After a couple more hours of waiting Sarah still wasn't completely awake.
"Man, what on earth did they give her?" Christian shook his head.
Sean scratched his head thoughtfully, "you know yourself nobody can tell exactly how the patient will react to anaesthesia. It seems that the dose must've been a little too high."
Christian rolled his eyes, "and what are we doing now? Wait a couple more hours?" He asked aggravated.
Sean shook his head, "I think we should go," he said decided, "we'll take her to our place first so that she can sleep on there. We can't take her to Gail in her present condition."
Kimber nodded and stood up too, "I'm voting for going as well. We can care for her much better at home."
Christian nodded sighing, "do you think that she is otherwise okay?" He turned asking Sean.
He glanced at Sarah and nodded, "she seems a bit disoriented, but that's something I've seen happening a lot after anaesthesia."
"Well all right, then let's go," Christian opened the door to let Sean through as he was carrying Sarah. When they reached the car Christian helped Sarah in and then sat next to her.
"Are you okay back there?" Sean enquired and slid onto the passenger seat.
Christian nodded, "I'll shout if there's something," he said grinning. He pointed to Kimber, "you better take care she's not landing us in the next ditch," he told Sean.
"It is proven that women are much better drivers than men", she snapped back, "the less aggressively you drive, the more prudently and cause less serious accidents. So lean back and relax, Christian!"
Sean could only hide his grin with some difficulty, "everybody has seatbelts on? Can we go?"
Christian nodded. He let Sarah rest her head on his shoulder and be covered by her long blonde hair.
Kimber stole a glace back and smiled. She was happy that Christian finally permitted more proximity. Perhaps there would nevertheless be a happy end.
The journey went without considerable complications. Only approx. forty five minutes later Kimber stopped before Sean and Julia's house.
"My Goodness, what's happened with Sarah?" Julia asked taken aback when she saw in what state the young girl was in.
"That's why we brought her here first," Sean said and helped Christian drag Sarah out the car.
"There wasn't much time left to let you know," Kimber said to Julia, "Sarah was in Fort Lauderdale to get an operation done there."
"I don't understand anything," Julia said confused looking from one to the other, "but come in first. You can explain everything to me inside," she pointed to the corridor, "would be best taking her directly into the guest room. There she can sleep it out there."
Sean nodded and disappeared with Sarah in his arms in the guest room.
"Okay, and now you can tell me what happened," she turned to Christian who was standing hesitantly in the door frame.
"Sarah visited me at the practice a week ago and insisted I should perform surgery on her," Christian started with his story, "of course I refused. First of all she is still too young for surgical procedures and secondly I never operate on family members."
Kimber looked up surprised, "but you did operate on me back then," she threw in.
"That was different," Christian said harshly.
"And why?" Kimber didn't let it lie.
"Your surgery is not the matter of discussion here," he said curtly.
Kimber crossed her arms in front of her chest, "admit at least that you were afraid," she said.
Julia was looking from one to the other, "stop arguing!" She said determinedly, "Christian must've had his reasons for not performing surgery on Sarah."
"I bet!" Kimber pressed her lips together.
"You're making me responsible for what happened?" His face became stony, "you wanna be so honest all the time. Then disclose that you think I'm the only one to blame!"
"Yes...no...ah, I don't know either," Kimber ran her fingers through her hair moaning, "I'm tired Christian. And actually I'd just like to get home."
Christian's anger went up in smoke immediately, "are you all right? Should I take you to the doctor or to the hospital right away?"
"Your concern is moving," Kimber said smiling, "however am I well. I am only tired. The day was nevertheless rather exciting and demanding."
"I am an idiot. I'm sorry!" He said contritely, "I was only thinking about myself. With the fact I know nevertheless that you must still take care of yourself," he turned to Julia, "could you ask Sean whether he can take us to the practice. There's my car."
"I'm here already," Sean stepped into the living room and grabbed his car keys, "Sarah's still sleeping. It's best she stays with us for the night. I'll call Gail and tell her so she's not too worried."
"I can do that," Christian explained.
"All right," Sean nodded. He looked at Kimber who was only managing to suppress a yawn with difficulty, "we're going now," he turned to Julia and gave her a kiss onto her cheek, "I'll be right back. If there's something you can reach me on my cell."
Julia nodded, "take your time. I'll be fine."
Sean opened the door and left the house together with Christian and Kimber.
