Chapter 10 - Next In Line
"You know, he's showing more colour now, Ma"
Nate looked up to his mother as she walked in. It had been roughly two hours since Nate had donated. Drowsy and hungry, yet he never left his brother's side. Even with the five missed calls from Ruth, he still sat beside his brother - holding onto whatever hope he could grasp. Squeezing his brothers hand, he hadn't let go. He knew Ruth would be asking where he was, what was happening and if he was staying out of harm's way, reminding him that he had a son. yet he would think about just that, every second of the day as he was away from them; but right now, he just wanted to be there for his brother. Why was it so hard for Ruth to trust him, he had been clean from gambling since Charley was born. That, is roughly 6 months or longer. Doing everything he could to be the greatest father for his son, never walking away... unless his brother was comatose.
Madeline smiled down at him, her hand softly and sweetly rubbing his back as she came behind him. She held in the cheer that screamed inside her, wishing she could smile. Wishing she could jump up and down in pure joy...She kept it in, she didn't want her hopes so high that if they fell, it'd create a massive earthquake.. Scared of her own reactions at this point, after she had practically abused Sam. As she helped Nate up, Nate needed some fresh air. Exiting the room, Sam entered..
Walking in quietly as Madeline took Nate's seat. Letting out a large sigh. She forced a smile at her unconscious son and kept her eyes fixed on him, ignoring Sam...
Clearing his throat, Sam took Fi's seat on Michael's left side. He could see Madeline was trying her best to keep in the anger that boiled within as he was there. It was clear, Fi had told her about his breakdown, his need and intention to run...
"Maddie...I'm Sorry"
Sam let out, it was a soft whisper. He had choked. Unsure what he was to say, how he was to explain his actions...He was frightened of her response, her words...Madeline slowly looked up at Sam, her eyes locked with his for a second. He could see her wanting to burst and expose off the questions that filled and spilled her mind. Keeping in the anger, she tightly grasped onto Michael's hand. Squeezing it as hard as she could. Apart of her hoped the intense pressure on his hand would awake him...
"Why did you leave us, Sam?"
The words only just escaping her lips, in a gasp. She really wanted to know, wanted to hear his explanation, where his mind was at? She never imagined Sam would leave them, not once.. until now.
Sam lowered his face and exhaled deeply and loudly. Words running and rushing through his mind, He tried desperately to catch the right words. To explain and try and convince her, his intentions were all in their best interest.. not his.
"It's all my fault Maddie, Larry... replaced my rifle with blanks, he knew what I'd do. He faked his death, shot Mike so the attention was on him and only him. He came back.. to finish.. Mike off, he came back because I was a failure. I got him this time -".
Sam explained in detail, at least a small amount of detail. He wasn't ready himself to explain it in full, he was still scarred and bruised from the whole event...
Madeline cut him off instantly..
"Are you sure he's dead now, Sam?"
As her words struck him, hard. He swallowed that very same lump of guilt and felt his heart ache as her words sank through. It hurt...
" he's finally officially dead Larry now, I called up and made sure...I took a tour to the surveillance boost, I watched it all happen. This was where I found out it was all my fault. I couldn't take it, I couldn't watch my brother bleed and slowly vanish thanks to my own faults. I had to leave. I left, I went back to the Loft. Gathered my things. Fi called me, trying to convince me.. I hung up on her and I left..."
His eyes every so often bouncing up to observe Madeline's reaction as he explained. She looked at him, her eyes cold. He stopped, unsure and confused on what he was to continue with..He watched Madeline...
"Why did you come back?"
Madeline roughly asked, it was what she wanted to know most. What changed his mind, why did he turn around and come back? What triggered the change? was it Nate? So many questions started to dart and pin its way through Madeline's head..
"Mike..."
Sam started, he took a quick glance at his best friend and continued;
"He'd never do that to me, he'd fight till the bitter end if it was me in this bed. Fi was right, I was being stupid. Fi's another reason I came back, I never knew how much she needed me until now. She was so distraught, and I just ignored it and left her. How could I ever forgive myself? how could I ever explain to Mike without being punched in the face? I was being unreasonable.. then I thought of Nate, his brother...How upset he'd be, if he was to get that phone call from you, Madeline. Explaining that he just lost his only brother and he had no idea... I couldn't leave him in the dark..."
