Tom and Abby walk back into the waiting room at almost the same time as Kurt and Rebecca are back from the cafeteria.
A nurse walks out of the trauma area and lets them know that they can go and see Noah in Room 425 on the third floor.
Tom nods his thanks and starts herding the unusual group to the elevators. The clerk at the admissions desk stops them as they walk by. She hands Tom three scrub tops, and in a kind voice lets him know that it would be a good idea if they changed out of the bloody shirts.
The group changes their destination to the restrooms down the hall. Kurt and Tom go in the men's room; Abby and Rebecca in to the ladies room.
Abby helps Rebecca change and clean up a bit before joining the boys outside. Tom notices that Rebecca doesn't seem quite so afraid of Abby as she did before.
The elevator dings its arrival and everyone walks into the tiny box.
The group is quiet, the elevator music is just a noise. Rebecca and Kurt are holding hands, neither one wanting to let go. Tom stands to one side and Abby is on the other side.
The elevator stops on the third floor and using the information on the plaques that are across from the elevator they make a right turn. The nurses station is half way down the hall.
Tom shows the charge nurse the custody paper work and his identification. He also introduces the rest of the rag tag bunch that is with him. He tells her that in his absence, Abby Morgan is to make the decisions in regards to Noah's care.
Tom looks at Abby and sees that she agrees with him. He notices that Abby looks as lost and scared as the rest of them.
The nurse leads them down a corridor off from the main hall to the first door on the left.
She opens the door for them and asks that they stay calm around Noah if he wakes. Tom takes a deep breath and walks in first in front of the kids. He stops when Noah's still form comes into view.
Abby watches Tom knowing that what he sees in front of him is scaring him. She gently nudges him to keep going into the room.
Rebecca and Kurt start crying silently as they see Noah laying in the bed. Kurt puts his arm around Rebecca and pulls her against him. They both are shaking with fear at the sight before them.
Abby is the last to walk completely into the room. The sight in front of her shakes her very soul.
Noah lay completely still in the bed, several machines were beeping quietly. The slow rise and fall of his chest was the indication that he was even breathing.
He wasn't wearing a gown, the wrapping on his ribs was barely visible from under the covers. Some of the bruises were visible around the edges of the ace bandage and some were in plain sight above it.
Noah's face was swollen. A dark bruise marked half of his face, covering the old bruise on his cheek . A green tube that was feeding pure oxygen into his nose lay across his swollen and stitched upper lip.
Kurt and Rebecca walked to the side of his bed, Rebecca gently taking Noah's large hand into her smaller one. Kurt placed his slightly bigger hand over Rebecca's.
They just stood there for a moment squeezing Noah's hand, letting him know that they were there without words.
Tom walked to the other side of Noah's bed, and in a hushed voice told him that everything was going to be okay.
Abby stayed at the foot of the bed looking at the broken body laying there, she had no idea what she was suppose to do. Looking up she saw Rebecca's face, the little girl's expression broke her heart.
She walks over and puts her arms around both Kurt and Rebecca, trying to offer them comfort. They both turn their bodies to her and quietly sob.
After a few moments, Tom walks over to them and quietly tells Kurt that they need to go. He knows the young man doesn't want to leave his friends but he knows that he has to get Kurt home.
He asks Abby to call him if there is any change before he gets back. With a sad smile she nods at him. Kurt reluctantly goes with Tom after telling Noah softly that he will be back tomorrow.
Abby moves the big chair that is beside Noah's bed closer so that Rebecca can hold his hand without stretching too much. She pulls the little girl onto her lap and lets her get comfortable.
After a few minutes Rebecca asks Abby if she will hold Noah's hand if she goes to sleep, because he might be scared when he wakes up.
With a soft yes, Abby covers Rebecca hand and holds both with her own. She gently kisses the top of Rebecca's head and tells her that she will keep them both safe. Rebecca relaxes against her and drifts off to sleep.
Higher Power by Mark Salling
There are so many things to see
Just beyond the somber darkness
That is permeating me
Just because I am a prisoner
don't meant that you're not free