81 Blacktop Obsession
"Hey, Hector. Where is everyone?" Carter asked about 5 o'clock that evening as he walked in the door, back from his trip.
"Yo, Holmes, why you askin me? I thought you had cameras everywhere?" Hector joked with a grin.
"Funny. It was a crazy flight home. Lots of work I had to do. Is it safe to go upstairs?" Carter asked, not smiling or enjoying his joke.
"Yeah, Boss. You know I was kidding, right? You doing alright? " Hector asked as Carter headed upstairs, just getting home from his trip. Hector walked with him since he was going upstairs too.
"Yeah, I get it. Yeah, yeah, I'm alright, alright." Carter said, drawing out his sentence, clearly his mind on other things and sounding annoyed.
"Doesn't sound so alright to me." Hector said, shaking his head.
"You've watched over them. Why doesn't she just put her foot down?" Carter asked, stopping and folding his arms. "I notice she doesn't tell Kaidyn no a lot and when it comes to getting onto her, it's you or Han doing it. Tell me why this is." Carter said, his mind still lost in thought and sounding distracted.
"Well, Carter, she can't be a mom. She's only a sister. Would you ever listen to your sister all the time?" Hector asked, being honest.
"Hell no, I wouldn't listen to my sister." Carter replied back quickly, annoyed at the mention of his sister.
"Exactly. She's doing the best she can with her brain injury and everything that is going on." Hector said, shaking his head. "Is this something specific or just a general question?" Hector asked.
"Sometimes I think Kaidyn may use that brain injury to her advantage to get out of trouble. What do you think?" Carter asked, looking at the direction of where the girls were downstairs.
"To be honest, no, I don't at all." Hector said, not liking the tone of what Carter was saying. "What makes you think that?" He asked, raising an eyebrow. He was trying to make sure he did not sound too defensive.
"She remembers random things but other times nothing. I don't get it. Just trying to figure out what she knows and remembers is a task." Carter frowned. "She sure knew that phone number perfectly well." Carter mused.
"She has to think before she remembers it. She can do things, it just takes her time to remember and if she gets too stressed out, she can panic and forget." Hector defended Kaidyn.
"Then why can't she remember her mother?" Carter asked, sounding very hateful.
"Yes, that is the whole reason it's a brain injury. Shayde has worked hard with her to get her walking and talking again and just any progress she could get. It takes time. She's come so far." Hector said. "That is all really normal, Carter." Hector said, hoping Carter would grasp what he was saying.
"She's lucky to be alive, that is true." Carter said, shaking his head in annoyance.
"What's bothering you?" Hector asked, leaning on the banister. "Talk to me, Carter." Hector coaxed, trying to find out where his head was at.
"Shayde used to meet me at the airplane and be there and now, she's occupied. Like it seems she is always busy. I can't enjoy the little things we used to have. Just so many differences." Carter said.
"You guys have a kid now. It has been a long time. Things take time to get back to normal I am sure." Hector said, hating to hear how angered Carter sounded.
"Yeah, so I keep being reminded. You know, it's a funny thing, just noticing the things she remembers. I can't see her or talk to her but she remembers the craziest stuff. And when she talked to me the other night drunk, she didn't seem like she really cared for me. I guess I am just really hoping things are going to work out." Carter said, pursing his lips to the side.
"It takes time, Carter. She is slowly getting back to herself. But she's got a ways to go. Every day can be different. This is probably why Shayde didn't want you to have to see her like this. It's not easy." Hector said with a shrug.
"Yeah, I guess you are right but I was tired of being away from my wife. At least here, I can see them more and not have to hunt her down and deal with tons of excuses." Carter said, taking off his suit jacket.
"She was ready to come home. Good thing you finally got this place built and finished." Hector nodded. "I know she missed you. She can really use your support with Kaidyn. She hasn't got her this far to let her fail now." Hector said, shaking his head.
"Of course. We are going to make sure she gets better for sure. We will do everything we can. That is why I have the best doctor coming tonight." Carter nodded.
"Yeah, she definitely needs a doctor." Hector agreed.
"Hey, Honey! You are home!" Shayde came walking in, a huge smile on her face. She had gotten a text from Hector telling her she needed to come in there to keep him somewhat satisfied. "I missed you! Sorry I was going to try to be upstairs when you got home but you didn't text me back and I was in the gun range." Shayde smiled at him.
