Disclaimer: Not technically mine, but I'm next in line, just as soon as ten director people and their families die...so anyday now!
Team-chaser: You were first to review! Yay! Right, here's an Alister plushie and some chocolate! And I'm glad you like it! And I was very confused (but then I'm easily confused) about what Lara and Marina have in common...I don't know what it is. Tell me in your next review or in a PM or something lolx-thanx 4 reviewing!
Mollystars: Oh wow, new reviewer! And thanks so much! Have some chocolate! lolx-thanx 4 reviewing!
The Third Demi-God: Of course you're confused as hell...wow, my little scheme worked! And Kurtis is very glad you stopped trying to kill him and has agreed to give you back the actual Final Fantasy disc rather than his AOD game (he was trying to make you like him, see) anyways, chocolate! Here you go! lolx-thanx 4 reviewing!
thenightwithin: First of all-I love your name! Second, v. happy u reviewed for this one! Chocolates? Yes? lolx-thanx 4 reviewing!
jacoblove: Yeah well, took you long enough 2 review! And I'm sorry if any offence was made to any TVs out there, but Alister's stressed, okay? And don't mention the bathtub-give away my plotlines! (ahem) And I have an apocalypse weneva Dizzy comes so I'm used to it lolx-thanx 4 reviewing-here's your choccie!
Sweet Christabel: Thank God you're happy, I was so close to taking refuge in another crater hole but now I can stay in mine! And I would never quit this storyline-got way too much planned, my friend. Have some chocolate-lox,thanx 4 reviewing!
AnitaFaulks: You know what, I've never noticed L/A fics don't have happy endings before, but you're right! Oh well-I'm happy to follow the crowd! Here's your chocolate lolx-thanx 4 reviewing!
Timeless4Life: Welcome back, my Morzan's twin who lives in a fridge dreaming friend! Of doom! And much as I love Kurtis-gimme Murtagh! He's mine! You've already the hot guy! Vincent! Murtagh's just extra-special! So nyih! And I shall never apologise to the keyboard-it keeps putting h instead of g for reviewinh! See? See? Anyways, have a Vincent plushie AND...no chocolate lolx-only jokin-thanx 4 reviewing!
Author's POV
"She gave us such a scare, I don't know what she was thinking!"
"Relax, Dr Fletcher," Zip drawled. "I'm sure you'll still get to keep your MD!"
"It's not even that serious-she's sustained a couple of deep bruises to her wrist when she broke free of the restraints and created enough mess on the floor to give the janitor an early Christmas bonus!" Lily added. "But because we knew you'd be like this, we gave her another sedative upon getting her back into bed."
"How very apt," Alister muttered sarcastically, beginning to pace the room anxiously. He couldn't understand it-she was under such heavy monitoring, 24 hour observation, how could she have possibly left the room unsupervised and without anyone's knowledge? Granted, the security guard wasn't always around, they didn't hire one especially, but there should always be a doctor present!
"Who was on duty last night?" he asked suddenly. The two glanced at each other awkwardly. They all knew, of course, but they weren't ones for snitching on each other. "Well? Come on, team! We stick together, don't we? We get to the bottom of things together!" Again, no-one said anything, but kept looking at each other for approval. "You've got nothing to say, nurse?" he questioned. Zip stayed silent. "That's got to be a first." Zip only shrugged.
"What about you, Dr Wickets?" he turned on her. "You know everything that goes on here. Surely you can tell me?" When no-one spoke, he sighed loudly. "If no-one tells me, I can always check the rota, you do know that?" The pair looked down uncomfortably. "And where's Dr Trent today, he's not usually late."
"Right here, Dr Fletcher, sir," Kurtis announced, casually flouncing in. "What have I missed?"
"Were you on duty last night for our patient's watch?" He frowned. "Because she escaped-well, not in so many words-but the point is, she broke free of her restraints and left the room. Now either you have very loyal friends, or you weren't the culprit. And if not, could you kindly tell me who was?"
His eyes widened, and his mouth dropped in a guilty shock. "Oh crap!" he cursed. "I am so, so sorry! I completely forgot it was my turn-"
"Why didn't you think to consult the bloody rota?!" Alister ranted. "That's what it's there for, you stupid Yank! Are you illiterate as well as grossly incompetent?!" Lily and Zip frowned at the use of the word 'Yank' but said nothing. They both knew from experience not to interrupt Dr Fletcher when he was in a bad mood!
