Should I even bother trying to apologize? I know I promised this update like weeks ago, please don't come after me with those guns or other choices of weapons, (Gracie, I'm looking at you... lol) Other than that, here it is. I'm not completely happy with this chapter, but when am I ever. It just kinda came outta nowhere, and I went with the inspiration.
All mistakes are mine, but I seriously need a beta; anyone interested? (I just skimmed over this one, sorry if I missed anything.
Disclaimer: I'm sure Andrew Marlowe is much more punctual and reliable than I am at keeping on a schedule.
The first thing Kate was aware of when she came to was a warm hand enclosed around hers. She didn't even have to open her eyes to know how the hand belonged to. This reassurance didn't stop her from trying to open her eyes though, but as she did was forced to slam them back shut as they were invaded by a harsh white light of what she assumed was a hospital room.
'But why am I in a hospital? Why is Rick here, he's out of town until tomorrow, have I been out that long?' Were her first thoughts before the memory of the incident came rushing back to her.
'My father, oh God he had. He did, he actually…'
"Kate?" Rick's soothing voice cut into her inner ramblings.
She hadn't been aware of the tears rolling down her cheeks until she felt his hand brush against her jaw, and his thumb reach up to wipe them away.
Touched by his gentleness; she forced her eyes open against their will and took in the appearance of the disheveled writer.
"I'm sorry; I know this isn't exactly what you wanted to come home to."
"As long as I'm coming home to you," he reassured her. "True this isn't the condition I would like to see you in, but I'm just glad you're okay."
"I know, I'm just sorry that…" She trailed off not knowing what to say as Rick cut her off.
"Hey, shh," he spoke softly, mumbling a few more incoherent phrases trying to comfort her. "It's fine, I'm just sorry I wasn't here to stop this. I should've come home, but I just had to stay the extra night."
"It's not your fault, you couldn't have known, hell I couldn't have known."
"I should have known, I could have been here."
"You're here now though, and I'm fine I swear, so why don't you make yourself useful and see if you can get me out of here."
"Someone's eager."
"I'm not a fan of hospitals."
"Gee, I hadn't noticed." He joked as he stepped out to get the discharge papers.
She knew they were both avoiding the elephant in the room; neither one of them wanted to bring it up. Both thinking that if they ignored it, or him, long enough that the problem would disappear on its own; maybe he might go away.
Rick came back in the room then with a doctor following close behind him.
"So Ms. Beckett, your fiancé here tells me that you're ready to get out of here."
Kate turned to look at her supposed fiancé with wide eyes accusing eyes, to which Rick looked just as baffled as her. She had to hold back a laugh at his 'deer in the headlights' look as he opened and closed his mouth about ten times trying to think of a way to explain what she had just heard. Deciding to cut him some slack she turned back to the doctor.
"He would be right, no offense, but I'm not a huge fan of hospitals."
Dr. McKay just chuckled as Rick released a breath he didn't realize he was holding.
"Well, I don't see any reason why you shouldn't be able to leave in a couple of hours. We're just going to run one last test, to be on the safe side, and then you should be free to go." He relayed with a smile as he shook Rick's hand and turned to leave.
"Thank you Dr. McKay."
As soon as the door clicked in place behind him, she turned threw a glare towards him.
"Fiancé huh?"
"Yeah, well, uh. I didn't really know. If I told them I was just a friend, then, it just kind of slipped out. Sorry" He replied sheepishly as he took a seat on the side of her bed.
Her hard glare turned into an amused smile as she took in his embarrassed state.
"Well, maybe we should just try dating first." She joked.
"I think we're already past dating aren't we? I mean, we already live together."
"Oh are we?"
"Uh, yeah!" He responded. "Plus, we're way to cool for dating."
"Is that right?"
"Yep."
"Rick?"
"Yeah?"
"Just ask me out already." She commanded.
"Here, now? But that would ruin my reputation." He said in mock seriousness.
"Then I expect it when we get back home."
"It's a date." He agreed with a smile as he took her hand and leaned forward to place a kiss against her forehead.
With doctor's orders for the two of them to watch for any recurring symptoms he had described that should be of concern, and for her to get some much needed rest; he sent her home with a prescription for some moderate pain killers."
"We need to talk about it." Kate was the first one to break the silence on the car ride home.
Rick took a deep breath as if mentally preparing himself and reached over to take her hand without taking his eyes of the road.
"I don't think I can." He responded honestly.
"Why?"
"Because he put you in the hospital Kate, and it could've been a lot worse! There is no way to rationalize that! I'm not going to deny that if we layout all the facts, nothing is going to stop me from going over there and beating the shit out of him. I'm sorry; I cannot simply just discuss this with you."
"Do you want to know what I think?"
His lack of an answer prompted her to continue. She turned in her seat to face him and tok his hand in both of hers helping to get her point across.
"I really appreciate you being all big and bad for me, I can't tell you how much it means to me, how much you mean to me, but I have to be the one thing to stop you from going over there."
"Why?" He spoke softly.
"Because he's my father, and I know I can fix him. If this wasn't a wakeup call for him then I don't know what would be."
"Nothing would. Maybe there is nothing you can do for him Kate; maybe it's time to face the music Kate."
"Does it always have to come down to idioms with you?"
"Well I am a writer." He joked, grateful for the distraction.
The rest of the ride home was silent. Both occupants of the car, lost in their own thoughts. Once Rick pulled the car into their driveway, he walked around to open her door for her. Helping her out, he wrapped an arm around her waist for support.
"So to clear the air before our date, do you think we can reach a middle ground on this issue?" Kate asked.
"I'm installing a security system and never leaving your side again."
"I wouldn't expect anything less. Thank you." She said sincerely and leaned up to kiss his cheek.
"If he comes near you again though, it's going to be hard to stop me from following through."
"Rick." She admonished.
"He hurt you Kate, you mean too much to me to just let that slide."
Trying to ignore the flutter in her chest at his words, she simply just nodded her head and led them up to his room.
"Movie in bed," she asked.
"Hmm, the chance to snuggle with a beautiful woman, in my bed; how do I refuse?"
"Shutup." She replied shoving him playfully in the shoulder as she moved to the kitchen to make some popcorn.
So that beautiful button down there is dying for some attention... seriously, I would love some feedback.
Thanks for reading kids.
Much Love,
-Anna Lee