Chapter 202

Tegan called Lindsey as soon as they got back into the car with an update when to expect them. Sara's phone rang and she answered using her headphones. "Kate!" she said excitedly.

"Sorry Sara, it's Abby… again" said the voice on the other side of the line. Abby had been in contact with Sara all day, getting updates for Kate who spent the entire day in surgery.

"Oh… hi Abby" said Sara sounding disappointed.

"Kate wanted me to call and check when to expect you home?" said Abby.

"Well, according to the GPS, in thirty minutes. I'll just drop Tegan, pick up Amelia and head straight home" said Sara.

"Kate is still in surgery. They'll be wrapping up soon though if all goes well. She wanted me to let you know that she'll be home as soon as possible but to not wait up for her. It could only be tomorrow" said Abby.

"Really?" said Sara sounding disappointed.

"I'm going to do my best to get her out of here sooner rather than later Sara" said Abby.

"Okay… thanks. She must be so tired" said Sara.

"Yeah I think so… she's been operating for about eleven hours. Don't worry Sar, I'll get her home to you in one piece soon" said Abby.

"Hey Sar" said Tegan after Sara said goodbye to Abby.

"Yeah Tee" said Sara and glanced at her sister sitting next to her.

"I haven't thought about Jeremy for like… two days now... maybe more. I mean, I thought about him. But just fleetingly, and not in that… depressed… hopeless way" said Tegan.

Sara smiled. "I'm glad to hear that Tegan" she said.

"I just want to… I want to thank you Sar. You were right, you're always right…. I did need this" said Tegan.

"Wow, I was right? Where's Tegan and what did you do with her?" laughed Sara.

"I'm serious" said Tegan.

"You're welcome Tegan. I got your back okay…. And Tee" said Sara.

"Yeah Sar?" said Tegan.

"I wanted to say… thank you for being with me right now… And thanks for staying with me last night. I really needed you and you were there. What happened… um… it was… um… look, I just want to say that I'm glad you're here with me" said Sara.

"You got it" smiled Tegan.

"Sasa… it's going to be okay" said Tegan and patted Sara's thigh. Sara just nodded sadly.

"Finally! LA you beauty!" said Tegan sounding excited but tired as they saw LA's lights.

"How are you feeling Tee?" asked Sara.

"Honestly? Like hell but I'm okay. Just tired, and I didn't even drive nearly as much as you did. Oh and my foot is killin' me. How are you feeling?" asked Tegan.

"Emotionally…. I'm strangely okay I think. I think all this time in the car did me good. Physically, I'm fucked. My ass is numb, my legs are cramping and I just generally feel as if I've run a marathon and then went twelve rounds in a boxing ring" laughed Sara.

"Well… at least you're going to be sleeping in your own bed soon" said Tegan.

"Yeah, alone though… sounds as if Kate's nowhere near on her way home yet" said Sara.

"You can stay over at our place" said Tegan.

"Thanks Tee but I really just want to get home" said Sara.

"Okay, that's understandable… I'll call Charles to escort you home" said Tegan.

"Thanks… I feel like an wuss to want security from your house to mine though" said Sara.

"Don"t be silly… it's his job Sara" said Tegan.

The car finally pulled into Tegan's driveway and Lindsey appeared a couple of seconds later.

"Hi Guys!" Lindsey shrieked!

"Tegan… Boo, are you okay? Sar, you okay?" asked Lindsey as she opened Tegan's door.

Tegan immediately pulled Lindsey into the car and hugged her tight. "I've missed you so much" she whispered.

Lindsey kissed Tegan on the mouth about ten times in succession before helping her out of the car.

"Oh my poor baby… look at you" said Lindsey and took Tegan's face in her hands when she could finally see the bruises on Tegan's jaw and neck in the light.

"It's nothing" said Tegan.

"Sara! Oh my God" said Lindsey looking shocked when she saw Sara's bruises.

"I'm okay Linds" said Sara and walked into the house to keep it together.

"Where are my kiddos" asked Tegan.

"I'm sorry sweetie. I wanted to keep them up but they all passed out about an hour ago" said Lindsey.

"Oh" said Tegan looking disappointed.

