A/N I took this chapter from Princess and she let me, lol. And so she'll be going next unless she's too busy. Hope you all enjoy and I hope what I did isn't too dumb. The recent stress has got me feeling a bit as though my ideas aren't going so well with this story, lol. So if they don't work, we may be changing them and redoing the chapter after it's posted. Not sure, but just to let you know, lol. Onto the story..
"Get an ambulance in here. NOW." Strom collapsed by her sister, tears falling freely. Storm held Tabitha's weakened hand and the next couple of hours flew by in hazed whirlwind.
"You need to be seen by a doctor." Vince sat beside her in the maroon leathered waiting chairs, twiddling his thumbs, nervous of getting yelled at.
"No, I'm fine." Strom sighed, her chin held up defiantly. Vince could tell she was a beaten woman, physically and mentally. Her focus was in those three emergency rooms, curtained by the double steeled doors she was staring at.
"Ok, let me know if you need anything." He replied simply, not testing her or wanting to upset her. From the corner, he watched as Matty and Taylor talked from admittance, their eyes on Storm the whole time they did so.
"Just hold me." Storm whispered, putting her head on his shoulder after he put his arm around her. He was so gentle and so careful, she loved his way of being a thug but yet a gentle man.
"Storm, wake up. Brian needs you." Matty walked over, a few hours alter, after letting her get some much needed rest. He was kneeling beside her, close to her as to talk in secrecy. Her weary, redden eyes from lack of sleep popped open and she's nodded, taking a minute to get moving. Her body was stiff and hurting.
"What's wrong, Brian?" She asked quietly, seeing him standing outside Stacey's door, hands in his pockets. Then she heard Stacey scream. "What the hell are they doing to her?" She started for the door.
"A spinal tap. They can't or won't give her any pain medicine. She's too close to a coma." Brian looked down, not wanting to look at Storm. They heard another high-pitched scream, though throughout it, Stacey's voice would give away and sound hoarse, as though it was going to give you. She sounded so miserable, Strom began to pace as she thought.
"Gawd, I shoulda been there to save her sooner." Storm ran a hand though her hair after there was an eerie silence initiating from Stacey's room. This scared her more than the scream itself.
"Storm, I am sorry I was an ass. I wasn't going to set you up, you gotta believe me. For what its' worth, I'm really sorry." Brian looked her in the eyes, looking sincere and at the same time, sad.
"It's your blood. I understand." Storm nodded, her throat tight as they wheeled a pale, no white, Stacey out. She was restrained by her wrists and her eyes were closed. They followed the nurses and the gurney she was on to the Icu unit where they were told they could wait by her side for a while.
"Stacey, look who's here." Brian coughed, choking up as he saw the reddened hospital sheet that she was laying underneath.
"Take me home." Stacey whimpered, a single tear escaping her closed eyes as she laid there , no longer fighting the restraints that she hated so much.
"Can she get some pain medicine?" Storm asked, irritated at seeing her suffer, frowning at the nurse to intimidate her.
"She had as much as we could give her. Anymore and she might quit breathing on us." The nurse didn't look at Brian or Storm but kept writing down things on her chart.
"Be discreet would you please, when you're talking like that? This girl ain't goin nowhere so if ya don't like your job, quit. But when you're here, suck it up." Storm growled. "Don't act like you want them to die off." She hissed in a whisper as the nurse neared her, out of Stacey's hearing.
"Storm? What are you doing here?" Stacey attempted to left her head, licking her dry lips.
"Came to see you, Blue eyes. Why else?" Storm kneeled beside the bed as Brian wiped tears resting at the corner of his eyes and took a deep breath.
"I can't walk anymore, Storm." Stacey said, drifting in and out of contentious.
"Annastacia Morgan O'Connor, wake up. You will walk again or I'll personally kick that ass of yours. You can't give up on me, I won't let you." Storm chided, try ingot not sound too harsh but harsh enough to get her point across.
"Is Brian still here?' Stacey asked, straining to turn her neck in the neck brace. This made her frown and give a cry of frustration. Her left, swollen, black eye attempted to open but she gave in and laid back. "Can you ask him to leave for a few minutes? I know you got other things to do and I'll hurry." Stacey promised, making Storm confused why she was acting like this, so out of character for her.
"Yeah. He left. And you should know you are important to me and I got time for you, always." Storm informed and corrected her, pulling up a chair. She made sure to smile for Stacey's' benefit. "Talk to me." She tired to hide the wincing with every move she made, to hide it, to not make Stacey worry.
"I know I'm just a problem for you to correct and then you're leaving." Stacy said, her voice flat.
