When Chris wakes up again she is a little bit disoriented. How did she get into her bed? Her whole body aches and she turns to her side to slowly get up when her eyes land on the walkie on her bedside table.
That's new!
She reaches for the device anyway. "Chris to who ever is out there…" she speaks into the device and can hear two sets of feet moving almost instantly.
When the door opens and her eyes land on Hazel behind Street her memory starts coming back, but nothing makes much sense. Why would Hazel be with Street? He left to take care of something, didn't he?
Chris brain works a mile a minute and her heart rate monitor betrays her as always.
Street walks over to the bed and takes a seat. "Hey," he presses his lips to her forehead and just holds her gaze for a moment. "How are you feeling?"
"Tired and confused," Chris nods her head to the door where Hazel is still standing with her hands pushed deep into her pockets. "Why, how…" she tries to articulate all her questions at once.
Street cups her cheeks and softly strokes his thumb across before getting up. "I'll be right outside, but maybe you two should talk," he motions for Hazel to come closer. When he passes her he pats Hazel's shoulder encouragingly. He'd asked her to be honest with Chris, knowing that his girlfriend would be hesitant to let the therapist back in now. Even if she had asked her to stay before.
Chris hears the door click shut and knits her brows. She has some flashes of being carried into the room by someone and when Hazel comes closer, she gets a whiff of her body spray that confirms her suspicion.
And still her first question is: "How are you here?"
When Chris tries to reposition and sit up, Hazel softly presses her back down. "Lie down. I am guessing you really need some rest," she says and pulls the chair closer.
She can't bring herself to sit down on the mattrass. That's just not her place.
"To answer your question: Jim came to me and brought me here. I can leave if you want me to." Hazel continues with her eyes firmly on Chris.
"I asked you to stay, did I?" Chris asks for confirmation, not sure if her memory is playing tricks on her. But when Hazel nods she smiles relieved.
"Thank you," she mumbles sleepily making Hazel shake her head. "You shouldn't thank me. You should probably scream at me, hit me, or throw me out. I," Hazel reaches out hesitantly, "I am so sorry, I really thought Marie was a good fit for you…" she trails off.
"I did too," Chris recalls. "I mean she wasn't very open and fun, but her training pushed me over the edge. I actually thought she'd get me in shape quicker,"
Chris pauses and at first Hazel thinks it's to catch a breath but looking closer she can see the haunted look in Chris's eyes. "What's… this what happened today…that wasn't the first time you blacked out?" Chris can hear the shock and anger bubbling out of Hazel.
"Oh, God… I am so sorry. And I know that's not helping but if you let me, I'll put my feelings aside and do everything in my power to fix this," her friend starts rattling of and patting her hand.
Chris furrows her brows and this time finds the strength to push up. She grabs for Hazel's hand and grazes her fingers over it. "Feelings?" she breathes out softly.
Hazel swallows past the lump in her throat. This is it. The moment of truth.
She presses her eyes shut for a second before looking straight at Chris.
"I was selfish and chose to run away, instead of facing my mistake head on. Being here with you, spending so much time together… it has thrown me, and I know I ended us, but I can't help but regret that," she manages to admit.
Chris squeezes her hand but stays silent. Sensing that there is more to come.
"I enjoyed being here with you. And I know it's not an excuse but hearing you call me your friend over and over again, it felt so nice at first. But then Jim came back, and I knew I needed to create more distance between us. Find a way to be more professional,"
"That's why you always insisted on leaving me alone with the others?" Chris interrupts with hurt in her voice.
"Partly, it's actually the professional thing to do," Hazel retorts with a half-grin. "But yes, being professional was an excuse in those moments. I couldn't risk anyone seeing what I felt." She gulps and corrects herself "What I feel,".
"I don't…" Chris starts. "You don't have to say anything. I just, you deserve to know the truth to make an informed decision. If you really want me here, or if I should leave." Hazel stops her.
"Okay," Chris nods. "But I am guessing there is more, right? Your past with Street… what happened?"
"Are you sure you want to hear this?" Hazel asks in almost a whisper; her scared wide eyes widen more when Chris just nods.
"Stop me if you change your mind," Hazel tells her and takes a deep breath. "It's been a few years now. We connected through some app and texted a bit. He was charming and yeah, I admit I fell for that. We spent a," Chris can see the gears turning in her head while Hazel is searching for the right word "fun weekend together and he never called again,"
"Why didn't you call him?" Chris raises an eyebrow. "I tried, but when I called, I always got voicemail. And texts were ignored. Went unread...I really believed he liked me, "Hazel laments there at the end but catches herself quickly. "Sorry, I just… seeing him reminds me of that time and how easily I got attached. How easily I trusted him… I mean we spent that weekend at my place…" she trails off hanging her head.
"God, I sound so pathetic!" Hazel groans after a bit making Chris chuckle. "Great, now I am a laughingstock. I should go…"
"No, Hazel. Stop," Chris raises her voice a bit to get her friend to stay in her seat. And when she is sure Hazel listens to her Chris continues.
"I admit, I might have rolled my eyes a few times over the years at the women he hit on and who fell for him, but I also learned my lesson," she waves her hand a bit non-committal making Hazel grin. "You fell for him too," and they both share a light laugh.
"So, what do we do now?" Chris asks a little breathless. "That's ultimately your decision. But for right now, I suggest you try to eat something and then back to bed. You need to recuperate, and if you let me, I'd like to do an assessment of you tomorrow." Hazel replies getting up.
"Will you stay?" Chris again asks. "For dinner?" Hazel clarifies and Chris nods, "but also for therapy reasons,"
"I can, but I'll need to get home and get my stuff."