Sara just walked to the spare room and bent over the camping cot where Amelia was sleeping.

"Hey sweetie pie… hi angel" she said softly, not to wake her. Tegan hobbled past the door on her crutches and stopped. Sara straightened her back and looked at Tegan.

"I want to hold her… I want to hug her and hold her so bad" said Sara.

"Then do it Sar… I don't think she'd mind" smiled Tegan.

Sara picked up her sleeping baby and held her close to her chest while bouncing up and down. Plump tears were rolling down her cheeks.

"My God I've missed them… I've missed all of you" said Tegan standing in front of the double crib with her babies sleeping inside.

"Hey guys… I love you… I love you so much" she said softly touching their hair.

Lindsey helped Sara put Amelia in her car seat while Charles the head of security unpacked Tegan's bags.

Sara said goodbye to Lindsey first. "Take care of her Linds… keep an eye on that ankle please. She's not feeling well at all but you know her... she's playing it down" said Sara.

"I will Sara… are you going to be okay? Stay over tonight!" said Lindsey.

"I just want to get home Linds, but thank you for the offer. Hoping Kate makes it home tonight by some miracle…. I want to be there if she does" said Sara.

Sara walked over to where Tegan was sitting on a wall.

"See ya brother" said Sara and held out her hand for a casual fist pump.

"Come here" said Tegan and pulled Sara into a hug.

"I love you Sara… thanks for everything" said Tegan softly into Sara's ear.

"I love you too Tee… and the thanks goes both ways" said Sara.

"Call me if you need anything… and remember, any time of the day and night, our door is always open" said Tegan.

"Thanks Tee… I appreciate that. Get some rest now… and ice and elevate that foot. We'll talk tomorrow. Gotta organise some rehearsals" smiled Sara.

Lindsey followed Tegan into the house. Tegan heard the front door close behind her. She stopped and turned around. She looked into her wife's eyes with burning intensity as she slowly pushed her up against the wall. Tegan breathed heavily and moved closer slowly. She took in Lindsey's familiar smell and it made her heart ache with emotion. Tegan dropped her crutches and put her palms on the wall to the sides of Lindsey's face for support before vigorously attacking Lindsey's lips. After a minute of passionately making out Tegan stepped on her foot to regain her balance after Lindsey's kisses.

"Oh fuck" cried Tegan, her face contorting in pain.

"Boo? Oh my God sweetie let's get you into bed" said Lindsey and picked up Tegan's crutches.

"And then we can continue where we left off" said Tegan.

Charles carried Sara's bags inside as Sara put Amelia down in her bed. He said goodnight after assuring her that the security guards outside was the best in his team. Sara stood in the dimly lit living room for a couple of minutes, unsure of what to do next. She took a quick shower before pouring herself a whiskey which she downed pretty fast. She sat down in the dark on the living room couch and took a deep, shuddering breath. She missed Kate... all she wanted was to be safe in her arms. She put her head down on the pillows and was out for the count a few minutes later.

Tegan plonked down on the bed and tried her best to keep her pain from Lindsey.

"How about a nice, hot bath sweetie?" asked Lindsey.

"I don't want a bath I just want to make out right now" laughed Tegan.

"Well... we can do that in the bath, no problem... you know that" said Lindsey seductively.

"I do feel kind of grubby after that trip... so yeah, thanks babe" said Tegan.

A few minutes later Lindsey returned as Tegan was slowly removing her moon boot.

"Lie back... relax, I'll do that" said Lindsey.

Tegan lay back trying to hide her pain. Lindsey gingerly started removing the compression bandage. Her eyes went wide when she saw Tegan's swollen, purple foot.

"Oh my God Tee... this looks awful. Sweetie this must be so painful" said Lindsey.

"Meh... Your kisses made it all better" said Tegan smiling.

"You should see a doctor about this Boo" said Lindsey still horrified.

"It's fine... it's nothing. I did see a doctor about it remember" said Tegan.

"Yeah Tee but..." said Lindsey.

"But nothing... it's fine, I'll take another pain pill before bed time... it'll be fine" said Tegan taking Lindsey's hand.

"Okay... let's get you into that bath" said Lindsey.