"Why would you say that?'" Storm's eyes widened as she was caught off guard.
"I don't know. I want to stay with you, Storm. I used to anyways. I thought you thought of me as your sister and now I know I'm' just business." Stacey broke down into tears.
"Stacey, that's not it and whoever is feeding you that bullshit needs to be shot." Storm stroked her hear, making Stacy cry more.
"You only came back to get at Carter. It had nothing to do with me." Stacey sniffled, her head pounding.
"You got it all wrong, I'm a be round for a long time. You'll have to beg me to leave." Storm joked, hopping tat was true. She felt so horrible she was wondering if her own pain was because she was dying. She opened her eyes to find Stacey glaring at her.
"I know a lot more than I used to. I just don't want to bother you. But that's besides the point. Mia was there, Storm. Did you find her? Is she around?" Stacey asked, sighing , exhausted panic coming out in the tone of her voice.
"Stacey, she wasn't there. WE had that place staked out and I personally searched top t bottom. You were do dehydrated and beat in the head, could you have been delirious? I'm not dismissing what you're sayin, I'm just asking." Storm tried to be as blunt as she could but in a gentle manner. She had always been so close to Stacey. Often closer than her and Tabitha for some odd reason and she didn't wan to upset her.
"Yeah, I shoulda known." Stacey choked out in a soft voice, taking a deep breath, feeling pain as she did so.
"Known what?' Storm asked, herself stretching to ease the throbbing of her own body.
"Carter said you guys didn't care about me. It was just revenge you hunted for. To find him, not me." Stacey stared at the ceiling.
"Hold up. I came to rescue you. Yeah, I won't lie, revenge was on the agenda too. But he was mentally tearing you down and messing with you." Storm sighed, trying to get a grip on herself. She fought to remember the head trauma was likely the reason Stacey was being like this and the pain was another driving force of the accusations and hurtful words. She attempted to remember Stacey's person security had been violated and she was only trying to deal.
"Why don't you believe me then?' Stacy's big blue eyes, both now wide open, clouded with bright tears, making Storm's heart want to crumple.
"I'm not saying I don't, Stace" Storm whispered, stroking her hair to try to get her to sleep." I promise if she is, I'll take care of it. Let's keep it between me and you for now and I'll find out for sure. Capise?" Storm asked, looking as convincing as she could to reassure her friend. Stacey made a giggling noise, making Storm look amused. "What's that for?' She asked, relieved to see Stacey smile and attempt to be somewhat normal.
"You said capsice like some mobster." Stacy smiled weakly, her eyes looking up at the many monitors that lay above her head.
"Ha, Yeah. You feelin okay?" Storm asked, startled by the sudden beeps of the monitors that were attached to her chest.
"Uh huh. I can't feel a thing. How's Tabby?" She asked, looking tired now.
"I don't know. I do know she wants you to get better so you two can cheer again." Storm fought back tears at the mention of her sister. That led to thoughts of how she was and a flashback into Storm's already mentally tortured mind. Her thoughts were disturbed as all monitors went off into a shrill, continuous beep and the line she glanced at was flat. A team of nurses and doctors rushed in, two franticly puling he towards the door.
"Out." The make nurse pushed her as he ordered. Storm baled her fist, fighting, clawing to get back to Stacey's bedside.
"What's goin wit her? Make her wake up!" She yelled as two more nurses pushed her out, shutting the door on her.
"What happened?" Brian walked down the hall, Leon, Dominic, and Taylor right on his heels. Storm let her tears escape and folded her arms as she fought to find a voice. This was really all too much for her.
"She..just was fine …she said she couldn't' fee any pain.." Storm shook her head. Taylor wrapped his arms around her forcefully, and though she fought hi, was forceful enough to keep her in his arms. She sobbed uncontrollably. Taylor looked lost as Matty walked up to them both. They both looked scared out of their minds. Not once had they seen Storm loose full control. Until now.
"Storm, get a grip. Please. Your mom's awake and tabitha'll need you too." Matty looked around , then whispered as unnoticeable as he could. He didn't know what to think of her this way and he was more than concerned. Storm flipped him off, her head still buried in Taylor's tan, suede trademark coat. "Come on, Sis, let's go get a cup of coffee." he held out his hand and arms though he was an escort.
""Don't kill eth boy, he's just worried bout you." Taylor whispered in her ear that was covered with her curly locks before he let his grip on her loose. This made her smile a slight bit and she left, no words spoken.
"Talk to pops lately?' Storm asked, 15 minutes later after they had sat down. She hated to be the one to break the silence but she had to know if Benny has said anything about her.
