The Not-So-Secret Lovers Of Chicago

20) Freedom Talk

I still refused to respond to therapy and was just in general not very helpful to any poor doctor that came in. Not that it really mattered with less than a half hour left of my imprisonment. Though I think I jinxed it with that thought as Miss Goodwin, Dr Rhodes, Dr Charles and Dr Choi entered my room. I said nothing and simply glared holes into their heads. Choi spoke first,
"Sarah can you at least tell us why you won't talk to us?"
"Is that a serious question?"
"Lets treat all questions as serious- why won't you talk to us?"
"It is your fault I'm in here."
"How is that our fault?"
"You took some random 'evidence' that held no connection to each other and jumped to the wrong conclusion that put me off therapy forever, accused Hank of something terrible and put me through my own memories."
"Sarah be reasonable what other conclusion could we have come to? You are covered in bruises and this only happened when you started staying with Hank."
"No! You only noticed it after I stayed with Hank! Why were you even trying to get a look, I am handling it."
"You have been irritable, explain that if you have it handled."
"I quit drinking of course I'm irritable."
"You are stick thin."
"Recovering from eating disorder. Which also explains the bruises. I have everything handled."
"But-"
"Just accept it! You jumped to conclusions and turned out to be wrong! Hank wouldn't ever lay a finger on me!"
Silence echoed through the room and I'm positive that they felt my anger radiating. Conner wasn't going to take me yelling at them like that and took a deep breath to attempt to remain composed.
"Ok Sarah. Let's - just for the moment - work under the idea that Hank hasn't laid a finger on you as you keep insisting. Then what on earth happened to you? You display all the signs of an abuse victim, you passed out on the job and you have these mental disorders like anorexia and are a recovering alcoholic as you just stated. What happened to you?!"
"You don't want to know, I promise you. I am under no obligation to tell you anything and as such I will not. I will be back to work on monday and will leave as soon as Hank comes to pick me up. Good day, get out, now."

There was a deep pause and tension thick in the room with almost everyone ready to throw down with each other. Eyes darted around the room waiting to see with baited breath who would contradict me or if anyone would at all.

"Couldn't have said it better myself sweetheart."

My head snapped up to see Hank standing in the doorway with all my friends behind him. Noah had to return to Seattle but he promised to call. Hank was clearly not very happy and neither dis anyone else. He stalked into the room and held his hand out to me to help me get up off the bed. Lindsay handed me a change of clothes and escorted me to the bathroom but despite being behind the locked door I could hear everything that was going on outside.

~~~3rd POV~~~

"I'm sorry Voight but Reese needs to be signed out under the care of an approved professional who knows both of you. And since you do not have that we cannot release Sarah to your care."
"Actually Dr Charles I think you'll find all the appropriately signed paperwork right here." Hank spat back in his raspy voice. He was done with everything this little group had tried to pull over the last while. It was no small thing to be accuse of domestic abuse to the love of his life.
"What? This is ridiculous! Who signed off on this?" Ethan retorted after glancing over the paperwork.

"I did."

Dr Charles, Rhodes, Choi and Miss Goodwin all looked up to stare at April. Most looks in shock and one of betrayal. In that time Reese came out of the bathroom in joggers, a tank and a jumper with some plimpsoles on her feet and Lindsay carrying her bag.

With her arrival the shouting match was over and everyone knew who lost. As everyone filtered out of the room Ethan grabbed April's hand before she could walk away from him.

"Why? Why would you sign off on this? Do you not trust my judgement? You know Hank is to dangerous to take care of Sarah. Do you even care about her?"
"Do you?"
"W-what? What, what do you mean?"
April took her arm back from his hand and turned to face him a steeled look on her face.
"Are you doing this because you care about Sarah or because you couldn't fix your sister?"
"Oh and what's that supposed to mean?!"
"Are you doing all of this, digging around a past that's only going to hurt Sarah, pushing her into uncomfortable situations and accusing the person she loves of hurting her because you truly think that it's what's best for her or because you couldn't fix your sister and Sarah is the next best thing? Listen to me Ethan, whatever you think you're doing for Sarah will not give you closure because deep down you know that you have only hurt Reese. You seriously need to have a long think about your next actions."

April turned and left the room leaving a slack jawed Ethan in the room staring after her. Outside a much nicer conversation was taking place as everyone walked to the car park.
Laughing and enjoying the summer sun.

"So Sarah. Want to do anything to celebrate? Go out, get drinks? Anything?"
"Afraid not, sorry. I have a 5 year old and a toddler at home who I have missed very dearly. How were they Hank?"
"Well your cats not children have taken it upon themselves to run through the house at 3 am and then go to sleep on our bed. Despite having beds of thier own. So I wake up with a cat tail in my face but other than that they be been good as gold. Well as good as a furry creature designed to be an obnoxious brat who likes to challenge my authority can be."
"So in other words my children were angels while I was away."
"Sure Sarah. Sure."

Sarah laughed a pure innocent kind that she hadn't laughed in a while and slipped an arm through Hank's leaning her head down on his shoulder. Everyone split ways to go to seperste cars and Hank was a right gentleman and opened the car door for her and all. Once they were both belted in Reese leaned over in the car and kissed him deeply. Hank though surprised at her forwardness, smiled and kissed her back.
"Lets go home."
"Home it is."

And Sarah felt at home right there with Hank.

Hello! Sorry for my absence, my followers will know that I met a rather severe accident a few weeks ago and writing is hard but as I'm getting better I'm writing more chapters. So hopefully you'll have more soon.
Vote if you liked it, comment and consider following me.
See you later, love Lizzi