Chapter 8
"I'm sorry I wasn't here for you when you first woke up". Were the first words spoken after minutes of awkward silence.
"It's fine, you don't owe me anything".
"I owe you everything". Caitlyn said as she stood up and inched closer to her partner. "You saved my life".
"And you have saved mine, multiple times in fact. So, if you're here out of some kind of guilt, because you think you owe me something you don't".
"You think that's the only reason I'm sitting here now, is because of guilt, Vi I". But Caitlyn was cut off by the sound of the hospital room door opening.
"Hello Vi, I just wanted to stop by before I leave for the day and introduce you to your day shift nurse. This is Ethel". Said Becky as she pointed towards a very large, tall, stalky women that was entering the room. "I'm sure you two will get along great". She said as she winked at Vi.
Vi swallowed, as she looked at the women, that she was sure could crush her with just one hand. "Uh Hi". Vi said as she shrunk into her bed.
Becky went over to the bed, and began adjusting Vi's pillow to help her feel more comfortable. "Don't worry she has been briefed on your condition, and needs". She then leaned into whisper in Vi's ear. "And don't worry I hear she is great with her hands". She then pulled away giving Vi a large smile. "I'll see you tonight". Becky then made for the door waving by as she left.
"I'm Ethel, I'll be your nurse if you need anything, please don't hesitate to ask". The new nurse said in a much softer voice than neither Vi nor Caitlyn expected.
Vi nodded her head, as she looked towards Caitlyn who wore the same expression. Ethel then walked next to the bed, checking Vi's vitals as she scanned over her new patient. Caitlyn sat back waiting patiently for the nurse to finish before returning to Vis side. Ethel then went to the computer in the corner of the room and began entering data. Vi and Caitlyn stared at each other, both knowing they had an important conversation they needed to have, but neither knowing when they would get the chance to finally say what needed to be said.
Ethel finally broke the awkward silence. "Says here in my notes you would like a sponge bath today, is that correct"? Caitlyn immediately began to laugh as she tried to hide her enthusiasm from the nurse.
"Um no, I don't think ill need that today but thank you Ethel". Vi said as she turned bright red.
"You shut up, that's not funny". She whispered to Caitlyn, wishing she could sit up and give her a playful smack, but watching Caitlyn laugh, just seeing her happy for a brief moment made Vi begin to chuckle.
"Ah ah, stop, my ribs, I can't laugh anymore".
Caitlyn grabbed Vi's hand in concern as she quickly went from laughing to being worried.
"I'm fine cupcake, really besides it was worth it, but I still can't believe Becky did that to me". Vi said as she slowly calmed down.
"Well how are you feeling, are you in pain"?
"A little, but its manageable".
Caitlyn's face softened as she looked down at her partner who looked so fragile. It was so hard to look at someone Caitlyn always saw as unbreakable, looking so broken.
"Hey Cait, please don't take this the wrong way, but you look like you haven't slept at all". Vi said as she was just now noticing how exhausted the Sherriff looked.
"Ya I guess I haven't".
"Well maybe you should head home for a few and get some sleep".
"No, I'm not leaving you, I'm fine, I'll be fine".
Vi looked at Caitlyn with concern, but didn't feel like trying to argue with her, truth be told she didn't really want Caitlyn to leave, she didn't want to be alone.
"Well maybe you should at least try and rest your eyes for at least a few minutes. We could probably both use some more rest".
"I guess that doesn't sound like a bad idea". Caitlyn said as she tried to reposition herself in the chair to feel more comfortable, while still holding her partner's hand.
Vi laid her head back, as she felt the warm soft hand in hers. She tried not to think about how much she missed real human connection. 'She has no idea just how much a simple gesture means to me', she thought, as she held Caitlyn's hand a little tighter.
Both women closed their eyes, hoping to get some rest, before the day became to late.
