CHAPTER 20
The minute visiting hours began at the hospital, Caitlin was there hoping for some good news and assurance. Last night was too fresh in her mind, too real. No, maybe he wasn't going to kiss her, tell her that he loved her, or even die right before her, but it sure felt like that had already happened, and she didn't think she could handle it if it really did.
Reassurance, she told herself, all she needed was to see him living and breathing, a little something to tell her it'd be alright, then they would both be okay.
With a quick stride, she made her way to the front desk, but no nurse was in sight.
"Don't disappear now," Caitlin muttered aloud, concern beginning to make itself visible again as she frantically peered around the corner in search of someone.
"Caitlin," a voice from behind her called. "Cait," Lexa said, laying a comforting hand on her shoulder. "He's in room 212."
"String, he's in 212?" Caitlin checked.
Lexa nodded, surprised by just how upset the slightly younger woman looked. The way she understood it, the two had only known each other for abut two years and there had never really been much of anything romantic between them. On the other hand, even she had wanted to make sure he was going to make it before disappearing again, and they weren't even all that fond of each other.
"I'll walk you there," she offered, directing her towards the elevator. "I didn't spend much time in there, and I never went back to finish my medical degree so I can't give you an official doctor's opinion, but I think he'll be alright. If Hawke is anything, it's determined, perseverant, and darn hard to kill off, not to mention a pretty good pilot. He was unconscious when they brought him in last night and they had to put him under for surgery, but he should be awake about any time if he's not already," she added as they came to a stop outside his door. "Well, I best be going."
"You could come in," Caitlin offered.
Lexa shook her head. "It'd be better if I didn't. Just tell him the docs said it looks like I'll live, so he might just have the misfortune of meeting me again sometime. Oh yeah, and I think I'm going to try flying again, so hopefully we don't meet in the air, especially with that crazy helicopter thing he's currently holding hostage from the FIRM."
"I'll tell him that," Caitlin agreed. "You sure you don't want to some in though, just for a minute?"
"Nah. I shouldn't. It'd be better to maintain my distance. With this line of work, I could be in LA for a while or by tonight I may be on a flight to Africa, and who knows if I'll ever be back or not; it's just better this way. Besides, we wouldn't won't him to think I cared too much, would we?"
"Alright then, thanks Lexa, and maybe we'll cross paths again some time."
"Miss O'Shaunessey?"
"Yes," the red head answered, startled by the sudden appearance of the doctor in front of her.
"Things are looking up and I think Mr. Hawke should pull through if we can keep him in bed long enough to get some rest. He's only been awake about ten minutes, and he's already tried escaping twice, evidently doesn't have much of a thing for hospitals; I think he would be glad to see you though."