Disclaimed: Now I know you don't want to hear this. You do? Okay, not mine, never has been, I am merely borrowing the characters for a small flight of fantasy.
A/N: Slight lap over back to end of chapter 11 then through chapter 12 and along a bit further. Elizabeth's POV. Like I said, she probably would have past out long ago, but this is my story so *shrug* Her minds saying funny things though. And I have tried less of a cliffhanger. Honestly.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The idea of Robert negotiating made her giggle again, as she thought of it. She was really beginning to lose it. The painkillers were definitely wearing off, but the pain was so great that it had gone past her senses and it was now her whole world.
Her eyes were closed and she could hear Jane's breathing, shallow and laboured. Mrs Graham was singing to her very softly, an old tune which Elizabeth remembered her father singing to her once.
Mum and Dad. They were in her mind now. She would miss them. A part of her raised its eyebrows. Oh yes you would, she thought. They had brought her up, loved her and given her everything she had ever wanted. She loved them too, most of the time. She suddenly felt like a little girl again, wanting her Daddy to hug her and make the darkness go away.
'You mean the police do,' said Martin's voice interrupting her thoughts.
Martin was enjoying this. He seemed to have forgotten about Sarah or the Graham's or her. His initial reason for coming seemed to have been pushed aside as he revelled in power. Well if your talking about revelling in power Robert should be the one to butt heads with.
He enjoyed it, used to his advantage sometimes, but patient care always came first. He may not have cared much for them awake, but he never treated his patients like pieces of meat the way some other surgeons did. Had he always been like that? He's softened a bit since she'd known him. That's your influence. That voice was back again.
'That's good doc. You're not as scared as the others are. You hate me and you're not afraid to say it.'
That sounded like Robert. She prayed he would control his temper. Then again, he would never do anything to put her at risk would he? But you're in here Elizabeth and that's enough to make him angry.
'I had a feeling they might. They're fine. Everyone is fine. Okay?'
You'd miss him. The thought struck her unawares. She wondered if the voice was her unconscious suddenly given leave by her weakened state to say what it pleased.
Oh but you would, it said, you stopped hating him long ago. He's done some horrid stuff to you and others over the years but he's changed. He's had to. You'd miss the banter, the conversations, the help, and the push to succeed. He really cares about you. And you care about him.
'Hey you there! Doc?'
She opened her eyes and waited as everything slid into blurry focus. A sideways Martin, waved his gun-holding hand at her.
'Over here,' he said.
She lifted her head, then got up unsteadily and fell against the bed where Jack still lay.
'Martin, she's not well-' protested Sarah.
But he silenced her with an angry glare.
'Help her,' he said.
She felt small yet strong arms help her up and willed her feet to walk the few steps to the phone. Martin thrust it into her hand and shoved her down onto the chair he had been using.
'Remember beautiful, I'm right here. Tell them how everyone is, that's it,' he whispered in her ear.
She took a couple of breaths then,
'Robert?'
Silence, then,
'Oh...oh God Lizzie, you have no idea how pleased I am to hear you.'
She suppressed a gasp. It was him. No pretender. She heard the relief in his voice and felt it encompass her as well.
'Ditto,' she said, vaguely.
She took a deep breath and began to recite everyone's medical states. Her doctor brain took over for a while.
'Right,' he said, when she had finished, 'that's, well, that's better than I expected. And you?'
Concern was clear, although he was trying to stay calm. All of a sudden she didn't know what to say. She didn't want to tell him. It would hurt him.
'Elizabeth?'
Say something, say something...
'Robert...I've been shot.'
Silence. Laboured breathing.
'Robert did you hear me?' she breathed.
She'd hurt him. She'd never really known how to do that before, although she had tried many a time. Suddenly it was obvious. It had happened before when she had dated Peter and then Mark. Take herself away from him and then hurt herself. Mentally, physically, he can't bear to see you suffer, said the voice.
He asked where she had been shot and she explained again in bland medical terms.
'...not as bad as the dead man anyway,' she joked.
'Don't worry Lizzie, I'll get you through this I promise. I'll get you out of there,' he said.
God, I wish that was true, she thought. Suddenly she felt like crying. But she bit back tears.
'I know,' she replied truthfully, and suddenly Ella flashed into her mind and she asked him to take care of her.
Robert? Take care of Ella? Surely someone else...but her parents? No, she couldn't inflict them on her. He was the most logical choice. To whom? Must be the lack of blood talking.
'Oh...of course,' he said, shocked, 'of course I will. But I won't have to. You'll be here.'
