Disclaimer: I do not own anything from The Big Bang Theory.
A/N: Thanks to everyone that has reviewed! I am glad to see that people have been enjoying it!
Amy opened her eyes slowly, adjusting to the lights. The first thing she noticed was Sheldon staring at her, then her mind registered that someone was holding onto her hand. She looked around confusedly for a couple of seconds, reaching up with her hand to try and remove the oxygen mask.
"Hold on" Sheldon said, grabbing her hand back "you have to leave that on until the doctor says you can take it off"
"Oh my god Amy," Penny said "we have been so worried about you, thank god you are awake."
"Do you think we should get the nurse?" Bernadette asked
"Yes" Sheldon said, not taking his eyes off Amy "I'm sure the doctors will want to know that she's up now."
While Bernadette was looking for a nurse, everyone else took turns telling Amy how relieved they were that she was okay. No one mentioned the fact that they had been afraid they might lose her. A few minutes later, Bernadette came back in the room with a nurse in tow.
"Hi Amy, I'm your nurse for the night" she said "my name is Sally; I'm going to get that mask off and switch you to a nasal cannula."
Everyone stepped aside to give Sally room to check on Amy. Soon enough the mask was gone and Amy could talk again.
"How are you feeling?" Sally asked as she took her vital signs.
"Like I was run over by a semi" Amy joked, giving an unconvincing smile "what happened exactly?"
"You don't remember?" Sally asked, looking worried
"Well I remember my father coming into my apartment, he hit me and then when I was on the ground he kicked" Amy said, not noticing the look of fury that crossed Sheldon's face "and then I don't remember much after that."
"Oh okay, good" Sally said, looking more relieved "I was afraid you had lost your memory. Okay I am going to do an examination on you, it would probably be better if your friends stepped out."
"Can Sheldon stay?" Amy asked, her voice barely above a whisper "I mean if he doesn't mind."
"Of course I am staying." Sheldon answered
"That is no problem with me, whatever makes you feel more comfortable." Sally said
Everyone else turned to go, telling Sheldon to come get them from the waiting room when they could come back. Sally started to examine Amy, Sheldon let out a low hiss when she went to exam her abdomen and it was covered in bruises.
"Are you okay Sheldon?" Amy asked, looking up at him, confused.
"How can you ask if I am okay, when you are laying here like this?" Sheldon said, disbelievingly "and yes I am fine, this is just the first time I have seen those bruises."
"Can you turn on your side honey?" Sally asked softly
"Yes I believe so." Amy answered, turning onto her right side giving Sally and Sheldon a good look at her back with was covered with more bruises.
"Okay, Amy I am all done." Sally said "I am going to page the surgeon who put in your chest tube and he will probably be in to see you sometime tonight."
"Okay, thank you" Amy said, turning back around to lie on her back
After promising to go inform their friends that they could come back, Sally left the room, leaving Amy and Sheldon alone for a few minutes.
"Thank you for staying with me Sheldon." Amy said, suddenly feeling shy.
"Of course I would stay with you." Sheldon said, coming back to her side "I am going to stay with you as long as you are here."
"Oh Sheldon that's sweet but you don't have to." Amy said looking up at him "I know you hate hospitals."
"I don't care about that right now." Sheldon said "I just don't want to leave you alone here."
"I'm sure Penny or Bernadette would stay." Amy insisted, knowing how hard it is for Sheldon to be in hospitals.
"I am your boyfriend." Sheldon said, taking her hand again "I want to stay with you and I am."
"Okay good." Amy said, smiling at him "I would rather have you here."
Just then everyone came back into the room, Penny and Bernadette stepped up to the left side of the bed and the guys crowded around Sheldon.
"How are you doing sweetie?" Penny asked, putting a hand on Amy's arm
"Okay I guess," Amy said "I'm sorry to make everyone worry so much."
"Don't you dare apologize to us." Sheldon said "this is not your fault."
"So I guess you all know about my father by now?" Amy asked
"I told them when we couldn't get ahold of you." Penny said "Please don't be mad."
"Of course I am not mad." Amy said "I should have told everyone myself."
"Why didn't you tell me?" Sheldon blurted out before he could stop himself "I wasn't going to ask now, but I have to know."
"I'm sorry Sheldon." Amy said, looking guilty "I didn't tell you because I never tell anyone, I only told Penny because I had just heard that he was released from jail and I was upset. I needed to tell someone who could comfort me and I didn't think you would want to."
"I am sorry, I know in the past I haven't been the best person to come to with a problem." Sheldon said "but I want that to change, I want you to be able to tell me anything."
Everyone looked at Sheldon, shocked that he would apologize and admit that he needed to change his behavior. Amy squeezed his hand, tears in her eyes but a smile on her face. Penny and Bernadette both gave him looks of approval, happy that he was treating their friend the way she deserved. After about an hour of visiting with Amy, her friends could tell she was tired so they decided to leave for the night. Everyone looked surprised again when Sheldon announced that he would be staying with her at the hospital. After everyone had gone, the surgeon came into the room and introduced himself to Amy and Sheldon. He explained that Amy had lost a lot of blood due to internal bleeding but that he had repaired the bleed and she was given blood to replace what was lost. He explained why she needed the chest tube and that it would probably have to stay in place for a couple of days but that she should be fine.
"Are you doing okay?" Sheldon asked after the surgeon had left "are you in pain or anything?"
"A little." Amy admitted
"I will get the nurse for you and tell her you need something for pain." Sheldon said
"Wait, I can page her from here." Amy said, stopping Sheldon from leaving "there is a button built into the bed."
"What can I do for you Amy?" Sally asked as she came into the room a few minutes later.
"Is it possible to get something for the pain?" Amy asked
"Of course, I will go and get you something." Sally answered leaving the room and returning a minute after with a syringe that she hooked into Amy's IV.
"This should start working for you soon." Sally said "it will probably make you sleepy, don't try to fight it. You need your rest so your body can heal."
Sheldon pulled a chair over to the side of Amy's bed, watching as she quickly fell asleep. He sat staring at her for a while, so happy that she was okay. He decided right then and there that he needed to step up and be a better boyfriend for her. As he sat there watching her sleep he tried to come up with a way to show her how much he loved her. Sheldon rested his head on the edge of Amy's bed and just as he was about to fall asleep, he figured out what he needed to do.