Madeline nodded and her lips curved. Smiling- a very small, yet sincere smile. She reached forwards and took Sam's hand..
"You did the right thing, in the end. took you a good while... but you did the right thing, Sam"
Comforting, her words dissolved into his skin. Sending chills of relief as her words were so honest and genuine. Sam smiled back and turned to see Michael.
"Now, we wait for Mikey to wake up..."
As Madeline tightly held onto Sam's hand as it rested on Michael's chest. Nate and Fi walk in quietly. Fi came beside Sam and started kicking the legs of the chair, warning him to get out of her seat. Sam smiled and raised an eyebrow at her. Fi looked down at him and swiftly grabbed and pinched his ear...
"Ow, Ow.. ok ok! Fi.. you win!"
It only hurt slightly, however; he knew if he weren't to move. He'd be feeling her wrath, and of course. he knew just how painful and deadly it was...As he moved off the chair. Nate stood beside Madeline, looking down at her.
"Ma, are you ok?"
Nate calmly asked as she stared at Michael.
"I'm fine, Honey"
As Nate kneeled down, he watched his mother carefully. Making sure she was in fact, Fine. He knew just how good she was at hiding her true feelings, how manipulative she was. She looked so exhausted, fed up and completely lost. He didn't blame her one bit...He felt the same..
At that moment, a Nurse softly knocked on the door and made her way through the slightly opened door. Her face buried in her clip board. She looked over it and saw everyone. Removing the clip board from her view, she smiled and blushed at them all.
"I just, need to check his dressings and vitals"
She softly stated as she moved in-between Fi and the bed. Cutting off Fi's line of sight. Fi scoffed and pushed the chair back and stepped over towards the door with Sam. Her hands crossed against her chest, annoyed.
As the nurse re-applied Michael's dressings and bandages on his lower body. As she finished, she stepped back and shook her head. Alarming Madeline instantly...
"What's wrong?"
Madeline instantly questioned her, moving off her seat - she became angry. The young nurse moved her eyes off Michael to see her, she stepped away from Michael and bit her lower lip. As if she was hesitant on her words...
"Well.. I mean, who does that?"
The question baffled Madeline, she was completely thrown off by her words. Completely unsure on what she meant, she had to inquire further...
"I'm sorry?"
She cocked an eyebrow and gave the young nurse a very deadly and curious look - the very look the other knew too well. They kept quiet. However; Fiona was just as curious and startled as Madeline. She kept her distance, but was ready to say or do anything...
"Well... who does that? dig through their own wound? is he mentally unstable or something?"
"Whoa! Sister!"
"What!"
"Excuse Me? you think my son went and ripped open his wound? - His iliac artery for that matter?"
Madeline instantly moved forwards. Without a single warning or second in-between her words and movement. She slapped the Nurse across the left cheek, hard. The smack reverberated throughout the room...Startling, Sam and Nate.
The Nurse gasped and instantly placed her palm on her now burning cheek. Tears started to shrink-wrap her eyes..She was now shaking out of fear and disbelief...
"I.. I..."
She stumbled..
"Did you even bother to read the notes on this?"
Sam raised the clip board and shook it at her. He was now pointing at the bottom of the second piece of paper, indicating of the attack. Raising an eyebrow, he shoved the clip board into her chest and grunted...
"I'm... I'm sorry..."
She muttered and shook violently, stumbling as she tried to backtrack her way out of the room before she was even more embarrassed or harmed..
As she started for the door, Fi grabbed her arm and tried to stand her up properly as she was inches away from fumbling and falling over her own two feet. Giving the girl a hand, she smiled at her stood her up..
"Stand up, stand tall... and remember to read the damn notes and think before you speak..."
Fiona stated and instructed the young nurse. Sam looked at Fi almost completely shocked by her sweet attitude towards a nurse who had just accused Michael as being mentally unstable... Was he missing something here?
