IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT! : I HAVE DECIDED TO PERMANENTLY DISCONTINUE THIS STORY FOR VARIOUS REASONS. I DON'T LIKE THIS STORY ANYMORE, IT SUCKS ANYWAYS, SO Empire Ants IS OFFICIALLY NO MORE! SORRY YOU GUYS, BUT I JUST DON'T SEE THE POINT IN THIS STORY ANYMORE, AND IF YOU'RE STILL READING THIS THEN CONGRATULATIONS, BECAUSE IT'S TOTALLY APRIL FOOL'S DAY!
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Hahaha, April Fools! ;o; I'm sorry!
*Yawn* –o– yeah, I just wrote that down because I happened to yawn when I started typing this ^.^
Anyhow, I was determined to finish this chapter by today and have it posted TODAY, because it's a special day to me! And, I also wanted to play a prank on you. You totally have to tell me whether or not I scared you ^.^ I'm sorry, but know I love you! And. Today is my best-buddy-in-the-world's birthday. He's my bunny Alec, and he's three years old today! (yeah, I know, crazy girl with a rabbit- she knows he can't read, right?)I love that bastard of mine to death, but it's okay cuz he gives me kisses!
Anyhow, thank you to everyone who reviewed, and I will begin by saying I will be starting to respond to every review I get via this story, because I'm to lazy to message anyone, and also, then I can respond to reviews to people without accounts. Genius, isn't it? (not really) but I thought it would be fun and encourage people that I really do appreciate reviews.
Before I do that however, I want to give my respect, and props, to Sweetums128neo and Liber-T.E.A, two wonder-ific people who have been faithful reviewers to this story since the very first chapter! You guys are awesome.
Also want to give my love to Wordwryhta, who has been there as well, just maybe not as long, but she's still totally awesome and, well, more awesome… :D Hugz
Sweetums128neo: bahaha, I almost peed myself reading your review! I missed you too! A super-AWESOME bear hug? I shall take it O-O But I'm really glad you like the doctor. He's kind of a nerdy fella. I couldn't help myself. ^.^ I was hoping everyone would like him. I'm sorry to hear you almost cried about 2D, too. I'm such a meanie :-) And I know, Noodle is having a very rough time, but unfortunately, it gets worse. I iz sorreh! O.o
xshattered-reflectionx: ToT Thank you SO much. I doubt my writing skills so often, it's nice to hear people think otherwise. And I'm glad you're happy I'm continuing this. ^.^I am too. I missed it. I THINK I got all the mistakes I made… hopefully… if not, oh well -.- Thanks again. And I solemnly swear that I'm up to no good… oh wait, wrong franchise… I meant: mischief manage… oh wait, that's the wrong one too… okay, how about this one: I promise not to kill 2D… yeah, that's the one.
blarglemuffin: I want a muffin now O.o … Ahem, blush. THANK YOU! Oh mai gawd, whenever you peoplez tell me you love my writing, I die a little bit inside (in a good way). It's really uplifting. And fangirl screamed you say? lol that's fantastic. And yes, Noodle does see weakness, being human, as something bad sometimes. But I do as well. When I write her, I can't help but put little things about her that I feel as well. She dislikes feeling weak, vulnerable; distrusts people, feels she has to put everything on her own shoulders. I could go on, but I'd never stop :) It's kind of like therapy… (yeah, I'm an oddball, but whatever works)
InvaderSammeh: I love you too! In a totally non-creepy way! 8D Bahaha. Apparently I messed with a few people's bladders with my update since you almost peed yourself, too. lol. I will totally update moar, whenever I have the time X)
TheStrawberryPheonix: D'aww, thank you. I'm glad to be an inspiration, anytime ^.^ Huggles. Teehee. And you're an asexual? Hmm, well, that doesn't bother me ^.^ nothing really does, unless you're a mass murderer o.O lol, just kidding. But yeah, sexual orientation doesn't bother me, though I will state firmly that I'm straight. It'd be nice to be asexual on some points, though… like not having to deal with hormones -.- It's not a disorder, by the way. At least, I don't believe it is. And I will totally take that luck for the AF. I'm gonna need it :)
Liber-T.E.A: YES! I MISSED YOU, TOO! You cannot escape the cyber-hug! O.o lol. And yeah, being sick only made me grumpy ^-^ it didn't mess with my head OR writing skills, hopefully :) And yes,my love for pretty much everyone on here is very platonic, but also very awesome! I shall deal. *sticks out tongue* And I only said you were homo-novus because when I wrote 'asexual' I thought of Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory, and I couldn't resist ^.^ Ta, it made me giggle. Huzzah!
