Chapter 264

Lindsey finally nodded off in a recliner next to Tegan's bed after calling Erin to check on the kids and give her an update. She slept fitfully, nightmares wrecking her unconscious. She woke up feeling physically sick. Her eyes immediately darted to the monitors above Tegan's bed. The heart monitor beeped rhythmically, soothing her frazzled nerves.

"Hey Linds, they're all still stable. Why don't you go grab a shower and something to eat. I'll call you immediately if there's change" said Sonia.

"I do feel kind of…. grubby and I guess I should eat, even though I don't have an appetite" said Lindsey. She got up and felt lightheaded. She steadied herself against the bed and softly kissed Tegan's forehead.

"I'll be back soon baby. You're doing so great, hang in there okay… you're going to be fine" Lindsey whispered.

-0-

Cameron stood on a large veranda overlooking the city below. She hadn't slept much before her shift stared. This was her favourite spot at the hospital and she often took a coffee break there after delivering a patient. She knew she probably needed to get going but something kept her there. Chris was no doubt chatting up some nurses in the ER and would welcome the extra down time. The rig was stocked and they didn't have anywhere they needed to be at that moment. She double checked that the radio on her belt was on.

Lindsey left the ICU and pulled the gown and booties off. She headed for the doors, just needing a bit of fresh air. The smell of hospital always left a faint nauseous feeling in her stomach. The hospital wasn't huge and she found a veranda pretty fast. She pushed the door open and sucked in the cool late afternoon air. She put her hands on knees and started sobbing.

Cameron saw Lindsey break down and her heart dropped to her stomach. Something happened….

Lindsey felt a hand on her back. "Lindsey… are you okay?"

Lindsey straightened fast and wiped her eyes, embarrassed.

"I'm sorry… didn't know anybody was out here"

"No problem… is everything okay? Are the girls okay?"

"Yeah… they're stable" Lindsey sighed.

"Oh thank god" said Cam looking relieved.

"I just needed some fresh air and… a cry as it turned out… as if I haven't done enough of that"

Cameron smiled kindly. "Sit down, I'll go grab you a coffee and something to eat while you go ahead and cry it out"

"That's okay. You should get home, you look exhausted"

"I'm on duty. We just dropped off a patient. My partner's downstairs filling out the paperwork. I just wanted to get out of the madness downstairs for a few minutes. Anyway, let me run to the cafeteria real quick"

"Thank you" said Lindsey sincerely.

"Pleasure, do you want anything specific?"

"Anything really, as long as it includes coffee" Lindsey smiled. She patted her pockets and pulled out a twenty.

"No no… it's on me" said Cameron and jogged away before Lindsey could protest.

Lindsey looked at her. Her ruffled look and her beauty intrigued her. It felt as if somebody sent them an angel to look after them. She was fascinated by this girl that went from complete stranger to friend in a couple of hours.

Lindsey sat in the cool air staring out into nothing. A few minutes later Cameron returned with a cup of steaming coffee and some kind of wrap.

"Thank you, you're a godsend" Lindsey smiled.

"Pleasure. What did the docs say? They going to be okay? Or… sorry, I'm intruding" said Cameron blushing.

"Not at all. They're positive that Tegan won't have any permanent nerve damage. She's stable but she's still on the vent, probably will be for a while. Her lungs took quite a beating, heart's a bit stronger now. Kate's doing okay, I think her condition is still very serious but she's hanging in there. They woke Sara up this morning and extubated her. She was very confused and agitated…. Scared. They sedated her again" said Lindsey.

"That's really good news" said Cameron.

"They're just all so… fragile right now. I just hope they hang on… they're all fighting very hard" said Lindsey.

"They'll be okay… they're all so strong"

"I really hope you're right… I can't lose her… she's everything to me" said Lindsey.

"You're not going to lose her. She's going to be alright" said Cameron with all the conviction she could muster.

"We have two little ones… twins… a boy and a girl... they turned two a couple of months ago. They adore her. We need her… I love her… God she needs to hang on" said Lindsey.

"I've seen photos of them online. They're really cute" Cameron smiled.

"You a fan? I sometimes forget that our private lives are… well… uhh" said Lindsey looking up suspiciously.

"Is there a lesbian on the face of the earth that don't know who they are? I'm not one of those girls that sleep in front of the venue or anything… no. But I like their music and I like what they stand for. What they mean to the lesbian community. Perfect show to take a girl on a date" Cameron smiled. Lindsey snorted.

"Is there anything I can do for you guys? Anything whatsoever?" asked Cameron.

"You've done so much already, I'm so grateful to you"

"Really, it's nothing" said Cam shyly. "I should get going I guess. Save some poor nurses downstairs from Chris' romantic advances" said Cameron standing up.

"Thanks again… if you give me your number I can send you updates?"

"That will be great" said Cam and gave Lindsey her number.

"Cameron… I probably don't have to ask this but… if you could please keep…"

"Keep it private? I understand completely. And yes, I take my patients' privacy… former and current very seriously" said Cam.

"Thank you" said Lindsey sincerely.

"I'm moving to LA in a couple of weeks. Well actually, I'm moving back there. I was just here for a year of special ops training. Maybe I'll see you guys around"

"You're definitely coming to dinner when we get back home. We owe you… we owe you Tegan's life"

"No you don't… but thanks, maybe I'll take you up on that" smiled Cameron.

"Take care Cameron. I don't want to see you in here too" said Lindsey.

"I will… keep believing okay" Cameron smiled and disappeared through the door, her radio crackling on her belt.