Chapter 7
Chapter 7
Jake slowly opened his eyes and looked around. He suddenly had the urge to gag as he realized there was a tube down his throat. A nurse came running over as he began gagging. Removing the tube, Jake laid back and took a deep breath, realizing his ribs were on fire from pain. He glanced at the nurse and realized where he was. He looked beside him for Chris, and realizing he wasn't there,went to ask the nurse, but she'd walked away to find the doctor.
Jake groaned suddenly as a waive of pain flared through his head. His vision blurred and he closed his eyes. He'd never felt this bad before, not even when he went on drinking binges. As he opened his eyes, he noticed an attractive woman in a white coat come over to his bed. He swallowed thickly as she looked at his chart and pulled up a chair beside him.
"Mr. Taylor, glad to see you're back to the land of the living. How are you feeling?" she asked.
"Fine," gasped Jake, cringing as the pain in his ribs flared up again and his throat scratched with the movement of his vocal chords.
"Good. Would you like to find out what exactly is wrong with you or do you have a good idea?" she asked, smiling slightly. "You've got a serious concussion and some broken ribs and clavicale. You've just recently been taken out of I.C.U because of some internal injuries. As far as we can tell, you're out of the woods with internal injuries. We are going to keep you for another day or so even though there's not much we can do for you. We want to make sure there's nothing more. Do you understand?"
Jake nodded and his eyes rolled back in his head as his head throbbed with each movement. Keeping his eyes closed he squeezed the doctor's hand gently and then placed his hand on his ribs, thinking it was the only way to keep them together.
The doctor stood and spoke to the nurse in a quiet whisper, signed a chart and headed out the door. Jake could remember vividly what had happened and his stomach churned as he remembered the headlights coming right at him. He felt pain and realized that his right collarbone was broken. After a few moments thought, he realized he was wearing his seat belt, something he never did. Tears rolled down his cheeks as the memory flashed in his mind.
* * *
"I'm driving, Taylor!" laughed Chris, holding up the keys.
"Oh, no. I've seen you drive. No way man!"
"Come on, smartass. Get in!"
"Alright! But I better put this on!" laughed Jake, clicking his seatbelt and making sure it was snug.
"Damned smartass," cursed Chris, starting up the rig and pulling out onto the streets.
* * *
Alex sat alone in the dark of her apartment, her chin resting on her knees. Tears rolled softly down her face as she rocked back and forth. She glanced at her answering machine, watching the red numbers flash "6". She reached over and hit play again, listening to each message again.
"Alex, its Kim. I was wondering if you'd eaten yet tonight. Its just me and Joey tonight and we've got plenty. Please call back. The whole station is worried about you. Please? Alex?"
"Alex? Alex, if you're there pick up. Listen, you've got tomorrow off. I've pulled in another paramedic from another station to cover. You still have to come in though. We're having a meeting. Call me back to let me know you've gotten this message. Hope to hear from you soon, kid," Doc's voice came over the machine.
Alex reached over and stopped the other messages from playing. Reaching for the reciever, she sighed and grabbed the phonebook off the nearby table. Finding Kim's number she dialed and waited for the pickup.
"Hey, Kim. Does that offer of dinner still stand?"
"Yeah. Of course. Joey's watching a movie. C'mon over," replied Kim.
"Be there in a few."
* * *
Jake groaned as he tried to roll over to sleep. He hated sleeping on his back. It was the most uncomfortable position for him. He watched a nurse look at him as he groaned. When she started approaching, he shook his head. Nothing could be done, so why did she even bother?
"Mr. Taylor? Is something wrong?" she asked.
"No," he gasped. "Just can't sleep like this. Nothing you can do, ma'am."
"I can see about another order for some valium. Maybe that would help," she suggested, patting his arm and walking to the nurses station.
Jake closed his eyes and tried to sleep. He was vaguely aware of the nurse coming back and injecting something into his I.V. line. Jake thought of his life and realized the mistake he was making. Bringing up his old memories only depressed him. He was twenty-nine, divorced with no kids, working as a firefighter, which is something he never wanted to be. He hadn't dated anyone since his divorce and had done nothing with his life. His mind switched to thoughts of Alex. How she looked the first time he met her. The way she'd always smiled. She'd stopped smiling as much after they got married. His different shifts had put a strain on their marriage. He was the reason they'd never had children or bought a house. He always had said later. Jake always thought there would be a later. He never realized that for Alex, later and came and went with no results.
Jake slept fitfully through the night. Awaking more tired than when he'd gone to sleep. He watched as the nurses and doctors walked quickly by his room. He moved his head a bit, and realized his headache was slowly ebbing away. He sighed and leaned back, staring at the ceiling. It was going to be a boring day.
