teen fell to her knees, throwing up on the ground.

"Isa!" Elena was beside her sister in seconds. Resting a hand on her shoulder, she left it there until Isabel had emptied whatever was left in her stomach. "That's it, there you go…Baby…I'm so sorry."

"It's not…your fault," Isabel caught her breath as she spoke.

"Did you eat lunch today?" Elena asked. Resting the back of her hand against her sister's forehead, she was relieved when she didn't feel warm.

"Uh-huh. I ate with Sara and Amaya," Isabel replied.

"Did you eat enough?" her sister inquired.

Isabel nodded.

"Okay. I know you're not gonna like this, but we need to get you checked. Hopefully, it won't take too long," with that, Elena gently lifted Isabel into her arms. Standing, she made her way back into the building. Heading back up to the general floor, she asked for Dr. Martinez.

"She'll be right with you," a nurse informed her. "You can wait in exam room 4."

Elena followed the nurse to the room. Sitting on the table, she hugged Isabel close.

"I know you wanna go home. You'll be able to as soon as Gabriella checks you over," she smoothed a few strands of Isabel's hair out of her face.

"Okay," her younger sister's voice shook with fear. Burying her face in Elena's chest, she let the tears fall.

"Isa…shh…yo te tengo, baby,,," she soothed just as they were joined by Dr. Martinez.

"Elena, que estas mal? Are you okay?" she looked concerned.

Elena nodded.

"I'm fine. Isabel isn't. And I'm to blame."

Gabriella raised her eyebrows.

"I picked her up from school and brought her back here because I wanted her close by," Elena started to explain.

"That's understandable," Dr. Martinez said.

"But I didn't realize that coming here would trigger her, coupled with the fact that Naomi just went through the same procedure she did two years ago. When we got here, Isabel went tense and she started to shake. I hugged and assured her, but she couldn't calm down, so I decided to take her back home and come back. When we got outside, she fell to her knees and vomited. That's when I Thought I should have you examine her."

Gabriella nodded. She frowned.

"Does she feel warm?" she inquired of the future queen.

"No. I checked," Elena answered.

"Okay. I'm gonna get her vitals. You can still hold her," she assured both sisters.

"Gracias," Elena softly said.

Gabriella nodded. Turning her attention to the pre-teen, she asked, "Isabel, can you tell me what happened?"

Isabel nodded.

"When we came in, I smelled something bad. It reminded me of my operation. It made me feel dizzy and I threw up!"

"Okay, sweetie. I think I know what happened," Dr. Martinez turned to Elena. "Since Isabel has trauma issues from her last time here, when she smelled the cleaner we use in the OR and some other rooms, it triggered her. The reason she vomited was a physical reaction to her emotional state. Her vitals are normal, which is good. I would say just watch her for the next twenty-four hours. If she's able to eat dinner and doesn't throw up again, she should be fine."

"Okay," Elena replied.

"Why do you think you're to blame?" Dr. Martinez kindly asked.

"Because I should have thought of Isa's well being before bringing her back here. I mentioned her surgery to her while telling her what happened to. OH my…it was my fault…I triggered her…Isabel, I'm-" Elena was interrupted by her sister shaking her head.

"Elena, stop, pore favor. It was NOT your fault. You didn't forget on purpose. I Know that," the twelve-year-old insisted.

Elena sighed, but nodded.

"Everything Isabel just said is true," Gabriella chimed in.

"I don't know what to do," Elena confessed. She felt torn. "Naomi needs me to stay with her, but I don't wanna leave Isa."

"Your grandparents can take care of her," Gabriella reminded the nineteen-year-old.

"Dr. Martinez is right," Isabel agreed, "Abuela and abuelo can do it."

"Are you sure?" Elena was feeling major guilt.

"They raised Esteban," Isabel shrugged.

Elena managed a small laugh.

"I mean are you sure you'll be okay without me there tonight?" she clarified.

"I'll be fine. I'll miss you, but I know Naomi needs you. You'll be home tomorrow afternoon."

"Okay," Elena still wasn't convinced. Turning to Gabriella, she asked, "Is Isa free to go?"

"Yup. Just tell your grandparents what I told you and she should be fine. Naomi isn't awake yet, but she's doing fine. Her vitals are strong."

Elena sighed with relief.

"She's just stubborn," she commented.

Gabriella grinned.

"Like someone else we all know and love," she winked at Elena.

Isabel even giggled.

"Okay. Let me get Isa home and I'll see you in an hour," with that, Elena stood from the exam table, thanked Dr. Martinez and left with Isabel. The two sisters arrived at café Angelica's twenty-minutes later. Entering, they were greeted warmly by Carmen.

"Hola you two!" She grinned upon seeing them. "Gabe's already here. Let me take you to his table."

"Gracias, Carmen," Elena followed her friend into the heart of the restaurant. Spotting Gabe sitting in a corner booth, she waved. Getting closer, she sat down with Isabel in her lap.

"Hey! Is everything okay with Naomi? I thought I was coming back for Isabel," Gabe frowned in confusion.

"You were, but things changed. I need you to take both of us home and then drive me back to the hospital."

"Okay. Do you mind if I ask why?" Gabe bit into an empanada as he spoke.

Elena explained what had happened with Isabel.

"Elena, I'm sorry," her sister softly said.

"Isa, you don't have anything to apologize for. I'm the one who messed up here," Elena kissed her head.

"Elena, you made a mistake," Gabe corrected her, "that's all it was. Isabel's gonna be fine. I'll watch her myself."

"Gracias," Elena threw him a grateful look. Turning her attention to her sister, she asked, "Tienes hambre?"

"Un poquito," the pre-teen replied.

"Why don't we split something before I take you back home," Elena suggested.

