After battling for the 30 minutes about the amount of food which actually had to be eaten, Taylor had forced down about 2/3rd of the food and Tree caved, not wanting to actually have to delay the show and lie about why.
As Tree left to go and get everything ready, Taylor ran to the bathroom, vomiting up the dinner she'd been forced into eating. Nobody suspected anything because she had never purged before – only ever refused to eat. She quickly had her make up touched up and before she knew it she was heading onto stage, ready to give the crowds another great show.
She made it most of the way through the show, but during the quick change before 1989 everyone could see Taylor was struggling but she assured everyone she was fine. They gave her a cold water to drink and after a few seconds she told everyone she felt better. They reluctantly let her go back onto stage but with a warning to all the dancers to keep a close eye on her.
All the crowd could tell Taylor was struggling too, she stumbled over her moves – and messed up the lyrics. She played it off as being silly but inside she was panicking, she knew she could be in trouble. She decided to cut back on the dance moves – keeping her energy for singing, allowing the dancers to move around her. This didn't go unnoticed by the team but they ploughed on.
As she hit bad blood she made the decision to skip the guitar surprise song tonight and do two piano songs, just so she could sit down. The songs went well and the crowd went wild as she wrapped them up. She took in the cheers, smiling for a second before standing up, walking over to do her iconic stage dive. As she got closer she could feel her legs going like jelly and her vision had black spots. Her heart started pounding as she knew she needed to make it to the spot where the stage was opening up for her.
The cheers got louder in the stadium and they were ringing in her ears. She lifted her arms above her head – her hands shaking as she got ready to do the dive. Just as she was about to lean forwards, everything went black and she collapsed – luckily falling forwards into the hole in the stage rather than backwards. There was gasps and screams in the stadium as everyone realised what had happened. They shut the stage door as quickly as they could, as the entire team rushed over to be by her side. The tour doctor was by her side immediately and was concerned as the blonde still wasn't awake. He asked for some space, forcing everyone back. Within a minute Tree was by her side, grabbing her hand tightly "what's happening?"
He was doing her obs when Taylor's eyes began to flutter awake, terror gripped her face as she realised what had happened, she immediately turned her attention to Tree "everyone saw?"
Tree nodded sadly "do not worry. None of that matters right now", the redhead turned her attention to the doctor "what's the news?"
He looked between them "low blood pressure, high heart rate. I need to test your blood sugars, see what's gone on. But there is absolutely no way I'm letting you get back on stage tonight"
Taylor tried to sit upright but was quickly stopped by both Tree and the Doctor pushing her back down.
She was panicking "I haven't finished the show! I can't just leave it"
The doctor shrugged "you have collapsed twice in 2 days. I can literally see you are panting for breath. You're not going back out there"
Taylor looked at the redhead, pleading with her to get him to change his mind but she shrugged "If that's what he thinks, that's what we will do. Let me get an announcement made and a statement put out – we will figure out logistics later" she began tapping away on her phone while the doctor pricked her finger, he sighed "blood sugars are low too. Why didn't you eat?" Taylor protested immediately "I did! I had dinner", the doctor scrutinised her "either you're lying or you're very unwell. You don't get a blood sugar this low if you've eaten three meals today..."
Taylor continued to protest " I had dinner, Tree – tell him!"
Tree looked up, hesitant "she did – she ate with me"
He shrugged "then we need to send you into hospital for further tests...let me go and make a call – I'll be back"
Taylor turned back to Tree who had finished putting the statements out, tears were threatening to fall out of her eyes "Tree please, I am fine – it was just hot out there and I'm tired. Don't make me go to the hospital – you saw me eat!"
Tree sighed, holding her hands tighter "Taylor, you have scared the shit out of everyone – me, the team, your fans...you heard him, if you truly ate it all and your blood sugars are this low, we need to know why. So I am going to give you one chance, right now, to tell me – what is going on? What happened with the food Taylor?"
Taylor pushed herself upright, biting her lip as she considered her options. If she swore she ate, they would ship her off to hospital – she would undergo a barrage of tests, it would be all over the media. But if she told them the truth – a whole can of worms would be opened – they would all be even more worried about her.
She tried to think of an alternative – of a lie to excuse it all, her thoughts were interrupted by Tree's stern voice "Taylor, you have about 2 minutes until the doctor is back. What is going on?"
Taylor bit her lip, taking a deep breath "I was sick"
Tree's face dropped, confusion taking over "what do you mean, you were sick?"
Taylor fiddled with her fingers "After I ate, I didn't feel good – I think it was nerves of it being the final show - I wanted it to be perfect. I worked myself up and I was sick, I didn't want to worry anyone so I didn't say anything but...well yeah – this happened sooo..."
Tree's face fell "I don't believe you"
Taylor's voice was shaky "what?!"
Tree nodded "I don't believe you. I believe you were sick but I don't believe it was an accident. Right now – I want them to drag you to the hospital, whether you like it or not. I want them to assess and admit you if that's what it takes. BUT if you're willing to work with us – to admit this has become a problem and seek help then maybe we can reconsider?"
Taylor's jaw opened and shut, no sound coming out. She looked at Tree who ignored the desperation on her face, finally she found her voice "I am not sick. I just...everything just got a little loud...I have it under control, Ok? I don't need help"
Tree nodded solemnly "OK"
A few seconds later the Doctor reappeared, before he could say anything Tree spoke up "she needs to go to the hospital."
Taylor began to protest but the Doctor nodded "Agreed. I just called my colleague and they're happy to bypass the emergency room, if we can get you to the hospital they'll admit you and carry out the necessary tests"
Taylor cried lightly "I don't want to go to hospital!"
The doctor nodded "Nobody ever does – but it's the best way to make sure we find out what's going on – to get you the help you need"
Taylor turned back to Tree – desperate to stop this happening. Tree just stared her down, waiting for the blonde to cave "you heard him, you need help"
Only the two of them understood the hidden message behind what she was saying and Taylor held her stare on the redhead. After a few more seconds, her body visibly collapsed – all the fight escaping her "OK, I admit it, I need help"
Tree nodded, pulling the blonde into a tight hug while addressing the doctor "The hospital won't be necessary. We will fly her home, get her checked out with her own doctor if it continues. Thank you so much for your help though."
He was confused but sensed something bigger was going on, he nodded and left them alone – telling them to call him if they needed anything.
As soon as they were alone Taylor pulled back, guilt all over her face "what now?"
Tree wiped her tears away "we get you some help. You are not alone with this - we are going to figure it all out. But right now? We get you home. Then we speak to your family, your doctor. We are all here to help."
