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Disclaimer: Southern Vampire Mysteries are the property of Charlaine Harris. Sadly, not mine.
9. Back on Track
SPOV
The trip to the hospital was short and uneventful. Eric kept his eyes closed for the journey, feigning sleep. Only a careful observer such as myself would catch the occasional grimace of pain he was unable to control. As for myself, my shock-induced numbness slowly began to dissipate. My head did hurt, as did the hip that had buffered our fall, but these were minor compared to what Eric had suffered. Regardless, I would gladly have assumed Eric's pain as well, if only it were possible.
Riding her motorbike, Sofia somehow managed to beat us to the hospital, and was waiting for us in the ER, where she had been chattering to the nurses. After being admitted, the doctor on duty gave me a general check up on-the-spot, while the nurse took Eric in for X-rays and other procedures. Paramedics soon rushed into the hospital with yet another biker, a young man dressed in a red leather suit, likely another victim of the same accident. The poor boy was covered in blood and writhing in pain. He was clearly in considerably more dire shape that either Eric or me., Seeing the extent of his injuries reminded me once again how grateful I was that Eric's injuries were so minor by comparison.
"Don't worry about the doctors, everything is taken care of. Don't go anywhere. The police should be here any minute anyway." After blurting these instructions, Sofia rushed off to find Eric.
Much as Sofia expected, the doctor confirmed that, except for some minor contusions, I was okay and free to go. Since I was not a local, he kindly suggested spending the night in the hospital, instead of making the long drive back in the dark. Deciding to wait and learn Eric's diagnosis, I remained in the waiting room alone. I try so hard to wrap my head around what happened today. How could I have gone from the Plain Jane, quiet office clerk, which considered going out for a cake to be a major event, to getting into an accident at a motorcycle race?
After an indefinite amount of time, Sofia returned, startling me out of my musings. I shared my doctor's findings, and she let me know that Eric had some bruises and contusions, but had gotten on relatively easily. It turned out that only the fibula of his left leg was broken, which apparently was not such a bad thing.
"If you have to break a bone in your body, the fibula should be it," she said, and I just shrugged incredulously. It is not as if anyone would ever want to have a broken bone, but at least I am relieved that Eric's injury falls into the minor category.
"How is he?" Andrei inquires as he enters the room.
"Eric is fine, but will have to wear a cast for few weeks. They will most certainly discharge him tomorrow before Noon.
"I found an extended stay room at a nearby hotel. Dan was kind enough to drive your car into town and leave it at the closest parking lot. They also loaded Eric's motorcycle into their van to bring into the garage. They retrieved Eric's bag, and I left it at the hotel for him." Sofia rolls her eyes at his good citizen-style update, but her expression is one of satisfaction.
"Suzana, you should stay with us tonight. I don't think driving back in the dark would be wise," Sofia offers.
I see Andrei perking up at hearing this, with a strange glint in his eyes, and Sofia shoots him a pointed look.
"I am grateful for all your help, Sofia, but I would much rather stay in the hospital. Do you think I could have a room close to Eric's?"
She seems to consider it for a moment, and then orders me to wait for her, as she vanishes from the waiting area again.
Andrei chooses her absence to inch closer to me again.
"You know, Suzana, you are more than welcome to share our room with us." The suggestive tone of his voice gives me chills, and not in a good way. While I previously assumed him to be a sweet, harmless boy, now he beginning to give me the creeps. Is he for real? Eric and I just survived a potentially fatal accident. If I understand him right, the only thing on his mind is. what? Sharing the bed with Sofia and him? Jerk!
Luckily, two police officers arrive shortly thereafter, so I don't have to answer Andrei's not so subtle invitation, as he scoots out to allow me to talk with them.
~o~
After relating everything I remembered about the accident, which was very little, and only receiving vague answers to my own inquiries, I sit again alone in the hospital's waiting area, watching the many people that pass through with various emergencies in ER.
Sofia returns fairly soon after the policemen leave. Luckily, she has been able to pull all the right strings. I filled in my admitting form, and am then directed to a suite with six beds where I will have to be in the morning for the final check-up. Instead of staying there, Sofia and a nurse show me to Eric's double room where I would 'unofficially' spend the night. She drops off our bags, which Andre has brought here for us, kisses Eric on the forehead, and then carefully closes the door, leaving for to her hotel.
Like most of this hospital, the room is rudimentary, with older metal beds and fixtures. However, it is clean, and this small two-bedroom even has its own private toilet.
Not that Eric is going to care very much. He is lying in one of the two beds, dressed in nothing but a dark green t-shirt and covered with a sheet. A white cast covers his left calve and feet, left outside the sheet and elevated on a pillow. He looks like a mighty fallen oak, and my heart breaks a little more, seeing him so helpless. I touch the headboard of his bed, the cold of the metal sending shivers through my body. Sitting on the edge of his bed, I scrutinize his handsome features. At least he is peaceful now, exhibiting no trace of the earlier pain while he is sleeping. Long blond eyelashes flutter over the cerulean eyes that hide beneath them. So beautiful!
