CHAPTER 9

RECOVERY

Foreman took one look at the extent of bruising on Chase's side and knew that he was going to be sore for a few weeks. It wasn't likely that anything was broken, but his ribs were probably bruised.

He was lucky. If the car had slammed in his car any harder, he may have punctured a lung.

Foreman lay his hand gently on Chase's shoulder as his colleague stared blankly at the wall. He could see his hands trembling and he knew Chase was struggling to understand what had just happened. It was going to take a few weeks for him to heal physically, but mentally it was going to take much longer.

His gaze was drawn to the other bed in the room.

She still hadn't woken up. He didn't know the full extent to her head injury, but they had to wait until she woke up to determine any lasting trauma. The pain killer dripping in to her body would probably keep her under for just awhile longer until it ran out. Then the pain from her head would wake her.

"She saved my life."

The Australian accent sent Foreman's eyes back to Chase. Chase had shifted his gaze from the wall and he was now staring at Thirteen.

"He was going to shoot me, and she jumped at him. I don't know how. She had a concussion strong enough to knock out an elephant. She didn't even hesitate, even though she was in pain," he sounded almost bitter. Guilty.

Foreman looked sternly at him.

"Do you think she would have just stood there and watched as he shot you? She would never do that, and you know it. Stop blaming yourself for what happened. It isn't your fault that crazy people do crazy things. She wouldn't have done that if she hadn't wanted to, so stop being stupid," the sharpness in his voice seemed to pull Chase from his guilt-ridden fog.

He almost smiled and said "you're right." He looked around. "How's House?"

Foreman grunted. "He's healing. He was complaining earlier that someone didn't grab his cane from the parking lot. He's fine."

There was a sigh from the other end of the room. Thirteen's eyes were open and she was watching them. He knew her enough to know that the dull look in her eyes meant she was in pain but she was hiding it well.

"Hi Foreman. Hi Chase." She sounded characteristically calm and unshaken. Foreman knew better. Her face looked paler than usual and the bed sheets were shaking a little.

"Hey. How's the head?" Chase asked first?

"Good," she answered a little too quickly.

She and Chase were both staring at reach other with the same look shared in their gaze. He turned and left the room, but stood just outside it and listened.

"Thanks for saving me," he heard Chase murmur quietly.

"I thought you saved me," was Thirteen's reply.

"Oh, well, I guess we're even."

There was silence for a moment. Then.

"I'm glad you're okay, Thirteen."

"I'm glad we both are."

There was a shared sigh, and then Foreman walked down the hall, smiling to himself.

THE END

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