The Dark Hour

--------Skyla--------

I went to Ridge's and Lalna's room and knocked on the door. I waited a minute before the door opened.

"Hey Skyla," Lalna said rubbing his eyes. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to check you and Ridge. Are you doing ok?" He nodded.

"Yeah, I was just sleeping on the couch. I think Ridge went to go find Valerie."

"Um how is he doing?" I asked softly.

"He has a bad concussion, but his ribs are healing. I think a couple of them are already healed."

"That's good," I smiled. He nodded.

"Yeah, um I'm going back to sleep. I'm still tired."

"Oh ok, yeah go ahead. I'm going to go try and find Ridge." He nodded.

"Ok, see you later."

"See ya." Lalna went back into his room and I went to go find Ridge. I headed towards the garden first cause Valerie liked to hang out there. I heard yelling and I ran towards it.

"Riker let go of me!" Valerie yelled. "Layla, a little help!?"

"Nope not going to help. You need to talk to your brother Val." I walked up to them and I saw Riker use his air magic to push Valerie into a room then he quickly shut the door.

"What's going on?" I asked curiously.

"Uh we are trying to get Val and Ridge to talk so we locked them in a room." Layla turned to Riker. "I hope you don't get in trouble."

"I didn't hurt her," Riker sighed. "I just kinda pushed her. How can you hurt someone with air?"

"Yes but we aren't suppose to use our magic on other people unless it's for training."

"I know, but I think I'll be fine. Michael will understand."

"So why do Valerie and Ridge need to talk?" I asked slightly confused.

"Cause Valerie feels like Ridge blames her for his injuries. I tried to get them to talk but this is the only way we found out that might be able to work."

"Oh, I don't think Ridge would be the type to blame people for that sort of thing."

"That's what he said but Valerie is stubborn."

"I can see that."

"Now we just wait until Ridge texts us to open the door and we'll see if they actually talked, or if Valerie locked herself in the bathroom or something like that," Riker sighed.

"Yep I gotta go check on a tree." Layla said limping away.

"Hey! I can't just- and she's gone," Riker sighed.

"Um do you need help?" I asked. He nodded.

"Yeah, she's going to kill me when I open the door."

"No she won't."

"Yeah she will," He said nodding.

"Ok, I'll make sure she doesn't."

"Thanks."

~~~~

We waited outside the door for thirty minutes before Riker's phone buzzed. He looked at it then sighed.

"Ridge said they're done talking and really don't want to do this."

"You'll be fine," I smiled softly. Riker nodded then slowly unlocked the door. He quickly opened it and I backed up as Ridge and Valerie came out.

"Are you two ok?" Riker asked softly. Valerie glared at him and he shrunk down.

"I can't believe you!" She shouted. I quickly stepped in front of Riker.

"Hey, you needed this," I said firmly. "You were the one that was scared don't go yelling at him for helping you."

"Val it was my idea." Layla said walking back over to us. She sighed and rubbed her eyes.

"I'm going to my room." She looked at Ridge. "Thanks, for not giving up on me." He smiled and nodded, then she quickly walked away. As soon as she was gone Ridge held his head and sighed softly.

"I should have told her not to yell," He said slowly sitting down.

"Are you okay? Do you need anything for your head?" Layla asked softly.

"It's just headache, I'll be fine," He sighed softly.

"Are you sure? I mean you have a really bad concussion."

"I'm sure." I helped him up and he about crashed into me.

"Ridge, I think you need to see a doctor," I said gently.

"I'm fine."

"Ridge I'm with Skyla on this one." Layla said quickly. He sighed.

"Fine."

"We're just worried Ridge, we don't want this to get worse," I said gently taking his wrist.

"I know," He said softly.

~~~~

We got him to the medical bay and Gabriel quickly looked him over.

"Um, I think you just need to stay away from loud noises and loud people. I have some great painkillers, but only take them if you have to. Ok?" Ridge nodded. "Alright, I'll be right back."

"Good thing it wasn't anything major."

"Yeah," Ridge sighed.

"So how are we going keep things quiet so you don't die or something?" I asked sighing a bit. Ridge shrugged.

"I don't know."

"He could put earplugs in. That's what Valerie did for me when I had a concussion."

"Maybe, but I don't know," Ridge sighed. "I think I'll just stay in my room and have a sign on the door asking anyone that comes in not to yell." Layla nodded.

"That could work." I sighed and nodded.

"Ok, I got to go check on Ryan. He's a little sick."

"Good luck with that," Ridge smiled softly. I nodded and quickly started heading back to my room. I hope Ridge got better soon.