Chapter 260

It felt like hours had passed. Sara and Kate both remained critical but stable. There hadn't been much news about Tegan except that they were still slowly rewarming her.

Sax and Craig walked into the ICU and everybody jumped up.

"Hi guys. Just wanted to update you. Tegan's heart has stabilized enough and she has been warmed enough to go to surgery" said Sax.

"Thank god" Lindsey whispered and let out a breath she'd been holding for half a minute.

"Surgery is still a risk in her condition but it needs to be done if we want to avoid permanent damage. Lindsey, we'll need you to sign the consent forms" said Sax and handed Lindsey a clip board with forms.

"I don't know… you said it's risky" said Lindsey.

"Lindsey… I believe that this is what we need to do. What would Tegan want?" asked Sax.

"Tegan would want to live" Lindsey snapped.

"Tegan would also want the use of her arm and hands" said Sonia.

"Is this surgery going to kill her?" asked Lindsey.

"I would never suggest it if I thought it was going to kill her Lindsey, but there are always risks, as with any other surgery"

"Sorry, I'm just so… petrified"

"I understand… but she's been stable for a couple of hours now and I'm sure she's turned a corner. She's ready for the surgery"

"Okay… but can I see her first? When will she wake up?"

"Of course. She's quite heavily sedated at the moment. We're hoping she'll wake up in the next couple of days somewhere"

"Will you be doing the surgery?"

"No, an orthopaedic surgeon will be doing the surgery. But I'll be there, in the OR to make sure she stays stable"

Lindsey sighed, unsure. She didn't know what the right decision was but she trusted Sax.

"Okay… do it" she said and signed the form.

Sax checked on Kate and Sara again.

"Everything seems stable. They'll page me immediately if there's change" said Sax.

"Are they at least… doing a bit better?" asked Alex.

"Sara's vitals are looking really good. Kate… well she's hanging in there. She's doing as well as can be expected" said Sax looking dejected.

"Can I see her now?" asked Lindsey looking tired and pale.

"Of course, come with me" said Sax.

-o-

"Tegan… hey baby. You look better. The doctors say you're doing good" said Lindsey softly stroking Tegan's hair.

Tegan did look a bit better. She didn't have the pale blue circles around her mouth and eyes anymore. Earlier Sax explained that they would be keeping her at a lower than normal temperature for about 24 hours. Lindsey wished she could just hold Tegan's hand but both were wrapped up with bandages. Tegan had a clip to her earlobe checking her pulse ox. Arterial lines were checking her other blood gasses and blood pressure. The ventilator was still breathing for her, her lips looked cracked and dry around the plastic tube.

"I love you so much. And the kids love you. We need you Tegan… we need you and we love you so much so you hang in there okay. Stay with us. You can do it, I know you can. I'm going to be right outside and I'll be right next to you when you wake up okay. I love you" said Lindsey and kissed Tegan's forehead just below the sutured cut.

"We need to take her to the OR now" said a resident softly touching Lindsey's shoulder.

"Yeah… okay. Can I walk with her?"

"Sure, until we get to the doors of the surgical suites"

Lindsey held her hand softly on Tegan's shoulder as they slowly pushed the bed, monitors and IV stands out to the elevator.

They allowed Lindsey in the elevator with Tegan.

"I'm here… it's okay. I love you" Lindsey whispered into her ear. She wiped some tears from her face just as the doors opened. Thirty seconds later they stopped in front of the OR doors. Sax walked up to them.

"We're going to take good care of her Lindsey. I know you probably won't be able to but I'm going to say it anyway. Get something to eat and try and get some rest. I'll update you as soon as I can" said Sax.

"Thank you… please… take good care of her"

"I plan to" Sax smiled to try and put Lindsey's mind at ease.

Sax rolled her shoulders before she started scrubbing. She knew that this was a difficult surgery under the circumstances. Tegan wasn't a hundred percent stable. Sax knew the risks but she was willing to take them. She knew Tegan would resent her forever if she had permanent damage and Sax didn't act in time.

"Dr Sinclair. You sure you want to scrub in? You've had a pretty hectic night" said the orthopaedic surgeon.

"I'm sure, anyway, I don't sleep much" said Sax, shook the water off her hands and started walking towards the OR doors.

"See you in there" she said.

A/N: You can do it Tegan!