Almost Easy

Chapter Ninety-Two:

Among my various injuries, I was told that I had PTSD, post traumatic stress disorder. It didn’t surprise me in the slightest. Honestly, I’m surprised that I wasn’t worse off than I was.

I wasn’t really worried about myself; I was worried about Tony and Doug. I saw Doug and I knew that he wasn’t banged up. I still hadn’t seen Tony. Was he shot after he got me out of there and no one had told me? Doug told me that he gave Tony a few days off. Honestly, though, he deserved at least that.

A knock on my hospital room jarred me from my thoughts. I looked over and saw a nervous looking Tony. Speak of the devil…

“Hey,” I greeted him. My voice was still gruff. The doctors said something about severe bruising. It probably didn’t help that I hadn’t been talking a whole lot this past week… being in a coma will do that a person.

“Hello Lydia,” Tony smiled and stepped inside. “I hope it’s alright that I came to see you.” He said, hesitantly. I pursed my lips at him.

“I just wished you would have come sooner.” I told him. His smile grew. “I’m so relieved to see that you’re okay. You have no idea. I’ve been going out of my mind.” I beckoned him over to the bed. I would go over to him, but my leg is all kinds of fucked up and I’m really not supposed to be on it unless it’s a dire emergency… or I have to pee.

“I’m fine.” He assured me. “It’s you that I’m concerned about. You took a bullet for me, Lydia. You really shouldn’t have. You could have died.” He scolded me. I rolled my eyes.

“A simple thank you would suffice.”

“Thank you.” He breathed.

“You weren’t… You didn’t have on a bulletproof vest. I remember not seeing one. I couldn’t let you die, because you were trying to rescue me. What kind of person would I be if I did that? I’m fine, so no harm done. If you died because of me, I wouldn’t be able to live with myself, T-Man.” I confessed. He didn’t say anything, just placed a hand tentatively on top of mine. I flinched, before relaxing against his touch.

Physical contact is still something that’s hard for me. I can’t be left in the dark, either. It freaks me out. Being around too many people is difficult and I haven’t been sleeping. I’m afraid that if I tell the doctors, that they’ll give me sedatives and I won’t be able to escape my nightmares.

“I wouldn’t have been able to live with myself if you had died because of me, either, Lydia.” He told me, softly. His confession surprised me. I didn’t know how to react or what to say. I looked up at his face and saw the sincerity in his face.

“I… Thank you. Thank you for coming in when you did… I don’t know what would have happened to me, if you hadn’t. Thank you.” I breathed. The magnitude of his actions weren’t lost on me. I know what he was risking by coming after me alone. He could have been overpowered… He could have been ambushed… He could have been killed… There are so many things that could have gone wrong, because he didn’t stick to Doug’s plan. I’m so grateful for what he did and I won’t be forgetting it any time soon. “I doubt I’ll ever be able to thank you enough.” I whispered. Tony looked at me like he had figured something out that I still hadn’t.

“Lydia, you took a bullet for me. You’ve done more than enough. That’s more than anyone else has ever done for me. Trust me when I say that you have more than made up for my efforts to rescue you. I may have helped save your life, but there is no doubt in my mind that you saved mine.” He promised. He leaned down and placed a chaste kiss on my temple, before getting up. “Thank you.” He added, before leaving. I stayed, staring at the door that he walked through. I don’t know how much time passed. I hadn’t thought of it that way.

A knock sounded on the door and I jumped. I really need to stop jumping at everything… I just… can’t. Everything rattles me, now. Doug walked in with one of my doctors.

“We need to do some X-Rays to see how everything is healing and discuss treatment and possible physical therapy down the road.” The doctor told me. I nodded.

“Great, more tests.” I made a face. Doug laughed.

“It’s for your own good, Sweetheart.” Doug promised me. I sighed.

“That doesn’t mean that I have to like it.” I grumbled.

Notes

Alright all, there are three chapters left in this story! I can't believe it's actually coming to an end!

Comments? Thoughts? Ponies?

Love and caramel apple muffins,
Katie