Chapter 204
Tegan was exhausted and fell asleep on the couch shortly after brunch.
"Awwe… poor baby" said Lindsey.
"We're gonna go Linds, I'll come back later afternoon to check on the IV. Please take her temp for me every hour or so and call me if there are any problems" said Kate.
"Will do. Thank you so much Kate. I really appreciate it" said Lindsey.
Sara walked over to Tegan and covered her with a blanket. "You sure she's okay babe?" she asked.
"I'm sure Sar. She's going to be just fine" said Kate and hugged Sara.
"Lets go home sweetie. You need to get some rest" said Kate.
"I don't need rest… what are you talking about?" said Sara.
"Okay… but I think I do and so does Amelia. Tegan's okay Sar" said Kate.
Sara nodded reluctantly and picked up Amelia. "Call if you need us Linds, for anything" said Sara.
Amelia fell asleep almost instantly in the car and Kate put her down for her nap when they got home. She sat down next to Sara on the couch and put her arm around her.
"Thanks for taking care of Tegan" said Sara putting her head on Kate's shoulder.
"My pleasure sweetie" said Kate and kissed Sara's hair.
"Can I get you an ice pack for your hand?" asked Sara.
"No, I'm okay thanks. Sara…. Um" said Kate
"What is it Kate?" asked Sara
"I'm suspended for the week. And I'm going to have a disciplinary hearing when I get back" said Kate.
"What? Why? For defending yourself. That fucker deserved what he got" said Sara sounding upset.
"Sar…. It's okay, I deserve to get punished" said Kate.
"No you don't" said Sara.
"I do because…. I signed an oath… an oath that says 'first do no harm'. I broke that oath. I hurt somebody on purpose" said Kate becoming emotional.
"Sweetie… he's a bad man" said Sara.
"I know… that's not an excuse though. Anyway can we not talk about it anymore" said Kate.
-o-
Tegan spent most of the afternoon sleeping on the couch. Kate phoned Lindsey a few hours later.
"Linds what's up? How's the patient?" asked Kate
"She's still sleeping Kate. I just checked her BP and temp and she didn't even stir. BPs 105 over 70. Sats are 98. She's still on the nasal cannula. Temp has gone right down to about 96 which is even below normal isn't it?" asked Lindsey.
"That's great thank for the report nurse Lindsey, just keep her covered up with the blanket and let her rest. I'll pop by in an hour or so" said Kate.
Tegan woke up half an hour later and groggily pulled the oxygen line out of her nose and yawned.
"Hey there sleepy head" said Lindsey and kissed her cheek.
"Hey" whispered Tegan.
"How long was I out?" asked Tegan.
"Long… like three and a half hours" said Lindsey.
"Wow" mumbled Tegan.
"How are you feeling?" asked Lindsey.
"Better I think. My foot isn't throbbing. That's a good sign I guess" smiled Tegan.
"Fever's gone too" said Lindsey touching Tegan's cheek.
"Fantastic! Where are the twins" asked Tegan.
"Playing right over there on the carpet" said Lindsey.
"Casey, Ryan… come here guys" said Tegan.
Casey came running up to Tegan.
"Mama dudu" she said
"Yeah, mama was taking a dudu" laughed Tegan.
"Mama… twuck" said Ryan showing Tegan his toy truck.
"Linds, I'm sorry but I think our son may be straight" laughed Tegan.
Lindsey just laughed. "I have my suspicions about our daughter too because she's obsessed with her baby doll" said Lindsey.
"Hey I played with dolls growing up" laughed Tegan.
"Maybe she just wants a baby brother or sister" said Lindsey.
"Mmmm… maybe. Do you want a baby brother or sister Casey?" joked Tegan.
"Baba" said Casey.
Tegan and Lindsey both laughed. "Soon enough funny girl. Anyway, I don't care if you're gay or straight… I just want you to be healthy and happy kiddos" said Tegan.
"Well let me try this foot out… seriously need the loo after the mega nap" said Tegan.
"We're baaaaack" said Kate walking into the house a few minutes later.
"How're you feeling T-bag?" asked Kate.
"I feel like a new person actually! Had such a good rest. Ankle feels so much better. I feel great" said Tegan.
"Good, please don't think you can start overdoing it now that you feel better!" said Kate.
"No way, I'm plastered to this couch for the rest of the day" said Tegan.
"You mean week? Anne's coming over in a few minutes to give you some physical therapy" said Kate.
"Oh, I can go there? It's not a big deal?" said Tegan.
"She insisted. She's out and about most of the day making house calls anyway" said Kate.
"Thanks, that's really nice of her" said Tegan as Kate inspected her foot.
