(A/N: I'm so-o-o sorry I took so long on this one! Writer's block struck again, along with my love for Blue Sky Studio's Epic briefly blossoming back. Enjoy!)
X- X-Ray
Summary: Shenzi and Chuckie are on a picnic date together in the park, when they see a kid about to get hit by a car. What happens?
16-year-old Chuckie Finster laid out the large, red and white gingham blanket on the grass, and sat at one side with the picnic basket. His girlfriend of 3 years, 15-year-old Shenzi Tuck, sat closely next to him, cross-legged. For the warm weather, she was in a light pink Killstar babydoll dress, a black v-neck, button-up vest, black and light pink Converse low tops with white laces, black small hoop earrings, and a light pink hair extension clipped in her long bangs, which draped over the left side of her face, contrasting with her raven black hair. Even her black cat-eye prescription glasses were halfway covered, as was her left, blue eye. Her right eye, which was actually green, was unveiled for the world to see.
Why is the left side of her face covered? One word: Bullies. They made fun of her because of a condition she had called Heterochromia, where a person has different colored eyes. Chuckie's heart ached when she cried to him from their insults; He didn't know why people were so cruel. In his eyes, she was the most beautiful girl he ever had the pleasure to know. She had a wonderful personality; Sweet, generous, but not afraid to get nasty when her loved ones were hurt or in danger of any kind. Although he did admit that she seemed to let insults get to her, no matter how much she'd been told not to. She was just sensitive, in both ways, but regardless of that, he loved her, and nothing would change that.
A soft peck on his cheek snapped him back to reality. "The food's getting cold," She giggled, "And I'm hungry."
"S-sorry," He stammered, and took out their hamburgers made by his mother, Kira. He also had two Pepsi bottles in the basket, and some chocolate chip cookies, also made by Kira especially for their date. Although there was too much for just the two of them, so she gave some to Chuckie's stepsister, Kimi for her date with Tommy Pickles, and kept the rest at home.
"I can already smell those cookies," She giggled.
"Well, you'll have to wait until we finish our burgers," He smiled as he gave one of the burgers and bottles to her, along with a paper plate, and a kiss on the cheek.
"'Kay," She playfully pouted, then took a bite out of her burger, as Chuckie unwrapped his. "These are awesome as always," She remarked after swallowing, then took a gulp of Pepsi, "Your mom's a great cook."
"Your mom is too," Chuckie shrugged, before taking a bite.
"Yeah," She nodded, "Both of our moms are great cooks."
Before long, they finished their burgers and took out the cookies. "These are awesome," Shenzi remarked after swallowing a large bite.
"Yep," Chuckie nodded in agreement after swallowing a smaller, but still big bite. He chuckled when she let out a loud burp from the soda. She had attracted the attention of two other park patrons. "Excuse you," He kissed her nose as she giggled in slight embarrassment.
"Yea, excuse me," She sheepishly finished her first cookie, then grabbed another. She and her boyfriend each had 3. After they were done eating, they threw out their plates, stashed the blanket in the basket, and went for a walk once their meals were digested. "Nice day, huh?" She remarked.
"Yep," Chuckie agreed, "Perfect for a picnic and a walk with a lovely girl." He kissed her soft, black hair as her cheeks flushed.
"Aww Chuckie," She giggled, "You're so cheesy."
"Well I like cheese," He teased her, "And I know you do too."
"It makes me gassy," She pouted.
"So you're lactose entolerant," He shrugged, while trying not to laugh, "That's not a bad thing." He gently patted her back. "It just one of the things that make you, well, you. And I love you."
Shenzi let a shy smile grow. "And I love you too, Chuck." She leaned up, and kissed his freckled cheek. She then spotted something a distance away; Something very bad. "Oh no! That kid's walking into the road!"
Chuckie's eyes widened in shock. "Where's his mother?! Why can't parents look after their kids?!"
A determined glare grew on Shenzi's face. "Be right back." With that, she broke into a run, greatly alarming her boyfriend.