"I'd convinced myself it was Lily's-Dr Wicket's-duty. I'm really sorry, Dr Fletcher, it won't happen again."
"Too right it won't, because you're fired!"
"What-?" Kurtis gasped disbelievingly. "You can't fire me! It was one mistake!"
"Correction-you have now made the second mistake by answering back," Alister replied smoothly. "And it wasn't just 'one mistake!' You know she's our most critical patient! We know hardly anything about her condition! We don't know what harm she could do to herself and others! She's unstable, she depends on us! You were aware of this, and yet you still behaved carelessly! We entrusted her into your care for just one evening, and you just abandoned her!"
"
Lara's POV
Most critical patient and you just abandoned her…
Abandoned her.
Abandoned her.
YOU ABANDONED HER!
My eyes slowly open, my eyelids heavy as full bags of sand. It takes me several attempts to open them fully, and even then everything is blurry. It's so white…am I in my room? My ceiling's white…it could be that…
"She gave us such a scare, I don't know what she was thinking!" someone rants in the hallway. What-? Alister?
"Relax, Dr Fletcher, I'm sure this won't affect your dissertation," Zip drawls. Yes, that's Alister. I smile. I think Zip's life revolves around winding Alister up…why am I getting such a strong feeling of déjà vu…?
Shaking the thought from my head, I move to try and climb out of the bed and find my way obscured with bars. What…
I wriggle my arms, and upon glancing around, see I am tied to the bed with restraints.
Well it's not exactly restraints, but I'm not far off!
I glance around and a quick scan confirms I am definitely not in my room! The room is a sterile white, and there is a drip by the bed-no longer king size, I notice. I look down and see I am wearing a hospital gown. Oh God…I didn't want to come back here…not after last time…
"Zip?" I call, the loudest I can muster being a soft, croaky voice. What's happened? "Zip? Alister?"
Alister's POV
"She gave us such a scare, I don't know what she was thinking!" I cry, still feeling shaky at what has taken place. Just imagine what would have happened-
"Relax, Dr Fletcher, I'm sure this won't affect your dissertation," Zip smirks.
My dissertation? He thinks all I care about-after all that's just happened-is my bloody dissertation?! I emit a frustrated cry and pace away from him. If he says just one more comment out of line, I swear I will punch him!
"Woah, baby alert," Zip mutters. Oh, that's it!
I lunge towards him, but he only raises his hands in defence saying; "Hey, hey, hey! Right behind you, dude!" Out of impulse, I turn-though half expecting it to be some very witty escape concoction of Zip's-and I see Marina standing behind me. She doesn't look too happy.
"What you doing back here?" she asks coldly. What are you, love? You're supposed to be in intensive care!
"Visiting," I mutter.
"Aw, what happened this time? Did she crack her head open on a spike?!"
"Listen, sweetheart, there are two ways you can get back to intensive care where you belong-now you can either walk away and I'll pretend I didn't hear you. Or, you can stand here and let me do the honours myself!" I hiss furiously, mustering my most threatening look.
She glares at me disgustedly in return, but complies and walks away. I take a deep breath as a hidden adrenaline build suddenly releases itself. I feel shaky again.
"Uh, Alister, I know what she said was-"
"It's none of your business, Zip, so stay out of it!"
"She's pregnant, Alister-you can't just threaten a-"
"I just did!" I snap. "What excuse does she have, hormones? Well, men get them too!"
Well, why can't they? The only difference is, she may or may not be acting this way because of pregnancy hormones, but they're not the only ones around! What about stress-induced hormones, or don't they count for men? I think I'm worthy of a few what with Lara and everything.
I mean, she cheated. I know, I know, it was three months ago, but I-I loved her! I put myself and my heart (not to mention my relationship with another woman!) on the line for her and she just…tossed us off. She put Trent on the line instead…instead of me…
And he just buggered off, didn't he?! Maybe if he'd been more…deserving of her, I wouldn't be so pissed off, but that she cheated for some one-night stand is what really gets up my arse!
I'm pretty sure he was only a one-night stand. There were only a few days between what happened and when they went to Bolivia, and even Lara couldn't commit to something like that at the funeral of her best friend!
Well, the Lara I thought I knew couldn't, anyway. She may sometimes look as if she's devoid of feelings, but I-I know she does. Have feelings. God knows, she showed enough of her emotions when we were together. It was the first time I'd seen such an…output, for lack of a better word, from her. I'd never even seen her cry before! Well, not often. But the point is, she opened up to me…she trusted me. I made her promises to never tell anyone, and I've kept them, even now.