"Nope, this is your deal. I'm respecting your orders." Matty admitted with a shrug, then grinned as he added, "Boss." She leaned over and slapped him but laughed too. It almost felt like old times.
"I'm proud of ya." Storm took drink of the drink, savoring the warm liquid and caffeine it held, though secretly wishing it was a Pepsi.
"How so?" Matty asked leaning forward closer to her as if to make sure he had heard right. No one in his family had ever told him that.
"You came to finish Uncle Teddy. I know that wasn't easy on you." She ruffled his head affectingly.
"It wasa piece a cake." Matty shrugged as he leaned back, stretched, and cracked his knuckles.
"You forget, I know the real you." Strom raised an eyebrow as she smirked at his lie. He had gotten better at the lying but even so, he couldn't fool her.
"And I know the real you. And I'm gad you made it thru all this shit even if Tay and me didn't have the faith we shouda had." Matty sighed remorsefully.
"Its aight. I know none of you think I can run the family business but one day I'll change yo minds." Storm vowed, finishing up her coffee.
"You already did, Storm." Matty flashed his 'baby' grin that Storm loved him so much for.
"Good. One down and Benny, Tay and the rest of the world to go. I don't ever give up." She laughed determinedly.
'Tell me soemthin I don't know." Matty nodded, then looked deep in thought. "Pops, he's just…you're his only daughter….he loves you, believe it or not." Matty was interrupted.
"NO, I'm not. You're the smart one of the family and not even you could see that Tabitha is a Demarett." Storm smirked, shaking her head. She had to laugh , though holding her side, when Matty's eyes widened so much.
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"Hands up over your head, O'Connor." A police officer yelled as Brian stood outside with Jesse, who was finish in up a cigarette. Brian shot Jesse a look and a nod to head inside. Jesse hesitated at first but at the fear of being arrested, he did so.
"Is this another test?" It ain't funny. I don't got time for games like this." Brian swore, purely annoyed. He grimaced as he was patted down.
"Where's she at? WE want the info. We're onto to you and her, so fess up." A cop Brian knew as Landon ordered as he cuffed him tightly.
"Dude, what are you talking bout?" Brian asked, an amused grin on his face. He found t very odd that Storm would bother to test him again and ata time like this. He thought on that and realized this was more than likely the read deal as he was shoved into the back of a car.
"Brian, we are not dumb WE know Storm Demarret is around this town, somewhere." The argent turned around form the front, making Brian's face drop and show shock.
"I thought you retired, Bilkins." Brian shook his head, keeping his wits about him.
"Not a matter to you right now, O'Connor. Nice to see you but tell me where she's' at." Bilkins kept a hold of Brian's blue eyes and his gaze.
"She's already outta town as far as I know. All I care about is my sister and she just flat lined. I should be up there." Brain shook his head, disgusted at being here rather than with his only filmily he had left.
"Then who was the girl you were talking to?" Bilkins asked skeptically.
"That's Tabitha's sister. Tabitha is a friend of Stacey's'. Stacey is from Miami, and I don't know who she is. I know I suck as a parent but I do the best I can." Brian shrugged, not braking his gaze. He knew if he looked away, Bilkins would know he was lying.
"Already gone, huh?" Bilkins asked, just to make sure.
"Yeah." Brian nodded, sure of himself. " Can I go? Please? I need to be there for Stacey." Brian looked up at the eleven story building the black, unmarked car was parked in front of.
"Let him go." Bilkins sighed. Before Brian got out, he put a hand on his shoulder for emphasis. "Call,, me if she contacts you. She's a dangerous person, Brian." he said in all seriousness and with a frown.
"I remember the briefs. I know she's bad news. I'll help you out I she does." Brian reassured him." I'm still lost as to why you would think I know her, but I can't care right now. I got to get up there." Brian shrugged, shaking out his wrists form the tight cuffs.
"Just take care of your sister." Bilkins waved as the car pulled away.
"DID you rat her out?" Vince asked in a hiss as soon as Brian stepped off the elevator.
"No, Vince, I didn't. She set me up again." Brian grumbled as he made his way to Stacey's room at a fast pace.
"She's stabilized and resting peacefully. Jess told us what happened." Dominic said, trying to get Brian to relax." Relax." he nodded.
"Yeah, I would if I almost didn't get arrested and drilled." Brian sat down, sighing. Stacey lay there, her hands folded across her chest on clean, white crisp sheets. Brian shuddered at the casket position she was in.
"She's trouble, Brian." Dominic muttered as he sat on the opposite side of Stacey.
"Trouble or no trouble, she earned my trust and respect." Brian admitted as Mia walked in, leaning down to kiss her boyfriend.
