Chapter 19

"Ms Soto, can you tell me who the President is?" the Doctor asked as he flashed her eyes with a pen light. It was infuriating more than words could express as her body throbbed in pain. The ringing in her left ear hadn't subsided and with all the ambient noise in the ER made it harder to hear what the doctor and support staff were saying.

"These questions are stupid. You should ask me something I know and why do I have to say Duck, Blue and those other words?" Daniela asked him, then she remembered the name. "Wait, I know who it is. It's Harrison Ford! I saw him on TV, he was very impressive with his plane and guns." she told him, clearly it was not the right answer as he shared a concerned look with the nurse.

"It's Howard Oliver." the Doctor corrected her.

"Who?" Daniela asked confused.

"The President." He clarified.

"No, I'm pretty sure it's Harrison Ford and could you speak up?" she asked him.

"Your eardrum is ruptured. You need to talk at a lower level." he said to her in a loud tone but it just sounded like muffled noises at her followed by what looked like a sigh.

"I'm speaking fine, it's you who has a problem. And I've been here for half an hour?!" Daniela said in frustration, she looked around the small curtained area. "Where's Joseph?" She asked them, she didn't like them, she didn't trust them as she wanted Meylan by her side. She didn't understand why he had to leave.

"We need to ask these questions to assess your condition, your hearing is another matter." He said, ignoring her question as the curtain opened and for a second Daniela hoped it was Meylan but it was just another faceless medical staff member. They passed an envelope to the Doctor. He opened it up and pulled out X-Ray films.

"Did you just insult my Mother?" Daniela asked him loudly. He kept talking like she wasn't really there and her ability to read lips was not perfect. But he wrote on another piece of paper.

"Please keep your voice down. You have three broken ribs, possibly a 4th that is cracked. Your occipital bone is intact. Your arm is broken but a cast will do. But that concussion is worrying, we would like to keep you for a couple hours of observation." he said via the piece of paper. Daniela could read it all but her brain just wasn't computing it.

"I want to see Joseph, he came with me. Really tall, very handsome man wearing Navy uniform. He needs to know that I'm ok, and to talk with my brother and Sasha. Where is he?" Daniela demanded, she couldn't hear them which made the whole situation more distressing as she felt like they weren't sharing everything with her and they also looked at her with pity.

"It's ok, he's in the waiting room. He'll stay there until we've admitted you to the hospital." The doctor said, just loud enough for her to hear, he even enunciated his words slow and carefully.

"I want him in here. I can't hear anything that you're saying!" Daniela told him, she watched as the two spoke to one another. She still couldn't hear them and the looks they shot her made her think they were trying isolate her.

"It's the ruptured ear drum. It will heal." The doctor told her, she wondered if he thought she was a moron and then he scribbled on the back of a piece of paper 'You're safe, no one is going to hurt you. You can't hear properly because your ear drum has ruptured. Please lower your voice'. She narrowed her eyes at his word choices. She took a moment to think of how to lower her voice and then spoke.

"I know what you're trying to do. But you have it all wrong, yeah my body is a fucking mess but it's not Joseph. I had a husband who'd beat me up until I was unconscious because he didn't like which way the wind blew that day. It's not the man who came in with me. He's not that kind of man." She told him coldly. She started shaking and heaving for air as the stress of what they were insinuating on top of the lies she would now have to keep straight was overwhelming.

"Calm down," The doctor wrote on a pad.

"Calm down?! You're insulting the man I love and accusing him of hurting me when it is not true! How dare you, I have one shitty husband, his sins are not Joseph's to carry." She told him, for the first time in her life she was pretty sure she was having a panic attack. The curtained room grew smaller and the air felt thin to the point she needed to get out.

"Actually, know what, I am done with you all. I have a major headache and I could've easily stayed home and patched myself up with superglue and wine without judgement." she said, she pulled the blanket off her legs and ripped out the IV line from her hand with her teeth, wincing from the pain of the needle being removed. She completely forgot about the vitals monitor as she needed out.

