Nikki heard the crash and instantly knew what it was. She raced down the hall, saying no over and over, louder and louder as she went.
She saw Daryl led there in a crumpled mess .
Blood pouring out of his head , was he even breathing
Rick and Carl heard her screaming and turned back at once. This wasn't her angrily shouting anymore. Something was wrong.
"Daryl no no wake up oh god I love you Daryl please" Nikki begged
"Auntie Nikki! What happened?!?" Carl was the first through the door. He saw Daryl on the floor and screamed for his dad who was close behind.
"I don't know Carl oh god I don't think he's breathing" Nikki sobbed
Rick saw the steady rise and fall of Daryl's chest. His police training took over at once.
"Carl, get a clean towel. Nikki, hold his head perfectly still. I'm calling an ambulance." Rick exclaimed trying to stay calm .
"Rick is he breathing is he gonna be ok" Nikki sobbed she was in a state.
"Rick is he breathing" Nikki screamed again
"He's breathing. He's just knocked himself out. Keep his neck perfectly still, Nik. Carl, see if you can find where the bleeding is coming from and hold pressure with that towel." Rick explained
Nikki did as Rick asked she was crying why did she leave him
As she knelt there holding his head she felt him wipe her tears away
"Not ya fault just a dumb accident" he whispered
"Daryl! Oh my God! Oh, baby, I'm so sorry! I shouldn't have taken my anger out on you, and I shouldn't have left you alone! I'm so sorry!" Nikki bawled.
"I tripped over my damn pants. Woulda happened if you were here with me. Don't be sorry. Shit happens." Daryl sighed he was desperately trying not to scream out in pain .
"But your bleeding and you could of injured yourself further what if you have damaged yourself more when you fell if I was here I could of caught you" Nikki sobbed
"And, you coulda been hurt catching me. Then where would we be? It's not your fault, Nik. I promise." Daryl whispered
"The ambulance is on the way," Rick informed them "It's real important for you to stay very still, Daryl. Nik, don't let go of his head. Don't let him move his neck, ok? Can ya do that?"
"Why do I have to hold his head are you saying he's paralysed" Nikki sobbed
"No, sis. He's not paralyzed. It's just to keep him safe in case he injured his neck. It's just a precaution is all." Rick sighed he was desperately trying to reassure her .
"Ok" Nikki sobbed
Daryl could see she was emotionally broken it broke his heart , yes he was in pain and pins and needles were running all down his legs, but he really needed to comfort her.
"Nik, baby, it's gonna be ok. I just have to learn to be more careful. I bet the doctors let me come right back home after they chew me out for not paying attention." Daryl smiled at her .
"But your head it's bleeding and I yelled at you I'm such a shit girlfriend" Nikki sobbed
"You are not! Don't talk about my girl like that. She's the best thing that ever happened to me. I love her even when she's mad." Daryl gave her that cute little lopsided grin that she loved so much.
"Really because I love my silly boyfriend who should learn to pull his pants up" Nikki smiled though she was still crying
"Fair," Daryl chuckled.
"Maybe I'll cut off all of your pant at the knees so we don't have this happen again." Nikki chuckled back .
"Ain't nobody tryna see my sexy legs," Daryl teased.
"There very sexy legs though" Nikki grinned
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
The next moment the doorbell rang , Rick ran to get it a few moments later Sasha and another paramedic entered
"So what ya done this time Dixon" Sasha grinned placing her bag down.
"Shit," Daryl grumbled, rolling his eyes why did it have to be Sasha "Tripped over my damn pants." He sighed .
"Only you could do that" Sasha smiled
She then started to assess him
"So truth how are you feeling" she asked
"I'm hurting, bad. My legs feel like pins and needles. My head don't feel too good either." Daryl moaned
"Oh god" Nikki sobbed again why did she leave him
"Ok I'm gonna place a collar on just in case and yea you've whacked your head good and proper there" Sasha sighed
Daryl watched as Sasha placed the collar on him , he knew it was bad , but he didn't want Nikki to get more upset .
"Listen, Nik," Daryl started. "It's gonna be ok, alright?"
"But your legs why are they feeling like that"
She then turned and faced Sasha
"What's wrong with him" she sobbed
"He probably just hit a nerve the wrong way. You know, like when you hit your elbow? He has feeling and he's moving his toes. Those are good signs." Sasha exclaimed
"Ok um do you want me to come with you to the hospital or will I be in the way" Nikki asked Daryl she was truly upset with herself that she had allowed this to happen to him.
"Please don't leave me, Nik. I...I can't do this alone." For the first time since he fell, Daryl showed his vulnerability. He hated hospitals and he just knew he'd be getting a needle even if he tried to refuse it.
Nikki could see just how scared he was , she leant down and gently kissed his forehead
"I will be right by your side ok , I'm sorry I allowed this to happen to you , but I will make it up to you I promise" Nikki whispered
"You can ride in the ambulance to the hospital," Sasha told Nikki. "You have to ride up front though."
"Daryl, I need you to keep your arms across your chest. We're going to roll you onto your side and then lay you back on a board. Let us do the work, ok?"
Daryl nodded at Sasha , last time he had been so out of it due to the concussion he can't really remember what had happened.
This time though it seemed to real what if he was paralysed what if he couldn't walk , would Nikki leave him , he felt a tear fall down his cheek .
"It's going to be ok, baby." Daryl loved when Nikki called him that. "I'm going to be right there with you."
Daryl couldn't control the howl of pain that came out of him when they rolled him onto his side. It was agony and it made him feel like throwing up..
"Sasha why is he screaming like that , please tell me he will be ok" Nikki sighed
She then felt an arm around her it was Rick .
"This is all my fault" she sobbed falling into him.
