A/N: Well, it feels like it's been forever since the last update, but it's only been a couple weeks! Life has certainly thrown me for a loop, thanks to this virus thing. Since I work in food service, my hours have been dramatically reduced. Hopefully, I can still pay my bills at the end of all this! At least I have time to write, right? :) Thanks everyone for following and favoriting this story. And if you're like me with nothing to do, feel free to check out my other stories!
Anyway,
Enjoy!
Alex paced in the din hallway outside Jo's room. He should be still in there, but he felt so confused. It didn't make sense. What did Jo mean, she can't marry him? He knew it could just be the anesthesia messing with her, it wasn't uncommon... it was just...
Didn't she love him? They bought a place together after all…
He really thought…
He'd never felt so right about anyone before in his life. And now...
He wasn't sure what he felt anymore.
Instead, Alex stared through the window at Jo. He hadn't left her completely alone… Stephanie was with her, and he was grateful.
He'd paged Mere, but she hadn't responded. He imagined she was either in surgery or sleeping in an on-call room. So, he was left to figure this thing out for himself.
He stared back through the window at Jo. She was asleep still, had been waking up on and off the last couple hours, which was normal.
He wanted the thing that always eluded him… someone sane enough and strong enough to stay with him though he was an ass sometimes. Jo was that person. Or so he thought.
His reflection in the glass at the sight of someone approaching.
The cop. Pruitt.
"Whaddya want?" Alex growled. He couldn't handle anymore complications today.
"How is she?" Pruitt asked, nodding at Jo.
"Alive," he muttered.
"I'm just checking in, okay?" said Pruitt. "I haven't laid any charges against your sister yet, I mean, there was an earthquake, it's hard to know which way is up, if you know what I mean."
Alex turned to the man. "Look, I don't know what happened. I don't know what Amber did, or if she was gonna do anything. I just know… that if it was my kid, someone I loved, I'd wanna protect 'em."
Pruitt nodded. "I know," he said. "How long have you known Jo?"
Alex got a strange feeling in his gut. Why was he asking about Jo? "A couple years. Why?"
"Because... Jo wilson's real name is Brooke Stadler."
"What?" It was a blow to the head, a blindside he never, ever saw coming.
"Yeah," Pruitt said, "It came up on a background check we did. She married a Paul Stadler, but then changed her name and came here. Know anything about that?"
I can't marry you, Jo had said, barely an hour ago. Was that why? Because of this Paul guy? Alex shook his head, still trying to recover from this mental left hook, "I just know her as Jo."
He turned back to the window. Jo was still asleep and unaware of the earthquake that just shook her personal life.
"Look, I would like to speak to Jo when she's ready," Pruitt said. "I'll be around… I'm going to check in on Danielle."
xxx
The field ambulance hit another rut in the road, and Nathan and Owen simoultaneously bounced in their seats. Nathan clutched the crash handle for some stabilisation as the roar of engines, including a Blackhawk thundering above them, drowned out all fear… for the moment.
He glanced at his friend, Owen. Even now, with this rift between them, he would say…
Owen was his best friend, his brother, since college. When they met, they'd been rivals, competitors. Always wrestling and jockeying for the position ahead of the other. Nathan was the smarter one… but Owen busted his butt. If Nathan had the lead in anything, Owen was only a point or two behind, making him work harder to be the first to cross the finish line. He never let up.
Finally, they'd managed to put their competitiveness aside long enough to actually get to know each other. When he got kicked out of his dorm for starting a fight… Owen reached out and offered him a place at his Mom's.
And he met Megan.
Falling in love with your best friend's sister is like walking on a tightrope, carrying a balancing rod with your best friend on one side, and your lover on the other…
And as you try to walk across the gap, they each step closer to you. One is ready to pummel you, and the other wants to jump your bones. To keep his balance, Nathan told Owen, swore to him... he would never hurt Megan. When Owen was discharged back to Seattle, Nathan told him he would take care of her. He told him not to worry.
He broke that promise and would forever carry that guilt and pain.
The ambulance rattled and bounced again. Background radio noise pulled him from his reverie. Nathan swallowed. He had to tell Owen-
He wanted him to know just how far he would go to make this right. "I was thinking Morocco," he blurted. "For the wedding."
