About a week later the girls were all in normal rooms and doing great. They were all in the living room area of Tegan's room. Tegan's leg brace was gone.
"So… they think we should sue?" asked Sara after Tegan repeated the discussion she had earlier with their management and lawyers.
"Yeah… I… I don't know. I really just want this whole thing behind me you know. I don't want to spend weeks in court reliving it" said Kate.
"But Joan said we may not even be called to court? Maybe they'll settle?" asked Sara.
"Uh huh. Anyway… fact remains that their plane crashed. We all almost died. Some people did die! I still don't know if my arm is going to be okay to play guitar. We've been out of action for almost two months and we will be for another few. We have a shitload of medical bills and emotional trauma. We don't know how these injuries may still affect us years from now. Kate may have problems doing what she does for a living"
Kate interrupted fast. "I'll be fine"
"We hope so yes… we don't know that. You could… we all could have residual problems years from now" said Tegan.
Kate looked shaken up.
"You have malpractice insurance right? In case something – god forbid – goes wrong with a patient?" Tegan asked.
"I do" said Kate.
"Well so do they. They're insured against this. We can use this to make a difference somewhere guys. A new peads wing to the hospital? An LGBT teen shelter? " said Tegan.
"Do it. But I want some of the money to go to the families of the three people who died" said Sara.
"They already received a substantial payout but okay" said Tegan.
"Alright… go ahead" said Kate.
"Fuck them… we're suing" said Tegan, tears welling up in her eyes.
-0-
"Ladies, how are we doing today?" said Sax walking into the room a few minutes later.
"Great! Can't complain. Ready to go home" came the replies.
"Well I think we've had about enough of you lot" said Sax and winked. "I just got your last test results back and I think you're all about ready to go home. Tomorrow"
"On my birthday!" Kate grinned.
"Oh I didn't even notice tomorrow is the 9th of December. Well great, that means I don't have to buy another birthday gift" Sax laughed.
"Yeah right!" said Kate rolling her eyes.
"Yes! Thank you!" said Tegan starting to get up.
"Take it easy! Some ground rules here. You're going home but I want you to rest. As in stay on the couch or in bed most of the time. I'll have a nurse come by twice a day to check on you all. I'll stop by too when I can. Somebody will come talk to you shortly about follow up appointments. Both those casts will probably be ready to come off in a week or so but that doesn't mean you're even close to 100%. Physical therapy will continue of course. It's important you stick to it please, you too Kate. I want you to call me or one of the other doctors on your case if you're concerned about anything. Anything at all. Kate, you're a patient not a doctor now alright. Please, rather be safe than sorry. One of the residents will go through the rest of your discharge orders with you and get your prescription medication to you. Full compliance with that please, it's for your own good. Oh and ladies… if I find out you've been pushing it and not following instructions I'll have you back in here so fast your head will spin. I trust you" said Sax seriously.
"Deal" said Kate, she still looked slightly pale and struggled to walk fast but she looked about a million times better.
"I've spoken to your parents Kate. They'll be staying with you and Sara for a while to take care of you and the kiddo. Apparently she's a handful. Tegan, you've got Lindsey and your mom, Erin also said that she and Alex will help out as much as possible with all of you. I can arrange for a stay in nurse for all of you if you want?"
"No, we'll be fine. I mean, if we struggle we can always arrange one later" said Kate.
"Alright, remember to eat please. The nurse will give you a suggested diet and make sure your caregivers have it too. Remember that you're still very weak and you need rest alright."
"Whatever you say boss" said Tegan grinning.
"Alright, all your drains and central lines have already been removed so it's just your IVs that needs to come out. I'm going to recommend an immune boosting IV every second day so if you want to leave the PIC lines in. Probably would be best to minimise further trauma to the veins"
"We did it" said Sara softly.
"We sure did" Tegan smiled.
-0-
The next day Sara woke up and turned her head to Kate in the bed next to her. Kate was lying on her side staring at her.
"Morning baby, happy birthday" Sara smiled.
"Morning sweetheart, thank you" said Kate.
Sara took Kate's hands in hers. "I'm so incredibly grateful that you get to celebrate this birthday" said Sara.
Kate took Sara's hands and kissed her knuckles.
"Me too… almost didn't get to huh" Kate smiled.
"Let's not even think about that" said Sara.
"I'm so happy to be alive today" Kate smiled.
Sara leaned over to the night stand and picked up a box. She handed it to Kate. "You can read the letter later when you're alone" Sara smiled.
"Let's get you upright so you can open your gifts!" said Sara and pressed the button on the bed to raise the back.
"Wow, you look so fucking cute with your hair standing in all directions" Sara gushed.
"You're too kind, I know I look like shit" Kate laughed.
"I'm so in love with you" said Sara and leaned over to kiss Kate softly.
"Well… Open it" she said excitedly after the kiss.
Kate tore open the wrapping paoer and found the exquisite TAG watch she's been eyeing for ages.
"I love it! How did you get this while you were in here?"
"I have my own secret personal shoppers you know" Sara winked.