"Hey! Stop." The doctor ordered she didn't hear him, he caught the vital's monitor before it crashed to the floor. But Daniela didn't care as she started walking fast down the hallway. It didn't take long until she hit the waiting room. She saw Meylan and her insides melted with relief as he pushed off the wall.

"Hey! Come back here." The nurse told her. She reached for Daniela but she moved out of her range.

"No, you're not helping me. With your stupid questions like do I look like someone who watches sport? Or knows who the US President is? Making me feel like a moron. Just send me the bill for the x-rays." She told her.

"Daniela." Meylan said,he reached her side looking concerned and confused as to what was going on. She leaned on him heavily with her good arm. He wrapped her in his arms and felt her relax against him even though her heart was still beating fast.

"Can we just go?" she asked him pleadingly. "These fucking Pendejas look at a couple x-rays and think they know me. Like I'm some battered wom- woman, I just want -" She wavered on her feet as she became woozy. Her knees weakened and she had no control as she fell. She felt herself being caught by Meylan's strong arms, just as everything faded into black.

"Sir," Wolf said as he met Tom outside the ER reception. Green had dropped him off at the front door before heading to the base.

"Taylor, come, they've admitted your sister and put her into a private room." Tom told him, he clapped a hand on Wolf's shoulder and walked him into the reception.

"What happened? Sasha wasn't exactly forthcoming on the phone." Wolf asked, as they walked.

"Home invasion, your sister will be ok. Sasha and Meylan are with her and the doctors. She has broken ribs, broken arm, ruptured eardrum and mild concussion. She's partially deaf and her brain is a little scrambled which the staff aren't enjoying." Tom informed him with a small smile.

"Ok, are there any decisions that need to be made? What about the cops?" Wolf asked, he appreciated Tom's presence as he wasn't his C/O but still had the same air of confidence that imbued a sense of comfort in Wolf. He didn't want to admit it, but he was shaken by the fact that someone had hurt his sister and he hadn't been able to help. But was glad she wasn't alone.

"Meylan said they probably have your place closed off by now but the police have yet to show up here." Tom said, Wolf nodded.

Meylan sat by Daniela's bedside and held Daniela's good hand is his. He looked at Daniela's sleeping form on the bed, he couldn't believe this was how his day would turn out. Mike was fairly understanding that Meylan wasn't going to get back to work. Something he was grateful for as he didn't think he could leave her side. Not after seeing her so distraught and wanting him by her side.

There was also the confession of love he had overheard. He should be a little uncomfortable with it but instead it made him feel buoyed as she had defended him, he also knew with concussions and being injured emotions tended to run high. Even so, her declaration, it meant something. It meant she felt strongly for him even after such a short time together. It felt good to be wanted and loved. It also felt good to know he wasn't the only one in deep with their relationship.

"Sir. Ma'am." Wolf said formally, as he greeted Sasha and Meylan from the doorway.

"Taylor." Meylan said, he didn't move from his place or let go of Daniela's hand as he wanted her to rest as much as she could. It was just sheer luck the staff placed her in a private room as it was the only bed available.

"How is she?" Wolf asked gesturing to Daniela. She looked so fragile and small in the bed, her face was slightly swollen and turning blue as the bruises had had time to flesh out.

There didn't seem to be much of her that wasn't gnarled with bruises or some kind of injury. Her right arm was in a fresh cast and the vital's monitor played an erratic beat. The only sign that she was in pain besides her expression that was slightly pinched as she slumbered.

"Sleeping, at the moment. But the doctors don't seem to be too worried. She's passing the cog tests." Sasha told him, he gave a exhale of relief at the news.

"Ok, I can take it from here." Wolf told them all. It was clear he wanted to take over, but Sasha and Meylan exchanged looks as neither was comfortable leaving Daniela's side.

