Chapter 58


"Ok, Ibuprofen for the broken bones, sleeping pills for sleep and antidepressants for super angry pains." Doc said as she placed the three orange pill containers into Larrin's bag that Wolf was holding out for her.

"Super angry pains?" Wolf asked skeptically as he didn't feel that what Doc said sounded very 'doctor' like.

Larrin was sitting on the bed changed into soft cotton pants that looked like pajama pants though he was assured they were not and a loose tank top with a 3/4 sleeve cardigan. Her arm was in a fresh cast, her skin was pale only marred slightly by the bruises that hadn't disappeared yet. She was slightly withdrawn from the conversation as she looked down at her arm. Wolf wondered if she was ok but decided not to ask as he already had and she'd done the usual 'fine'. 'Fine' usually meant she either didn't want to talk about it or that she was fine. So it was just best to leave it.

"Do you have 6 years of medical education and training?" Doc asked him in a mocking tone, she folded her arms and looked at him waiting for him to have a go at her.

"It doesn't sound legitimate diagnosis." Wolf argued with a smile; baiting her. She was adorable when she got snarky, today she was in fine form, he was tempted to comment on her wardrobe as she only seemed to have two types of outfits. One was scrubs and a lab coat or a lab coat with BDU pants and T-shirt.

"Well, we don't have large quantities of Oxycontin or Codeine. So Antidepressants are the next best thing. Questions?" Doc asked looking to both Larrin and Wolf.

"Super angry pains, what do they look and feel like?" Wolf asked Doc.

"Well they tend to make a person hypersensitive and grimace a lot, for the individual it's when their body constantly thrums with pain due to trauma to their body as it heals. Kind of like that face." Doc said pointing at Larrin who was not looking too great but then her meds had worn off. Doc knew what it was like. She knew Larrin felt every ache and sore bruise left on her body. Though in fairness the bruises were all nearly gone. But days of laying in bed with little exercise hadn't helped her muscles or body in general. Nor did the stress of the trauma and memory loss. "And it feels kind of like this." Doc said as she punched Wolf in the arm; hard on the nerve deadening the muscle.

"Ow." he told her darkly as he lost grip on the bag and let it drop to the floor to rub his arm.

"Except that throbbing is continuous for hours instead of minutes. The pain level will vary but I'm sure you get the picture" Doc told him with a snarky smile. She only punched him for amusement sake and to hope Larrin would smile. It hadn't worked in making Larrin smile but it did make Doc feel good.

"Did you have to hit me?" Wolf asked Doc incredulously as he made a mental note to not piss her off.

"Yes, how would you know if you didn't have first hand experience?" Doc asked him with a smile. She honestly didn't get Wolf, he was all flirty but acted as a friend and it was frustrating as she had no clue what she was doing. Damn, she was not going to make an idiot of herself by making a move to be rejected and cut off from being allowed in Tex's house. The place was sweet, the sofa was comfy, dog was friendly and there was food prepared by people who actually cared about what they ate.

"Will you kiss it better now?" Wolf asked Doc but before she could answer Larrin spoke up.

"Should I just go and leave you two alone?" Larrin asked them in a tired voice. She looked at them hoping they'd get whatever was in their systems out with her not in the room. That and she wanted them to hurry up so she could get to Tex's house and see where she would living.

"No to both of those questions. Now you two get out of here, and take your pills with food." Doc said giving more advice.

"You're not coming with us?" Wolf asked Doc.

"I'm here until 6pm. So get out of here. I'll see you both at dinner." Doc told them.


Kara blew out a breath and called her mother for the 14th time in the last few days. So far all she kept getting was her voice mail. She left messages and was worried about her. She'd even organised to fly up to Norfolk tomorrow to check in. She felt bad for not doing it sooner but so much had happened and part of her was avoiding it. She wanted to hold onto the hope that Sober Debbie was still in power but the fact her mother hadn't picked up the phone or returned her call said that Drunk Debbie was back and probably in full swing. The thought equally stressed and depressed her at the same time.

"Hello?" Her mother said as she finally answered the phone.

"Mom?" Kara asked in disbelief as she finally got her on the phone.

"Kara, is that you?" Debbie asked her in a hushed tone.

"Yes, it is. How are you?" Kara asked, a smile forming on her lips as she really missed her mother and wanted desperately for her to come to St Louis to be with them. To support Kara through her pregnancy and be excited about the Baby's arrival together.

"Oh, I'm just great. Real great." Debbie slurred, the slurred words made the smile slip from Kara's face, disappointment and resignation sank deep into her bones. Exhaustion rolled over her as she didn't want this, she wanted Sober Debbie. The woman she'd seen when she first returned to Norfolk after the Pandemic struck.

"Mom are you ok? Like really ok?" Kara asked her, hoping maybe if she knew the cause then she could fix it and by fixing it then Debbie would try for sobriety again.