Tegan stood in front of the bath leaning on her crutches and swallowed hard.

"Jeez... how am I going to get into this" she said.

"Just sit down on the side and..." said Lindsey. "No... I mean getting in is one thing... getting out? It's... I'm going to be honest with you... this thing hurts like a mother fucker... especially now after we've removed the support. I think I'll just take a shower" said Tegan.

"Let me get you a bar stool" said Lindsey.

"Dammit... this sucks" said Tegan as Lindsey returned with the bar stool.

"Let me help you" said Lindsey and helped Tegan into the shower.

Tegan lay on the bed exhausted and in pain after a very challenging shower. Lindsey came into the room with some ice packs.

"Let's get this foot elevated and iced" said Lindsey and slowly lifted Tegan's foot onto some pillows.

"I want you so bad" said Tegan.

Lindsey slowly made her way up Tegan's body.

"You have no idea how I've missed you" she breathed and started kissing Tegan's neck.

Tegan didn't waste any time pulling Lindsey's shirt off. The second Tegan moved her leg she was in agony.

"Ahhhh fuck... ouch" she cried.

"I'm sorry sweetie... maybe you should just take those pain meds and call it a day. We can do this some other time" said Lindsey.

"Noooo, no no" said Tegan grinning. "You've been way to patient with me while I was... off on standby" said Tegan.

"I don't want to hurt you" said Lindsey.

"I just need to keep this leg still... the rest of me is ready for business" said Tegan giggling.

Lindsey put her hands on Tegan's naked breasts. "I guess I'm going to have to be on top tonight" she breathed seductively.

Tegan swallowed hard. "I want to rip your pants off but you're going to have to help me out here" said Tegan softly.

Lindsey was naked in a matter of seconds and carefully straddled Tegan's naked body. She resumed her breast massaging as she kissed Tegan's face.

"I'm so ready for you" breathed Tegan.

Lindsey continued kissing. "Baby... now" whispered Tegan.

Lindsey slowly moved her hands down Tegan's body, softly touching the bruises on her belly.

"That fucking asshole... I'll rip his head off" said Lindsey.

"Shhhh... just keep doing what you're doing" whispered Tegan.

Kate stood outside the hospital building and rolled her neck from side to side to loosen up her tight neck muscles.

"Goodnight Dr Morgan. You did everything you could today. Go home, Sara's waiting for you" smiled Abby.

"Well fuck... that was... challenging... but amazing" giggled Tegan as Lindsey fell into her arms.

"Whoooo... You obviously don't have a hand injury" laughed Lindsey throwing back her hair. Tegan giggled playfully and kissed her wife's hair.

"I'm so in love with you... I adore you" said Tegan.

"Me too baby. I want to hear all about your trip!" said Lindsey.

"Tomorrow" said Tegan sounding out of breath and tired.

"Honeybun, are you okay?" said Lindsey looking worried.

"Yeah... I'm okay. I'm just... in so much pain" said Tegan.

Lindsey knew that for Tegan to be admitting it, she had to be in agony. Lindsey got out of bed.

"Where are you going?" asked Tegan.

"I'm getting you your pain meds. And I'm taking your pulse ox" said Lindsey.

"Babe my breathing's fine. Just... come back to bed" said Tegan.

"Okay... but you're taking the medication... now!" said Lindsey.

"Okay then" said Tegan secretly relieved at the prospect of the pain meds. Lindsey returned with the medication and a new bandage. She started wrapping it around Tegan's foot as gently as she could but Tegan was in agony. She was in tears after a few seconds.

"I'm sorry Tegan... I'm sorry" said Lindsey.

"It's okay... not your fault" sniffed Tegan.

"Tegan I'm serious... you need to have this checked out tomorrow" said Lindsey sternly.

"I think it's just all the traveling Linds... I just need a bit of rest and a couple of ice packs" said Tegan.

"Tee... please" said Lindsey.

"Okay... we'll see how it is tomorrow" said Tegan.

"Deal" said Lindsey.

"I love having a sexy, naked nurse though" laughed Tegan.

"Easy tiger... get some rest now" said Lindsey.

"Come here... I want you in my arms... where you belong" said Tegan.