dancetothisbeat223: Yay! I'm glad I kept you on your toes :) Did it hurt? lol. Thank you for the wonderful compliments and please don't die. Then you won't be able to read what happens next! And, obviously, here's the next update if you're reading this ^.^
Wordwryhta: That was totally a shout out in that last chapter! How could you not know that, you tart? Baha. ^.^ I don't think I know anyone else named Mandi O.o …hmmm… anyhow, I MISSED YOU TOO! I'm ecstatic that I got in too! My recruiter told me I was the first person under the height limit he'd seen get in. And my medical records basically permanently disqualified me, BUT I GOT IN, and I have no one to thank but JESUS for that. Months of praying, and he pulled through, like he's always done for me. Everyone at the recruiting office thinks I'm an anomaly, and when they wonder how I could have possibly been accepted with the waivers I needed, I tell them, "I got Jesus on my side," and I smile. Because it's true. I'm so scared to start a new life, and be away from my family for the first time for such a long time, but at the same time, I'm SO excited to get it started. I know I can do it, and I can't wait to face such new and unfamiliar challenges. I'm sure it'll be an experience I never want to forget :) And don't asplode! :O then you can't read! :) GIANT hugs for you too ^.^
Jen: thank you, and happy to see you reviewed, no matter how short it was :)
Nicky-Rocket: My back? What's on my back? Lol, just kidding, yes, I'm back. Yeah, their next steps are really gonna be HUGE ones, being in a new place and trying to find somewhere to call their own. I don't think I'll have them permanently settle down for a while. They may be moving around a lot to avoid Murdoc, and also, it'll be like a very long vacation for the both of them to heal together. And also, thank you for loving my story and giving your support. I try to make this story realistic, and it's hard sometimes, but it's nice to know I'm succeeding sometimes. And, personally, I don't like happy-go-lucky typical love stories. Don't know why, they just bug me because they're NOT realistic. Meh, but that's me, I guess. Thanks again. *awesome hug*
What have I been up to the past week? I bought a pair of D&G sunglasses because I'm a spoiled BRAT! Lol, no, I bought them with my own money I earned, because I really needed sunglasses. I'm sensitive to sunlight… I burn like a fuse on the fourth of July. Did that make any sense?
*shrug* whatever. But seriously, if I'm outside during the day, it can be cloudy and I still have to squint. Bah humbug…. Let's just move off of the pointless subject.
Well… I believe… I really don't have much else to say… This chapter follows pretty much directly after the last one. It's where I split the two chapters since I knew making them into one would've made it very long. I tried to find all the mistakes, but I may have failed. Lemme know if you find any, yeah? Love you guys!
Oh, and I'm gonna be on vacation for spring break, so I don't know if there'll be any new chapters for two weeks or so. Maybe I'll try to post one before I leave :) Yeah, I'll try.
* Just wanted to point this out, it's still 2010 in my story. STILL 2010! Yeah… I know -.-' *
CHAPTER 2:
DOLDRUMS
The next few hours seemed to go by in a blur. Nurse Maggie came and went a few times, refilling 2D's IV medications, fluids, and blood, along with writing down his vital signs every hour. Each visit offered a smile to the guitarist, and they would exchange greetings and idle chat, but nothing particularly significant. Not even when Maggie replaced 2D's gastric tube like Dr. Cooper had said would happen, at 1:43 A.M. Today was August 31… Or it had been for the last hour and, now, forty-four minutes. At two hours after the feeding tube was removed, the new one was being used to clear out his stomach should anything build that wasn't supposed to be there. His vitals were better; sixty-five over forty-seven. It was then, after Maggie had left, Noodle got a visitor she had subconsciously been expecting, but she had temporarily forgotten he was there.
"Ah, Lass, I've been lookin' all over for ya," Connor greeted her enthusiastically, albeit cautiously. He looked tired as well. His normally vibrant chocolate eyes were hidden by worry. "Woke up not ten minutes ago an' I find you gone, eh? It's t'ree in the morning, you know?" He told her.
She smiled, "Yeah, I know… I think I slept for maybe four hours before I woke up… and then I found 2D, after… a lot of wandering around," she spoke quietly. He nodded. "He…," her face was stolid again. "His heart stopped again… when we got here… didn't it?" She remembered the crash cart, now pushed up against the wall of the room.
Connor approached her, a grimace on his face as he took her hand in his, "Yeah… he did, Lass," he admitted, taking a deep breath and releasing Noodle's hand to run his fingers through his hair, a nervous tic. "I… honestly, thought he might not make it," Connor swallowed heavily. "Didn' know what I was goin' to do with yeh, Lass," he offered with a sad grin, "If I had you all to meself… An' of course, I had no idea what it would do to you, but I have a feelin' I know already…"
I would die without him. My heart can't take any more abuse. I can feel it… She grinned somberly as well, not daring to tell him the words that were screaming inside of her head right now. "He's alive," she whispered. He's alive. Yes, he's alive. The only thing she needed to know. The only words she needed to hear. The only thing that kept her going on with him; kept her heart beating. The only thing that would get her through the time that followed them. He's alive.