"Of course I am, when am I not fine? Tell me when are you coming home?" Debbie asked her.

"Mom, I have a house here in St Louis. The crew are giving it us as a wedding present." Kara said trying to bring some joy into the conversation.

"Wedding? You're getting married without telling me? What am I? Am I so forgettable?" Debbie slurred in a bitter tone. Completely dragging Kara down with her. This was Drunk Debbie, she was selfish and the world was out to make her miserable and if Kara wasn't with her then she was against her.

"No, I've been trying to call you to let you know and to organise a flight for you to over here." Kara said.

"Oh, so you want me in your life now? How rich given you couldn't run away fast enough from me to your precious Navy. But look at you, no better than me. Pregnant and you think a wedding will make you a family, well you're wrong. You'll throw away your life, your dreams- all for nothing and end up divorced with a kid, no man will want you." Debbie informed her, Kara closed her eyes and reminded herself that her mother was just lashing out at her because she was an easy target. But even so it didn't make it easy to listen to and the words hurt.

"Mom what's wrong?" Kara asked her head was spinning from the whiplash of dealing with Drunk Debbie. She normally had thicker skin from years of dealing with her mother like this. But today every harsh word scored deeply.

"Peter left me." she said in barely a whisper. "It was for the best, I didn't deserve him or you. But it proves how worthless we Foster women are. We're nothing, men get bored and they go. They go, Danny will leave you in the dust for his job." she told her.

"That's not true and I'm so sorry that you're upset but I'd really like you to come to St Louis." Kara said, she didn't know why she was inviting her mother given what she was saying but Danny was listening to what Kara was saying and part of her wanted to keep him in the dark about her mother's drinking problem. He knew that Debbie was an alcoholic-well recovering alcoholic who flitted from man to man. But he'd never experienced Drunk Debbie and Kara hoped she would stay in Norfolk and her sober mother would join them.

"I'm sorry sweetie, but I can't. I can't watch you throw your life away. I certainly watch you fall into the stupidity of love only to have to pick you up when he leaves. Men leave Kara, it's life, it's what we deserve." Debbie said, she hung up before Kara could say another word. Tears filled Kara's eyes as it was not how she wanted the conversation to go. Why couldn't her mother have stayed sober for her; just once have it stick.

"Everything ok?" Danny asked from the lounge where he was stretched out resting his leg. He hadn't heard the conversation but he knew Kara, he knew her posture that spoke volumes. She was upset and fragile, it was the same posture she held for a week when he'd been a total dick after the mission in GITMO that he botched but blamed her for. The days she avoided him because he told her to.

"My Mom is drinking again." Kara said placing the phone on the table, she took a deep breath and blinked away the tears forcing her emotions deep down inside her and shutting them into a box before she turned to Danny. "She's also not coming." Kara told him, she hated how her voice sounded rough and quivered slightly as she couldn't stuff everything she felt in that moment away.

"You still want to go to Norfolk?" Danny asked her, she wanted to lay down with him and just cry but that wasn't the woman she was. She was the kind that kept moving forward, wallowing was for late night in the dark.

"No, I know when she's like this there's no way of reaching her. She'll just wallow and drag down the spirit of the day. So I'm going to call and get back on duty." Kara said, picking up the phone deciding it was best to just work until she got past the disappointment of her mother.

"Ok." Danny said not arguing with her, he knew that Kara and her mother's relationship was complicated and there was a lot of pain on both sides. But right now he wanted Kara to be happy and if she needed to work through it, then he'd let her. But he was definitely taking the flight to Norfolk. He knew it wasn't a smart move to meddle but he needed to know more about the mother of the woman he loved.


"It's busy." Larrin observed as Wolf pulled the car up to the curb. The house next door presumably Kara and Danny's was a flurry with people and noise of construction. Memories flitted through her mind as she could picture the interiors of the houses, she remembered Miller and her walking through Kara's home before the renovations. She remembered Kat, who Tex helped put a name to a description.

She might not remember Kat's name but she remembered the girl and the conversations they had. She remembered being envious of Tex and Kat's relationship as Tex was a good father. He truly cared about Kat and was doing his best to be there for her.

"Yeah, this is normal. Come on, let's get you inside. I'll make you a sandwich so you can take your meds." Wolf said, he got out of the car and came around to her side and opened the door for her. Larrin got out of the car with his assistance, her muscles aching terribly as she really missed the IV of the stronger pain meds. She had to admit she felt the meds were a slippery slope for her, they helped her forget the bad memories and took away the pain, they eased stress but she couldn't be dependant on them. Taylor men and women were not the type of people to lean on such 'crutches', no they just went insane and disappeared into the scrub... Larrin thought to herself wryly.

She followed Wolf up the front steps of Tex's house. The front door was wide open, a large German Shepherd dog barked happily and a second later streaked down the stairs towards them. Larrin stepped back cautious which made the dog stop, he looked familiar to her but she couldn't remember his name. He looked at her and danced a little on his feet as if waiting for some kind of signal from her, his tail wagging happily.

