By Beej

Chapter Two

Nathan put down the papers he’d been staring at blindly for the last fifteen minutes and sighed. Glancing up at the clock, he was shocked to see how late it was. He got up and opened the door to look out at the main office. It was almost deserted, with just two or three men sitting quietly at their desks, the night shift.

“Hey, guys,” he said quietly, walking towards them. “Why didn’t you tell me how late it was?”

“We thought you didn’t want to be disturbed, Supe. The other shift told us you hadn’t come out of your office for most of the day.”

“Well, I’m out now, and bloody hungry. Who’s gonna go get us some tucker?”

“Aren’t you going to the hospital?”

“No, mate. I think it’s a bit too late in the day for that now, don’t you. I’ll go home after I’ve had something to eat. that way I can get a shower and change. Don’t want to be thrown out for being too rank for the nurses to cope with. They’re hoping he’ll wake up soon and I need to be there when he does.”

The men smiled and nodded as one of them got up and grabbed his jacket. “I’ll be back in two ticks with the grub.”

Nate took his wallet out and reached in for some bills. “My, treat, lads.” He sat down with the others and tried to get up to speed with what was going on.

The machines beeped and sighed in the ICU. It was almost full, and worried relatives sat next to their loved ones, their faces pale, their voices low as they spoke in whispers.

Annie stretched and got up. She leaned over and kissed her brother on the forehead. “Just going for a pee, Bubs. Don’t go anywhere. I’ll be two ticks.” She squeezed his arm and walked to the end of his cubicle. She walked over to the nurses station and leaned on the desk.

“I’m off to get a drink. can I get you one?”

“Don’t waste your money on that disgusting vending machine. Come round to the office and I’ll get you something that’s not 100% sludge.”

Annie smiled and followed the nurse through. She was surprised at the choice on offer, and settled for a thick, creamy hot chocolate, then went back and sat behind the desk next to the nurse.

“I should have gone for the coffee to keep me awake, but a girl has to have a choccie fix every couple of hours.”

“You know, I’m sure your brother wouldn’t mind if you have a quick snooze. He wouldn’t want you all worn out, would he.”

“I guess not, but I want to make sure I’m awake when he opens his eyes.”

“Well, that’s not going to happen tonight. I know Doc Greene said it was time to ease up on the sedation, but Kai will need a scan before that happens, and that will be in the morning. When you’ve finished your drink, you’re more than welcome to stretch out on the sofa in the office.”

Annie tried to stifle a yawn, but failed miserably, then giggled. “Looks like my body agrees with you. Thanks for the offer. You’ll wake me if there’s any change?”

“Of course I will. You go get some sleep.”

Annie finished her drink and gave the nurse a quick hug before going back into the office and collapsing onto the super comfy sofa. A few minutes later, the nurse came in with a blanket and covered up her sleeping form. She then walked over to Kai and looked down at him.

“Don’t worry, mate. Your sis is having forty winks. She’s not far away. I’ll come and keep you company for a while.” She picked up the magazine Annie had been reading, then sat by the bed reading.

Annie didn’t sleep for long and was soon standing next to the bed again. “Thanks, I needed that. I feel a lot better. I think I’ll nip home and get showered and changed.”

“Good idea. Dr. Greene will most likely be round about 8:30 in the morning, so you’ve got plenty of time.”

Annie leaned over and kissed Kai before giving the nurse a quick hug and walking off towards the lifts. As soon as the doors closed behind her, she felt the tears begin to fall. What if the scan wasn’t good? Would they have to keep him asleep for much longer? Her head was exploding with unanswered questions as she walked through the main entrance of the hospital. She took a deep breath of the night air and looked up. There was a full moon. It shone brightly in the clear sky, and she smiled up at it before walking to her car and heading home.

The roads were almost empty, so the journey to Darling Point didn't take too long. Despite the hour, the lights were blazing, so she knew her grandparents hadn't gone to bed.

She pulled up a the front of the house and skipped up the steps. The door opened before she had a chance to reach it and her grandfather stood there. He seemed to have aged in the hours since he'd left her at the hospital.

"Hello, darling. Is there any change?"

"No, Pops, don't worry. I came home to shower and change. Come into the kitchen with me and I'll make you a hot drink."

"Thank you, Annie. I laced your grandmother's cocoa with a sleeping pill, but I couldn't go to bed...in case..."

Annie kissed him on the cheek and smiled. "He's going to be okay, Pops. I just know it. I would have felt it if things were getting worse."

"I know, Luv. You just caught me off guard is all. Now, where's this drink?"

They went through to the kitchen and Annie made Pops sit on the sofa while she got everything ready. "Hot chocolate with extra cream, and I promise not to spike it for you."

Pops smiled. "I think now I've spoken to you I'll be able to get a couple of hours. What time are you going back?"

"They're doing another scan later this morning, after 8:30. I want to be there for when he has it, and I need to leave before the traffic gets too bad. I think 7:00 should get me through without too many holdups."

"Well, be sure to call as soon as you have any news. We'll come over after lunch. That way Isla will be nicely rested."

"No worries, Pops. Now, you get yourself to bed or it will be time to get up," she grinned.

Showered and changed, she quickly nibbled on a slice of toast and drank a cup of tea, before picking up her bag and keys from the hall table where she'd dropped them earlier, and went to the front door. As she went outside, she saw car headlights shining up the drive. Who could be calling at this time of the morning, she wondered.

As the car stopped behind her own, she smiled as she saw Nate wave through the windscreen and beckon her over.

"Need a lift?" he asked, opening the passenger door wide. 

"What on earth are you doing here? Have you been home?"

"Offering you a lift, and yes...in that order," he smiled as she got in beside him. "I went home to change and have a shower. Didn't think they'd let me in otherwise. I've been at the office trying to keep busy." 

"Oh, Nate, you look worn out. You should try and get some sleep."

"I could say the same to you, young lady. I called the hospital and they told me you'd only come home for a quick change, that's why I'm here and not there right now." 

"Thanks for coming to get me. I did get a bit of sleep at the hospital, but since coming home it's really hit me just how worn out I am. Pops slipped Nan a mickey in her cocoa last night to get her to rest, and I sent him to bed when I got home. I wanted to get back early to beat the rush. If I'd known I was going in style I'd have taken longer in the shower."

Nate smiled over at her. "Well, we can go back and have a fry-up if you like. I'll use the lights and siren to blast through any traffic."

She slapped his arm and grinned. "No, you're right...let's get the show on the road while it's quiet. He's going for a scan after brekkie and I want to be there before he goes down."

Nate nodded before starting the engine and turning back down the drive for the trip to the hospital. They didn't speak much, but Annie had her hand on his shoulder, needing the physical contact of her friend to keep her calm during the journey.

They were soon outside the hospital and Nate pulled up in the staff parking area, draping his handcuffs over the wheel before getting out of the car. He trotted round to the passenger door and opened it, holding out his hand for Annie. She took a firm hold on him and they walked hand in hand to the door and made their way to the lift and the ICU floor.