"Okay," Isabel agreed.

"It'll be light, I promise," Elena assured her just as they were joined by Carmen. Elena ordered for both Isabel and herself. When she explained Isabel wasn't feeling well, Carmen brought the young princess her favorite fruit drink on the house.

"Gracias," Isabel managed a tiny smile for the young woman.

"Denada, sweetie. I Hope you feel better," Carmen patted her shoulder.

Isabel nodded.

"I'm gonna give you a little bit of this," Elena informed her. With that, she fixed her sister a plate. "Just eat as much as you can. If you can't finish it, don't worry about it."

Isabel nodded. Picking up a fork, she started to eat.

Elena did the same. She and Gabe talked about this and that while all three of them ate.

"I'm done," Isabel announced.

Elena glanced over to see half of the food gone.

"Okay. As soon as you finish your juice, then we'll get going."

Isabel did so. It tasted delicious!

After they left Café Angelica's, Elena, Gabe and Isabel headed back to the palace. Elena told Gabe what had happened at the school while Isabel rested in her lap. These were times Isabel didn't mind being small for her age. Upon arriving at the palace, Isabel felt Elena pick her up. She didn't protest, snuggling into her older sister's hold. She closed her eyes again as Elena explained to their grandparents what had happened.

"We'll take good care of her, mija," their grandmother promised.

"I love you, Isa," Elena kissed her sister's cheek while running a hand through her hair. Reluctantly, she gently handed the twelve-year-old off to their grandmother. She knew Isa would be safe. Despite this fact, Elena still felt guilty for leaving her.

"Isabel will be fine, nietta," their grandfather pulled her in for a hug.

"I know," Elena hugged him back. Pulling away, she added, "I just hate leaving her when she's sick."

Francisco nodded in understanding.

"Go on. Naomi needs you," he reminded her.

"Okay. I Love you both," with that, Elena turned and left the palace. Climbing back into the carriage, she sighed. She knew she would feel better after seeing Naomi was going to be okay for herself, but she still felt a pang of guilt knowing she had left Isabel.

"Isabel will be okay. She understands why you had to leave," Gabe tried to assure his friend.

"It doesn't make it any easier," Elena sighed. Blinking back tears, she let her mind wander for the rest of the ride. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't get her mind off of Isabel. The feeling of the carriage stopping brought Elena out of her thoughts. Glancing around, she realized they were back at the hospital. "Thanks, Gabe."

"You're welcome," Gabe replied. Resting a hand on Elena's shoulder, he continued to speak. "Try not to worry about Isabel. She's a tough kid. She'll be fine without you for one night. It's not like you've never spent the night away from her before."

"I know. But this is different," Elena pointed out.

"How so?" Gabe ventured.

"I've never spent the night away from her when she was sick before-ever."

Gabe nodded.

"Technically, she's not actually sick. She ate."

Elena sighed.

"While that's true, she still got sick this afternoon. I know she's most likely going to be fine. It's just hard…I need to get inside," getting out of the carriage, Elena turned back to face Gabe. "Pore favor, take care of Isa tonight. And let her know I Love her."

"I will," Gabe said earnestly. "What time should I come back for you tomorrow?"

"Twelve-thirty or so," Elena answered.

"Okay. See ya then," with that, Gabe waited until Elena was safely inside before driving back to the palace. He just hoped she would be okay.

Walking back into the building, Elena made the trek up to the recovery ward on auto pilot. Try as she might, she couldn't stop thinking of Isabel. Forcing herself to focus on the here and now, Naomi needed her to be fully present and available for her. As Elena ascended the stairs leading up to the surgical floor, she took a deep breath. Going up to the desk in the middle of the room, she inquired about Naomi.

"Ms. Turner's in recovery," the young woman behind the desk informed Elena, "she was brought there an hour ago."

"may I see her, pore favor?" Elena asked.

"Of course. I'll take you myself."

"Gracias," Elena said.

"You're welcome. My name is Anita."

"It's nice to meet you," Elena followed Anita down the hall. Entering a room filled with beds, she sat down next to the one Naomi was lying in. Taking her hand, she gently squeezed it. "Estoy aqui, miel. You're not alone."

"Is there anything I can get you, You're Majesty?" Anita asked.

"I'm okay for now. Thank you," Elena turned her attention to her girlfriend. Bending down, she kissed Naomi's forehead. "Are you gonna open those beautiful blue eyes for me any time soon?" she softly asked. Settling back in the chair, she started to hum.

"Elena, you made it back. How's Isabel feeling?"

Elena stopped mid hum at the sound of the familiar voice. Glancing up, she locked eyes with Gabriella.

"She's feeling better. We split something to eat and she kept it down so far. She's with our grandparents back at the palace."

Gabriella nodded.

"I'm glad. Naomi should be waking up soon. Her body's been through a lot, so she might take a little while longer to wake up. Her vitals are strong, which is a good sign. She'll have to stay here for a week, but then she can go home. You're welcome to stay with her."

"Gracias, Dr. Martinez," Elena said gratefully.

"Denada. Is there anything you need?" Gabriella inquired.

"I'm a little thirsty," Elena admitted.

"What would you like?"

"Some mango juice, pore favor? Take your time getting it. I know you're busy."

"I'm actually on my break," Gabriella revealed, "I'll be right back." She returned shortly with two cups. Handing one to Elena, she set the other down. "it's for Naomi in case she's thirsty when she wakes up."

Elena nodded in understanding. Taking a sip or two of her own juice, she set the cup down. Resuming humming, the nineteen-year-old waited for her girlfriend to awaken. Starting to sing her mother's lullaby, she felt herself relax. Combing a hand through Naomi's hair, Elena switched to Let Love Light the Way. Getting comfortable, she prepared herself for a long night…