So I said updates would be irregular – it's literally been more than a year sorry! I have so many things etched down it's just I'm always slow to get them ready for upload. I imagine this to be sometime during season 1, probably middle of season? Nervy times ahead for the season 4 finale already this week I can't believe it. Hope you enjoy!
In sickness and in health
'I need you' her text read 'The club'
The reply was almost instantaneous 'On my way'
…..
'What happened?' asked Rip to the manager.
'Two assholes started fighting and Beth got caught in the crossfire. She hit her head against the bar and has a pretty nasty gash on her arm'
He looked over at Beth holding an ice pack on her head, still sitting at the bar, beside a glass of water, not realising Rip was observing her.
'Look Rip, she passed out and it's company policy I can't let her go without someone coming for her and taking her to the ER' said the kindly manager, 'The sheriff has already been and gone, he took them both in'
'Thanks Kelsey' said Rip 'I'll take her you have my word'
He'd deal with the other two idiots later.
Beth didn't hear him approach. She looked relieved to see him though. Rip lifted off a towel from her arm and she let him observe the gash without complaint. It was small enough but looked pretty deep and would definitely need stitches.
'It's actually not my fault this time' said Beth.
'I know' said Rip reassuringly 'Let's go' he said, draping his jacket over her shoulders. She found it comforting as it smelt so strongly of him.
Their car journey this time was quiet. Rip was constantly observing her and making sure she was awake, not wanting to let her sleep after her bang on the head.
Beth didn't even complain when they had to wait a while in the ER. He knew she was hurting because she was silent and wasn't protesting.
'My head really hurts, Rip' she said quietly, for his ears only.
'I know, baby, it won't be long there's hardly anyone here tonight. You just need to stay awake a little longer for me. Can you do that?'
She nods and rests her head on his shoulder.
…
Rip felt he was only getting in the way as medical professionals poked and prodded her. He didn't like watching her like this – she looked too vulnerable and weakened for it to actually be Beth. The lead doctor started asking her some questions.
'Do you know where you are?'
'Hospital, Bozeman'
'Can you remember what happened to you?' he inquired, shining the light in her eyes.
'2 assholes were tearing chunks out of each other in the bar and I got caught in the middle'
'Do you know what day it is?'
'Friday night margaritas' she answered sarcastically.
'Who's he?' asked the doctor, pointing to Rip.
'My first time. Who was yours?' The doctor was stunned.
Rip shook his head half humoured half exasperated. To be fair to the doctor, he recovered well.
'What's my name?' His name badge was in full sight for Beth to read but she didn't get her answer out in time.
'I don't feel so good' she went ghostly pale all of a sudden and unsurprisingly Rip was faster to react than anyone else, grabbing a sick bowl from the end of the bed. He held her hair off her face loyally until she was finished.
The doctor then started barking out orders to everyone in the room 'Put an IV in please right away, get someone in here to stich that arm up, then she's going straight for a scan'
…
An overly cheery nurse arrived to fix up Beth's arm and Rip could already tell that she was not going to go down well. She was making her introductions and finished with the killer blow.
'And you must be the husband' she said holding her hand out to Rip.
It was as if a switched had been flicked on and all of Beth's frustration finally broke free.
'Do I look like I'm wearing a fucking ring? You unobservant imbecile,' said an aggravated Beth.
There she was, still present and correct, thought Rip. He knew she was tired and she was hurting, it was only a matter of time. The nurse looked as if she was about to cry.
'Never assume anything. Just shut the fuck up and do your god damn job,'
The nurse urgently exited the cubicle.
'Don't look at me like that' said Beth to Rip who remained silent. He knew better than to chastise her for her actions.
'It was her first day in the hospital, Bethany' came a voice behind the cubicle curtain. Beth looked momentarily taken aback but she recovered well when she discovered who was the source.
'Well if she has any sense it will be her last'
'You haven't changed one bit'
'You have'
The nurse offered his hand out to Rip.