Owen shook his head, obviously not wanting to discuss this.
"Legzira beach," Nathan continued, as he let his thoughts drift, his imagination roar. He needed to say this. "There's a rock formation. An arch... we would have the ceremony there..." he swallowed. Already he could feel cool sand under his feet, his toes tickled by warm Atlantic waves tickling his toes. The sea salt breeze would ruffle his hair and Megan's cream white dress as he held her hands and gazed at her. He imagined those hands, rough, calloused surgeon's hands that saved so many lives, including his, metaphorically. He glanced at Owen, "you'd be the best man, Farouk, the ring bearer..." Briefly a smile bloomed, but it left just as quickly. "Megan wanted Seattle."
"For mom," Owen said.
"Yeah," Nathan said. Thing is, he would have done it. Given up Moroccan beauty for church bells, sweaty tuxes, and Seattle rain. He would do it. Because he loved her. So, he didn't matter anymore. He broke her heart, he broke his promise to Owen. He clearly was off the tightrope now. If she was mad at him; if they were over; if he never saw her again, Nathan conceded he'd be okay with that. As long as she was alive.
Nathan still held out hope that Megan was out there. She had to be. See, Megan was this bright intense light, this fearless power, living on the edge, flying into the face of everything to save lives... to live to the very fullest of her being. He couldn't imagine her not being there.
"I don't care if she hates me," he said to Owen. "I don't care if she doesn't love me anymore... I don't care. Just that she's alive, mate, that's all that matters. What I want….who cares, you know?."
Owen's features softened in understanding, "I know," he said, me too. The ambulance crunched to a stop, jarring them from this sentimental moment. Again the radios chattered, and Nathan heard the heavy clomping of boots from their armed escorts. "We're here," Owen shouted, strapping on his helmet. "Let's go!"
Nathan jumped out the back of the ambulance behind Owen. He swung his kit over his shoulder and followed him to the action. The soldiers led them down the road. Nathan looked for snipers around him, but then realized they weren't in the town at all. They were still on the road, running toward an overturned military transport at the edge of what could only be a crater from the shelling.
"Holy-" he muttered, running into Owen.
"The road's been bombed," one of the soldiers explained. "There's wounded inside the transport. We've got to get them out."
Nathan took a moment to size up the situation. The truck was on its side, the engine smoking. Boxes of supplies lay scattered around the road, and a couple dazed transport officers were pulling themselves from the wreck. The soldiers in front of him positioned themselves around the truck, making hand signals and chattering on their radios.
"I need help here!" Owen called. He'd already barged into the back of the truck to attend a wounded man covered in boxes.
Nathan scrambled over, pushing past one of the men, but was stopped "Hang on," the soldier said. He shone a flashlight through the truck, checking for anything dangerous or suspicious. The light bounced and ricocheted through the truck, highlighting boxes and containers, when something in the front passenger seat caught his eye.
Something red.
Not blood red. Orange red.
"Riggs?" Owen called, but Nathan ignored thundering, he climbed through torn boxes and debris to get to the driver's seat.
"Oh God," he choked. "Megan?"
It was her. Though her face was covered in blood from a head lac, and she wasn't moving... It was Megan, the love of his life. "Megan!" He shook her shoulder. Nothing happened. She's dead, he thought as his heart dropped. "Megan," he whispered... grieved, searching for a pulse. No, she couldn't be gone. Not now, not-
Megan suddenly coughed. Spasming, she took in air. So did Nathan. "Meg!" Nathan grabbed her cheeks, checking her breathing. "Owen! It's Megan! She's alive!" He turned back to her, mind no longer frozen as he found her pulse. "Meg!" The artery throbbed weakly under his finger tips as he counted the beats between the seconds.
She gasped for air again, and her eyelids fluttered. Was he dreaming? Was this really happening? That she was suddenly here, in front of him?
"Megan, It's me, Nathan. It's alright, you're going to be alright," he continued to examine her, searching for more injuries. He winced when he felt blood seeping from her abdomen.
"Nath...?" Megan gasped, a bloody hand reaching for him.