"Would you look at that, swelling is going down already" smiled Kate.
"Whoo hooo" said Tegan weakly laughing.
"Cool, let me check your vitals real quick and we'll get out of your hair" said Kate.
"You my friend are already doing so much better. I'm going to keep the line in so we can give you another vitamin drip in the morning" said Kate after examining Tegan.
"What about the pain killers?" asked Tegan desperately.
"Are you in pain?" asked Kate.
"No… but I'd like to stay that way!" said Tegan.
"The main meds I gave you before you went to sleep have left your system. You're not in pain now so I think you'll cope just fine on some tablets" said Kate and patted Tegan's good leg.
"Can we talk business now Tee" said Sara.
"All yours Sar" said Tegan.
"Spoke to Tom earlier. Launch is a go for the 23rd" said Sara.
"What's that… two, three weeks from now?" asked Tegan.
"Two and a half weeks yeah. You good with that?" asked Sara.
"Sure it's just that, Callie told me I'd probably be wearing the boot for a like a month" said Tegan.
"Is that going to be a problem?" asked Sara looking at Kate.
"No I don't think so… unless there's complications" said Kate.
"There won't be… I'll be fine. Book it" said Tegan.
"Tee I don't want to book it and announce it and have to cancel it again due to some medical issues" said Sara.
"I don't know what to say then" said Tegan defensively.
"How about you book the interviews and stuff and only confirm it publicly in a week or so?" said Kate.
"Will we know if she'll need surgery by then?" asked Sara.
"I think so, listen guys… calm down. I'm confident that Tee's going to be just fine. Surgery isn't even really an option right now" said Kate while playing with Amelia on her lap.
"Okay…. Let's do it" smiled Sara.
"Why am I so fucking nervous suddenly" said Tegan.
"Nerves are good" laughed Sara.
"Tour?" asked Tegan.
"We'll obviously be traveling quite a bit during the launch phase. Canada, New York, Miami, Seattle, Chicago. That's going to be a hectic two weeks of interviews, on air performances etc. We have one show in LA after that followed by ten days to do some online promo and just get our bearings back before we head to Europe for a week of launch followed by a month tour in Europe. After that we head straight to Australia for two weeks followed by a week in South Africa. After that we've got a nice two week break. When we get back we hit Canada for about a month followed by the US for almost two months" said Sara.
"Jeez that's a mouthful" said Tegan.
"I don't even want to hear this" said Kate with her hands over her ears.
"Oh honey" whispered Sara into Kate's neck.
"I don't know how I'm going to live without you for this long" said Kate.
"Baby we have some weekends off in-between…. You'll come visit… We'll come home regularly" said Sara.
"I almost lost it when you were gone just for a few days" said Kate suddenly in tears.
Sara just held her tight.
"Katy, it's okay… hey, we'll Skype like 3 times a day" said Tegan
"It's not the same" mumbled Kate.
"I'm really sorry honey…. But we have to tour… and we have to do promo" said Sara.
"Yeah I know… I'm being selfish" said Kate rocking Amelia backward and forward.
"God this is killing me" said Tegan looking at Sara now also tearing up.
-o-
Ten days later a smiling Tegan hopped into the ER on her crutches looking well rested and pain free.
"Hey Tegan, you're looking a lot happier and healthier than the last time I saw you!" said Dr Torres.
"Feeling so much better thanks, swelling is almost gone and the pain is very manageable. Most of the time don't even feel it anymore" said Tegan.
"That's great news, I see those bruises are fading nicely too" said Callie
"Yeah, hope they're gone in few days. We have a record to launch" smiled Tegan.
"You excited?" asked Callie examining Tegan's ankle.
"I'm nervous as hell but I'm so excited" said Tegan.
"Well, let's get that x-ray done so I can give you the all clear to go do you thing" said Callie.
"How's Kate?" said Callie while they waited for the x-ray
"She's okay. Sulking because we're touring without her. I swear she's making herself physically sick, she looks like hell" said Tegan.
"That and the fact that her hearing is today" said Callie
"Really? That's today? She didn't mention anything" said Tegan.
"Not sure she knows. Anyway, You know Kate, doesn't want to burden anybody with her problems yet she carries the weight of the world on herself" said Callie.
Callie studied the x-ray carefully. "Congratulations Tegan… no surgery required. You're doing great. Keep using the crutches for another week or so after which you can slowly start putting weight on the foot. Anne will give you proper instructions" said Callie.
"Thank you so much, I appreciate it" said Tegan.
"No problem… Good luck with the record, and the tour and stuff" said Callie.