"Shenzi, wait!" He tried to run after her, but she was too fast. His heart stopped when he saw a car speeding on the road towards them! "Shenzi!" He ran again, but was too late; His girlfriend pushed the kids out of danger, and took the harsh hit! He shielded his eyes in horror at the banging sound, and the yell of pain from Shenzi. When he unveiled his eyes, the offending car drove off, and his girlfriend was on the concrete, her tiny hands hovering around her left leg, which looked pretty battered, and a pained expression was on her face. "Shenzi!" He immediately came to her aid.
"C-call 911," She stuttered with a strained tone.
"On it." He whipped out his phone, dialed the emergency number as quickly as possible, and explained what happened, ending it with a plead for them to hurry. When he hung up, his heart swelled with sympathy at his one and only's pained look. "You're okay, baby." He stroked her hair in attempts of comfort.
"It, it hurts, Chuckie," She breathed heavily.
"Look at me, sweetheart." He pressed his forehead against his, and stared into her eyes, or eye. "Just look at me. Try to ignore the pain, and focus on me. The ambulance will be here soon." He could see that she was trying her best to be strong through the searing pain in her leg. He cupped her cheek with his right hand, and kissed her slightly damp forehead as she breathed heavily. She was still trying to look in his eyes, to focus on him instead of the agony. She shifted her attention to all the features on his incredibly handsome face; His adorable freckles, his kissable cheeks, his beautiful brown eyes framed by his purple rectangular eyeglasses, his cute nose, his long red hair falling in his eyes, etc. He was truly a handsome boy. Their hearts jumped in surprise when she was suddenly lifted up by a paramedic, and carefully laid on a stretcher. "I, I have to go in with her," Chuckie pleaded them when he wasn't given access to the inside of the ambulance. "I'm her boyfriend; She needs me."
The two paramedics nodded, then stepped aside. "Go ahead, sir."
"Thanks," He sighed in relief, then carefully but quickly walked inside, and sat at his girlfriend's side. "I'm here, baby girl." He ran his fingers through her hair, as he held her hand. "I'm not leaving you." He was forced to let go of her hand when they arrived at the hospital, and she was rolled into the emergency room. He ran in an attempt to catch up, before she was seated in the emergency room. He scooted the guest chair as closely to hers as possible, and gently laid her head on his shoulder for comfort. "It's okay, sweetie. You're alright." She was quiet, as she tried to stay strong through the pain. He kissed her forehead as he brushed her hair from her face.
"Ms. Tuck?" The doctor walked into the room. "We need to get an x-ray of your leg to determine its condition."
"Eh-x-ray?" She squeaked out in fear.
"Don't worry, x-rays don't hurt," The doctor assured her, and Chuckie nodded.
"C-can my boyfriend please come with me?" She timidly requested.
"Yes he can," The doctor nodded, to her and her boyfriend's relief, "Let's just get you in a wheelchair, Ms. Tuck." He and Chuckie helped her sit in a wheelchair ready for her, then Chuckie wheeled her to the x-ray room, following the doctor. Shenzi squeaked in fear when she saw the long table, and intimidating machine.
"You'll be alright, baby girl," Chuckie kissed the back of her head, "It'll help you get better."
"Whe-where are my parents?" She asked him nervously. "A-and Frankie?"
"They got caught up in something," Chuckie replied, "But they'll be here soon. I'm here for you. I'm not leaving you."
After a while, the procedure was over, and Shenzi was wheeled back to the room she was in before. "You just wait here until we get the results from the x-ray, Ms. Tuck." The doctor then walked out of the room, leaving the couple alone. Chuckie brushed the back of her soft hand with his thumb, and kissed her head. "You're okay."
"Shenzi!" Frankie, the black-haired girl's stepsister, came rushing in, followed by their parents, Felicia and Friar Tuck. Frankie sat in the chair in front of her sister, and scooted it closer. "What happened?"
"I... I saw this kid on the road, I ran out there to save him, and... next thing I know, my leg is hurting really badly."
"Did you get x-rays yet?" Friar Tuck asked her, sitting to her right and taking her free hand.
"Y-yeah, but they don't have the results yet," She replied, before her breath hitched, "Ma-man, it hurts."
"You'll be fine, sweetie," Felicia tried to comfort her, while brushing her dark hair from her face, "You'll be just fine."
"We're here for you," Chuckie assured his girlfriend.
After a while, the doctor came in. "Ms. Tuck? According to you x-rays, your leg is definitely broken, and will require surgery for it to heal."
