Chapter 120
Tegan, Alex and Erin were sent to the waiting room for the rest of the afternoon while Sara stayed next to Kate's bed. Tegan wandered around absentmindedly and looked fragile, her shirt still covered in Kate's blood. "Tegan... why don't you go home and get some rest?" said Erin. "No I'm okay, I want to stay" said Tegan. "Tee... I think Kate would want you to go home" said Alex. Tegan just shook her head. She sat down, pulled her legs into her chest and put her head on her arms. Erin sat down next to Tegan and put her hand on her back. "Are you okay Tegan?" she asked softly. "I'm fine" mumbled Tegan.
Sara sat next to Kate's bed holding her hand, she cried softly as she took in Kate's injuries. It made her heart feel as if it was clamped in a vice grip. "I'm sorry baby... I'm sorry she did this" Sara whispered and clutched her hand that was thankfully untouched except for a pulse ox meter. A few hours later Kate woke up with a moan. "Sweetie... I'm here" said Sara softly. Kate's eye was now swollen almost shut and she saw double of Sara with her other bloodshot eye and smiled weakly. She frowned trying too get the picture in focus. "How are you feeling baby?" asked Sara. "Okay... sore" whispered Kate. "I'm sure they'll give you some more pain meds soon" said Sara. "Ughh... nose is... so blocked" she breathed heavily. Sara offered her a sip of water through a straw. A doctor came to check on Kate again. He checked Kate's neurological responses and poked around her abdomen which caused a weak scream that just about killed Sara. "Sweetie... It's okay he's almost done... I'm so sorry, I know it hurts really bad!" said Sara in tears holding Kate's hand as she squeezed it in pain. She was put on an oxygen mask and sent for some more x-rays to check that everything was still under control as her pulse ox was slightly low given the small breaths she took to not agitate her sore ribs and liver. "Sara" whispered Kate. "Thank you for staying with me..." said Kate becoming emotional.
Tegan, Erin and Alex entered the room again once official visiting hours started. "Hey guys" said Kate weakly. "Hey hero" smiled Tegan. Kate frowned as she saw Tegan looking pale and tired. "Tegan... what are you... still doing here?" asked Kate groggily. "Just wanted to stay for visiting hours. I promise I'll go home after this" said Tegan patting her hand. Kate nodded and looked at Erin "You too E... go home and get some rest... you've had a rough day" she said weakly. "We will... just wanted to make sure you're okay first" said Erin. "I'm okay... Abby... call Abby" said Kate sounding desperate suddenly. "Okay... shhh... I'll phone her just take it easy" said Sara and pressed dial. She held the phone next to Kate's ear. "Abby hey... yeah... it hurts like fucking hell but I'm okay... Abs... you... need to stay at Tee's place tonight... please... I'm... kinda... tripping balls right now so... please check my notes... at home... and check this with... with what's her name... um... Dr Altman" said Kate a bit confused by the pain meds. She gave Abby orders for Tegan's medicine. "Shhh... relax... you're the patient now not the doctor" said Sara and kissed Kate's hand.
Tegan and Erin finally went home after afternoon visiting hour. They were both exhausted after an extremely busy day. Alex and Sara insisted on staying and said they would try to go home before bed time. Tegan and Erin weren't holding their breaths and completely expected to only see them the next day. "Hey Erin... why don't you come have dinner with us later... I'm sure you're tired but... if you don't want to be alone? We'll just be chilling anyway?" said Tegan. "Umm... no I'm sure I'll be fine... you two get some rest" said Erin.
Sara and Alex sat next to Kate's bed as she slept. The hospital staff soon realised it was futile trying to get them to leave so they broke the rules and allowed them to stay. Kate still seemed to struggle to breathe properly and she looked uncomfortable. Sara was sipping a coffee. She was tired and she switched her phone on to keep herself awake. She read through some of the mayhem on social media and foolishly clicked on a link in a tweet. "Sara Quin's love triangle ends in violence". She jumped up and shook her head. "Fuck this!" she breathed, threw her phone down on the chair and left the room. Alex picked up the phone and shook his head as he looked at the screen. Sara stormed into the emergency stairwell and was pacing up and down the landing with her hands in her sides. "Fuck!" she yelled again and slapped her palms against the wall. Alex opened the door and pulled her into his arms. "Sara... take it where it comes from" he said. "Why do they do that... as if the true story isn't juicy enough" said Sara with her head on Alex's shoulder. "I don't know Sar. Because... because they're assholes" he whispered. Sara plonked down on one of the steps. "I'm no good for Kate... She gets hurt with me... physically and emotionally and... I don't want that... I never, ever want to hurt her. She deserves better Alex" cried Sara. "She loves you so much Sara... she'll walk through fire for you" said Alex. "I know... that's the problem. I know she'll do anything for me but I don't... I don't want her to get hurt" said Sara shaking her head. The corner of Alex's mouth pulled up. "I don't think she minds getting hurt for you Sara... you're worth it" he said.
