A/N: Apologies for how long this has taken. I've been super busy and haven't had time to upload the chapter. I hope you guys enjoy this chapter!
A week and a half earlier
The alarm beside Ty rang out loudly. He groaned, his eyes wide open, having not slept much the night before. His hand swung down harshly, smacking the alarm clock hard. Staring at the ceiling, Ty thought about his day. He could get up, work with some horses and do his chores, probably the smarter option due to Jack's recent warpath. Then again, he could 'call-in sick' and stay up in his room, call Kit … his train of thought wondered off. He couldn't help but to stop and think that maybe if he hadn't gotten involved with Kit, that if he had just been patient with Amy then maybe she would have come around.
He sighed, but he had wasted his time and practically shoved her into Caleb's arms. To be fair, he hadn't meant to listen in on Amy's conversation with Lou the night before. Quite frankly, if she didn't want to risk him hearing what she had to say, she shouldn't have had the discussion out on the front porch. Was it his fault that he happened to be walking toward the house at that exact moment? Of course, it was his mistake that he had stopped to actually listen in. It was he was to blame for hearing the words Caleb and kiss. So, technically, it was his error that had caused his heart to shatter last night.
Ty knew that he had no technical reason for his heart to be broken, Amy wasn't his girlfriend. Sometimes he wondered if Amy was even his friend. So, why should the fact that she had kissed another guy hurt him? It shouldn't, right? Wrong. It hurt and bad. The moment those words came from Amy's mouth, Ty realized how intense his love for Amy was. How much she truly meant to him, and how much he was only just pretending with Kit
He wasn't a bad guy … at least he hoped he wasn't. Ty cared about Kit, and he was certain he wasn't leading her on, but he could be wrong. Especially with his little revelation the night before.
"Damn." Ty sighed, as he pulled back the quilt that covered his legs. "Today is going to be long." He mumbled, as he fished out a clean pair of clothes. Glancing at the clock again, he realized that he should be able to get a shower in before Amy woke up. The longer he could put off seeing the better. Walking down the stairs and into the barn, he noticed a new horse in one of the stables. His shower forgotten for the moment, Ty wondered over to the new horse and smiled before looking at the horse's name. "Davidson. That's just an odd name for a horse. Don't you agree?" The horse snorted. "Well, Davidson, it says that you're a three year old buckskin Quarter Horse with behavioral issues." Ty stared at the horse. Some of things that Amy had taught him filtered to the forefront of his mind, as he patted the horse's snout. "Amy's going to have trouble with you, isn't she?" He asked the horse, who snorted for the second time. "That's what I thought. Well, then, I will get you set up in the round pen when I get done with my shower. You better be a good boy." The horse shook it's head as it neighed loudly. "Fantastic." Ty muttered before turning around and leaving the barn.
Ty walked carefully down the hallway toward the front door of the main house. His hair was mussed slightly from his quick attempt at towel drying it. His bare feet padded softly down the hardwood floor as his face scrunched slightly at the small water droplets that he left in his wake. He was pretty sure that he'd hear about that later on. At the moment it was the least of his worries. As he reached the kitchen, Ty heard footsteps behind him. Stopping dead in his tracks, Ty turned around, a sheepish smile on his face.
"Oh, Lou!" Ty whispered. "You scared me."
Lou's eyebrow shot up. "How's that? Wait … are you avoiding someone?" When he merely shook his head, Lou chuckled. "I'll be sure to tell Amy you stopped by then."
Ty's head hung, "Please, don't. Just, pretend you never saw me. I'm just going to go get Davidson set up in the round pen for Amy, then I'll start on my chores."
Lou's eyes rolled. "Sure. I never saw you." She watched as he quickly pulled his shoes on and exited through the front door. "I just wish you two would stop all this pretending, and just admit the truth. It's exhausting."
Ty hooked a lead rope up to Davidson's halter, before patting the horse's muzzle. "Your being awfully well behaved, for a horse with behavioral issues." Ty whispered, as he tugged lightly on the lead rope, and sighing in relief when Davidson walked forward without trouble. With quick, deliberate steps, Ty was able to get Davidson into the round pen without incident. "Who's a good boy?" Ty cooed, and shook his head. "Amy is really starting to rub off on me." He chuckled lightly, as he patted the horse's neck softly.
After a moment Ty removed the lead rope, and moved to hook up Davidson's bridle. As soon as Davidson saw the reins hanging from Ty's hands, he started to stamp his hooves into the dirt.
