The EMTs frantically worked to the man pulled from the ocean a few moments before. Fortunately for him, a couple of off duty lifeguards had witnessed him attempt to kill himself.
They attached the defibulator and waited while it charged.
"Clear."
The man's body jerked but still no response. Again they waited while the machine recharged itself.
Once again, the man's body was lifted slightly off the ground from the electrical currents running through his body.
"Again. Charge it to 500 this time."
The EMTs refused to accept that he was gone. They had responded quickly. As part of the beach patrol, they had been close when the call came through.
After a few more times, the man finally coughed up water and struggled to breathe.
They checked his pulse. It was weak but steady. They loaded him onto the stretcher, into the ambulance, and sped away.
Dean could felt his lungs burning from the lack of oxygen and the ocean water that had filled his lungs. He was sober now. He wasn't quite sure if it was the shock of the cold water or being electrocuted back to life.
He wasn't sure if he was happy that he was alive or disappointed that once again, he had failed.
The EMT began peppering him with questions. Name, date of birth, address, emergency contact, etc.
Without thinking, he gave them Lea's name and number. It was automatic. Oh well, she wouldn't answer anyways and to be honest, he didn't want anyone else to know what had happened.
Once they arrived at the hospital, he was whisked into a room. Nurses surrounded his bed. Rechecking everything the paramedics had already done. They intubated him in order to suction out any water left in his lungs.
At least he wouldn't be expected to talk right now. He didn't want to talk about it anyways.
Ten minutes later, after another thorough exam by the doctor, the hodpital's psychiatrist came into the room. He explained to Dean that he would be kept in the Psych Ward for observation overnight.
Since he still couldn't speak, Dean decided to gesture his dislike for that decision.
The beautiful doctor just laughed and called for the nurses to take him to his room upstairs.
A thousand miles away, Lea's phone began to ring, waking her up from a troubled sleep.
She wasn't sure why she hadn't turned off her phone altogether. It had been ringing nonstop for days.
She checked the number fully expecting Dean to be calling again. But all she saw was an unknown number. She decided to let it go to voicemail, then she would check it.
Ten minutes later, she was rushing out the front door. She needed to get to Tampa as quickly as possible. She called the hospital back. Informing them that she was out of state and would be flying back as soon as humanly possibly.
She was almost happy to be forced to go back. She had been completely miserable the whole time. But she was far too stubborn to admit defeat and go back home.
Of course, she wasn't happy about the actual circumstances surrounding the reason for her return.
She called and tried to book a flight. Unfortunately, all flights to Tampa were either full or flying out tonight. She would be driving through Pensacola by then. Just a few hours away from Tampa.
Although the evening flight would land around the same time she would be arrive in Tampa, driving felt more productive. She felt like she would have some control over the situation.
She called the hospital again. She requested frequent updates until she could get there. True Dean wasn't in any danger now. However, she was still in love with him. Her need for a break had not changed that.
To be honest, it had strengthened her love for Dean. She had been going crazy not having him with her. Even though she had only been working shows part time, being away from Dean for a week had shown her that she needed Dean in her life.
She knew Dean was going to be angry. Most likely, he would kick her out of his room. Refuse to speak to her.
Lea would have to work hard to prove that she was still in love with him. Show him that she wanted to be with him. She knew now that it wasn't Dean, their relationship, or even the pregnancy that had pushed her over the edge. It was Tampa.
She couldn't breathe in Tampa. She felt like she was drowning. She was a small-town country girl. Living in such a huge city had pushed her over her limit.
Several hours later, she pulled into the hospital's parking lot. Even though she had Dean's room number, she wanted to track down his attending before she saw him.
She spotted Roman and Seth as she exited the elevator. Lea wasn't sure how aware they were of the situation. She prayed they didn't know anything. She wasn't ready for Seth's attitude or Roman's interrogation.
She was shocked speechless when Drew walked out of the restroom. Of everyone in Dean's life, she would never call Drew his friend.
All three men spotted Lea at the same time. Drew reached her first. Pulling her into a tight hug. She didn't sense any romantic intentions, just friendly concern, but it was still awkward.
"Where have you been? We've been trying to call you all day."
Lea decided to stretch the truth somewhat.
"I was in Tennessee. I had planned to visit family."
While technically it was all true, she had not seen her family at all since last Christmas.
Roman and Seth gave her hugs. She didn't feel any resentment or hostility. Just their usual brotherly affection and support.
"Have you seen him yet?"
Roman shook his head.
"Family only until permission is granted from family."
Lea nodded her head and patted her bulging belly.
"Guess that would be me. Let me track down his doctor and we'll get an update."
