Saving U(S)

Chapter Fourteen

"Alex... Alex... ALEX!! WAKE UP!!"

Alex opened her eyes to harsh white light. Squinting, she sat up. Where am I?

Ashlyn was kneeling beside her.

"Hey, you okay kid?" she asked. "You banged your head pretty hard."

"Huh?"

Alex looked around, confused. She was back at the hotel, in the room she had once shared with Tobin.

"What's going on, Ash?"

"You hit your head," Ashlyn tried to hide her smile. "The store clerk saw you faint when Pinoe, Kling, and Moe showed up on TV. He called the police and Jill brought you back here. You've been out for awhile."

"Ugh, my head hurts. I don't remember most of this. They were on TV?"

Ashlyn nodded, covering her mouth as a giggle escaped.

"Actually, they're in jail now. Tough for them. Jill's down at the station. She's pretty pissed."

Alex rested her head back on the headboard. Ashlyn handed her a cup of water and two Advil.

"That should help with the headache."

Alex put the pills in her mouth and swallowed them. She handed the cup back to Ashlyn.

"Thanks," she sighed. Her head still hurt, but she knew it would get better. "Any news about Tobin? Is Servando here?" she added, looking around uncertainly.

"You really don't remember anything do you?"

Alex shook her head.

"We told Servando about you and Tobin."

"WHAT?!"

Alex struggled to get up out of bed, but Ashlyn pinned her down.

"Ashlyn! How could you guys?! What did he say?!"

"He left," Ashlyn hesitated before replying.

"ASHLYN!!"

"No one's seen him, Alex. He left almost four hours ago."

"How could you?" Alex whispered, tears burning in her eyes. "I trusted you guys with that secret!"

"Alex, it was the only thing we could do," Ashlyn spoke quietly, but firmly. "You said it yourself, he deserves to know."

"I did?" Alex stared at her blankly. She sighed.

"I wanted to tell him, Ash. It would have been better... And now.. I might not ever get to see him again."

Ashlyn shook her head.

"You'll see him," she promised. "Even if we have to drag his sorry ass back here."

Alex cracked a smile.

"Thanks, Ash.. I think."

"No problem, Baby Horse."

Ashlyn got up and headed to the door.

"Ashlyn?"