Bobby paced the waiting room like a caged lion. The doctors still hadn't come back, which meant that Tara was still in surgery. Chloe was sleeping in one of the chairs, exhausted out of her mind from crying for hours on end. With only a few scratches – not counting the fact that her previously broken leg was once again in a cast – it was a miracle sent from God that she was alright.
Bobby himself had a dislocated shoulder with his arm in a sling and a bruised cheek, but nothing compared to Don who had died on impact. "How much longer is it going to take?" He growled.
No one thought it would be the best for their health if they answered.
The rest of the team was staying with him, everyone was eager to know what was going on. Sue rested her hand on Jack's arm, a surge of comfort swept through his body. It was very welcome, Jack forced a smile as he glanced at Sue.
Lucy was on the verge of tears and Myles longed to hold her, to feel warmth radiate from her body, into his broken heart. But he wouldn't let his feet guide him across the room. His seemingly large ego couldn't risk being hurt by rejection. He remained leaning against the wall, stealing glances when he thought no one was looking.
Instead, D took the fatherly role and encircled Lucy's shoulders and gave her a consoling hug. Myles envied his ability to watch over them all. He knew that it was partly D's job, but Myles knew that the man went the extra mile to take care of everyone, especially Lucy, who pretended to be strong but was deeply wounded when one of her friend's life was jeopardy.
The doors swung open and the doctor stepped in. "Bobby Manning?"
"That's me." Bobby hurried to the doctor, still in scrubs. "What happened?"
"Tara slipped into a coma about five minutes ago. She has four broken ribs, a concussion and her right leg is broken in two places. I'm very sorry, but you can see her if you want…"
He had pulled up the chair next to Tara's hospital bed. Bobby ran his thumb up and down Tara's cold hand. How could this have happened? He was supposed to protect her, not get her nearly killed for crying out loud!
Bobby looked at her bruised face and felt warm tears stream down his own. He didn't bother wiping them away when he realized that they wouldn't be stopping anytime soon. Bobby glanced out the window, the sun had still not come out, instead, the rain had turn to sleet, and winds gusted stronger than before.
He turned back to his fiancé. She hadn't even moved since he arrived. In a shallow whisper, he said, "Tara, I don't know if you can hear me, but some bloke's seen to think that you might be able to," he cleared his throat. "I just want you to know, that Chloe's alright, so am I. I guess. But we both need you to wake up, I'm not strong enough to live without you, I never have been. And Chloe, she loves you so much Tara.
"I'll be here as long as you need, whatever you need; I'll get it, whenever you need it. I promise. I love you, sheila, with everything I've got and some I don't, I love you. And I'll be here every day until you wake up, so will Chloe…
"You know, she'll start school in a little over two months, she'll want to go school supply shopping with you. Don't think you're getting out of planning the wedding either. I'd do it, but I want you to have everything you want, and I'd just mess it up. Besides, we have to go looking for those china dishes that you saw and tablecloth shopping.
"I was going to tell you earlier, but…" Bobby trailed off, and then found his place again, "I sent the invitations out a week or two ago. Ma and Pop can't wait to meet you. Mac remembered you, thought we'd make a cute couple but didn't have the guts to tell me," He let out a short laugh. "I talked to your folks too. Your Mom said she liked my accent. She's funny…she's actually a lot like you."
Bobby wasn't sure how long he had kept on going like that, but he didn't care. All he wanted was for Tara to know that he was going to be there for the rest of her life, and Chloe's.
Lucy walked around in the halls at the hospital, holding a plastic cup of water. She turned a corner and Braden appeared before her. She stopped. "What are you doing here?"
"I heard about the accident, I knew that you would be a wreck so I came, hopefully to cheer you up a bit…apparently I was wrong."
"Excuse me?"
"Well, you sure don't look like you're a wreck."
"Oh, I thought you meant…"
Braden's green eyes lit up a bit in amusement, then it disappeared. "How are they?"
Lucy sighed and leaned against the wall, allowing it to hold her up for her. "Bobby and Chlo' are pretty much okay, but Tara...She's in a coma."
His eyes softened. "I'm so sorry."
"Me too."
"Can I take you out for something to eat? Get your mind off it for a few minutes?"
Lucy smiled briefly, "Thanks for the offer but I'd rather not leave the hospital in case there's a change in her condition."
"How about we make a trip to the cafeteria then? Would that be alright?"
"Lucy." Myles was suddenly standing in front of her. "May I have a word with you?"
"What do you want, Myles?"
"Please?" He asked regretfully. She was going to make him beg.
"Just say it."
"It will only take a short while, Lucy."
She sighed exasperatedly. "Ugh. Can't it wait?"
"No." he stated simply.
"Sheesh." Lucy rolled her eyes, "Alright, alright. But this better be worth it," she muttered as Myles pulled her away around the corner, throwing a glance over her shoulder, "I'll be right back, Brade."
"What are you doing with him, Lucy?" Myles forced himself to keep his voice low.
"What?" she whispered incredulously.
"Braden is-"
"Is what?"
Myles let out a resigning breath, "He's…"
"Just spit it out Myles! I'm sick and tired of you getting jealous and suspicious over ever man that crosses my path, you gave up that right when our relationship – if you can call it that – came to a crashing halt - and con't forget whose fault that was. Say what you have to say and leave me alone."
"Fine! You want the truth? Braden isn't good enough for you!"
Lucy stared wide-eyed at him. "And you seem to think that you are? Excuse me, but after cheating on me I don't understand how you can bring yourself to insult him and keep a clean conscience about it. What could he have possibly done to you to deserve that?"
"Hey," Myles held up his hands, "you asked for the truth, and you got it."
Lucy couldn't believe what she was hearing. "I don't care what you think, but from now on, I want you to keep your stuck up nose out of business and out of my life!" She didn't realize her voice was rising with every word and now attracting attention.
"Fine." He said sharply. "Shouldn't be too hard." He turned on his heel and stomped off.
Braden turned a corner and walked over to her, worry etched all over his face. "Everything alright? No, that's not what I meant; everything is obviously not alright. Anything I can do to change that?"
Lucy closed her eyes as she let out a deep breath and leaned against the wall. "I don't know…Myles is just…"
"Being Myles?"
"I think he's on overdrive."
"Hmm," Braden raised his hand and slipped it under Lucy's chin, raising it up so she could meet his eyes more head on. "You're a strong woman, Luce, I know you'll get through this. Trust me."
Lucy allowed herself to get lost in those eyes for a moment. Finally she whispered, "I don't know if I can do this alone."
"If you'll let me…I'd love to help you find that strength that I know you have buried in there."
"Considered yourself hired…when can you start?"
"Immediately. How 'bout a hug?"
Lucy nodded and Braden wrapped his strong arms around Lucy's waist. She rested her head on his chest and linked her fingers behind his back. "I'm not sure what's really going on between you and Leland, but I'll be here with you for every up and down. I hope that one day you'll be able to tell me your history with him, but I'm a patient man and I won't push."
Lucy lifted her head, "You don't know what that means to me."
"I think I have a pretty good idea," Braden kissed her forehead and pulled back. "Now, how about that lunch?"
She laughed softly, "Okay."
A/N: i'd like to thank everyone whose every reviewed, and especially my very faithful reveiwers: 'i love cats', 'jesus-chick' and 'kate'. if it weren't 4 u 3, i wouldn't even try to update as regularily as i can THANK U:)