Alright my lovelies, I'm sorry that this is late and short, but I've had writer's block. However, it's over and things are about to get fun :D well for me anyway BWAHAHAHAHAAHAHA *ehem* I mean yes, well here it is
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Chapter XXV: Hospitals Suck
When I woke up my throat hurt and I had the strangest sensation in my nose. I heard this annoying beeping noise. My eyes felt so heavy, but I opened them with more effort than there should have been. I looked down at my arm and saw an IV, the beeping was a heart monitor. I had tubes in my nose and down my throat. That was why my throat hurt. I felt something in my hand. I looked down and saw Xavier sleeping by my bedside, his hand resting in mine.
I must have shifted or something because he stirred. I smiled until I saw the bags under his bloodshot eyes. "Are you alright?" I asked, suddenly concerned.
"Yes, I'm perfectly fine. How are you feeling?"
"Awkward. Why are there all the wires and tubes?"
Xavier looked grim for a moment and pursed his lips. "There was a complication."
"What?"
"When you got upset, your heart rate sped up, and basically you started bleeding again. They managed to stop it, and you've been sedated for the past two weeks."
"TWO WEEKS!" I sat up, and felt the tubes and the IV pull, then the pain in my ribs, and then everything started hurting. My head ached and was throbbing, my ribs hurt, all of my muscles were sore.
"Juliet, you have to keep calm or they will sedate you."
"What about Angelica?"
Xavier smiled at me, it was almost a condescending smile, one that seemed to say you're a silly little girl. "It's been two weeks Juliet, that is handled."
A nurse picked now to bustle in. "You're awake, eh child?" the nurse asked, she had dark skin and dark hair that was in neat dreads and fell almost to her waist. "Good, that medicine they were givin ter ya wasn't no good for yer heart anyway." She said, her island accent thick. "But it keeps ya from bleedin' out, which is good fer keepin' ya alive." She smiled at me. "I'm Daphne and I'll be yer nurse for at least the next seventy-two hours. Now, you boy, need to give us some privacy." She told Xavier and he looked about to argue but Daphne put a hand on her hip. "Don't ye be sassin' me, boy neither. I don't have to let you in here. This girl needs her rest, and her dressin' need be changin' and I won't be havin' ya in here like some peepin' Tom. Get going, boy."
"I'll be back as soon as I can, Juliet." Xavier sighed and left, closing the door behind himself.
"Well, Juliet, is that boy yer Romeo?" Daphne joked.
I shook my head. "No, he's just my advisor."
"Advisor?"
"Yes."
"He wants to be doin' more than advisin', child."
"I don't know."
"That boy hasn't left yer side since we had to put ya under."
"You mean since he got back?"
"No, girlie, I mean he hasn't left."
"What about Angelica?"
"She came and said goodbye to ya, and she cried when she saw ya like that, but another woman, Carol I think her name was, took her away."
"It was probably Carolynn then . . ."
Daphne nodded. "That might have been it. But that's not what matters now, child. Ya need to be restin' and relaxin' and focusin on gettin' yerself better."
Daphne ran a few tests, drew some blood helped me to change and shower. She was sweet and caring and made me laugh while she brushed my hair. She pulled my hair up into a French braid and then and only then did she let Xavier back in. Apparently he'd been waiting outside for most, if not all, of the time she was outside.
I saw how tired and worn out he looked. There were dark bags under his eyes, his hair was tousled, and his clothes disheveled and wrinkled, something I'd never seen from him before and his tie was half mast. "Are you feeling any better?" Xavier asked, a half hearted smile on his face.
"Yeah." I nodded. Now that I was awake, Daphne had removed the tubes from my face, and even though my throat was sore it was so much better without fighting with tubes.
I saw him visibly relax. "Good,"
"How are you feeling?"
Xavier looked confused. "I'm fine. It's you you need to worry about. Don't worry yourself about me."
"Xavier, you look exhausted. Daphne said you haven't left the hospital."
"She did, did she?"
"Yes, she did."
"Ah, well, it's true."
"Xavier! You have to take care of yourself. How did Angelica get home?"
"Ah, yes, well, I called your father and informed him of the delicacy of your condition and instead, Carolynn flew over in his jet and escorted Angelica home instead."
"What have you been doing?"
"Waiting for you to wake back up."
"Xavier, you can't just drop everything because of me."
Xavier strode over and placed his hands on my shoulders. "Juliet, we almost lost you. You almost died, not once but twice now! Are you mad? How could I leave?"
