Another very personal chapter. Life just keeps throwing me hits but I never stay down too long.


It had been a few weeks since closing on the new house. Kim and Adam has both been working hard till an unexpected closure of the Opera house. The heat had broken causing water pipes to freeze and burst. With no heat and water they closed till repairs had been made. Kim had decided to travel east to visit her friend Jim. Since the stroke he had at the beginning of the year he had moved back east to be closer to his family. Kim missed him terribly so Adam suggested she use her new found time off to visit him. They had been in contact all week but he could tell she was drained and something was off with her. He wasn't sure what but she would be home soon and he could get to the bottom of it.

"You Ruze! Look who's here?" Kevin pointed towards the door. "Hey! What are you doing here?" He jumped up to hug her tight. Thankful to have her back in his arms again. "Well I knew you were here so I figured I would join you." Kim smiled though it was a tired smile. "Well I'm happy you are here. But you look exhausted. Let's have a drink and then head home." He watched her nod as she sat at the small table. Adam motioned for drinks and sat in front of her. "So tell me how was the trip?" He asked knowing it had been insane. She had given him some details but kept them vague. "Um well you know he had fallen and broken his back. While he was in the hospital they found he was drowning in his own fluids. His heart and lungs were full of water so that had to drain him. 15 pounds later the fluid was gone." She paused looked at her drink.

"They explained how he needs to be on a strict diet. No sodium. And that he needs lots of rest. Then 4 days later after his release he had a seizure right in front of me. Seeing his eyes roll into the back of his head was horrific. He was placed on oxygen full time going forward and reiterated the healthy diet. They also stated we should limit visits to 15 minutes and only one or two at a time. It confuses him and stresses him out with the Alzheimer's and Dementia. He was released again on Monday. He was so out of it. Telling us he was in a Korean Prison that morning. It was crazy. Tuesday I saw him and he looked great. He was happy and joking. He wanted to walk and sit in his chair drinking coffee." He watched her sipping her drink.

"Tuesday night he went to a sleep study. When they arrived and saw his condition they were to.d they needed someone to stay all night with him in case he fell. His aide needed to leave because she had her other job in the morning. And she rode up with the grandson who wanted to cancel the sleep study so he could go out with his stupid girlfriend. So the aide Mariela called me asking me for help. I went hesitantly but went. Completely stressed out about, anxious as hell. I call my friend Justin who knows all these people too asking for his help. He convinced the grandson Matthew to return and relieve me of my duty. Stating I was overly generous with my time and kindness. And that this was taking advantage of me." Kim took another sip.

"Matt returned at quarter to one. I left but couldn't get in the car so I had to stay overnight in a hotel. I didn't fall asleep till 6 and only slept till 9:45. Waking up to a text saying that Jim was admitted again after throwing up during the sleep study. His heart rate was at 188. Somehow he survived but today. Today I got the call his heart his only functioning at 15% now. They said his sodium levels were through the roof and his sugars were high. Our friend is responsible for that. She fed him hot dogs, baked beans and sauerkraut. Like who does that? I don't know if that caused the heart function to drop but it seems likely. I'm just so overwhelmed and stressed and sad. And I know I have to go back to work. So I'm not sure I will get to say good bye you know. But maybe having that last good day with him was better? I'm confused." Adam said nothing he just stood up to hold her.

This explained everything! The look, the sound of her voice, the tension in her body. He got it now. Still didn't make him happy that she was dealing with it but he was happy that she opened up. "Let's go home! You need to rest. And I need to take care of you. So let's get you out of here." He threw some money on the table and led her out to the car. He decided to drive her home in her car. They never spoke, he knew she was lost in her own thoughts. When they arrived he helped her inside grabbing her suitcase as well. She was literally on auto pilot. He helped settle her on the couch while he heralded to start a bath. He kept his eyes on her making sure she didn't start to fall apart.

"Baths ready darling. Come on." He helped her and followed behind her. She entered the bathroom looking numb and almost frail. He stripped her clothes and helped her into the tub. She held his hand tight. "Please." She whispered. He nodded stripping and stepping in behind her. He helped her to settle against his chest once in the water. "Whatever you chose to do about Jim I will support. Maybe call and say good bye over the phone so the visual of the good day will be the memory you have. Just a thought." He knew she was thinking about his suggestion. "Maybe." She whispered. "You did everything you could for him. And he knew you did it out of love, not expecting something in return. That was most special to him, I know that." He felt her head rest back on his shoulder. Like she was relaxing or her body was giving up the fight.

