Chapter 06: Checking Vitals!
Erin was sitting in her hospital bed, while Maggie checked her vitals and made sure everything was all good. 'Everything's look good,' Maggie said as she redid Erin's bandages.
Kelly had to wait outside the room while Erin got her cheek checked, which made the brunette a bit uneasy because she didn't want him to leave her. But she knew it was for privacy reasons, plus he had to call Antonio to let him know that Erin had woken up.
The brunette was just zoning out while the nurse changed her bandages, staring at the wall with her hazel eyes, her hands tightly gripping the sheets as her mind kept replaying the attack.
Erin swallowed and blinked when she felt a tap on her shoulder. She glanced over to see Maggie giving her a worried look. 'You good, Erin?' Maggie asked, looking into the brunette's hazel eyes.
The detective frowned as she thought about Maggie's question, and she just shrugged, not knowing what to actually say, especially now that she can fully remember everything.
'You can talk to me, or I can get Dr. Charles,' Maggie offered as she finished checking Erin's vitals. The brunette thought about Maggie's words and shook her head, indicating she didn't need help. Erin frowned as she looked at Maggie.
She opened her mouth to say something about Maggie's offers but instead asked, 'Can Kelly come back in?' unsure if that was the right response. 'Of course, let me go get him,' Maggie said gently as she headed out of the room.
She gave Erin a sympathetic glance, causing the brunette to turn her head away. She hated how everyone looked at her with that look ever since she had woken up.
Erin let out a sigh when she heard the door shut, finally alone. She closed her eyes, letting memories flood her mind. She winced as the voice of her attacker rang in her ear.
'That was fun. Maybe we'll do this again in a better place if you survive,' the man's voice repeated in her head. Erin buried her face in her hands, trying to shake off the voice.
Tears welled up in Erin's eyes as the man's words echoed in her mind. It felt like she could still feel his breath on her neck and his hands on her body, even though it had been two and a half weeks since the incident. But it felt so fresh.
The brunette tensed as the door opened, making her look up to see Kelly entering the room. 'It's just me,' he whispered, noticing the fear in Erin's hazel eyes.
Erin swallowed hard, trying to relax but ended up cursing herself for mistaking Kelly as her attacker instead of recognizing him. 'Sorry,' she muttered, glancing down at her lap.
Kelly walked up to Erin, closing the door behind him. The brown-haired man frowned at her, baffled as to why she was apologizing.
The lieutenant from squad 3 sat on the chair next to Erin's bed, reaching out his hand for hers. After a brief hesitation, she placed her hand In Kelly's, biting her lip.
Erin mentally berated herself for acting like a scared child around Kelly, knowing well he wouldn't harm her. He was not her attacker but her ex-boyfriend and one of her closest friends.
'I'm sorry for acting like a–' Erin began, but Kelly interrupted her by planting a kiss on her forehead, prompting her to meet his blue gaze. 'Acting like what?' Kelly inquired, already aware of what she was about to say.
Erin nodded silently, burying her face in her hands. 'Yeah, it's been two weeks and a half so I shouldn't be acting like a scared child,' she whispered loud enough for Kelly to hear her. Kelly let out a quiet sigh and shook his head.
'Erin, look at me,' he said gently, getting the brunette to look at him with a frown on her face. 'You are not acting like a child, you have been out for two weeks and a half, which makes sense for you to act like this because you're still processing what happened.'
Erin listened to what Kelly was saying and slowly nodded as Kelly continued, 'You were raped and shot,' kissing her head. 'Nobody is going to think or look at you any differently.'
The brunette didn't like the word rape and was worried about how Kelly's comment would make others see her. 'Not everyone, but Hank for sure,' Erin said with a distant look in her hazel eyes.
" Even Hank, he won't look at you any other way but love."
" If that is the truth then why hasn't he visited?"
Kelly could tell Erin was upset that Voight hadn't visited her, and she was blaming herself. 'I mean, who'd want to see someone who went through what I did?' Erin asked with a sigh.
Kelly was unsure how to reassure her but knew it was important to make sure Erin was okay. 'What did Antonio say when you told him I was awake?' Erin changed the subject.
'Antonio said they'll all be here soon,' Kelly replied. 'I bet it'll just be Antonio and the others, no Hank, right?' Erin asked, noticing the synthetic look in Kelly's eyes. 'I honestly don't know, but I think Voight will come,' Kelly reassured her.
Erin nodded and sighed, still feeling doubtful about Voight's presence, but at least the rest of the team was there which provided some comfort. 'Why not get some rest before they arrive? Don't push yourself too hard,' Kelly suggested, tucking Erin in and making sure she was cozy.
'Thanks, Kelly,' Erin murmured with a gentle smile, prompting Kelly to return the smile and kiss her cheek. 'No problem, I'd do anything for you,' he reassured as he settled Into his seat.
Erin hesitated, wishing Kelly would join her on the bed but reluctant to ask for more, considering all he had already done for her. 'Promise me you'll stay put?' Erin requested as she began to drift off to sleep.
'I promise, Erin,' Kelly vowed, holding her hand as she squeezed it, watching her fall into slumber. He used his other hand to wipe away a tear sliding down her cheek, saying, 'Rest up, I'll be here when you wake.'
Kelly sighed as he thought, 'I know I shouldn't cover for Voight, but, I just want to knock some sense into him for making Erin think he doesn't care about her since Justin died.'