Chapter Nineteen
Over an hour later, Ray and Sam, who had gotten pulled into one of the traumas as soon as she finished talking to the police, trudged back into exam three. When they walked in the room, they were welcomed by an awake and very upset Abby.
"Is she going to be okay? Why isn't she awake?" Abby's mind was obviously still very fuzzy from the pain medication that she was on.
"Shh, honey. She's gunna be fine." Sam took her hand in hers. "Do you remember what happened?"
Abby shook her head.
"You don't remember seeing Tony?" Sam tried to refresh her memory.
"No, I-." Abby's eyes widened in a mix of fear and shock. "He- I couldn't-."
"Okay, okay." Sam soothed.
"I tried to fight him." Abby whispered. "He was too strong."
"He isn't going to hurt you again. The police have him." She explained. "Can you tell us what happened?"
"I went to get Neela. She was at a gas station in Armor Hills but he showered up as we were leaving. Neela wouldn't listen; she wouldn't stay in the car like I said. I don't remember exactly what happened but I do know I threw a gas can at him because he wouldn't leave Neela alone." Abby struggled with her words. "He's crazy."
"You're right about that." Ray stated.
"What?" Abby looked confused.
"Tony, he's crazy. He escaped from St. Luke's psych ward. He had been admitted for depression and apparently being bipolar." Ray explained.
"Wow… that's not what I was expecting at all." Abby was shocked.
"I know, I said the same thing when Kerry told us." Sam said. "But at least, now, we know you guys are safe from him."
"How long is she gunna be out?" Abby asked, laying back down on her side and snaking her hand through the bars to find Neela's.
"I wouldn't think much longer. I don't think Kerry gave her that big of a dose." Sam answered.
Abby didn't respond, she just closed her eyes.
"Abby?" Sam prompted. "Kerry isn't going to let you go home alone, you know that, right?"
"Yeah." She replied but didn't open her eyes.
"We're gunna need to decide where you're going to stay. I know you don't wanna leave Neela but neither does Ray."
"I know." Abby opened her eyes to find that Ray had left the room. "Sam, I know Ray didn't do anything but it's weird. It's not just him, it's Ben and Luka, too but I'm going to ignore it, work through it because I need to be there for Neela. I have the biggest apartment; I want you all to come stay there." She said.
"Are you sure, Abby?" Sam asked.
"Yes, the only way we're gunna get through this is if we're there for each other. Someone needs to be there for you and Ray, too. I know you weren't physically harmed but emotionally, you were." Abby responded.
"Still in charge, are you?" Kerry's voice interrupted as she walked through the door.
"Always." Abby said with a weak smile.
"How are you feeling?"
"Sore, tired."
"Understandable." Kerry nodded. "Sam fill you in on everything?"
"Yeah, how long am I gunna be stuck here?"
"Trust me, I won't make you stay any longer than I feel you need to."
"Are we going upstairs?" Abby asked.
"I don't know. They don't have many free beds and I doubt they'll be very willing to give them away." Kerry told her.
"But you guys can't afford to give up two beds either."
"We'll make it work."
"But-."
"Don't worry, Abby. Just rest, let someone else take care of you." Kerry cut her off as her pager went off. "I'll be back later."
Abby nodded. "Okay."
"You hungry? I can go get you something." Sam offered.
"What time is it?" Abby asked.
"Almost three."
"Why are you still here?" Abby was surprised it was so late… well, early.
"Abby!" Sam exclaimed with a laugh. "Don't change the subject. You have to eat."
"I don't think my stomach can handle anything solid right now."
"That's fine. I'll get something." Sam stood up and walked towards the door. "I'll be back."
Abby sighed and closed her eyes. "This sucks."
"Ahhhhhh!" Abby jumped a mile when she heard Neela scream from the bed next to her.
"Neela?" Abby looked over worriedly to see her best friend rolling around, kicking frantically. "Neela! C'mon, wake up, honey. You're having a nightmare." She tried to wake her up but being stuck in a separate bed, her efforts were useless. Trying to remain calm, Abby reached for the call button but the door slammed open before she had the chance.
"What's wrong?" An out-of-breath Kerry flew through the doorway, followed by a panicked-looking Ray.
"I think she's having a nightmare but I can't wake her up." Abby was on the verge of tears.
Ray took Neela's hand in his, placing his other gently on her stomach.
"Neela." He whispered. "Neela, it's okay. You're having a nightmare. Just wake up. It's okay."
Without warning, Neela sat straight up, screaming in pain.
"Shh… you're okay." Ray pulled her into his arms. "Come on, lay back down." Neela didn't move though; she just stayed in Ray's embrace, sobbing into his chest. "Shh… you're okay."
"Dr. Weaver?" Chuny whispered, walking into the room. "Neela's labs are back."
"Thanks, Chuny." Kerry took the folder from the nurse and walked out of the room.
"Neela?" Ray looked down at his girlfriend, whose cries had slowed down. "You okay?"
Neela sniffled and nodded. "What happened?"
"You don't remember?" Ray asked, helping her to lay back down.
"I remember… Abby, Abby coming to get me at the… gas station but it's all fuzzy after that." Neela replied quietly. "Where is Abby? Is she okay?"
"I'm right here, sweetie. I'm okay." Abby said.
"I'm sorry, Abby, I'm so sorry. This is all my fault." Neela whispered.
"No, it's not, Neela. Tony's crazy. No one could have predicted this would happen." Abby squeezed her hand. "It's okay."
"No, really, if I had just -."
"Neela!" Abby cut her off. "Tony's not right. He was in the hospital. He's crazy."
"What are you talking about?" Neela looked confused.
"Ray?" Abby prompted.
"After Luka suspended him, Tony…" Ray started retelling the story that Kerry had told him.
AN: I think there's only one more chapter after this one. It's kinda dying down. I didn't know Ben left. That's sad. I liked him.