"Hmmm," he was grinning again. "Aye, alive he is. An' he'll stay that way, Lass, if I've anythin' to say about it."
Noodle looked to him now, meeting his warm, comforting eyes. Her own were misted, tears threatening to break free as she smiled in return. "Thank you… Connor. You have no idea how much you mean to me… I, really do, love you. And everything about you."
He took in a deep breath, "I love you too, Lass." He bent down, placing a chaste kiss on her cheek and wiping away a fallen tear with his thumb. "You know I'll always be there to take care of you," he told her matter-of-factly. He took a few steps from her, finding his own chair to sit in comfortably.
"Now then, Lass," he spoke, catching her focus. "You've got an appointment in about," he checked his watch, "About four hours. Have yeh all checked out. I'm sure your boy wouldn't want me neglecting you, now would 'e?" He winked.
"What for…?"
"Aye. For–" He stopped abruptly, his lips closing in a thin line, and she understood. He didn't want to speak any words that would upset her. She nodded in understanding. With a nod in return, he carried on, "For that, and see if there's anything you should be keepin' an eye on. Make sure you're not broken," he offered with a smirk, which granted him one in return from her. "And maybe get you on some birth control," he uttered, bringing a fierce blush to Noodle's skin, and she looked to her friend, astonished he had just said that. Maybe he didn't. Maybe she was hearing things. She was sleep deprived, after all… but the impish gleam in his eyes told her another story, so she let out a sigh and looked to 2D once more.
"Oh," Connor shot up again, now digging in his pockets furiously. "I forgot…" He pulled out what looked like two small, leather folders, handing them to her, then dug out another item. A touch-phone; two of them as well. "Your passports," he explained as she opened one small folder. "And a couple o' new phones for the both of yeh –under my own plan of course, so no worries about the costs. And the passports were a bugger ta get, but I had it done, and the both o' you are free to stay in this glorious country as long as you wish with the Visa's I got fer you, too –in the same folders as your respective passports. Also set up a bank account, which I wired some o' me money to. Not like I needed it anyhow –"
"Connor, I…" She shook her head, "This is too much." He looked as if her were about to protest, until she trained her eyes on him carefully. "Honestly, every time I speak with you I say 'thank you' at least a half-dozen times," she grinned. He really was doing far more for her than she had ever expected… from anyone really. Such an oddity, and a rarely good person he was, and it only made her love him more, how he took care of the people around him and asked for nothing in return but pure friendship. She hoped she could make it up to him one day.
His lips curled into a sly smile, "You're at two so far, Bonnie-Lass." She giggled, a pleasant feeling in her body, one she had missed, and the sound of it warmed Connor's heart as well. "Alright," he huffed calmly, "I need ta get a few more things settled, an' I'll be back right before he goes inta surgery. Okay, Lass? Will you be alright?"
"Yeah, I'll be fine now," she answered, and she felt it too. She was going to be better, and she understood his concern all too well. After all, she had been hysterical not twelve hours before, to the point of passing out. But he had not seen the episodes that 2D dealt with concerning her, when her panic attacks nearly killed them both –when she had first arrived on Plastic Beach and she was driven to a point of hysteria that still sent shivers up her spine. She was really getting better now that 2D was going to be okay, like she had promised him.
"Good," he replied, satisfied and standing to his feet. "I'll have a nurse come get you for yeh're appointment, and maybe bring yeh somethin' to eat, since I know you'll not be leavin' this room anytime soon to do that yourself," he grinned, watching her from the corner of his eye as she looked down at the singer. She nodded slightly. "I'll see you later, Lass."
"Okay," she murmured. "Thank you, Connor."
"That's t'ree," he smiled as he began to leave the room, the last thing he heard being her soft laughter as the door closed behind him.
Around five, the sun was rising, and everything Connor had promised, happened. Well, sort of. First being the food. Not what she expected in the least. It wasn't hospital food –that much was obvious. Maggie came into the room, a warm smile on her face, one which Noodle returned, surprising the old nurse, who hadn't seen a genuine etch of real happiness from Noodle since she'd met her, but Maggie took it with stride. "That Irish man of yours got you a treat, sweetheart," she chuckled, bringing in a cart with her, atop it a tray with food from Inn-n-Out. He'd talked about it all the time, but she'd never had a chance to try the food people from outside California seemed to rave about. It was traditional, according to Connor, that if you were visiting the state, you had to eat at Inn-n-Out. There seemed to be way too much food as well: two burgers and a large order of chips. Yeah, she wouldn't be able to finish it without vomiting to in order to make room to eat more.