"Oh? You weren't with Kaidyn?" He asked, shocked and smiling.
"No, she's been with Dom and Brian and the guys. I was out looking in the gun range and trying out my new present you got me." She smiled, holding it up.
"I'm glad you like it." Carter smiled, his eyes bright as he watched his wife be so excited.
"You set it up so amazing in there. I love it so much! Thank you!" She wrapped her arms around him.
"You smell so good." He whispered in her ear. He loved the leather, gun powder and her shampoo smell as he took in a deep breath.
"I am on my way to change. You going upstairs before the doctor gets here? I can give you a back rub. You seem tense. Everything okay?" Shayde asked, laying her head on his chest as she hugged his side.
"It's been a long day. I am glad that gate got fixed before the doctor gets here. I didn't want him to see it in disarray." Carter noted, again making reference to his 'image' he liked to maintain.
"I made sure they got it done quickly." Hector nodded.
"You are good at keeping things in running order here Hector, thank you. I sent you a list of things I need ordered for next week. If you can take a look at that tomorrow, if possible?" Carter asked. Hector was in charge of pretty much everything house and supply related.
"Yeah, of course. I have a whole list going. No problem, you know I am on it." He nodded.
"I am going to go get a shower." Shayde said, excusing herself to go upstairs. "You guys call me when the doctor gets here, please." She requested, looking at Hector.
"We will know when he's here." Carter promised.
"You guys go relax. I am going to go check on things and make sure Kaidyn is okay. You guys have fun." Hector waved, acting like he forgot what he was going to do upstairs. He looked back to see Shayde's expression as they headed upstairs and he felt bad for her. He knew there was no helping her out of this one unless they put Kaidyn back on Carter's radar and she had made them promise to put Kaidyn over her. He walked back downstairs and to where Dominic and Han were with Kaidyn.
"Owww." Kaidyn woke up moaning, still on the couch by Dominic. She had sprawled out while she was sleeping, her head on his lap. She was sore and it hurt to move.
"You okay, Kid?" Dominic asked, looking at Hector who was sitting on the other side of her, on the arm of the couch now.
"No, everything feels like I am getting scraped by glass when I move and my fingers are throbbing." Kaidyn said, feeling like the room was too warm.
"I have some pain meds. You want me to give it to you? It's a shot though." Hector said, feeling her forehead and staring her in the eyes.
"Yeah, that's fine. It really hurts." She closed her eyes, her head back.
"You must be hurting." Dominic said, shaking his head. He held her arm for Hector as he held the syringe. They both knew how much she hated needles and shots.
"It won't hurt too bad, right?" Kiadyn asked, looking at the needle, hesitating.
"No, your pain is probably worse than this little needle is." Hector promised, kneeling beside her. "It'll be over quick." He promised.
"Here, look at me." Dominic said, turning her head towards him, giving Hector a moment to get it done without much anxiety.
"Oh, that feels weird." She took a big deep breath, her eyes getting wide. She grabbed her chest. "I don't like how that makes me feel." She whispered. "I need Shayde. She's not okay and I need her." Kaidyn continued to whisper with her eyes wide-eyed.
"You're okay." Dominic promised, rubbing her back. "Shayde's okay too. I am sure of it." Dominic promised.
"Pain better, Rapunzel?" Hector asked, watching her relax some. "Maybe when the doctor comes he can give us pain pills and we won't have to traumatize you with a needle all the time." Hector said, hating that he had to give her medication through the needle.
"I gotta go take a piss. You got her?" Dominic asked, getting up.
"Yeah, we good." Hector nodded, watching Kaidyn kind of zone out.
"Shit, left my phone." he started to turn around and come back into the room.
"It's cool." Hector waved him on with a grin and a nod.
"Hey Hector…" Kaidyn started, blinking a few times to find her words.
"Yes, Rapunzel?" He asked with a grin. He knew where this was going to go already.
"You think I'd get in trouble if I used his phone to call Shayde's best friend?" Kaidyn asked, looking down at the phone, gazing at it with glassy eyes.
"I don't know. Not my call." He said, with a grin. He had told Dominic to leave it on purpose to see what she would do. "If you remember the number, I didn't see anything." Hector shrugged.
