A Moments Grace

Chapter 26

Disclaimer: I own nothing but my OC's. Everything else belongs to their respective creators.

Authors Notes I am so sorry for the long over due update to this story. I apologize for any errors. My health unfortunately hasn't been the best and I just haven't been up to doing much. I do want to thank all you who have hung on and waited for an update. I hope it doesn't disappoint too much.

As I lay there that state of half asleep and half awake it somehow felt as if I was underwater, floating. The sounds around me were all muffled, I couldn't distinguish real words. Somebody, I wasn't sure who, kept talking to me, calling to me. I was to tired to even attempt to try to answer. All I wanted to do was sleep. If only everyone would just be quiet and let me.

"BP is falling, pulse is weak. Possible fracture of the left leg. Multiple contusions, suspected concussion. She's still not responding. What the heck is that? Is someone banging on the door?"

I vaguely felt the sting of a needle in my arm as the muffled sounds around me continued. I whimpered in pain when I felt something being placed around my leg.

"I hear it Ron, but I'm a bit busy right now. Why did we stop?"

"Miss...can you hear me? I need you to try to respond if you can ok? Move your fingers if you can hear me."

I tried to focus on his voice, I really did, I was just to tired to move though. All I wanted was to sleep.

"Umm, sir, excuse me sir? You cannot be in here I'm going to have to ask you to leave."

"It's ok. I have jurisdiction. Heather? Can you here me? Come on honey, I need you to wake up ok. Please Heather, come on wake up."

Frowning I tried to stir. I knew that voice. Whatever they had injected in me with was starting to work. My brain felt all fuzzy and slow.

"Heather? Can you hear me? Listen, I need you to wake up. Come on sweetie, you can do it."

My tongue felt like it was three times to big for my mouth as I tried to respond, "Ethan?"

I heard a relieved sigh as I struggled to make my stubborn eyes open. I felt someone very carefully pick up my hand. "That a girl. Just hang on ok? It's going to be alright now. The guys are here." He whispered in my ear. "Boss is on his way."

I tried nodding but that only made my head hurt even worse.

"Sir. I have to insist that you leave now."

"Listen, I need you guys to give me just a few minutes ok? It's of the utmost importance that I talk with her."

"I understand that sir, however we need to get the to the hospital now. I'm afraid that anything you need to say is going to have to wait."

Opening my eyes slowly the scene before me was very blurry, I could barely make out the form that was standing next to me.

"I realize that and her welfare and safety is of the utmost importance however it is with absolute necessity that I speak with her now. I promise you it won't take long. My superior is adamant that her well-being is first, but I do need her to answer a few questions. Now please, if you would excuse us for a just a few minutes."

"Two minutes, and then we are leaving."

"That's fine, thank you. Now please wait outside."

I heard the door click open and shut as I felt someone kneel next to me.

"How you doing" Ethan asked looking at me worriedly. I saw his eyes travel slowly around my face and then up and down. Shaking his head he rubbed at his face wearily, it wasn't until that moment did I notice his right arm in a sling.

"But...but...your dead." I managed to croak out staring at him in confusion.

Ethan chuckled smiling grimly. "Let's just be thankful that Doug isn't such a good shot."

It was at those words that I felt something crack like a dam inside me, that until that moment I had kept plugged. It was however at those words the crack spread. I couldn't control the sob that ripped from my throat. Ethan was suddenly stroking my hair, shushing me.

"What is it Heather? What's wrong?"

"He's gone." I gulped between sobs, trying to stop the flow of tears. "He's dead and the security guy. He just killed him. The security guy didn't even do anything, he was just doing his job. He was trying to help me."

I was faintly aware of Ethan trying to comfort me, the scene from earlier kept replaying through my mind as I watched one body fall to the ground followed by another. The blood, I don't think I would ever forget the smell of the blood. Or Doug's blank empty stare, the look of absolute shock on the dead security officers face. It took several moments for me to get my breathing under control.