* * *
Alex awoke slowly and looked around at her surroundings. The small boy slurping cereal from a bowl startled her. He looked up and smiled at her, turning back to his cartoons and setting the bowl on the coffee table in front of her. Groaning slightly, she rolled over and noticed the empty bottle of tequila on the floor next to her and the pizza box on the coffee table.
"Mommy says you and her talked all night," Joey said, turning around and looking at her as a commercial came on the screen.
"Yeah, we did," replied Alex, sitting up and putting a hand to her head as the room spun.
"G'morning. Sleep well?" asked Kim, coming into the room carrying a cup of coffee.
Alex took the coffee and drank some. "Not really. Did you have any of that tequila?"
"Nope. But it was only about a third full," shrugged Kim. "You looked like you needed it."
"I did. What time is it?" she asked, looking around for a clock.
"Half past nine. We've got a meeting this afternoon at three. Doc says he wants you there. He wanted to know if you'd stopped by to see Jake at all."
Alex sighed and watched Joey play with his toy firetruck. "No, I haven't. I don't plan on it, either. He doesn't need me there. He's probably got nurses lined up at his doorway. Visitors aren't something Jake ever needed when he got hurt," quipped Alex, shaking her head.
Kim's jaw dropped in shock. She couldn't believe what Alex was saying. "Alex. Jake doesn't have family in this area at all, does he?"
"No. His mom died last year and his dad was killed when he was little."
"The only family he has up here is you. Even though you and he aren't together anymore, you're still family!"
Alex shook her head and stood. "If we were family, he wouldn't have walked out on me," she replied, looking for her jacket. "Thank you, Kim. For the company and the talk. I need to get home and changed."
"Alex, just remember what I said."
Alex gave a slight smile and nod and walked out the door.
* * *
The wind blew against her face as Alex walked out of the subway and towards the hospital. She never owned a car and never would if she had anything to say about it. Living in the city all her life, she'd never needed one. As the cold wind bit her cheeks, she'd wished at that point that she had a car to ride in the three blocks to the hospital.
Walking through the main enterance, Alex glanced around for a familiar face. Spotting no one, she wandered over to the receptionist. "Hi. I was wondering if you could tell me which room Jake Taylor is in?" she asked.
"213," a voice behind her replied. Alex whirled around to find Bobby and Doc walking through the door.
Alex nodded to both men and sighed. "I guess you're here to see him as well. Lets go then," she said, walking towards the elevator.
"I think we'll take a rain check. I'm gonna go find Sarah," replied Doc, dragging Bobby with him. "See you at three!"
Alex shook her head and pushed the up button on the elevator. At least with Doc and Bobby, she wouldn't have to face Jake alone.
* * *
"No, damnit! I don't want it!" yelled Jake, swatting and nurses hand away from his I.V. line.
"Mr. Taylor, Please! I have orders to give you these medications. Until those orders are changed, you must take them," replied the nurse, reaching for the I.V. line again.
"That's it! I've had enough of this! I'm getting out of here!" yelled Jake, ripping out his I.V. and pushing himself out of bed.
Alex heard the commotion from the front room as the nurse called for backup as Jake wandered over to the closet in his room and rummaged for his clothes.
"Where are they!? Where are my clothes?!"
"Jake? Jake! What is wrong with you?!" asked Alex, walking into the room.
"Mr. Taylor doesn't want to take his medicine! I've tried to tell him he has to, but he's becoming violent," replied the nurse as two security guards entered the room.
"He's normally not his way," explained Alex. "Get the doctor in here. He might be having a reaction to the meds. Normally, Jake wouldn't hurt a fly!"
"Alex! Tell them to get me my clothes so we can go home!" yelled Jake, pointing at the nurse.
"We?! Jake! What is wrong with you?!" asked Alex, shocked.
"Baby! I'm on vacation! I don't want to waste it here in the hospital! I thought we were gonna go down to the Bahamas? Don't tell me they wouldn't let you off work," he growled, walking up to her.
Alex looked around and rolled her eyes. Jake had definately hit his head or something was giving him one hell of a chemical imbalance in his noggin. Alex figured she'd best play along and try to get him relaxed.
"Jake. You need to sleep. We don't have to leave for two more days. Give the nurses and doctors a chance to make sure you can fly, or our vacation will be ruined. Please? You don't want to ruin our vacation do you, Honey?"
