Ben and Claire were pacing back and forth, waiting for an update on Ciara.
" Did Kayla say anything about Ciara's condition? Was the surgery a success?"
" I didn't actually get to speak to her; the nurse said she'd meet us here and give us an update."
" I just hate waiting," Ben said before he started coughing.
" Are you okay?"
" I inhaled a lot of smoke and dust, rescuing Ciara."
" Are you sure you shouldn't get checked out again? You really don't look so good."
" I'll be fine once I know Ciara's okay."
Kayla approached them with an update.
" Hey."
" Kayla, hey, how is she?"
" Is Ciara awake?"
" As you know, Ciara had a number of internal injuries, but we were able to repair most of the damage."
" What about the head trauma?"
" Well, we won't know until she wakes up, but the scans look good, and all indications are that she will make a full recovery."
Ben started coughing and said, "Can we go in and see her?"
" Sure, but she hasn't regained consciousness yet and probably will take a while; why don't we just do one at a time, all right?"
" I think we all know who Ciara would want to see first; no offense, Dad."
" You think I'm going to argue with the man who saved my sister's life."
" Thank you," Ben said as he walked away."
Ben started coughing again, and Kayla put her hand on his back and said, " Ben, are you okay?"
" I'm fine. I just need to see Ciara."
Ben went to walk away but collapsed on the floor.
Ben woke up on a hospital bed wearing an oxygen mask.
" Ciara?"
" Hey, Ben, it's okay," Claire said.
" What the hell happened?"
" You were on your way to see Ciara, and you passed out," Claire said as she placed the mask back on him.
" Kayla says your lungs are still weak from all the smoke inhalation; you need oxygen."
" I need to see Ciara."
" You will as soon as you're strong enough; my dad's in there now. Just relax."
Shwan sat down and held Ciara's hand, which woke her.
" Ciara, it's okay; you're safe now."
Ciara and Shawn talked for a while before he left the room.
Kayla came back to check on Ben.
" Can I go see Ciara now?"
" I'm afraid not; your blood oxygen level is still so low, and I'm gonna need you to put this mask back on."
" Kayla, I feel so much better now."
" Well, that's what you said before, and then you collapsed, inhaling all that smoke and dust as really damaged your lungs."
Ben pulled off the mask and took some deep breaths, " See, I'm good; I just got excited to see my wife, that's all. If you just let me out of this bed, I'll be fine."
