Chapter 9

"Miss Kirraman, do you know what a panic attack is"?

"Yes Dr, I'm very well aware of what a panic attack is".

"Well then it shouldn't be a surprise to you, that, that it was you suffered from earlier. I see here on your chart that you are already taking something for anxiety, are you still taking it regularly"?

"Yes Dr", Caitlyn said as she sat upon the hospital bed.

"What about your sleep, how has that been"?

"You mean before or after a person tried to shoot me"?

"Yes I understand Miss Kirraman, you have been through a lot over the past 24 hours. I'm going to go ahead a prescribe you something to help aide in your sleep. I recommend you continue with the anxiety medication already prescribed, and if you feel you need a higher dose, please reach out to your family Dr. I know this isn't helpful, but I do recommend you go home and get a good night's rest".

"Is that everything Dr"?

"Yes, you are free to go".

Caitlyn jumped down from the bed, grabbed her jacket and headed for the door, without a second thought. She made her way down the hall ready to go back up to the recovery floor of the hospital when she rounded the corner and ran into the one person she had no desire to see.

"Jack, what are you doing here"?

"The hospital called me when you had, what they called a panic attack".

"Great that's all I need". She said as she proceeded to walk passed him.

"Hey Caitlyn, stop why are you ignoring my calls"?

Caitlyn stopped, turned around and walked back up to Jack slowly. "You know damn well why I'm not returning your calls. You lied to me, my friend woke up alone in the hospital because you lied to me".

"Caitlyn it wasn't that big of a deal, I did it for you, you weren't in your right mind".

"My mind has never been clearer, and you do not get to make those kinds of choices for me".

"If your mind was so clear, you wouldn't be down here after having a panic attack caused by your so called friend".

"We're done here, do you understand, this conversation is over, I'm going back up to my friend, and you are not to follow me". Caitlyn then turned around and began walking towards the elevators ignoring the angry words from her fiancé.

Caitlyn entered the elevator hitting the button, as she sat back wondering if returning to Vi's room was such a good idea. 'what if she really doesn't want me back, what if we really aren't friends anymore, she clearly blames me for what happened as she should, it was all my fault'. Caitlyn could feel her chest start to tighten again as she tried to control her breathing, not wanting a return visit to the Dr's below. Just as she felt things start to spiral, she felt her back pocket, realizing the letter was still there. She pulled it out, flipped it through her fingers, before replacing back into her pocket, bringing her a sense of calm.

Just then the doors to the elevator opened, as Caitlyn was able to welcome a good distraction. She stepped out of the elevator, as she saw multiple officers from in her unit flooding into Vi's room, carrying flowers and other gifts. Caitlyn knew Vi probably hated the attention, but she was glad to see the support the enforcer had. Caitlyn decided to let Vi have her time in the spotlight, while she left, deciding to run a few necessary errands, after all she knew Vi wouldn't be lonely for a while.

Vi Pov

"I need to know if she is alright, please Ethel, can you just try and find out what is going on with the Sherriff".

"I already told you Miss Vi, they aren't wanting to give any information out regarding the Sherriff, they have privacy laws for a reason".

"Ya but can't you just find out if she's at least ok"?

"I'll do my best, but no promises". Ethel said as she left Vis room knowing she wasn't going to be able to provide her the information she wanted.

Vi sat back feeling angry and frustrated. "Fuck", she yelled as she began to also feel guilty about what had happened. She didn't blame Caitlyn at all for what happened, in fact she blamed herself. If she hadn't given Caitlyn a reason to not trust her, she would have had her gauntlets, and the Sherriff would have never been distracted with Vis petty nonsense.

Vi was on the verge of losing her patients with continuing to be told No. She wasn't sure how much longer she could sit and wait. Suddenly there was a knock on the door, pulling Vi out of her thoughtful rage.

"Ya".

"Hey Vi, can we come in"?

The two women that worked down in the evidence locker entered the room, shocking Vi with their presence.

"Uh ya sure, come on in".

"We just wanted to stop by and bring you some flowers, hopefully help brighten up your room a bit".

"Well thank you, but really you guys didn't need to stop by".

"Oh, but we did dear, you're the hero of the town".

There's that word again, Vi thought. "Really ladies it was nothing, just doing my job".

"Trust me dear, not everyone on the force is as brave as you".

"Oh, I'm sure that can't be true, but again I really do appreciate the gesture, but you really didn't have to come all the way out here just for me". Vi said hoping the two women would take the hint and leave.

"Well, you might want to tell that to all the other officers, waiting outside to come congratulate you on a job well done".

"What"? Vi said as a look of horror crossed her face.

"Ya I think half the precinct is out there, all stopped by after their shifts. Well, we should probably give someone else a chance to come in, but really, we are so glad to see you doing so well. Take care now dear, we hope to see you back to work soon".

"Thanks", Vi said as she waved the two women out. "Fuck me", she muttered under her breath as two more officers entered the room.

Vi spent the next hour playing nice, pretending to accept the praise of the Piltover hero from her fellow officers. Truth, was she wished they would all go back to hating her, if this is what it meant to be part of the team. She only had interest in one person entering her room, and she wasn't sure if she would see her again.

As 7 o'clock was coming near, Ethel came by ushering the last of the officers out of Vis room so she could have dinner and rest.

"Thank you, Ethel, I'm not sure how much more of that I could have handled".

"Of course, Miss Vi, sorry I mean Vi, everyone just seemed to really want to show you their support, after all its not everyday someone is willing to sacrifice themselves for another".

"Ya I suppose you're right, so what on the menu for tonight, more liquid I'm guessing"?

"Yes, sorry Hun, liquid diet until you're able to get the catheter out".

