Defence

58

- - - - -

Victoria turned when her phone began ringing. It had been sitting on the corner of the coffee table all morning. As to who would call her, she didn't have to even ask.

"I'm sorry for bothering you." it was Donghae. "I heard you left the hospital. Is it ok to meet up?"

Victoria looked toward the window behind the television set and wondered if Donghae was outside.

"Where are you?" she asked.

- - - - -

At the sound of the phone ringing Taecyeon's eyes opened and he looked around. His legs were fast asleep and his arms ached as well as his neck. He struggled to get up and when he finally managed to, he hobbled toward the door to hear Victoria talking to someone. Glancing out he found her on the phone. Taecyeon walked out just as Victoria disappeared out the door. Wondering where she'd have to go so early in the morning he headed toward the window to see her hurry into the street and get into the car. The same car he'd seen the same night he walked in on Donghae's proposal.

- - - - -

Just when Victoria had buckled her seatbelt her phone rang from inside her pocket. She glanced at Donghae before taking out her phone and answering it.

"Where are you? Where are you going?" Taecyeon's quick voice asked.

Wondering how he knew Victoria turned around to try to look back toward the apartment just to see if Taecyeon was standing outside watching them drive off. But no one was standing outside.

"Don't worry about me. You should eat and go to work." was all she said before hanging up.

- - - - -

Taecyeon glanced at his phone distressed. Just where was he going to take her?

- - - - -

"Who was that?" Donghae asked. "Ok Taecyeon?"

Victoria turned to look at him, "Yea."

"We won't be out long. I know it's not good for you," he assured, "we're going to stop by the hospital for a quick checkup and then I'll buy you something warm to drink."

Victoria glanced at him again. He needn't be so worried about her. She wanted to say that but even if she said it, she knew he'd be insistent upon having his way so she remained quiet.

Returning to the hospital was as easy as it was hard. She hated going in for checkups. Even though it was probably her fourth time there she already began to dislike it. Maybe it was laziness on her part that she didn't like going there. However the checkup proceeded by quickly and she was out in the hallway. The doctor met up with Donghae who had been waiting patiently.

"The fever's almost gone," the doctor told, "be sure to keep warm, alright? I'm not restricting you from going out but don't do it too much. In your condition it won't do you good if you keep moving about."

Victoria nodded and watched Donghae thank his friend before walking her down to the cafeteria. As promised he bought her a cup of hot chocolate while he enjoyed a warm coffee. They sat at the far end of the room so that they were isolated from the others enjoying their lunch. She wondered if he had anything to say to her. He wouldn't have brought her out if there weren't something to talk about. But he didn't say anything. Victoria began wondering if she should start off first. What had been on her mind ever since the night he proposed...she wanted to get it out.

"What you asked of me," Victoria said staring down at her cup of hot chocolate at first, "I'm not good at these things. I have never encountered anything like this in my life before so if I'm awkward or show any signs of confusion, I think you'll understand. I know I've explained to you before about what I've been through and I know you can imagine it as well. So you'll understand if I can't understand, right?"