Disclaimer: I do not own or have any rights to any of the Real Steel trademarks or characters. I only own Aleksandra.
Aleksandra Chapter 10
(Tak POV)
I was in daze.
Pacing back and forth across the starch white waiting room floor, I waited anxiously for any news.
Max along with Farra had joined both Charlie and I in the waiting room at some point along the way but to be honest I had hardly noticed.
Every second that ticked by without any news felt like an eternity.
It was taking too long; we should have heard something by now.
Even though I knew better, I could not help but think of all the worst possibilities.
I felt a hand rest on my shoulder and turned around to see Charlie.
"Hey man, why don't you take a seat". He told me gently, "Farra, and I are going to head down to the cafeteria and try and find some semi eatable food for us to eat, do you want us to get you anything"?
Even though I knew that logically I should be hungry and eat I just could not even bare to think about eating any type of food, just the mere thought made my stomach queasy.
So without much consideration I shook my head no.
"You cannot give him a choice Charlie", Farra interjected, "Tak we are going to go down to the cafeteria and we are going get some food and you are going to eat it whether you want to or not"!
And with that she marched out of the waiting room with Charlie trailing not far behind her.
After a while I did finally relent and sit down next to Max giving the floor a well needed break from all of my pacing.
Taking in a deep breath I took in the room in which I sat.
Tired, sad, exhausted people surrounded me on all sides. Some were crying, some looked to be in shock and others simply looked defeated.
Suddenly I felt extremely overwhelmed.
So much sadness and despair, all in one room, it was suffocating.
But, there was also a since of hope that lifted you up coming from people who refused to give up on their loved ones.
There were the mothers that were trying to keep their children's spirits high, older siblings calming the younger ones worries, and then there were children who attempted there best to lighten the mode.
In that moment I was determined to be one of those people, someone who gave other hope when they could find none.
Alek was strong and I refused to give up hope on her.
With a new attitude and perspective I sat up just a little straighter and raised my head just a little higher.
Much to my dismay Farra and Charlie returned with plenty of food to go around and I was given no option but to eat what the substances which were put in front of me.
It was hours later before we heard any kind of news.
Finally, after what seemed like five eternities to me a doctor approached are small little group.
I looked up at him with wide and hopeful eyes searching his face for any kind of clue on what he was about to say.
I must say I did not like what I interpreted.
"Aleksandra is out of surgery, but she is still in a very serious condition", he began carefully, "She suffered from multiple broken bones including many of her ribs and several of her fingers. Along with that she is severely malnourished and dehydrated, her vitals have stabled out for the moment but she is still far from being recovered, these next 24 hours are going to be critical for our knowledge on what her recovery will be".
I felt nauseated hearing all that had happened to Alek
"When can I see her"? I asked quickly wasting no time.
"Well due to her condition and the fact that she is still in the ICU only immediate family members are allowed to visit her at the moment". He responded, "You, being her husband are considered immediate family, however, friends are not". He finished looking directly at Max, Charlie, and Farra.
I hesitated, not wanting to leave behind the very people that had been there for me and that had played an instrumental part in Alek's rescue.
At the same time I could not imagine being away from my beloved wife's bedside for a second longer then I had to be.
Farra, appearing to sense my internal struggle stood up and placed her hand on my shoulder.
"Go on, go see your wife, we will all be fine here" She told me gently. Charlie and Max nodded behind her rapidly in agreement, "Go on, tell us how she is doing and send her our love and our hope"!
It struck me a little odd on just how caring Farra was being, I guess that she cared more for Alek then she liked to be known.
Smiling shakily, I told them my thanks and followed the doctor back into the ICU.
I found myself growing nervous as we neared Alek's room. Questions started popping into my head a mile a minute.
What would she think, will she forgive me for not finding her sooner..?
Question after question scenario after scenario ran through my head as we walked through the stark white hallways of the hospital.
Eventually we stopped outside a room. The blinds were drawn but somehow I just knew that my Alek was behind that door.
I made a move towards the handle when I felt a hand rest upon my arm.
It was Alek's doctor.
"Before you go in there I have to warn you, she is in pretty bad shape, I think that it is your best interest that you begin to prepare yourself for the worst".
My heart sank as he said these words and all I could do was nod my head in shock and disbelief.
"Come on", he nodded towards the door, "Let's go and see your wife".
Stepping by me he reached down and opened the door.
Cautiously, for fear of what I might see I stepped inside.
A cry of dismay slipped past my lips as I laid eyes on my wife.
There she lay, stiff in a hospital bed attached to numerous machines and monitors. She was covered in thick white bandages and bruises marred her soft, ivory skin.
I swallowed down the lump that was quickly forming in my throat sure that I was going to break into tears right then and there.
The doctor was talking to me about her condition, but I was in such a daze that I was not processing a single word that he was saying.
I really tried to listen, focus, but my eyes kept wandering back to Alek's still form lying in the bed before me.
Vaguely I heard the doctor tell me that he would be back later to check on Alek and to just press the button at the head of her bed if I needed any emergency assistance, or to press the red button if I needed a nurse.
The door slid opened and then closed, we were all alone.
I made my way over to her bedside and pulled over one of the hard plastic chairs to sit on.
Taking one of her cold hands in mine I let the tears I had been holding in fall. Soon I was all out sobbing, letting out all of the pain I had been feeling.
I felt the overwhelming urge to have someone there with me, help me through this, someone who could be strong when I could not, but the one person who I could trust with my feelings was lying motionless in the bed before me.
I have no idea just how much time had passed before Alek's doctor returned. With him he brought good news telling me that Alek's vitals were stable enough that she could be moved out of the ICU and into one of the inpatient rooms!
The hospital team went right to work, unhooking IV's and preparing Alek for travel.