Patting the nurse on both shoulders, Fiona gave her a smile. she then let her smile fade. Her hand raised, she too slapped her in the face, left cheek. The Nurse yelped and winced as her cheek stung and burnt from the two strong and sudden impacts...
"Don't you dare come back in here, again. got it?"
Fi growled at the Nurse, pushing her out of the door- She got a light dose of her wrath, she was lucky. Slamming the door behind her. Spinning around. She sighed deeply and removed the loose strands of hair from her face, frustrated. She let out another loud sigh and threw her hands down beside her...Trying to contain her anger and tears that started to threaten her. All she could manage to do; was think of the pain Michael would have felt as Larry dug his knuckles and fingers through the wound...As the room became silent, no eye contact. Complete silence. Fi slowly made her way back down to Michael's side.
"Mike would have loved that..."
Sam chimed in, breaking the silence. He couldn't help but smile at his little tale..However; everyone else stayed quiet. Their minds racing. Even Nate was quiet. Tough crowd...
"How dare someone accuse Michael of doing such a thing..."
It hurt to even think of it. How insensitive and wrong the nurses' words were. Just how did she even get that thought through her mind! It was completely useless and uncalled for. It was a complete mind bog as to how.
"Of what, Ma?"
His voice croaked, dry and husky. Michael managed to let out the words. Raising his eyebrows as his eyes pinned on his mother's face - in which was completely beaten until his words escaped and shook the whole room into nothing but smiles. Choked, Madeline looked down at her son, seeing his blue eyes asking of her reply...
"Michael!"
She gasped, her hands now cupping his face. Giving him a peck on the lips and a kiss on the forehead. Her face beamed with so much happiness, that small and light tears escaped the corners of her eyes. Fi bit her lower lip and stroke his hair, letting Madeline have her moment...
As Madeline moved from him, Michael saw Nate standing behind her. Confused he gave Nate a quick study...
"Hey Bro, you finally woke up!"
Keeping in him screams of happiness, Nate kept his cool and smiled down at him. Before he could reply, Fi pulled his hair. Michael grunted and winced as the tug was hard and very quick, turning to Fi. He gave her that warm and sincere smile that usually made her melt. She smiled at him and leaned in for a kiss.
"Miss Me?"
Michael managed to let out before his lips parted with Fi's...As Fi kissed him, sweetly and passionately. she broke the kiss and leaned back, slapping him. The smack was loud, sending shivers down Madeline's arms...
"Ow! Fi!..."
Michael shouted at her, his hand pressed against his cheek. It was more the shock that struck him. However; he should have expected it. It was Fiona after all..
"It's about time you woke up! I had enough of staring at you sleeping for three days!"
Fi played and growled at him. She could feel the sudden surge of relief overtake her. It really was over now...She could breathe...Stepping back, she sighed deeply as Madeline moved over towards her and grabbed her hand, tightly grasping it. She knew just how happy and relieved Fiona was...Fi returned the grasp and tightly held onto Madeline's hand... Sam moved in, scared of how Michael would react to seeing him. He still, blamed himself...It wasn't as deeply as what he had felt earlier but he still felt responsible...
"Mike, glad to see you awake.. Finally"
Shoving in a little irony at the end of his words, Sam smiled down at Michael and playfully punched him in the arm...
"Yeah, Sam... I'm fine, No need to worry anymore"
Sam felt the same relief and sensation overtake him, he smiled at Michael before Nate poked Michael in the arm. Removing himself from the scene, Sam moved towards Fi and Madeline, letting out a large and loud exhale.
"Sam?"
As his name was called out, Sam looked over Fi's shoulder to see the very same kid he met in the surveillance room...Raising an eyebrow at the kid, Sam patted Fi on the shoulder and moved over towards him as he stood only just slightly inside the room. His face filled with anxiety...
"Yeah?..."
Sam questioned the kid instantly. Hesitation, curiosity and worry started to attack him as he studied the kid. He was anxious and nervous as he looked around the room, keeping his head low...
"I don't know what just happened... I was just offered a substantial amount of money..."
The Kid whispered, his voice low and tainted with concern with each word. Sam could hear guilt within his words. Sam leaned in closer and edged the kid to explain further...
