Chapter 11
Thanks to everyone who reviewed and send messages. I appreciate you reading and letting me know your thoughts! As always, I don't own any part of STFBE!
The curtain surrounding Sue's bed opened as Anne walked in.
"How's our girl doing?" She asked as she checked the machines and her vitals again.
"You tell us." Lucy said softly, discouraged by the fact that Sue hadn't awakened yet.
"She's doing great. Vitals look good, she's breathing nice and evenly on her own, her blood pressure is where it should be." Anne said.
"So, why hasn't she woke up yet?" Jack asked.
"She's stubborn." She said frankly. "She doesn't want to. I've seen it before." Anne shrugged.
Lucy and Jack both smiled, but couldn't muster anything more.
"Oh, come on you two, she's going to need positive people around, not grumpy and frumpy." Anne teased. Smiles began to cover the friends' faces. "That's better." She said. "Don't overstay your welcome. They'll be moving her shortly. I'll be back in a little bit. Peggy's here if you need anything." She said as she walked out of the room.
Jack took Sue's hand back into his, gently stroking his thumb over the top.
"Before she wakes up, I'm going to grab something to eat, and another coffee." Lucy said. "Why don't you come with me?" Lucy encouraged.
"No, thanks, Luce." Jack said. His voice barely audible.
"Jack…" Lucy pleaded.
"I promised…" He began.
"I know. You promised you'd be here, and you will be." Lucy paused. "Jack, she's going to be fine. She's in good hands, and they'll let her know we're here and we'll be right back. We'll probably be back before they let us back in." She said.
Jack shook his head. "I can't leave Luce." He whispered. Lucy understood.
"I'll stay with you then, at least until they move her." Lucy said.
"No, it's ok, go." Jack said shaking his head. Lucy walked past him toward the curtain. "Luce?"
"Yeah?" She asked.
"No more coffee for you though. You're wired enough." He joked. Lucy smiled.
"Can I bring something back for you?" She asked. He shook his head again.
Jack slowly closed his eyes and lowered his head, silently praying for Sue's quick recovery. Fifteen minutes passed when Peggy opened the curtain once again.
"OK, time for you to go." She said. "We're going to move Sue in a little bit, and need to check the incision." She said. Jack reluctantly let go of Sue's hand. He kissed her lightly on the forehead before she escorted him through the curtain.
"I'll let you know, or Anne will, what room and when you can get back in." She said, closing the curtain behind her. Jack stood for a long moment staring at the curtain. He slowly turned and walked back to the waiting area. Lucy sat in the chair, once again nursing a cup of coffee.
"I thought I said NO coffee?" Jack teased.
"It's not coffee. It's a cappuccino." Lucy corrected him. "I got you a sandwich and a water. I thought you'd be hungry by now." She said smiling at him. "How long will they be?" She asked.
"Don't know. Peggy didn't say." He said as he began his ritual of pacing. Lucy soon followed. Jack's phone rang, it was Bobby.
Jack answered the phone and filled him in on Sue's progress.
"Everything OK?" Lucy asked.
"He was checking on Sue." He answered nodding his head.
"Bobby?" Lucy asked.
"Yeah. He said everyone wanted to call, he drew the short straw." Jack chuckled. Lucy handed him the sandwich and opened his bottle of water.
"You need to eat." She insisted. Jack smiled a smile of thanks and took a bite of the sandwich.
"I wish they'd move her already and let us back in." He said frustrated by the wait. Jack reached for his pocket. Lucy looked curiously at him. "Sue's phone." He said, looking at it to see who would be calling her.
"Who is it?" Lucy asked.
"Her mom." Jack croaked. "Should I answer it?"
"No. Sue hasn't told her parents, remember?" She said.
"Yeah, but I did tell her dad they needed to come." Jack said. By the time he tried to answer it, the call had gone to voice mail. He opened his own phone and sent a text.
"Did you just text her mom?" Lucy asked laughing.
"No, her dad. I asked if he just tried to call Sue, and told him what hospital we're at." He answered as a text vibrated through his phone. "They're driving from Charleston. They're about 4 hours out. Once they hit the rush hour traffic, that'll add an extra hour, at least. They'll be here about 7 tonight." Jack explained.
"She's going to be really upset with you." Lucy said scrunching her nose.
"That's OK. I'm going to tell her you called them." Jack laughed out loud, leaving Lucy with her mouth open in shock. Lucy walked to the window that overlooked the city once more. "You know, I haven't once thought about a case today. I haven't given a passing thought to terrorists or drug dealers or money laundering… nothing." Jack said. "Isn't that weird? That's usually fills my every waking thought." Jack said swallowing water.
Lucy stared at him, smiling the coy smile she gets when she sees the sparks between her best friend and the love of her life.
"When are you going to tell her?" Lucy asked. Jack looked curiously at her.
"Tell her what?" He asked.
"Jack… When are you going to tell her how you feel about her?" Lucy insisted.