Shenzi looked like she wanted to throw up. "Ser-ser-surgery?" She stammered.
"You'll be alright," Chuckie kissed her cheek.
"It's a routine procedure, Ms. Tuck," The doctor told you, "There won't be any problems."
"When does her surgery start?" Felicia asked him.
"In about... 6 hours." Shenzi squeaked in fear at that. "I'll come get you when that time comes. We'll get you settled in a room for now." Shenzi was set back in her wheelchair, with Chuckie and Friar Tuck helping, and was wheeled by the doctor to a currently vacant room, 246. She was carefully laid on the hospital bed, Chuckie wanting to throw up at her squeaks and yelps of pain, and her wheelchair was kept close by.
"H-how're you doing?" Chuckie asked her after sitting as close to her as possible.
"As fine as you can be with a broken leg," She shrugged, her voice quiet, "I'm scared. No, terrified. Surgery just scares me."
"You'll be okay," Friar Tuck assured her, "The doctor said it's a regular thing, so there won't be any issues."
"You'll pull through," Chuckie rubbed her tiny hand, "You're so brave, more so than me. I mean, you practically sacrificed your life for someone you don't even know. And if that's not brave, I don't know what is." He kissed her temple as she shyly averted her gaze.
The 6 hours flew by too fast for the family's liking; Shenzi was taken to the operating room before long, and were waiting anxiously for the youngest's return. The three Tucks felt for Chuckie when he was slumped over, with his hands on his cheeks, his head hung low. His red hair concealed both sides of his face. "She'll be alright, Chuck," Frankie patted his shoulder in comfort, "Like you said, she's a brave, strong girl. She'll pull through, I know it."
"I know, but still," He sighed in distress, "I'm still really worried about her. Surgery scares her a lot; Even the thought of it makes her uncomfortable. I can't imagine what she could be going through right now."
"You mean other than the anesthesia?" Frankie tried to joke with him, to ease up the tension in the room, but the looks she received said that it wasn't working. "S-sorry. Um, I can't imagine it either."
The family waited for hours in anxiety for Shenzi to be wheeled back into the room, with her leg fixed up. It felt like days were passing by. Their hearts leapt with hope when they would hear footsteps coming, but would feel disappointed when they would just pass by the room. At one point, Chuckie started pacing back and forth, deeply worrying his girlfriend's family. "She's alright, Chuckie," Felicia tried to assure him, but he didn't stop.
Thankfully for his sanity, the doctor wheeled a stretcher in the room, with Shenzi laying peacefully on it. Chuckie rushed over immediately, and helped in laying her back on the bed. "H-how'd the surgery go?" He asked the doctor, while stroking his girlfriend's hair.
"It went perfectly fine," The doctor replied, "Her leg should heal in 6 weeks, at least, with some rest. She's asleep right now, but should wake up soon."
"Thank God," Friar Tuck sighed in relief.
"I'll tell our principal what happened, so she could be excused from school for a while," Frankie decided, "Either me or Chuckie can bring her homework to her."
The redhead was sitting next to Shenzi as close to her as possible, holding her tiny hand with his head carefully laid on hers. His heart jumped when she let out a little relaxed moan, and snuggled in his neck a bit. "Sh-Shen?" He stammered, and her eyes blinked open.
"Hmm?" She hummed sleepily. "Wh-what happened?"
"Your leg is fixed up," Chuckie replied, gesturing to her left leg, which was in a white cast.
"O-oh!" She then remembered.
"How're you feeling, sweetheart?" Friar Tuck asked her.
"I'm still pretty sore," She shrugged, "When can I go home?"
"Probably after 2 nights at most," Felicia replied. Her heart swelled with sympathy when her youngest daughter looked disappointed.
"I'll stay with you as much as I can," Chuckie assured her, with a kiss in her hair.
"Thanks Chuckie," She smiled sleepily, and laid on his shoulder. "Ugh, my leg hurts," She whispered, although he heard her.
"You're alright," He rubbed her arm soothingly, "It'll heal before you know it. The stitches should be taken out in a couple weeks from now. But hey; At least you won't be going to school for a few weeks."
"True," She giggled weakly.
"When you're home, I'll stay with you as much as I can," He promised her.
