Bernie roughly pushes open the door to the CEO's office, as she usually does, keeping her arms at her sides as she paces in front of the woman's desk. "I was informed that...even though a member of staff was found in a closet with his clothing and identification stipped of his person, it was another half hour before anyone thought to do anything about it."
"Major Wolfe, issues of hospital security are of utmost importance to me. I heard of the attack on your daughter." Abigail motions to the seat in front of her desk, "How is she?"
"Suffered another seizure. Anxiety is a major trigger for her." She clears her throat, taking a seat as requested, "So you can imagine that being assaulted would make one's anxieties run high...especially when no one knows you're in trouble in the first place."
"I understand that you're upset-"
"Upset? Upset doesn't begin to cover it, Abigail." Bernie leans back in the chair, somehow keeping her voice and the rest of her actions calm. "I expect that an investigation of the incident is underway?"
"Of course." Abigail nods, watching the woman, "From what I understand, in an effort to keep you informed, the member of staff that was put in the closet was beaten and when he was found unconscious, the rest of them were junior staff and chose to treat him instead of calling security about the incident. When someone realized that security was never called in the first place, they attempted to fix the situation."
"There needs to be a greater security presence on Darwin as well." She clears her throat as she places her hands on the arms of the chair, "If Serena and I hadn't returned when we did-"
"I understand. However, you were also told that Charlie was in danger days ago by one Detective Morgan." Abigail watches her, "Had we known that piece of information before the incident, we could have had a member of the security staff stationed to her person at all times."
"Don't try to turn this around. I know how this works. I've watched my partner do it plenty of times." Bernie tucks a piece of hair behind her ear, "I've been sitting by her side for hours today and...luckily, her father and Serena are currently with her...and I was going to go home tonight, but I truly don't believe I'll be able to."
"I'm under the impression that Charlotte is heavily sedated and the mishap from earlier has since been remedied. She now has her own secluded room and security has been placed at her door. There's nothing to worry about."
Bernie watches her, "Do you have children, Ms. Tate?" Noticing her shake her head negatively, she continues, "I...wasn't around as often as I would have liked as my children were growing up. When they were teenagers, sure, but..." She clears her throat a little, "Seeing her after surgery, in that bed...knowing that, for some reason, I was the only one she recognized. Watching as she begged me not to leave...it broke my heart. We've come so far."
Abigail tilts her head to the side, leaning back in her chair, "I imagine it's a very hard thing, to see your sick and injured child, knowing there isn't anything you can do as an insta-cure."
"Correct." She swallows, "She was doing so well...gaining back memory, standing on her own...and, with this, she's been knocked down a few pegs again. Something so...avoidable, her anxiety attacks, and then something like this happens and..." Bernie shakes her head, "She was shaking in her bed with a seizure because, for some reason, her mind doesn't know how to handle things like anxiety."
"It's common of TBI patients."
"I know, but...all of this, every aspect of my daughter's injury and now...this attack, all of it could have been simply avoided. None of it was anything she did or didn't do. Not a single thing was her fault." Bernie leans forward a little, "She was hit and fondled by a man who shoved someone in a closet and stole his clothes. First call should have been to security, Abigail, it's common sense and you know that...and they need to be taught that their actions, or inactions, have consequences. Not just a brush off the shoulder and a do better next time. Make sure you tell them about what happened to my daughter. Not someone else's daughter. Not some random patient. My daughter."
Abigail watches her, allowing the air grow silent before responding after a moment, "I think it may be best for you to go on home and get some proper rest tonight with Serena. I can get you something to help yourself calm down, if you'd like."
Bernie knows she's angry, bordering on distraught, "I already have something at home for that." She absently licks her lips, not going into detail about how she dreams of her friends that were serving with her that she couldn't save in surgery, or holding Alex's hand in the truck when they hit the IED. No, war doesn't allow her many restful nights. Serena has helped her with that though.
"Okay." The CEO answers honestly, "So, trust me to do my job and I'll trust that you'll get the rest you need for the night. Deal?"
Pushing her hair back as she stands, Bernie offers a weak nod as she heads to the door. Once in the hallway, she notices her partner sitting just outside of her view while she was in the office. "You followed me?"
Serena shakes her head slowly, "I knew where you were heading. I just...decided to be prepared if you wanted to cap her in the knees...someone would have to help you get away." She keeps the tone light between them even though she can see the worry on her partner's face. Standing, Serena gathers Bernie into her arms in an embrace. "She'll be okay...the detective will be of great help here. I warned him to keep her calm tomorrow when he stops in to talk to her."
"She deserves so much better than what she's getting." Bernie closes her eyes over Serena's shoulder, trembling herself.
"I've talked to Marcus...I've told him we'll be back early tomorrow morning." She softly presses a kiss against her partner's temple, "Let's go home, okay? We'll be back before Charlotte awakens, but you need to sleep in a bed...with me holding onto you. Like we usually do." She notices an ever so slight smirk from her partner, holding her up as they walk toward the elevator. Serena notices how Bernie puts on a stronger exterior once they get on the elevator. Someone may see them when they step off. She knows this woman has done things this way for a very long time.
Bernie offers cordial nods to various staffers that offered the same first. Their ride home was near silent. Bernie holding onto Serena's hand. She was glad the other woman had off today. She doesn't know if she could have handled things without her near. Such a complete turnaround from the hardened woman she once was. "Thank you for today."
"What of it?" Serena focuses on the road, knowing Bernie has a hard time talking about her feelings in the first place.
"I heard you yelling at the head of security." She smirks a little, glancing over toward her. "Well, not yelling, of course. That wouldn't be professional. However, I know that look when you were passionately conversing with him. How is that?" Bernie gently rubs her thumb over the back of her partner's hand. The question was rhetorical, but still amuses her.
"There isn't anywhere else I'd rather be." The silver haired woman answers honestly, "Also, I do like being referred to as Mum's Girl."
Bernie chuckles to herself, "Every time too. How many times have you introduced yourself now?"
"No less than fifty times." Serena pulls up into her driveway, "Reminds me of my mother...except Charlie knows she can trust me every time. Doesn't necessarily know who I am, but...I don't mind it in the least. She's quite funny...has your sense of humor."
"Are you saying I'm funny?"
"Not at all." She smirks as they both climb out of the car, hearing her partner laugh a bit harder. It was nice to see her even slightly relaxed. Serena feels the same as well. It was a week since her partner had been home. A week since she's had her in bed. Not for anything romantic, but just for companionship. Just for togetherness. She takes hold of Bernie's hand again as they enter the house. Glad they're home together.