Polly woke up suddenly, trying to sit herself up but not quite managing to do so; she looked around for Dixie but it was too dark to be able to see anything.
She moved her good hand over the bedrails, panicking and starting to cry when she couldn't find her; she hated being on her own and she hated the dark.
Dixie came back in to find Polly crying and struggling to breathe; she realised she was having a flashback and she felt awful for leaving her "Polly? Pol, its okay sweetie, it's not real, alright? I know it seems real to you but it isn't"
"No, no, no!" Dixie started to become more worried about her now, she wasn't responding and her breathing wasn't getting any better. She grabbed the oxygen mask and put it on her, but Polly moved her head away, thinking she was back in the warehouse with Derek and he was trying to drug her again.
Dixie went to take her hand, but again Polly moved it out of her grasp "Pol, its not real love, it really isn't. You're in hospital, he isn't here, I promise you he's not here" she moved quickly when Polly began to retch before being violently sick all over herself and the bed and then started fitting. Dixie hit the red button on the wall to alert people to the fact that they needed some help "Okay darling, its alright, we're gonna get you some help now, its alright" she tried to keep her tone calm and reassuring; if Polly could hear her, she didn't want to frighten her. She held her head as still as she could so that she wouldn't injure herself and shouted into the corridor "We need some help in here please!"
A doctor and a nurse that were walking past rushed in "What's happened?" the doctor asked her.
"I-I just left her for a second and she just started fitting and then she was sick!" Dixie stammered; she was really worried about Polly.
"Okay, you did the right thing calling us in. Polly, can you hear me?" the nurse said "Polly? No, there's no response"
"Right, give her 10 of naloxone to try stop this fitting then let's get her up to HDU!"
"C-Can I come with her? Please, she's been through enough already" Dixie asked them, standing up and taking Polly's hand in hers again.
In the lift, although she was still fitting badly, Polly opened her eyes momentarily and looked at Dixie, blinking rapidly several times. After a few seconds, her eyes stayed open. Dixie smiled at her reassuringly, stroking her hair; she hated seeing her so vulnerable and scared.
Some more naloxone and other drugs were given to her, and the fitting finally stopped, although her breath was coming in short, quick gasps.
An hour later…
Polly was stable but exhausted; the doctor had gone to get some test results for her. "D-Dixie?" she asked, although her voice was barely above a whisper.
"You okay sweetie?"
"I-I was th-there" Polly's voice wavered and Dixie quickly pulled her into a hug, being careful not to aggravate any of her injuries, trying to keep her calm.
"Its alright, you're safe, and he's dead. He can't hurt you anymore" Polly clung to her tightly, burying her head in her shoulder to be comforted. Dixie resumed stroking her hair, holding her close to her.
The doctor came back in with the test results and smiled "How are you doing?" Polly didn't answer him, holding Dixie's hand tightly "Well, I have some good news for you. The tests showed no sign of epilepsy, but you do have asthma, Polly. That's part of the reason your breathing was so hard; I've made you an appointment with the clinic, someone will be down to see you shortly"
"Hey, it's not something that you need to worry about too much, I have asthma. It just means that you'll need an inhaler, and you'll have to have appointments to check your breathing. Sometimes it can be brought on by stress or trauma, you might have had it for a while and just not noticed until now" Dixie smiled, moving so that Polly could lean against her.
Polly had quickly fallen asleep; the whole thing had really tired her out, and Dixie texted Alex and Jeff to let them know she was alright.
When she awoke again an hour later or so, Alex was there; Avani was watching the girls for a while as Jeff was still working "Hey you" he said quietly, kissing her "You alright?"
Polly nodded, giving him a half smile "Tired" she mumbled, leaning back against Dixie who put her arm around her; she knew that Polly liked to be held, it made her feel safe.
"You know you two haven't had a proper date yet?" Dixie said.
"No we haven't, have we?" Alex smiled at his girlfriend, holding her hand in his.
"Well, me or Jeff would be happy to have the girls for you when you're feeling a bit better Pol" she smiled at Polly "You look shattered darling, why don't you try and get some sleep? We'll still be here when you wake up" Polly nodded sleepily and Alex tucked the blanket in around her "Good girl"
