Logan

45. Talk

*Natalie's POV*

Meeting Micah was an immediate lifeline to all the memories I'd tried to wipe away. Struggling in my hospital bed, walking on shaking legs, painful physical therapy, but his story was something I'd never heard before.

I had heard AB's point of view, but he could barely remember things himself. He excused himself to use the restroom and when he came out I was sitting on my bed.

Micah knocked, "Hey, are you okay? You're not out there with everyone else."

"Sometimes I have to be alone for a while to recharge, it's a process." A silence between us passed before I got the courage to ask. "Can you tell me more about... the accident?"

"I was responding to the 10-52...I mean, the accident. It appeared that an impaired driver had fallen asleep at the wheel and had then come into contact with the other side of traffic, directly impacting your vehicle. He died on the way to the hospital. The driver of your vehicle was conscious when we arrived at the scene, the passenger..." he stopped for a moment, looking away from me and taking a deep breath before continuing, "You... the passenger... was unconscious with multiple fractures, abrasions... and required the jaws of life before she could be extracted. Once we were able to get you out, we drove, you were wheeled into the ER, and they took it from there. Something about that accident...it shook me. You... well, both of you should have died. But somehow, you both lived."

"I'm sorry...that I made you talk about it." I felt terrible, he was basically in tears. He shook his head.

"No, I need to talk about things more, I can't keep things inside like that. Honestly, Natalie...this has been bothering me ever since."

"It's been almost seven months, Micah."

"I know, but sometimes when you're fighting fires and pulling people out of cars, sometimes it just gets to be a lot. Sometimes I don't cope with it as best as I thought I could." He shook it off, pulling himself back. "We should be getting back out there yeah."

We went back down the stairs while Alex, Scarlet and Jordana talked. I had to admit I was still at a standstill with her, I didn't know how to connect with her. Frankly, I was surprised that Scarlet was even there.

"Natalie, we were all planning on going to lunch at The Brass Kettle, Kellan texted us that the wicked witch wasn't there."

"Wicked witch?" Micah looked confused.

"There's a girl there...she's terrible but we really love that bar so...we put up with her." Scarlet responded.

"But lately she's pushed her luck and we're hoping we don't see her." Jordana interjected.

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Twenty minutes later we were at The Brass Kettle, seated and happy. Kellan was even able to spend his break with everyone. They'd chosen the business room, which was hidden from public view. Damien put his hand on Alex's shoulder, "He kind of knows we're here, Alex."

"Fine, let him." Alex was very sore about the subject, Alberto and Alex hadn't spoken for a few days and it was not known whether they had a future together. But Alex had insisted he wasn't giving up unless AB was, and from what AB said he wasn't giving up either. They were so stubborn, and Kellan's bruise on his face still said that it was a sore subject with him as well.

We were all chatting together when I heard, "I didn't know you were all together." AB walked in, stopping where Alex sat with Micah. He gestured near him, "Who the fuck is this."

"Alright, that's it." I tried to stand up, but Alex pushed my shoulder down.

"Alberto, this is Micah." Micah looked lost as he looked around at the rest of us.

Kellan sighed, "AB, why don't you sit with us, I can whip something up for you."

"I don't fucking want anything from you, it's bad enough you're trying to get into Alex's pants." Alex was flustered, Micah was visibly uncomfortable.

"I think you should leave." Alex's voice was breathy, and shaking.

"Not until I know why this guy is here, are you seeing him on the side?" He tried to grab Micah but he grabbed AB's other hand, twisting it and letting go when he half whimpered under his breath.

"Don't ever touch me." Micah put his arm on Alex, shielding him from AB's retaliation, "Don't touch him either."

AB looked at all of us, and walked out of the room, Kellan behind him to make sure he left.

"Micah," Alex's face was a mix of remorse and fear, "I'm so sorry I put you in this situation. My boyfriend-"

Micah just shook his head, "Alex, you don't have to explain anything, really. If it was all the same with you, I'd rather not talk about it. Can we just get back to my burger? I'm actually really hungry." Everything went back to normal, and we all shared concerned glances but decided not to bring it up just then.

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*Alex's POV*

"Micah, I'm really sorry that my boyfriend is being like this. He's been feeling really insecure and jealous lately, and I don't know why. He's usually very sweet, and caring. I just...I don't know what went wrong."

Micah just shrugged, "I'm sure he'll come around soon, try not to let his issues bother you. I'm sorry too, I just don't like when people I don't know touch me."

"I get it. Hey... I was wondering if you'd want to watch some movies tonight, Damien, Natalie and I were planning on getting a few new releases."

"Sure, I could do that. I have to be somewhere in the morning, but I can hang out."

*EIGHT HOURS LATER*

It was midnight by the time everyone had fallen asleep, Micah had opted to stay over since everyone had gotten a few drinks in and he'd decided it wasn't smart to drive. It was about two am, I was still awake, thinking about everything happening.

I heard Micah lightly stirring in his sleep. I moved slightly and everything set into motion. He awoke, screaming uncontrollably, flailing as if he couldn't breathe. I put my arms around him to calm him down, and I looked up to see Damien rushing toward us. I put my hand out, "Damien, get some water, he's having an attack." A few more screams came barreling out, until we were sitting on the floor and my arms were tightly around him, he was calming down finally. He drank some water Damien offered him and he blew his nose from all the tears that had come down his face.

"I'm...s-s-sorry," His entire body was trembling, "I-I-h-hate that this happens to me." He wiped away a few more tears before taking another drink of water. I put some space between us and the three of us sat on the floor talking.

Damien and I shared a look, "Actually...you're not the only one. Damien and Natalie both suffer from PTSD, it's scary sometimes, but we are managing the best we can."

"The guys I live with, they don't get it. They used to check up on me, but when it's been two weeks with six attacks between them, it's just too much for some people. I really appreciate this, you guys helping me."

"Anytime." I smiled, and we continued to talk until the sun came up.