Dark and His Queen

On the mend

Laura opened her eyes and was back in her hospital bed. She looked over to see that Mark was sitting in the chair still. He looked tired and stressed. Laura felt bad. The doctor was on the other side of her bed checking her machine. "Oh good, you are awake. How are you feeling?" "I still have some pain in my chest but it is not that bad anymore. My head still hurts but my fever broke." "That is a good sign. We just need to keep you for a little while longer to make sure everything is on the mend. But you will be back home very soon." "Thank you doctor." The doctor nodded and smiled kindly and left. Laura turned to see Mark looking so tired. She felt so bad for him. He didn't need to be here and be worried about her. "Mark?" He opened his eyes and looked over at her and smiled. "Why don't you go home? Get some sleep, get something to eat. Hell, don't you have videos to make.?" "I am not leaving. I have food here, and I can sleep when you sleep. Also, I have videos to release. It's fine. Don't worry." "You don't have to stay. I know you promised Dark to stay with me, but I am fine really." "I am not here because I am afraid of Dark. Yes, I did promise him to stay with you, but I am here because I care. I am here because you should not be alone." "Only if you're sure." "I am sure." "Thank you. Can you hand me that phone please?" Mark handed Laura the phone and she dialed a number. "Hello. Yes, I am ok. I was wondering if I could get a cot in here please?" "Thank you." Laura hung up the phone and handed it back to Mark. "If you are going to be sleeping here you might as well be comfortable. Also I will be fine for a little while if you want to go home and get some clothes. I am hoping I won't be here that long but just in case." "Ok, maybe in a little while I will go get some clothes." "Ok." Laura laid her head back down satisfied. She then started to fidget in the bed. "I need to move this bed. I can't get comfortable." Laura started pushing buttons on the bed until she found an adjustment that she was happy with. "Ah, that's better." Laura heard Mark chuckle. "You laughing at me?" "Maybe." "Have you ever been in one of these beds. They are not all that comfy." "I actually have. I have spent a substantial amount of time in hospital beds." "Really?" "Yup, I had major surgery a while back and I was in the hospital for a while." "Damn, sorry. Everything good now?" "So far so good." "I am glad to hear that." Laura said sounding relieved. Mark looked like he wanted to say something else but didn't. "What is it?" Laura asked. "What?" Mark asked back. "You looked like you had something else to say." Mark looked at the floor. "Mark look at me. Mark met Laura's eyes. "You can ask me anything." "Do you hurt people?" "Do you really want to know the answer to that?" "I do." "Yes, I hurt people." "I don't understand. You don't seem like the kind of person that would go around harming innocent people." "Well like I told you that day on our date that I was not a good person." "I don't believe that. You just argued with me about going home and taking care of myself. You were worried about me. You came to me when you were worried about a tweet I put out. Bad people don't care about others." "Mark, you don't really know me. You have no idea what my life has been like. You don't have a clue the kind of person I am. I like you. You were the first person other than Najee that I could tolerate. I am not completely evil, but I do enjoy causing pain and chaos to others. It makes me feel good. I am sorry that you don't understand and I don't think I could ever explain it enough to you." Mark stopped talking. "I will say it again. You can go if you want." "I am not leaving!" Mark stated sound a bit annoyed. "Fine. I just figured you wouldn't want to stay anymore." Mark sighed heavily. "I am still trying to wrap my brain around all of this. I know you have to have some kind of dark side in order to effect Dark the way you have but you are also a kind sweet person on the other hand. It is confusing. But I am not going to leave you. You have been good to me since we met." Laura and Mark fell into an awkward silence. Thankfully the nurse came in shorty after with the cot that Laura had requested. "Thank you. Would it be possible for me to take a shower and get the sheets changed? I am all gross and sweaty after my fever broke." Laura asked. "I think we can arrange that. We have to remove your heart monitor beforehand." "That would be great." "Let me check with the doctor and then I will arrange to have the sheets changed. I will be back shortly." "Thank you." The nurse left the room. "Now would be a good time to head home and get some clothes." "I agree.