"I don't really know how to feel about it all. I'm obviously sad but at the same time I know he's ready to go. He's suffering. I can see that. But it doesn't stop it from hurting. He said to me Monday that he was still here next week could I teach him to use his phone. We were even talking about going out to eat again. How did this happen?" The tears started to fall, she had held in it for too long. "I don't know darling. But I'm here and I'm not going anywhere." He held her tighter trying to shield her from the world. He knew it wouldn't work but he had to try. "I can feel the anxiety running through your body. It feels like your stomach is swirling. I need you to relax a bit before you throw up." He whispered trying to be soothing. "Nothing to throw up." Kim shrugged her voice barely a whisper. "Wait you haven't eaten? Kim when did you eat last?" Now he was alarmed. "I don't know. Maybe Tuesday. Today's Thursday right?" She had lost all track of time and space.

To say he was shocked was an understatement. "Kim you have to eat! You can't fall apart. You have to take care of yourself too." He knew he was scolding her but her body was her lifeline in everything. "I just forgot. Wasn't hungry really. I feel numb inside." Her words broke his heart, broke his soul. "I get that but you have to eat to be healthy to support yourself and them. Tomorrow you are off again. So no nothing! No running errands, no house work,no workouts, no rehearsals. Just rest and eating properly. I don't want this to catch up with you. And you know it will." He was scared for her but also angry that she put her own health aside for someone else. "Adam I have my photo shoot coming up and I have things to do. I can't take the day off. I've not been home for almost two weeks." Kim argued. "No Kim I don't care! You have to stop before your body gives out. You start back Monday you need to rest before then." He wasn't backing down on this.

"We'll see. I really need to get things done. The house needs worked on, the wedding needs planned, the job has to be done, the house needs to be cleaned, the laundry needs to be done, the list goes on. See I'm busy." Kim shrugged. "I will clean the house and do the wash. The wedding can wait a few weeks. We have the place booked that's most important. And the lake house yeah needs work but we don't have to touch it till Casey is finished working on it. So the list just got shot to shit. So now, you are relaxing tomorrow. Period, end of story!" Adam was not taking no for an answer on this. It was not up for debate. He heard her sigh in defeat. But he wasn't smug about. He really just wanted to protect her, even from herself.

The water had turn cool so he helped her up and out before getting out himself. He dried her off completely before drying himself. He grabbed her a shirt and a pair of booty shorts. "Snuggle up on the couch. I'm making you something to eat." He watched her curl up on the couch with her favorite blanket. He starting making her the healthiest dinner he could with the items they had available. He watched her zoning out watching the tv before her. He was happy she was home and safe but worried about her mentally. He brought her some water wondering how much she drank while she was away. She didn't even notice. He nudged her making her jump as he handed her the glass.

He returned to the kitchen making sure he didn't burn dinner. Less than 30 minutes later dinner was served. He brought her the bowl making sure her grip,was firm before he let go. "Extra cheese just for you." He winked knowing she loved cheese. "Thank you." She started to eat silently. After they finished eating he cleaned up the dishes and the kitchen before starting the wash. He returned to find her sound asleep. He didn't hesitate to lift her up and carry her to their room. Tucking her in and returning to the living room to clean up more. It was far from messy but he would clean it again if it made Kim happier. Anything to take something off her plate. When he finally entered their room to sleep he saw her sprawled out across the bed sound asleep. He couldn't help but take a quick picture before stripping down to join her. He was able to move her without walking her up thankfully.

He wrapped her body around his holding her as tight as possible while she slept. He couldn't imagine the full weight on her shoulders. He also couldn't imagine how horrible it must have been to watch her friend being on deaths door. While he's seen people seize and overdose it's never been someone he cared about. So that must have been frightening to her. But luckily he knew he didn't need to try to say something to make it better. Because they both knew there were no words that would fix it. Right now he was just thankful she was sleeping, and sleeping soundly. As he drifted to sleep he just hoped that she listened to him and took the time to heal mentally before she headed back to work.

The next morning he turned her off her alarm at 6am not allowing it to wake her. He got in the shower at 7 allowing her to continue sleeping. He was as quiet as possible as he moved around the room. Right before he left he woke her up knowing if she slept too long she wouldn't sleep the next night. "Hey I'm leaving for work. Enjoy your mental health day. I love you." He kissed her. "Love you too. Be safe baby!" She kissed him softly before heading to the bathroom. He locked the door after he left hoping she had a good day. Adam forgot he drove her car last night so he took a cab over to Molly's to get his car and then head to work. He checked his email and messages as he rode in the cab. After grabbing his Jeep he headed to work.