Kate walked into the living room a couple of hours later looking completely drained. She saw Sara's still form on the couch. She softly sat down next to her in the dark.

"Sara... baby, I'm home" she said softly.

"Hmmm" grunted Sara and gave a shiver. Kate rubbed her arms up and down softly. Sara's skin was ice cold.

"Baby... wake up, let's get you into bed. You're freezing" said Kate.

Sara opened her eyes slowly. "Hey" she whispered.

"Hey you" smiled Kate.

Sara sat up and took Kate into her arms, the next second she was sobbing.

"Hey, it's okay... shhhh... Sara... what's wrong?" said Kate softly while stroking Sara's hair. Sara just sobbed some more.

"I'm here... shhhh" said Kate gently.

Sara sobbed for another minute in Kate's arms before slowly starting to calm down. She pulled away slowly and looked at Kate.

"Sar? What's wrong?" said Kate in the darkness. Sara leaned over and switched the lamp on. She turned back to Kate.

Kate gave an audible, horrified gasp when she saw Sara's face. "Sara... oh my God what happened? Sara? You're hurt... oh shit Sara... what happened? Sara?" blabbered Kate, in obvious shock.

"Kate calm down for a minute" said Sara. "Sara... who did this? Let me have a look" said Kate with Sara's face in her hands.

"Katy I'm okay... just calm down" said Sara softly.

"Sara... what... are you okay?" said Kate sounding horrified.

"Shhh and give me a minute to explain" said Sara and put her forefinger on Kate's mouth.

Kate looked very close to tears.

"Baby... just stay quiet for a few minutes" said Sara and took a deep breath.

"Okay" whispered Kate softly touching Sara's cheek. "Last night... um... Tegan and I stopped in this town... I can't even remember the name of the place... anyway... we went out for dinner and after that... it was early so we decided to go have a drink in a nearby bar. I was so happy that Tegan was finally willing to go out and have fun... So... um... there were these two guys in the bar, buying us a drink... trying to chat us up... We let them know that we were not interested... and that we were... gay you know... and taken... anyway... they left" said Sara.

"Oh my God did those guys..." said Kate loudly.

"Baby, shhh please... just hear me out" said Sara.

"Okay... I'm sorry" said Kate. "When we were ready to leave Tegan needed the toilet so I said she should go, I would go get the car, she's still struggling with those crutches. Then... um... I... was walking to the car when suddenly this guy just came out of nowhere... one of the guys from the bar... and he started talking to me... I just ignored him and walked faster. And then... um... then" said Sara now starting to tear up.

"His friend was there suddenly... and I started running but... but... they were fast and they pulled me down. They pushed me into the tar and they... they... um... they pulled me into this alleyway and he... oh God" said Sara now in tears.

Kate was breathing fast, trying her best not to interrupt Sara. She bit her bottom lip and shook her head. "No... no" she whispered.

"He... he was on top of me so fast... and he... oh Katy... I don't want to think about it... he ripped my shirt open and he... he touched me... and I tried... I tried so hard to get free... he... he hit me a few times" said Sara pointing at her face.

"His friend held me down... he... he pulled my pants down... and this guy... Oh god I'm going to be sick" said Sara.

Kate took Sara into her arms. "It's okay... it's okay" she whispered.

"He pulled out his... penis" cried Sara. "Oh my God I'll kill him" said Kate still holding Sara.

"And then... Tegan showed up... and she hit the one fucker over the head so many times with her crutch that he passed out... then the other guy... he was livid... I don't think I've ever seen such anger... He threw Tegan against the wall and he... he tried to... strangle her with the crutch... he hit her... she fell to the ground and then somehow... with some kind of unhuman strength she punched him in the... nuts" said Sara and gave a nervous, teary laugh.

"He fucking lost it after that but somehow Tegan managed to give him the mother of all kicks in the groin... with her moon boot thing... and then... this cop showed up" said Sara.

"Fuck Sar... oh shit... I'll kill that mother fucker" cried Kate.

"We're okay babe... the cops showed up soon after that and then... the medics... they took us to the hospital and..." said Sara.

"Are you guys okay? What else hurts Sara? Did they take x-rays?" rambled Kate, now in full on doctor mode.