"Taylor, we appreciate you're family but until Daniela's been distraught and I'd prefer to stay with her until she wakes up." Meylan told him, he wasn't budging from his spot as he refused to let Daniela think he abandoned her.

"Sasha and I will get food and coffee." Tom suggested to alleviate the tension in the room. Sasha nodded in agreement and rose from her chair.

"Ok, boys?" she asked as she rose from her seat and moved to the door.

"Just a Coffee, black. Thanks." Meylan said.

"Same." Wolf said as he took over Sasha's seat in the room. Sasha and Tom left the room and the two men lapsed into a mutual silence.

Daniela slowly opened her eyes, the ringing in her ears had subsided by she still couldn't hear clearly as her left ear ached and hearing was still muffled. It wasn't perfect but it was better than before. As were the pain levels in her body.

She looked across to see Meylan sitting by her bedside, his hand in hers. Her heart skipped a beat as he was here. He hadn't left her side.

"Joseph," she murmured, now she could actually hear her own voice a little better, it was easier to self regulate what level she spoke. At least, she didn't think she was shouting. "What time is it?" she asked.

"It's 5 in the afternoon." he said, Daniela turned her good ear slightly in his direction. She could thankfully hear him even if it wasn't well. "Can you hear me? or should I speak louder?" he asked.

"It's ok, I can hear you just not well." she told him, she looked at their intertwined fingers and smiled as she had dreamed of having a man actually care about her well being. To have someone who'd be with her in her hour of need. She was ruining it as she had to lie to him. She also had to leave, she couldn't afford medical bills on top of her crushing debt.

"Hey, where did you go just then?" he asked her, she looked to him; seeing his concern.

"No where. Can you help me up?" she asked.

"Sure," he reluctantly released her hand and raised the back of the bed up for her; completely missing her meaning. But when she gripped his arm for support and tried to get out bed, he understood. "Hey, you should stay in bed." he told her, he blocked her way and she stopped as pain and exhaustion swept over her.

"I can't afford this." She said as she leaned her head against his chest.

"You need to stay under medical supervision until the Doctor clears you." he informed her, she lifted her head up and gazed into his eyes. He looked so handsome in his obstinance but he didn't understand.

"No,I can't. I have to- where is my phone?" She asked him as it hit her that her phone wasn't anywhere in sight. Panic swarmed within her as her brain raced at the time lost and debt amounting. If she missed the call to pick up the girls everything would be for nought.

"It's probably back at the apartment." Meylan said a little confused as to why it was important.

"We have to get-ah" she gasped as a sharp pain flared from her chest. Meylan gently cupped the sides of her face with his hands while at the same time brushed hair out of her face; ever so careful of her bruises.

"Hey, hey. Talk to me. What's going on?" he asked her, her vitals were going all over the map and he didn't like it. He needed to calm her. "Is this about Yasmin?" he asked, he watched her eyes deaden as she looked down with the expression of someone who'd just about lost everything.

"You're going to be angry." she told him in a low voice. He tried to get her to look at him but she refused to make eye contact.

"I already am but not at you. If this is about money or the gambling, I'll help you through it." Meylan promised her, her eyes welled with tears as he was just too good to be true. She just for once didn't want to taint what was growing between them with lies and secrets. Her whole life was based on putting up a perfect front and never letting people in for the fear of them tearing her to shreds.

"You can't tell Mike. You have to promise, it's important." she begged, looking at him. He frowned as he wondered what Mike had to do with it but considered her words carefully before he gave a nod.

"Ok, you have my word." he told her.

"I found his kids." she whispered, his eyes went wide at her confession.

"Where?" he asked, she shook her head, tears rolling down her face.

"I don't know, Yasmin has them stashed away. I had to pay her, so I got a loan- like a one I can barely afford to repay." she rambled, she felt sick to her stomach as "Once the money clears, she'll call me with a rendezvous site to pick up the girls." she told him.

"Why didn't you tell anyone this?" Meylan asked.

