A/N:See Intro for the standard stuff. On this note: I have no medical training. I'm not even a medical librarian. Remember that. I combined a couple of really short bits. Hope you enjoy. Please R&R.
So...I get a reaction when I hurt them. I promise not to do it too much. And I will always give you fair warning if it is going to go beyond a hospital stay. Anyway. Things will get better. Slowly. TenFour: I'm afraid the roller coaster hasn't come to a complete stop yet.Keep your hands and feet inside.But no more big hills. AIO:Glad to see you hanging in there. 123:Who ever told you I was a nice girl? My coworkers will attest to how evil I can be. Stevie: Is this soon enough? I'm glad to see you are still here. See OCs aren't all bad. Alexx (and a few others) have discovered it's easier to offer Annabel a carrot than to try and force her to do something she doesn't want to.
Okay, enough with the chat...
Annabel sat impatiently as the student volunteer wheeled her slowly down the hall. She wanted to walk, but her new doctor insisted she ride down. Annabel took a deep breath and let it out quickly. I should have been discharged instead of transferred. Would have been until I puked up my breakfast trying to get out of bed. So at least one more day of observation for me. Goodie, goodie. God, I hate hospitals. The volunteer stopped just outside the Critical Care Wing. Alexx stepped away from where she was leaning against the wall. Annabel smiled at her in surprise.
"Thanks, Alexx. For getting me here. But you didn't have to come here."
Alexx nodded her head. Annabel frowned. Alexx squatted down in front of her. "Yes, I did. I could take a little time. I didn't want some stranger taking you in to see him, Sugar."
Annabel's eyes widened and started shaking her head. "Alexx. Don't. You're scaring me."
"Annie, I'm gonna be honest with you. He doesn't look good. You gotta know that. You've seen victims before. Everyday. But Horatio..."
"Is someone I love very much." Annabel gave Alexx a sad smile. "I've been through worse before, Alexx. I'll be fine. Thank you for coming though. It does mean a lot. Thank you for not making me face this alone." Annabel reached for the wheels of her chair. Alexx got up, came around and pushed Annabel to Horatio's room.
When Annabel caught sight of Horatio she started breathing fast. He was so pale and still. Even his deep red hair seemed faded. There were beeping monitors and an IV pole. Annabel started gasping for breath. Her heart was pounding and wave after wave of panic washed over her. She closed her eyes. Memories of another hospital, of death gripped her.
Alexx leaned down and whispered in her ear. "Annie, sugar. If you're gonna hyperventilate, I'm going to take you back to your own room. You cannot pass out here." Annabel nodded and put her hand over her mouth, trying to control her breathing. After a bit Annabel dropped her hand into her lap and nodded again. Alexx pushed her forward to the side of the bed. Annabel put the brakes on. She scooted forward and picked up Horatio's hand. It was cool. Annabel held it against her cheek. She looked at his face. He looked so tired, so worn. So empty.
"Hey, Lieutenant." Annabel forced her voice to be light. "I'm here. I'm okay. Well, relatively speaking. I'm gonna be awful lonesome until you come back. I need you back here." Alexx touched her shoulder. Annabel looked up at her.
"You can stay for a while..."
"Alexx, if you thought I was leaving, you shouldn't have let me come. I'll raise high, holy hell if anyone tries to force me out of here."
Alexx frowned and shook her head. "You still have yourself to worry about too, Sugar."
Annabel looked at her defiantly. "You'd better tell them not to try it, Alexx."
Alexx decided not to argue with Annabel now. "I'll see you later, Annie. Don't give the folks here too much trouble, ok?"
Annabel turned back toward Horatio. "No trouble at all, Alexx." Alexx just shook her head and left the room. She turned back and saw Annabel slip her hand into her robe pocket. She fished out a rosary and started to pray, holding Horatio's hand against her cheek.
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Calleigh stopped by the hospital after her shift. As she came up to Horatio's room, Calleigh could hear Annabel arguing with someone. She rounded the corner and found Annabel standing toe to toe with a doctor. He was a foot taller and at least ten years older, but Annabel wasn't giving any ground. Calleigh heard "rest," "food," and "meds." She decided to step in and save the man.
"Hey, Annie. Looks like someone's feeling better."
Annabel spun and looked at Calleigh. "I am. Which is what I was trying to tell Dr. Ramirez here." Annabel turned back to the doctor. "You are not going to get me out of this room unless you call security." She turned to Calleigh again. "I'm not leaving Horatio alone. They can't make me."
"Well, they actually could, Annie." Annabel started to say something. "Just wait a minute, I hadn't finished. Eric is on his way. He'll be here in just a little bit." Calleigh glanced at the doctor, but directed her words at Annabel. "Eric can stay here. You and I will get a bite to eat downstairs and then you can come back up." The doctor started to say something. Calleigh pinned him with her steady gaze and broad smile. "Will that be fine?"
"Miss McGinty..."
"Won't leave otherwise. This is the best deal you're gonna get without calling in security and locking her in a room. You really don't want to do that do you?" said Calleigh sweetly. The doctor just walked away. Annabel sank down in the armchair next to Horatio's bed. Calleigh watched the anger drain out of Annabel and with it a significant amount of her energy. Calleigh shook her head. "Might I remind you, you had a rough day yesterday?"
"Understatement," said Annabel very quietly.
"Exactly. And how much good are you gonna do wearing yourself completely out. Not one bit. You have healing to do too. Nice eye by the way. I really like the stitches."
Annabel touched the stitches. "I've got a mess of bruises to match. God, am I tired. And I hurt like the devil."
"Rolling a Plymouth does that to a body. When did you get pain meds last?"
Annabel shook her head. "Not since this morning. I got a nurse to bring me some water and a sandwich, but I'm out of my place." Annabel looked up at Calleigh. "Dr. Ramirez told me no meds if I wasn't in my room. I don't need them."
"Yes, you do. After we get something to eat you are going back to your room and resting for a bit."
"Calleigh," whined Annabel.
Calleigh shook her head. "I'm not some doctor or nurse you can push around, Annie. I will out stubborn you. I've had plenty of practice. And I have reinforcements who'll help me. Who do you want me to get? Alexx? Frank? Eric? Ryan? Don't think for a minute one of them wouldn't help me get you and keep you in your room."
Annabel hung her head briefly. She raised her head and met Calleigh's gaze. "I'll go to my room for an hour. Then I'm coming back here and neither you nor anyone else is going to get me out until Horatio comes to." Annabel's voice held a steely determination. Her eyes dared Calleigh to try messing with her.
Calleigh smiled. "See. You can be somewhat reasonable if you try." Calleigh heard footsteps approaching and she turned. Eric came in. She gave him a big smile. "There you are. I'm draggin' Annie out for something to eat. We'll be back in a while." She pulled Annabel out of the chair. "Come on, Annie. Time for a break."
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