"Heather, I know it's hard and I wouldn't ask if it wasn't important but I need you to try to concentrate. Can you tell me if there are any other explosives? "

I shook my head, trying to get air into my lungs. My nose was burning, and my throat was horribly sore. "In the car, he hit it and it exploded."

Nodding Ethan was silent a moment. " Heather, was anybody else involved? Do you remember Doug talking to anyone on the phone, did he mention anybody?"

I was struggling to keep my eyes open, they were just so heavy and I was so very, very tired.

"Heather? Come on sweetie, stay with me now." I was barely aware of Ethan muttering something, what it was I wasn't sure. Why wouldn't he just let me sleep.

Something floated in my mind, as I struggled trying to grasp it before it slipped away. "He said something about a source, that he knew one of them would be here."

Suddenly another thought struck me, how could I not have asked before now? "Ethan, the plane it was on fire, I heard an explosion. Was anybody?"

Ethan stopped me before I could finish."It's ok I don't think there were any fatalities, several people were injured but nothing serious. The fire department has it under control."

"Thank god" I breathed closing my eyes. "It's all my fault you know, if I hadn't been so stupid."

"Hey, I don't want to hear any of that. Doug knew how to work you, he played on your sympathies. Everybody knows that and nobody holds you responsible whatsoever ok? We're just all relieved your ok."

Nodding my head I felt my self slowly falling asleep, Ethan was still holding my hand. "I'm gonna sleep now ok?" I mumbled. "You go right ahead, were gonna follow you to the hospital. Ratch is having fits, he wants to transport you to the hospital himself you know." I smiled as I finally let myself drift away.

When I woke, the first thing I noticed was that it was dark outside the window blinds. Then I promptly leaned over and threw up all over the floor. I lay there gagging as I felt another round coming up. Leaning back after emptying my stomach of all its contents I wearily took in my surroundings. I was in a hospital that was for certain. The i.v. line hooked up to me was proof enough. I hoped someone would come in with water, I really wanted to wash the bile out of my mouth. Not to mention the vomit was making my stomach roll once more. I looked around fruitlessly hoping to find a call button, spotting several lines some with buttons some without I pushed them all hoping to call someone. One only made the bed move up. A few seconds later a male nurse entered the room, smiling at me he pulled out a walkie-talkie and muttered something in a hushed tone.

Frowning I watched as he neared my bed. "Awake I see, how are we feeling? Don't worry someone will be here soon to clean up the mess. Can I get you some water?"

Nodding my head I tried to croak out an answer. Smiling at me he brought a styrofoam cup over "Don't worry it's more than likely it was just a reaction to the anesthesia, they had to work on your leg. But you should be good as new in no time." Taking the cup I took a sip, letting my eyes rove over to my legs. Sure enough my left leg was heavily bandaged in a cast. I sat there staring at it for several minutes aware of the smiling nurse staring at me.

The door creaked open again this time a man in an army uniform entered pushing a large yellow cart before him, it was then that I noticed a man in army fatigues standing outside the door. What was going on? Where was I?

Taking another sip of water I handed the cup back to the nurse as the army man cleaned up the spill before smiling slightly at me and leaving. "Is there anything else I can get you?" The nurse asked as he fluffed up the pillows behind me. Leaning up I waited till he was finished before asking, "Where am I exactly?"

"I'm sorry ma'am but at this time I'm not allowed to divulge that information."

"Where's Ethan? Can I talk to Ethan please?"

He was adjusting some dials on my i.v. line before he would look at me and respond. "In the morning someone will be in to inform you of the situation."

What the hell did that mean? "Why don't you get some rest now" I lay there looking at the male nurse watching me as slowly darkness overtook me and I knew nothing more.

Short chapter I know and I apologize but I really wanted to get it out. Amazing how tired working on just this short a chapter has worn me out. It's really not the best and not completely happy with it but wanted you all to know that I haven't abandoned my stories, just health wise I unfortunately haven't been able to do much. But I promise more updates to come! And hopefully quickly!