Thank you so much for all the support I have received in writing this
fanfic. I am so sorry it has taken so long to write this chapter but my
teachers keep insisting on giving me homework. I have started to reply to
reviews now, (replies at end of page.). This chapter is really long
(compared to my others anyway).
Disclaimer - they still aren't mine but I still want them. It's my birthday in a couple of months, maybe I should ask for them then. Oh well, I'll have to survive with just Josie. Life is tough. Lol.
Chapter 7 - Guilt hurts.
Josie watched as the paramedics loaded Abby into the Ambulance. Susan walked up to her, looking concerned.
"Josie? You must be pretty shaken. You ok?"
Josie couldn't speak, her mouth was too dry and her throat had clammed up. She just smiled weakly at Susan, then looked down at her feet.
Susan hailed them a cab to get them to the hospital, John had gone ahead in the ambulance. When they were on their way, Susan clasped Josie's hand in hers in an attempt to comfort her.
"She's going to be ok. Abby's a fighter." Susan reassured her.
'Poor Josie' she was thinking, 'her Dad dead and her mother fighting for her life'. Susan was unnerved by Josie's behaviour; she wasn't crying anymore, just staring straight ahead, white as a sheet and trembling. She hadn't said a word since Abby had passed out. 'Shock' Susan guessed. But it was far more superior than that. There was something brewing away inside of her that was stronger than shock or guilt, something that could erupt at anytime, with dangerous consequences. The trouble was, nobody knew it was there.
~*~*~*~*~
When they arrived at the hospital Susan got straight of the cab and paid the driver, but when she turned around, Josie hadn't moved. She was still in the same position, with the same expression she had sat with the whole way there. Susan walked round the car and opened the door.
"Come on sweetie, we have to go inside."
Josie looked up at her and nodded. Susan helped her out of her seat, Josie's legs didn't seem to be working properly.
'Please let her still be alive' Josie was silently praying. She was cursing herself for allowing her curiosity to take over. If she hadn't tried to find Abby she'd still be ok and her Dad would still be alive. They got to the main doors of the hospital which Josie had stood outside earlier that day, willing herself to walk in. She stopped.
"I can't" she whispered, "What if she's, what if my Mum is......" she couldn't bring herself to say it.
"She's going to be ok." Susan assured.
"But what if she isn't?" Josie screamed, "It's all my fault! All my stupid fault!"
"You mustn't say that, its not your fault at all, you didn't shoot her!"
"No, but I led him to her. I should never have come here!" She was sobbing uncontrollably. Her legs gave way and Susan had to grab her, before she fell to the ground. She led Josie over to the bench where her and Abby often sat and talked during their breaks. Once they were there, Josie sat, with her head buried in Susan's shoulder, crying, until she had no energy left and no more tears to cry. Susan just held her until she was ready to go in, and face her mum.
~*~*~*~*~
Eventually they entered the ER and walked down the hall to where Carter was pacing the floor. Susan was holding onto Josie, she was still weak.
"John?" Susan called. He spun around to face them.
"They've taken her to the OR to remove the bullet. She's going to be a while."
"She's ok?" Josie whispered, still clinging to Susan.
"They think so, they won't be able to know for sure until the bullet is removed," Just then Haleh walked over to them.
"Why don't I take you into another room," she said, "you look like you need to sit down." The three of the followed Haleh back into Exam 1, which was still empty. Susan sat Josie down on the bed and then flopped backwards into a chair. John started pacing again.
"John, sit down, she's going to be gone for hours, you can't do that until she comes out."
"I can't rest, I have to do something"
"Well make yourself useful and go get us some coffee's then."
"Yeah, ok, I'll be back in a minute." When he was gone, Susan turned to Josie.
"Josie, why don't you try to get some sleep. You must be absolutely exhausted."
"I can't sleep, I'm too scared."
"Just close your eyes, I'll wake you if there is any news."
"Ok, I'll try." And by the time John got back with their drinks she was fast asleep.
"Do you reckon she's going to be ok?" Susan asked.
"I think so. Corday seemed quite optimistic. They think the bullet hit her spleen so they might have to remove it. "
"You look like you could do with some sleep yourself." Susan said.
"Yeah, I haven't slept in a day and a half. I was flying all night."
"Try to sleep, you might feel better."
"Yeah, maybe." Within ten minutes, all 3 of them were fast asleep, exhausted by the days events.
~*~*~*~*~
Susan woke up when she heard Josie tossing in her bed. She seemed quite distressed. 'Nightmare' Susan guessed. She put a hand on Josies arm to calm her down. She was very hot. Susan decided to take her temperature. When the reading showed 103.4 she decided to wake John.
"John, John, wake up." She whispered.
"What is it? Is it Abby?" he replied, sitting up suddenly.
"No, it's Josie." She looked over at the sleeping girl, still tossing and turning.
"What about her?"
"She has a temperature of 103.4."
"Woah, that's high! What do you think it is?"