Noodle smiled, "Would you like to share with me, Maggie?" She questioned, eyeing the food, obvious to the both of them.
Maggie grinned, "Now normally I would turn you down, dear, but this old woman has been on her feet for the last thirteen hours with hardly a bite to eat… I'd love to, sweetheart."
Noodle ate more than she had expected; a burger for herself and more than half of the salty chips. Connor was right. Inn-n-Out was definitely a stop she had to add to her list for whenever she visited the States, but seeing as she would be living here for the time being… Maggie ate what Noodle didn't, the two ladies chatting placidly about this and that, nothing in particular, though Noodle did learn of a few places she should visit, and grew a healthy respect for Maggie's husband; a Navy SEAL veteran, and now the owner of a successful bakery. Maggie showed the guitarist pictures, and the nurse had certainly not been exaggerating. The man's creations were beyond amazing. He didn't believe in using rice crispy treats or plastic piping in the shaping of any of his cakes. Every single creation was all cake, and every one was unique and spectacular.
Looking over at the clock, Maggie sighed, "Well, honey, I gotta go. I'm off my shift, but I'll be back in about ten hours to take care of this gem of yours."
"Alright," Noodle grinned, "Thank you, Maggie. Have a good day." She offered, unconsciously reaching out and taking 2D's hand in her own, having never left his side. Maggie smiled, admiring the girl's determination for this man on the gurney –reminded Maggie of herself.
"Oh, I will, honey. You get some sleep now, you hear?" Noodle nodded. "Oh, bless your heart, darlin'. Now you be good while I'm gone!" She chastised as she cleaned up their mess and began clearing out.
"I will," Noodle promised.
Once the woman left, the door behind her seemed to close a little too loudly, but that didn't concern Noodle. What did, though, was the sudden jump in 2D's pulse from what she heard on the monitor. His vitals were seventy-two over fifty-one now. Still low, but again, this didn't bother Noodle for long. What did was the low groan that came from the singer's mouth. Her eyes snapped onto his face, locking onto it and watching his every move. She held her breath, waiting for something –anything –to happen. His fingers twitched in her hand, holding onto hers a little tighter, and she squeezed back. She nearly broke down into tears when a small grin appeared on his face and his body relaxed. He never woke up, but it was enough for now. It was enough to prove he was alright and he wasn't giving up on her yet.
The sound of a door opening once more brought a grin to Noodle's face, expecting Maggie to reappear, but her face dropped and she inwardly groaned when she saw who it was. The nurse –the one who believed Noodle was a victim of domestic violence. What she was doing here, Noodle wouldn't be able to guess, but the sad smile the nurse offered made her sick to her stomach. She was an unexceptional woman; brown hair and eyes, tan skin, and brown scrubs. Everything sort of meshed and set off confusion as Noodle studied her. Too many shades of brown meshing –an odd sight. "Hi, dear. Are you ready for your OB GYN visit?"
Inside, Noodle was yelling 'No,' but knew that she wouldn't be helping anybody not to have herself checked over. She nodded solemnly and stood from her seat, allowing the nurse to lead the way to her destination. Noodle contemplated asking the nurse her name, seeing as the woman never seemed to announce it herself (why, she had no idea), but decided to leave it. She didn't want to know the woman's name anyhow; didn't want a name to associate with this woman who was wrong about her on so many levels.
As they came to the intersection of two hallways, they met a room with lifts –Noodle remembered passing through here once not long before, looking for 2D. As they entered and the doors closed, the nurse began to speak again, her voice empathetic but impersonal. "Have you had a chance to call the Hotline, dear?" Noodle was silent, her face devoid of emotion. How dare this woman try and accuse 2D of hurting her; of abusing her? She wanted to lash at this woman; yell and scream and cry as she defended the singer. To show the nurse it hurt Noodle that she could just go on and put that on the guitarist without even asking the girl herself if abuse was a factor in her scars. Her heart ached, and her head was hot –she bit her lip to keep from snapping. "I know it's scary, but you won't have to worry about anything happening to you when you do it. You'll be protected and safe." Her words drifted off, and Noodle grew numb to them, detaching herself from words that hurt her dearly. They weren't meant for her. They were meant for someone who actually had those problems, not her. When they came to a stop at a door, the nurse turned to Noodle and grinned again. "Honestly dear, I don't see why you're off running around with a man twelve years older than you, anyhow. He's no good for you," she told her, briskly turning and walking away.
Noodle felt herself grow heated, a fierce grimace in her face. She knew her face was probably red with anger, she could feel it. If looks could kill, that woman would be good as dead. If she'd seen the glare on Noodle's face, she would've crapped herself. She was only lucky she had left when she did, because Noodle knew she would've cracked had that woman uttered another word. She'd been close to breaking since she woke up in that hospital bed away from 2D, but she certainly didn't want her breaking point to come about from such a cold person. She may have meant well, but she was not a friendly person –that much was obvious if her last statement was any indication. She hated folks like that woman. No person has any right to judge another, and that nurse was no exception.
