It's Not A Dream, Is It? Part 10

Tom sat anxiously outside the emergency room. The doctors had treated his arm and told him to rest, but he was too worried about Abby. He had left his room and came here to see what the news was. When he had arrived, her situation was critical. That was an hour ago.

Finally the surgeon came out, looking tired and exhausted.
"Is she...?" he couldn't bring himself to say dead.
"No, no. It was touch and go for awhile there, but she's going to make it." the surgeon said reassuringly.
He breathed a sigh of relief, "Thank goodness. May I see her?" he asked.
"Well, right now we're moving her to her a room. Once we get her up there you can, but only for a few minutes." the surgeon told him.
"Thank you."

They had him wait outside her room, while they got her situated. After a few minutes he was allowed in. She looked as white as snow, only a shade darker than the sheets she lay on. Several wires were attached to her along with an IV. She smiled weakly when she saw him. He went to her side and took her hand.
"Abby..." he said softly, "I'm so sorry."
She shook her head slightly, "It's not your fault." she said weakly.
"Yes, it is. I shouldn't have taken you to that restaurant. I should have know they were dangerous." he said.
"You couldn't have know." she said.
He sighed, "I suppose your right."
He heard footsteps behind him and looked to see a police man standing in the doorway.
"I'll just be a minute." he told her.
He let go of her hand and then turned to the police officer.
"What can I do for you, Officer?" he asked.
"I understand that both of you can identify you're attacker." the officer said.
"Yes, I gave the description to another officer." he said.
"Yes, I know. We believe that your attacker was a hitman for the Bartelli's." the officer told him.
"The mafia?!" he exclaimed.
"Yes. Since the hitman got away both you and your girlfriend are in serious danger. We can arrest him, but for the trial we need an eyewitness."
"I understand, but you only need one of us." he said.
"Actually, with two witnesses the case is almost airtight. Scotland Yard is providing their best men to protect you. They've been trying to catch the Bartelli's for a long time."
"Oh, thank you. I mainly want the security on her, since they've already tried to kill her. I want to make sure she safe first." he told the officer.
"Alright, but we'll still keep security on you too." the officer said.
Tom just nodded.
"Well, I'll be leaving. I have a man stationed outside her room." the officer said as he left.
After he was gone, Tom returned to Abby's side.
"What did he want?" she asked.
"He said we're going to be witnesses in a trial. Apparently the man who tried to shoot you works for the mafia."
She suddenly looked afraid, "What if they try again?"
"It's okay. We're going to have security. It will be okay." he reassured her.
He stroked her cheek and then pressed his forehead to her's.
"I promise I won't let anything happen to you." he whispered.

He heard someone clear their throat behind him and turned to see the doctor.
"I'm afraid she needs to rest now." he said.
He nodded, "I'll see you soon." he said to Abby.
She nodded and squeezed his hand. He let go and left the room, passing the officer on his way. He stopped and turned to him.
"Keep her safe." he told him.
The officer nodded, "I'll do my best."
Tom nodded and hoped that his best would be good enough.

^^^

Abby was sitting up in the bed and sipping the last drops from her juice box. Tom had come by earlier, but had left to go talk to Mr. Emberson. He wanted to assure them that she would still be able to play her part. After all, they had only just started rehearsing.

She closed her eyes and just as she was about to nod off, a cheering voice awoke her.
"Abby!" exclaimed Emma as she burst into the room.
Abby smiled at her, "Hey Emma."
"I'm sorry I haven't been able to see you sooner." Emma said, sitting in a chair next to her bed.
"It's okay. The doctors were allowing too many visits anyway, with the exception of Tom." she said.
"I'm sure. You guys are really together now, huh?" Emma asked.
Abby smiled, "Hmm, yeah. He's very sweet and considerate. He comes here every chance he gets. And considering the situation were in... he's been great." she said.
"Oh, I'm so happy for you! About you and Tom not the other thing." Emma said.
"Thanks, but I'm scared, Emma. This whole thing is scary." she said her voice starting to shake.
"Oh, Abby..." Emma said as she hugged her, "It will be okay. The trial is only a few days away."
"I know, I know. I just feel so scared." she said.

Emma pulled away from her, "I know, but it will be okay." she said.
Abby just nodded and turned her attention to the door to see Eli standing there.
"Eli!" Emma said when she saw him.
"I just came to see how Abby was doing." he said.
"Oh... well, I have to go. I promised my mom I grab dinner on the way home. Bye Abby." Emma said.

She hurried out of the room, brushing past Eli. Abby knew she didn't like being around Eli, but she wished she would have stayed. Ever since the kiss, she hadn't spoken to him.

"Hey, how are you doing?" he asked.
"Fine, just recovering." she said.
"Look, I want to apologize. I'm sorry about that one time." he said.
"Well, alright. I accept your apology." she said.
"I just don't want things to be different between us." he said.
"Well, they are. You can't change that." she told him.
He sighed, "I know and I want to apologize for what I'm about to say. I blame him for you getting hurt."
"What?! It's not even remotely his fault!" she exclaimed.
"Yes it is. If he hadn't taken you to that restaurant, they wouldn't have recognized you." he argued, his voice getting louder.
"They already knew where I lived. It wouldn't have mattered." she argued back.
"They wouldn't have know you recognized their hitman." he told her.
"Even so, Tom couldn't have know that they were the mafia." she said.
"He should have been more careful." he said angrily.
"It's not like you do a background check on every dining place!" she retorted.

Eli became silent and looked down at his feet. After a moment the police man outside poked his head in.
"Hey, buddy. I'm going to have to ask you to leave. She needs to get some rest." the police man said to Eli.
"Fine. I was just leaving." Eli said.
He looked back up at her. His expression was sad and angry at the same time.
"Get better soon, Abby."
That was the last thing he said before leaving.

She sighed and looked up at the ceiling. She did wish that things could be the same for her and Eli. That the three of them could out and have pizza again. That they could go ice skating and dump ice from the rink down each others shirts. She knew she could never do those things with them again. Now she had Tom. They would have pizza together or go ice skating. She couldn't complain, she loved being with him. He always managed to make things better. She just hoped they would survive and get those chances to be together.