Finally! I kept getting distracted this week, but it's May two-four weekend so hopefully I'll get a couple chapters done while I'm off! Who is everyone's favourite character in this story? Not necessarily who you liked on each show, just specifically how I write them in this story? Enjoy!

Chapter 31- Aftermath

Myrtle finally got in to see Rae. Erica waited with Myrtle for quite a while, but once John arrived, Erica thought she should get home to Bianca.

Rae was already awake when Myrtle walked in, a little groggy, but awake. Myrtle sat beside her and gave her hand a soft squeeze. "How are you, darling?"

"Mama…" Rae mumbled. "Mama, I'm sorry I—"

"Rae, dear, you need to rest. We can talk tomorrow."

"No, Mama, I'm sorry," Rae continued. "I'm… I'm happy for you and Stuart. I'll—I'll try to accept it."

Myrtle smiled through her tears. "That means so much to me. But I shouldn't have snapped at you. I should be the one to apologize. I'm very sorry, dear. It's really Erica and Skye I've been fed up with, and I guess when you expressed your thoughts on Stuart… it was the straw on the camel's back. You are allowed to express how you feel and I know where you're coming from. But I hope in time you will see that Stuart is good for me. He's good for all of us."

"I'll—I'll try."

Myrtle leaned forward and kissed Rae's forehead.

FargateFargateFargate

Skye wasn't too pleased when Tony Jones returned with Emily and her x-ray. But Emily explained no one will tell Alan, but she's not authorized to read x-rays or give prescriptions without a licenced physician.

"Skye, you have three fractured ribs," Tony showed them on the x-ray. "Unfortunately, there's not much we can do for the broken ribs themselves, but we can prevent it from getting worse. They tend to heal on their own in 4-6 weeks, though you might still feel some discomfort after that. But in the meantime, no heavy lifting, bending, or anything that requires too much strength. Emily says you are a dishwasher at a hotel. I will write you a note for you to take 6 weeks off from work."

Skye started to panic, causing severe pains in her chest. "B—but they'll know… something is up."

"You can't be lifting dishes and bending over right now, Skye," Emily said.

"Apply ice 20 minutes of every hour you are awake for the first 2 days, then 10 to 20 minutes 3 times daily as needed to reduce pain and swelling. And I recommend sleeping in an upright position for the first three nights. I'm going to have Elizabeth show you some breathing exercises," Tony said. "These are very important, because if you keep up with the shallow breathing it could develop into pneumonia. And finally, I'm going to prescribe you paracetamol to help with the pain."

By the time Elizabeth went through the breathing exercise, Emily reassuring Skye that she can talk to Alan about what happened, and picking up the painkillers, Kendall and Skye didn't arrive home until after midnight.

The house was dark and empty, but they noticed a book and some cushions from Rae's couch on the floor. Kendall picked these up before grabbing an ice pack and helping Skye upstairs. Kendall propped the pillows up and Skye sat against them. Kendall placed the ice pack on her side and Skye started to cry again.

Kendall sat on the edge of the bed and gave Skye's hand a soft squeeze. "I know it hurts. And I don't just mean physically… but you have to know this isn't your fault and you didn't deserve this. You deserve a man that treats you with respect, who doesn't hurt you like this, who is patient and kind to you."

Despite the pain in her ribs, Skye turned over onto her side away from Kendall and began to sob as she clutched the pillow with one hand.

Kendall climbed beside her and hugged her from behind and rested her chin on Skye's shoulder. "It's okay… it's okay…"

"Skye?" Myrtle walked in. "What's the matter?"

Kendall sat up and Skye turned a little bit.

Myrtle walked closer to the bed. "Are you all right?"

Skye looked at Kendall.

Kendall cleared her throat. "Skye is upset about Rae. After her therapy session she went out with her sister Emily and missed your phone call. She didn't find out until about an hour ago and realized it was too late to go to the hospital."

Myrtle sat at the edge of the bed. "Skye, dear, your mom's bowels had to be decompressed again and she's spending the night at the hospital, but I saw her, and she seemed to be doing a little better than she was earlier. I know it's hard to see her go through this, but we have to stay strong and believe she'll pull through. Try to get some sleep and we'll talk about this tomorrow." She leaned forward and kissed Skye's forehead. "I love you."

FargateFargateFargate

"Well, I guess this storm will give a chance to get to know each other, won't it?... Won't it?... Won't it?" Michael's voice echoed. "As far as I can tell, you're just as charming and good as everyone says you are. And if I can get you to like me, then I could leave here a very, very happy man." He pressed his body against her as they danced, and the room began to spin. "A very, very happy man."

"Bianca?"

Bianca jolted awake to find her mother sitting on the edge of her bed. Erica pushed Bianca's wet hair out of her eyes and placed a hand on her clammy forehead, but Bianca jerked away and hugged her knees to her chest.

"What's wrong, sweetheart?" Erica asked. "You look like you've been crying. You don't usually shower this late at night, you always shower in the mornings."

Bianca rested her chin on her knees and avoided eye contact with Erica.

"Talk to me," Erica said. "Are you ill? You're pale, you have dark circles under your eyes."

"I—I just woke up!"

"Your breathing is shallow."

"Yeah! W—w—well M—Mom y—y—you scared when you grabbed me like that!"

Erica frowned. "I didn't grab you, honey. I was feeling your forehead to see if you were warm. But your cold and clammy."

"I'm fine—I'm fine."

"When was the last time you had something to eat, Bianca?"

"Oh…" Bianca said offendedly. "You're going there."

"Bianca…" Erica sighed. "You know how dangerous it is for you to skip meals. You can't do that. I'm sorry Myrtle and I had to take off to the hospital, but Rae is very ill. You're usually good at getting yourself something to eat. Rae wouldn't mind at all if you helped yourself to something in her fridge—"

Bianca laughed a little. "I'm not starving myself again! L—look just get out of my room."

"Bianca—"

"I—I—I'm sorry. I—I'm just trying to sleep."

"Will you at least let me get you something to eat?" Erica asked. "A banana or something?"

Bianca finally looked in her eyes but only for a split second and looked away again. "F—fine."