With a huff, Noodle shook her head clear and entered the room they had stopped at. She sighed, her eyes immediately recognizing a dreaded sight: a waiting room. She approached a desk and gave her name. Seems they already had her paperwork, and she was told to have a seat whilst she awaited the doctor. Her eye twitched slightly, more frustration growing within her body. Resignedly, she took the proffered seat, her arms crossed over her stomach as she slouched into the awkward chair. Why should she have to wait for the doctor? There was nobody else in here!
It was only minutes later that a door opened, and someone spoke, "Noodle Hobbs?" Noodle blinked, then stood to her feet and followed the person who'd called her name, to a room where her examination was to take place. It felt cold in here, but it wasn't too unwelcoming. Sort of neutral. The nurse instructed Noodle to remove her shoes and stand on a scale. She clicked her tongue when she read the scale… she still had some weight to gain. She was still skinny and her bones were still visible beneath her skin. Next, the nurse measured her height: four-foot-eleven. Very petite, but Noodle liked being short. Liked that 2D was such a large body compared to her, because when he wrapped his arms around her, she was engulfed by his body, and she felt amazing in his arms. A feeling she missed.
She hopped up on the table and sat with her legs hanging off the edge as she swung them back and forth in an anxious fit. She couldn't hold herself still, and frankly she didn't want to. She wanted to be there if anything happened to 2D. She should be with him now. What if he woke up, and he was all alone? He would be scared and hurt himself. It was a risk she didn't want to take, but she had forced herself to come, if only at Connor's request. He was right. There was no point in staying by 2D's side if it would potentially damage her own health. No point in taking care of him now if she couldn't take care of herself later –it would hurt the both of them. What awaited them in this new life, Noodle hadn't the faintest idea, but she feared it –the unknown. She felt free and safe, but anxious and lost. So many emotions, but the only part that mattered was that she had gotten 2D here with her as well. She only hoped it hadn't been too late. He still had a surgery to pull through, but he was a fighter. She knew that. They both were, apparently… the realisation brought a small grin to her lips. He really was here with her, wasn't he? He was alive. If she kept telling herself the words, she knew she would be all right, no matter what the world threw at her.
Noodle's head snapped up when she heard a door open, and she was slightly relieved to see she'd gotten a female doctor, who smiled as she entered. "Whoo, you're a tiny thing! Noodle, right?" She questioned. Noodle nodded, a small smile gracing her face. "Well, I'm Doctor Penelope Cooper! I'm Dr. Cooper's wife," she chuckled, "Confusing, isn't it? We met here, actually." Noodle smiled back, a real smile now, and she nodded. "You can call me Penny," she offered.
"Okay, Penny," Noodle spoke, already more comfortable with this stranger. She was a beauty: green eyes, blonde hair, and a pair of glasses adorned her face. Like Dr. Cooper, she had her coat opened, but she removed it now to reveal her blue scrubs underneath. Noodle looked at the woman now, who was writing on her chart. "Um… so, ano, what am I doing here? I mean, what should I expect?"
Penelope smiled as she took her stethoscope from around her neck and place it on the counter. "Alright, well, you can start by removing your clothes, and panties, but you can leave your bra on, and change into that gown there," she pointed to the one folded neatly on the chair by the table Noodle sat atop. Noodle grimaced, and Penelope chuckled. "Yeah, I know. Lame, right? Don't worry, I won't look," she promised with a wide smile.
With a sigh, Noodle hopped off the table and began to remove her shirt, then put the gown on, tying the strings behind her back. As she removed her trousers and pants underneath, Penny began to speak again, "We'll be taking some blood, and we'll have that tested to confirm a pregnancy, or at least see if you were pregnant, seeing as you believe you've had a miscarriage," she spoke with a frown. Noodle felt her eyes well up as well, but she fought it away as she hopped up onto the table again. "Then, while we wait for the results, which shouldn't take long, we'll do a transvaginal ultrasound, just to be sure you're not pregnant. They're not exactly comfortable," she warned lightly. "And then, I'll be looking around in there to make sure everything was cleared out and nothing nasty was left behind. We'll see if your cervix has dilated. Have you had any stomach pain or bleeding?" Noodle nodded. Penny looked down at her chart again, writing down the information. "How long?"
"Almost a week, and about three days ago, a rush of blood, ano, came out… there was a lot of it," she remembered, shivering when she realised what had happened –what'd she'd lost. There was nothing else that could have happened. She felt the loss with her very heart.
"And when was your last period?"