Jake looked around and thought a moment. Letting out a long sigh he shook his head and got back into bed. "No, no! This is my first vacation in a long time. Since our honeymoon. I don't want to ruin it, so, just for you, I'll stay and let them do their work," nodded Jake, glaring at the nurse. "But no meds! I want to see the doctor bout all this!"
Alex pulled the security guard aside and explained about strange reactions to medications. The guard nodded and went to find the doctor. She shook her head and sat down on the chair at the foot of the bed. Alex chuckled as Jake's head hit the pillow and he snored softly.
"What a way to say hello, Jake. You've never made life dull," she chuckled.
* * *
"I did what?!" asked Jake, looking at Alex, surprised.
"I swear, you were going to rip that poor nurse's head off! You ripped out your line and jumped out of bed, screaming for your clothes. Oh...and get this! You thought it was a year ago and we were still married!" laughed Alex.
Jake shook his head and laughed. "I really freaked out, huh?" he grinned sheepishly.
"You might say that," giggled Alex, shaking her head.
An awkward silence filled the room as they both thought of something to say. Alex leaned back and sipped her soda, looking around the white room. Jake fiddled with his I.V. line and stared at his bed sheet. Alex finally spoke up.
"Jake? I just...I just wanted to say...I'm sorry for the way I've acted towards you. I've just been so hurt by you in the past, when you showed up, I immediately figured you'd hurt me again. Even as friends, that's why I never wanted to talk to you. I wanted to keep my distance," she sighed. "I..um..know now, that if anything...well..were to happen to you...I don't know if I could go on," she spit out, looking at her soda bottle.
Jake's head snapped up and he started at her in awe as she spoke the last words. He'd thought she was over him and had written him off. Did he have a chance? He mustarded up all his courage and spoke.
"Alex...I want to..apologize for what I did to you. I should have never walked out. Never. I was taught that if you go mad, you walked away before you got physical. I was so mad that night, so angry with you, I had to leave. I never realized you would take that as me walking out on you for good. I had no intention of doing that. I loved you. Hell, I still do! I just..I'd like to have a second chance, if you'll let me?"
Alex sighed and looked at him. She shook her head and smiled, getting up from her chair. "Bubba, you get your second chance, but if you ever hurt me again...I'll blast your ass with a fully charged deuce and a half!" she replied, walking to him and hugging him.
The End
***************
Ok, so what do you all think?? I need reviews and feedback. Do you want a sequel??
Chapter 7
Jake slowly opened his eyes and looked around. He suddenly had the urge to gag as he realized there was a tube down his throat. A nurse came running over as he began gagging. Removing the tube, Jake laid back and took a deep breath, realizing his ribs were on fire from pain. He glanced at the nurse and realized where he was. He looked beside him for Chris, and realizing he wasn't there,went to ask the nurse, but she'd walked away to find the doctor.
Jake groaned suddenly as a waive of pain flared through his head. His vision blurred and he closed his eyes. He'd never felt this bad before, not even when he went on drinking binges. As he opened his eyes, he noticed an attractive woman in a white coat come over to his bed. He swallowed thickly as she looked at his chart and pulled up a chair beside him.
"Mr. Taylor, glad to see you're back to the land of the living. How are you feeling?" she asked.
"Fine," gasped Jake, cringing as the pain in his ribs flared up again and his throat scratched with the movement of his vocal chords.
"Good. Would you like to find out what exactly is wrong with you or do you have a good idea?" she asked, smiling slightly. "You've got a serious concussion and some broken ribs and clavicale. You've just recently been taken out of I.C.U because of some internal injuries. As far as we can tell, you're out of the woods with internal injuries. We are going to keep you for another day or so even though there's not much we can do for you. We want to make sure there's nothing more. Do you understand?"
Jake nodded and his eyes rolled back in his head as his head throbbed with each movement. Keeping his eyes closed he squeezed the doctor's hand gently and then placed his hand on his ribs, thinking it was the only way to keep them together.
The doctor stood and spoke to the nurse in a quiet whisper, signed a chart and headed out the door. Jake could remember vividly what had happened and his stomach churned as he remembered the headlights coming right at him. He felt pain and realized that his right collarbone was broken. After a few moments thought, he realized he was wearing his seat belt, something he never did. Tears rolled down his cheeks as the memory flashed in his mind.
* * *
"I'm driving, Taylor!" laughed Chris, holding up the keys.
"Oh, no. I've seen you drive. No way man!"
"Come on, smartass. Get in!"
"Alright! But I better put this on!" laughed Jake, clicking his seatbelt and making sure it was snug.
"Damned smartass," cursed Chris, starting up the rig and pulling out onto the streets.