Fueled by an unexpectedly bold impulse, I place a quick kiss on his chapped lips.
What a bad idea that was! He stirs in his sleep, mumbling something unintelligible, and tries to twist on his side - movement that makes him wince in pain. Hastily I retreat to the other bed, determined not to disturb him anymore.
I should lie down for a bit.
That was my last coherent thought of the day.
~o~
Morning light filters its way through the old windows that face a blank gray wall. My entire body feels sore all over, and I whimper as I futilely try to stretch my stiff limbs.
"Good morning," Eric murmurs from across the room, and the fog clouding my brain instantly vanishes. "How are you? Can I do something for you? Want some water?" I ask, moving closer to his bed. I know I must be wearing a silly smile, but cannot help the feeling of relief that swept over me when I heard his deep, sexy voice again.
He seems hesitant, not answering right away. "Water would be great, thank you."
Thoughtfully, Sofia left us a couple of small bottles of water, and I grab one for him.
I help him lift his head, then watch fascinated his Adam's apple moving up and down as he swallows. His fantastic scent envelopes me again, despite the foul hospital odors. Eric's eyes are locked on mine with his intense blue gaze, freezing me in place. The passion in his hooded eyes ignites something deep inside me, a desire that threatens to blaze forth and consume me. Tearing my eyes away, I cannot help but notice an imposing tenting of the worn, but clean cotton sheet that covers his hips.
So close! I could just stretch my hand and touch him. There. Never before have I done this with a man. If I were to give in to urge, would he consider it taking advantage of his immobility, or would he welcome my touch? What would he take me for? Now it is my turn to swallow past the lump in my throat.
Abruptly saving me from my inability to make up my mind, an elderly nurse opens the door, entering the room.
"Good morning, lovebirds. Dear girl, you should be out of here and run to your suite quickly. The doctors will begin their morning rounds in a few minutes. They can't find you here in room with a male patient. Absolutely taboo! Now, shoo."
Smiling apologetically at Eric, and glad the nurse or someone else didn't catch us in a compromising position, I grab a change of clothes after rummaging through my bag and I head to the bathroom to take care of my morning business. The girl staring back from the stained old mirror looks so foreign. Flustered, with runny, smeared black mascara, and thoroughly messy hair, I look rather like I've enjoyed a roll in the hay, and not at all, as if I've just avoided death by a few inches.
After cleaning up and changing into my jeans and a black t-shirt, I get out, making a beeline to the door, avoiding looking towards Eric's bed. The sounds coming from that direction tell me the nurse is most likely taking care of his morning business.
In the crowded suite where I allegedly spent the night, a group of seven doctors and residents arrive just moments after I settle down on one of the empty beds. They barely look at me, discussing my case and others between themselves, glancing more at the charts than at the patients. From the grumbles of the older doctor, as he glances me, looking over his black rimmed glasses at me, I deduce I am free to go, with no further medical attention needed. 'I must have been too healthy for his taste,' I scoff.
After the doctors leave, a nurse arrives with the breakfast cart: boiled eggs, chunks of bread, and a huge bucket with tea. I opt for just some tea; however, I have no cup. Thankfully, a woman takes pity on me and locates a plastic disposable cup. I wince at the first sip of the impossibly sweet tea but my thirst wins out. I drink it all, remembering once again Eric's earlier expression as he had his water.
I hope the doctors will release him today too. How will he get home? Does he have a ride? Is there someone waiting for him back home? Family, friends, or maybe a girlfriend?... Anyway, it is useless to muse about this sitting in the hospital bed. I need to get out of here, now.
Gathering up my stuff yet again, I make my way back to Eric's wing of the hospital.
"Alcide can't come sooner than tomorrow. He is all the way in the North visiting with a new client. I fucking hate staying here until then." Eric is saying to Sofia as I enter his room.
Who might this Alcide be? Brother, friend, lover...? No! So not going there again.
"Sorry I couldn't help you with that." Sofia's voice all that is solicitous and caring "Company's cars are already committed elsewhere. However, with the right amount of cajoling, I bet I can find an ambulance team who will take you home today." Sofia seems perfectly capable to bring the proverbial mountain to Mohammed if she puts her mind to it.
"I could take you in my car," I blurt. "I am driving there anyway. Might not be entirely comfortable, since it is a small car, but perhaps we can adjust the seats to create more space." Just shut up already! No point in embarrassing yourself by letting it be known how much thought you had already put into this offer.