"I what?"
"You almost died."
"Oh . . ." Xavier let out a sigh and pulled me into a tight embrace, which reminded me about my ribs. "Ribs!" I squeaked and he released me, concern etched in his face.
"I didn't mean to hurt you, but I was so scared I was going to lose you. You have got to quit doing this to me. I'm going to be a nutter here soon if you don't stop this."
"I'm sorry, Xavier, it's not like I planned this to happen."
Xavier shook his head he wrung his hands through his hair. "I know that, it just terrifies me to think I almost lost you already."
I shook my head. "I'm a lot harder to get rid of than that."
Xavier pinched the bridge of his nose which knocked his glasses off kilter. "You are going to be the end of me." Xavier sighed but looked at me with a small smile on his face. "But you have to stop scaring me."
I smiled back. "I'll do my best."
Xavier rested his forehead against mine. "Has this been your best?"
I shrugged. "Maybe."
"Then your best is dreadful."
I stared into those chocolaty brown eyes and had a sudden urge I couldn't suppress. I moved those last inches and touched my lips to his. I stayed there for a moment and Xavier didn't do anything, so I pulled back and looked away.
"Sorry, I shouldn't ha - " I started but was stopped by Xavier's lips pressing against my own. After a long moment he stared at me, seeming out of breath.
"Don't ever be sorry for doing that. Ever." Xavier smiled at me. I smiled back at him.
"Okay." I looked at him for a moment before I leaned back up and kissed him again. That lasted all of about thirty seconds as the heart monitor shot up and Daphne came back in.
"All right, ya two. She doesn't need that much excitement, boy. And I told ya, didn't I?" Daphne winked at me. "Now, no more of that, the medicine she was on wasn't no good for her heart, so don't be gettin' her all riled up, or I'll have to make ya leave."
Maybe I was imagining things, but it looked like Xavier was embarrassed, for some strange reason it made me giggle.
"And ya, young lady, good fer ya." Daphne sort of scolded us like naughty teenagers caught doing other things for about ten more minutes, but she kept making me laugh the entire time, much to Xavier's embarrassment, which I found all the funnier. Trouble was, every time I laughed, it hurt which for some strange reason made me laugh even harder. Eventually, it got to the point where Daphne told me if I didn't calm down she'd have to sedate me to get my heart levels back down. That sobered me up, and she gave me what had to be more than a healthy dose of the good pain meds because once it was in the IV I felt a cool rush in my veins and then I just didn't care. Everything I saw was fringed with white and it was fantastic.
"Juliet, are you alright?"
"Oh, I'm way better than alright." I laughed. Even that didn't hurt anymore. I was so gone. Xavier laughed at that.
"Good."
We sat up talking for a bit then I leaned over to him. "I have a secret." I whispered.
"What's that?" Xavier asked, whispering right back.
"Come here." Xavier leaned over and I kissed him again. I felt him smile against my lips and return it. His lips were a soft, gentle pressure against mine. I wanted more so kissed him back harder and his hands slid around my back and he gave me what I wanted. There was a contained ferocity to it. Some part of me knew he was holding back, knew he was still completely in control of himself. I can't tell you why, but this disappointed me and I pulled away.
"What is it?" Xavier asked, his voice breathy.
I shook my head. "It's probably just the drugs."
Xavier looked concerned. "Juliet, what's wrong?"
"Nothing."
"Don't lie to me. I know when you're upset. You were fine until just a moment ago. What's changed?"
I shook my head. "It's stupid."
Xavier sighed. "Just tell me, already. I'm going to get it out of you anyway. Just tell me."
I shook my head and tried to hide behind my hair until i remembered it was in a french braid. Now I felt really stupid.
Xavier sighed and pulled me against him and rested his head on mine. "You can talk to me, you know."
If only he really knew. I curled up into the solid warmth that was his chest. I don't remember falling asleep, I just remember waking up. I looked around the room and was alone this time. I felt my heart sink. What was up with me? I felt sore, but pretty okay other than that. I pressed the nurse call button by my bed and it wasn't long before Daphne was back in .
"Yes, child? How're ya feelin'?"
"Better." I smiled. "Whatever you gave me last time really helped."
Daphne smiled. "O' course it did, child. I gave ya the good stuff."
"Thanks."