Kim felt well rested as she exited the bathroom. She jumped back into bed grabbing her phone going through social media and looking at tons of fashions sites. She loved keeping up to date on the latest fashion. After an hour she ate some breakfast and then showered before heading out to the grocery store. She had noticed Adam ate out a lot while she was away. Very little food was in the house so she needed to shop. She headed to the store about 3 hours after Adam had left for work. She arrived at her favorite store and started to shop. Finding all of their favorite fruits and veggies before heading to the other aisles. She started to feel warm as she walked but didn't think anything of it but the dizziness she couldn't deny. She headed straight to the customer service counter trying to get help before she passed out. Though she passed out right as she got to the desk. The man behind her catching her before she hit the floor.


"Officer Ruzek?" He answered the phone seeing it was Chicago Med. "Hey Adam. It's Maggie." She tried to be upbeat as she spoke. "Hey Maggie what's up?" Adam was confused as to why she was calling. "Yeah So Kim was brought in. She passed out in the grocery store. She's okay just dehydrated and needs someone to drive her home." Maggie knew if she didn't tell him he would freak out on the ride over. "Great! Thanks for calling. Tell her I will be right there." He sighed hanging up. "FUCK!" He slammed his phone down. "What's up man?" Jay asked confused at his friends anger. "I told Kim to stay home and relax all day. She went grocery shopping and passed out. She's in the ER. I gotta go!" He headed out not waiting for an answer.

He drove over the limit in his way angry that she didn't listen but happy she was okay over all. He flashed his badge as he walked in seeing Maggie who just pointed to her room. He nodded before entering. "Darling? You okay?" He asked as he walked over to her. "More embarrassed than anything. I felt fine when I got there but 30 minutes in I started to feel hot and then I got dizzy. I tried to get help before I passed out but didn't make it. I really thought it would be okay. I'm so sorry!" Kim knew he was pissed she could see it. "This is exactly what I was afraid of. This is why I wanted you to stay home in bed all day. Yes I'm upset but I'm happy you are okay. I hope you see this as a wake up call." He looked at her sternly. "I promise, I learned my lesson." She patted the bed asking him to join her.

They curled up together while they waited for her discharge. She had a fluid bag which he figured had to be emptied before she could leave. "You know I was scared right? I never want to see you in the ER. Never. This heart is just too big for your own good. I never want to be controlling Kim but the next two days it's strict bed rest. It's clear you have surpassed your limits." He felt her nodding and the tears on his shirt. "I know. Trust me I know. It scared me too. I promise going forward I will take a step back once a week and just rest. I know we both need that. And I promise I will use my assistant more to help my schedule free up a bit. I mean I pay her I should use her." She pulled away slightly looking into his eyes. No longer were the angry, scared eyes but they were shining bright with thankfulness that she heard him and was well aware of how scared he was.

Moments later the curtain opened with Dr Asher and Dr Halstead walking in. Adam sat up immediately scared to see two doctors in the room. "Man calm down! Just wanted to say hi and check how you were doing after her little scare. And don't worry Hanna may be her doctor but she's not pregnant. Just luck of the draw." It had accrued to Will that Adam knew exactly who Hanna was. "Thank god! Four years to go before that's in the plans." He relaxed next to Kim who looked shocked as hell by the encounter. "Yeah no cant be pregnant and be a dancer. I would lose my contract. So thank god for small favors." She relaxed slightly before asking the important questions. "So when can I go home and start the strict bed rest Adam has planned for me and can I resume work on Monday?" She looked hopeful but knew it wasn't up to her.

"Monday should be fine as long as you eat and drink properly over the next few days and continue to do so. However going forward you need to take more breaks. I understand that there is whole emotional component that's not normally there. But that's no excuse to ignore your own needs. We can't help those around us if we don't take care of ourselves. As for today, you can leave once the fluid bag is empty which looks like it almost is. I will start the discharge paperwork now and then get you set to leave." Dr Asher left leaving Will with the couple. "Now that the nice doctor speech is over. I'm happy you are okay. But last year you worked yourself into a cast. Kim you can't keep going at this pace. Nutritionally you are doing so much better than your last visit and that needs to stay the course if you want to stay in this career till 30." He looked at both of them seeing the surprise across Adams face.