"Hey, easy, Davidson." Ty whispered softly. He knew that he should wait for Amy before attaching the horse's bridle with the way that Davidson was reacting, but Ty wanted to prove that he could be useful. "I'm not going to hurt you boy." Ty whispered tenderly to the horse as he raised his hands to begin the process of attaching the bridle.
Once his hands came in contact with Davidson's muzzle, the horse lost it. His hooves stamped the ground hard before he kicked up on his hind legs. Davidson released a shrill whinny before bringing his front legs back down and kicking up his back legs as Davidson began to buck. Ty felt like he was watching the scene in slow motion, as Davidson's buckskin colored body started to thrash around. Ty made a move to get out of the pen, but he moved too slowly. Davidson came around Ty's left side, his right back hoof nicked Ty in the stomach before Davidson swiveled around and his left hoof connected with Ty's back.
Ty cried out as his legs caved under him. He could see the ground coming up fast, but he felt like he had no control over his body. Before his head smacked against the firm dirt covered ground, the last thought in Ty's mind was the fact that he couldn't feel his legs. Suddenly his world went hazy before disappearing into a black mask of night. He could still hear Davidson neighing loudly as his world dimmed to nothing.
Amy sat in the same chair she had been sitting in every single day for a little over a week. Her hand clutched Ty's tightly, even though she knew he wouldn't wake up. Not until the doctor said it was safe. Today though, it felt different. Maybe because Dr. Cartwright had ran a new set of tests on Ty's brain yesterday and he promised to have the results sometime today. The doctor's words still flowed through her mind, exciting her and giving her hope. She knew it was foolish, but she couldn't squash the feeling that today would bring the first round of good news for Ty.
"Hello again, Miss Fleming." Dr. Cartwright offered Amy a weary smile.
"Dr. Cartwright." Amy acknowledged the doctor with a weary nod of her head.
Exhausted had long since taken over Amy's psyche. She pulled her arms around her chest, her eyes drooping slightly. Amy had fighting against the pull of sleep since she had arrived at the hospital, just as soon as she had finished up her daily chores. All client horses had been put on hold, mainly because Amy refused to leave the hospital until visiting hours ended. She had to make sure that Ty knew that she was there. That she wasn't giving up on him.
"How is he?" She asked finally, as Dr. Cartwright looked over Ty's chart.
Dr. Cartwright sighed softly, before taking the extra seat in Ty's room. "Much the same, I'm afraid. However, I did run some new scans yesterday. I'm fairly certain that I will have the results by the end of business today. I hope to see some sort of improvement in these scans. I don't relish the thought of keeping Mr. Borden unconscious longer than necessary."
Amy shrugged her shoulders. "So, if there is improvement, then you'll let him wake up?"
Dr. Cartwright stood up and stretched the kinks from his lower back. "Yes, Miss Fleming. If he shows great improvement, then I will allow him to wake up. So long as I'm certain it won't cause him more harm than good. I'll be back later to set up another MRI and CT-Scan for Mr. Borden's spine. I'm hoping to get a better look at what's going on back there."
Amy nodded. "Thank you, Dr. Cartwright."
The doctor nodded wearily, before exiting the room. He just hoped he didn't give her false hope.
"Hello." A voice called from behind Amy, causing her to turn her head.
"Hi." She answered, her eyebrows raising slightly.
"I'm here to collect Mr. Borden for his tests. It'll take a few hours to preform the tests that Dr. Cartwright has ordered. I can have the nurse call you when we bring him back?"
Amy sighed, a shower and nap did sound delightful. "Thank you."
The orderly nodded, "Can I give them a name and number?"
Amy smiled tiredly, "Amy Fleming. They have my number."
"Okay, I'll have them give you a call when we return Mr. Borden to his room."
Amy stood up and nodded, "Thanks." She pulled her cell from it's perch on her hip. She'd call Lou to come pick her up, shower quickly and take a nap. Hopefully when she returned the doctor would have some kind of answers for her.
Amy offered Lou a small smile, "Thanks." She whispered softly.
Lou patted her sister's knee, "Of course, Amy. Let us know what the doctor says, okay?"
Amy nodded, "I'll call you when I'm ready to leave." Amy waited a beat, as Lou nodded in acknowledgment, before jumping from the truck. "It'll be good news, right?"