"Thank you…. Dr Torres?" said Tegan.
"Call me Callie please" smiled Torres
"Callie… please keep an eye on Kate while we're gone. She's bound to be lonely and she'll probably bury herself in work" said Tegan.
"Of course Tee, Arizona and I will take good care of her. So many people here care so much for her Tegan. She'll be okay" smiled Callie.
-o-
Later that day, Kate walked into the front door of her house looking pale and shaken up.
"Sara?" she called.
"Hey, shhhhh…. Just put Amelia down" said Sara and gave Kate a quick kiss. Kate didn't move, as if she was planted in one spot.
"Katy? Come sit down and tell me all about your first… actually… half day back sweetie. Why are you home early?" smiled Sara.
"I… I need a drink" said Kate and walked to the kitchen.
"Kate what's going on? What's wrong?" asked Sara.
"Beer?" asked Kate without answering Sara's question.
"Sure" said Sara frowning.
"Spoke to Callie, Tegan's doing great. She's going to be just fine for the tour and stuff" said Kate looking distracted as she sat down on the couch.
"Great, that's such a relief. Not that I doubted it, I guess I just needed the confirmation. It's ON!" smiled Sara.
"Hmmm" said Kate deep in thought.
"Babes…. Hey look at me… what's up with you? Did you… baby did you lose a patient?" asked Sara concerned.
"Huh? No no, nothing like that" said Kate and leaned forward putting her hands over her mouth exhaling slowly.
"Kate you're scaring me" said Sara with her hand on Kate's back.
"Sorry, didn't mean to…" said Kate and turned to look at Sara.
"Talk to me sweetie" said Sara softly.
"So… after lunch I get paged to go to the boardroom. I had no idea they were having the disciplinary meeting today. I mean… I guess I was as prepared as I could be but… yeah…. Um…. I told my side of the story, they asked me some questions and they told me to wait outside" said Kate.
"Go on" said Sara rubbing Kate's thigh.
"Like… twenty minutes or so later they call me in and tell me that although what I did was understandable to an extent, they cannot let this go, they need to make an example out of me, this was unacceptable…. Yadda, yadda, yadda" said Kate shaking her head.
"What? Make an example out of you? What a crock of shit!" said Sara.
"I know right…. Guy didn't even press charges. Cops convinced him not to, even they are on my side… Anyway… I've been… Uh…. I've been suspended for six…" said Kate looking shocked and pale.
"What?" said Sara before Kate could finish her sentence. "Six weeks, that's ridiculous!" she exclaimed.
"No baby… not six weeks, six months" said Kate calmly.
"Six months? What the fuck? I don't understand…. How can… six months? That's crazy!" said Sara confused.
"Yeah… six months" said Kate still looking shocked. She stared out in front of her and took a large swig of her beer.
"Are they paying you at least?" asked Sara.
"No Sar, they're not paying me… they're punishing me. Paying me for not working would be a like a paid vacation" said Kate.
"But how do they expect you to take care of your financial commitments?" asked Sara.
"I guess I can take another job" said Kate.
"Are they keeping your job though? I mean are you going to have a job to go back to?" asked Sara.
"Yeah they're keeping my job. I have to go in for a week to handover to this hotshot from England that will be standing in for me" said Kate.
"Are you getting a new job now?" asked Sara.
"Um… I don't know" said Kate.
"But Kate how…" said Sara.
"Baby if you're worried about money don't be. I've got plenty of savings… besides, have you SEEN the size of my trust fund? We're good" said Kate.
"No I'm not worried about that… I just… how can they do this to you Kate? You love your job… you've given your all for that place" said Sara.
"Aghhh… fuck 'em. I don't care" said Kate leaning back.
"But you do care" said Sara softly.
Kate just stared in front of her in silence.
"Only thing I'm worried about is… that this is going be a big black mark on my resume" said Kate.
"Baby does it really matter? Hospitals are falling over their feet for you. Everybody wants a piece of you" said Sara.
"Nobody wants to hire a troublemaker Sar" said Kate looking despondent.
"You're not a troublemaker Kate… everything but! Anyway, you have a job after the six months don't you" said Sara.
"Yeah I do… but I don't necessarily want to work there forever" said Kate.
"It's going to be okay sweetie" said Sara sincerely.
"Thanks Sara... So… anyway, I was wondering if… if Tegan and Sara have an opening for a… medical officer or something on tour?" smiled Kate.
"Oh my gosh… this means that you can come on tour with us" smiled Sara.
"I guess it does" smiled Kate.
Sara sat down on Kate's lap and straddled her waist with her legs. She leaned forward to kiss her.