"It's gorgeous" Kate smiled.
"There's something else" said Sara.
Kate took out an envelope and pulled out a piece of paper. "Oh wow! Open tickets to Paris with accommodation in the best hotel in the city!"
"When we were there on tour you said you really wanted to spend some time with me there. I want to spend some time with you there too. We deserve a bit of a break after this. Problem is I don't know how we'll fly without being sedated" said Sara rolling her eyes.
"Baby I don't care if we go to the desert… I just want to spend time with you"
"Maybe we'll swop it for Mexico and drive down" said Sara.
"Or maybe… we're going to work through this and be fine" said Kate.
"Maybe" Sara smiled.
The next moment Tegan came thundering into the room pushing her IV stand and started singing Happy Birthday. She plonked down a see through plastic bag with about 10 containers of hospital jello in and handed Kate three shiny helium balloons from the gift shop. One was get well soon, one a heart and one "it's a girl". The bag was closed with a bow made of a bandage.
Kate burst out laughing. "Happy birthday bud, sorry I haven't had much time to go shopping" Tegan laughed.
"No, this is perfect" Kate laughed.
"It took a lot of ingenuity to get all these you know"
"I'm sure it did"
"We'll have a big celebration once we're on our feet again. Promise" said Tegan.
"What a great day, the day you were born" Sara smiled. Her heart felt as if it was going to burst, she was so completely in love with Kate.
"Oh by the way Sar. Just got an email from the Juno's. They said they've sent new awards over to Tom's office since ours got fucked in the plane" said Tegan.
"That's really nice of them" Sara smiled.
"Oh and apparently you're kind of fond of this" said Tegan and put Kate's stethoscope, the engraved one Sara gave her down on the table in front of Kate.
"Gosh… I thought it was lost forever" said Kate suddenly tearing up. She smoothed her fingers over the stethoscope that meant so much to her. When she felt overwhelmed, lost, sad or even happy at work just touching it reminded her of Sara and of home.
"How'd you…. Where?"
"They sent everything that was found on me back to LA in a bag. I thought it was just bloody clothing and stuff. I didn't want to at first but eventually I opened it. Guess I just wanted some closure or something. I found the stethoscope in my jeans back pocket. Must have shoved it in there when I was playing doctor" Tegan smiled.
"This is the best gift Tegan" said Kate.
"I cleaned it up nicely for you with the help of one of the nurses, was kind of…. well… bloody. Hope it still works" said Tegan.
Kate put the stethoscope in her ears and put it against Tegan's chest.
"Clear as a bell" she said.
"I thought I told you you're not a doctor right now Kate" Sax laughed walking into the room.
"I uh…"
"Don't worry, Tegan told me. Glad you got it back, I know it means a lot to you. Happy birthday champ" said Sax ruffling Kate's hair even more.
A nurse came in pushing a tray covered with a sterile drape.
"Not now Sax… come on" said Kate fully expecting a blood draw or something else.
"You mean you don't want the cake I personally baked… ok who am I kidding… bought for you?" said Sax lifting the drape and revealing some amazing looking gourmet cupcakes.
"Cake for breakfast, count me in" said Tegan rubbing her hands.
"After breakfast please, I don't want your blood sugar spiking and then crashing"
"Yes mom" said Tegan.
"I'm really happy you made this birthday Dr Morgan" said Sax softly.
"Thanks Sax, for everything" Kate smiled.
-0-
A couple of hours later, Tegan, Sara and Kate were in Lindsey's SUV after leaving the hospital through the basement. They sent out a statement but decided not to talk to the press. They were all exhausted, physically and emotionally and really just wanted to get home. They had scores of security in front and behind them.
Lindsey put her hand on Tegan's thigh and squeezed it. "I'm proud of you" she whispered.
Tegan just smiled, her insides melting.
"I vote for pizza when we get home babe" said Kate.
"I vote for pizza and ice cream, it's your birthday after all" Sara laughed.
"I love you" Kate whispered into Sara's ear.
"I adore you" Sara whispered back.
Usually Tegan would tease them but she just put her head back, closed her eyes and smiled.
Suddenly Lindsey slammed on the breaks when the SUV in front of her did.
"Ah" Tegan yelled as the seatbelt caught her shoulder.
"Baby are you okay?" Lindsey asked quickly and inspected Tegan.
"Yeah, just pulled my arm a bit"
"Sara, Kate are you okay?" asked Lindsey frantically.
"Yeah" Sara said checking out Kate.
"I'm fine babe" said Kate but rubbed her neck.
Security was suddenly all around the car. A media van had apparently cut them off and a crew was now trying to get footage of the twins inside the car. No car could move and a huge fight went on outside between the reporter and security.
"Fuck this" said Tegan a minute later. She moved to open her door.
"NO Tegan! Don't… you want to reward this assholic behaviour by showing yourself?" said Sara.
Tegan put her hands over her ears and hunched over rocking. The fighting outside obviously upset her tremendously.
"Baby, its okay, just breathe" said Lindsey rubbing Tegan's back up and down.
