Chapter 10: Arguments and a Decision
It was only in a matter of minutes that the ambulance had reached the animal hospital. The was urgency in the air as the back doors flung open and Brittany's stretcher was carefully unloaded and wheeled over to a small veterinary team made out of one doctor and two nurses. The poor Chipette was still unconscious despite the paramedic's attempts to wake her, but she was whimpering with every small bump. This worried Alvin, who had reluctantly let go of her so the medics could read her vital signs.
As the stretcher was wheeled inside towards a diagnostics room, Alvin bounded in pursuit after it, only to be stopped by one of the nurses. She had to be at least 54. She looked at him with sympathy, but she still said firmly, "I'm sorry, little fella, but you'll have to wait out here."
Panic-stricken, Alvin practically yelled at her, "Wait out here, my ass! She needs me!"
The nurse sighed and stared down the aggravated chipmunk, whose look refused to falter, "No offense, but you're the last thing she needs. Right now, all she needs is a properly trained vet. She needs x-rays done and everything. I promise you she's getting the best care in Los Angeles.
Alvin looked ready to have a fit, "But-!"
But, the nurse wouldn't hear it, "No buts! Now please take a seat before you disturb the other animals!"
Suddenly, the doctor came through the door. He was tall, with red hair and spoke with an Australian accent, "Dolores, what are you doing? Get in here!"
Dolores flushed as she looked over her shoulder. She walked over to him, with a very agitated Alvin watching her go. "Sorry Chris. I'm just trying to deal with a very stubborn male," she said in a hushed tone, making Chris lean in to hear her, "You know how chipmunk teenagers are; the second they stop growing, they think they run the joint."
Chris seemed a lot less fussed than the old nurse, "One of the paramedics just told me that he was very reluctant to let the Chipette go, very protective. Perhaps she is his mate, or hoping she'll be in the near future."
"Do you think so?" Dolores asked. Chris nodded.
Alvin was watching the humans with a twinge of annoyance. They were so ignorant that they forgot that Alvin could hear them with his extra-sensitive ears. He snorted when they quickly glanced at him. But he had to admit, they were kind of on the right track.
"Perhaps, it's best if we let him in. If she is his mate, she'll want him close by when she wakes up." Chris said. With one glance at the anxious Alvin, he turned on his heel and strode back into the diagnostics room to join the other nurse who was preparing Brittany for x-rays.
Dolores turned back to the expectant chipmunk. Alvin had his arms crossed and looked as though he was waiting for an answer he already knew. Dolores sighed again and opened the door, "Come on then."
She had barely finished the sentence when Alvin was already through the door. She rolled her eyes and followed him in, closing the door behind her. Alvin leapt into the steel table that Brittany lay on, Dr Chris examining her torso by gently pressing on it. Brittany's outfit had been removed, so she was slightly shivering on the cold surface. Alvin felt like scolding the humans for letting her go cold, but that stopped once Dolores gently wrapped her in a towel, picking her up.
"We'll be back in a few minutes. I'm just taking her next door to get her x-rays done. We'll find out what damage has been done," Dolores informed the red-clad chipmunk, feeling sorry for him now that he just looked upset and worried for his counterpart. Alvin nodded to show he understood and watched with a twinge of regret as he precious Britt left his sight once again.
Dr Chris observed Alvin's behaviour closely. Not surprising, seeing as rodents was his specialty, "Don't worry, mate. She'll be right as rain in a week or two," Chris told the chipmunk, Alvin turning to face him," If I'm right, than all she'll need is a rib cast, some strong pain killers and plenty of rest. I'd also suggest that you keep whoever harmed her as far away as possible."
Again, Alvin snorted. He was definite that Dr. Ruben was going to make sure Brittany never laid eyes on Marni again
A few minutes later...
Just after Brittany was brought back to a relieved Alvin, the rest of the gang and Julie Ortega barged into the reception area. Jeanette and Eleanor had pulled themselves together, holding their counterparts paws as they strode in behind Dave and Julie. Everybody was as angry as Alvin had been. How dare that stinking cheerleader harm Brittany like that? That was completely uncalled for!
Julie approached the reception desk. The nurse on duty looked up at her questioningly through her glasses," Yes, can I help you?" she asked in a bored voice.
"Is there any news on the female chipmunk that was just brought in?" Julie asked politely. The nurse flipped through her paperwork before shaking her head solemnly.
"No, Miss, I'm sorry, but if anything comes up, you'll be the first to know. In the meantime, please take a seat in the waiting room through the door to your left," the nursed drawled. Julie bit her lip in anxiousness and headed back to the gang.
"No news on Brittany yet," Julie directly informed the Chipettes, "The only thing we can do for now is wait." So everybody slouched into the waiting room. Unsurprisingly, the room was anything but inviting. There was nothing but a table with old magazines on pet care and seats that were almost painful to sit on. The two couples had a chair each; Julie had one of her own while Dave stood on the table facing them.
Nobody wanted to talk; they were too absorbed in their own minds. Dave's mind was racing once more. How could this happen? The attack was just so unprovoked. Brittany never saw it coming. Ryan and Xander probably played a part in it, no doubt about it. What grudge could Marni have possibly be holding to want to slam a little chipmunk into the floor? Dave looked over to her distressed sisters who probably wanted be by her side. At least Alvin was with her. He had looked angrier than Dave had ever seen him.
