The Unexpected Journey-A Prince Harry Fan Fic

Chapter 12

When Maddie awoke the first time, it took a moment for the confusion to fade. Blinking away the blurriness in her eyes, she looked around the room. She was in a hospital room—not a makeshift hospital room she had become accustomed to—but something with four walls, a door, guest chairs...

And Harry. Her eyes welled up and she breathed in relief at the sight of him.

He had pulled a chair over next to her bed, his head situated towards her feet so he could see her. He was reclined back and, with a blanket draped clumsily over him, was fast asleep.

Smiling despite the dull ache she felt in her shoulder, Maddie looked around again; taking inventory of her surroundings. There was a security guard stationed outside her door—no doubt due to Harry's presence. It was still dark outside, still night time though she couldn't tell for sure if was still the same day or very early the next morning. Her shoulder was wrapped up in bandages, held close to her in a sling. She had an IV in her other arm and there was a tube pushing oxygen into her nose.

And her throat was unbelievably dry. Swallowing, she reached for the cup of ice and water she could see on the stand next to her. The movement brought about a stabbing pain from her shoulder. She hissed through her teeth as she grabbed the cup and laid back against the bed. Harry, having heard her slight movements through his weak attempt at sleeping, stirred and opened his eyes. Seeing she was awake brought a wide smile to his face. He blinked and sat forward; his blanket falling to the side.

"Maddie..." He breathed, his hand folded around hers. Relief washed over his face as he moved to stand; kissing her softly and carefully.

"Where am I?" She asked as he moved to sit back down; pulling his chair closer to the head of the bed, keeping her hand in his.

"South Africa," he answered. "You had surgery after you were airlifted here. You've been out for a few hours."

"Are you..." She squeezed his fingers. "Are you okay?" She looked him over.

"Me?" His eyes flashed wide. "Yes, Maddie. I'm fine. You..."

"And everyone else?" She cut him off, her mind reeling back to what had happened to land her here. "Is everyone else okay?"

"Yes," he nodded. Though he wanted to focus all of his attentions on her, he could understand her need for more information. "There was a bit of a scuffle. Collins broke his arm. He's actually here in the hospital...somewhere..." Harry had no idea where, he hadn't left this room. "Khenda is with him and she's fine. Ella is here. They had an extra room down the hall, she went there to get some sleep. She put in a hell of a night but she's okay." His eyes grew dark as he remembered the details. "My security team took out the shooter right after he..." His eyes traveled to her shoulder; growing teary as he took it in.

"I'm fine..." Her voice was warm, soft; reassuring.

"But..." He croaked.

"It was just my shoulder," she winced as she thought of it. Seeing this, Harry reached for the clicker laying next to her good hand.

"Here," he slipped into her hand. "Use this. It will help." Nodding, she pressed the button.

"My mother..."

"I called her," he hurried to ease her concern. "I hope that's okay. I didn't want her to worry. She wanted to come..."

"She's not coming here, is she?!" Maddie grew slightly panicked.

"No," he shook his head. "She doesn't have a passport Maddie. I told her I would keep her updated and I would have you call when you could."

"Okay," she breathed; not wanting her only remaining parent anywhere near some of the things she had seen. Maddie relaxed slightly. "My mother taking a call from Prince Harry of Wales," she grinned slightly. "I wish I could have heard that conversation."