"I don't know. She seemed quite weak earlier but I assumed she was exhausted, that's all."
"Mmm, me too."
"We'll have to keep an eye on her. Make sure she doesn't get any worse."
"Right. How long has Abby been in the OR for?" John asked. Susan checked her watch.
"Three and a half hours. She should be out soon."
"I hope so." Susan looked out of the window and saw Corday walking down the hallway, towards them.
"I think she's out" Susan said, "there's Elizabeth."
Corday knocked on the door of the exam room. John opened it while Susan woke Josie. Elizabeth walked in and sat down.
"Well the bullet lodged in her spleen as we thought. We did have to remove it but the operation seemed to go well. She's very lucky."
"She's alive?" Josie asked in a whisper.
"Yeah, she's alive." Susan replied, grinning.
~*~*~*~*~
The three of them made their way up to the ICU where Abby was waking up. Elizabeth followed closely behind.
Josie had become weaker still, and she kept rubbing her stomach, wincing in pain each time. She was still leaning on Susan for support and John had his hand on her arm, keeping her steady, as she was almost incapable of walking on her own. They reached Abby's room where she was laying with her eyes open, and a tube down her throat. John went in first with Corday. Abby's eyes lit up as he walked in the room.
"Hey gorgeous, you had us worried." John said as he took her hand in his.
"Abby, do you want that tube out of your mouth now?" Elizabeth asked, Abby nodded.
They removed it and Abby started coughing. John handed her some water for her throat and helped her drink it.
"How's Josie?" She croaked, throat still dry.
"She's ok, a bit shaken. Susan's looking after her outside. You want me to get her? She can't wait to see you." Abby nodded, anxious to see her daughter again.
John beckoned for Josie to enter. Susan helped her in and sat her down in the chair beside Abby's bed. Abby watched them and a cold shiver went through her body, Josie couldn't walk on her own, she was pale, something was seriously wrong, she knew it, something John hadn't told her.
"You ok Honey?" Abby asked, very concerned.
Josie tried to reply but she couldn't. Her stomach felt like it was going to explode with pain. She tried to stand up, to reach her mum's hand, but her knees gave way and she sunk to the floor, unconscious.
~*~*~*~*~
Review response...
Gotluka'scookies – first of all, I love your name! Sorry I didn't update quickly.
Coasterchick – I think Abby and Carter should always be together. Kem isn't even in this story because I don't like her. Thank you for saying it is one of the best cos even tho I don't think it is (have you read some of the others? They are amazing!) You made my day wen u said that. Thanks.
Mary_kate113 – thanks for all your reviews. Hope you like this chapter.
XxXxX
Disclaimer - they still aren't mine but I still want them. It's my birthday in a couple of months, maybe I should ask for them then. Oh well, I'll have to survive with just Josie. Life is tough. Lol.
Chapter 7 - Guilt hurts.
Josie watched as the paramedics loaded Abby into the Ambulance. Susan walked up to her, looking concerned.
"Josie? You must be pretty shaken. You ok?"
Josie couldn't speak, her mouth was too dry and her throat had clammed up. She just smiled weakly at Susan, then looked down at her feet.
Susan hailed them a cab to get them to the hospital, John had gone ahead in the ambulance. When they were on their way, Susan clasped Josie's hand in hers in an attempt to comfort her.
"She's going to be ok. Abby's a fighter." Susan reassured her.
'Poor Josie' she was thinking, 'her Dad dead and her mother fighting for her life'. Susan was unnerved by Josie's behaviour; she wasn't crying anymore, just staring straight ahead, white as a sheet and trembling. She hadn't said a word since Abby had passed out. 'Shock' Susan guessed. But it was far more superior than that. There was something brewing away inside of her that was stronger than shock or guilt, something that could erupt at anytime, with dangerous consequences. The trouble was, nobody knew it was there.
~*~*~*~*~
When they arrived at the hospital Susan got straight of the cab and paid the driver, but when she turned around, Josie hadn't moved. She was still in the same position, with the same expression she had sat with the whole way there. Susan walked round the car and opened the door.
"Come on sweetie, we have to go inside."
Josie looked up at her and nodded. Susan helped her out of her seat, Josie's legs didn't seem to be working properly.
'Please let her still be alive' Josie was silently praying. She was cursing herself for allowing her curiosity to take over. If she hadn't tried to find Abby she'd still be ok and her Dad would still be alive. They got to the main doors of the hospital which Josie had stood outside earlier that day, willing herself to walk in. She stopped.
"I can't" she whispered, "What if she's, what if my Mum is......" she couldn't bring herself to say it.
"She's going to be ok." Susan assured.
"But what if she isn't?" Josie screamed, "It's all my fault! All my stupid fault!"
"You mustn't say that, its not your fault at all, you didn't shoot her!"