After nearly 40 minutes, Toby came storming into the room, looking murderous. He nearly slapped Julie with a kiss on her cheek before taking the seat next to her. Nobody had ever seen Toby like this; he had always been so submissive. He growled, "I got your message Jules. I did exactly what you asked and called Dave."
The chipmunks froze. Call Dave? Oh crap.
"And is he on his way?" Julie asked expectantly. To her surprise, Toby shook his head, his scowl deepening.
"No, he didn't answer! It's not like his phone wasn't on, I was able to leave a message,"
Dave panicked, "Maybe he was just in a meeting? Or stuck in traffic?" he suggested hopefully.
Toby didn't buy it, "Dave always takes his phone into meetings and he always answers when I call, because it usually means that Alvin has set the kitchen on fire. He never takes a chance! Ross, either this is a major coincidence, or Dave is being a complete bastard! It doesn't take 40 minutes to call back, or to drive 9 blocks to get here!" Toby snapped.
Julie placed a comforting hand on Toby's shoulder, "Come on, Tobe. You know that your cousin would never neglect his kids. There is a logical reason for all of this." Toby just scowled, still fuming. Julie sighed in exasperation, "Come on, why don't we see if there's any news on Brittany yet and then we'll go outside and try Dave again.
Reluctantly, Toby nodded and they headed back outside the room. The chipmunks looked perplexed at each other for a few moments, before Simon asked, "What are we going to do, guys? If we don't come up with a good explanation, we're screwed."
"Another explanation?" Dave asked wearily. He was really getting tired of this, "Another lie? Simon, I'm starting to get confused about why we lied to Toby in the first place. A cover up for school is reasonable, but why are we shutting my cousin out of this? He's family too."
The others nodded in agreement. "That's true," Theodore agreed, "Toby's hung around us long enough to know that weird things happen in the Seville house. It might take a little bit of convincing, but he'd believe us in the end."
"Too true," Jeanette piped in, "I say we tell him. What's the worst that could happen?"
"I second that," motioned Eleanor, waking up from her stupor.
"I third it," added Dave, "We could really use his help. And Julie's too for that matter."
Simon looked unconvinced, but gave in to peer pressure, "All right, motion carried. We'll tell them when they get back."
Suddenly, the whole group instantly felt a huge weight lift off their shoulders. A bit of guilt had disappeared. It felt good. The next moment, Toby and Julie returned, either looking very happy. Tody was cursing under his breath as he fell back into his seat, much to Julie bemusement.
"So I'm guessing Dave didn't answer?" Eleanor asked. The dark looks on the humans faces told them everything, "Well, we're not surprised."
"You're not?' Julie asked curiously. The chipmunks shook their heads in unison, "Why not?"
"Well, you see it goes like this..." Jeanette started.
Back with Alvin and Brittany...
Alvin could finally relax. After nearly an hour of diagnosis and treatment, Brittany was resting comfortably in a heavily cushioned cage. The cage door had been removed by a request from Alvin. Just as Dr. Chris had predicted, a rib cast was wrapped around the Chipettes slender body and another bandage had been wrapped her forehead to cover the massive lump. She had been responding to touch and voices and the x-rays proved that no brain damage had been sustained from the impact with the gym locker.
Alls there was to do now was to wait for her to regain consciousness. Brittany was lightly curled up against Alvin, who had laid his head in the crook of her neck while one arm was draped gently over her waist. He slowly breathed, savouring her scent while listening to the faint drip drop of the morphine in her IV bottle. All was quiet. The staff had decided to place the Chipette in the quarantine area, seeing as no sick dog or distressed cat could disrupt her.
Alvin was revelling in the privacy until the door opened. He growled, already knowing who it was, but still wasn't happy to be disturbed. Dr. Chris treaded carefully toward the cage, quickly spotting Alvin's look of foreboding, "Not bothering you am I?"
Alvin gave him a look that clearly said, "What do you think, moron?"
Chris smiled sheepishly, "I just wanted to check on her once more before I inform your family. I wish I could let them see her, but for now, I think you're the only company she needs. They can see her in the afternoon."
Alvin nodded, honestly too tired to argue. He yawned lightly and curled his tail around his counterparts. Chris noticed this and his smile became warmer. Alvin narrowed his eyes and asked, "What is it?" Curiosity dripped from every syllable.
"It's nothing," Chris replied gently, "Forgive me if I'm wrong. It's just that, well, it's good to know that even though you're a domesticated chipmunk, your mating instincts haven't changed in the slightest."
"She's not my mate!" Alvin insisted.
"Not yet anyway," Chris chuckled, "Cause your body language suggests something completely different to what you say."
"It's not like I don't want her be. I do. A lot," Alvin sighed heavily. His ears flipped back, "There's just never been a good time to show her how I feel."
"Oh really?" asked Chris, "Then what do you think you're doing right now?"
He chuckled at the stunned look on Alvin's face. With a curt nod and a wink, Chris smirked all the way back out the door. Alvin couldn't believe the nerve of that guy. Just who the hell did he think he was telling Alvin how to run his love life?
Then again, Alvin thought, as sleep finally took a hold of him, Chris did have a point...
A/N Well, there you go, my little minions. Another chapter is done and dusted until next week.
Here's this week's question: Who would make a better love interest for Dave out of Vinny and Charlene?