Chapter 7
Steam filled the small room, as Caitlyn entered the shower. Her body felt heavy with emotion, as she let the hot water rain over her. Without warning tears fell down her face as she sunk back against the shower wall, slowly lowering herself down. She pulled her knees close to her chest as she allowed the heavy emotions to come to the surface. She hugged her knees tighter, as she sobbed.
Caitlyn was never one for allowing her emotions to come out. She was always taught to hide that part of herself, but in this moment, she could no longer do that. She needed to release some of the built of tension. The fear, the hate, the sadness, all spilling out onto the floor of the shower, mixing with the blood that was slowly being rinsed from her body, as horrible images filled her vision. Vi laying on the ground, blood pooling around her, reaching her arm up grabbing for Caitlyn. She threw her eyes open immediately, as her ears began to ring with the sounds of gunshots. She pulled herself up, off the shower floor, fearing to close her eyes again. Satisfied with her cleanliness, she stepped out of the shower, pushing the rest of her emotions back down.
She quickly went into her room, and got dressed, preparing to head back to the hospital. She put on a pair of blue jeans, followed by a white blouse. She went to leave her room, but ran back to the bed, grabbing the letter that was still sitting atop it, and shoved it in her back pocket. Caitlyn then went back into her living room, expecting to be greeted by her now Fiancé, but was surprised to find the room empty. Somewhat satisfied that he actually listened to her this time, she grabbed her jacket and headed for the door.
The time was almost 6 am as she sped towards the hospital, hoping Vi was still stable and sleeping off the aftereffects of the surgery. She parked her car and ran into the large building. Making her way up multiple floors, she began to feel anxious. Her heart began to beat faster with every step closer to seeing her friend again. She made her way to the recovery floor, where she headed straight to the nurse's station.
"I need to know what room Vi is in". She immediately spout out before they had a chance to greet her.
"Well, hello there, Vi you said, well give me a moment dear while I look up that information".
Just then the Dr, Caitlyn had met only hours before walked past.
"Dr Samuels, it's me Sherriff Kiramman. Do you remember me from last night, how is she doing"?
"Ah yes Sherriff, your friend is doing well. Made it out of surgery without issues and seemed to be very present when she woke up".
"When she woke up, I thought you said it would be hours before she would wake"?
"Well yes, that's what we thought, but she came out of the anesthesia a lot sooner than expected, that's why we called you, and told you to come in sooner".
"When you called me, but".
"Yes, I believe your fiancé answered, said he would relay the message, is there a problem"?
"No, No problem". Caitlyn said as she could feel the anger fill her body. "Can I see her"?
"Yes of course, she might be sleeping though, she took some heavy drugs for pain a few hours ago, but room 325, just down the hall". He pointed as he looked at the Sherriff, who looked less than happy with the conversation.
"Thank you, Dr,". Caitlyn said, as she tried to control the rage from escaping her body.
Caitlyn slowly walked down the hall, trying to control her breathing, as she tried not to think about the conversation, she was going to be having with Jack later.
She slowly opened the door, as she saw Vi lying with her eyes closed on the hospital bed. She walked into the room, as the nurse sitting at the computer greeted her.
"Morning, Miss Caitlyn I presume"?
"Um yes, how did you know"?
"Well, you're the only person Vi was interested in talking about, so I assumed it only a matter of time before you showed up, I'm Becky by the way. I will be overseeing Vi here, while she's with us".
Caitlyn's heart sank, as she imagined Vi waking up alone in the hospital bed, "I should have been here", she said out loud, but mostly meant for herself.
"Don't worry, your friend is in good hands, and she seems to be tougher than most".
"Ya she is". Replied Caitlyn, even though she knew Vi almost always put up a front. She knew Vi was tough on the outside, but deep down she was sensitive, caring, loyal, and still a kid at heart. A kid that still needed someone to care for her, to look out for her, and to have her back. Something Caitlyn should have been doing all along.
Caitlyn made her way over to the bed, where she looked down at her friend, bandaged, with wires coming from all directions. Emotions began making there way to the surface again, threatening to spill over. But Caitlyn wouldn't allow it, not right now, not when she needed to be the strong one. She sat down next to the bed taking Vi's hand in hers, as she ran her fingers across the enforcers, noticing just how small her hands felt in comparison. As she continued to hold Vi's hand, she noticed the small amounts of blood that still sat under her fingernails. Frustrated that she didn't scrub them better she tucked them under Vi's hand, pushing them out of sight. She leaned forward listening to the sound of the enforcers breathing, refusing to close her eyes, she sat waiting for her to wake from the hopefully peaceful sleep.