Tegan walked into the pool house with her shoulders slumped. She saw Lindsey lying on the couch reading. "Linds" she said, her voice breaking. "Tegan... oh my god sweetie come over here" said Lindsey. Tegan walked towards her "Jesus Tegan look at you... what... uhh... are you okay?" said Lindsey panicked. "Yeah I'm fine... it's..." said Tegan and looked down. "Not mine... it's Kate's... she had a really bad nosebleed" said Tegan and wiped her one eye. "She felt super emotional but didn't want to upset Lindsey any further. "I'm just going to take a shower... see you later" she said and walked away. "Tegan? Tee come back... baby just come and sit down with me for a minute" she heard Lindsey call after her. Tegan kept walking. She ran into Abby in the hall. Abby had the same reaction as Lindsey when she saw Tegan's clothing full of blood. Tegan held her hand out. "I'm fine... Kate's fine... Just let me have a shower" she said and pushed past her.
Tegan pulled her jacket off and could smell the blood as she pulled her shirt over her head. She scrunched up the shirt and jacket and stuffed it into the small rubbish bin. She turned to the toilet and violently vomited into it. She took a minute to compose herself before rinsing her mouth, brushing her teeth and stepping into the hot shower. She took a sponge and immediately started washing. She looked down and saw the stains of the blood that seeped through her shirt onto the white skin of her stomach. She started scrubbing... harder and harder until she was hysterical. She sank down slowly against the wall sobbed as the water ran over her face and dripped down her nose. She sat like that in the hot shower until she couldn't cry anymore. Her chest hurt with every sob. She was so exhausted, physically and emotionally drained by this day. She eventually managed to pull herself up. The bathroom door opened. "Tegan... are you okay... you've been in there forever" asked Lindsey. "Yeah... I'm fine... go to bed Linds" said Tegan. She finished her shower and dried her tired body off slowly followed by her hair. The dressing over the Central line seemed to be coming loose from all the water and she dried it off carefully. She combed her hair back and rubbed the steam off the mirror. She leaned on her one hand and looked at her face in the mirror. Her eyes were puffy and red and there were dark circles under her eyes. She splashed some cold water into her eyes in a useless attempt to look better for Lindsey. She shook her head and pulled on the T-shirt and sweat pants she left on the counter. She walked into the room, Lindsey was lying on the bed. "Come here baby" she whispered. Tegan got onto the bed wordlessly and immediately pulled Lindsey into her signature Koala move, throwing her arm and leg around her. "You okay sweetie? You've been crying" said Lindsey. "Uh huh... I don't want to talk about it" lied Tegan. She actually just wanted to spare Lindsey the details. She started softly sobbing again. "Tee... talk to me baby" said Lindsey softly. Tegan just shook her head softly and pulled Lindsey closer. "Take your time" said Lindsey. After a few minutes Tegan seemed a bit calmer again. "It's a fucked up world we live in... so fucked up" said Tegan shaking her head. "And we're so selfish to bring kids into it" said Tegan, her voice breaking. She held Lindsey tight. "Tegan... not everything in this world is fucked up sweetie" said Lindsey. "Yeah... well most things are" said Tegan. "I don't understand... I don't understand how anybody could do that... and do that to somebody as kind... and gentle as Kate... She doesn't deserve this... not Kate. It's so fucking messed up" whispered Tegan and started crying again. "Tegan... she's obviously not well... she's got serious mental issues... she's sick" said Lindsey. "Well I hope she's sick, because nobody in their right mind can do that to another human... she... she was like an animal Linds... a fucking animal" said Tegan now hysterical again. "Okay baby... shhhh, it's okay. Kate's fine sweetie, she's okay" said Lindsey rubbing Tegan's back. "If Kate didn't walk in she would've done something to Sara, I know it... she was forcing herself on Sara Linds... This kind of thing makes me... it makes me want to quit music. It makes me want to give up... I don't know if it's worth it... when people close to us gets hurt... that's where I draw the line... I just don't know anymore... I'm a bit jaded right now" said Tegan and gave a shuddering sigh. "Okay baby... I understand... you're one hundred percent allowed to feel that way right now. It will be better tomorrow" said Lindsey. "I don't know if it will Linds... I don't know" said Tegan softly.