Caitlyn could feel the exhaustion taking over as she closed her eyes ready to finally let the day come to an end even though it was 8am the next morning. As darkness swallowed her up, she could feel sleep overtake her, only to be filled with deep red nightmares. She watched as her friend lay motionless is a pool of blood, while she stood over her body holding the weapon that caused the injuries. Vi screaming up, "What have you done". Caitlyn falling down into a sea of red, as a large hand grabbed her shoulder.
Caitlyn was jerked awake by someone touching her. She gasped as she turned around quickly to see Jayce standing behind her.
"Hey, you were whimpering in your sleep, I didn't mean to startle you though". He said as he whispered and pointed to Vi. "How is she"?
Caitlyn jumped out of her chair and immediately threw her arms around Jayce trying to be as quiet as possible.
"Hey you ok"?
"No". Caitlyn shook her head as she drew the hug out longer.
"Let's go out in the hall, we can talk".
"I can't, I can't leave her".
"You're not leaving her, we will be just outside, we can even leave the door open so you can see if she wakes up". Jayce said as he pulled Caitlyn towards the door. He opened it slowly pulling them both out into the hall.
"What's going on"?
"I don't know". Caitlyn said as she bent her head down and stared at the floor.
Jayce stared at Caitlyn with concern. He knew just how much Caitlyn cared for Vi, and how hard this must be for her, to see her friend this way. But he had no idea just how deep the trauma ran through the Sherriff.
"Do you want me to call Jack, have him come over"?
"No". Caitlyn said in a stern voice now with an angry look on her face.
"Sorry, is there something you want to talk about"?
"No" Caitlyn said as she went to turn and enter back into Vis room.
Jayce grabbed Caitlyn by the arm before she could step back in. "I'm here if you need to talk, no judgements, just a friend willing to listen ok".
Caitlyn's face softened up, as she realized the sincerity in Jayce's tone. "Thank you, Jayce, I may just take you up on that, but right now I just need to be here for Vi".
Jayce smiled as he nodded is head. "Can I at least get you some Coffee, or something for lunch"?
Caitlyn looked down at her watch realizing it was almost 1 in the afternoon. "A coffee sounds great, and maybe something lite, a salad or something".
"Of course", Jayce said as he turned to walk towards the hospital cafeteria.
Just as Caitlyn was entering back into the room, Vi was starting to stir awake. She ran over to the side of the bed where she picked up Vi's hand and held it until she opened her eyes.
"Hey, I thought you left".
"No, I told you I'm not leaving you. I just stepped out to talk to Jayce, he came by to check on you, but I sent him to get me a coffee. So, he will be right back".
"Well, that was nice of him to stop by". Vi said, even though she knew he would be there more for Caitlyn than herself.
"You know where my silver fox went, I'm feeling a bit hungry myself"?
"Not sure, you want me to go check".? Caitlyn said as she rose from her chair.
"No, no, I can just push the button here". Vi picked up the controller on the side of her bed and pressed the button.
Within a minute, Ethel was at the door. "What can I do for you Miss Vi"?
"Anyway, I can get some lunch"?
"Of course, it's just at the desk out here, showed up a few minutes ago, but thought I would wait till you woke up". She then stepped out and rolled back in with a cart that had a plate on top, covered by a siler lid.
"With your leg still in pretty bad shape, I'm going to help you try and sit up, if it's to much though, we will lay you back down and try something else". Ethel then walked to the side of Vis bed, as she grabbed a remote. She then put her hand behind Vi, slowly pulling her up, while she used the other hand to push a button that adjusted the bed to come up behind her. "How's that Miss Vi"?
"Hurts a little, but feels good to be sitting up, so ill be fine for now".
"Yes Miss Vi, please let me know when you're ready to lie back down, or if you need something for the pain"?
"Of course, and thank you Ethel, but you can just call me Vi". She said as she smiled at the large kind women.
"Yes Vi", she said as she left the room.
"Well let's see what's on the menu for me". Vi said as Caitlyn pushed the cart over and swung it to lay across the bed.
Vi lifted the metal tray to reveal a bowl of some sort of broth, with a yellow looking drink. "Great, not like I'm starving or anything".