Vi could still feel the effects of the pain meds, as she lay with her eyes closed. Her body felt heavy, unable to move her muscles, as she tried to pull herself closer to a state of consciousness. Sounds from the room began to flow through her ears, along with the smell that only comes with hospitals. As she was registering her surroundings, she felt something different, a hand, holding her own. She used every muscle she had to squeeze the hand back.
"Vi".
A familiar voice rang through her head.
"Vi, it's me".
Vi began to open her eyes, trying to focus on the familiar face looking down at her.
"Cupcake"?
Caitlyn smiled, as a small tear ran down her cheek. "Ya it's me, I'm here".
"Good". Vi said as she sat back trying to make herself wake up more.
Just then the nurse rounded the other side of the bed across from Caitlyn.
"Hey sleepy head, how are we feeling"?
"Ok I guess, a bit fuzzy though".
"Ya, that will happen with the strong stuff, we still need to be careful with your pain management. I don't want you to get to a point of unbearable pain, so let me know if it gets over a 5 next time ok"?
"Yes ma'am". Vi said while giving the nurse a smile.
"We are going to need to change out those bandages, sit tight and ill be right back". She said as she exited the room.
Caitlyn stared down at Vi, wanting to reach down and bring her into a tight embrace, but also didn't want to hurt her. She had a thousand things she wanted to say to the beautiful woman laying in front of her.
Vi noticed Caitlyn staring down at her with a face she had never seen before.
"You okay there Cupcake"?
"No", Caitlyn said as she choked on the word as tears threatened to make their appearance.
"Hey I'm ok, it's ok".
"Vi you saved my life, you took 3 bullets for me, none of this is just ok". Caitlyn said as tears began to run down her face. "Vi you almost died for me", why, why did you do that"?
"Hey easy Cait, I just did what any other enforcer would have done".
"No, they wouldn't have. You, only you would give your life for me, and, and". But Caitlyn couldn't finish her thoughts, as tears pushed their way past her walls. She sank back into the chair as small sobs left her body.
"Hey Cait, its ok, I'm ok, and so are you. That's all that matters. Please don't beat yourself up over this".
Caitlyn looked up, staring at Vi with a more serious face now. "How could I not, when this is all my fault"?
Just then the nurse walked back into the room, breaking the tension. Caitlyn hid her face as she wiped back the tears stepping aside.
"Alright, hopefully this won't be too uncomfortable". Becky said as she pulled a cart up next to the bed. "I'm going to have to pull your gown away, so it's up to you on how much privacy you want"?
Caitlyn looked up at Vi as they both could feel the awkward tension between the two of them.
"I don't mind if she stays". Vi said to Becky, leaving Caitlyn usure about wanting to stay.
Becky looked back towards Caitlyn who was now thinking about a response. "Well might be good for you to see how it's done, she is going to need some help with changing the bandages for a while, and once she's released she will need a good friend for that".
Caitlyn walked forward as she nodded her head, still unsure about this whole process. Becky began pulling the gown away from Vi's left side, revealing a large white patch that covered at least 10 inches of Vis hip. Vi winced as she began pulling the tape back removing the bandage.
"Oh, come on, you're one of my stronger patients, and that got you". Becky said as she gave Vi a quick smile.
"One might think you did that on purpose, payback for last night". Vi said with an ominous grin.
"Your friend over here, well the things that come out of that mouth of hers". Becky said now looking at Caitlyn.
"Well, if you think that's impressive, you should see what else my mouth can do".
Caitlyn's face turned bright red as she looked at Vi, watching the flirtatious banter between her and her nurse.
Just then Becky ripped the rest of the bandage off in one fowl swoop
"Ouch. That really hurt".
"Now that's pay back", Becky smiled while looking at a defeated Vi.
Caitlyn froze as she looked down at the long stitched up cut that ran along Vi's hip.
"Trust me dear, it will heal". Becky said as she saw the concerned expression on Caitlyn's face.
Becky then reached over to her table, as she dipped a sponge in some water, and began cleaning the area.
"So is this when I finally get my sponge bath". Vi said while winking at the nurse who was trying to do her job.
"I told you; Ethel will be in later for that, she rather likes strong, vibrant, beautiful women".
