Saving Her

Chapter 29

I arrive at work and smile instantly because I'm working with Tiffany today. The unit is already buzzing, indicating that it was a long night.

Tiffany sees me and pulls me into a hug before handing me a smoothie. As per usual. I love her to pieces for always taking care of me!

"You look great today Mila!  Wow" she smiles at me as I twirl around in my outfit.  After breakfast with Shawn, my confidence is soaring and I feel amazing for the first time in a very long time.

"Thanks girl, and thanks for the smoothie!  You really know me so well" I tell her as we sit at our usual spots and get ready for the day.

As the morning rolls on, Tiffany gets a look of surprise on her face.  Turning to me, she asks, "Did you see the new guy yet?"

"No, what new guy?" I ask look at her in confusion.

She turns and points to a tall, blonde haired man talking to Dr. Story down the hall.

He's cute, but not Shawn cute.

"Wow, he looks....nice I guess.." I say plainly. It makes me kind of anxious to think about the hospital finally replacing Andy. That means when this new guys needs me for something, I'll have to go back into that office... That notion brings a chill down my spine.

Tiffany asks me if I'm cold, she must have seen my shiver. I tell her I'm fine.

Through the day I learn that the guys name is Niall and he would prefer to by called Dr. Niall. He gave some lame rambling speech about how he thinks going by his first name is more "conducive to the environment." I rolled my eyes at that in annoyance. It doesn't matter what we call you, as long as your not an asshole rapist like the guy you're replacing I wanted to scream.

Before I take my lunch break, Shawn and Brian walk in. After they get the patient situated and help me check him in, they go off to talk to one of the doctors about what they found. It's not entirely uncommon to have male victims, but we tend to see more female.

I'm currently sitting at lunch staring out the window as rain pelts the glass. It's a particularly gloomy day now in Toronto and I wish the sun was out like it was this morning.  My mood has turned a little bit sour now too as a result.

A sense of discomfort pricks my skin all of a sudden and I feel like someone is watching me.

Sure enough, I turn around and Dr. Niall is staring at me. Just plain as day, staring at me.  Repulsed by this, I get up to throw away my trash and stop at his table.

"Is there something I can help you with Dr. Niall?" I question.

He gets a puzzled look across his face.. "No Miss. Cabello, I think I'm fine." He deadpans.  Deciding I don't want to start anything, I give him a small, polite smile and head back to my desk.

That was creepy!  What is this guys deal?

Returning to my desk I busy myself with work. Tiffany tells me Shawn and Brian are still here and that puts me at ease.  I tell her what happened with Dr. Niall in the lunchroom and she gives me a weirded out look.  "Maybe you make him nervous or something" she tells me, but I just shrug in response.  I really don't care right now.  I just need to make it through this day.

An hour passes. Suddenly I feel a presence behind me. I turn and see Dr. Niall...again..

"Miss. Cabello, can you come speak to me in my office please?" He asks.

His voice cuts through me and the chill down my spine returns.

"I uh....I'm kind of busy at the moment..." I stutter out, as I turn to him from my computer, shuffling some papers to see if he'll take the hint.

"It will only take a minute" He insists.

Oh god. My mind is reeling.....this cannot be happening. I can't say no either. I have an imagine to uphold and when a doctor asks to speak to you, you have to go.

Nodding hesitantly, I stand from my chair and fix my skirt. I'm suddenly very self conscious I wore a skirt today.

Damnit, why can't I just have one day of peace.

Dr. Niall leads me to his office and my heart starts to beat quickly, my hands start to sweat and I have an anxious pit in my stomach. I feel like I'm going to throw up as we enter his office. I swallow down the bile that's burning my throat. I don't want to be here.

Dr. Niall takes a seat at his desk and gestures for me to sit at one of the chairs in front of his desk. I politely decline and tell him I prefer to stand. Nodding, he continues.

"I just wanted to apologize for earlier. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. I know you've been through a lot these last few months and I'm sorry!" He says sympathetically. His eyes conveying a look of looking at a sad child or a sick dog or something.

I fidget slightly where I'm standing and nod in appreciation. "Thank you for apologizing. I figured they would tell you what happened to me" I say almost above a whisper, my discomfort growing by the minute.  The longer I'm in this room, the longer images of the last time I was here keep flashing in my mind.

He nods and I turn to walk out of his office. I don't want to be here any longer than I have to be.

In a flash I feel a hand lightly grab my arm and I let out a scream. I know it's only Dr. Niall and he seems nice, but so did Andy.  I can't trust anyone anymore.  Obviously my judgement was way off with Andy, so I could be totally wrong about Dr. Niall too.

All the memories come rushing back and I feel myself collapse on the floor. Andy's hands on me, his lips...the last time I was in this office. With him.

My breathing become erratic and I feel myself start to panic. Dr. Niall tries to kneel down and help me, but Tiffany comes rushing in and yells at him to step away.

I'm sobbing hysterically trying to catch my breath. Tiffany reaches out to touch me and I flinch. Hard, recoiling as much as I can.  Making myself as small as I can as I clutch my knees to my chest; laying in the fetal position.

"Mila honey....are you okay?! Tell me what you need." Tiffany says as she kneels beside me trying to comfort me.  I let out a small whimper before trying to tell her what I need.

"I......I need.....Sh...Shawn.." I let out as I'm trying to take deep breaths. I can't move, I feel frozen.

"Dr. Niall, I need you to go find Detective Mendes. NOW!" Tiffany orders him, my vision is blurry from all my tears, but I see the outline of a white coat run down the hall.

Meanwhile Tiffany is gently holding my head in her lap as I struggle to breathe and continue to sob.  I don't want her touching me, but this isn't her fault so I let it go for now.

I'm I feel paralyzed and the only person who can get my out of this is Shawn.