Caitlyn gave a small chuckle at the less than enthused Vi. "Probably have you on a high calorie liquid diet, you know since you can't exactly leave your bed for the bathroom".
"Thanks for the reminder". Vi said as she adjusted herself slightly in her seat.
Just then Jayce came through the door holding a coffee and salad, that he passed to the sheriff before walking up next to Vi.
"Hey, glad to see you awake, and sitting up on her your own, how you feeling"?
"hungry", Vi said as she spooned the liquid broth into her mouth.
"Ya that looks well, I'm sure its healthy". Jayce said, trying not to sound as sarcastic as it came out.
Vi gave him a slight smirk, as she continued to spoon the rest in her mouth. Caitlyn took her coffee and salad to the other side of the room, trying not to be too rude. Both women ate as Jayce began telling them both about what the city was saying about Vi's heroic actions.
"It's all anyone is talking about, how the enforcer threw herself in front of a gunman, to save our beloved Piltover Sherriff".
"That's not what happened". Spat Vi
Jayce looked at Vi confused but continued talking anyway.
"Well, that's what the news is reporting, I'm just telling you what's being said".
"Thank you, Jayce, I'm glad to hear what's going on. I'm going to have to check into the station soon, so its nice to hear what's on the news. Any report on if they caught the shooter"?
"Uh no nothing has been said on that, sorry".
"It's ok I will". Just then Caitlyn was cut off by a friendly face entering the room.
"Vi you sly son of a Bitch, you're the only person I know who could get shot 3 times and live to tell the tale".
"Ekko, what the hell you are doing here"? Vi said as she happily greeted an old friend.
"Well, I couldn't just let you rot inside a hospital without coming to say hi, I also brought a friend, hope you don't mind".
Cassie walked into the room shortly after Ekko.
"Hey Cassie, how are you"? Vi said as her eyes darted towards Caitlyn, who was staring at the new female entering the room.
"Your face is all over the news, they are talking about what a hero you are, I had to come by and check on you myself, especially since I haven't heard from you in so long".
Cassie then pushed by Ekko to go sit next to Vi. "You're so brave, and here you told me most of your job consisted of paperwork".
"Well to be fair it usually does".
Jayce looked back at Caitlyn, now noticing the tension coming off of the sheriff. He then decided to walk over to introduce himself.
"Hi I'm Jayce, a friend of Vis". He said as he held out his hand.
"hphm, friend, if you say so". Vi said under breath allowing only Jayce to hear.
Cassie stuck out her hand and greeted Jayce.
"So how do you two know each other"? Jayce asked Cassie ignoring the look on Vi's face.
"I met Vi through Ekko not long ago, and we both seemed to hit it off, and have spent some quality time together".
Caitlyn choked on her salad in the back corner at these words, causing everyone to look her way.
"You alright over their Cupcake"?
"Yup, just fine". She said, as she gave a thumbs up. "Quality time my ass", Caitlyn muttered to herself.
"Well, I really should be off, got a lot to do at the academy, I'm glad to see you doing so well Vi, really, and thank you". he said as he turned, looking at Caitlyn. "You may not see yourself as a hero, but I do". Jayce said softly leaving the last part to only be heard by Vi.
Vi gave him a nod, understanding just what he meant by the comment. She knew Jayce cared about Caitlyn probably as much as she did.
"It was nice meeting you Cassie, and Ekko, always good to see you". He said as he made his way to the door.
"Wait ill walk you out", Caitlyn said as she ran to meet him at the door. "Vi do you care if I walk Jayce out to his car, I'll be right back"?
"Cait, you're not tied to the bed like me, you can leave whenever you want".
"Ill be right back, I promise". Caitlyn said as she walked out with Jayce ignoring Vis rudeness.
"You sure Vi wants you here, she doesn't seem all that happy to have you around". Jayce said as they walked towards the parking lot.
