The Dark Hour

--------Ridge--------

I ate breakfast before I went and checked on Lalna again. He was still passed out. I sighed then as carefully as I could I picked him up and kinda cradled him with one arm and used my other arm to open the door. I walked down to Ryan and Skyla's room and knocked on the door. It took a few minutes but Skyla answered the door.

"Oh hey," She smiled as she rubbed her eyes. "What's up?"

"Lalna's not awake, and I'm getting worried," I sighed. She nodded.

"Ok, I'll go get Ryan up. Um just set him on the couch or sit down on the couch with him, I don't care which." I nodded and walked inside as Skyla shut the door. I sat down on the couch and carefully held Lalna in my lap as Skyla went back into the bedroom. I gently put my hand on Lalna's chest and I felt a steady heart beat. His breathing was deep and slow but it was how it always was when he was sleeping.

"What is it?" Ryan asked groggy.

"Lalna still hasn't woken up," I said softly. "It's worrying me."

"Ridge I told you that it will take a couple of days, cures aren't instant it takes time."

"But he still needs water and food. He won't survive a few days without those and he can't eat if he's sleeping."

"We can always hook him up to an IV." I sighed. Lalna hates needles, but I didn't see any other options.

"Ok, but where are we going to get an IV?" I asked curiously.

"I'm sure that Hannah might have some." I nodded.

"Ok. Can he stay in my room?"

"I'm sure that there won't be a problem with that." I smiled a little then, after adjusting Lalna a bit, I pushed myself up.

"Ok, I'm going to my room then. You can just come in when you get the IV I guess."

"Okay, I'll go talk to Hannah." I nodded.

"Ok, sorry to wake you guys up but I was getting a bit um, anxious I guess."

"It's fine." I nodded then quietly left. I went down to my room and I clumsily opened the door. I kicked the door shut and sighed. I took Lalna to my room and carefully laid him down before I covered him up with a thin blanket. I went to the living room and sighed as I sat down on the couch. I sat still for a minute before I went back into my room and picked Lalna back up. I took him to the living room and sat back down on the couch. I carefully laid Lalna down so his head was in my lap. I turned on the TV and sighed.

How long was this going to last? How long until he woke up? Was he going to wake up? I shook the last question from my head. Of course he was going to wake up. He was going to wake up and everything was going to be fine.

"Ridge I'm here where's Lalna?"

"He's on the couch," I said softly. "I couldn't bring myself to leave him alone in my room."

"Okay."

"Should I move him back to the bed?" I asked sitting up a bit.

"No he should be fine on the couch. Can I ask you something?"

"What is it?" I asked a bit nervously.

"Have you heard anything from Astrid lately?"

"Um no, not really. Why?"

"I haven't heard from her for a while, sorry for asking."

"No it's ok. Are you sure Lalna doesn't need to move? Cause I don't think the couch is as comfortable as a bed, and I was going to move him to the bedroom anyways."

"If you want to move him then do it, don't need to ask it's up to you." I nodded then I moved Lalna into my lap before I got up and moved him back into my bedroom. I covered him up with the thin blanket and I looked at Ryan.

"Which arm are you going to put it in?"

"Whichever one I can find the vain in."

"Oh ok."

"There it is." He said sticking the needle in his left arm.

"When do you think he'll wake up?" I asked quietly.

"I don't know in a couple of days maybe."

"Maybe?" I asked nervously.

"I told you I'm not sure, who knows when he will wake up, what I gave him before did do a number on him. So the cure might take while." I nodded and wringed my hands together.

"J-Just how bad was the stuff you gave him?"

"I told you when it happened, I'm sure that it just put him in a coma."

"Do you think he's going to be ok when he wakes up?" I asked softly. He sighed.

"Yes, but he's going to have to be put on a liquid diet."

"He's not going to like that."

"He's going to have to get over it." I sighed.

"I guess. So how's Skyla been? I haven't seen her around lately."

"Cooking..."

"She's cooking?" I asked bit shocked. "Has she set the kitchen on fire yet?"

"No, but everytime I see her she's either on the computer looking at something, or cooking."

"That's a bit strange. She's usually walking around or kicking some idiot's butt."

"Yeah, I wonder if she's feeling okay." He sighed. "Could she be sick?"

"I'm not sure, you'll have to ask. Or maybe just say you need to give her a mandatory check-up." He nodded.

"You might be right."

"Yeah, if something is wrong with her she's not going to give it away that easily. I think she's harder to get the truth out of than I can be."

"Maybe, I should go talk to her." I nodded.

"Yeah, I'll keep an eye on Lalna."

"Okay come get me if his fever comes back."

"I will." He nodded and left. I sighed and sat down on the bed. I looked at Lalna then carefully leaned over and kissed his forehead. I hope he wakes up soon. I missed his voice.