Chapter 10

Jed closed the bedroom door softly and walked down to the office where he knew everybody was waiting for some news.

He walked over to his desk chair and sat down. Sighing, he looked at five pairs of anxious eyes.

"She's stable for the moment."

A chorus of exhaled breaths permeated the room. It had been an anxious hour after the doctor had ordered everyone out. They could see the Flight Surgeon running back and forth from the bedroom to the infirmary, carrying various supplies and then he had disappeared into the bedroom.

"What happened, Dad?" Ellie knew something serious was wrong.

"She spiked a fever. A high fever. At one point it reached 105 but with alcohol rubs we were able to get it down to 103.8 which is what it is now. Dr. Walls has started antibiotics and she's taken blood cultures to find out why this has happened."

"Is she conscious?"

Jed shook his head. "Not really. She responds to my voice but it's such an effort to open her eyes. Dr. Walls said that was okay. We need to start worrying when she doesn't respond to us."

Leo looked at his best friend, worried about how this new stress would affect him. "Sir, what can we do?"

"Nothing. Dr. Walls says we should continue the flight since we're only two hours out. The infirmary has almost everything Abbey needs for the moment. I told them I would order the plane down so Abbey could be taken to the nearest hospital but both physicians agreed that Abbey would be better served if we can get her to Washington and in the hospital there. God, I only hope so."

Liz stood up and walked behind her father. She leaned down and hugged his neck. "Mom will be fine. Look at what she's already come though."

Jed patted her hands. "She's strong, Liz. But how much more can one person take? Her body has been through so much."

"I know, Dad. We just have to be strong for her and give her strength."

"Liz, to be honest, I don't know how much more strength I have to give."

"Then Ellie and Zoey and I will give you both strength." She leaned down and kissed her father's head. "Take from us and give it to Mom. We're here for you both."

"Thanks sweetie."

"What do we do now?" Leo had always been in charge, able to make decisions and do something. But now he was lost. His best friends were in trouble and he couldn't do a damn thing about it. Abbey might die and if she did, then Jed would definitely follow. He had known it for years but this last ten days had really made it obvious.

Jed sighed. "The doctors are doing everything possible. I guess that all we can do is to pray. Pray that this will get better. It certainly can't get any worse."