"Yay," She smiled sleepily, but lovingly at him, "I look forward to that."
After a couple weeks, Shenzi was back at the hospital, to have her stitches taken out. Chuckie was with her, but since there had to be a family member of hers, Friar Tuck came with them. For the warm day, she was in a black cropped camisole, red and black lace-trimmed satin ballet flats, a red extension, black rose earrings, and to cover her leg with comfort, black high-waisted flare jeans. "You alright, Shen?" Chuckie asked her.
"I, I guess," She replied, "I'm scared, though."
"You'll be fine," He kissed her forehead, "Those stitches will be taken out, then your leg will fully heal with time." He brushed the back of her hand with his thumb, as she laid on his shoulder.
"Thank God," She whispered, although he heard her.
"Yep," He nodded in agreement. Shenzi's heart pounded with fear when they arrived at the hospital. "Here, I'll help you out of the car." He jumped out on the concrete, opened his girlfriend's side door, and helped her walk out on the ground, feeling sympathy when she cringed at every step on her left leg. "Here, I'll carry you." He carefully lifted her up bridal style, but started struggling from his lack of strength. "Oh boy." He gently set her down on her feet, but kept her in his arms. "Um, m-maybe your dad should do it." She giggled weakly, making him smile.
Shenzi smiled and giggled some more when Friar Tuck lifted her up in the same way her boyfriend did, but with more ease. "Thanks, Dad."
"You're welcome, sweetheart."
The two walked into the proper waiting room, where the young patient was carefully set in one of the chairs, next to Chuckie. She reached for her left leg to scratch an itch near the stitches, but refrained. But trying to be careful, she went to get rid of the itch, but her breath hitched when pain radiated in that area. "Be careful there," Chuckie held her hand in both of his, "Don't mess with the stitches."
"S-sorry," She mumbled, "I just had an itch."
"Ah," He nodded, "Well still, try to be careful... and patient." He let out a snicker. "Get it? Patient?" He chuckled as Shenzi and Friar Tuck stared at him. "Hehe, never mind." He cleared his throat. "Anyway, those pesky threads will be out before you know it, Shen." He kissed her temple, before they heard the doctor's voice.
"Shenzi Tuck?"
"See?" He smiled at his girlfriend as he helped her stand up. He and his soon-to-be father-in-law helped her walk into the proper room and sit on the bed.
"Ms. Tuck, you'll have to take off your jeans for your stitches to be taken out," The doctor told her after the door was closed.
"O-okay," She stammered shyly. After she undid all the buttons, Chuckie helped her slide them down, revealing her red Mickey Mouse hipster panties.
He tried not to stare as she sat back on the bed, but his flushed red cheeks were a clear giveaway. When he looked at Friar Tuck, his heart jumped when he saw that he didn't look very happy with him. "S-sorry," He stammered, "I'm trying not to stare, I promise."
"It's fine," He assured his soon-to-be son-in-law. But then he saw that the doctor had slightly flushed cheeks as well, with his eyes averted at a bad place. "Hey! Quit eyeballing my daughter!"
"M-my apologies, Mr. Tuck," He stammered, then carefully went to work.
Chuckie held her hand as the stitches were being taken out, but one peek made him almost lose his breakfast. "I'll help her," Friar Tuck offered, "You just rest, and don't look at the stitches."
"Th-thanks," Chuckie stuttered, "Is that alright, Shen?"
"Mm hmm," She nodded, looking like she was in pain. As her boyfriend sat close to her, yet away from the stitches, her left hand was carefully but quickly held in her father's. "Thanks, guys." Chuckie rubbed her upper arms, as he kissed the back of her head.
Before long, the procedure was finished, and her leg was wrapped up again. "Okay Ms. Tuck, your leg should heal after a few weeks of resting," The doctor told her, as she put her jeans back on, with Chuckie's help.
"Alright," She nodded as she re-did the buttons, "Thanks."
"You're welcome."
With that, the three walked back to the car, Chuckie helping Shenzi inside, then headed back to her house. "That wasn't so bad, was it?" He asked her.
"I guess not," She shrugged, "Although I should ask you that," She giggled.
"Haha, hilarious," He smirked, "I have a low tolerance for stuff like that."
"I know," She nodded, "I'm sorry." She rubbed his hand in comfort.