He sounded so sure, she nearly believed him. But the massive pain pounding around her, was determined to prove otherwise. Before she could think of anything to reply, Martin had grabbed the phone off her and dragged her off the seat. She felt Sarah's arms again and sank back next to Jane's bed.
'Thank you,' she murmured.
'I'm sorry,' whispered Sarah.
'Not your fault.'
'How do you feel?'
'Never thought anything would hurt more than giving birth,' she said, 'I was wrong.'
'Can I get you some more of those painkillers?' Sarah asked.
'No. No too much...bad...need a clear head anyway,' sighed Elizabeth.
'...someone dies and seeing as your docs already on the way out I might start with her.'
Both she and Sarah looked up at Martin. His face seemed to freeze for a moment and he blinked a couple of times then swallowed and regained himself saying,
'Tut, tut doc, you need to be detached in this business. Don't get emotional.'
What was it? What had Robert said? She felt dizzy suddenly and closed her eyes leaning on Jane's bed.
'Dr Corday?'
It was Mrs Graham. Elizabeth twisted her head round. Jane was now unconscious, he skin a horrible yellow and mind-numbingly still.
'Dr Corday, is there anything...anything...'
Elizabeth shook her head, feeling the tears mount again.
'No. I'm so sorry, there isn't. She needs to be out of here.'
Martin's voice blathered in the background.
'...of course I'll need a way away from here. A ticket out. Me and Sarah. Together.'
A surge of hatred coursed through her and she felt sick. She grabbed a basin and threw up. Oh well, it was about time, she thought hazily.
'You would. One hostage yeah? And as soon as I open those doors, ten ton of SWAT comes barrelling in and takes me out? I'm not loving that idea,' chuckled Martin.
'You let my daughter out now, you asshole!'
Mrs Graham let her daughter fall back onto the bed and stood up. Instinctively Martin raised his gun.
'Hey get back! I didn't ask you're opinion! I said sit down!' he shouted.
Elizabeth wiped her mouth and looked from one to the other. No time to be a hero again, Elizabeth, she thought.
'Such a big Martin, such a big man!' gulped Mrs Graham, moving a couple of steps forward, 'going to kill a my little girl?'
'Mrs Graham, don't. He's not worth it,' Elizabeth said, wearily.
Mrs Graham stared at her in a daze. Elizabeth turned to Martin.
'Although she has a point.'
Martin grimaced.
'Scuse me doc,' grunted Martin into the phone and hung up.
Well now he'll really be mad, though Elizabeth.
'What is it with you two? Got a death wish?' he said, facing them head on.
Mrs Graham gave out a choking laugh. She moved forward a bit more and Sarah was up and in front of her, holding her arms.
'Mrs Graham, listen to the doctor. He isn't worth it and this won't help,' she said levelly, 'What's your name anyway?'
Mrs Graham looked at Sarah as if she had just popped into existence. She blinked and,
'Helen.'
'Hi Helen. That's my aunt's name. Jane looks really ill doesn't she? Maybe we should sit back down with her, she'll be wondering where you are.' said Sarah.
She would be an excellent doctor, thought Elizabeth. Then she thought, I'll be with Mark soon.
But you don't want to be, said that voice, you want to stay here.
Do I? Why? For Ella and for…
How great a mother am I? Leaving her with nannies at all times of the day and night. Better off without me.
She turned, swaying and saw Helen, back holding her child. Her sick child. She swung her head back to Martin, who had lowered his gun, but was shaking his head and darting his eyes around.
'Her point,' she said.
Martin looked sideways at her.
'Mrs Gra-Helen's point. Jane...is very very sick. She needs...transplant or she will die. You'll be a double murderer...and that will just about eclipse any fraud charges you had.'
Martin said nothing, it was almost as if he didn't take in that she was talking. She didn't move she couldn't if she wanted to, she just sat and talked. She felt so light headed and sort of drunk.
'They won't let you out of here...you'll be caught...ja-jailed. Maybe shot. Want...good books you could...let her and Helen...I mean, what loss is it to you? You'll still have me. Although there might be three deaths including me,' she said, nonchalantly.
'You're fine,' spat Martin.
Elizabeth shook her head, which made her feel sick again and she bent her head over into the dish once more. She placed it to one side.
'I....doctor...I know. I think...I think I'm dying, I've lost a....blood. But keep me and Sarah...let Jane and Helen go. Best for you. Come on Martin...please.'
She let out a little giggle and groggily felt out for Jane's hand. Small, cold and still.
'I'd say you have ten minutes to decide,' she said, 'then...'
See less cliffhangery. Well maybe a bit. Anyway I updated quick to torture you less. *runs away before people start pelting her with things*