Bleed, Patch, And Keep Moving - An Apex Legends Story

Chapter 85 - Dr. Maxine Bateman

Ajay opened her eyes and she began breathing. The wind felt like it had been knocked out of her. Her face remained emotionless as she sat in her seat. She knew it wouldn't be long before they landed. Her normal routine was to remain quiet and to avoid everyone until they landed. A familiar throbbing pain crept into her right shoulder. Her left hand shook as she lifted it to her right shoulder.

Her hoodie was damp as she pulled her fingers away and rubbed them together. Her hands made their way into her lap. She would have to treat her wound later. She listened as everyone else around her as they talked and bickered. As the transport ship landed she stood up and the familiar pain crept up her shoulder. "I'm over dis arena glitching shit." She sighed and walked down to the end of the ramp. She waited for Octavio but as everyone exited the ship she found that he was not there.

Worry began to wash over her face as she checked her phone. She didn't have any phone calls or messages. She entered the loading room and started the debriefing process. When she was done debriefing she quickly gathered her belongings but she really didn't know what to do after that. Her shoulder began to throb again. She felt a hand on her other shoulder. She turned around to see Anita, "Hey kid." Ajay looked up to her but she really didn't have anything to say. "Octavio wasn't doing so hot during the match. They pulled him early. He's in the infirmary." Ajay nodded and headed towards the elevator. She knew exactly what Anita meant by 'infirmary'.

Ajay made it to the elevator and examined the floor plan. She found the floor she was looking for and entered the elevator. She hit the button for the appropriate floor and waited impatiently as the elevator took her to the medical bay. The elevator let Ajay off in front of a small waiting area and just beyond that was a desk with a receptionist. Ajay made it to the desk and began to speak but the receptionist held up her finger. Ajay looked over the receptionist dressed in her business top and skirt. "Was this a joke to her?"

Ajay was about to interrupt the receptionist until she was interrupted, "Mrs. Silva. We have been waiting for you." Ajay looked over to see a Dr. Bateman standing a few feet from her. Ajay really didn't have any physical details to describe Dr. Maxine Bateman. Her first encounter with the doctor was very brief. Dr. Bateman began to walk and talk at the same time. Ajay followed her as Dr. Bateman spoke, "I am surprised that we have not seen each other more often."

Ajay blindly followed Dr. Bateman through a series of hallways, "Why is that?" Ajay really didn't want to know why, she was merely making small talk. Dr. Bateman chuckled, "With the work you do I would love to have you on staff here." Ajay tried not to roll her eyes. "Yah, so The Syndicate can keep an eye on me and kill me when I least expect it."

Ajay shoved her hands into hoodie pocket, "Been kinda busy." Dr. Bateman continued to walk, "Oh yes! You just got married. I assume children are right around the corner. How exciting it must be to have a family. That was never in the cards for me. It must be a wonderful feeling to be a Legend, married to a Legend and expecting children." Before Ajay could answer they stopped in front of a door.

"Mr. Silva is resting in here. He is doing well. He was a little dehydrated so we gave him a liter of saline. I am also giving him some antibiotics through his IV. I just thought it might help his wounds along. He will need to stay here for a couple of days to complete his IV antibiotics. I looked over his stitches. When I first saw them I assumed you stitched him up?"

Ajay nodded. Dr. Bateman continued and didn't miss a beat, "I am very impressed. I don't think our best surgeon can do that kind of methodical work. I don't know where you learned how to do that. You are so young. I hope that you would consider a position on staff here." Dr. Bateman opened the door for Ajay to enter before Ajay could give her an answer. Ajay stepped into the room and nearly jumped as Dr. Bateman closed the door behind her.

Ajay stood there for a moment. The dim light took a while for Ajay's eyes to adjust to. She couldn't move. The last time she was in a hospital was when she had to fly to Harmony to find out that Octavio had blown his legs off. She sighed and held back tears. "Get ya shit together." Even with her self-inspired pep talk she just stood there and looked over at Octavio from across the room. The beeping of the machines were like nails on a chalkboard for her. The sound brought up such terrible memories. She wiped a single tear from her face as she closed her eyes and began to cry quietly into her hands.

"Che?" Octavio's voice startled her. "Silva." Her voice was barely above a whisper. "What took you so long?" Octavio smiled from his bed. Ajay rushed over to his bedside, tossing her backpack down halfway there. She stood at the bedside and looked over him. He was naked or at least his chest was bare. He looked up at her a little confused, "What are you doing?" Her eyes met his, "I am lookin at ya." His hand found hers, "Don't be stupid Che. I'm not broken. Get in here with me." He lifted the blankets up to invite her in. She smiled and was a bit relieved that he wasn't completely naked.

Her boots hit the ground with a clunk before she climbed into the bed with him. She placed her head onto his chest and placed her leg over his legs as she snuggled into his side. She always felt like they were puzzle pieces that fit perfectly together. His fingers played with her hair, "Sorry Che." Her fingers played along his arm. "Why Silva?"

He pulled her tightly against him, "I should have told you how sick I was feeling." She shook her head against him, "It's okay. As long as ya okay." He nodded, "I'm better now that you're here. I am just a little tired." Her fingers found his hand and intertwined with his fingers. "Just sleep Sliva. I'm not goin anywhere." Octavio closed his eyes, "You sleep too Che."

She laid there for a moment. She wasn't sure if she could sleep. She was in HQ but she didn't know what to make of Dr. Bateman. She had doubts that she could trust the doctor or any of her staff. She only had limited information about this woman and the information that she did have wasn't anything good. Ajay was afraid to close her eyes. Throbbing pain from her shoulder continued to shoot down into her body. She felt defeated and she needed to be strong because her other half needed her to be. She finally relaxed into him. She listened to his slow breathing. "I love ya Silva." She closed her eyes and began to drift off, clinging to him as she did.