"And? come on, Spit it out!"
Agitated by the kid's choice of words, in-expressive sentences. he was sending him mixed messages. it started to boil Sam's veins...
"Look, I just found out my fiancée is pregnant... I took it, I took the money they offered me..."
Seeing the guilt start to override his nervousness, Sam looked back to see Michael and Nate talking. Turning back to the kid, he watched him closely again...
"Look, can you speed this up and tell me what the hell this has to do with me? My Buddy just woke up"
As Sam asked and stated as politely as he could. The kid looked over Sam's shoulder, seeing Michael awake. He gasped in glee and looked back to Sam.
"I'm glad he's ok..."
He was easily sidetracked, clearly. Sam flexed his fingers and grabbed the kid by the shoulder, squeezing it. Trying as nicely as he could to hurry the boy in continuing what the hell he was speaking off. What was making him so nervous, so guilty...
"Ok, yeah. Sorry.. So they gave me the money. In exchange of the footage you saw with that guy and your friend here...Asked that I answered any questions they had... I'm not even meant to be here telling you this...I could get in serious shit right now"
Are you serious? How the hell did this all have to happen right now? Mike just woke up! Feeling the urge to crack his head into the wall right now, Sam grunted and moved the kid closer towards the door, whispering. He didn't want the girls or anyone else to know what he was hearing, not yet... let them have at least an hour or two of bliss... Damnit.
"Whoa, Whoa! ok. Look you need to explain this in more detail Kid... by the way, what is your name?"
His thoughts travelling and speeding through his mind. He tried his best to make himself clear enough so he would tell him everything he needed..
"My name is David... I think they'll kill me if I'm seen with you, but they kept referring the guy who attacked your friend as their husband, she wasn't as old as him either... much younger, she was crazy! she wanted the footage...Kept saying she'll end you all for killing her husband or something, I was scared out of my mind! she gave me the money and left..."
His hand over his face, rubbing his forehead. His eyes closed. What the hell...Taking in the new lovely news, not only was the kid in danger from speaking to him, Team Westen were now on a mad women's list for revenge...
"Can you tell me anything about her? what exactly did she want?"
As David didn't entirely make it clear enough on what she initially wanted. Sam tried his best to keep calm and gather as much information as possible...
"She was younger than him, kind of like the chick over there with your friend...Umm... she kept saying she was the guys Wife and that she wanted yours and your friends head, since you're both the reason why her Larry was dead...She knew exactly who your friend was too... said Larry wouldn't shut up about him"
Tilting his head upright. Sam closed his eyes, swallowed hard and tried to control the anger that rushed through him... Sam tried to wrap his mind around everything...
"Ok, Look. you need to get out of here. go home, pack and get out of here. Leave town"
David nodded as Sam explained what he had to do. As David stayed there and watched Sam..
"Are you and your friend going to be ok?"
The concern was crystal clear on his face. Sam patted his shoulder and gave him a fake smile...
"you just worry about your family"
He said before thinking even further..
"I want to make sure you make it out safe, so give me a call when you do"
Sam quickly noted his number down on the back of his yogurt tally for Michael and handed it to David. He was just as concerned for the kid as he was for himself and Michael. David was innocent and only trying to do what was best for himself and his family.
"Go, make sure you're not tailed..."
He nodded slowly, unsure on exactly what Sam meant..
"look, if you have any suspicion that you're being followed. just slam the breaks and just sit there and check if the person you're following is really following you. If they leave, you'll be safe...If they don't just drive around for hours and hours on end. Never go home in that case."
Trying to be as detailed as he can as he could feel the adrenaline and worry start to kick in. He watched as David smiled and nodded..
"they don't show you that on TV shows!"
Sam smiled and spat a reply..
"Yeah, because TV shows, aren't reality. Go. Make sure you call me when you're both safe"
As David quickly cleared the scene, Sam turned to face everyone. Trying his best to shake the concern from his face. Sam slowly moved into the small crowd and rubbed his chin and lips...
"Everything ok, Sam?"
Authors Note:
Thanks for the love and support guys. you're all amazing! keep it up! :D Sorry for rustiness!