My Spy 5: A Southern Girl in Paris

Welcome to New York

I tried calling Austin as soon as I arrived at the hospital, but he didn't answer. I asked the driver if he could wait for me to go track my brother down and it turns out that Bash had paid for me to have him until tomorrow.

I released a pent-up sigh when I accepted that I would be running around a hospital in an absurd gown but nothing was going to stop me from getting to Ryan.

Once I made it inside the massive hospital, I found the help desk and the non-eye-contact-making woman working it told me exactly where to go. I practically ran toward the correct elevator and if I weren't in a New York City hospital I would kick my shoes off so I could move more quickly.

I make it to the I.C.U and when I round the corner, I spot Austin sitting next to an older woman with her sandy hair pulled back into a ponytail. Everyone in the waiting room spots me as soon as my heels click loudly on the white linoleum flooring. Austin snaps his head up and stands when I run over and throw my arms around him. He holds me close and when I finally pull away from him I cautiously ask, "Any updates?"

"He's been out of surgery for a few hours. It went well but...he still hasn't woken up," Austin somberly tells me. He glances behind him and then adds, "His team from the F.B.I just left to try and get some sleep. Sounds like Ryan may have saved his partner's life." The woman that was sitting next to Austin finally stands and says, "You must be Sawyer." I look to her and she takes my hands into hers and adds, "I'm Shelly Hart." I nod in understanding and she pulls me into her. I immediately notice how comforting she is. She is soft in a warm pullover sweatshirt and has some extra padding around her midsection. Her hair smells like Aquanet and I realize Ryan got his green eyes from his mama. Just from the look of her, I can tell she's an elementary school teacher.

"I'm so sorry to finally meet you this way," she says and then purses her lips to keep from crying.

"I know, but I am glad we are all here now," I say softly back to her and she only releases my hands to wipe a tear that's sliding down her pink cheek.

"Did you come from a ball?" She asks in awe as her eyes travel down my attire. I look down to my wide dress before looking back to her and replying, "Something like that. My luggage is locked, I have nothing to change into." I want to say it loudly so everyone here that is staring knows why I am in couture and heels.

"Do you need coffee or anything?" Austin asks me. "What time is it in London?"

I shrug, "Around five in the morning. I've been up for almost twenty-four hours now, coffee sounds nice." He nods to me but before he is able to leave, a small nurse in gray scrubs comes into the waiting room and everyone sitting around in the hard gray plastic chairs snaps their head in her direction. She darts over to Shelly before saying, "Ryan seems to be stable. He's still not responsive but if anyone wants to go in and see him you can do that now. I will say not to overwhelm him so maybe pop in one at a time. He's in the third door on the left." We all nod to her and she strides off back down the hall. Shelly looks at me and Austin before saying, "Bill and Chase should be here any minute, so I'll wait until they come back."

Austin then looks at me and nods toward the double doors. I stare at him, unable to move and he grabs my hand before saying, "Go tell him to come back. He'll listen to you." I take a deep breath and release his hand. I slowly turn and look toward where the nurse wandered off. I glance back to Austin and Shelly but they both nudge me along.

I rub the satin strings that are hanging off the fur that's still wrapped around me as I slowly walk down the hallway. I take deep breaths in and prepare myself to see Ryan. There is a large sliding glass door that reveals him with his eyes closed but looking peaceful in the hospital bed. A thin cloth curtain is on a metal track near the door but it's pulled back so I grab it as I enter the room to give us some privacy. I then look back to him and see a gray plastic chair sitting next to him on his right. I slowly move closer and as soon as I see all the tubes in him I can't help myself. I start crying and reach out to grab his warm hand. I hold it in mine as I say, "Oh Ryan, what the hell happened?" His gown and blankets are covering his wounds but he has scratch marks up and down his arms and a gash above his left eyebrow. I watch as his chest rises and falls and I eventually plop myself into the chair. I hold his hand tightly as I wonder what to say to him. I look at his handsome face, completely neutral, void of any expression and I rub my thumb over his cheek.