"Think Shay will be mad at me?" Kaidyn asked, speaking slower than normal and her eyes looking glossy.
"What's Dom always say? Depends on the choice you make and the consequences you want to face." He said, staring her in the eyes. "Is it worth it to ya?" He asked with a shrug.
"It's worth it." Kaidyn said, picking up the phone to dial.
"What up, Dom?" The voice on the other end asked, sounding a bit hurried as he was on a job.
"You know Dom?" Kaidyn asked, her eyes wide with surprise.
"Hey Lil Shay, what's up?" He asked, a smile in his voice. "You okay?" he asked, sounding concerned.
"I'm okay." She sighed, taking a minute to answer and talking slower than normal still.
"You sound like you have had some meds." He noted.
"Yeah, not feeling the greatest. Sorry to bother you." She said, looking at Hector, who was busy on his phone, not paying any attention to her. This seemed to have made her relax a bit more he noticed as he pretended to not pay attention.
"How'd you get Dom's phone? You got someone there with you?" The voice asked out of concern.
"Yeah, Hector's here. He's doing something, I don't know." Kaidyn said, glancing at Hector.
"Good, glad he is there with you. Talk to me, chop chop, what's up, Lollipop?" He asked, making her laugh.
"Am I bothering you? I know it's supposed to be only an emergency but I can't shake this feeling and wanted to talk to you." She sighed, sounding like it was a chore to breathe.
"No bother here, you can call me anytime, okay?" The voice asked. He was in the middle of his job and had to mute the phone. He handled what he had to take care of and then went back to her.
"DId you mute me?" She asked, yawning.
"Yes, I had to do something real quick. You've got my full attention now." He promised. "What's bothering you?" he asked, sitting down so he could listen to her.
"I am just scared. I don't want to die. IF I have this surgery, I feel like I am gonna die. I can't shake the feeling." She admitted, making Hector look up at her in concern. "Something bad is going to happen." Kaidyn shook her head.
"Why would you feel like that? You got everyone there to help you and not any one of us would let that happen." He promised.
"The last time I went somewhere, I ended up in juvie." She said, shaking her head.
"Yes but that was because you had done some hacking, Miss Hackerbee" He reminded her.
"Hey, that is what Shayde calls me too!" She smiled. "Yes, but still." She said. "Or what if that guy that attacked me shows up?" She asked, her eyes welling up with tears. She was laying on her back now and was noticing how the ceiling was very high and watching the ceiling fan spin around.
"He's in many states away and trust me, he'd be stupid to show up." He consoled her. "Awe, Princess, I am sorry you are so scared." he said, feeling bad for her.
"What if I get shot?" She asked quietly.
"You won't. I know you are going to be just fine." The voice promised.
"I gotta tell you, Shayde's in some danger. I don't know why but she is." Kaidyn said, looking up at the ceiling and blinking several times to get the spots out of her eyes.
"Whatever she is doing is to protect you. Try to not focus on her right now, okay? She's fine. She is absolutely fine. I am making sure of it." He promised.
"I hope so. I have a really bad feeling and I just can't shake it." She admitted, her nose starting to bleed. "Oh no." She said, grabbing Hector's arm. She began to choke on the blood going down her throat.
"It's okay, I got you." Hector promised, helping her sit up quickly.
"Kaidyn, who's phone are you on?" Shayde walked in, her arms folded as she quickly walked over to help him with her nose. "Give me the phone, please." She said, holding her hands expectantly.
"I gotta go." Kaidyn said, her eyes closed.
"Toodaloo, caribou. It will be okay." he said, making her laugh.
"That's funny." She laughed. "Thank you for talking with me." She said, hoping Shayde wasn't mad at her.
"Hey there. Sorry, I am sure you were busy." Shayde said, balancing the phone on her ear while giving Hector some tissue for Kaidyn's nose and shooting Kaidyn a look as if to scold her silently.
"She's fine. She can call me anytime. I think it could help her. She has such great manners." He laughed. "I am so proud of how polite she is, even in pain." He grinned.
"Yes, she does. Wonder where she gets that from?" Shayde laughed. "Thanks for always having our backs. I gotta go, she's got another nose issue." Shayde sighed, sounding tired.
