PLAYING WITH FIRE

Chapter 32: Vist

"I will," Andy promised, her eyes full of concern.

With one final look at Megan, she turned and hurried off towards the parking lot.
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Megan slumped against the wall, her breath coming in shallow gasps. Her leg felt like it was on fire, and every nerve was screaming in protest. She clenched her jaw, trying to focus on something, anything else but the pain.

Ben came down stairs and said "Hey do you want a chair."

Megan looked up, relief flooding her at the sight of Ben. "Oh, hey, Ben. And yeah...a chair would be great. Thank you."

Ben nodded and quickly fetched a chair for her. Megan gratefully sank into it, the relief from taking the weight off her leg immediate. "Thank you, Ben. You have no idea how much this helps."

Ben crouched down in front of her, looking at her leg with concern. "How's the pain? You look like you're really hurting."

Megan gave a weak smile. "It's...it's rough. But I'll survive. Just need to get to Grey Sloan Memorial and make sure Maya's okay."

Ben nodded, understanding. "You're stubborn, you know that?"

There was a note of admiration in his voice, mixed with a hint of teasing.

Megan chuckled despite herself, wincing slightly as a fresh wave of pain coursed through her leg. "Yeah, I've been told that a time or two...or a hundred."

Ben smiled, his expression sympathetic. "Just take it easy, all right? I know you're worried about Maya, but don't overdo it. Your health is important too."

Megan nodded, the exhaustion beginning to show on her face. "I know, I know. I just...I can't think about anything but Maya right now, you know?"

Ben said "She's your older sister I get it do anything for my family."

Megan smiled weakly, feeling a sense of kinship with the older firefighter. "Yeah, that's exactly how I feel. No matter how much we bicker and argue, Maya's my sister, and I'd do anything for her."

"Which includes pushing yourself way past your limits," a familiar voice said from behind them.

Megan looked up to see Andy approaching, concern etched on her face as she took in Megan's pale, sweaty face.

Megan tried to muster a sheepish grin. "Hey, Andy. You're back."

Andy crossed her arms, her expression stern. "Don't 'hey' me. You look like you're about to pass out."

Megan tried to wave off her concern, though her voice was weak. "No, I'm fine, really. Just a little tired."

Ben, who had remained silently watching this exchange, suddenly looked uncomfortable. "Uh, I should go...leave you all to it."

Andy shot him a grateful look. "Thanks, Ben."

She waited until he had disappeared from sight before turning her attention back to Megan. "Don't lie to me. You're hurting, I can tell."

Megan looked down, her shoulders slumping in defeat. "Okay, fine. Yes, I'm hurting. I'm hurting bad. But I'll manage. I just...I need to see Maya. She's all that matters right now."

Andy's expression softened as she knelt down beside Megan's chair. "I understand that. But if we're gonna do this, you have to promise me you'll tell me the second it gets too much, okay? I don't want you pushing yourself to the point of passing out."

Megan nodded, knowing that she was in no condition to argue. "I promise. I'll let you know the second it's too much."

"Good," Andy said, her voice firm. "Now, let me help you up."