"No, but I led him to her. I should never have come here!" She was sobbing uncontrollably. Her legs gave way and Susan had to grab her, before she fell to the ground. She led Josie over to the bench where her and Abby often sat and talked during their breaks. Once they were there, Josie sat, with her head buried in Susan's shoulder, crying, until she had no energy left and no more tears to cry. Susan just held her until she was ready to go in, and face her mum.
~*~*~*~*~
Eventually they entered the ER and walked down the hall to where Carter was pacing the floor. Susan was holding onto Josie, she was still weak.
"John?" Susan called. He spun around to face them.
"They've taken her to the OR to remove the bullet. She's going to be a while."
"She's ok?" Josie whispered, still clinging to Susan.
"They think so, they won't be able to know for sure until the bullet is removed," Just then Haleh walked over to them.
"Why don't I take you into another room," she said, "you look like you need to sit down." The three of the followed Haleh back into Exam 1, which was still empty. Susan sat Josie down on the bed and then flopped backwards into a chair. John started pacing again.
"John, sit down, she's going to be gone for hours, you can't do that until she comes out."
"I can't rest, I have to do something"
"Well make yourself useful and go get us some coffee's then."
"Yeah, ok, I'll be back in a minute." When he was gone, Susan turned to Josie.
"Josie, why don't you try to get some sleep. You must be absolutely exhausted."
"I can't sleep, I'm too scared."
"Just close your eyes, I'll wake you if there is any news."
"Ok, I'll try." And by the time John got back with their drinks she was fast asleep.
"Do you reckon she's going to be ok?" Susan asked.
"I think so. Corday seemed quite optimistic. They think the bullet hit her spleen so they might have to remove it. "
"You look like you could do with some sleep yourself." Susan said.
"Yeah, I haven't slept in a day and a half. I was flying all night."
"Try to sleep, you might feel better."
"Yeah, maybe." Within ten minutes, all 3 of them were fast asleep, exhausted by the days events.
~*~*~*~*~
Susan woke up when she heard Josie tossing in her bed. She seemed quite distressed. 'Nightmare' Susan guessed. She put a hand on Josies arm to calm her down. She was very hot. Susan decided to take her temperature. When the reading showed 103.4 she decided to wake John.
"John, John, wake up." She whispered.
"What is it? Is it Abby?" he replied, sitting up suddenly.
"No, it's Josie." She looked over at the sleeping girl, still tossing and turning.
"What about her?"
"She has a temperature of 103.4."
"Woah, that's high! What do you think it is?"
"I don't know. She seemed quite weak earlier but I assumed she was exhausted, that's all."
"Mmm, me too."
"We'll have to keep an eye on her. Make sure she doesn't get any worse."
"Right. How long has Abby been in the OR for?" John asked. Susan checked her watch.
"Three and a half hours. She should be out soon."
"I hope so." Susan looked out of the window and saw Corday walking down the hallway, towards them.
"I think she's out" Susan said, "there's Elizabeth."
Corday knocked on the door of the exam room. John opened it while Susan woke Josie. Elizabeth walked in and sat down.
"Well the bullet lodged in her spleen as we thought. We did have to remove it but the operation seemed to go well. She's very lucky."
"She's alive?" Josie asked in a whisper.
"Yeah, she's alive." Susan replied, grinning.
~*~*~*~*~
The three of them made their way up to the ICU where Abby was waking up. Elizabeth followed closely behind.
Josie had become weaker still, and she kept rubbing her stomach, wincing in pain each time. She was still leaning on Susan for support and John had his hand on her arm, keeping her steady, as she was almost incapable of walking on her own. They reached Abby's room where she was laying with her eyes open, and a tube down her throat. John went in first with Corday. Abby's eyes lit up as he walked in the room.
"Hey gorgeous, you had us worried." John said as he took her hand in his.
"Abby, do you want that tube out of your mouth now?" Elizabeth asked, Abby nodded.
They removed it and Abby started coughing. John handed her some water for her throat and helped her drink it.
"How's Josie?" She croaked, throat still dry.
"She's ok, a bit shaken. Susan's looking after her outside. You want me to get her? She can't wait to see you." Abby nodded, anxious to see her daughter again.
John beckoned for Josie to enter. Susan helped her in and sat her down in the chair beside Abby's bed. Abby watched them and a cold shiver went through her body, Josie couldn't walk on her own, she was pale, something was seriously wrong, she knew it, something John hadn't told her.
"You ok Honey?" Abby asked, very concerned.
Josie tried to reply but she couldn't. Her stomach felt like it was going to explode with pain. She tried to stand up, to reach her mum's hand, but her knees gave way and she sunk to the floor, unconscious.
~*~*~*~*~
Review response...
Gotluka'scookies – first of all, I love your name! Sorry I didn't update quickly.
Coasterchick – I think Abby and Carter should always be together. Kem isn't even in this story because I don't like her. Thank you for saying it is one of the best cos even tho I don't think it is (have you read some of the others? They are amazing!) You made my day wen u said that. Thanks.
Mary_kate113 – thanks for all your reviews. Hope you like this chapter.
XxXxX