Did Trent? Did she even open herself to him? Maybe she did, and that's why he left. The bastard! He just used her, didn't he?! He just used her for sex-and a free ticket to visit Bolivia!-and then the moment she started to show she was a real person, he couldn't hack it and just left! He left her after a bloody funeral! What sort of person does that?! To Lara? She didn't deserve that, of course she didn't.
I admit, I was secretly pleased when he left. Not because of the impact it apparently had on Lara, but because I hated him. I physically hated him! I wanted to drag him up the roof and push him off and laugh as he slid off the tiles into thin air…and then to be a typical bad guy and mutter 'ooh, nasty' as I heard the loud crunch as his body hit the floor, now mangled from the fall…or to be less bloodthirsty, there's enough guns in the house.
No, that would have been too quick. I wanted him to suffer, to panic as he realised the situation out of his control, that he would inevitably die!
"Bye-bye, Kurtis…"
"Zip?!" a voice weakly cries from Lara's room. Oh, don't I count anymore?
In true hero form, Zip runs into the room. I feel as if it should be in slow motion! I don't follow. There's no point. Let her have her happy reunion before the forced meeting with me.
"Alister, stop being a prick-okay, okay, prat-and get your arse in here!" Zip calls. I sigh and reluctantly walk in. Well, she looks healthier and perkier than before. She's not so pale now, and her lips aren't blue…
"So which floor is it this time?" she laughs weakly.
"Surgery," I answer.
"Surgery?" she repeats, confused. "But…what am I doing here? There's nothing wrong with me."
"Then why did you faint in the pool?" I contradict. "Or did you mistake the water for your bed and fall asleep naturally?"
Oh don't give me that look!
"Hey, there are such things as waterbeds!" Zip argues-trying to cover my hostility, I presume. Don't bother-I don't care. Lara can perceive me however she wants.
Lara laughs at his feeble attempt. "I assume there is a diagnosis, or did they run out of beds in MAU?"
"MAU?" Now it's Zip's turn to be confused. What, is the terminology too much for his small brain?
"Medical Assessment Unit," I sigh.
"Oh!" he laughs. "Yeah, no, they got a diagnosis. You'll be having the operation today. They say they don't wanna do a…what was it, Alister?"
"Laparoscopy."
"Yeah, what he said," Zip tells Lara, who's looking very amused by this banter. Well, whatever floats your boat. "Anyway, they don't wanna do one cos it looks too advanced." She smiles confusedly at him.
"What's too advanced, Zip?"
"You know-your appendix." She frowns. Oh, Jesus-
"I…have appendicitis?" she asks, surprised. "Says who?"
"Doctors," I mutter sarcastically, but they don't hear.
"Doctors," Zip tells her, though in a slightly more acceptable tone. "This guy came in, examined your stomach for like, a second, and then he said it was…appendictis." I sigh inwardly at the misuse of the word. It's appendicitis, how hard is it?!
"Oh…okay," is all she utters. "Well, I wasn't expecting that, certainly."
"It's a bit of a pain, but it's not serious," Zip assures.
"Till you try drowning yourself," I mumble.
"Okay, Alister, get out!" Zip snaps suddenly. I shrug. With pleasure.
I didn't even want to be in there anyway.
Lara's POV
Appendicitis. You mean to tell me that all of this pain, this hassle, this whole bloody affair has been because of a bit of appendicitis?! For goodness sake, I thought I was stronger than that! To be rendered unable to move and…what happened because of a faulty primal organ!
"What'cha thinking?" Zip asks.
"That it seems a bit unfair I'm back in hospital because of an organ I don't even need," I mumble weakly.
"Yeah-I mean, you don't even eat grass!" I have to snort at this. "Unless-"
"Zip?"
"Yep?"
"Shut up."
"Gotcha." He leans back in his chair, and stares off into space, glancing around occasionally as if following something in the air.
"When's the operation?" I ask him, feeling oddly nervous.
"Um…I think he said they'd have to do it later today or you're more likely to burst."
"I'm sorry?"
"Your appendix-it'll burst," he explains. Oh. Well this has been an excellent week. Hey, maybe one of us will be involved in a road crash next week! Oh no, that's happened already. Sorry. "You look very thoughtful."
"Just wondering that maybe if I'd eaten more grass, my appendix wouldn't be playing up," I mutter sarcastically to the window.