Daphne told me what had happened. Apparently the pain I started feeling was pressure on my brain and I had started to bleed again. Thus the drugs, which had the potential to stop my heart if not closely monitored, which is why I was where I was now. In ICU, a private room and Xavier counted as my next of kin as my mom was dead and my father is in England. She warned me before the doctor came in to tell me just how lucky I was and warn me about people like Chase and tell me all sorts of things I already knew but being a doctor, felt the need to beat into my skull. It was really a charming lecture. I was warned that I was to take it easy and keep myself calm. I was also informed that I would be stuck in the hospital for another month. Fan-freaking-tastic.
The days dragged on. You can only watch so many reruns of Family guy before you start going insane. I have no idea what was going on between Xavier and I, but everything felt different between us now. Maybe it was the drugs I was on, maybe it was the fact that I was stuck in a hospital, maybe it was the fact that I didn't know what to think. I didn't know, and not knowing was infuriating, especially as I had no outlet. Xavier brought me new books every day, and he only left when Daphne made him, I ordered him to go get something to eat, or he went to get new books. It was sweet I suppose, but it was also tiring. I don't know why, but I wanted him gone. Jesus Christ, what did I girl have to do to get some time alone to think for herself. After having nothing but time this felt like I was suffocating. I was going stir crazy and if I wasn't careful I was going to unload on the wrong person.
It was another early morning and I woke up and saw Xavier sleeping in the cot Daphne had brought in for him a few weeks ago. I smiled at him and felt that strange feeling in the pit of my stomach that terrified me. I rolled over in my uncomfortable hospital bed and had too much time to think at that moment.
I wasn't alone too long when Daphne came in. "Good mornin' ta ya love." Daphne smiled. "How're ya feelin' today?"
"I'm alright." I smiled back.
Daphne shook Xavier awake. "Up ya get, boy."
Xavier started awake and looked around. "Oh, good morning, Daphne."
"It's time to take care of Miss Juliet, out ya get!."
Xavier nodded. "I have a few errands I have to run anyway. I'll be back as soon as I can, Juliet."
"See you." I waved and felt a strange feeling of relief when he left.
"Juliet, what's da matta' wit'cha girl?"
"I don't know."
"Ever since I caught ya been kissin that there boy ya been gloomier than a storm cloud."
I sighed. "I don't know."
"Well, you best be figurin' it out."
Daphne did the usual tests and left me to my thoughts. I had a few hours to sort out my thoughts when Xavier returned a triumphant smile on his face.
"How would you like to go home?"
"What?"
"I've arranged with the doctors to have you moved to your house. You will still have to be closely monitored, but I know how much you hate the hospital."
"Oh."
Xavier's face fell. "I thought it would make you happy."
"It does, it's just, unexpected." Xavier sighed and sat on the edge of my bed. "Juliet, what are you thinking?"
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"It means, right now, what thoughts are running through your head?"
"Why?"
"Something has changed with you, and I'm concerned. You seem closed off. I don't want to push you away, and I certainly don't want you to push me away. I'm trying to figure you out, but you've been acting differently since I've been back. Even worse so since we kissed. Do you regret it?"
I bit my lip. This was not going anywhere I wanted to be. "Xavier, where is all of this coming from?"
Xavier sighed. "Nevermind."
"No, you brought it up. You obviously want to talk about this. Fine, whatever, let's talk."
"Juliet, I can't figure out what you're thinking. Ever. It's infuriating. I've always been good at reading people and you're like a blank page. I can't get a read on you and I don't know how to act or react around you. You drive me mad, woman."
"I don't know what to tell you, Xavier."
"There is nothing to tell me, Juliet." Xavier grumbled. "Either way, you will be checking out today and able to come home. I've arranged it so that the media is not allowed within ten miles of your home. Amanda and Maverick are staying with her parents while we get you settled in."
I nodded. "Alright."
Xavier took a steadying breath and gave me a look I couldn't read. "Well, I'll inform Daphne and have the car pulled around."
I nodded as he left the room. I sighed. I didn't know what was going on anymore and it was driving me crazy. What did I want anymore? I thought I wanted to go home, when I got here it wasn't really home anymore. When Xavier showed up, I was excited, but now it feels strained between us and I'm not even sure where our friendship went. I hated it.
It didn't take long before I was in my own bed, Loki snuggled up against me. I'm not quite sure how I was feeling, but it was nice to be in my own bed again.
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aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand that's where I leave you today. Anywho, you should vote and comment and fan and such because it makes me a happy panda and when i am a happy panda i update faster :D
Good evening my lovelies!