"Yeah, love, it's me," he said, ignoring the anxious churning of his gut. Don't die, please don't die...
"Not... hallucinating?"
Nathan stopped his examination, pulled some gauze from his kit and quickly applied it to her stomach wound. Brushing bloody hair from her face, he gazed into her eyes, "No love, I'm here. I'm really here."
His heart hurt. Inwardly, he prepared himself for her anger. He made her think he didn't love her, he-
Megan coughed again, a spittle of blood tinging her lips and teeth. "Farouk?" she managed.
"He's fine. Perfect." Dammit, where was Owen? This bleeding was bad.
"Nate... I'm sorry."
Her words threw him for a ? Sorry for what? She hadn't done anything to hurt him.
"I'm the one that's sorry. Look, when we're done here, you and I are going to Seattle. We'll watch a Mariners game. Get married," he caught her hand and kissed it, trying to make her smile through the pain she so obviously felt. "Owen will be there, and Farouk-"
"The beach. You wanted the beach."
"Yeah, well it doesn't matter,"Nathan said as he taped her up. "Whatever you want."
"The beach. The one... with the arch."
"Morocco? Really?" he couldn't help but smile. Hope burst through his veins. They could do this… they were gonna make it out of this...
"Yeah, dummy," she coughed. "Ow," she whimpered. Crap. He had to move faster, get her out of here on a chopper. Stat.
"Look, it's gonna be alright, you're gonna be fine Meg-"
"Megan!" Owen called, scrambling over the boxes. "Megan, you're alive!"
"Yeah," she struggled to breathe, "See what I have to do to get your attention?"
"Shh, just rest." Owen leaned over, his blue gaze meeting hers. "We're here now, okay? We're gonna get you out."
Nathan turned to his friend. They couldn't wait any longer. "Owen, we need to get her on a board, grab a stretcher," he ordered.
"On it," Owen touched his sister's cheek before turning and jumping out the back.
Then Nathan heard a familiar high pitched whine from behind. He knew what it was. "Owen, run!" he yelled as he stretched his body over Megan's to shield her from the inevitible impact.
There was flesh-tearing, bone-breaking pain, and then-
He heard seagulls, the gentle lapping of waves. Sand scrunched up under his toes as the salty breeze cooled him. He looked up and saw the sun. It warmed him inside and out.
Nathan's heart ached. She wasn't here. But then he cried mostly with joy…
She wasn't here.
xxx
On her way to Sophia's room, Arizona heard raised voices from the nurses station that got her attention.
"Listen, she's my granddaughter," a short stocky man said, leaning over the counter. "I just wanna take her home, okay?"
"I'm sorry, but it says on this form we need approval from child and family services..." Nurse Evans said, indicating a clipboard with a pink sheet on it.
"C'mon, I've tried calling them a dozen times, they ain't answerin," the man argued.
Something about his tone got Arizona's spidey senses tingling. All she wanted to do was curl up in Callie's arms and spend time with Sophia. But this could turn out ugly if she didn't intervene. She approached the desk, "Can I help?" she asked.
"This man is Mr. Martin," Evans said, "He's asking to discharge Danielle in 2B, but he's not listed as a contact for her. CFS is in charge of her care." Arizona glanced at the paperwork. Mr. Martin wasn't listed anywhere on the form.
"C'mon," Mr. Martin insisted, "I can't get a hold of em'. Just let me take her home, she's been through enough."
"Hm," Arizona said. This was a situation she'd seen before. This man could be telling the truth… or… he could be a threat. She had to protect the patient, but not giving him something might push him over the edge, and security was already stretched to the limit.
Then she noticed something on the form. A certain code and signature. Police involvement. "Okay nurse Evans, can you call this number?" she pointed to the line. "Ask for um," she checked the name again, "Dan?"
Then she turned to Mr. Martin, "Okay, why don't you have a seat, and we'll get Dan to confirm what we should do, alright?" she nodded to Evans, who picked up the phone.
"Can I see her? I just wanna see her" he said, anxiously wringing his hands.
"Well, that's not advisable until we get permission." Arizona stuck her hands on her hips, trying to make herself more imposing. This guy… something wasn't right.
