Chris takes in the shift in Hazel and how her insecure stance turns to something defensive, almost defiant. Her head turns between Hazel and Street and just something in his look tells Chris she might not wanna hear this story. But she can't stop herself.
"What's going on here? How do you know each other?" she presses out while gasping for breath. Chris still sees the way Hazel's eyes shift to Street for a moment but then her world goes black.
Street has noticed the shortness of breath but he wasn't prepared for this. He freezes and only starts moving when Hazel is already at the bed and softly talking to Chris. "Jim I need you to press the call button and then help me lower the bed, so we can turn her into a side position," Hazel all but commands and then turns her attention back to Chris.
"Breathe. Focus on the in and out of air. Remember the exercises. One, two, three in and out slowly. Open mouth is okay," her voice is soothing and slowly Chris seems to calm down and relax a bit. Maybe a bit too much but that might also be the large circles Hazel has been rubbing on her back while coaching her through the attack.
After a quick check-in by the doctor, the trio is alone in the room again. Street has chosen the chair by the bed, and Hazel, again, leans at the wall next to the door.
"Thank you, for helping me through this. See I need you," Chris lets out in a whisper but to her disappointment, Hazel shakes her head.
"Chris, no. This isn't a good idea. I can't do this," she holds up her hand but Chris interrupts anyway, again sounding agitated. "I thought we talked about this. Us. We said we were okay! I don't understand!"
When Hazel's eyes dart to the side quickly before she pushes off the wall Chris wants to call them both out but she senses that the woman just wants to leave.
"Chris, please stay calm. I'll make a few calls and find someone for you. I know you want to get out of here, but you have to remember your exercises and control your breathing,"
With one hand on the door, she adds "I'll text you in a few days at the latest!"
Street shudders a bit at the sound of the door falling shut but he turns to Chris, who just looks defeated. He is at a loss for words because somehow everything he can come up with right now won't fix this.
He just reaches over and interlaces his fingers with Chris's trying to find the right words to say but when he opens his mouth Chris just says "Don't. Let's just hope she finds someone else,"
After a little while, Chris yawns and convinces Street to leave, citing the need for more rest. He frowns but does as he is told and heads home. Maybe tomorrow Chris will be in a better mood again, but something tells him, that having her fantasy of getting home crushed for all intents and purposes was not going to be forgotten quickly.
A few days later Chris is getting anxious and her mood has gotten even worse while she is waiting to hear back from Hazel. Street tries his best to keep her positive but it is growing harder each day. He is on his way to his bike outside of the hospital when he unexpectedly spots Hazel walking to the front door.
She must've noticed him too because her expression turns defeated for a second. "Hey," he calls out and jogs over. „ehm, have you found someone?" he looks at her hopeful.
He notices the crossing of her arms and hears the loudish sigh before Hazel shakes her head. "No, not yet, but I do know that Chris wants out of here. I am actually on my way to talk to a colleague," she steps to move around him as a way of ending the conversation.
Street's hand shoots out to her shoulder. "Wait," he feels her freeze under his touch and removes his hand again. "Listen," he shuffles a bit nervously, not really sure this is really a good idea. "I… if you can't find anyone else… consider doing this yourself?"
"Jim, no. This is not a good idea. You've seen what happened while I was there last time…." Hazel tries for an out but Street had seen that one coming.
"We needed you there. You got her through this." He opts for a smile and can spot a faint one tug on her mouth too. "Chris doesn't trust too easily, and if this arrangement means some stranger has to move in with her… I don't see that happening. Please, just maybe go see her?"
His phone beeping interrupts. „I gotta go, but yeah just think about it,"
Now he can only hope and cross his fingers for Chris. On his ride to work, he contemplates a few things. Yes, he just tried to convince her of moving in but was he really ready for all that this meant?
He needed to get his head clear since work was calling. And since he wasn't allowed to assist in the investigation of what happened to 20 David, he was assigned to them for now. Keeping Chris's seat warm.
Chris is in the middle of the room, on her third pass from wall to wall when a knock on the door startles her for a moment and she has to hold onto Nick for support.
"Oh, sorry. I can come back later," Chris smiles immediately hearing Hazel's voice. "No, stay. This is round three. I am due for a break anyway," she turns her head to check with Nick who nods.
"I'll give you two some privacy and will be back in 5 for the encore."
After Nick has left the room silence looms over them and Chris feels her hopes dwindle fast.
"It's not good news, is it?"
As soon as Hazel starts moving her head from side to side the beeping of the heart monitor accelerates and just like before the physical therapist is at Chris's side to coach her through this fight.
"Chris, you've got to stay calm. This isn't good for you. Breathe. I still have two more calls in," Hazel whispers soothingly while again, rubbing huge circles on her friend's back.
"Why can't you just do it? I trust you!" Chris all but whines making Hazel chuckle involuntarily.
"What's so funny about that?" Chris turns her head now to glare at her.
Hazel shakes her head. "Jim kinda just said the exact same thing."
"You talked?" Chris can't help the surprise in her voice. "More like he talked and I didn't run away," Hazel deflects and moves away again after making sure Chris is supported and not toppling out of bed.
"Listen, Chris, I still feel you two need to talk about what me moving in and being there would mean. I understand he is part, a big part of your life. I'd just prefer not to make him one of mine," Hazel breathes out and turns for the door.
"What did he do to you?" Chris mumbles and the two women's eyes clash. For a split second Chris even thinks Hazel will break but she finds her professional demeanor again. "It's in the past and not my place to tell this story. I just hope he treats you better. Call me, when you've made a decision if you really want me to be here,"
Chris falls back against the cushions and the next morning after receiving a text from Hazel that all other options fell through Chris decides, on her own, to pull the trigger.