"Admiral Halsey. He's safe." Wolf prompted her, Larrin knelt down to the ground and held out her hand, Halsey moved towards her slowly and sniffed the hand she held out and gave it a lick before he pushed his head against it. She smiled as she scratched him behind the ear. The dog, moved closer and laid down letting her rub his back. She smiled enjoying the soft texture of his fur and at how calm he was in not jumping all over her. It was soothing to not feel like she was on the defensive.

"You'll spoil him."

Larrin looked up the blonde guy on crutches. He looked like he was a Tommy Hilfiger model taking a holiday from modelling and grew some scruff. Too pretty, was all she thought when he smiled at her.

"Lt Danny Green," Wolf said to her.

"You don't have to name everyone for me." Larrin assured him though she was glad as names were a real problem for her. But now she realised that Blondie was Kara's future husband, which made her think their baby was going to be ridiculously cute.

"Well, hello." A woman said as she came out to stand beside Danny. Larrin knew she had to be Miller's mother as she was apparently the only female redhead in the house. "I'm Barbara Miller, Eric's mother." She said introducing herself as she came down the stairs to Larrin, rose to her feet and shook Barbara's hand.

"Please to meet you. I'm assuming we haven't met." Larrin said to her, she knew should be nervous meeting Miller's mother but right now she was tired and only cared for a bed. She also knew from experience that her first impressions weren't the best and Miller was her only son so she figured the woman would not like her on sight so there was no winning either way. At least she was friendly.

"No, we haven't but I've heard wonderful things about you from everyone and very sorry to hear what happened to you." Barbara told her, pity filled her eyes rankling Larrin's nerve endings as she didn't like being looked at like some chewed up pathetic toy.

"Me too." Larrin said, not sure what the correct response should be. 'Thank you' didn't seem adequate and now she just felt awkward and in need of some sleep and pain meds. "Maybe we can all go inside, I could really use a sit down and some food." Larrin added moving the conversation along.

"Oh of course, best time before the crowds come in from next door for their lunch." Barbara said, ushering them into the house.

"I'll get you some food. You want something to drink?" Wolf asked Larrin.

"Cold beer." Larrin said as she moved to the table and sat down, Halsey sat down on the floor beside her chair and placed his head on her leg. She frowned as she really couldn't remember him being such an attentive dog.

"I'll take one too." Danny said as he moved to table and sat down a couple of seats away. Wolf came back with a glass of orange juice instead of a beer for Larrin while leaving Danny with nothing. "Where's mine?" Danny asked.

"In the fridge, you got legs." Wolf told him with a smile as went to making Larrin a sandwich. Not that she wanted one but he'd make her eat it and take her meds.

"Why does Larrin get special treatment? I was shot," Danny said in good humour as he gestured to his leg.

"Because I had to live with him for over a decade." Larrin told Danny.

"Fair call." Danny said, which made Larrin smile and Wolf look at his friend darkly even though he too was amused at Danny's acceptance. "So, I'm heading to Norfolk tomorrow for half the day. You want in?" Danny asked Wolf.

"I-" Wolf was about to tell Danny 'No' but saw the man's expression. It was a mask of casual amusement but Wolf knew better, Danny needed back up and he was probably the only one who could back him up as he didn't have anything tying him down except Larrin. But then Larrin had a large circle of people to take care of her. "As long as Larrin doesn't mind." he said.

"Go, I'll just be laying around here." Larrin said, Wolf gave a nod to Danny. His signal that he'd go with him, he saw relief filter through Danny's expression for just a second before he put on a mask to keep the conversation light.

"No you won't. You'll be helping with next door." Barbara told her, Larrin narrowed her eyes at the older woman not sure how to respond as she felt angry at the connotation that she was being lazy and selfish for not offering to help. It already ate at her enough to feel dependant on others and so far from home. She just wasn't ready to jump back into action yet.

"Ms Miller, it's not necessary. Commander Garnett has got it under control with our crew on hand." Danny said, he felt that if anyone in the room deserved some downtime it was Larrin. That and the house was down to it's bare bones and painted leaving a semi blank canvas for Kara and he to get in and make it their own. The baby room was the only room complete and perfect. It was enough for them all. Luckily Barbara took a hint pretty quick even though she didn't like it, she kept quiet as she moved around the kitchen getting lunch ready for the others.

Danny looked to Larrin seeing her expression well, "Larrin, right now just rest up. I know Kat's looking forward to you being around. She's not doing well with science and could use a hand with her homework." Danny lied as he had no clue but he figured the lie would work for the moment. "Kara needs us all to try the menu tonight and pick a cake for the wedding. So I think that's more than enough for us injured folk." he aid with a smile.

"Right." Larrin said with a tight smile.