I just stood awkwardly off to one side not really sure what to do but refusing to let Alek leave my sight.
Following the team out of the room, we all crowded onto one elevator.
I watched one of the men push floor 6 and the elevator jolted to life carrying us up. Feeling slightly claustrophobic I willed the elevator to move faster up the floors!
Feeling no same amount of relief as we exited I elevator I proceed to walk down the white halls as I followed Alek's bed. We stopped right in front of the door near the end of the hallway which bore Alek's name.
She was moved from the travel bed into the bed that lay in the room and re-hooked up to all of the machines and IV's.
This room was by far nicer coming with a couch, a plush chair, and its own personal bathroom with a shower!Not even to mention the large TV that was mounted across from the bed.
I was somewhat saddened by all of this for you could tell that this room was made for someone who was expected to stay for awhile.
Thanking all of the nurses and doctors who brought Alek up on their way out of the door, I took my cell phone from my pocket and scrolled through all of my contacts before I reached the number I was searching for.
Pressing the green call button I only needed to wait a few moments before I heard Farra's distinctive voice came over the line.
"Hello"
"Hey, I just wanted to let you guys know that Alek has been moved out of the ICU and up to the impatient room so you all can come visit her if you would like to, she is in room 635 on the sixth floor".
I could hear the excitement in her voice as she told me they were on their way and would be up momentarily before promptly hanging up the phone.
She was right, for it was only three minutes later when the trio waltzed through the doorway.
I watched as their faces were quickly stripped of all color as they laid eyes on Alek's form.
Shaking himself out of his bewilderment Charlie walked over and put a hand on my shoulder
"Hey, man how you holding up"?
I just shook my head; Charlie seemed to understand and did not question me any farther.
We all sat in silence for a good amount of time before Max spoke up.
"It's not fair, why does someone like Alek get to be in this position when the very people that did this to her are healthy and fit probably not even caring about what will happen to Alek".
I had thought the same things myself numerous times but before I could answer Max the door opened and in walked Alek's doctor.
He walked over to Alek and took her vital signs while asking us if there was any sign that she was waking up.
I told him no, and I suspected he could see my disappointment and frustration for he assured me that everyone wakes from the anesthesia at different times.
With that he walked out leaving us all alone with our thoughts once more.
Sighing in frustration and defeat I re-took Alek's hand in mine.
"Alek, love, if you can hear me please send us a sign, something to let us know that we still have you with us, please".
Nothing, exhaling deeply I moved to let go of Alek's hand and grab a water when something stopped me.
(Alek's POV)
I felt as though I was floating, swimming in darkness and solitude
It was so peaceful, after all the pain and suffering I welcomed this numbness with no hesitation.
Something new was here though, something that had not been here when I had entered this place. It was a feeling of love and safety.
Struggling I endeavored to move closer to this wonderful, blissful feeling.
It always seemed to be just out of reach, just always out of my grasp.
After much struggle and no small amount of determination I managed to reach this feeling after sometime and surround myself in it.
It hit me like a ton of bricks.
Tak, that's what I was feeling, he must be here with me, fighting for me
In that moment I knew that I had to fight with all that I had left in me, I had to find my way back to my love.
Focusing all of my will power on escaping this darkness I began to work my way out of the blackness that surrounded me.
With every effort I grew weaker, every part of me was telling me to give up and embrace the darkness.
But, somehow I found the strength with in me to carry on and continue fighting.
I was becoming more aware of my surroundings; I could feel Tak's strong calloused hand on mine.
I could do this.
With one last final push I gave it all I had, and opened my eyes to the bright lights and the world around me.
(Tak POV)
A low moan caught my attention. It was so quite that I believed I had hallucinated it in my exhausted but I could not help the small feeling of hope which bubbled up inside if me.
Turning back to Alek I nearly screamed with joy as I saw her eye lids fluttering, struggling to open.
"Alek, love can you hear me"?
"Tak"? She rasped out weakly.
She responded! She really was awake and that was the only thing in the universe that mattered at that moment.
By this point we had caught the attention of Charlie, Farra, and Max and they all hustled over quickly wanting to see for themselves that Alek was really and truly awake.
"Hey guys, what's up"? Alek questioned with a grin clearly trying not to show the pain that she was in.
Max practically went to throw himself into her arms before remembering her injuries and promptly stopping himself.
The reunion lasted a few moments longer before we thought to call a nurse to alert Alek's doctor of her awakening.
Her doctor came in mere moments later obviously happy to see Alek awake and even sitting up a little.
After running his usual rounds and checks he stepped back with a smile, announcing to us that everything was healing nicely and it looked as though Alek would make a full recovery some day soon!
We were all thrilled to hear this!
After the doctor left so did Farra, Max and Charlie to grab Alek some clothes from home and to give the two of us a bit of space alone together.
Moving onto the spot next to Alek in the bed I gathered Alek up into my arms. The two of just lay there for a good while before Alek spoke.
"What happened to them, the men who took me"?
I could hear the fear in her voice as she spoke even though she tried her best to hide it.
"There locked up now, they shall never hurt you again".
(Alek POV)
The relief that I felt as Tak spoke those words was indescribable. Finally this nightmare was over.
Snuggling deeper into Tak's strong arms I felt tremendous amount of security and warmth.
We would make it through this though I really doubted that our secret would be able to survive such publicity that this event was sure to bring.
But for now this was nothing to worry about, all that mattered at this moment was Tak.
For the first time in weeks I finally felt that everything would truly be okay.
THE END
A/N: Well there you have it that is the end. Do you think that I should add an epilogue? Please tell me what you think! Criticism is very much appreciated! I would like to thank all of those who have stuck with me throughout this story!