"Hey, me, too!" he exclaims. I turn and face him, looking disbelieving. Oh God…what's scary is, he's actually serious. "Sorry, honey."
"What for?"
"For acting like an arse," he clarifies.
"What do you mean, you're always like this." He shoots me an offended look. "Sorry," I smirk. "I meant, joking around and generally trying to lighten up a situation."
"Well," he agrees, looking modestly flattered. "No, I'm just…I dunno, I'm all over the place right now."
"How do you think I feel?" I mumble.
"Why did you do it, Lara?" I frown in confusion. What's he talking about?
"What?" He shoots me what is supposed to be a knowing look, but I've still no clue what he's on about. "No, seriously, Zip, I'm lost."
"It's just…you must have known you wouldn't be able to handle the water," he says desperately.
"Of course I didn't, do you really think…oh, Zip," I say sadly. "Do you really think I was doing that?"
"I don't know, Lara," he admits. "I don't want to believe it, but it's like you'd know if you couldn't handle it."
"Zip, I promise you, I didn't," I reassure him, taking his hand. "You have my word, I wouldn't ever do something like that again." He nods, but doesn't look convinced. He just needs time. "But, Zip, what happened?"
"You fainted." I roll my eyes.
"I meant, how did I get here-and don't you dare say 'by ambulance'!" He smiles as he realises I'm joking.
"Well," he begins, "we found you and got you out."
"Who's 'we?'" God, he's vague sometimes!
"Well, me and Alister," he says like it's obvious. "Actually, I'm taking way too much credit, it was Alister. I just freaked and started jumping up and down." I emit a weak laugh, but I can't forget what he said about Alister.
Oh, Alister, I'm quite indebted to you, aren't I? This is the…third time in three-four-months.
Am I surprised? I don't know. I suppose I half am, but on the other hand, wouldn't anyone do it? I was lying-presumably face down-in the water. What would you do? Leave them or check to see if they're at least alive?
So no, I suppose I'm not that surprised. But still, it makes you think…
He's going to make a great father. I'm really happy for him and Marina-well, for him. He's not capable of not caring, if you see what I mean. At least, not to such an extent he would leave you to drown. Marina doesn't know how lucky she is, to be impregnated by him. You couldn't find much more a doting father. I hope she does know just how fortunate she is…I really do.
I know Zip means well, but lately, he's been driving me a little crazy. I swear if it wasn't for those stupid child bars (for safety, so the doctor says. I'm thinking more of the public humiliation!) I would have strangled him at least three times!
He keeps making me listen to this stupid dolphin music; 'to relax you', he told me. It's a very common misconception that it's relaxing, clearly. I was actually cheering inside when his walkman stopped working.
Alister's been in a couple of times, but only to ask Zip if he wanted a coffee or some lunch, and completely ignoring me. To be honest, I have a feeling Zip turned him down just to spite him. Childish as it is, I am a bit flattered, if that was the case.
I know Alister was very hurt when he saw me and Kurtis together, but that was three months ago! Obviously I don't expect it to be exactly as it was, but…I just…oh I don't know.
The sound of the door opening reaches my ears, but I don't react.
"I'm here to get you prepped for surgery, Miss Croft," a strong Cockney voice draws me from my thoughts. "Miss Croft?" Wait, Cockney? The only person I know with a Cockney accent is…
I turn around to face her, and see my suspicions confirmed, and that it is actually Marina.
"What are you doing here?" I ask groggily.
"I told you, to get you prepped," she sighs impatiently. Her bedside manner needs work!
"But you work in intensive care."
"I did-but I'm still technically in-training, so they rotated me to Surgery. I hope this is no trouble?" she adds sarcastically. I shake my head. "That's useful, cos I'm the only one available right now."
She knows, doesn't she? She knows about me and Alister, that she herself was cheated on by him…
"Have you eaten anything in the last 12 hours?" she asks.
"Even if I did, you'd have pumped it by now," I mumble.
"A simple yes or no will suffice."
"No."
"Drank anything?"
"Not that I can remember."
"Do you have any allergies to anaesthetia or any other drugs or antibiotics we should know about?" I shake my head. "I'm afraid I'm going to need a vocal answer."
"No," I say forcefully.
"Right, as this is such a simple procedure, a DNR form won't be necessary," she says, somewhat grudgingly. "Unless the patient requests it themselves, of course," she adds quietly, knowing this would be loud enough for me to hear. "But we will need you to sign this, to save us from any liability." She hands me a form. I look at her questioningly. "It's just to say that you consent to our operating on you."