"Ya that couldn't come soon enough". Vi said as she shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

"Yes dear, well I'm about to make my last rounds, shifts nearing to an end, but Becky will be by any minute now".

"Wait, is there any word on the Sherriff"?

Ethel looked at Vi as she could see the disappointment on her face.

"Please Ethel, I just want to know she is ok".

"Fine deary, but if anyone should find out, I would be out of a job".

"I swear, I won't say a word".

"It's not a lot but I did hear she is ok, just had to be taken to family Doc downstairs, I believe she has already been released". Ethel said as she made her way to the door. "Have a good night, Miss Vi, I'll see you in the morning.

Vi sat back, slowly ingesting her broth. She was happy to hear the Sherriff was ok, but disappointed to find out she had been released, and never came back. Vi couldn't blame her though. She knew she didn't deserve to have Caitlin back.

She finished her food and waited for Becky to come by, at least she was a comforting presence. As she waited, she thought about what her future was going to look like from here. Wondered how she would be able to be released, when she couldn't even walk, and her apartment was on the third floor with no elevator, hell she didn't even have hot water at the moment. Just as Vi found herself lost in an unsure world; she heard the door to her room begin to open. She sat up ready for some fun sexual banter with her young nurse.

"I think I'm ready for that sponge….Caitlyn".

"Well, I probably won't be able to do as good a job as Ethel, but I suppose I could try". Caitlyn said as she walked into the room.

"You came back"?

"Of course I did, I told you I'm not leaving you alone in here, no matter how much you want me gone". She said as she gave Vi a weak smile.

"I never wanted you gone". Vi said but what she really wanted to say was please don't ever leave me, I need you.

"I brought you a few things, a toothbrush, some shorts, and a tank top. I know you can't wear the clothes yet, but I figured you will need something once they start letting you get up and move around".

"Thanks, Cait, you really didn't have too though".

"I know, but I wanted to". Caitlyn said as she put the bag next to all the other gifts Vi had been given. "Looks like you had a lot of visitors today".

"It was a fucking nightmare Cait, like seriously you may not ever be allowed to leave me again". Vi said as she watched Caitlyn laugh at her discomfort. "Seriously I don't know how you do it; it takes everything out of you to put on a show like that".

"Tell me about". Caitlyn said as she slumped in the chair next to Vi.

"Hey Cait"?

"ya"?

"You ok, I mean really ok"?

"Ya Vi, I'm ok".

"Do you wanna talk about it"?

"I know we should, but can we not tonight, please"?

"Ya of course".

Both women sat back feeling even more exhausted than they expected to, as they both felt emotionally and physically drained.

"Vi"?

"ya"?

"I want you to move in with me, not permanently of course, but at least while you recover, I know you still have more time in the hospital, but when they finally release you, will you come stay with me, please"?

"I really don't want to be burden".

"Vi the only burden you will be is if you say no, and I'm stuck worrying about you every day and night".

"Alright cupcake, I'll stay with you".

"Thank you Vi", Caitlyn said as she found herself feeling more at ease.

Just then Becky entered the room.

"Hey gorgeous, I heard you had a busy day".

"You don't know the half of it" Vi said as she looked at Becky, sleep wanting to overtake her.

"Well let me change out your bandages, then we will get you right to sleep, how does that sound"?

"Amazing", Vi said as she sat back ready to be worked on.

"Sherriff, you think you could help me out again"?

"Of course,", Caitlyn said as she jumped up to help

With Caitlyn's help, the changing of the bandages went quickly and with ease.

"Well how you feeling, think you need anything for the pain to sleep"?

"Ya, but maybe not the super strong stuff, I didn't like how that made me feel".

"Got it, ill be right back". Becky grabbed the cart used for replacing the bandages and left the room.

"I'm going to use your bathroom, and get cleaned up for the night if that's alright"? Caitlyn said as she grabbed a second bag she had kept down by her feet.

"Not like I'm using it cupcake, be my guest".

Caitlyn went and got changed, while she heard Becky entering the room, giving Vi her pain medicine for the night. Caitlyn looked down at the bottle of pills her Dr just prescribed for sleep, and thought about taking one, before deciding against it, and throwing the bottle back in her bag.

"You really going to sleep in that chair all night". Vi said as she watched Caitlyn try to get comfortable.

"Why you offering to move over and let me come up there".

"Well apparently its irresponsible and dangerous, but since when have I ever been one for following the rules". Vi smiled as she patted the bed next to her.

"I think I'll be fine here tonight thanks, ill figure something better out tomorrow".

"If you insist, but I promise I don't bite, or at least not when I'm sleeping". She said as she winked at Caitlyn.

Caitlyn blushed, while feeling extreme joy, that Vi was starting to act normal around her again, for she missed the flirtatious, carefree woman she was used to.

No matter how much Caitlyn tried, she couldn't find a way to get comfortable, just as she was about to give up on sleep altogether, Vi turned to her.

"Really Cait, if your going to be here all night, just come get up in the bed with me. Its plenty big, and I promise you wont hurt me".

"I told you I'm".

"I wont tell if you don't". Becky said as she cut Caitlyn off.

Becky got up from her chair, and made her way over to the bed.

"Best to come over on her right side, that way you avoid the leg, and with her arm strapped down, it will give you more room".

"Really, I'm fine".

"Cait, if you want me to move in with you, then come get in this bed now". Vi said with as stern of a voice she could muster.

"Fine, but I really don't feel comfortable doing this".

"Noted". Vi said as she moved her body to the left with the help of Becky. "See plenty of space cupcake, we don't even need to cuddle, unless you want to of course". Vi winked.