The nurses' seemed to breathe a sigh of relief once Lea introduced herself. They promised to page his doctor. While they waited, Lea added Seth and Roman's names to the approved visitors list.
She had a feeling they would receive a warmer reception than she would. She hoped Dean would agree to keep their personal business out of any group conversations.
Doctor Tanner arrived moments later. She pulled Lea into the family consultation room.
"Ms. Scott, do you know what happened?"
"No, I was only told that my fiancee was in the hospital being kept overnight."
With a weary sigh, Dr. Tanner informed Lea of Dean's failed suicide attempt.
"Thankfully, some lifeguards were jogging on that stretch of beach before their shifts began. Otherwise, I'm afraid Mr. Ambrose would be in another area of the hospital."
Lea felt like she was in a fog. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Dean had tried to drown himself. She knew he would be devastated when he learned she had left. But she had never pictured his reaction would have been so drastic.
She burst into tears and rushed out of the room. She ran towards Dean's room. She needed to see him, hold him, feel his heart beating. Most of all, she needed to apologize.
She was the one who put him in that bed. Who pushed him to his breaking point. She had inadvertently pulled the trigger, so to speak. Her selfish actions had almost cost her everything.
Roman caught up to her and pulled her against his chest. As she cried against his chest, he tried to comfort her. She began to tremble.
Leaning down next to her ear, Roman asked her what the doctor had said to upset her.
"He tried to kill himself and I'm the reason why."
Stunned by her confession, Roman pulled her away from him. She looked horrified and very pale.
"The doctor said some lifeguards watched him walk into the ocean. He just kept walking until he was completely submerged. They called for an ambulance and then jumped in to save him. He wasn't breathing. They had to shock him repeatedly."
Roman collapsed into a chair. He couldn't believe what he was hearing.
Seth pulled Lea around to face him.
"Why did you say you were the reason he tried to kill himself?"
She could feel Seth's arm vibrating from his anger.
"Truth is, I wasn't visiting family in Tennessee. The truth is I left him over the weekend. I waited until he was gone and I packed my bags. Without even saying goodbye, I just left."
Seth recoiled with disgust. Jerking his hand back as if she had burned him.
"I began having panic attacks. I couldn't understand why. All I knew was I couldn't stay in that house one more minute. I couldn't breathe. I felt like I was falling part."
Seth's face contorted with rage.
"So, you just ran out on him, without warning, like a fucking chicken. He has done nothing but worship you. Fucking bitch."
Lea closed her eyes against the look of disgust and hatred in his eyes.
Drew stepped in front of her. He might not have romantic feelings for Lea anymore. But he still cared for her. He wouldn't allow Seth to disrespect her.
"You need to think about what you are saying right now, Seth. Because the next time you disrespect her, you'll be thankful you are in a hospital."
Roman pulled Seth back and tried to calm him down. He wasn't happy with Lea's confession either but he refused to allow any man to disrespect a woman. Especially someone he loved like a sister.
Lea poured out her heart.
"I love Dean. I never meant to hurt him. This wasn't some sadistic plan to break his heart. You don't understand. I was having panic attacks. I couldn't breathe. I felt claustrophobic in my own home. One day, I realized if I didn't get out of that house, out of Tampa, I would go insane. So I packed my bags and left. I never meant to hurt Dean."
Drew pulled her over to a chair. She looked exhausted. Her face was ghost white and she was shivering.
"When was the last time you ate anything?"
Lea blinked a few times before she answered him. Her voice sounded funny. Almost as if she was ready to give up.
"Around two I guess. I stopped at McDonald's in Pensacola and bought a few burgers. I just wanted to get here as quickly as possible."
Drew knew from all the books he had been reading about pregnancy, that she needed to rest often and eat more frequently the farther she advanced in her pregnancy.
He motioned for a nurse. He wanted them to check her. Then he was going to buy her some dinner. After that, if she was ready, she could see Dean.
Something told him that Lea needed to go in strong. Showing no signs of weakness or frailty when Dean saw her. Dean may love her but he wasn't big on forgetting or forgiving those who hurt him.
Drew motioned for Roman. While the nurse checked her blood pressure and such, he needed to share his plan with Roman. He had a feeling that Lea wouldn't want to stay at their house.
Checking her into a hotel room seemed a little weird. She couldn't stay at Drew's place. That would be awkward and Dean would never believe it was completely innocent.
Roman decided she could stay at his house. At least for the night. His wife would understand. He wasn't abandoning his best friend's pregnant girlfriend. Especially since she was a close friend also.
It would also give him time to find out more about Lea's plans. Was she only here to make sure Dean was okay? Was she here to make amends? Was she leaving after he was home again?