Chapter 36

Lindsey woke up with Tegan still sleeping in her arms. This was the first bit of truly peaceful sleep she's had in ages. Everything felt in sync again with Tegan in her arms albeit a broken an fragile Tegan. She lay staring at the white hospital ceiling playing with a strand of Tegan's hair. After about half an hour Tegan started to stir. Lindsey gently rubbed her back. Tegan had lost so much weight, she could feel her ribs and spine under her fingers. "Hey you... Did you have a good nap?" she asked. Tegan moved the oxygen mask away from her mouth "Hmmm, stay right here forever..." she said groggily. Kate walked in with her usual swagger and smiled "hey love birds, did you have a good cuddle?" Lindsey blushed and started getting up. "Nooo... Don't go..." said Tegan. Kate looked amused. "Ahh young love... Don't get up Linds, I just want to give Tee a once over" she said. "I thought you would kick me out of bed for sure" said Lindsey. "No, I for one am all for it but just beware of nurse Smith, she's like a boarding school principle.. Don't tell her I said that..." Laughed Kate. "You're just gonna have to lie back on the pillow for me Tegan". Lindsey helped Tegan lie back. Kate replaced the mask with a nasal cannula and started examining Tegan. She checked her pupils, felt her glands, listened to her heart and lungs, checked into her ears and looked down her throat with a light. She clicked her pen and started writing as she spoke. "You're doing great Tegan. Vitals are stable, no sign of further infection. Lungs sound good. Pulse ox looking better every day. Blood tests look okay. I just want to double check your blood pressure... Monitor says its a bit low" she reported. "When can I... Get out of here" said Tegan still sounding weak. "Not just yet buddy, you're still pretty sick okay... I'm sorry but you're going to be with us for a while still. We want to make sure you're ready..." Kate got cut of by Tegan "but I'm okay... I'm good" she huffed. "Tegan... How do I... Tee, you're not even strong enough to sit up yet... you're still in the Critical Care unit... As you've surely noticed you've still got a lot of machines and IVs attached to you... We'll try and move you to ICU soon... Then high care... Then a normal room and then home... But just hang on, you'll get there. Just take it easy and give it time" Tegan sighed and rolled her eyes "That sounds like a lot of time...this sucks..." she mumbled. Kate wrapped the BP cuff around Tegan's upper right arm and tried to change the subject. "Every time I take your BP I sing this song in my head" she said pointing at the Bruce Springsteen lyrics on Tegan's upper arms. Tegan smiled "Maybe... you can sing it with me... on stage one day" Kate was a brilliant musician in addition to being a doctor, Tegan always said she should quit her job and just make music. "That's a deal buddy" said Kate. "First show we do... Wherever it may be... You're singing this with me" said Tegan as the cuff tightened. "I promise Tee" smiled Kate. Tegan smiled. "Has Sara left to go pick up Emy?" Lindsey nodded. "Oooooh, hot date night... I really hope... they're not spending it here!" she chucked.

Sara stepped into the shower and started singing. It felt amazing... The two glasses of wine she had earlier loosened her up a bit and she could feel her shoulder spasms relaxing under the hot water. After a lengthy shower she got out, pulled a comb through her wet hair and pulled on some jeans and a shirt. She headed to the living room to look for her cellphone. She clipped her watch and started singing Living Room. "Stop and stay still" said a man's voice. Sara felt her heart jump into her throat. She froze on the spot..."

"Turn around real slow"... Sara slowly turned and saw a scruffy looking man of about 35 pointing a gun at her chest. She moved her eyes and saw Erin tied up looking petrified. Tears were rolling down her cheeks over the silver duct tape on her mouth. A blonde girl of about 25 briskly walked over to her and grabbed her hands violently, she swiftly tied them behind her back. "Please... What... What do you want... Take what you want and leave us" said Sara, fear breaking in her voice. "Okay, I'll do that since you ARE what I want..." He smiled as Sara felt horror running through her veins...

The woman wore gloves, she grabbed Lindsey's camera off the couch and started taking photos of Sara and Erin now sitting next to each other against a wall. She violently ripped the tape off Erin's face. Erin's face stung and her breathing increased. "Tell your pretty hubby we want 10 million dollars... We'll get instructions to him" said the man. Erin stared at the camera that was now obviously on video mode. She kept quiet. The man walked over and slapped her hard through the face. Erin could taste blood in her mouth. "Talk bitch" he shouted. "Erin just do what he says" pleaded Sara. The man kicked Erin hard in the stomach and she keeled over in pain, gasping for air. "No, please... Please don't... We'll do what you want" pleaded Sara. A minute later Erin was still on her side. The man grabbed her hair and pulled her into a sitting position. "Talk!" He said loudly. Erin's voice was shaky "Alex... Alex these people have us... And they want 10 million dollars... Just do what they say, pay them what they want... They said they'll send instructions." she said still winded from the kick in the gut. "Don't call the cops or they'll kill us..." said Sara looking into the camera.

A/N: remember to review please