Misunderstandings and Heartbreak

Chapter 13

A/N: Thank you so much for the reviews and for sticking with me.

Please listen to the song "Please Don't Leave Me" by P!NK

Steph's POV

I was beginning to think morning would never come. It seemed like every time I'd fall asleep Bobby or my nurse were waking me up.

Speak of the devil…

Bobby walked in with a big smile on his face. "Good morning, Bomber. Are you about ready to blow this popsicle stand?"

"Yes. Like you ever need to ask that question." I started to roll my eyes and grabbed my head. I really needed to remember that currently hurt to do.

"We're just waiting for the doctor to come in and talk to you really quick, and then we'll be ready to go."

I glanced over to the door and noticed Ranger was gone. "Umm, Bobby, where's Ranger?"

Bobby looked at me and sighed. "You kept asking him to go home. He decided that he should respect you enough to listen to you."

My mouth fell open in shock.

"But…" My brain just couldn't wrap around the fact that he'd left. "He never listens to me when I tell him to go."

"He loves you, and standing outside this room just kept making you more and more upset. So he left to get the apartment on four ready for you," he answered matter-of-factly.

Before I could ask anything else, the doctor walked in. "How's the head this morning, Stephanie?"

"It's fine."

The doctor pursed his lips. "Considering your tendency to lie to get out of the hospital faster, I'm going to assume that your head is at least a seven on the pain scale but more likely an eight. Am I right?"

I sighed. "I'm probably at eight."

He smiled at me. "Can you scoot over and sit on the side of the bed?"

I started to nod but hissed when I moved my head.

"Did that motion increase the pain?"

"Yes."

"Okay. How's the nausea?"

"Manageable, but if I move my head too fast, I feel like throwing up, and it's that odd feeling where I feel like if I actually throw up, it may make me feel better."

The doctor nodded. "I know you want to get out of here and I'm sure that Mr. Brown will take excellent care of you, so I'm comfortable letting you go home in his care. I'm sending you home with a script for Compazine for nausea. I want you taking Tylenol for your headache every four hours for the next couple days. If anything changes or your headache gets worse, I want you back here immediately."

"Awesome." I couldn't help the smile that crossed my lips.

"I've already gone over your care instructions with Mr. Brown, but a quick rundown for you. I want you to be seen by your PCP in a week for a hospital post checkup. Concussions can last for weeks to months, Ms. Plum. I want you on brain rest until your recheck appointment. No TV, no work, no driving, and no strenuous activities−and avoid all stress. Lots of sleep. You can try to read, but if it makes your headache worse, stop immediately. Your brain needs rest to heal, Ms. Plum. If you're still having headaches after a few weeks, your PCP may send you to a concussion specialist and order PT."

Bobby interrupted the doctor to assure me, "It's okay, Bomber. I've treated lots of the guys for concussions, and I'm even certified to do any PT if necessary."

"You can't be serious. PT for a headache?"

The doctor smiled at me. "PT for concussion injuries may seem silly and unnecessary, but trust me it works wonders. Hopefully you won't even need it. Now that you're sitting up, I want to check a few things, and then we'll get you out of here."

He spent the next few minutes poking the sore spot on my head and having me move my head around, seeing if anything made anything worse. By the time he left, I just really wanted to go back to sleep.

"I know you're tired, Bomber." Bobby sat down beside me on the bed and wrapped his arm around my shoulder. "Let's get you changed, and the nurse will bring the wheelchair. Tank is already waiting for us downstairs to drive us back to Rangeman, and as soon as we get there, you can take a nap."

"Okay. Let's get this over with."

He stood up and helped me out of the hospital gown and into a baggy T-shirt, sweatpants, and slippers.

A short time later, the nurse came in with a wheelchair, and we made our way outside. The back of my neck started to tingle, and I tried to look around the parking lot. But Bobby picked me up out of the wheelchair bridal style and sat me in the back seat of the SUV.