"Because I knew it would get people emotional and the Navy tends to blow things up. I didn't need to be blacklisted from another continent. If I told you all, then it would go pear shape and Yasmin would make those girls disappear completely. I still fucked it up anyway." Daniela said, she pressed a hand into her face, upset and angry at herself.

"The girls are in trouble? Is the deal off?" he asked her, trying to get a clear picture.

"No, the deal is still on. I thought I could earn money through gambling, I only made enough so I could get by but it was one of her clubs. I didn't know, I didn't even cheat, I know it was illegal and she owns the bank too. I- I fucked up and this is what happens to thieves." she said, her voice came out in a hushed, pained voice as she looked so ashamed and beaten down.

"Jesus, Daniela." Meylan said in disbelief.

"I know. I got what I deserved." Daniela said as she misunderstood his reaction.

"No, you don't. How much is the debt?" He asked her. She shook her head as she couldn't let him think he was on the hook too.

"Oh no, you're not paying it." She told him emphatically, she tried to push him away but he held onto her. He needed her to see reason; that she didn't need to carry it alone.

"It's not yours to pay either." he argued.

"It is, I owe Mike! He helped me out when he didn't have to." Daniela told him, he smiled as she still didn't understand the meaning of friendship. It also broke his heart that it never occurred to her to reach out for help.

"It's what friends do for one another." He told her.

"Joseph. I'm only a few days away from having those girls in my care. I'm so close. If I get those girls back then everything will be worth it." She said, pleadingly. He could see she was desperate to make some imagined debt with Mike cleared no matter the cost. He wondered if there was also some deep seated need for the girls to be back with their father to prove that her childhood was an anomaly and not the norm.

"Daniela, I admire what you're doing but look at what they've done to you." He said, not understanding how she could put up with any of this. She could easily tell the police everything but held back and in her silence protecting dangerous people.

"It's how my world works." she told him.

"You don't have to live in it anymore." He told her.

"I wish it was but it seems I can't escape it." She said, despondently. Meylan searched her eyes, he could see she felt trapped, that she was a prisoner no matter what.

"Hey," he said, she looked to him, "We'll find a happy medium. But you will not pay off the whole debt by yourself and there is no way you're going to some trade off in your state let alone by yourself." he told her.

"I can't break the rules. I can't have you all being heroes and making things explode." She said as she gripped his arm with her good hand and looked at him imploringly.

"Tell me how it goes down then." he said, he reluctantly released her face and sat down on the edge of the bed. But he couldn't lose his connection to her as he took her hand into his own.

"I get the phone call, I go to the location and the girls are given to me. We part ways, end of story until I default on the loan. Then they'll come back and take whatever they see fit." she told him, Meylan ran a hand down his face as he didn't need her to elaborate.

"Ok,- It's ok, but we need to bring in more people." Meylan told her, Daniela opened her mouth to protest but Meylan gave her a look that made her close it. "It's non negotiable, this woman you're dealing with isn't reliable and we need a better plan than just showing up when you get the call." Meylan told her.

"You can't tell Mike. If we lose them..." Daniela drawled, clearly upset with the outcome. Meylan reached out and brushed a tear off her face. "And no cops, no feds, no law, no arrests. The only thing that has stopped anyone I knew from my old life from killing me is that they know I have insurance. It protects me to a certain extent." She explained.

"But Yasmin still holds more power thanks to her resources." Meylan surmised, she gave a nod. "She is likely to be hiding Mike's daughters until the perfect moment." he added her, he understood the nuances but she lived it and understood Yasmin better than him.

"I don't see any other way of getting them back other than to capitulate to her demands." Daniela told him.

"We'll work it out together. You're not alone." he told her, Daniela realised in that moment that she loved him and truly believed him when he said she wasn't alone. "But for now, you get some rest. I'm going to go find your phone." he told her, he rose from the bed and leaned over pressing a soft kiss to her lips. "It's going to be ok." he promised her, she nodded dumbly as she had no idea what to do with her revelation let alone her predicament with Yasmin.