Chapter 3

…

Owen stayed with Hetty, still holding her hand when Ariana came back in to the room with the machine. Owen felt Hetty grip on to him a little tighter when Ariana came back in. Terrorists, murderer she could handle but hospitals scared her.

"Okay Hetty, lie back just a little bit more for me."

Owen got of the bed, but stayed close to Hetty as she did as Ariana instructed.

"Are you still feeing sick?"

"A little."

Ariana got some wiped and removed some more blood from Hetty's side before she applied a small amount of gel and began to run the ultrasound machine. Hetty looked up at Granger, worry in her eyes as Granger looked back at her.

"Don't worry, we'll get you through this." He winked.

"Okay Hetty, you have a small amount of fluid around your lungs, I#d say from the fall and you do have an infection. I'm sorry but I'm going to have to take you back in to surgery."

"Is that really necessary?"

"Hetty we need to remove the fluid and stop this bleeding, I can't do that unless I open you up."

Hetty closed her eyes tightly as Ariana spoke.

"It will only take about and hour and then I'll have you back in the room."

"Will I have to stay here?"

"For a few days."

"Do I have too."

"Henrietta for god sake, look at what happened the last time you convinced them to send you home."

"He's right, we can't afford to send you home again. You might do even more damage next time."

"I was on my own but if Owen stayed with me, couldn't you think about allowing me to leave?"

"Why don't we get the surgery out of the way first and then…we can at least discuss it, however, I'm not promising anything. I will think about it, I promise."

"Thank you."

Ariana left to prep for Hetty's surgery as Granger looked down at Hetty, a raised eyebrow in her direction.

"Don't look at me like that, you'd really refuse to look after me for a few days?" She asked.

"Of course not, I just wish for once, you'd do as the doctor says. She is a medic for a reason you know, she knows what she's talking about."

"These places scare me, I can't stay here for longer than I have too, please Owen."

"Of course I'll stay with you, just promise me you'll do as they say this time, no work, no nothing….just plenty of rest."

"I promise."

Ariana walked back in, carrying a syringe in her hand and over to Hetty.

"Okay Hetty, this will make you sleepy and when you wake up, this will all be over."

"If you say so."

"Hey, you'll be okay…you're in safe hands, I swear." She smiled.

Hetty only nodded as Ariana injected the syringe in her arm, a few moments later Hetty was out for the count.

"Okay everyone, lets get this woman in to surgery now please."

Owen stood back as they wheeled Hetty away, Ariana turning back to Granger.

"It won't be too long, an hour tops." She said.

"Just look after her, is it okay to just wait here?"

"Sure, there's a coffee machine at the end of the hall and a vending machine, in case you get hungry, we'll be back soon."

"Thanks."

Granger watched Ariana leave before he took a seat in the chair where the bed had been, leaning back as he waited for Hetty's return.

…

Two hours later, Hetty was wheeled back inside, Ariana came in behind the porter to see Granger asleep in the chair. She came over, placing a warm hand on his shoulder.

"Owen…"

Granger heard his name, opening his eyes to see Hetty back and Ariana beside him.

"Oh, I must have fell asleep." He groaned.

"It's okay, I'm sorry, we took a little longer than expected."

Granger looked up at Hetty who was still unconscious before he tuned back to Ariana.

"Is she okay?"

"She is now, the bleeding began to get a little worse when we removed the fluid from her lungs but I managed to get her clamped and the bleeding back under control. She's going to be just fine." She smiled.

"Thanks, I know she can be a handful."

"Ha well, she certainly wouldn't be Hetty if she wasn't."

"You known her long."

"About five years, I took over when Doctor Feldman took another position in England."

"I see, so…how long before she wakes up?"

"It shouldn't be too long, she'll be a little groggy but she's be fine."

"I don't know how to thank you."

"Just make sure she takes better care of herself."

"So, you'll let her go home."

"I want here just for a few days, I want to be absolutely sure everything went well with the surgery and if it has then yes, I will allow her to go home, just so long as I know you'll be there with her."

"I won't let her out of my sight, not this time."

"Good, did you have something to eat and drink?"

"Eh no, I couldn't, not until I knew Henrietta was okay."

"Why don't I go and get you something from the canteen, much better than the vending machines."

"You don't have to do that."

"If you're going to make sure she looks after herself then it's the least I can do, it will stop me worrying, I'll be back in a bit."

Granger watched Ariana leave before he turned his attentions back to Hetty, taking hold of her hand as she slept.

"Bloody woman." He smiled.

…

To Be Continued…