"How she doin?" Storm walked in, feeling better after a hot shower, being doctored and in a change of clothes.
"Stable." Dominic and Vince answered as Storm stared at Mia, remembering Stacey's accusation.
"How ya doin. Mia, right?' She asked, Mia nodded, her cheeks flushed.
'Better now that she's okay." Mia answered, folding her arms as Storm continued to stare at her, making her uncomfortable
"Yeah, I think we all are. I just want ed to check back on her. If she wakes up, page me." Storm checked her watch, then looked at Vince and then at Brian.
"No problem." Brian obliged and got up to followed out. "Storm, cops pulled into an unmarked car .I told them I didn't know your name, but why pull that shit now?' Brian asked, incomplete confusion.
"I didn't." Storm looked worried.
"Look, I told them you already left town. They don't know what you look like and I told them I don't know where you were. If you need my help, I'm down. For whatever. Just to let you know. I appreciate you doin what you did." Brian said earnestly, then stuck out his hand.
"Cool, I appreciate that. You're aright too. I'll be wit my sister if you need me." Storm said, as the two walked down the hall.
'Here, ii had these made up. Jess and I, that is. In case they come to question you." Brian handed her three leather id holders complete with her, Matty', and Taylor's id pictures.
"Thanks." Storm replied, shocked at his niceness.
"I changed up the fingerprints, and you guys are all clear. All old records are gone in this state at least." Brian grinned mischievously.
"Thanks, it's appreciated." Storm smiled back. She felt a head rush and Everything spun around her and she found herself panting to breath, event hat hurting.
"Get a doctor!" Brian yelled to the crew, as they were only yards away from Stacey's room. "Storm, talk to us." Brian thumped her limp wrist, then noticed her breathing was even more labored.
"Go help him, Dom. I got Stacey." Mia looked horrified at the scene in the hall. Dominic hesitated bit did as she asked.
"What's goin on?" Stacey asked, her good eye opening to see Mia sitting beside her. She attempted to scream but Mia covered her mouth.
"Shh. Storm's hurt. They don't need to worry bout you right now. Relax. You are fine." Mia cooed, making Stacey want to scream more. She didn't and looked at Mia in anger.
"She okay?" Stacey asked, the last statement dawning on her.
"I don't know. I think she's' quit breathing. Oh me gawd, they jus covered her up in sheet." Mia said after craning her neck to see the happenings in the hall.
"No, she's not dead. Mia, please tell me." Stacey begged, choking literally in her throat, the tube only have been removed a while ago for where they had intebated her.
"Stacey, I'm so sorry." Mia's eye s watered up. Stacey began to fight to move and twist, the restraints making her growl irritation and frustration.
"You're lying." Stacey tired to move, the struggle making her exhausted.
"Yeah, you are right. I am." Mia nodded, taking Stacey's hand in hers. "You shoulda kept your mouth shut cause eventually she will die, Stacey. Have a great sleep. You won't be able to wake up to open those pretty eyes anymore." Mia said, taking off the cap of a syringe with her mouth. She pushed the clear liquid in quickly." No use screaming. It's working fast. Night, night." Mia waved as Stacey's eyes closed, rolling in the back of her head. The monitors went off yet again and Mia called the nurse, frantic.
"What happened?" Leon rushed in to find Mia crying.
"She…I don't know…God, Leon. how's Storm?" She asked, holding Leon closely.
"It's ok. It's not your fault" Leon held her close and walked her out as the doctors again rushed in Stacey's room. It seemed like hours passed before the crew was back to learn about Stacey.
"Storm has a punctured lung that caused her to bleed internally." Vince informed the crew, who was now all nerves.
"O'Connor?" The doctor came walked in out and Mia squeezed Brian's hand for strength as he got up to go talk to the doctor.
"I'm her brother." Brian sighed, looking and feeling older than he had ever felt in his entire life.
"She's in a coma. WE honestly don't know what happened, but she's likely to be a vegetable for a very long time. I would consider taking her off the respirator. Her mind isn't with her body and I'm sorry." he doctor sighed.
An: Ok, when I wrote this I had no intentions of doing this but it happened. It's a round robin and everyone picks their own thing to do,hence the whole fun of it so I did what I just did, lol( a very wise person told me this) LMAO. (TEMPEST). Temp, don't shoot me too much, lol. I know you like Mia. Girl. you know i got lovefor you and im jsut giving you shit, lmao. Seriulsy, i m sory if i shokced the hell outta you both. Princess, your up next and I can't wait to see what you do with it. bites nails. Sorry if it is too much drama and if it is dumb. I'll blame it on stress if you don't like it. Catch you all later and Happy holidays to you all!love cheer