Sara rubbed the back of Kate's hand softly as she inspected every little detail of her beautiful long fingers and her well-kept fingernails. She smiled as she touched the small, faded scar on the back of her hand. "Fell of her bike when she was about 6. She's always been completely fearless" smiled Alex. "I remember being so scared because it was bleeding and I was scared we were both going to get in so much trouble with my mom. Katy... well... she was more worried about calming me down than her own bleeding hand. I remember it as if it was yesterday... She's probably the most selfless person I know. I'm so proud of her" said Alex. Sara smiled and felt Kate's hand stir under hers. Kate's breathing increased and Sara glanced up at her heart monitor. It sped up. Kate moaned softly, seemingly still asleep. Her lips started trembling slightly. "No... no... leave her alone... no" she mumbled. "Saaara..." she slurred before putting her arms in front of her face. "Baby wake up... Kate it's a dream... you're dreaming wake up" said Sara panicking. A nurse walked in and put the oxygen mask back on after checking Kate's pulse. Kate woke up with a gasp and she clutched her ribs again. "Ooouch" she whispered. "You're okay baby... it was just a dream. I'm here Katy. Everything's okay" said Sara kissing her hand. "Sara... Sar..." whispered Kate woozily and dozed off again.
After a few minutes of lying in silence Tegan and Lindsey heard a soft knock on the door. Tegan didn't move but said "Come in" softly. Erin stood in the door looking disheveled. "I'm sorry... I'm interrupting... sorry" said Erin and turned. "Erin no... come back" said Tegan loudly. "You're not interrupting... come here" said Tegan sitting up. "I'm sorry... I just didn't want to... I didn't want to be alone" said Erin looking fragile. "Of course not... jump in, you can share Linds she's like a teddy bear" said Tegan. "Other side please... I need to hook up Tegan's juice" said Abby walking in behind Erin. It was clear that Erin had also been crying. "What a fucked up day huh" she said lying down next to Lindsey. "Tomorrow will be better" said Lindsey and patted her knee. "Yeah... tomorrow will be better" repeated Erin and swallowed hard. "I spoke to Alex just now. Kate's having a real hard time with that swollen shut nose and she's still in a lot of pain and quite emotional but they say she's going to be fine" said Erin. Abby cleaned all of Tegan's dressings and checked her vitals after hooking her up to her IV again. See how handy this central line is... no more poking around fishing for veins" she smiled. "I'm going to make you guys something for dinner. Just relax" she said. "You don't have to do that... we can order out" said Lindsey. "I love cooking... and my spaghetti bolognaise is the best in LA. Besides I need a break, if I look at a book for another minute I'm going to go crazy" smiled Abby. Tegan, Lindsey and Erin had dinner in bed and they were all finally relaxing a little bit. "You did so well today E... I'm so fucking proud of you" said Tegan. "Thank you Tee... Having you there made it a bit more bearable" smiled Erin. Erin eventually fell asleep on the couch in the lounge and Abby covered her up with a blanket.
Kate woke up in the early morning. Her head felt fuzzy and it took a while to get the picture into focus. The pain killers seemed to dull out most of her pain but it still hurt when she tried to sit up. Sara and Alex were asleep in two reclining chairs. The events of the previous day came rushing back to her and she shook her head trying to make sense of it. Sara stirred and opened her eyes. "Kate... you're awake! How are you feeling baby?" said Sara taking Kate's hand and stroking her hair softly. "I'm okay... better than yesterday" said Kate. She sounded weird with her blocked up nose. "Have you been here the whole night?" asked Kate perplexed. "Of course I have! Where else would I be?" smiled Sara. "Thank you" whispered Kate. "I love you Kate" said Sara. "I love you too Sar" whispered Kate.