"Please," he pleaded, slumping in the chair. "My boy, he screwed up, and Danielle got taken away… he was just visiting her today when the earthquake happened. But- he died… he pushed her out of the way, and-" he choked. "I just need to make sure she's alright." Mr. Martin teared up, "I can't reach anybody," he blubbered. "Her mother and I have been going to every hospital in Seattle, looking for her, and-" he melted into soft sobs.
Arizona bit her lip, dammit. "Well-," she said, thinking... stalling. Nurse Evans had called the number, but it seemed she was speaking to a switchboard operator. She didn't want Mr. Martin to overhear her speaking to the police. It could escalate things. "You could see her through the window. So you know she's okay."
"That would be great, thanks."
"This way," she led him to Danielle's room, 2B, just across from Sophia's. Arizona caught movement in Sophia's room, and saw Callie there. She waved, and tapped her wrist. Be a minute, she mouthed to her wife.
But she quickly noticed a slight problem, however. The blinds were closed to Danielle's room. "Stay here," she asked. "I'm gonna open the blinds for you." She turned the knob and entered the room. She had to do this quick to keep him from following her in.
When Danielle looked up from the book she was reading, Arizona froze for a second. "Hi, I'm Dr. Robbins," she said. "How are you feeling?"
The girl shrugged with a wince. "Do you know if my mom is coming?" she asked.
"I'm sorry, I don't." Arizona said. "But, um, someone's here to see you," she said. "He's just going to look through the window to make sure you're okay."
Arizona pulled the blinds up. Mr. Martin stared inside the room, but something was wrong. He smiled, but not at Danielle, at Arizona. "Danielle, do you know this man?"
"No," she shook her head.
"He's not your grandpa?"
"No," she said.
"Danielle, have you ever met your dad?"
She shook her head.
Arizona clenched her jaw. Okay, time for Mr. Martin to leave the premises now. She opened the door. But he was right there, in her face, pressing the nozzle of a pistol to her gut.
"Whoa there," he said. "So here's how it's gonna go. I'm just gonna take her, and you're gonna let me."
"Mr. Martin..." she raised her hands and backed up as he stepped further into the room.
"That girl's bitch of a mother killed my son, so I gotta get back at her, know what I mean?"
"No, I-" She tried to stall. "Mr. Martin..."
Arizona stared at the gun. It was definitely real. She guessed a 9mm at least, because it was the type her father carried when he was on duty. Against her will, she blinked. Gary Clark flashed through her mind… she remembered him leaning against the door, bleeding. She remembered Callie handing him some bandages… Callie. Oh God, they were right next door.
"Keep your hands where I can see them."
She raised her hands. "She's just a kid," she whispered.
"We all start out as kids," he snarked back, stepping closer.
She wasn't about to disagree with a gun pointed at her. Her mind raced. She heard Danielle whimper. "Please," she said, trying to think.
Someone yelled. Martin whipped around in surprise. Crack! He was sprawled on the floor, Alex standing over him with red knuckles, "Fucking son of a bitch!"
"Dr. Karev!" Another voice called, and a man came in with two burly security officers behind. Dan? Arizona wondered, that was fast. He pushed Alex away, kicked the gun aside and grappled to put cuffs on a swearing Mr. Martin. "You're under arrest for illegal use of a firearm, fraud and conspiracy to commit kidnapping," he said as he hauled him up. "Anything you say..."
Arizona tuned him out, staring at Alex. "What just happened? What's going on? Alex..." Everything had happened so incredibly fast and terrifying, she was certain her heart had stopped. Her knees were shaking, her throat dry.
She'd had a gun pointed at her. She thought… she thought-
"It's okay," Alex's sneer instantly disappeared as he reached for her and crushed her against him. "It's gonna be okay."
"Whoa," Callie entered the room. "Are you okay?"
"Oh, Callie!" Abandoning Alex, she burst into tears on her wife's shoulder. She thought she would die. In an instant, she could have lost everything.
And she didn't want to. She didn't want to lose any more.
A/N: All right, there you go! More to come! Next chapter is already written… are you ready for some Anna and Zola? Please Review!