"You know I got yours anytime. I mean that. So much." He promised. He wished he could be there more than anything.
"You know that goes for me as well. More than I can express." She said, her heart in her throat.
"She's going to be okay right?" He asked.
"Yes, she will be. The doctor will be here tonight. How's the madness your way?" She asked.
"It's good, all good. You sure you gonna be okay?" The voice asked.
"Yes, we will be fine. Better once we figure out what is going on with this nose and headaches." Shayde promised.
"Take care and remember, I got your back, okay? Anytime she needs me or wants to call, she can." he reminded her. "Please keep me updated. I know I keep asking but I gotta know what's going on with all the chaos but I know you will let me know." He said, pacing back and forth.
"I will for sure let you know. Take care of the madness for me until I get back out there." She requested.
"I know you miss it. I am sure it misses you too." He nodded. "Later, Gator." he hung up.
"Why are you so scared, Silly girl? What do you think is gonna happen?" Shayde asked, sitting down and pulling her on her lap.
"I don't know why I am scared, Shay. I don't know. Please don't make me do this. I will be fine. I promise." Kaidyn begged, shaking her head.
"Kaidyn, I love you and I have to do what's best for you and your health. Yes, there are some risks. But it will be okay." Shayde said, hugging her. Kaidyn clung to her tightly.
"Promise me, please?" Kaidyn said as Shayde played with her hair as Kaidyn stared at her with big eyes.
"You know I don't believe in making promises. I can't do that but I will make sure every detail is planned and I will make sure you will get home safe." Shayde said, holding her close.
"I don't want to go to surgery and what if Tran shows up or what if…" She started to cry.
"What if what?" Shayde asked, stroking Kaidyn's hair.
"What If I get shot." Kaidyn asked, burying her head in Shayde's shoulder and sobbing.
"Oh, Honey, where would you get that from?" She asked, trying to keep her shock from showing on her face. She played with her hair and looked at Hector and Dominic, who had walked back in. She wasn't sure if her memory was coming back or if this was just her anxiety messing with her.
"I don't know. I don't know. I don't want to die." She hugged Shayde, taking a deep breath. Her nose began to gush more blood, making Hector shake his head.
"Shh, it's okay. You are safe, lil one." Shayde rocked her, keeping her eyes covered as best as she could so she couldn't see the blood she was getting on Shayde's shirt.
"Please don't make me do this." Kaidyn begged. Shayde's eyes watered as Hector rubbed her shoulders for support. He knew this was breaking her heart.
"I will have the guys there with you and they won't leave your side. I promise." Shayde said, kissing the top of her head.
"You won't be there with me?" Kaidyn asked, trying to look up, looking surprised. Shayde kept her hand on her head, not letting her lookup.
"Let me just hold you, okay?" Shayde asked softly, keeping her face in her shoulder to keep her from seeing the blood.
"Shayde, you gotta go with me. I can't do this without you." Kaidyn tried to raise her head. "I am not going without you." She declared.
"You know we don't travel together. You know those are the rules." Shayde said apologetically. "I am sorry but you will have to go without me. I can't go with you." Shayde said, sounding apologetic.
"We are in danger if we are still following those rules. We were safer in California." She said, shaking her head.
"Kaidyn, it's not that I don't want to, honey, It's that I can't…" Shayde said, looking at Dominic, who looked down, knowing this was breaking her. He nodded to her.
"I'll be there with you, Kaidyn. So will Tej, Roman and Brian." Dominic said. "If you're not too mad at me." He said, trying to distract her. Shayde stroked her hair, hoping she would calm down some.
"I'm not mad at you because I don't believe you did it." Kaidyn complained. Dominic gave Shayde an 'I told you' grin. She swatted at him.
"I want to go home to Cali. Please. It is not safe here." Kaidyn howled, still sobbing. Shayde rocked her until she fell asleep. She looked at Dominic and let out a big sigh. Looking stressed.
"Sorry I forgot my phone in here." He said quietly once he knew she was for sure asleep.
"It's okay. Accidents happen." Shayde grinned, happy that it had gone the way they had all planned for it so Kaidyn could talk to her best friend. She was hopeful there would be more of those conversations with him to come. She enjoyed hearing them talk and it allowed her to talk to him and those conversations kept her head in the game and helped keep her going.