I am floored when Eric agrees to return to the City with me. I will have HIM in the cramped space of my car with me! All to myself with no one to interrupt us.
Starstruck much? I quickly chastise myself, forcing my eyes to quit drinking him in, dressed as he is in a light turquoise shirt and brown shorts. I wonder if the elderly nurse dressed returned to dress him, or if Sofia and Andrei had a hand in it, but swallow back the question.
To divert attention from my already burning cheeks, I inquire of Sofia if she knows any more about the accident. She nods, and tells us the driver who caused it all was a former racer. He was the same one the officials had banned from the Supermoto competition. He was intoxicated, and after being kicked out, he continued to pour alcohol down his throat, and then determined he wanted payback. At this point, no one knows for sure if his actions were directed at the referees or the racers who had won yesterday's leg of the race. On the track, he injured four other people beside us, including a Junior Champion, and wrecked several motorbikes for good measure. After the carnage, he drove off, with several bikers trailing him. He eventually sought refuge inside a local, police station, no doubt to escape the wrath of the bikers.
~o~
With Sofia and Andrei's help, we are now good to go: luggage placed in the trunk and Eric settled comfortably in my car. He looks strangely outsized positioned as he is on the back seat. We had to fold down the front passenger backrest so he could stretch out his legs in front of him. I really can't tell by his expression if he's in pain or not, and I don't feel confident enough around him to ask the question. Maybe I will later, though.
Turning the key, I attempt to start the engine. It cranks, and then stalls out. Shit! I have in my car a real motorcycle racer, and I cannot even start this matchbox of a car to turn over for me. I fumble a bit with the clutch and acceleration pedals and sigh in relief when the motor roars to life. I drive off, waving carefully at Sofia and Andre and feeling much too self-conscious. I hope they will not laugh at me too much when I am out of sight. .
Damn, I should relax. When I am tense, I drive so badly.
Startling me, Eric places his large hand on my shoulder, completely covering it, his long fingers brushing the top of my chest.
"Thank you, Sookie. This is really very kind of you."
"It is only fair that I would offer my assistance since you acquired your injury saving me." I try for a lighthearted tone, when I feel anything but that. His hand radiates a scorching heat that travels straight to my center, simultaneously dousing and inflaming my desires for him, so powerful is the spell he has cast over me.
Glancing in the mirror, I am transfixed at the sight of his blue eyes, fixed on me. He removes his hand, but its warmth lingers still on my body.
Music should help defuse my reactions to me, I hope.
"What kind of music would you like? I have some Chillout, Ambient, Lady Gaga..."
"Whatever you want is fine with me." His voice sounds weary.
I pop the Café del Mar CD in the slot, then attempt to focus on the rhythm of the music, and not keep glancing in the rearview mirror.
After a short while, soft snores let me know that Eric has fallen asleep. Finally, I am able to relax behind the wheel and concentrate on my driving.
~o~
The road back to the City is not too crowded, especially since the weekend rush ended yesterday. I manage to drive back to Bucharest without major traffic jams and don't see a single accident. . Eric is out for most of the three hours it takes to make the trip, leaving me to my thoughts.
The town's welcome sign signals the end of the solitude we'd enjoyed on the major highway, and we reenter the urban havoc. Unavoidably, the shrill horns of impatient drivers soon awaken my sleeping Eric. He gives me directions and we soon end up on a quiet, charming street in the most exclusive neighborhood of the city, in front of an imposing villa.
Shinning white walls, decorated with blue glazed faience in fascination patterns, an arcaded entrance portico, colonnaded verandahs and balconies are readily visible from the street. A lofty central dome harboring dark window frames nested under pointy arches makes it looks just like a palace from the Tales of 1,001 Nights.
Add a guard kiosk in front of this seemingly small palace, and it would look just like an embassy or other diplomatic residence.
Might Eric really live here, alone? I would have taken him for more of a penthouse kind of guy. As in an apartment rather than a domesticated dwelling such as this one. Would Scheherazade run out of the door, greeting him? Or perhaps an entire Harem of Eric-enamored women? I felt my throat turn dry. I'd only had a cup of sweet tea all day and I suddenly felt lightheaded at the thought of Eric keeping a Harem in the middle of Bucharest
But it appears a different fate awaits my Superstar. A dark haired man with a deep tan is seated on the front steps. Observing me steering my little car in front of Eric's imposing house, he stands in greeting, a genuine smile lighting up his strong features.
A/N
Those of you who have read the slashy outtake of this story, Blushing Cherry, will know how likely or unlikely is that this man is a certain lover of Eric's. *wink*
In addition, you might like the "GP's tiny red thing" pool on my profile, where you can vote for your favorite red scrap of fabric, or underwear for Eric's GP, from group of five photos.
Please review, it is important to me to know your thoughts about it.