Lou shrugged, she didn't want to give Amy false hope. "We just have to have faith that Ty is strong enough to overcome this. No matter what the doctor says, we're going to do everything we can to get Ty back to the man he was."
Amy nodded, "Thanks, Lou. I know I haven't been the easiest person to live with the past week. I appreciate everything you've done for me. I'm so glad you're here."
Lou smiled. "Me too, Amy … and you're welcome."
With that, Amy shut the door to the truck, and watched as Lou pulled away from the hospital. She wouldn't admit out-loud, but Amy kind of wished she didn't have to face Dr. Cartwright on her own. Shoving that thought, along with all her nervousness and fear to the back of her mind, Amy squared her shoulders and walked into the hospital.
Her movements were quick and deliberate. She knew the way to Ty's room like the back of her hand. In fact, Amy was certain that she could be blindfolded right now and still find her way to Ty's room. While she knew the familiar twists and turns of the hallway, it was her heart that always seemed to lead her to Ty's room. Each step forward always caused her heart to beat just a little faster.
Her footsteps slowed as Ty's room came into view, a frown on her face. Dr. Cartwright stood outside of Ty's room, as he stared down the hallway at her, like he was waiting for her. Doctor's never waited for a loved one because of good news. Her frown deepened at the nearly troubled expression on Dr. Cartwright's face. Her fear and nervousness made a reappearance, but she tried her best to keep them out of her expression.
"Dr. Cartwright." She called.
"Hello, Miss Fleming." Dr. Cartwright acknowledged her reappearance.
Sighing, Amy placed her hands on her hips. "Alright, cut to the chase. What happened, what's wrong?"
Dr. Cartwright shook his head, even as the edge of his lips pulled up in a barely perceptive smile. "Well, Miss Fleming, I have good news and bad news."
With a slight shake of her head, Amy looked up at him with her arms crossed over her chest. "Of course you do."
He continued, "I got both of Mr. Borden's tests back. I am happy to say that the swelling and fluid build up on his brain has gone down significantly." Amy couldn't stop the smile that broke out on her face. Even as the words bad news rang in her head. "We're about to wean Mr. Borden off of the medications that are keeping him in his induced coma. With any luck, he'll be awake by sometime later tonight, if not early tomorrow morning. Of course, you must keep in mind that he did suffer a brain trauma, so that time-line is just a guess. It could be as long as three days or even a week before he's fully awake and conscious of his surroundings." Dr. Cartwright hung his head, as he awaited Amy's response. He had purposely left out certain details like the possibility of amnesia. It was a bridge they'd cross if it came to it, but he didn't see the need to worry the young girl over something that might not even be a problem.
Amy nodded, "Okay, I understand. That's the good news, right?" Dr. Cartwright nodded. "Good, because that's great news. It's what we've been waiting for. Him to wake up."
Dr. Cartwright sighed, "The bad news is that the swelling on Mr. Borden's spine was covering up a pretty nasty injury. Granted, until he is conscious I won't know the full amount of damage done. There is a small chance that we could repair the damage with an extensive surgery. Of course, we are dealing with the spine, not only is that a sensitive area on it's own, but you have to account of all the nerves that converge on the spine, especially the lower half of your back. The surgery could cause more harm then it fixes. Of course this will be Mr. Borden's choice once he's awake."
Amy's hand covered her mouth for a moment, tears pressing against her eyes. "Are you saying that he's paralyzed?"
Dr. Cartwright shrugged, "I am saying that it is impossible to know for sure until he wakes up and I can access the damage. For all I know, he could have complete and total feeling in his lower extremities, or he might not be able to at all. Either way, it's almost impossible to know if it's permanent unless we can go in and at least see the damage up close."
Amy nodded, "Okay. I understand. Is it alright if I go in to sit with him?"
Dr. Cartwright nodded, "Of course, Miss Fleming. If anything, it will only help to bring him around quicker. Knowing that he has someone here that cares."
Amy pulled her arms around her midsection as she shuffled into the room. Tears were still in her eyes, and she felt numb. The only thing running through her mind was the word paralyzed. No matter what anyone else said, she couldn't help but place the blame on herself. Every kept telling her that there was nothing she could have done to stop it from happening, but that wasn't true, and Amy knew it. She could at least have put some sort of warning down on Davidson's chart. She could have prevented Ty's accident, but she had been careless and now Ty could be paralyzed. She couldn't be more angry at herself in that moment if she tried, and she wouldn't blame Ty if he felt the same way when he woke up.