For Her, He Will

Chapter Thirteen - Keep him from his own monsters.

Two days later

"What do you mean I can't go?" Oakley asked Kayce.

"Doctor said it's not a good idea," Kayce shrugged. "Said your injuries aren't completely healed yet and one wrong move would send you right back here...and I'm not about to have you put yourself through that."

"Kayce..." Oakley pushed down the lump in her throat. "I h-have to go."

"I know you want to be there for Tate," Kayce nodded.

"It's not just that," Oakley sat back down on the hospital bed.

Today was Monica's funeral on the reservation. Oakley had even gotten a pair of jeans over her legs, which had been a struggle until Kayce walked in with a frown after speaking to Oakley's doctor.

"I have to," Oakley looked back up at Kayce.

"I'm sorry," Kayce's eyes looked defeated.

"This isn't fair," Oakley winced, her hand going to her side.

It had been two days since Oakley woke up and almost a week since the accident. A drunk driver had hit Monica's car doing eighty. The car spun three times before hitting a telephone pole. Monica hadn't been wearing her seatbelt and was thrown from the vehicle. Oakley's left side had been crushed by the truck...the driver also passed away at the scene. Miraculously, Oakley hadn't broken a single bone.

Oakley still didn't remember anything from the accident, her mind going foggy as soon as she got to dropping Tate off at Monica's that morning. She didn't remember much of the birthday party or saying goodbye to Tate or anything with Monica in the car.

She hadn't seen Tate at all, not wanting him to feel sad or uncomfortable seeing her. He was either at the ranch or with Monica's family on the reservation. While Oakley knew the importance of that...she couldn't hide the guilt and shame she felt every time she told Kayce she didn't want Tate up here.

But she didn't want Tate to feel worse or more confused than he already did. Oakley had been with his mom, but Oakley was still alive.

"They're gonna hate me forever," Oakley sighed, letting a few tears fall from her eyes.

Kayce walked over and sat down next to her on the bed.

"No one hates you," Kayce said. "It wasn't your fault...it was an accident."

"But I survived," Oakley wiped under her eyes.

Kayce gave her a strange look but before he could say something the door opened up and Oakley's doctor walked in.

"I'm sorry, Oakley," He in fact did look sorry. "But you're still too weak on that left side and I just don't want you taking a chance."

"I can be careful," Oakley tried.

"Even if you stepped wrong," Her doctor sighed. "If the car hit a pothole wrong...you're not due for another scan until tomorrow afternoon. We'll know how your insides are after that. But for now, I'd like you here where you would have access to anything if something went wrong."

"You can't hold me technically," Oakley was getting frustrated. "I could walk out of here right now if I wanted to."

The doctor glanced at Kayce. 

"No, we can't," He sighed. "But you also can't drive yet, and you don't have anyone to take you."

"Oakley, please," Kayce whispered, the lines in his forehead deep.

"Fine," Oakley felt like she was acting childish but no one seemed to be understand her at the moment.

The doctor offered a sad smile before leaving the room. Oakley looked at Kayce.