Author's note: RubiksManiac asked a question about the dates ~ here's basically a copy of ze answer = There are time jumps that happen throughout the story, some have been cut out because I didnt feel that it flowed or would be visited as a passing memory that is brought up in a scene. I can see why the time frame seems obscure since dates in the story are rarely given out.

July 3 - when Beca was hit
July 16 - Chloe goes to pick up Beca's things
July 19- Chloe arrives at Azareen hospital
June 13 - Beca wakes up
June 18 - Chloe sings titanium to calm Beca down
August 10 - at the mall

extra: i listened to belispeak by purity ring and chemicals by tenterhook to write this chapter to get into that mindset. i'm totally up to listen to whatever makes you guys go for the day :D

Stuck in a bubble

Beca

"F-f-fuck" What happened, I was okay a few hours ago and now I feel like my left leg won't move.

"Miss are you okay?" an employee asked. Kommissar and Pieter both moved in a fast pace, refraining from breaking into a run. Pieter took the employee aside and spoke to him quietly, while Kommissar stood beside me as if we were comparing toy brands.

"What were you planning to buy, Little mouse?"

"M-m-my le-le-leg won't w-w-ork" I struggled to connect my words, I tried to swallow the stutter...ashamed that I reverted back...that all those months in therapy were wasted.

"Of course it does, kleine Maus. Breathe, focus on your heartbeat or any beat." I listened to air rushing in through my nostrils causing my chest to rise, then to the stacking of boxes nearby and lastly my heartbeat in my ears. My leg finally awkwardly bent as I stared at it.

"I-i-is it okay if we don't tell Chloe?"

Surprisingly, Kommissar let out a short laugh.

"Dr. Beale actually was the one that alerted us the first moment your heartbeat spiked. Let's go get what you came here to buy and be off."

We thankfully didn't talk about the incident on the way back to the hospital, acknowledging that I didn't want to bring it up - Pieter and Kommissar engaged themselves in a conversation, which I could only guess to be about the 'Little Germany' store. Watching the city preparing for the night, I clutched my small paper bag in my hand; hoping it would be enough.

The shuttle bus stopped inside the underground parking lot. I half expected to see Chloe waiting there in her crisp lab coat with her foot tapping impatiently against the concrete floor like an irate wife. Stepping down, we headed to the direction of the elevator doors. It dinged open to reveal Jesse facing us with an ecstatic boyish smile, picking me up from the ground and swinging me around.

"Hey, Becaw! Your doctor called me, saying that you needed a pick me up and here I am! I left the radio station, early. Was today a good day or a bad day?" His eyes were so bright that I felt like I had to wear shades. Kommissar and Pieter herded us into the elevator before the doors would shut.

I was little thrown off by whatever tactic Chloe was throwing at me because the presence of her worry, concern and mild mollycoddling were amiss. Where was she? My eyes went back to Jesse's waiting brown baked ones.

"A-a-bit of both" I murmured, concern was written all over him when he noticed the stutter.

"I brought us a movie, popcorn, movie theater novelty candy and drinks. Lead the way m'lady." He comically diffused the situation with his corny bow. I couldn't help but laugh

Chloe

I needed to step back and give Beca room, my first reaction was to rush basement level and meet them when they arrived to ask what the hell happened out there. Yet, I knew that cornering Beca into something like that would only make things worst so I ended up calling Jesse 2 hours before the arrival time of the shuttle. Finishing up my break, I looked at my schedule and continued my day wondering how she was doing.

In the case room, the board filled up of possible disease/viruses/disorders that the patient could have contrived. The other doctors in probation clamored up with their hands raised, but Dr. Lewinsk waved them off.

"Dr. Chloe Beale, what can you say about the low platelete count, schistocytes seen in the peripheral, with the general symptoms being: rigor, nausea, vomiting, headaches with organ damage and blood sample clotted immediately in the syringe-" Jack, interrupted him eagerly.

"Dr. Lewinsk, he could have macrocytic anemia, my bet is on leukemia" Dr. Lewinsk nodded, still looking at Chloe. Clearing up her throat, she started.

"Dr. Jack, isn't wrong - but I believe its actually malaria." Jack sharply gave me a look as if ready to just leave it at that and let him get the brownie points, while Dr. Lewinsk smiled.

"Carry on, Dr. Beale."

"It is macrocytic anemia, but to specify it - we would have to use the schistocytes seen in the peripheral blood smear as a marker. Schistocytes are found in patients with microangiopathic hemolytic anemia with disseminated intravascular coagulation. We checked his past medical history, he frequently travels to malaria epidemic countries -"

"Thats a least likely case and far from -"

"It does happen in less than 5%, with people with severe malaria, Jack."

"That quite a percentage, Dr. Beale." sarcasm filled his voice.

"As amusing as this seems, children. It's go time - Jack head to the right wing and Chloe the left wing, the rest of you probies back to your stations."

Hitting the button on the elevator, the soft zooms from the passing floors calmed me down. Walking out, I bumped into another body. I smiled at the familiar friendly face of Applebaum, one of the labbies. Continuing through the familiar floor, Jesse stood standing near an ajar bathroom door.

"Jesse...wanna not birdwatch around here? Or anywhere for that matter?" I said, but was quickly shushed. He held a finger to his lips and beckoned me near.

"Beca, went to just take a shower." I gave him a look and he hastily continued. "I heard her, she rarely does this...she usually just lets the beats make her sound. Just listen."

We stood there in the shadow of the door as quiet as a mouse listening to this beautiful hidden voice from the steam.