You Love Somebody

28 (Anna)

The show in Madrid was the first time where Anna had to get hands-on in that way. In most cases the local medics were the ones, who pulled people out of the crowd, but she felt obligated to assist when several young women started passing out. There was no way she could just stand idly by. It was intense, but it was the kind of situation she was used to from the hospital. 

Eddie was worried about his fans and paused the show to try and take some of the pressure off the situation. He spoke calmly to the fans, begging them to be careful and take care of each other. Anna could hear the worry in his voice. When security helped the girl out back to recover, she made sure to signal to Eddie that all was well. He patted his chest where his heart was as a thank you.

He continued the show, but it was evident that he was on his toes and nervous, constantly trying to read the crowd. It wasn't his responsibility, but he was very invested in his fans' well-being and he worried about them. He had a nervous look in his eyes, and Anna decided she needed to check up on him. So she spoke on the intercom.

"I need Eddie to go off stage for a minute," she said and hurried backstage. 

The band were always prepared to do an instrumental break with some solos in case something happened to Eddie, so they rolled into it automatically. Eddie ran off stage and sat down on the steps leading up to the stage. Anna handed him a bottle of water and sat down next to him, patting his back gently. 

"It's okay, I promise. They're fine," she said softly, while he tried to get his breathing under control. 

"I can't stand the thought that someone could get seriously hurt while I perform. I wouldn't be able to cope if anything happened," he whispered. 

She scooted down so she could squat in front of him at eye level. She put her fingers on his wrist and counted his pulse, while looking into his eyes. He focused on his breathing and slowly calmed down again. 

Ben came and was about to say something, but Anna gave him a look, so instead he sat down on the steps next to Eddie and said nothing. 

She held Eddie's gaze. "Everything is under control. You're doing so well. Can you go back out and blow their minds?" She smiled and stroked his cheek. 

He took a huge sip of water and leaned in and planted a kiss on her lips. "I can, thanks Doc." Then he ran back and the crowd was electric with joy to see him come running back out. 

Ben was looking over his shoulder at Eddie bouncing around on stage again. 

"You are so good with him," he said not facing Anna. 

She hummed and put her arms around herself. "It's quite simple actually. He's doing the hard work controlling his breathing." 

"Not just with that, Anna. With everything. He's happier, and he performs better when he's happy like this. I'm sorry I didn't see it at first." Ben was still looking away from her, but she knew he meant what he said. 

"It's a team effort," she said forcing Ben to look at her. She smiled and patted his shoulder before she turned and ran back out front to keep an eye on things. 

***

She stayed after the show was over to help the local medics with the people, who had been brought to the medical tent. There was a large group, who had fallen victim to the heat and the lack of oxygen in the packed crowds. She was taken aback by their way of reacting to her when she came into the tent. It was like she was anything other than the backstage medic. They wanted selfies and for her to pass messages and gifts on to Eddie, if she had a chance to see him at some point. She couldn't exactly tell them, she would be sleeping in a bed with him later, but she took everything they handed her to bring to Eddie.