* * *
Alex sat alone in the dark of her apartment, her chin resting on her knees. Tears rolled softly down her face as she rocked back and forth. She glanced at her answering machine, watching the red numbers flash "6". She reached over and hit play again, listening to each message again.
"Alex, its Kim. I was wondering if you'd eaten yet tonight. Its just me and Joey tonight and we've got plenty. Please call back. The whole station is worried about you. Please? Alex?"
"Alex? Alex, if you're there pick up. Listen, you've got tomorrow off. I've pulled in another paramedic from another station to cover. You still have to come in though. We're having a meeting. Call me back to let me know you've gotten this message. Hope to hear from you soon, kid," Doc's voice came over the machine.
Alex reached over and stopped the other messages from playing. Reaching for the reciever, she sighed and grabbed the phonebook off the nearby table. Finding Kim's number she dialed and waited for the pickup.
"Hey, Kim. Does that offer of dinner still stand?"
"Yeah. Of course. Joey's watching a movie. C'mon over," replied Kim.
"Be there in a few."
* * *
Jake groaned as he tried to roll over to sleep. He hated sleeping on his back. It was the most uncomfortable position for him. He watched a nurse look at him as he groaned. When she started approaching, he shook his head. Nothing could be done, so why did she even bother?
"Mr. Taylor? Is something wrong?" she asked.
"No," he gasped. "Just can't sleep like this. Nothing you can do, ma'am."
"I can see about another order for some valium. Maybe that would help," she suggested, patting his arm and walking to the nurses station.
Jake closed his eyes and tried to sleep. He was vaguely aware of the nurse coming back and injecting something into his I.V. line. Jake thought of his life and realized the mistake he was making. Bringing up his old memories only depressed him. He was twenty-nine, divorced with no kids, working as a firefighter, which is something he never wanted to be. He hadn't dated anyone since his divorce and had done nothing with his life. His mind switched to thoughts of Alex. How she looked the first time he met her. The way she'd always smiled. She'd stopped smiling as much after they got married. His different shifts had put a strain on their marriage. He was the reason they'd never had children or bought a house. He always had said later. Jake always thought there would be a later. He never realized that for Alex, later and came and went with no results.
Jake slept fitfully through the night. Awaking more tired than when he'd gone to sleep. He watched as the nurses and doctors walked quickly by his room. He moved his head a bit, and realized his headache was slowly ebbing away. He sighed and leaned back, staring at the ceiling. It was going to be a boring day.
* * *
Alex awoke slowly and looked around at her surroundings. The small boy slurping cereal from a bowl startled her. He looked up and smiled at her, turning back to his cartoons and setting the bowl on the coffee table in front of her. Groaning slightly, she rolled over and noticed the empty bottle of tequila on the floor next to her and the pizza box on the coffee table.
"Mommy says you and her talked all night," Joey said, turning around and looking at her as a commercial came on the screen.
"Yeah, we did," replied Alex, sitting up and putting a hand to her head as the room spun.
"G'morning. Sleep well?" asked Kim, coming into the room carrying a cup of coffee.
Alex took the coffee and drank some. "Not really. Did you have any of that tequila?"
"Nope. But it was only about a third full," shrugged Kim. "You looked like you needed it."
"I did. What time is it?" she asked, looking around for a clock.
"Half past nine. We've got a meeting this afternoon at three. Doc says he wants you there. He wanted to know if you'd stopped by to see Jake at all."
Alex sighed and watched Joey play with his toy firetruck. "No, I haven't. I don't plan on it, either. He doesn't need me there. He's probably got nurses lined up at his doorway. Visitors aren't something Jake ever needed when he got hurt," quipped Alex, shaking her head.
Kim's jaw dropped in shock. She couldn't believe what Alex was saying. "Alex. Jake doesn't have family in this area at all, does he?"
"No. His mom died last year and his dad was killed when he was little."
"The only family he has up here is you. Even though you and he aren't together anymore, you're still family!"
Alex shook her head and stood. "If we were family, he wouldn't have walked out on me," she replied, looking for her jacket. "Thank you, Kim. For the company and the talk. I need to get home and changed."
"Alex, just remember what I said."
Alex gave a slight smile and nod and walked out the door.
* * *
The wind blew against her face as Alex walked out of the subway and towards the hospital. She never owned a car and never would if she had anything to say about it. Living in the city all her life, she'd never needed one. As the cold wind bit her cheeks, she'd wished at that point that she had a car to ride in the three blocks to the hospital.
Walking through the main enterance, Alex glanced around for a familiar face. Spotting no one, she wandered over to the receptionist. "Hi. I was wondering if you could tell me which room Jake Taylor is in?" she asked.