As he reached over to buckle me in, I couldn't help but say, "I thought you said he left."

Bobby sighed. "He did, but he came back. He's been sitting out here most of the night."

I wanted to be upset, but I just couldn't muster the desire to.

Tank turned around and gave me a small smile. "Hey, Steph."

"You and I are going to have a conversation when we get to Haywood," I stated, crossing my arms over my chest.

"If you insist," he grumbled.

The rest of the ride went by in relative silence. Before long, we were pulling inside the underground garage. As soon as Tank put the SUV in park, Bobby hopped out and picked me up. As we turned towards the elevators, I saw Ranger standing near the stairwell. His face almost looked haunted and so tired. Bobby started walking us towards the elevators.

I felt a little like I needed to say something to him, but I wasn't sure what. So I just closed my eyes as we walked past him. My anger from the day before seemed to be dissipating, but the extreme sense of hurt and sadness still lingered. Eventually Ranger and I would have to talk−something we both seemed to absolutely suck at−but my head hurt too much to even attempt it right now. Talking to him would require me to be on my A game.

When the elevator doors opened, I heard the door to the stairwell snick shut. Tank hit the button for four, and within a few minutes, Bobby was getting me settled in the bed in what they called the medical apartment.

Bobby pulled the sheet up over me. "I'll leave you and Tank to talk for a bit. Ella left you some lunch, and I want you to eat a little before you take a nap later." He stood and walked out of the bedroom, leaving me with the man who liked to talk even less than Ranger.

"I…I just wanted to tell you thank you for helping me. Not only from the Auric thing but for finding him."

Tank let out an almost bitter laugh. "I'm so confused by you. You begged me to find him, but you've done nothing but rake him over the coals and push him away since you woke up in the hospital."

I bit my lower lip, trying to fight the tears that were threatening to spill down my cheeks. "I'm sor−"

He interrupted me with a stark, "No! Don't tell me you're sorry. Explain to me what is going on right now in that head of yours. He's my best friend, and while he fucked up here, you've done a pretty good job of contributing to this whole mess."

I sighed. "I don't really know, Tank. I woke up yesterday at the hospital, so upset and angry. But now, I just feel hurt and sad about everything that's happened. I think I just need a little time to process." By the time I finished speaking, my cheeks were wet with tears.

He ran his hand over his bald head. "I'm sorry for being harsh. He would probably never admit it, but he's hurting too."

"I know. I saw…" My voice trailed off.

"Figure out what exactly it is you want, Steph. Then talk to him. Anything else you need from me?" he asked.

"Where did he run off to?"

"He was drinking himself to death in a hole-in-wall bar in Mexico."

That answer shocked me. "But Ranger hardly ever drinks."

"You're right. Drinking to excess can get him killed. He just didn't care about the consequences. Let me know if you need anything else." He turned on his heel and walked out of the room, leaving me with a hell of a lot to think about.

Bobby came in a few minutes later carrying a tray with some delicious-smelling soup and a small bottle of Sprite.

"Ella sent you some lunch. Try to eat a little, and then you need to take a nap. Rest is essential for your recovery" he said. "Want some company?"

"That'd be great." I smiled.

"I'll be right back. I'm going to grab the tray Ella sent me."

I lifted the lid off the tray and found a note from Ranger.

I'm sorry I hurt you, Babe.

Love,

R

When Bobby walked in, an idea struck. "Hey, Bobby, do you know where my phone is?"

"We're pretty sure Auric destroyed it when he took you. I can get Hector to bring you a replacement if you want."

"Can you just get me a sheet of paper and a pen?"

He nodded, reached over to the nightstand beside the bed, and then handed me a notepad and pen from the small drawer.

I quickly scrawled out a reply to Ranger.

I'm sorry I hurt you.

Love,

Steph

I folded up the piece of paper and looked over at Bobby. "Could you do me a favor and take this to Ranger?"

He nodded. "I'll take it as soon as we're done eating."

TBC…

A/N: Let me know what you think.