"If I had any objections, I'd have said so, wouldn't I?"
"You'd think, but there was one case in London where a patient successfully sued the hospital for a million pounds for putting them through the stress of an operation they apparently hadn't consented to. What really got up their arse, though, was that it had been a breast reconstruction after her cancer treatment!" She pauses. "So basically, you don't sign, we can't operate." She hands me a pen and I place my signature on the dotted line. "Thank you." She leaves the room, but returns shortly with a surgical gown and cap. "If you could kindly place these on, I can wheel you down to the theatre, Miss Croft." She hands me the garments and calmly exits.
Holding them in my hands, I feel a fear creep through me as I realise what's about to happen. I'm about to be operated on…under anaesthetic…I'll have no control and no say…I could die and not even realise it.
I never thought I'd say this, but I am actually scared. Well, nervous. The last time I was operated on was when I was eight and had my tonsils out! And even then, I was given the anaesthesia through a different method so I was out before they even took me to theatre!
Well, I suppose the last time was when I was in the coma, but again, I was knocked out before being wheeled down! I've never actually seen a theatre except on an episode of 'ER' once!
With much trepidation, I place the cap onto my head, being careful to tuck my ponytail under it, and switch the gowns, tying the other at the back as best I can. Oh God…
Calm down, Lara-it's just a simple procedure, a loud voice enters my head, sounding American. You look so scared.
I am.
Well don't bethey soothe. It's a really simple procedure. Nothing's gonna go wrong, I promise you.
Can you?
Of course, they say.
"Count backwards from ten for me,"a new voice interrupts. I start counting down, my eyes feeling like lead…I can't move, I can't do anything. Help me!
"Relax, it's okay," she says, my eyes unfocused, only able to pick out an excessive amount of dark brown curls. "You're going to be fine, Mum, just fine."
I am…I am…
Mum?!
Author's POV
"I hope she's okay," Zip muttered for the thousandth time to Alister, who sighed for the thousandth time.
"She's a big girl, is our Lara, I'm sure she'll get through this just fine," Alister replied without even looking up from his magazine.
"Yeah, but what if she doesn't?" Zip flustered, plonking himself down next to Alister. Alister frowned at the sudden shift in balance, but regained his decorum and continued to read. "Surgery goes wrong all the time-I've seen it on 'ER'!"
"That's what you're basing this? A show rated for entertainment and dramatic value?" Alister said sceptically.
"Well yeah-they're not so far off!"
"Zip," Alister began as patiently as possible, turning to face his flustered friend. "Lara has faced demons from beyond reason; she's escaped from whole palaces of traps; she's fought enough enemies to make the plague victim numbers quake in their boots and quite recently has survived a very life-threatening coma…and you think she can't handle a tiny operation to remove her appendix?"
"Well, that's it, Alister! I just get this horrible feeling that her luck will run out eventually," Zip muttered, sounding quite scared for her. Alister took his hand comfortingly and smiled sympathetically.
"Maybe," he agreed. "But it's not going to be today. Or anytime soon-Lara will get through this in such a fashion most wouldn't dare to write about and carry on as if nothing happened because that's who she is. She's not going to die today, Zip."
With that speech, Zip had to admit he did feel much more hopeful…it was probably good, then, that neither of them knew what was actually going on behind the doors of Theatre 2…
"She's losing pressure!"
"Where's the blood?! The bag's almost empty!"
"She's gone into V-fib! Charge to 100!"
"
Lara's POV
"…and I'm afraid that due to complications in your surgery, we'll have to keep you in for a bit longer than anticipated," the doctor concludes, closing notes.
"What complications?" Zip questions demandingly and protectively. He does look after me-he sounds like my father!
"I'm afraid Miss Croft suffered an adverse reaction to the anaesthesia, causing her to spasm which indirectly caused an excessive loss of blood," he explains.
"What exactly does 'indirectly' mean?"
"The surgeon at the time had no means of predicting the sudden movement, and it was an unfortunate accident that her artery was nicked."
"Are you kidding me? Are you seriously telling me she almost died because of your incompetence?!"
"Zip-" I begin, but he cuts me off.
"No!" he argues. "This isn't good enough! Do you know who you're dealing with here?! This woman has been through more than you could dream of in four lifetimes, and yet you just stand here calmly saying she almost died because of someone else's stupidity!"
