And Now It's Over. But Maybe Not.
By: MusketeerAdventure02
Summary: Eve contemplates her past, present … and hopes for the future.
Eve hung up the phone at her bedside, and then snuggled down with what she assumed was a silly grin on her face. For some reason, she always got this way when talking to Aydan … awkward, flustered, and unsure of herself. She liked Aydan, was starting to feel more comfortable, they had a lot in common; and hopefully things would …
Exasperated with herself, she hugged her injured shoulder close. She was getting way, way ahead of herself. She wasn't even sure Aydan was feeling what she was feeling. Things between them were okay now, but …
Besides, in this moment their relationship was neither here nor there. She was just glad that Aydan was on her way to pick her up. Though her voice sounded a bit stressed and somewhat frantic over the phone, Eve tried her best to sound strong in order to tamp down on the worry. However, her assurances seemed to fall on deaf ears.
"What do you need? What should I bring? Should I talk to the doctor? How do you feel?" The list of questions brought on by concern and apprehension continued for a while.
But soon Aydan would be here and would see for herself. Everything was good.
And she couldn't get here soon enough. Because getting out of here was paramount and took precedence over everything.
She hated hospitals.
Her arm, elevated in the sling – she wiggled her fingers, and then pressed the tips hard. She was glad to see pink hues flush back at her.
Sending up a silent prayer of thanks, she knew how extremely lucky she was. That forced fall today could have broken some bones; caused permanent injury; left her disabled; ended her career … at worse taken her life. Not to mention – Gabriella would never get over it.
Sighing, she leaned her head back into the pillow and stared up at the florescent lights. The annoying buzz reminded her of angry bees and the artificial light was too bright … so she pressed her eyes shut hoping to plunge herself into soothing darkness.
Suddenly, the smell of disinfectant and sanitizer overwhelmed her … the powerful odor traveled down her throat and took residence in her lungs. Gagging, she coughed it up and grimaced. It was too clean in here.
Irrationally the sheets felt like sandpaper…coarse, with jagged edges. Abruptly she kicked them off and felt cool air sweep over her body. Breaking out in goosebumps she shivered and so wrapped herself back up again.
Her heart began to pound, so she reached for her chest and could feel her heart beating erratically in sync with flashbacks of today's events. The fall came flooding back and she could feel herself descending … waiting for the inevitable impact.
Massaging her neck, rolling her shoulders, Eve could feel no pain from her injury; and was thankful for that small bit of painkiller that took the edge off. With some physical therapy, and a little down time for rest, she would be back to work ASAP. She just had to be.
Anxiety began creeping into her psyche … hands beginning to shake.
"I'm ok. I'm ok." she told herself with urgency, and took deep breaths to calm her nerves.
Admonishing herself, Eve slapped the mattress with force.
What was she so worried about anyway? This was nothing new. She had suffered a dislocated shoulder before… years ago, when she was just a kid … sliding on ice, trying to make figure eights; falling down hard. She remembered crying uncontrollably, unable to move – thinking she was going to die. Riley had been there – ran for help, ponytails flapping in the wind; Mr. Leone suddenly on the scene; a real life superhero … carrying her all the way to the hospital in a fast run – Riley in their wake.
That was the day she decided to be just like him – a firefighter; a hero. No more being afraid of her own shadow. All of that ended … on that day.
Frustrated, Eve glared at her surroundings. It was way too quiet in this room. Where was Aydan?
"Everything is going to be fine Eve." Jake had assured her after the rescue. "You did good. You saved Kristen's life." His blinding smile followed her into the copter, where she sat next to Kristen and held her hand as they lifted away.
Kristen, the rescue, who couldn't stop saying "thank you" – who squeezed her hand so tight it hurt and screamed alongside her dislocated shoulder until she finally succumbed to a drug induced rest.
Relief overcame her. Kristen was down the hall. Her surgery – like the rescue, was a success. Her family lined the hallway with cautious optimism, tentative smiles, cold coffee and gratitude. Her father had come to see her some time ago.
"Thank you", he murmured with a catch in his throat. He shook her hand and she could tell where Kristen got her strength from. Father and daughter had the same firm grip. Eve winced under the weight and even now had no real memory of what she said back to him. But remembered that he smiled, that his eyes were warm and like his daughter could not stop repeating, "Thank you.", even as he retreated through the door, into the hallway and back to Kristen's room.
Trying to find a comfortable position on the unforgiving mattress, Eve thought back on the rescue, and could not get over, despite her pain, how good it felt to have Jake and Bode on either side of her.
Just like old times.
In that moment, climbing up the side of that cliff, it was as if nothing had changed. They were all kids again – racing to the top; full of energy … full of life … full of themselves. Laughing softly, she rubbed her shoulder. Back then, nothing could hurt them; nothing could come between them – everything was just beginning.
Only, everything had changed – hadn't it? They had all changed. They were different people now – nothing carefree about them anymore.
Riley had been gone for five years now. Five years without her best friend … without her sister. Five years of not really understanding what truly happened, of grieving, of being kept in the dark.
Why hadn't she come to her, confided in her? Maybe she could have helped in some way; maybe she could have … maybe…
Unexpectedly her shoulder made an abrupt twinge and she groaned in pain. Lifting her knees, she placed her forehead there and pressed down hard. Taking quick breaths she held herself tight and waited it out …until she could uncoil and relax.
She needed to rest. She needed to rest her mind and body. She needed to get out of this hospital room, out of this bed and get home; away from flashbacks of falling into space, away from secrets kept; away from Riley invading empty spaces around the edges of her life; away from Sharon being sick and Bode's obvious distress.
She needed Aydan to get here soon, or she would lose her mind.
And then they were at the door … standing side by side; watching her – worry on their faces.
They seemed nervous and out of sorts. Jake … unable to hide his fear behind the bravado; nor his love for her. Aydan – scared shitless, moving quickly to stand by her bedside – planting a soft kiss on her forehead. Riley, out of focus … silent, cautious – wary of her place.
Eve smiled and studied them closely. She was so happy to see them, so glad to be checking out, and threw the covers off in a flurry – ready to get going; her mind suddenly made up that maybe they could stop somewhere before heading home.
Peace within her family was what she needed – what she wanted.
"Well let's hurry up", she insisted before anyone could speak – already reaching for the bag of clothes Aydan held out to her.
Thank you for reading.