"I don't know about an opening for a medical officer… but we do have an opening for a nanny" laughed Sara and kissed Kate softly.
"Well it would be good to expand my horizons… where do I apply?" said Kate and kissed Sara.
"As long as you know that I pay only in kind" said Sara between kisses.
"Oooo that's the best kind of payment" giggled Kate.
"I don't know how to feel about this? I'm so fucking upset they suspended you but I'm so incredibly happy to have you come with us on tour" said Sara sincerely.
"I know, I feel the same. Honestly… I'm kinda stoked about it now" said Kate.
"Me too… I don't know how I would have been able to leave you here" said Sara and kissed Kate again, and again, and again. Kate slowly slid her hands under Sara's sweater and pulled it over her head.
-o-
Sara and Kate lay naked in each other's arms on the couch in the afternoon sun.
"I love you, you make me so incredibly happy" whispered Sara.
"I love you more than anything" Kate whispered back.
Sara propped her head on her elbow looking at Kate's after coital glow. She slowly started tracing heart shapes around Kate's nipple with her forefinger.
"You know… life on the road can be tough, you sure you're ready for it?" joked Sara.
"Don't know, but I think I can handle it" smiled Kate and kissed Sara again.
"This is all actually a blessing in disguise I guess" said Sara.
"I guess… somebody up there is looking out for us" said Kate.
"Your faith is very important to you isn't it?" said Sara softly.
"It is. It gets me through a lot" smiled Kate.
"I love that about you" said Sara and kissed Kate again.
"Can't wait to be a roadie" said Kate.
"Oh it's going to be more like a groupie" joked Sara.
Kate laughed out loud.
"The S-siders have a new leader... You know, I was worried about Tegan on tour without some kind of medical backup" said Kate.
"I thought you said she was fine?" said Sara.
"I know… she is. I just want to keep it that way" said Kate.
Sara stared into Kate's eyes and continued drawing shapes on her stomach and breasts with her finger.
"I'm so happy that I'm going to get to go to bed with you every day on tour. I can't wait to share this experience with you" said Sara.
"I'm excited… it's time for me to live a little! Live the wild youth I never had because I was studying for midterms or volunteering somewhere. I feel kind of liberated" laughed Kate.
Sara leaned over and kissed Kate again. She softly sucked her bottom lip. Kate's hands moved slowly from Sara's back to her breasts.
"Ooooh… you want to go again lover?" giggled Sara.
A second later Amelia's screams pierced the air. "Aaaaand…. We're done" laughed Sara and gave Kate another quick kiss before jumping off to go fetch Amelia.
"For now!" yelled Kate after her.
A few minutes later Sara walked back into the living room with Amelia after changing her diaper. Kate was busy putting her clothes back on. "We need to be at Tegan's in half an hour for dinner babe" said Kate. "Oh yeah, forgot about that with all the…. drama" said Sara.
Kate's phone rang and she picked it up. "Kate Morgan" she answered.
"Hello Dr Weber" she said matter of factly. Sara looked at her and lifted her eyebrow.
"I'm okay I guess… Honestly I'm a bit shocked but I'll be okay… No sir I understand the decision… Appeal? Yeah... No I don't think so… you were right sir. I do need some perspective. I'll take my punishment…. Sorry sir I didn't get that? Good news?" said Kate looking perplexed.
Sara gave her a questioning look.
"Oh… wow, thank you sir that's great news. I appreciate that…. Yeah, I'll see you at work tomorrow" said Kate and hung up.
Sara's face was a mix between relief and disappointment.
"They lifted the suspension? Just when I was getting excited about my new roadie slash groupie" said Sara and made a sad face.
"No… the suspension stands" said Kate looking a bit shocked.
"I don't understand… Then what's the good news?" said Sara.
"He said that after I left, the board had a long discussion. Said that I remain one of their best and most committed surgeons… that they don't want to lose me but that there was no way they could just let this go without making a major statement. However…. They do not feel that this should in any way affect my career going forward" said Kate.
"What the hell does that mean anyway" said Sara.
"They decided to keep this off my record…. No black mark Sar" said Kate and a massive smile broke out on her face.
Sara ran into Kate's arms squealing.
"This is awesome" yelled Sara. Kate picked her up and swirled her around. She put her back down and kissed her passionately
Amelia came crawling up to her parents and pulled herself up against their legs. She tugged on their pants.
"Heeeeey poppit…. You want in on the love?" said Kate and picked her girl up and kissed her on the cheeks a few times.
A/N: Hey guys. What's up with the drop in reviews? Anybody out there? Pop me some feedback please? What do you like? What don't you like? What do you want to happen next?