"We are very sorry, it was an unfortunate accident. If Miss Croft had been aware she was allergic to anaesthesia of any kind, she should have alerted our nurse during her prep-"
"Are you saying this is her fault?" Zip accuses.
"No-one is placing blame because no-one could have predicted this," the doctor calmly explains. "I am very sorry for this, Miss Croft, truly, we know this is an inconvenience for most-and for you especially-but there's no more we can do now except keep you under observation to ensure you suffer no after-effects." I nod. I'm too tired to argue. I always did hate anaesthetic. Even local anaesthetic was enough to tire me out when I just went to the dentist! Believe me, if it wasn't for these effects, Zip's arguments would be a plea compared to what I'd have in stall!
"Even so, I'm going bloody private next time!" I mutter angrily. I'm with Zip on this. It would just be taking the piss if I were to die because of a doctor's incompetence after everything I've done!
"That will be your choice to make," is all he retorts. "I'll leave you to rest now, Miss Croft."
"You do that," I reply, turning away from them both. I hear him exit and close the door, with a small mutter; "I'll send a nurse to check on you later." I can already guess who that will be!
I hear Zip sigh loudly and collapse into a chair. I know, Zip-it's been a hard week.
Zip's POV
I don't think I've been this worked up since I found out that Alister wasn't gay!
It just got to me, you know? I mean, Lara is such an amazing person. She really is, I admire her so much! Not just for everything she's done (but you gotta admit, it's pretty cool) but for…absolutely everything! Her fierce independence, her unwavering loyalty somewhat, her…capability for almost anything! You will never meet someone quite like Lara Croft again.
That's why it made me so angry how close she was to death cos some freaking amateur was operating on her! A 'sudden spasm' with no 'means of prediction'? Oh, come on! That is the sorta excuse you find on a hospital drama! I mean, he wasn't just insulting her (I mean, adverse reaction, come on!) he was actually trying to blame her?! No, no, that's just not gonna happen! She's my best friend…and I know she hates to admit, but she does need someone on to protect her sometimes. I would give my life to protect her, if that's what it came to.
I look over at her and see she's gone to sleep. I stroke her hair gently. Sleep tight, Lara. You deserve it. It's been a tough week.
I quietly get up and leave the room, closing the door behind me.
"So?" Alister says as soon as I come out.
"She needs to be kept in," is all I let myself answer. He does not wanna get me started!
"Why?" I should have guessed Alister wouldn't let me do that, of course.
"Something went wrong in surgery, and she lost a lot of blood, apparently-they just wanna check up on her. She's gonna be fine."
"That's good." Well, don't be too upset, Alister, it was only her life on the line for a moment there! "So she's going to be okay?"
"That's what I just said." He nods and walks away. "Dude?" He turns. "Where you going?"
"I thought I'd go back to the Manor," he shrugs.
"Why?"
"She doesn't need me here-let's face it, all I do is put all of us in a bad mood," he tries to laugh. "Besides, she has you. I'm just being useless."
"Well, thanks for all your concern, I'll be sure to pass it on!" I shout sarcastically.
"You do that," he retorts just as sarcastically. Oh that's just great! First Winston, now Alister! I could handle Lara, but these two are just stealing my personality!
Well, looks like I got a while…I mean, now Alister's gone, I can't wind him up, especially now he's taken sarcasm…I'll think of something new to annoy them with, just you guys wait!
Lara's POV
"Miss Croft?"
"Miss Croft?"
"Miss Croft!" a voice snaps impatiently, snapping me awake. I roll towards the door and see the unsmiling face of Marina looking down at me. "So sorry to wake you, but I need to take your obs now."
"It's no trouble," I say through gritted teeth. She produces the clipboard taken from my door and checks my heart monitor. She takes a note of the number.
"I'm just going to need to check your blood pressure now," she tells me, bringing out a blood pressure cuff. She wraps it around my arm, and observes the screen again. She sighs and leans over me to readjust it. It is then I notice her stomach…
"You're not big," I mutter from nowhere.
"I beg your pardon?!" she demands, outraged.
"Your stomach-it's not swollen yet," I clarify, in a misty tone even I don't know the source of.
"Well why would it be?" she asks accusingly, seemingly having forgotten the job she was sent to do.
"Mind you, I suppose you can be no more than…four months along?" I say, more to myself than her. "Some women don't start showing till their sixth month, do they?"
"No," she agrees, now remembering herself and taking a note of my blood pressure reading.
"How many months is it? Is it three?" I babble. "You are keeping it, aren't you? You are keeping your baby?" Her eyes widen.