"This is upsetting them a lot Beth" said Lindsey after she rolled down the window down to talk to her.
"I know, let's go. They're keeping them back. I expect a few more at both the houses. Reinforcements are on the way there now. Give me a few minutes to clear this up" said Beth.
Tegan took a deep puff from her inhaler. She suddenly felt the need for an anxiety tablet.
"Babe where's my meds… where's my meds" she mumbled.
"What meds sweetie?"
"My fucking anxiety meds Linds" said Tegan breathing fast and looking petrified.
"Tegan it's okay, just take deep breaths" said Sara as Lindsey fished around in her bag.
"Tegan look at me" said Lindsey calmly.
Tegan was almost hyperventilating now.
"It's okay, they're sorting this out. I love you" said Lindsey softly and took Tegan in her arms. Tegan was shaking but seemingly calming down. A minute later Lindsey handed Tegan a tablet. Tegan dry swallowed it and put her head back against the headrest trying to calm her breathing.
Kate looked positively spooked. She was pale.
"You okay?" asked Sara. She was scared that Kate may be hurt again.
"Uh huh" Kate grunted.
"Kate are you hurt? Baby talk to me!" said Sara suddenly in a tizz.
"I'm okay… I'm fine" said Kate snapping out of it.
Beth knocked on the window. "We need to get them home, now!" Lindsey snapped after rolling the window down.
"We're good to go. We're behind and in front of you. We've got you" said Beth and patted the roof of the car.
"Tegan, are you okay?" Lindsey asked softly.
"Yes! Just go alright. I'm fine, just go!" Tegan snapped.
Wordlessly Lindsey pulled away and followed the security guards.
"I'm sorry" Tegan said softly a minute later and put her hand on Lindsey's thigh.
"It's okay baby" said Lindsey and smiled at Tegan. She gently put her hand on Tegan's.
Tegan didn't know what she ever did to deserve her wife. So compassionate, so gentle and caring, so patient with her. She blinked away some tears staring out of the window.
-0-
"There they are! Welcome home and happy birthday my baby girl!" said Kate's mom when the SUV stopped in front of Sara and Kate's house.
"Thanks Mom" said Kate looking a bit pale. Her mom encircled her shoulders and gave her a big kiss right on the mouth.
Alex and her father were helping Sara out of the car before welcoming Kate and wishing her a happy birthday.
"Let's get you inside and into bed, you look tired" said her mom.
"Okay" said Kate. It bothered her mom a bit that Kate didn't put up a fight to hang out with them first. Truth was that Kate was exhausted and felt positively shaky.
"Daddy will check you guys over as soon as you're settled" said her mom.
"Alright, come baby. You okay?" Kate smiled at Sara following her on her crutches.
"Yeah just slow, you go ahead sweetheart" said Sara.
"We're off, bye guys. Talk to you soon alright. Enjoy the rest of your birthday" said Tegan.
"Okay Tee. Take care of yourself. Call if you need anything. Dad will be around" said Kate.
"I will, love you guys"
"Love you too" said Sara and Kate together.
-0-
"Hey honey. How are you feeling?" asked Sonia when Tegan got out of the car.
"Alright, a bit tired" smiled Tegan.
"Let's get you to bed. The kids just went down for their nap"
Tegan nodded looking a bit pale.
"It's good to be home" said Tegan softly after stopping just inside the front door. She was surprised how exhausted she was from the events of the morning. She headed slowly down the hallway to the bedroom, stopping briefly to check in on the kids.
When she reached the bedroom she smiled when she saw that the bed had been turned down for her. She sat down on the edge feeling a feint wave of nausea.
"Just relax, let me get your shoes" Lindsey smiled. She gently took off Tegan's shoes and helped her out of her shirt and then her pants. She gently pulled a T-shirt on Tegan.
"Okay baby, lie back" she said after fluffing some pillows. Tegan did as instructed. "Thank you" she whispered.
"There we go, let's get you warm and comfy. I'm going to get you a cup of tea. Be right back alright?" said Lindsey after putting Tegan's injured arm on a pillow.
"Thanks baby, you're amazing" Tegan smiled.
-0-
"How is she?" asked Sonia already pouring Tegan's tea.
"She's weak, tired, but I think she's okay" said Lindsey.
"She needs rest. Let her have as much as possible" said Sonia.
"I will, let me get her tea to her"
When Lindsey walked back into the room Tegan was already asleep. Lindsey gently covered her and kissed her forehead before closing the curtains to darken the room. She lay down on Tegan's right side and put her head on Tegan's chest. The strong, even heartbeat under her cheek make her tears well up instantly. She suddenly realised again how close she came to losing her.
"Hey" Tegan whispered after waking up a second later.
"Sorry honey, I didn't mean to wake you"
"It's okay, just… nodded off for a few minutes"
"Go to sleep sweetie, you're so tired"
"I love you so much" said Tegan and squeezed Lindsey with her healthy but weak arm.
"Me too my love" Lindsey whispered.
A/N: Yay! They're home! Remember to pop me a note via review please!