Chapter 16
The darkness slowly began to lift again. The pain in her head had lessened to a dull ache. Lifting her hand to the back of her head, she felt the bulking gauge over the tender spot on her scalp. Tentatively, Sue opened her eyes and looked up at the ceiling. Seeing the curtain tracking line above her, she realized she must be in a hospital room.
Why am I here? Sue searched her tired brain, trying to remember what had happened and why her head hurt. Jack! Where's Jack? He'd know what happen!
Cautious of her sore skull, Sue turned her head slightly to look around the room. A slow smile spread across her face when she saw Jack and Bobby. What I wouldn't give for a camera right now! she giggled to herself.
The two men were slouched in matching chairs against the wall, fast asleep. The peaceful look on their faces was priceless, especially since some time while they were sleeping they'd shifted. Jack had his head on Bobby shoulder while the Aussie was comfortably leaning on his best friend as they slumbered. Not realizing she had laughed aloud, Sue started slightly when they began to stir.
With a mischievous grin, Sue stated aloud, "If you two would like to be alone, I could always leave." Waking up, Bobby and Jack soon realized their positions and jumped up running their hands through their hair as they quickly moved away from each other.
Sue couldn't control her laughter at their shocked and embarrassed faces, but soon regretted it as it caused her pain. Squeezing her eyes shut, Sue held her head in her hands in pain. Hearing her moans and realizing Sue was awake and in pain, Jack rushed to her side with Bobby leaving to get a nurse.
Jack leaned over Sue, rubbing her shoulders as she held her head. He whispered soothing words more to calm himself since he knew she couldn't hear them. Slowly, he felt the tension in her subside as she began to lower her hands and opened her eyes. Looking into his dark eyes, Sue began to smile as she realized he'd been talking to himself.
"You of all people should know I can't see what you're saying when my eyes are closed, Sparky."
"Well, maybe I wasn't talking to you," Jack retorted with a grin, happy to see the sparkle back in her eyes. Leaning back, he signed, FEEL YOU HOW?
Sue made him laugh when she rolled her eyes looking around the room. HERE HOW?
What do you remember? Jack signed worried. Sue looked away, searching her mind.
HOUSE ME YOU B-O-B-B-Y? She signed looking back at Jack seeing him nod. Her face brightened and she excitedly asked, "Did you find the necklace? Jordan's necklace?"
Smiling, Jack nodded, "Yes, D took it to make sure it is hers and ERT was at the house but didn't find anything else." Jack paused before asking, "Do you remember how you ended up here?"
"No, I don't remember anything after finding the necklace," Sue said after thinking again for a moment.
"It's not surprising all things considered," the doctor said, getting Sue's attention as he approached the bed from the other side. "An interpreter is on the way, but I understand you read lips. Is everything okay? Can we want a few minutes for the interpreter?" The doctor was fairly easy to understand and as much as she wanted to find out why she was here, her head was beginning to hurt so she agreed to wait.
Jack took her hand comforting while they waited. A few moments later the interpreter rushed in, apologizing for making them wait. She took up position beside the doctor while Bobby leaned against the wall, looking at Jack as he watching the woman's hands interpreting the doctor's words.
I've got to start learning more sign, Bobby thought to himself.