"Um. June 15th, I think," she recalled. Mid July was around when she and 2D had become intimate, and a month later… She didn't want to think about it.
Penny sighed, already feeling sympathetic for the poor, young girl. She took hold of a blood pressure meter. "Alright, sweetie, just hold out your right arm and we'll get started."
Noodle did as she was asked, and Penny wrapped the device around her arm, wasting no time as she began to pump air into the device until it was full, and then wrote down Noodle's blood pressure. A little high for someone her size, but it was expected with what she'd been through; stress can do that. Next Penny had Noodle sit straight and take deep breaths as she listened with her stethoscope, and once everything checked out okay, yet another nurse came in with a needle and some viles for blood. Noodle moved to the chair and sat down, placing her arm on the armrest and counting off in her head as she awaited the prick of the needle to hit her skin. Once she felt it, she reminded herself to breathe –she would pass out if she didn't remind herself to breathe. Silly, but true.
Next came what Noodle had been dreading. Penny instructed Noodle to lie on the table and place each of her legs on the stirrups. With an inward groan, Noodle laid back and did what she was told, a blush on her face as she exposed the most private part of her body to an absolute stranger, but she quickly calmed herself. Penny was a kind woman, that much was obvious. Once Noodle was in the proper position, Penny adorned her hands with gloves, then took her ultrasound device and lathered the probe of the device she'd have to insert in a lube. She saw Noodle's discomfort from the corner of her eye as she turned the monitor on. "I know, sweetie, it's completely freaky, but it won't last long. I promise," she told her with a smile. Noodle nodded, giving the good doctor permission and tensing when Penny approached her. "Just relax, honey, or it'll be more uncomfortable," she advised. The guitarist took a deep breath, and tried to do as she was asked, but gasped once she felt the probe enter her. Penny was right; it was awkward, but she shook it off quickly.
They both watched the monitor closely for anything. Penny's smile wavered now and then. "No heartbeat," she murmured. Noodle felt her chest ache a little bit. She hadn't really been expecting to hear one, but having it confirmed did sting a little… a lot... After a moment, Penny removed the probe carefully, "Alright," she spoke, removing her gloves and replacing them with new, fresh ones, "Now for the pelvic exam," she stated. She eyed Noodle carefully as the girl watched her. "Kind of like the ultrasound, but with no probes," she smiled. "It won't take too long, just a few minutes."
"Okay," Noodle breathed, a little relieved. That device had definitely been… an experience she didn't want to repeat, but now she'd have to deal with someone actually looking at/into her. She took a deep breath and let her head fall back, staring at the ceiling as she waited for it to be over.
Penny spoke as she poked and prodded around. Still awkward, but not as uncomfortable. "Alright, so your cervix is definitely dilated, and you appear to be bleeding still, but that should stop by this time tomorrow from what you've told me." She sighed, already knowing what the results of the blood tests would most likely be. "But, good news, there's absolutely no sign of an ectopic pregnancy, which is very good, so we don't have to worry about you bleeding out…"
She grew quiet after that, continuing her examination for around ten minutes, and Noodle sighed in relief when Penny announced it was over. On schedule, the results of Noodle's bloodwork arrived, and Penny took the charts eagerly. As she looked everything over, Noodle sat up and wiped herself off, though there was no need to. Within seconds of reading over the results, Penny frowned, and gave Noodle a somber look. "Well, I'm sorry sweetie… but it looks like you did, indeed, have a miscarriage," she told the young girl, placing her hand on her shoulder and squeezing it. "There are many reasons, but I don't think there were any genetic factors…" As Noodle began to cry quietly, the doctor leaned against the table, wrapping her arms around the guitarist in an attempt to comfort her, and Noodle allowed it, hugging the kind woman back. It wasn't her fault; she'd only done her job.
After a couple of minutes, Penny handed Noodle a tissue, and began writing down a few more details. "Alright, sweetie, I know it's hard to digest… but you can try again in six months if you want," she informed her. Noodle shook her head; she wasn't ready for a child, that much, she was certain of. "And, if you'll please listen," Noodle looked up now, as Penny spoke, "I'd like you to know, a miscarriage is never your fault. It is spontaneous, and there are always many factors that cause it, but none of them are: sex during pregnancy, exercise, or, rarely, stress. What I believe may have contributed however, for you, was your being underweight, honey. And, you've probably been under extreme stress with the father as I heard he was in critical condition." Noodle nodded somberly. "Right. Well, sweetie, when you get to a healthy weight, it shouldn't be any problem, except for your height. You'd have to be extra careful since you're such a tiny thing, because I'm sure it would put a lot of strain on your body. Give it a little while, get better, and try again when you're ready," she advised the girl, who nodded in return, and she took her hand as she spoke. "Now, I know you're done here, but after you get dressed, you can stay a couple minutes if you need to, sweetie," Penny told her. She wrote down one last thing, and ripped a piece of paper, handing it to Noodle; a prescription for pain medication, and another for birth control. "You can start taking your birth control in about a week, when you're done with the other pills."