"Yeah we're fine... Tegan had some trouble breathing but they sorted her out. Did a million scans... everything's okay... we're okay... they discharged us a couple of hours later" said Sara.

Kate had her hand in front of her mouth looking shocked. "Are you sure you're okay? Is Tegan okay? Did they lock them up?" asked Kate.

"Yeah... they're in jail. And we're fine... physically at least" said Sara.

"Sara honey... why didn't you call me?" asked Kate, in tears.

"Sweetie... what would you have done? I knew you would freak out... and worry... and you had this major surgery today... I didn't want to worry you when there was nothing you could do" said Sara.

Kate wiped her nose with the back of her hand. "I still would have wanted to know Sar" she said softly.

"I'm sorry" said Sara, relieved that Kate wasn't mad at her, or at least, not showing it if she was.

"I'm so sorry this happened Sara. I'm so sorry I wasn't there... I'm so, so sorry... but I'm here now... and you're safe... I won't let anybody hurt you again" said Kate holding a now sobbing Sara in her arms.

Sara and Kate sat like that for a long time. Just holding each other.

"I missed you" said Sara.

"I missed you more" said Kate.

"Let me make you a cup of tea and get you to bed... you must be so exhausted" said Kate.

"Thank you. I'll tell you all about the rest of the trip... the good parts tomorrow" said Sara softly.

Kate kissed Sara's cheek and got up to turn on the kettle.

"Can I ask you something?" asked Kate.

"Sure" said Sara sounding sad.

"Why didn't you just fly home?" said Kate.

"Because... I knew you would be in surgery the whole day and I... I just needed some time to... work through this. Besides, we were in the middle of nowhere" said Sara.

Kate nodded and looked down. "How'd your surgery go?" asked Sara, picking up that something else was off with Kate.

"Okay" said Kate and turned to get some cups out.

"Katy?" said Sara softly. Kate put her palms on the counter top and leaned forward closing her eyes to regain her composure.

"Talk to me" said Sara putting her hand on Kate's back.

"We lost her Sar... we... lost her. She made it through surgery... against all odds and then... not even an hour after... her heart just... gave out... her body just couldn't fight any more" said Kate and burst out into tears.

"I'm so sorry... I'm so sorry" whispered Sara and took Kate into her arms.

"It's okay... She's in a happier place now... with no more pain... no more doctors and surgeries... It was a long shot to start off with" said Kate.

"I'm sorry..." whispered Sara.

"I just... feel so sorry for the parents. I've gotten to know them well over the last few months. Nobody deserves to have their child die before them. It fucking sucks... it's not fair" said Kate.

"I know... You fought so hard Kate, you did everything you could. You're so amazing" said Sara.

Kate just shook her head clenching her jaw.

"Fuck the tea... let's just go to bed" said Sara looking into Kate's tired eyes.

"Yeah... I just want to hold you in my arms and never let you go" said Kate.

"I love you... God I love you so much" whispered Sara.

"I love you too... I'm so sorry you had to go through this... that you got hurt" said Kate.

"Let's not talk about it any more" said Sara.

Kate smiled and nodded. She took Sara's hand and led her to the bedroom.

"Are you sure you're okay? Let me check you over" said Kate.

"I'm fine baby... but thanks for caring" smiled Sara.

"You should get some trauma counseling" said Kate.

"Shhh... we can talk about it tomorrow. Let's just sleep now" said Sara.

They checked on their sleeping baby before going to their bedroom, both exhausted, physically and emotionally.

Kate gently pulled off Sara's sweater when they got to the bed.

"Oh God" she said choking up as she saw the bruises on Sara's chest and arms.

"Shhh... It's okay... I'm okay... everything's going to be okay" said Sara softly.

Kate led Sara to the bed and finished undressing her before sliding into bed next to her. Their naked bodies touched and Sara felt Kate's fast, adrenaline fueled heart beat in her chest. Sara felt safe in Kate's arms... in their own little bubble. "I've got you my love... you're safe now... I love you" whispered Kate.

A/N: They're home safe, where they belong! Two chapters today - make sure you didn't miss the previous one (people sometimes only read the last updated chapter) Remember to review!