Chapter 12: Fear

Dana sighed as she stood behind the counter at the hospital. She had a hand on her stomach and she let out a deep breath. "You okay?" Denise asked. Dana smiled.

"Yeah," she replied.

Denise smiled and patted her shoulder. She rubbed the back of her neck and she rubbed her stomach again. "Okay, baby, who do we have on the list today?" She asked. She giggled when the baby kicked. "Let's go see little Bridget shall we?" She asked. She walked down the hall towards one of her patient's room. "Knock, knock," she called.

"Come in," Bridget's mother answered.

Dana came in with a smile. "How are we feeling today?" She asked.

"I'm okay," Bridget replied.

Dana walked over. "Let me check your burns," she told her. Bridget nodded and Dana checked her burns.

"Dr. Mitchell, when is the baby due?" Bridget's mother asked.

Dana smiled. "In about three months," she replied. Dana jumped. "Bridget, put your hand on my stomach," she told the young girl. Bridget smiled and placed her hand on Dana's stomach. "Feel the baby kicking?" She asked.

"Uh huh," Bridget replied.

Dana smiled and she wrapped Bridget's arms back up. Usually the girl was crying, but with her being distracted, she was able to get it done faster. "There we go, Bridget, all done," she informed.

"Really?" Bridget asked.

"Yep, all done."

She smiled at the young girl before standing up. "I'll be back in a little while to check on her," she informed. Bridget's mother nodded and Dana left.

Dana sighed as she made her rounds. She sat down in her office and she looked at the picture of Carter and Megan. A smile came across her face and she looked at her engagement ring. She looked over when her phone rang. "Dr. Mitchell," she answered.

"Doctor, there's someone here to see you," the nurse answered.

"Send them in."

Dana looked over some paperwork and she looked up. Her eyes widened and her heart skipped a beat. "No…" she whispered. Dan stood there, in one of the jumpsuits, and his hands and legs cuffed. There was a guard holding his arm.

"Dr. Mitchell…" Dan started.

Dana stood up. "Could you leave us?" Dan asked. The guard let Dan's arm go and stood outside of Dana's office. Dana placed a protective hand on her stomach. "Dr. Mitchell, I have come here to apologize," he informed. Dana just froze, she had no idea what to do.

"For keeping me locked in a room? For threatening to kill me? For almost killing my brother? For making my life a living hell?" She asked.

Dana felt tears press against her eyes. "You called it a game, but it wasn't a game. You put my life, my child's life, my fiancé's life, and my brother's life all in danger!" She hissed.

"I'm sorry," he murmured.

A tear fell down Dana's face. "You almost killed me," she whispered.

"Ben almost killed you. I almost killed Ben for throwing you into the river," he answered.

"And then you shot Carter…"

"No, Ben shot Carter. Ben was the maniac, not me."

Dana just stared at him. "I make idle threats, doctor, I don't actually go through with them. Why do you think I had two men doing all the work, because I can't do it," he explained. Dana lowered her head and her shoulders shook. "I wanted to keep you safe. I had every intention of giving you back to Carter without any trouble," he assured her.

"But he tricked you, there was no money in the bag," she pointed out.

"Then I would've taken you back until I got the money."

Dana bit her lip. "But I wasn't going to hurt you," he assured her. Dana sighed and then Dan knocked on the door. "I'm sorry, doctor. I believe congratulations are in order, so congratulations. Have a nice life," he informed. The officer came in and he led Dan out of the hospital. Dana sat back in her chair and she rubbed her forehead.

"What a nightmare," she muttered.

She rubbed her stomach and sighed when her baby kicked. "Easy, sweetie," she murmured. Dana felt tears press against her eyes.

That night, Carter was playing with Megan when Dana came in. Her eyes were red and puffy. "Dana?" He asked. He set Megan back into her playpen and he stood up. "Dana, what is it?" He asked. Dana couldn't speak, she let out a sob and placed her hand over her face. Carter wrapped his arms around her and hugged her. "What happened?" He asked.

"He was there, they brought him into the hospital," she sobbed.
"Who?" He asked.

"Dan…"

Carter closed his eyes and he kissed her forehead. "You're okay," he whispered. Dana let out a heavy sigh and she buried her head into his chest. "You're okay," he repeated.