Thanks so much for all the reviews! This chapter isn't as action-packed as the last but I hope is to everyone's liking. More to come soon. :)
As soon as Brody stopped the car, dropping her off at the entrance to St. Mary's, Carrie bolted over to the front desk, alarming the nurse.
"Excuse me ma'am can I help-"
"My name is Carrie Mathison. My foster daughter was just brought in. Her name is Farrah and I need to see her right now, immediately! It's urgent."
"Okay ma'am if you'll just give me a second-"
"I don't have a second!", she hissed, slamming her hand on the desk for emphasis.
"This is my daughter we're talking about, you understand?! She was abducted and held captive for two days before she was found and brought here! She's six years old, and if I don't fucking see her, find out how she is.."
"Ma'am! If you can just try and calm-"
"Carrie!" Walking up Brody held her shoulders, smiling apologetically at the nurse.
"Hi Ava."
"Nicholas.", Ava grinned, recognizing him as the imam's assistant. Ever since the mosque acquired the hospital, the staff had gotten to know the imam, Zahira, and most everyone who worked with them at the community center.
"Do you know this woman?"
"Yes. I do. And I know the patient she wants to check in on. It's really important we get in to see Farrah. She's only six and I'm guessing she's scared out of her mind."
"I understand. I will page the nurse on her floor. See if her doctor's allowing visitors."
"Visitors! I'm her guardian for God's sak-"
"Thanks Ava.", Brody interrupted, walking Carrie away from the desk.
"Don't bite her head off. She's just doing her job."
"Yeah well looking after Farrah is my job.", Carrie snapped, crossing her arms.
"Hey, we'll get you in to see her. This is a small hospital, well managed. Farrah's in good hands."
Shrugging, Carrie started pacing before seeing Saul approach her.
"I'm going to go get us something to drink, love. I'll be back.", Brody said before walking off. He wasn't up for a confrontation and was pretty sure Carrie wouldn't be either.
"Carrie!"
Without thinking twice she ran up to Saul and hugged him. He hugged her back just as tight.
"Is Farrah okay? Was she-"
"She was pretty shaken up, but nothing looked too serious. I'm no doctor but I think she'll be fine. Soon as she sees you."
Nodding Carrie pulled back, wiping her eyes.
"Where's everyone else? Danny, Quinn.."
"Samir was armed, Carrie. He's in the morgue, but the fucker put up a fight."
"Oh shit."
"You were half right about Khaliq. He was definitely involved."
"Where is he now?", she asked, eyes narrowed.
"He got away.", Saul said bitterly. "We'll get him though, Carrie. Trust me."
"I swear if he gets within a foot of Farrah-"
"We got a guard outside her door. Best we got."
"Okay..okay.", Running a hand through her hair she knew she had a million questions she ought to be asking. But couldn't for the life of her come up with one. Then she noticed Max leaving and thought of about twelve.
"Saul, was anyone-"
"Quinn's in surgery. When I got to the church basement he was already down, shot in the leg."
"Fuck." Blinking back tears she knew she had to ask about the others.
"What about, Danny, Virgil?"
"Virgil's fine. I sent him home, told him I'd call if there was any change."
"And Danny?"
"He took a bullet to the shoulder. But he's out of surgery. He's good, I just came from there."
"Jesus, he's got more lives than a cat."
"And thank God for it. I think I saw Maggie in with him just now."
"Okay are those two cozier lately or is it me?", Carrie questioned as Saul shrugged.
"I have to go thank them though, I-"
"Hey, there's still time for that. I think they'd want you to check in on Farrah first."
Deciding she had no reason to argue that, she nodded as Brody turned down the hall. Armed with trail mix from the vending machine and some bottled water.
Nervously Carrie looked to Saul. Who to his credit, was doing his damnedest to keep in check.
"Saul.."
"Look as far as I'm concerned, right now, he's not here.", he said gruffly.
"Anyway, I should get home. Get some sleep. You'll call if there's any-"
"Of course.", Carrie said before hugging him again.
"Thank you, Saul.", she sniffled, hoping to really drive that point home. He seemed to get the message, kissing her on the cheek before leaving for his car.
"Carrie.", Brody called, motioning for her to come back to the desk.
"Farrah is in room 213 with Dr. Lewis.", Ava said. "You may go in to see her if you wish."
"Thank you.", Carrie said.
Echoing her sentiment Brody walked her to the elevator. Getting off on the third floor, after taking a few wrong turns they reached the right hallway.
"Fuck, can they make this place any more difficult to navigate!", she ranted.
