911: Eclipse of the Heart

Chapter 24 - Strong

"Kymberly." Bobby gasped as he ran up to her bedside. She was covered in wires and bandages, a tube was hanging out of her mouth, and her neck was in a collar. Chimney had talked the nurse into letting them all go back to the ICU to see her. Hen, Chimney, Buck, and Eddie stood at the door and watched as Bobby grabbed her hand in his and gently placed his forehead on hers. "Please don't leave me. I can't lose you."

"What chance does she have of waking up?" Hen quietly asked the nurse.

"Well, that's hard to say. We have her on some medications to try to get the bleeding to stop, but if it doesn't we will have to take her into surgery... Her lung has been drained of fluid, so hopefully that will he back to normal very soon. The thing we are most worried about is her neck. The broken vertebrae splintered some, we are just hoping the splinters don't come in contact with her spinal cord." the nurse explained.

"So, in other words, around fifty percent?" Chimney looked at her. The nurse nodded before walking into the room.

"Captain Nash." the nurse smiled at him as she walked over.

"How is it looking?" Bobby looked up at her.

"It's looking alright. Just keep talking to her, it might help her wake up." the nurse said.

"Really?" Bobby's eyes grew wide.

"There have been a few studies that show patients in a coma tend to have higher chances of waking up if they hear the voices of their friends... Treat her like she can hear you, even if she can't." the nurse said as she checked the bags leading to Kymber's IV.

"Hey, Kym. It's me. Bobby... I just want you to know that I am here for you and that I love you." Bobby said as he felt a squeeze on his hand, "Oh my god! She squeezed my hand!"

"That's a good sign. It seems like she can hear you." the nurse smiled before walking out of the room.

"Kym, if you can hear me, squeeze my hand twice." Bobby looked down at his hand and watched as Kymber ever so weakly squeezed his hand twice, "You can hear me." Bobby smiled as he kissed Kymber's forehead.

"Feeling better, cap?" Hen walked up behind Bobby.

"A little... Knowing that she can hear me makes me a little less worried. I just hope that the bleed in her brain stops." Bobby looked up at Hen.

"We hope so, too." Buck said, walking into the room.

"Do you think she can feel the pain?" Eddie looked at Hen.

"It's possible... She's on pain meds, but who knows how much pain she is actually in." Hen looked over at Kymber.

"Are you in pain, Kym?" Bobby looked down at her, and she squeezed his hand, "I'm going to assume that means yes."

"I think that is a safe assumption." Hen sighed.

"Do you think we can get her anymore pain medicine?" Bobby looked around.

"Considering she's on a morphine drip, I'd say probably not." Chimney sighed.

"Oh..." Bobby looked at the ground.

"I hate to do this to you all, but your time is up." the nurse said, standing in the doorway, "We have a strict policy for visitors in ICU."

"Can I stay with her, please?" Bobby looked at her.

"I'm sorry, Captain Nash, but I can't let you do that." the nurse frowned.

"I understand." Bobby sighed as he stood up, he bent over and kissed Kymber's cheek, "I love you, Kymberly Amelia Douglass. Stay strong for me, alright?"

"Come on, Bobby. We've got to go." Hen placed her hand on his back.

"I know." Bobby said in a hushed tone. He took one more look at Kymber before leaving the room. They all made their way out of the hospital and into the fire truck and ambulance. The ride back to the station was quiet, as Bobby fiddled with his helmet.

"Are you going to be alright, tonight, cap?" Eddie looked over at him.

"Uh... Yeah... I'll be fine." Bobby said as he wiped the tears off of his cheek.

"Are you sure? If you need someone to stay with you, I will." Eddie said.

"Yeah, I'm sure." Bobby said.