"I just spoke to Sara, Kate's doing better. She said they're taking her for another CT scan to make sure her head's still okay. They also want to make sure here liver doesn't start bleeding but she said the doctors seem really happy with her progress. The ear, nose and throat specialist will be seeing her today. He said she could possibly go home tonight or tomorrow morning if everything checks out okay with her tests" smiled Tegan. She sat down next to Erin on the couch. "Thank God... I've been so worried, didn't get much sleep" said Erin. "Well that and the fact that you've been sleeping on this couch! You should've just stayed with us in that giant bed" said Tegan. "Nah this couch is great" said Erin. "I... I kept seeing her face... I don't know how to... how to get her out of my mind. I thought I was over it" said Erin softly. "I can only imagine... This just opened up those old wounds... give it time E" said Tegan rubbing Erin's back. "Yeah... anyway... I'm going to go take a shower and get ready. I'd like to go visit this morning. Visiting hour starts at 11" said Erin. "Have some breakfast first please. I don't want another friend in hospital any time soon" said Tegan. "Okay... deal" smiled Erin. "What time should we leave, 10.45?" asked Tegan. "Maybe you should take it easy today Tegan. I'm sure Kate will understand" said Lindsey. "No... I'm going. Visiting times aren't long, I'll be back before you know it boo" said Tegan. "Send her my love... I wish I could be there... But I have to do what's best for the babies and stay in bed" said Lindsey.
Alex phoned Tegan and Erin and told them to only come around at three as Kate was being examined by the specialist and sent for some scans. The second Tegan and Erin stepped out of the car at the hospital that afternoon they were greeted with tons of photographers and reporters. "Tegan! Erin! Over here... Erin, can you give us a statement? How do you feel now that your ordeal is over? How did you feel testifying? Tegan what happened... Tegan is it true that this was the result of a love triangle" shouted one reporter. Tegan's face went red and she clenched her jaw. She stopped in her tracks. "Tee no..." said Erin but Tegan couldn't help herself. "One of our best friends were brutally attacked by a woman with a history of mental illness... there is absolutely no truth to this... this rumor. None whatsoever... we barely even knows this woman... Please... just give Sara and Kate some privacy" said Tegan and stormed into the building. She stopped inside and felt around her pocket for her inhaler. She put it to her lips and took two deep puffs. "Fucking vultures... I don't think I can take this shit much longer..." she said sounding upset.
Tegan and Erin entered Kate's room holding candy, flowers and balloons after a quick stop at the gift shop. "Hey! There's the hero!" said Erin grinning. "How are you feeling buddy?" asked Tegan. "So much better, thanks guys" said Kate giving two thumbs up. "You were quite the hero yourself yesterday Tegan. Did everything right and you didn't panic" said Kate. Her bruises were darker it contrasted against her pale skin. "She's right... you were great Tee. I on the other hand almost lost my shit. And you're the one that can't stand the sight of blood" laughed Sara. Tegan blushed and plonked a giant bowl of jello down on the trolley next to Kate's bed. "It was nothing... Home made jello... extra large, just for you" she smiled. "Yay! My favourite" smiled Kate. "I'll never understand the obsession you two have with jello. I find it kind of gross" laughed Sara. "You don't have to understand... just open it and give me some. More for me" joked Kate. Sara sighed and opened the jello. "Are you okay Tegan? Did Abby give you your meds and IV?" asked Kate. "Yes Doctor! I'm fine... Abby's been great" said Tegan. Kate nodded approvingly. Everybody was relieved to see her feeling better. "Looks as if I'm going to have to pass on playing with you guys at the show" shrugged Kate and smiled as Sara fed her jello. "Oh no... you're not getting off that easily. We have plenty of time for you to recover" said Tegan. "Tegan I have broken ribs!" complained Kate. "You don't need much rehearsal time... you're a natural... but okay... we'll see if your sick note is still valid by then" joked Tegan. "My colleagues are going to give me so much shit over this one... I'm sure I'm already the joke of the month so I may need something to up my cool score again. We'll see" smiled Kate. "Scans came back okay" said Sara squeezing Kate's hand. "That's such great news" said Tegan. "When can you come home so we can treat you like a princess?" asked Erin. "Maybe tonight or tomorrow... depending on what the specialist says" said Kate. "We're going to take such good care of our hero" said Sara and kissed Kate's hair softly. "Spoke to my Mom and Dad earlier and they're pretty much freaking out. Alex downplayed it a lot though yesterday and I managed to convince them they don't need to come home from their holiday in Europe. Besides... I'm with family" smiled Kate. "You sure are" said Sara and swallowed hard to keep her tears inside. Kate had crept into her heart so fast and she knew she didn't want to spend another day without her, ever.
A/N: All's almost kind of well again and they can hopefully get on with the rest of their lives soon! Please remember to review!