'Josh. I'm sure Beth's told you nothing about me'
Rip didn't really know what to make of the situation unfolding in front of him but he shook his hand anyway.
'Rip'
'I heard you bitching a mile off' stated Josh. Beth scowled at him.
'Roll up your sleeve' he ordered. Surprisingly Beth did as she was told.
'Hold her hand' he said to Rip.
'I don't need' she started.
'Hold her hand, Rip'
Rip wasn't going to protest. He still had absolutely no idea what was going on and why Beth was following instructions from this stranger.
'Just do it' ordered Beth.
'Holy shit' she swore, squeezing Rip's hand as the injection went in.
'Don't say it,' said Beth through gritted teeth.
'Say what?' said Josh.
'I told you so' said a subdued Beth.
'We had a wild night of passion together when we were younger' said Josh, as he started stitching her arm up.
Beth rolled her eyes, 'You wish'
'We went to prom together. Well, Beth took pity on this closeted gay boy, at the same time as wanting to fuck all the dickweed jocks over who thought they could all take her out simultaneously'
'That doesn't sound like her' joked Rip, secretly relived that it wasn't the wild night of passion he had worryingly accepted that it was. He chastised himself internally for even thinking it.
'I like him' Josh said to Beth, pointing to Rip.
'So, you work here now?' she said, trying to detract Josh from further questioning.
'I've worked here for 10 years, Beth'
She looked a little guilty. Making, and further to that maintaining, friendships was not one of her strong suits. Josh proceeded to finish closing her wound in silence.
'It's good to see you chick' he said earnestly 'I mean that'
'Stay nice' he ordered.
'I won't' she replied.
'I like him' said Rip.
Beth rubbed her temples 'God, I need a cigarette'. She still hadn't let go of his hand.
'Sorry'
'You don't need to apologise to me, Beth'
…
A more matronly looking nurse with years of experience had clearly now been assigned to Beth after the trouble she had been causing.
Beth looked at the gown she had placed on her bed with absolute disgust 'I'm not wearing that sack. No fucking chance'
'Well, you can't get the scan without it honey. Your call. I'm leaving it here'
Beth was fiddling with her necklace. If Rip hadn't had gone to the effort of bringing her here, she would have been straight out the door.
'No jewellery either' the nurse said sternly. She wasn't the type of person who looked as if she would take no for an answer. Beth looked uneasy and Rip who had been silent during the interaction so far could see her tense up. He knew her mother had given the necklace to her, she wore it all the time - it was engraved with the letter B.
'I won't let anything happen to it, Beth. I promise'
She nodded, took it off and handed it over. She trusted him implicitly.
Beth made to put on the gown. 'Nothing you haven't seen before' she smirked.
Rip couldn't help himself taking a peek.
'I know you're looking,' said Beth.
He simply shrugged his shoulders, 'You know I can't resist you baby'
….
'Nothing has appeared on the scan, Beth, but we are a little concerned with the vomiting. We'd like to keep you in for a few more hours under observation'
Beth could probably tell them that the vomiting was due to alcohol consumption but she was too tired to argue with anyone at this stage of the night.
Rip took a photo of her in the gown on his phone as soon as they were finally alone in her room.
'What are you doing?' asked Beth.
'Evidence if I ever need it for my blackmail attempt' he joked.
Rip's phone rang 'It's your dad' he said, handing her the phone to speak into.
'I'm fine, daddy'
'Yea he is' she said, looking over at Rip looking very uncomfortable in a chair that was visibly too small for him by the bed holding her bag in his lap. She couldn't help but smile.
'Ok, see you soon, bye'
'I can't believe you still have a flip phone' she teased, handing it back to him 'How old is this thing?'
'Probably older than Tate' he laughed.
'You don't have to stay Rip' as she leaned forward for him to put her beloved necklace back on.
'I'm staying for the health and safety of that poor nurse' he said, his hand lingering on the base of her neck for just a few moments too long before he took back his seat beside the bed.
Beth knew he was lying. She didn't care one bit.