"213," a voice behind her replied. Alex whirled around to find Bobby and Doc walking through the door.
Alex nodded to both men and sighed. "I guess you're here to see him as well. Lets go then," she said, walking towards the elevator.
"I think we'll take a rain check. I'm gonna go find Sarah," replied Doc, dragging Bobby with him. "See you at three!"
Alex shook her head and pushed the up button on the elevator. At least with Doc and Bobby, she wouldn't have to face Jake alone.
* * *
"No, damnit! I don't want it!" yelled Jake, swatting and nurses hand away from his I.V. line.
"Mr. Taylor, Please! I have orders to give you these medications. Until those orders are changed, you must take them," replied the nurse, reaching for the I.V. line again.
"That's it! I've had enough of this! I'm getting out of here!" yelled Jake, ripping out his I.V. and pushing himself out of bed.
Alex heard the commotion from the front room as the nurse called for backup as Jake wandered over to the closet in his room and rummaged for his clothes.
"Where are they!? Where are my clothes?!"
"Jake? Jake! What is wrong with you?!" asked Alex, walking into the room.
"Mr. Taylor doesn't want to take his medicine! I've tried to tell him he has to, but he's becoming violent," replied the nurse as two security guards entered the room.
"He's normally not his way," explained Alex. "Get the doctor in here. He might be having a reaction to the meds. Normally, Jake wouldn't hurt a fly!"
"Alex! Tell them to get me my clothes so we can go home!" yelled Jake, pointing at the nurse.
"We?! Jake! What is wrong with you?!" asked Alex, shocked.
"Baby! I'm on vacation! I don't want to waste it here in the hospital! I thought we were gonna go down to the Bahamas? Don't tell me they wouldn't let you off work," he growled, walking up to her.
Alex looked around and rolled her eyes. Jake had definately hit his head or something was giving him one hell of a chemical imbalance in his noggin. Alex figured she'd best play along and try to get him relaxed.
"Jake. You need to sleep. We don't have to leave for two more days. Give the nurses and doctors a chance to make sure you can fly, or our vacation will be ruined. Please? You don't want to ruin our vacation do you, Honey?"
Jake looked around and thought a moment. Letting out a long sigh he shook his head and got back into bed. "No, no! This is my first vacation in a long time. Since our honeymoon. I don't want to ruin it, so, just for you, I'll stay and let them do their work," nodded Jake, glaring at the nurse. "But no meds! I want to see the doctor bout all this!"
Alex pulled the security guard aside and explained about strange reactions to medications. The guard nodded and went to find the doctor. She shook her head and sat down on the chair at the foot of the bed. Alex chuckled as Jake's head hit the pillow and he snored softly.
"What a way to say hello, Jake. You've never made life dull," she chuckled.
* * *
"I did what?!" asked Jake, looking at Alex, surprised.
"I swear, you were going to rip that poor nurse's head off! You ripped out your line and jumped out of bed, screaming for your clothes. Oh...and get this! You thought it was a year ago and we were still married!" laughed Alex.
Jake shook his head and laughed. "I really freaked out, huh?" he grinned sheepishly.
"You might say that," giggled Alex, shaking her head.
An awkward silence filled the room as they both thought of something to say. Alex leaned back and sipped her soda, looking around the white room. Jake fiddled with his I.V. line and stared at his bed sheet. Alex finally spoke up.
"Jake? I just...I just wanted to say...I'm sorry for the way I've acted towards you. I've just been so hurt by you in the past, when you showed up, I immediately figured you'd hurt me again. Even as friends, that's why I never wanted to talk to you. I wanted to keep my distance," she sighed. "I..um..know now, that if anything...well..were to happen to you...I don't know if I could go on," she spit out, looking at her soda bottle.
Jake's head snapped up and he started at her in awe as she spoke the last words. He'd thought she was over him and had written him off. Did he have a chance? He mustarded up all his courage and spoke.
"Alex...I want to..apologize for what I did to you. I should have never walked out. Never. I was taught that if you go mad, you walked away before you got physical. I was so mad that night, so angry with you, I had to leave. I never realized you would take that as me walking out on you for good. I had no intention of doing that. I loved you. Hell, I still do! I just..I'd like to have a second chance, if you'll let me?"
Alex sighed and looked at him. She shook her head and smiled, getting up from her chair. "Bubba, you get your second chance, but if you ever hurt me again...I'll blast your ass with a fully charged deuce and a half!" she replied, walking to him and hugging him.
The End
***************
Ok, so what do you all think?? I need reviews and feedback. Do you want a sequel??