"I know the only other time Vi was in the hospital was when she was in the infirmary at Stillwater, after being beat almost to death by guards. I know she is putting up a wall to make people think she isn't weak, or soft, when deep down she is terrified, and even if she will never admit it, I know she is scared to be alone in there. I won't let her be alone, she means too much to me, she saved me, even though it was". Caitlyn stopped talking not wanting to finish that sentence, still afraid to face reality.
"Hey its ok". Jayce said as he put his arms around Caitlyn. "You're ok, and so is Vi, that's all that matters. I know things still look bad, but Vi will heal, she's strong, stronger than most, and she has you".
Caitlyn hugged him tighter, before letting him go. "Thank you, Jayce, I couldn't do this without you".
"I'm just a phone call away if you need anything". Jayce said as he got in his car.
Caitlyn waved him off as she headed back up to Vis room, secretly hoping Cassie and Ekko had left.
As she made her way towards the room, she could hear light laughter from multiple people coming from inside the hospital room. Caitlyn walked in and froze as she saw Cassie sitting on the right side of the bed tucked close to Vi, with her arm around the enforcer.
Caitlyn felt searing heat rise up the back of her neck, as she looked at the two. She didn't even notice Ekko sitting in the chair next to them. She walked slowly forward before standing at the end of the bed.
"I don't think it's the best idea to be sitting on someone who has just been shot". Caitlyn said, staring down at Cassie
"Its fine Cait, she's not".
"She has multiple broken ribs, a broken arm, and not to mention a lung that just had a hole in it mere hours ago, you sitting against her like that is not only dangerous, its just flat out stupid". Caitlyn said as her face became more red with anger.
"Hey easy Cait". Vi said as she felt the anger coming off the Sherriff.
"Ya I'm not trying to hurt my friend here."
Just then Ethel walked in as she couldn't help but to hear the commotion. "What's all the fuss about"? She said as she walked into the room.
"Oh Deary, lets come down from the bed please, your friend here isn't exactly in the right shape for those kinds of visits".
"Exactly what I was trying to say". Caitlyn said as she watched Cassie gently step off the bed.
"Well we should probably getting going anyway, I have a few errands I need to take care of in Piltover before it gets to dark". Ekko said trying to break through the tension, and get out of the room as quickly as possible.
"Thanks for coming by it means a lot and try and come back again if you can".
"Of course,". Ekko said, as he leaned in for a gentle side hug.
"Yes, I will definitely make Ekko bring me back. Please get feeling better so we can go out for dessert again". Cassie said as she winked at Vi, before leaning in, and kissing Vi right on the lips, letting the kiss linger longer than normal to make a point.
She pulled away from Vi, before heading towards the door. "Sherriff, it's a pleasure to have finally met you". She said in a cunning voice before exiting the door.
"Caitlyn".
"Ekko".
They both exchanged awkward glances before Ekko followed Cassie out.
"Ethel, could you please give me and the Sherriff a moment of privacy". Vi said as she tried to control the anger in her voice.
"Yes Vi", Ethel said as she left the room closing the door behind her.
"What the Fuck was that"? Vi said as she tried to straighten herself up.
"My question exactly". Replied Caitlyn, not willing to back down.
"Why do you care so much about who wants to be sitting next to me. You're not my girlfriend you're not even my".
"Your what Vi, Your friend"?
"Well, it's not exactly like we hang out after work. Hell, we don't even speak to each other at work anymore and were supposed to be partners. I mean you were fucking yelling at me right before I got shot".
"I wasn't yelling at you I was scared, scared that you were drinking on the job".
"You were distracted".
"You don't think I don't know that. You don't think I don't know this is all my fault". Caitlyn yelled as she could feel her chest start to tighten, as it became harder for her to breath. "I know". Gasp "its all" Gasp "My fault" Gasp.
"Hey Cait stop, look at me, just focus on me, you need to beath for me ok". Vi said as she was trying to calm Caitlyn down, without success. Vi began to panic as she watched Caitlyn, knowing she couldn't even get up from the bed to reach for her.
Caitlyn grabbed her chest, as she started falling forward.
"Nurse", Vi yelled as she began slamming the help button down.