"It's okay, you shouldn't be sorry," He kissed her lips, "I shouldn't have looked. It just... looked like Sally the ragdoll."
"I had the same thought," She shrugged, "I'm just glad they're out."
"Me too," He agreed with her, "But next time you save a life... be more careful, okay?"
"Okay," She giggled, "I'll try, I promise." She laid on his shoulder.
"I'll take that promise," He chuckled as he laid his head on hers, while holding her hand.
The couple spent the rest of the car ride in silence, before they arrived at her house. With Chuckie and Friar Tuck's help, she stepped out of the car, and walked in the house, where Felicia and Frankie were waiting for them. "Hey sweetie," Felicia greeted her, "How'd it go?"
"As expected," She shrugged as she carefully sat on the couch next to Chuckie and her mother. She cringed as she squirmed a bit.
"You alright?" Chuckie asked her. "You want to change into better pants?"
"Mm hmm," She nodded, and carefully stood up, "I'll be right back."
"I'll help you," Frankie stood up, and assisted her baby sister up the stairs and in her dark bedroom, gingerly closing the door behind them. "You just sit and relax, sis." She sat Shenzi on the bed. "Now, which pants do you want?"
"It doesn't matter," She shrugged, while undoing the buttons on her jeans, "Any comfy pairs will suffice."
"Here you go," Frankie gave her a pair of red Mickey Mouse sleep pants, which matched her underwear, "I won't look, I promise." She faced the door, with her hands shielding her eyes.
Shenzi carefully pulled her jeans down, wincing at the pain in her left leg, then carefully stepped into and pulled up the more comfortable pants so they were sitting somewhat high up on her hips, although some skin on her slender tummy was still peeking out. "Okay, you can look." Frankie turned around, while lowering her hands. "Now, let's go downstairs."
"You sure you don't want to lay in bed?" The blonde girl asked her. "It doesn't matter."
"Well... I actually do think it would be better if I laid down." Shenzi shifted on her bed, and leaned back against the headboard. "But um... can you ask Chuckie to come up? I just... want him to be here."
"Okey-dokey," Frankie nodded, then walked downstairs and up to her soon-to-be brother-in-law. "Hey, Chuck?" He turned to look at her. "Shenzi's in bed, and she wants you."
"Is she alright?" He asked her in a slight panic.
"She's okay," She assured him, "She just wants you there with her."
"Ohh," He nodded, "Okay then. Anything for her." He then walked upstairs and peeked in her room, seeing her on the bed. "You decent?" He lightly joked with her.
"Uh huh," She giggled, then patted the area to her right, "Go ahead and sit."
"Thanks." He carefully sat next to her after stepping out of his shoes, and held her closer by her shoulders. "How's your leg?"
"It's still sore," She replied, "But not as much as before."
"Good," He kissed her head, "I hate seeing you hurt, physically or otherwise."
"Same with you," She said quietly, "I'm glad it was me that took the hit, and not you."
"Well..." He hesitated, "I-I'm sorry, but I wish it was me. I hope you get better soon."
"Thanks, Chuckie." They kissed for a few seconds, but avoided getting intimate. She wasn't quite ready for that, even without an injured limb. He smiled warmly at her when she let out a yawn. "I'm sleepy; I need a nap."
"You sleep then," He rubbed her arm, "Should I leave, so you can rest?" Secretly, he hoped she would refuse that, because he didn't want to leave her alone.
He was relieved when she shook her head. "No thanks. I feel better, knowing you're here." She took off her glasses and gave them to him, so he set them on the pink cupcake table. With a blissful sigh, she was out like a light.
Chuckie kissed her forehead and rubbed her upper arm as she slept peacefully. He sighed blissfully as he carefully rested his head on hers. She was truly an angel; She sacrificed her life for a stranger's! He really loved her; She was the perfect girlfriend, and girl in general, in his eyes. Before he knew it, he had fallen asleep himself. When Frankie saw them, she couldn't help but take a picture of the adorable scene with her phone, and report back to her parents of what was happening.
(A/N: And X bites the dust. Two more to go! You know the disclaimer. I know pretty much nothing about what goes on in hospitals involving surgery, because I've never had it, so sorry if it's inaccurate.)