Aftermath

By stephanie meyer

It don't own them. I don't claim to. It's all for fun.
 
 
 
 

Diane was in tears when he unlocked the door. She heard him leave. She was
sitting on the bathroom floor,
against the wall, curled in a ball. She was like that when Kate found her.

"Diane, what's wrong?"

Diane wiped her tears away and looked up. "Nothing, I'm just not feeling too
well, that's all."

Kate squatted in front of her and felt her forehead. Then she took the other
woman's pulse. "You're pulse is
way to high. I bet you blood pressure is up too. Why don't you lie down in
the bedroom?"

Diane shook her head. "I think I need a shower. Could you get my travel
bag?"

"Yeah, sure, but then I want you to lie down, ok?"

"Fine." Kate headed out the door. "Oh, Kate, leave the door open."

Kate looked at her with a puzzled expression. "OK, I'll be right back."

"Is Diane, ok?" Lisa asked when Kate reappeared in the living area.

"She's not feeling too well. She's going to take a shower and then lie down.
Did you bring your bag?"

"Yeah. That was quick; she was fine while ago. Do you want a BP cuff?"

"Yep. Her heart rate feels like she's just run a marathon."

"There's no way we can get out tonight. The road's washed out."

"I think between the two of us we can manage."

Diane was quiet the rest of the trip. She knew she should tell them, but
that would just make the whole thing
real. And out of her control. She brushed her hair down to hide the bruises
on her neck. She would tell
somebody. Really.

Kate rushed into the ER. She found Dennis trying to calm Diane down. She was
lying on a gurney, and Dennis
was holding an oxygen mask over her face.

"Diane, you have to take deep breaths, ok? Breath."

"What's going on?" Kate asked.

Dennis looked up. "She started having chest pains about fifteen minutes ago.
That's when I paged you. Now it
seems more like she's having a massive panic attack."

Kate glanced at the monitors. "Looks like you're right, Dennis. Do you have
any idea what set it off?'

"No."

"Diane, I want you to do what Dennis said. Take deep breaths. Focus on my
voice. I just want you to focus on
my voice. Nothing's going to happen to you. You're safe here. It's going to
be ok." She stroked Diane's hair
back from her forehead. "Just keep breathing. In and out, in and out."
Diane's breathing was slowing down.
"Good girl, Dennis..."

"I've got the ultra sound and fetal monitor standing by."

Kate smiled down at Diane. "You're going to be fine." Then she noticed the
bruised on her neck. Dennis was
hooking up the monitors. "Dennis, could I talk to you for a second?"

"Yeah, sure." He squeezed Diane's hand and let the nurse finish hooking her
up. They walked out of earshot.

"Did you notice the bruises?"

"Bruises?"

"On her neck. It looked like someone tried to strangle her. You better do a
pelvic, too."

"What are you thinking?"

"I'm thing she's got something she's not telling anyone."

"Doctor Hancock," the nurse called. "She's hyperventilating again!"

Both Dennis and Kate rushed back over to Diane. Kate sat her up and
supported her. "Breath, Diane!"

"Diane, you have to calm down." Dennis's voice was stern. "I can't give you
anything, and if you don't relax,
the baby may be in danger!" Dennis's words penetrated her panic-fogged mind.

"Anything," she gasped behind the mask. "Anything, just don't hurt the
baby."

Kate and Dennis exchanged worried looks.

Kate met Dennis in the hall. "How's she doing?"

"I've admitted her. The best thing to do is to keep her calm, and the best
place for that is here."

"Anything?"

"Yeah. Did anything happen while you were at Jack's cabin? Did the three of
you get separated?"

"No. She wasn't feeling well, which was odd because she was fine until..."

"Until what?'

"She was alone with the plumber in the bathroom for awhile. You don't... Oh
my God." Kate leaned against the
wall and clasped a hand over her mouth. "Oh my god. Lisa and I were in the
next room for God's sake!"

"Could you identify him?"

"I'll nail the bastard to the wall."

Kate was dozing in the chair next to Diane's bed when Dennis checked in.
Kate awoke when he placed a hand
on her shoulder.

"Hey." She replied as she yawned.

"Any change?"

"No. She still hasn't said anything. She's slept most of the time."

"Well at least now she's not carrying it by herself. We know."

"I feel so guilty. I should have realized what was happening!"

"Kate, this is not your fault."

"I know, Dennis. That doesn't mean I don't feel guilty. " They sat in
silence for awhile. "Do you think we
should tell Billy?"

"I think she should tell him."

"You're probably right."

Diane was better. Dennis had discharged her that morning, and she was back
at work. Dennis and Kate were
watching her like hawks. She didn't care. Billy would be home soon and
everything would be better.