"Why would I keep-?"
"You're not keeping it?" I whisper, feeling shocked and hurt all of a sudden. "You're having an abortion?"
"No, I-"
"Adoption?" I gasp, the word tasting like soiled dirt in my mouth. I hate that word…I hate the word and the concept! I sit up, and clasp her hand between mine. "Marina, I know I'm probably the last person to give advice, but please…it will hurt you more than a thousand knives stabbing at an already tender area if you give her up." I know it did-
"Or him," I add hastily. "Just listen to me…at least think about it." She doesn't say anything. Her face is a mixture of shock, horror and slight anger…and fear, if I'm not much mistaken.
"What's Alister been saying?" she asks me calmly, redeeming herself.
"Not much," I confess. "Other than that you were pregnant three months ago, he's not said a word since." She nods.
"That'll be all I need, Lara, thank you," she quickly says, taking the charts with her and swiftly exiting.
What did I say?
Alister's POV
"I knew you'd come crawling back," I'm greeted with as I walk down the hall.
"I forgot the keys," I reply stiffly. "Do you have them?" He shrugs. "Well, could you check, please?" He sighs and lays down his magazine (a woman's magazine…how original) and digs in his pockets.
"Come on, you bastard," he mutters to himself. "Aha!" he cries triumphantly, fishing them out from his jeans pocket. He tosses them to me. "Knock yourself out, dude. Sure I can't tempt you to stay?"
"What for?" I shrug. "Like I said, she has you-I'm being more of a hindrance than a help, really. We both know that, Zip." He merely shrugs. Well, whatever floats your boat.
I smile at him and walk away from him, half expecting him to shout a smart remark of some sort as I walk away, but the rustle of paper is enough to confirm he's picked up his magazine again and hasn't even noticed.
The bright sun blinds my eyes as I emerge from the dark West Entrance of the hospital. I don't know how I found the entrance so easily-both of us were too panicked this morning to pay much attention to where the Surgery floor actually was in relation to an entrance.
I head for the car but see someone standing there from my position. Who-? Oh, bloody hell, Marina!
"Marina!" I curse loudly as I reach the car. "What-?"
"I want a word with you, Fletcher!" she hisses. "Just what exactly have you been telling your mates?"
"Exactly what you told me-that you're pregnant!"
"And you didn't think to tell them the rest?"
"What's there to tell?" I brush it aside boredly. "Why are you so bothered, anyhow, it's not like we see you regularly."
"When my bloody patient is giving me advice against adoption, it gets up my arse just a little bit!" What is she on about now?!
"What are you talking about?"
"Lara!" she says the name as if there were a malaria mosquito in her mouth. "She started saying all these weird things about how I wasn't big yet and then telling me I shouldn't go for adoption! Just what the hell am I supposed to say to that?!"
"Tell her the truth," I suggest viciously.
"What, and take away your duty? No way, mate, you're not getting out of it," she scoffs. "Either tell them or-"
"Or what?" I demand.
"Or I'll make this a thousand times worse for you-I've still got the ring, Alister," she smirks nastily. "Now I'm not going to tell you cos I'd hate to ruin the surprise-but sort this out, or I will!" With that, she marches off in the opposite direction.
Haughty little bitch! Just who the hell does she think she is?!
"Marina?!" I shout after her. She sighs loudly and turns around and jumps back as a small blue box comes flying her way, narrowly avoiding her head. Pity. "Here! You might as well have the whole package! I would hate for your little revenge plan to go awry for a lack of means!" She has a look of quiet shock on her face, but then, with an air of triumph, brings her foot down on the box. She gives me a look as if to say 'there!' and then marches defiantly inside.
I cry out in anger and collapse into the car, slamming the door and bang my fist on the dashboard, cracking the screen. Oh who-gives-a shit?
My head collapses on the steering wheel. I take deep breaths, trying to regain me composure. A heavy lump forms in my throat and it's only through much control that the tears threatening to spill haven't done so.
I sniff a couple of times, and wipe away invisible tears. I'm all right, I'm all right.
I place the key in the ignition, and switch the engine on. I move the gear into reverse and start moving the car backwards, out of its space. What the-?
Zip?!
I quickly brake as the stupid prick jumps towards the door, shouting "Alister!" I wind the window down, shouting;
"What the hell are you doing, trying to get yourself in the room next to Lara's?!" I clutch my heart, gasping as the shocked feeling starts to subside.
