Author's notes: thanks to all for reading and thanks for those who let me know their thoughts, they bring sunshine to these grey days.
Patrick keeps his eyes on Teresa as they journey towards the hospital. No matter how hard he wills it she's not regaining consciousness. His one ray of hope being that the paramedics caring for her, don't have an air of desperation about them, just concerned professionalism. This told him that her injuries weren't life threatening. His paramedic is driving and occasionally one of the others will look over and check on him. One comes to sit down with him and tries to talk to him but he's politely sends him away to look after Teresa, saying he's doing fine and not to worry about him. He checks his pulse and feels his skin and then goes back to his work.
Teresa's face is pale. The slight tan he'd been admiring earlier complete gone as if rubbed out by an eraser. He watches the rise and fall of her chest counting the depressions in his head, measuring them with his own, copying her pattern, it's normal, a little faster than his resting rate, but slower than his current speed. Her head's encased in a bandage otherwise she looks fast asleep.
He only realises that watching her breathe has almost put himself in a hypnotic state when a groan makes him jump out of his skin. With the groan is a small moving of her head from side to side. Jane is quickly out of his seat, the closest he can get is by her pillow, he reaches out and strokes her cheek, her eyelids are fluttering. He softly speaks her name:
"Teresa."
She looks his way briefly but there's no recognition there. Her attention's robbed by one of the paramedics.
"Teresa, my name is Chris, I've been caring for you…I just want to check your eyes."
He shines a light briefly in to her eyes.
"Nod if you can hear me."
There's no response, she's begins to move her head from side to side, her eyelids fluttering. The paramedic see's Patrick's concerned face.
"She's still trying to wake up, it may take some time, continue to touch her it will help."
As he reaches out to her the ambulance comes to a stop and the doors are yanked open. As Patrick blinks furiously at the invading sunlight Teresa is whisked away from him and someone is touching his arm.
"Come with me sir, let's have a look at you."
Patrick shrugs him off."
"Later, I want to be with Teresa. She's waking up, I need to be with her."
"The doctors are looking after her. It's best you let them do their job and let me do mine by taking a look at you, as soon as there is any news you will be told."
Patrick knows there's nothing for it but to go with him, Teresa is lost to his sight. The quicker he gets this over with the sooner he will be with her. He's taken by wheelchair to a bed. His vitals are taken and the doctor examines his body. Patrick closes his eyes not wanting to see the young man's reactions and knowing what's coming.
"It looks like you've been through the wars Mr. Jane."
Patrick answers without opening his eyes.
"I had a little run in with a serial killer."
"Oh"
"Yes Oh. That's yesterday's news, what about today, am I good to go join my friend?"
Patrick can feel the man's discomfort but does nothing to abate it, hoping it will get rid of him quicker.
"There are no broken bones, you have a bump on your head, did you lose consciousness."
"I don't think so, if I did it was only for a few seconds."
"You're getting nasty bruise on your chest but I don't think your ribs are broken, I've ordered an x-ray just to be sure. Since you've recently suffered some trauma I want to pull your files to bring me up to date on your condition and see if there's anything I need to be aware of."
Patrick groans and opens his eyes fixing the doctor with his most deathly stare.
"Can you hurry it up?"
"Mr Jane, I know your anxious about your friend, I will go and check on how she's doing and then let you know."
"Good. Go do that."
Patrick waits impatiently for his return and is about to get down off the bed when the doctor appears.
"She's conscious and alert. She asked after you Mr. Jane. I told her that you were doing well and asking after her. She said to give you a message."
Patrick felt tension leave his body at the news that she's awake and talking.
"Her exact words were: "Patrick stop giving your doctor a hard time, let him do his job and I bet you haven't told him about your shoulders." She then went on to explain to me about your recovery and that being thrown about in the car may have exacerbated your injuries."
Patrick inwardly scowls, his shoulders were aching but he's certain it's just from the hard bumps they received, he didn't use his hands to protect himself, there wasn't time. Outwardly he gives the doctor his best smile.
"She worries too much. My shoulder's are not causing me problems."
"She said you would say that and not to believe you."
The doctor then does a further examination.
"It's obvious there's pain, especially the right one, I think you should have it in a sling for a couple of days, mainly to remind you not to use it and let it recover, and don't go blaming your friend I would have found out when I pulled your file anyway."
The technician arrives with the mobile x-ray unit.
"Okay I'll leave you while you have this done and then you have permission to go see your friend. She's in trauma room two."
This time Patrick gives him a genuine smile.
"Thanks doc."
"No problem."
Patrick looks through the large glass window of Trauma room two and Teresa is alone, her eyes are closed. He opens the door slowly and creeps in to the room. Teresa opens her eyes and Patrick is quickly by her side.
"You naughty girl, you gave me a fright."
"So now you only owe me thirty-nine."
Pleasure fills Patrick to hear her joking.
Teresa's relieved to see Patrick enter her room on his own two feet. She can see he's not moving with ease but he's doesn't look too worse for wear. It's good to see him and she takes his hand as he reaches for her.
"How are you feeling."
"My head is pounding and my body aches but nothing's broken, they said I have to stay overnight for observation after being unconscious for so long."
"Good. Glad to hear they're looking after you properly."
"How about you?"
"I'm fine, they took an x ray but I'm sure my ribs aren't broken, but I'm to wear a sling for a couple of day."
"Good. I knew you wouldn't tell him about what happened to you."
"Now that's where you're wrong. I did tell him, it's not my fault he didn't ask for details."
"I bet you had him cowering in a corner, afraid to touch you."
Patrick smiles.
"I did think of that but you catch more flies with honey and I needed him on my side to get to see you."
"That was you using honey Mr. Jane, I'm glad I wasn't on the receiving end of your vinegar."
Patrick and Teresa turn to see the young doctor in the doorway.
"He doesn't like hospitals doctor and he's seen far too many of them."
"So I have read from his file. I'm pleased to tell you that your x ray shows no broken or cracked ribs. A nurse will be in to put a sling on your arm and then you will be discharged."