"Thank you for talking me back from the edge, Leah," Roxanna said as she slipped off the bed and back into her chair.
"That's what sisters are for, right?" She smiled at Roxanna, trying to feel a little happier than she was. Every fibre in her being screamed that she should find out what jail John Gaskell was being held in, and then ripping off his balls and forcing him to eat them before she stabbed him in the heart. Leah knew that that was a tad much, but she was so seethingly angry at him that it seemed appropriate. "So, when you get out of here, and have told Henrik that you love him, you and I are going to have to double date. I think that would be sweet, yes?"
"Yes. Though that might be a few months in the future."
"I know, and I can wait. After all, I need to finish my rotation on Keller, and hopefully you'll be back on the neuro ward, so that I can learn from you. I promise, I won't get underfoot."
Roxanna gave her an indulgent smile, and Leah knew that she had made the right decision to tease her in that manner. "Well, now I have a goal to work towards, then. It's always good to have something like that in our lives. I have been feeling better every day, but I know that means I'll have to have my own interview with the police soon. Henrik is coming to discuss that with me today, and I don't know how to respond."
"Just tell them the truth. And if you want Henrik or me to be there while you do talk with them, just ask. I know that I'll drop everything to be there, and I have a pretty good feeling that Henrik would do the same."
"Yeah." A softer smile relaxed her face, and Leah felt herself mirror that expression as they started to talk about Roxanna's childhood. The hours passed quickly, and it wasn't until Leah's stomach growled unhappily that she realized it might be time to leave her sister for the day. "Go, get some food. I'll be here when you come back. And if you see Henrik on your way out of the hospital, would you ask him to bring my phone or tablet? I hate to admit it, but I am getting bored when there's not someone here, and I want to catch up on emails and all that."
"Of course," she answered as she got up and quickly hugged Roxanna. "I don't know if I'll be by tomorrow, I have the late shift, but I might come up on my break and eat with you?"
"Sounds like you have it all planned out, Leah. I'll see you soon." She nodded and waved a little before exiting the room and starting down the hall, a wide smile on her lips as she thought about getting to know her sister better. Leah made a mental note to bring her own tablet with her when she visited next, so that she could show Roxanna pictures that she had on her Facebook from when she was young, and from her time in different countries.
She was so preoccupied that she managed to bump into Henrik before she registered his presence. "I am so sorry!"
"It is perfectly all right, Leah. I take it that you're just leaving Roxanna?"
She nodded and took hold of his arm, leading him over to the wall so that she could lean against it as she looked up into his eyes. "She's doing a lot better today, but she's also really nervous about talking to the police. Whatever John did to her, it must have been devastating, because the haunted look that slips over her face when she thinks about it just eats at my soul."
"Yes, well, the little that she's felt comfortable telling me makes me wonder how I never saw behind the mask that John has worn for the entirety of our friendship. It's heartbreakingly cruel to find out that someone you cared for deeply was using you for their own ends."
"Yeah," she whispered as she stepped towards him, hoping that he would understand what she wanted. It only took a moment, but then he was wrapping his arms around her as she hugged him back as tightly as she could. "I just want to fix everything, you know?"
"I do, because I feel the same way." They stepped back from each other, and she took a shuddery breath as she continued to look at him. "And I will be accompanying her interview with the police tomorrow, as she deserves to have someone with her."
"Good. I was going to suggest that one of us be there for her, and it's better that it be you, since you love her. This will just help cement your relationship with her."
Henrik blushed faintly, looking away from her as he adjusted his tie. "I have no idea what you're talking about, Leah."
"Don't play coy with me, Henrik. I know that you love her, and that she loves you, and that you would be so good together." She sighed a little before reaching out for his hand and clasping it gently. "I know that a horrible thing happened to you both, that you were betrayed by someone you both loved deeply, but you have to find the spot of good in all this, and help Roxanna to see it as well. But I will also have you know that Roxanna is my sister, and even though we've only been talking for these few days, I feel very protective of her. So if you should even think about breaking her heart, I will not hesitate to think about breaking your legs."
Henrik unexpectedly burst out into a rich, full, laugh, and Leah cocked her head as she stared at him. "If you could only see the look on your face right now, Leah. And whilst I have no doubt that you could try to break my legs, I know that you would do no such thing. You're not a violent person, no matter how fierce you try to appear."
She allowed him to pat her shoulder before he continued on towards Roxanna's room. As she watched, he paused outside her door, straightening his tie and smoothing his hair before he entered, and she giggled lowly, knowing that he was just as in love with her as she with him. Turning, she made her way to the lift, knowing that her sister was in good hands. It was so easy to let a happy tune start to fall from her lips, and as she stepped aboard the lift, she gave a happy smile to the others already there. Pulling out her phone, she texted Donna, letting her know that things were starting to get a little more serious between Roxanna and Henrik, knowing that she would keep that bit of gossip close to the vest. And in the back of her mind, Leah began to prepare for a happy future for all of them, knowing that her time being a living ghost had finally come to an end.