"So, you think I'm beautiful"?
Becky's face flushed a slight shade of pink, while she continued working. "Is she always like this"? she said while looking back up at Caitlyn. "If so, I don't know how you get anything done".
Caitlyn smiled at her, as she thought about the interaction. Yes, she thought Vi was like that with her, or at least she used to be. She realized how much she missed the petty flirtatious banter between her and her friend, wondering if they would ever get back to having that kind of relationship.
"Alright all cleaned up, just need to reapply some ointment, and we can bandage this side back up".
Caitlyn watched carefully, thinking back to the nurse saying Vi would need help with doing this once she was released. Becky finished taping, then stood and walked over to the other side.
"Alright this side is a bit trickier, with her arm and all". She said while looking at Caitlyn hoping she was paying attention.
"Alright Vi, I'm going to unstrap your arm and bring it slowly to your side, so I can get to the bandage on your torso alright".
Vi nodded, hoping that it would be quick and painless.
"Alright Caitlyn, if you could step over to that side, and undue that strap for me, that would be great".
Caitlyn walked to the other side of Vi and began undoing the strap that held her arm against her chest.
"Very good dear. Now Vi I'm going to slowly lower your arm, please tell me if this hurts".
Vi nodded as her eyes opened wide. Without thinking Caitlyn grabbed Vi's hand and held it tight, as the nurse slowly lowered Vi's arm down to her side.
"See not so bad".
Vi let the breath out that she had been holding in the whole time. "I'm glad you're good with your hands". Vi said while smiling at Becky again.
"Even better with my fingers". She replied as she began lifting Vis gown up to her chest, causing Vi to blush.
Caitlyn began to feel uncomfortable as she watched the two interact. She wasn't jealous or angry, she couldn't put the exact feeling it was causing her. Maybe curiosity she thought. Looking at Vi she knew she was attractive; she had always known it from the day she met her, that she was good looking. She was funny, smart, hardworking, and very flirtatious. So why had Vi been single. As far as Caitlyn knew Vi had never been in a serious relationship since getting out of prison. And with them never talking about Vi's life before prison she wasn't sure if she had ever been. Caitlyn couldn't figure out why though. Vi could have just about any women she wanted. She was much more confident than Caitlyn. The way she held herself, and interacted with people, made Caitlyn jealous at times.
"Alright Caitlyn, could you hold up the gown, while I remove this bandage, please".
Caitlyn reached across Vi, holding the gown up for the nurse to begin peeling back the old tape. Caitlyn looked back at Vi, as she could feel her staring at her. They both made eye contact as Caitlyn watched Vi's face scrunch as the tape pulled from her skin. Caitlyn looked back at the nurse who now had revealed the 2nd bullet hole. This one looking much different. Caitlyn could tell there used to be a hole, that was now stitched together. The sore looked red and black, with small patches of blood that surrounded it. Her ribs were purple where you could tell the bullet broke through. Caitlyn closed her eyes for a second, as red filled her vision. Panic began to fill her body, as her chest started to tighten.
"Ahhhh cupcake".
Caitlyn threw her eyes open, looking back at Vi.
"Your hands are freezing".
Caitlyn looked back at her hands, as she noticed she had rested them against Vi's chest while trying to hold up the gown.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to".
"It's alright, I just was ready for freezing digits to slide against my breasts". Vi said as she tried to break the tension.
Caitlyn's face turned red, and she moved her hands to a more appropriate location, but with nothing available decided to just hold them up from Vis body, as the nurse finished cleaning the area.
"Alright, just going to get a new bandage on, and you will be good till later this evening". The nurse applied more ointment before placing a large cotton patch and taping it down.
"Alright dear, we can put the gown back down, thank you for holding that for me, especially with this one here, am I right".
Caitlyn smiled and nodded, and she brought the gown back down, giving Vi her privacy back.
"Alright let's get this arm strapped back up and you will be good to go".
"Go where exactly, not like I can really do much here".
"Ya but you don't seem like the kind of person to let that hold you back from a good time". Becky said as she handed the straps back to Caitlyn to finish. Caitlyn took them and looped them back through the strap that sat behind Vis back.
"Well ill give you two ladies a chance to catch back up. Just press the button if you need anything. My shift ends in 20 minutes, but don't worry, I'll stop by to say goodbye and introduce you to your silver fox". Becky chuckled as she wheeled the cart out the door.