"Thank you," Noodle whispered, choking a little and rubbing her irritated eyes.
"No problem, sweetie." With a smile, Penny left, and Noodle sighed as she closed her eyes and was left to think, alone.
Back in the ICU, Connor arrived, a smile on his face, but it disappeared when he pulled the plastic curtains of 2D's room aside and Noodle wasn't there. His face scrunched, he shrugged and decided she just wasn't done with her appointment. With a huff, Connor approached a chair by the wall and sat down roughly, the movement of the chair scraping loudly against the tile floor. Connor jumped when 2D grunted, coughing loudly as his pulse jumped yet again.
The Irish man scrambled to his feet, and watched as 2D's eyes blinked open, his eyebrows pulling together at the sight of the familiar man, but he was too drugged to really question why he was there. He tried to move, but the medications made him numb so he couldn't seem to find his limbs at the moment, and he felt god-awful, like the worst hangover of his life, but exponentially worse.
He tried speaking, but sputtered and coughed, the tube down his throat preventing that. Connor shushed him, chuckling a bit. "Ah lad, don't be tryin' that," he warned. 2D looked at him questioningly. "You have a tube goin' down yer throat. Didn't yeh notice," he chuckled again, and 2D's face dropped. He looked around the room. Where was Noodle? Why wasn't she here? He looked to the man, Connor he thought. After a couple of attempts, 2D reached out with his left hand and tugged at Connor's sleeve, hoping he would understand. Connor's face fell, but he grinned again after a moment, "She's fine, lad. Just seein' a doctor. Should be back any moment." He had no choice, he had to trust Connor's words, despite his mind screaming at him to holler up a storm and try to find the nearest possible exit and escape. His hatred for hospitals seemed to be a borderline phobia; being strapped down, medicated, and stuck with needles and tubes every which way certainly did not help.
Both men's eyes turned to the opened curtains as Dr. Cooper entered. "A little monitor told me you'd woken up, Stuart," he smiled at his patient. He looked to Connor now, "I see you've made yourself at home in my hospital." The two men chuckled. "Where's Noodle?" He asked, not seeing the girl anywhere.
"She had an appointment," Connor explained. "Should be back soon."
Dr. Cooper nodded, "Right, well, Stuart, you are looking great," he smiled. 2D stared at the man as if he were mad. Clearly the Superman t-shirt he wore was going to his head, 2D thought with an inward smirk. "Your vitals are still low, so we'll still be watching that. And you'll still be needing blood…" It was then 2D looked over and saw the blood bag by his side. He whimpered, then coughed. Dr. Cooper smiled, "But, we can remove those tubes from your mouth and nose." At that, 2D's eyes grew wide and he nodded eagerly, but the movement made him dizzy, so he sat back more, holding his head with his left hand –the only hand he could move at the moment with all the lines connected to him. "All right, then let's get that done with," he agreed. He eyed another line, "I suppose you don't need this anymore, either," he spoke to himself. After removing the arterial line, 2D's left arm was now free, much to the singer's relief.
He went for the EEG pads on 2D's head now, pulling each one off quickly and placing them aside, no longer needed. "Now, Mr. Pot, removing these is going to be uncomfortable, but you need to exhale, breathe out, as I remove them," he advised. 2D nodded, and Dr. Cooper took the nasal tube first, eyeing 2D as he began to pull it out slowly. There was a slight pain, and it was definitely uncomfortable, but it felt infinitely better once it was gone and he was breathing on his own. Again, 2D was told to exhale as the doctor removed his gastric tube. There was the same uncomfortable feeling, and the singer gagged a bit when the end reached his throat, then coughed once it was removed. "How're you feeling, Stuart?" Doctor Cooper asked with a smile.
"Better," 2D coughed. "Fanks."
"Not a problem. Now," he looked at Connor, then 2D again, "Your surgery is in two hours, and should last about three."
2D sputtered again, "Whot?" He was coughing violently now, and Connor began to pat him on the shoulder.
"Alright, lad?" Connor asked. 2D gave a half nod, somewhat ignoring the man as he listened to what the doctor had to say.
When he explained what the surgery was for, 2D simply nodded, accepting his fate. A surgery wouldn't kill him, but that certainly didn't mean he was looking forward to it. He sort of went into a fog, his mind protecting him from the fear of being cut open. He didn't notice when Dr. Cooper left the room, too wary and too anxious. Hadn't he fallen asleep on the plane? How in hell had he ended up in the hospital?