"Sorry, but you didn't seem to notice me," Zip shrugs off-handedly.
"You scare me sometimes, Zip," I sigh.
"Can I get a ride?"
"What happened to supporting Lara?"
"The woman herself told me to go back with you, if I still could. And I was getting kinda bored, so…"
"If you want," I agree. "Hop in." He smiles at me gratefully and walks around the car and opens the car door, climbing in the front passenger seat.
"Can we get some food first? I'm starved?"
"There's plenty of food at home, Zip."
"Yeah, I know but-"
"I'm not stopping, so if you're that desperate, I suggest you get out and go to the canteen!" I snap
"Jeez, what's up your arse?" he mutters.
"Nothing!" I shout, causing him to flinch. "Nothing," I repeat, calmer. "Look, let's just go home, shall we?"
"Hey, you got the wheel," Zip smiles, being typical Zip. Good…at least something's stable. I take a deep breath and begin moving the car backwards when Zip cries out again.
"Jesus!" I curse, glaring at him. "What is it now?!"
"Where's your ticket?"
"For?"
"It's not a free car park, remember?"
"Try the glove compartment," I suggest. "Now may I move without a sudden brake this time?"
"Well, you know what they say, third time lucky," he smirks. Oh, piss off, Zip.
I cautiously start to drive and am just starting to get into it when-would you believe it-Zip cries out again. "Right, that's it, get out!"
"Wait, dude, look at this!" he exclaims, producing an object from the glove compartment. He opens his cupped hand and shows me. Oh shit… "Were you gonna propose?" he gasps.
"I-I-" I stutter desperately.
"And judging by the lack of ring, she said yes!" Zip cries. "Oh, that's great, man, why didn't you tell us?!"
"Zip, please put it away," I ask him quietly.
"What? But this is huge!" he insists. "Hey, come on, we can't leave, we gotta tell Lara!"
"Who's paying for this bloody ticket?!"
"Well, sorry, but I'm all excited," he gushes. "Hey, can I be best man? Please? I won't be too inappropriate, I promise!" I sigh loudly.
"Just drop it, would you, Zip?" I ask him again, just as quietly, just as calmly.
"But…this is huge!" It's really not, trust me. "Come on, man, lighten up, you're getting married-"
"No, I'm not, Zip!" I yell. "She didn't say yes. She rejected me, she shot me down in front of the entire nursing staff of this godforsaken hospital! That big enough for you?!" I furiously switch the car into gear and move forward. Zip, for once, is quiet.
"When did this happen?" Spoke too soon.
"It doesn't matter," I sigh. "Give me the ticket."
"Alister, you're in no condition to drive, let me?"
"Do you happen to have your license with you?"
"Well, no, but-"
"Then you're not driving. Now give me the ticket!" He reluctantly hands it over, but is making a clear point that he's not happy. I ignore him as I place the ticket in the machine and drive through the raised barrier.
"Alister-" Zip begins when we're on the motorway.
"No," I refuse.
"Alister."
"I'm on the motorway, Zip, now is not the time-"
"So pull over, we gotta talk about this."
"No we don't!" I snap. "It is nothing to do with you! It was just a stupid mistake on my part. I misinterpreted the situation and overreacted. I would have rejected me!" Zip opens his mouth, but I stop him; "Don't you dare!"
"You don't know what I was gonna say!" he protests.
"I have a good idea," I mutter.
"But why did you even propose?" he asks incredulously. He won't give it up, will he?
"Well, because I thought she was pregnant and was trying to do the right thing by her, most probably!" I snap sarcastically. "Now will you please just shut up!" Thankfully, he does, and leaves me to drive in peace. Good. I need to concentrate, there's no point getting wound up over this. Not again…
"Thought?" he mumbles to himself. Good grief, now what's he on about? He turns to me. "You said 'thought'."
"Thought what?"
"You said you thought she was pregnant." Oh bugger… I can tell he's not going to let this go. I suddenly swerve into a layby, and park. "Alister, you said-"
"I know what I said!" I snap.
"What do you-?"
"She's not pregnant!" I burst out. "She never was." I wipe a tear away and unbuckle my seat belt, climbing out of the car. I start to walk, heading into the field beyond the road.
Zip is calling me back, but I ignore him. I need to be alone…I can't be bothered.
I can't be bothered with anything now.
You want to know, you know what to do-I realise this was longer than 2 weeks, but you should SEE my reading list! Anyways, bye 4 now x13BlacKAnGELsx