"Hey, at least here you won't be stopped for fraternizing with a fugitive.", Brody reminded.
"I've been stopped for worse.", Carrie smirked, but her face went somber when they reached Farrah's room.
Squeezing her hand he'd been holding, Brody brought it to his lips to kiss.
"It'll be fine, love. C'mon, I'm right here with you."
Nodding, standing a little straighter, after getting a nod from the guard she turned the door handle and walked in.
Farrah was asleep. Even in the small hospital bed she looked tinier than ever. There were a few monitors she was tethered to that were beeping and she had an IV hooked up to her arm, along with a bandage on her right leg.
Chin quivering, Carrie shakily sat in the chair by her bed and reached for Farrah's small hand, kissing it then holding it close to her face. Tears slid down her cheeks and she didn't even bother wiping them away.
"Nicholas? Miss Mathison?"
"Doctor Lewis." Shaking her hand Brody smiled, recognizing the older brunette as a friend of Zahira's.
"We gave Farrah a thorough exam. Aside from dehydration, minor bruising and a cut on her knee that needed some stitches, she's just fine."
"Why is she sedated then?", Carrie asked hoarsely. "Why the IV and the monitors and..."
"Farrah was very worked up when she was brought in, and after we took her down to x-ray she started to hyperventilate."
"Oh my God.."
"We gave her a mild sedative, then we stitched up her knee."
"Is she in pain?", Brody asked warily.
"No. We're giving her a low dose painkiller through the IV and some fluids, and just keeping her overnight for observation. But rest assured she's going to be fine."
Nodding, Carrie managed a small smile, wiped her eyes.
"Can I stay with her?"
"Actually doctor, is there a lounge, even an empty room where we can stay?", Brody interjected, getting a look.
"Brody.."
"There's a lounge just down the hall. Since we're in pediatrics we have an overnight room for parents. It's yours for the taking."
"That sounds terrific, just down the hall you said?"
As the doctor nodded Carrie shook her head, held Farrah's hand a little tighter.
"Brody if you want to stay there you're more than welcome. I'm not leaving.", she said firmly.
"Miss Mathison, the sedative will keep Farrah asleep for several hours. And you'll be notified immediately if there's any changes."
Dr. Lewis assured, but Brody thanked her and gave her a look indicating he could handle things. Nodding, she took his word for it and stepped out.
"Brody, no. Farrah's been separated from me and scared out of her mind for two days. I'm not going to leave her by herself in a fucking hospital room!"
"Well I'm not gonna watch you land a room of your own here after you keel over exhausted."
"I don't keel. I've never keeled.", Carrie retorted.
Still holding Farrah's hand, running her thumb over the back of it, she leaned forward in her chair, close enough to rest her head on the pillow. Trying to hide her yawn she wasn't successful.
"Carrie c'mon, her bed isn't big enough for the two of you and even if it was, you need to get a good nights rest. So does she."
"But I can't just..."
"We'll just be down the hall, love. She's got a guard and I'm sure half the doctor's on this floor at her beck and call. She'll sleep. You'll sleep. And the two of you will go home tomorrow."
Looking sadly at him, then back to Farrah, she was considering it but still not moving an inch.
"If you can't do it for her do it for me. Not that I deserve it but.."
"Do what for you?", Carrie asked.
"Let me sleep next to the woman I love..", he smiled as she rolled her eyes. Letting out a half-laugh, half snort, she tried not to blush.
"You're really resorting to sweet talk, Sergeant?"
"Whatever works.", Brody said impishly, getting down to her level before slipping his arm around her, kissing the side of her head as she sniffled.
"Brody I can't just-"
"I know. You think I wouldn't pull up another chair and plant myself next to her bed too? But you need your rest. That won't happen in here."
"You sure she'll be alright?"
"The doctor's saying so. I believe her."
Letting out a heavy sigh Carrie nodded in agreement. Slowly she stood up, brushed her lips on Farrah's forehead before reaching into her bag she'd brought with her.
"Here, help me cover her up?", she asked as Brody nodded, draped the magenta throw blanket over her while Carrie tucked Merriweather under Farrah's arm not hooked to the IV drip.
"Get a good nights sleep sweetheart, okay? You're safe. I'm here and everything's fine. Everything's gonna be just fine. I promise."
Smoothing her hair back Carrie kissed her once more before letting go of her hand. Right as Brody slipped an arm around her, led her down the hall.
"Watch her like a hawk, understand.", he told the guard, getting a nod in return.
"C'mon love, let's try and get some rest."