Author's note: Hey guys I'm really sorry for the extremely long wait. Between a lot of homework, getting sick several times, and reading (which is a lame excuse) I've been really busy. I assure you I will start writing this again to the finish. So here's a long awaited chapter discussing the status of Drew. ;)

~Heather

Chapter 11: The Road to Recovery

May begins pacing back and forth waiting anxiously to find out how Drew is. She sighs and turns when her ears pick up the sound of footsteps. A small nurse with a clipboard timidly makes her way to the group.

"How is he?" May asks.

"Well it's not terrible, but it's not good either." The nurse sighs.

"What's wrong?" Norman questions as he uncrosses his legs and prepares to stand.

"Well, the doctor would like to keep the boy for a week or so to heal, but he overheard us and started thrashing. We tried to calm him down but he was unstoppable. It took five doctors to finally tie down his arms to the bed rails. He has three broken ribs on his left side and from the struggle two on his right. We're going to use some Novocain so we can set the ribs tomorrow and then tape some thick bandages around his waist. He's going to need at least three weeks of bed rest before he can even stand much less walk around." The nurse replies.

"I knew something like this would happen if he continued to struggle." May groans. "Are we allowed to see him?"

"I-I suppose. You'll have to get permission from a doctor first. We're kind of leery that he may slip out of his wrist restraints and start thrashing again though. So I'm sure as long as you promise not to help free his arms you'll be able to see him." The nurse gives May a small smile.

"Thanks Tina. I'll take over from here."

Everyone turns to see the doctor standing beside the waiting room door.

"Oh. Yes sir." The nurse bows and scampers off.

"Can Drew have visitors?" Delanie asks jumping to her feet.

The doctor gives wary glances to the "family" and then sits down.

"I suppose I can allow that. I do ask though, at the very least allow us to keep him for two days. If you'd please." The doctor nervously glances at family.

"It's understandable. That way Drew's less likely to move and thrash what with the restraints. I'm sure he'll be much too resistant to stay for three weeks though," Caroline says.

"I understand. I'm going to ask you, a small favor if you will, you've been taking care of him for a couple of weeks now to the best of my knowledge, right? If you'd please can he stay with you for another three weeks for recovery?" The doctor questions.

"That will be fine. Besides I don't think my daughter will let him out of her sight right now." Norman laughs as May takes off at a small sprint to find Drew's room. Delanie follows after May shaking her head and bowing apologetically at the doctor.

"You're all very kind. Thank you for your cooperation." The doctor smiles wryly. "I have other patients to tend to now so I'll be checking in with you later."

The doctor turns and heads out the door. Suddenly Norman's cell phone goes off, the loud noise irritating some people who are also waiting in the waiting room. He quickly picks it up giving apologetic glances to the other guests in the room.

"Yes? What is it?" Norman asks.

Max's voice comes across the receiver "Hey dad. I was wondering why you never came to pick me up." Max pouts.

"Son, an emergency came up. We're at the hospital right now." Norman explains.

"Did May fall over her own feet?" Max laughs.

"No. It's Drew. He's got a total of five broken ribs. He's put up quite a fight here. We won't be home for another couple days. I hope that's alright with AJ's parents." Norman elaborates.

"Aw. That really bites. I hope Drew gets better soon." Max sighs. "AJ's mom said it would be fine if I stayed another couple days. Drew better be glad we have vacation right now or I'd be kicking his sorry-"

"Max, that's quite enough. I don't even want to hear the language I know you're gonna use. So please behave. We'll see you Monday after school." Norman says. They exchange goodbyes before hanging up.

"Was that Max?" Caroline asks.

"Yes. He'll be spending a few more nights at AJ's to compensate for the fact we'll be gone," Norman says.

"At least someone can put up with his attitude." Caroline laughs as she lays down on a couch in the waiting room. Norman sits on the couch arm stroking her hair. Soon Caroline is sleeping.

With May, Delanie, and Drew

May yanks open a door finally sensing Drew. Drew's surrounded by pillows and blankets. His eyes reach hers and his gaze drops as he catches the fury in May's eyes.

"What were you thinking? First you fall out of bed because you're restless. Then you get into a fight with nurses. You knew you couldn't put up a fight in your current state and so you went and broke a couple more ribs. Don't even say "they're just ribs". Drew you nearly gave me a heart attack when you hurt yourself." May snaps.

"What do you want me to say? I'm sorry? I hate hospitals. My little sister was killed by a doctor in one. Oh you didn't know? My mother was pregnant with a little girl shortly after I turned eight. Some doctors accidentally cut into her chest when they were trying to cut her out of mom's stomach. She was dead when they pulled her out." Drew shouts and May withdraws herself from him slightly.

"I didn't know. I'm sorry." May's eyes glance to Drew's helpless form.

"It took a long while for my parents to stop me from going insane after that. If it wasn't for the nurses, she'd probably be alive. Yet here I am, in a place that my sister was killed." Tears streak down Drew's eyes and he begins jerking his arms angrily in the restraints.

"So she died. Are you ever going to get over her death? You're in a hospital and you're still alive. It's not their fault. It was an accident. Think about how that nurse must feel." Delanie makes her way over to Drew's side. She grabs one of his arms in the restraint and gives him an angry look.

