What's she Worth to You?

The Silent Treatment

E R I N

I sit next to her hospital bed, her chest raising and falling to a strict rhythm. I listen to the machines that surround her-I don't think I've ever seen a single person attached to so many machines. They'd hooked her up to things I'd never even seen before, numerous needles are sunk into both her arms, as well as her chest and a breathing mask fits firmly to her face. She's been asleep for two days, and I've not left the hospital once.

"Hey," I turn around to see Jay holding two coffees in his hands and I let my shoulders fall.

"My gosh, you're a life saver," I say with gratitude in my voice taking the cup and take a large drink.

"I can watch her for a while if you wanna get some rest," he suggests and I sigh shaking my head.

"I promised I wouldn't leave her" I whisper, then return my eyes to her face.

I watch as her eyebrows furrow slightly and sit up quickly in my chair. Jay grabs my shoulder and squeezes it tightly. I scoot my chair closer to the bed as her eyes slowly flutter open. Her eyes slowly scan the room then make contact with mine. I smile sweetly at her and take her hand gently, running my thumb over her knuckles.

It's at this point I can tell that she's truly exhausted, because she doesn't sit up, she doesn't try to get out, she doesn't even try to say a word, because she's too tired to be scared.

"Just rest, just go back to sleep." I whisper to her and without a word, the drugs pull her back under and her eyes fall closed.

•••

I stand outside the door of her room, my foot tapping wildly on the floor. Will walks out of her room and closes the door gently closes it behind him.

"How is she? Is she okay? Is everything okay? Is-" he laughs and holds his hands up, indicating that I should stop talking.

"Relax, Erin, she's fine. She's doing great, she should be able to leave soon, even today if everything goes well." He shakes his head with a smile on his face.
"You worry too much, Lindsay." He then pats me on the back.
"But you really should go home and get some rest." I sigh and look to the floor. She's been here for about a week and I've only left twice to get clean clothes.

His phone rings and he holds one finger up.

"Hello?" He speaks in to the phone then looks up at me and whispers
"Take a break Erin," before walking down the hall talking on his phone.

I walk back into her room to see her sitting up and tugging at her IV needle.

"Hey, babe, I wouldn't mess with that if I were you," I say in a soft tone and she looks up. I kneel down next to her bed and she looks at me with her beautiful green eyes.
"Still not talking?" I ask in a whisper and she shifts her eyes down.

She hasn't talked to anyone since she got to the hospital, not me, not to the rest of the team, not the nurses, not even Will. Nobody. Apparently it's some side effect of PTSD, and lord knows she's got it. Who can blame her? By the looks of her she's been through hell and back.

"It's okay, we'll be waiting when you're ready." She nods at the floor and I smile at her. Will knocks on the door and I look up.