He didn't have time to ask questions. His heart stopped as he looked up from where he laid on the gurney, the upper half of the gurney at an angle, propping him up. He and Noodle were looking at each other, eyes locked, the same feelings resurfacing from when they'd seen one another for the first time in four years, and his heart began to beat again. They both felt unbelievable, like their hearts were soaring, but were too muddled and filled with mixed up emotions to smile at one another as they wanted to do, but that didn't stop the tears that flowed down Noodle's face. "Noodle," 2D chirped, his voice rough and sore.
"2D," she cried in return, striding to his side and placing her hands on his face. She couldn't speak, neither could. They couldn't find anything to say to one another, but they didn't need words. They could feel it. He could feel her love through her green irises and the way her thumbs caressed his pale skin, and she could feel it when he brought his hand to her hair, pulling her forward and laying a warm kiss on her forehead. She smiled, another tear running free. She looked up, smiling at the man who'd made this possible. He was sitting now, messing around with his phone. "Thank you, Connor," she whispered.
He heard her, and looked up with a grin. "That's four t'day, Lass." They shared a laugh, and he smiled again. "Anytime," he promised. When his phone buzzed in his hand, he snapped his focus onto it and muttered. "Fuck." He looked up to the couple, now looking at him questioningly. "I gotta take this call," he explained, then quickly left the room.
Noodle looked after him as he left, and 2D trained his eyes on Noodle. When she met his gaze, green on black, her heart skipped a beat again, and she grinned as she used her chair, stepping onto it to pull herself up. She moved his left arm aside, then climbed onto the bed, resting her head on his chest with a sigh. 2D laid his arm around her shoulders, leaning over to kiss the top of her head, feeling better than he had in a while, but he had questions he wanted answered.
"Love?" He called. She hummed, letting him know she was listening. "Whot 'appened?"
There was a long silence before she could find her voice. She squeezed closer to him, tears still falling from earlier. "You died," she told him. He let out a deep breath, not sure how he was supposed to feel about this new information. "Your heart stopped twice… I… I thought I was going to lose you," she admitted, rubbing her face against his chest again, breathing in his thick scent. It was a little off, but definitely comforting. 2D sighed, brushing his hand up and down Noodle's arm, letting her know he was very much alive now, and he would stay that way if he could help it. Noodle moved over his chest more, laying her head directly in the center, careful not to hurt him. Her heart clenched with happiness when she heard the sound of his heart beating. It was still slow, but very much there. It was a welcome sound, to hear his heart beating in his chest. She'd fallen asleep to the sweet sound of it too many times to count, and yet she would never get enough. The rhythm of it, of his heart, was her favourite lullaby.
"2D," she whispered.
"Yeah, Love?" He spoke, his voice still raspy and rough, but he didn't care, so long as he got to hear her voice in return.
"I… I went to the doctor today," she told him.
He nodded, "Connor told me…"
Noodle took a breath to steady herself and felt her chest spasm, still recovering from her recent cry. "She… said I was pregnant… that it was a miscarriage," she wheezed. 2D squeezed her shoulder. Noodle sniffed, hot tears crawling down her face. She began to cry again, burying her face against him. "2D," she sobbed. "I was," she hiccupped. "I was too skinny," she cried. "It's my fault," she wailed quietly.
"Shhhhh," he whispered, though his eyes were threatening to water as well. "No ih's not, Noodle. Yew know tha'…" He assured her, wishing he could do more to make her feel better than just speak words. "We weren' ready ta be parent's, anyway, Love. Ih's alright… You'll be okay… we'll be okay," he told her, kissing her head once again. And they would.
When I counted up my demons
Saw there was one for every day
But with the good ones on my shoulders
I drove the other ones away
So if you ever feel neglected
And if you think that all is lost
I'll be counting up my demons, yeah
Hoping everything's not lost
When you thought that it was over
You could feel it all around
And everybody's out to get you
Don't you let it drag you down
'Cause if you ever feel neglected
If you think that all is lost
I'll be counting up my demons, yeah
Hoping everything's not lost
If you ever feel neglected
If you think all is lost
I'll be counting up my demons, yeah
Hoping everything's not lost
Singing out
Oh oh oh yeah, oh oh yeah, oh oh yeah
And everything's not lost
So come on yeah, oh oh yeah, come on yeah
And everything's not lost
Oh oh oh yeah, oh oh yeah, oh oh yeah
And everything's not lost
Come on yeah, oh oh yeah, come on yeah
Come on yeah, oh oh yeah, come on yeah
And everything's not lost
Sing out yeah, oh oh yeah, come on yeah
And everything's not lost
Come on yeah, oh oh yeah, sing out yeah
And everything's not lost
Coldplay – Everything's Not Lost
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^.^ I hope you all, um, are okay with this chapter. Lemme know if you see mistakes, yeah? Love you! I'll see if I can get the next chapter out soon!