Chapter 3 Feelings of Fear

A/n Hey everyone I would like to thank everyone for reading this story. I would like to thank kittn for reviewing thanks it means so much to me. Please keep reviewing and enjoy.

Cheryl, Mark, Amanda, and Jesse sat in silence wondering how Steve was doing. Finally four hours after Steve had been taken to surgery the doctor came in. The group jumped up as they collectively asked about Steve's well-being.

"Well, Steve had some internal injuries. He had four broken ribs and his left lung had collapsed. We had to put a chest tube in. He also had a broken ankle. As far as the burns most of them are second degree but his arms were exposed the most and they have third degree burns. Apparently something heavy had fallen on top of him and therefore he has severe head trauma. He is in a coma and I am not sure if or when he will wake up."

"A part of the wall fell on his head according to the ENTS," Jesse explained to everyone.

"Dr. Rob, can I see him?" Mark asked.

"He is being settled in ICU then you can go and see him. Mark just nodded.

"So what is the likelihood that he will wake up?" Cheryl asked timidly.

"Honestly I don't know. I want to be optimistic but there is swelling in the brain so it is hard to tell if he will wake up and even if he does whether there will be brain damage or not," he said, answering her silent question." Cheryl's eyes went wide and she sank to the floor overcome by shock and she didn't hear Jesse calling her name as she blacked out.

"Is she ok Jesse?" Amanda asked.

"Yes I think so she just passed out from the shock." Just as he finished speaking Cheryl opened her eyes.

"What happened why am I on the floor?" she asked as she tried to stand but had to stop as a wave of dizziness over took her.

"Easy does it Cheryl. You fainted from shock," Jesse answered as he helped her to her feet and guided her back to the couch.

"Is there anything you can do for the head trauma?" Cheryl asked as she blinked back tears.

"We are trying to give him some medication to relieve the pressure and the swelling in his brain. If you all will excuse me. I have to go check on him and make sure he is settled in and then you all can go and see him. I am sure that all of you know the ICU rules and that only family is allowed to visit but for you guys I am willing to break the rules," the doctor replied as he headed towards the door.

"Thank you Dr. Rob," Mark said as his shoulders slumped in worry and Amanda placed her hand on top of his to give him some comfort.

"Mark, why don't you go in to see him first," Amanda said.

"No you guys go first I am going to stay with him tonight." Everyone just nodded they all knew that trying to convince Mark to go home would be futile. Both Amanda and Jesse went in together. When they came back out Mark could see tears on Amanda's cheeks and he could see the worry written across Jesse's face.

"Mark, you call us if you need anything ok?" Amanda said as she gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

"Thanks Amanda, I will."

"Cheryl, are you sure you will be able to drive home?" Jesse asked with concern. Cheryl just nodded and headed for the door of her partners room. Cheryl let out an audible gasp as she caught sight of her partner. He was covered in bruises and bandages she could also see the chest tube and the cast on his broken ankle. The burns on his arms looked so bad it made her want to cry. The rest of his body was covered by the sheet but she knew that the burns on his legs weren't as bad as the ones on his arms.

"Hey partner, if you wanted a break from the job and me all you had to do was request sometime off. Oh Steve, you have to wake up. I don't know what I will do if I lose you. You are more important to me than I think you realize. I love you so much Steve," Cheryl whispered as she took one more look around the room at her best friend and partner and the machines that were breathing for him and at least for now keeping him alive. Cheryl walked out of Steve's room and didn't look up until she heard Mark call her name.

"Cheryl, are you ok, sweetie?"

"Yah I am but he just looks so vulnerable and helpless," Cheryl said softly

"I know he does," Mark said as he pulled Cheryl into a hug and tried to comfort her. He noticed that she was trembling and that tears were hitting his shoulder. "Shh, Cheryl it's ok. I think you should go home and get some rest and I promise that I will call you if anything happens."

"But Mark, I want to stay here tonight I need to stay here," She replied as she choked on the word need. Suddenly Mark had an idea of what was wrong.

"Cheryl do you love him?" Cheryl's mouth dropped open she was shocked at what Mark had asked her.

"I don't know. I think so but I haven't got to tell him, and what if he doesn't feel the same way?" Cheryl asked softly as she looked at her shoes.

"Cheryl, look at me," Mark said as he tilted her chin up so she could see his face. "I think he loves you to but he will be ok and you will get to tell him that you love him. Now go home and I will call you if anything happens so go home and get some sleep!"

"Ok and you promise you will call me if anything happens right?"

"Anything at all now scoot," Mark said as he gently pushed her down the hall and towards the elevator. Cheryl went reluctantly knowing that it would be a long sleepless night of her worrying about Steve. Mark just smiled at Cheryl's retreating back and headed into his sons room for one of his all too common nights by his sons bedside hoping and waiting for him to wake up.