Drew looks up at Delanie and sobs emit from his mouth. His arms relax in the restraints and he tenses.

"Lanie, don't you think that was a little harsh?" May asks quietly as she makes her way to Drew's bedside.

"It was the only way to get through to him. Would you rather he went and destroyed his arms? I'll bet his wrists are red from that. Drew just face it. You're going to be fine. Besides you're only staying here a couple more days before you're going back to stay with May's folks for three weeks," Delanie says as she crosses her arms across her chest.

May touches Drew's forehead and smooths back his bangs as he sobs. She plants a gentle kiss on his forehead then steps back slightly, her hand still stroking his hair.

"It's going to be alright Drew. Everything will be fine. I'll come in every day and visit you for the next two days and then you'll be back with us." May smiles a small smile.

Drew sniffs and looks up at his girlfriend. "Thank you May. Um. . . could you lean down here so I can kiss you. It'll make me feel better."

"Of course." May smiles and leans down. Drew and May share a kiss for a few minutes before May breaks away.

"You need rest." She sighs.

Drew chuckles looking at her blood red eyes. "Looks like you need rest and blood more than I do. Hey Delanie, think you can go and sneak May out to get a bite of rabbit or something?"

"Yeah I suppose." Delanie huffs. "Since I need to be everyone's supplier. Want me to sneak you some too?" She snickers as she holds up an empty water bottle.

Drew's eyes light up with a childish gleam.

"Please?" He begs with puppy-like eyes.

"Alright." Delanie laughs. "You owe me if I ever go and decide to take on three wolves one on one." Delanie snickers.

"Hey." Drew frowns.

Delanie winks and grabs May's hand dragging her to the door.

"We'll see you tomorrow. Don't do anything stupid." Delanie chuckles as she drags May out to hunt.

Drew sighs and stares at the ceiling soon drifting to sleep.

The next day

The doctors set Drew's ribs and bandage them. He takes a nap for a bit.

Delanie sighs as she fiddles with a water bottle filled with deer blood. Her eyes meet May's sleepless ones and she gives May a scolding look.

"How many days have you been without sleep now?" Delanie frowns as Norman stares over at his daughter.

"Last night was the second night. Drew will be released tomorrow afternoon right? I'll be able to sleep when I know for sure that he's alright." May mumbles childishly.

"Well at least we got your hunger quenched. You can't go without eating like that anymore." Delanie mumbles as she glances around cautiously at the humans in the room.

"I know. I know. You're worried I'll faint or something." May mimics Delanie, picking up on the human eyes that are watching her from the other end of the room.

"I know what will ease your conscience. Let's go visit Drew. I'm sure he'd like something to drink." Delanie smiles as she stands up, water bottle clenched tightly in her hands.

"Alright." May smiles as she gets up and follows Delanie.

The doctor stops them and gives them wary glances.

"You have permission to visit Drew, but I want you to leave right away if he's asleep. He really needs his rest."

"Yes sir." Delanie nods. She tugs on May's wrist and drags her off to Drew's room.

"Teens these days." The doctor mumbles shaking his head.

Delanie slowly twists the knob of the door, and opens it to find Drew staring at it.

"Hey you're awake. You know you should be sleeping." Delanie chuckles as she drags May to his bedside.

"Yeah but I'm so thirsty. I swear my contacts are going to burn up if I don't get some nourishment soon." Drew jokes.

"Freshly caught Bambi in a bottle," Delanie says as she pulls the stem up on the bottle and lowers it to Drew's mouth. He begins drinking it greedily, his body relaxing as the endorphins rush through his system.

"I prefer surprises." Drew explains as Delanie removes the empty bottle from his mouth after he shakes his head indicating he's finished.

"Well it is a surprise considering your girlfriend killed her first buck for you." Delanie motions towards May who's got some tears in her shirt and pants from a fight with the stag's antlers.

"How did you know I like stag blood more than doe blood?" Drew jokes.

"Lucky guess." May grins sheepishly.

"As long as you're not hurt," Drew says seriously.

"I'm just fine." May smiles. "It didn't hurt me as much as it snagged my clothes."

"Oh yeah, May's father gave her permission to stay, but I have to leave tonight. My parents won't call me out from school if they don't know where I'm at." Delanie explains.

"Okay. See you Delanie. Thanks for the refreshment." Drew nods.

"Yeah. Paul's going to torment you after school tomorrow. I just know it. Expect him to be over when you guys get home." Delanie smirks.

"Dammit. Tell your brother to quit harassing people." Drew groans.

"That would be like stopping a train from rolling off its tracks. Bye now. Take care of him May." Delanie winks and heads home.

"I suppose I should let you rest." May smiles and turns towards the door.

"Okay. Thanks." Drew smiles. "See you tomorrow."

"Yep. I'll be sure to get some sleep as well." May smiles then heads out the door. When she gets back to the waiting room she hops onto a couch, kicks her shoes off, and falls asleep.

Alrighty that's all for this chapter. I'll try to get the next chapter started/posted soon. This weekend there will probably be no more updates because I have four math assignments, a huge project thing, and a whole lot of reading to do.