"I know. I promise I learned my lesson. I let taking care of someone else out weight my own health. I won't do it again. I already promised to take a day off every week and to use my assistant more to make my life easier. I promise this won't happen again. And thank you for caring so much about both of us. We appreciate it." Kim laid back a bit knowing questions would come about her visit last year. But at the time she didn't see it as a problem. It was her normal. "Alright let's get this line out and then you are free to go. Lots of rest. Lots of fluids, lots of healthy food. Take it easy guys!" The doctors left leaving the couple alone. "Well I guess it's time to go." Kim started to get up stretching a bit from the comfortable bed. "Yup. Let's go." He led her to his car helping in her before getting behind the wheel to drive them home.

Adam noticed her texting away on her phone. He assumed it was to her assistant knowing she was going be used much more going forward. They pulled up outside their home Adam jumping out to help her get out of his truck. He was worried she was still dizzy so he wanted to make sure she didn't fall. Once inside he watched her go straight to their room. He grabbed her a water and followed behind her. "Are we gonna talk about it?" He asked watching her get into bed. "Um sure. You know I didn't eat properly before we met. I followed the old school ballerina diet. The cast was my left food. It started as a stress fracture but because I refused to stop dancing the last two weeks of the show run it broke fully. I got a cast put on and headed east. Sitting at Jims pool for a month. Resting and tanning. It would have healed faster if I had stayed off it but I couldn't do that. I wouldn't do that." She watched him sigh.

"Kim darling. This is exactly what I'm afraid of. I want you happy and healthy. Not unhealthy and in the hospital. I get both our jobs are physical but we both need to rest up some. How about I make you some lunch before I head back to work?" He watched her smile wide nodding happily at the thought of food. He made a quick lunch with a few fruits, veggies, cheeses, turkey pepperoni and crackers before heading back to work. He knew his team had caught a case while he was out but his boss had been generous with giving him some time to get Kim situated before heading back to work. He made it back to work to find everyone working hard on the case. "Ruzek good to have you back. Get caught up and back to work." He got with his partner to get caught up.

He felt his phone buzz 20 minutes later when the security went into away mode. He was pissed to say the least but then the cameras went off. He thought the system was broken but he smiled when he realized what she did. He could now watch her on the living room camera seeing that she was following his orders. He was proud of her. Now he could relax at work and focus. It was hours later when they finally closed the case and were released for the day. Everyone was headed to Molly's for drinks but Adam was out. "Sorry guys. Need to take care of Kim. She's on bedrest all weekend. Can't let it get worse. See you guys Monday unless we get a case before hand." Adam headed out stopping to get take out on the way home.

As he entered the home he heard laughter and loud music. He found Kim and her assistant Kaitlyn jamming to Aerosmith and laughing. "Well it looks like your having a fun day." He put the food in front of her as she jumped up to hug him. "Yes! Lots of rest, you should have been able to see that. Lots of reading fashion magazines, lots of bridal magazines and I got us tickets for Aerosmith's final tour! It kicks off in Philly! We are going with Keith and Nicole! I'm so excited! And Jim is doing better. They flushed his system and his heart seems to be doing better. Doubt we are out if the woods but it's improvement." Adam pulled her back into a hug holding her tight knowing the weight that was lifted off her shoulders. "I'm so happy to hear that! That's amazing! Looks like you were right about his needs. And who is really looking out for him. Maybe you should be a detective after you retire?" He suggested more as a joke but he thought she could do it. She was smart enough and definitely strong enough.

"Yeah not so sure about that! We already have to wait 4 years to start our family. I'm not waiting longer." Kim gave him a knowing look. They were completely unaware they weren't alone. They were staring into each other's eyes smiling wide when they heard a throat clearing noise. "Sorry Kaitlyn. I forgot we weren't alone." Kim blushed. "It's all good! I'm gonna head out. Call if you need anything. Take care guys!" Kaitlyn let herself out. The couple locked the doors and got dishes and silverware to eat the dinner Adam had brought home. As they ate silently he wondered if she found anything she liked during all of her magazine shopping. He had noticed how her eyes lit up at the mention of the bridal magazines. Once they finished eating he cleaned up while Kim went back to the couch to rest again.

Ge sat next to her moving her into his lap. "So did you find anything today?" He watched her eyes light up again. "Yes. Lots of options for dresses but I think I like Burgundy for the bridesmaids dresses. And I set up three different cake tastings and three different catering company taste testings. Why not try a few places and get lots of samples?" She smiled brightly. "Smart thinking! Love how you think!" He kissed her hard. "God I love you baby!" Kim smiled settling against him. "Love you darling!" He held her close while they enjoyed the silence. "How about we head to bed. It's been a long day and we could both use a long night sleep." He waited till she nodded before lifting her up carrying her to bedroom. He dropped her on the bed before stripping down and joining her in their bed.

"Good night my love."

"Good night darling."