The hospital: Slade/Ruby/Tai San/Lex

[_slade_]

Slade woke up with an almighty cough. He felt like his chest was on fire, and that he had to cough it out. Coughing away, and letting his lungs rattle in their cage, his eyes started to slowly adjust to where he was. As he had first woken he hadn’t remembered what exactly had happened, nor where exactly he was. However, as his chest eased and his

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[tribe_patch]

Patch jogged backed to the hospital from his room, slowing down a bit as he neared and trying to catch his breath. He felt more than a little dizzy and lightheaded,the after effects of too much coffee and not enough sleep. The first person he noticed was Slade, still awake and right beside Ruby. Patch's first thought was that the rough looking young man must really love her. It brought a smile to his face even though neither one of the unconscious girls seemed to be doing any better. Not wanting to interrupt Slade, Patch went over to Tai San quietly but loud enough to make his presence known, and checked her pulse. It was slow, steady, and she didn't seem to be having any outward signs of distress. The knot on her head was pretty sizable, but after looking over the rest of her, feeling here and there, nothing else seemed to be worrisome. It was just a waiting game now.

With a sleepy smile on his face, Patch moved over to Ruby, bending over her and doing more or less what he'd just done with Tai-San. Ruby's breathing seemed to be less labored than it had been a while ago. Another good sign. Giving Slade a smile he actually felt this time, Patch gave a short nod. "I think she's gonna be ok." He really meant it too. In fact, Ruby seemed to be just sleeping rather than being unconscious. At least...that's how she looked. "You stayed by her side all night." Patch gave one of his goofy but enthusiastic grins. "She must really be special to you." He was thinking about Dee of course when he said it. God, he hoped with all his might that she'd never be in a situation like this girl was in, but if Dee ever was, he'd do the exact same thing. "They both seem to be in stable condition. I can watch them for a while if you want to get some breakfast. It usually doesn't take em too long to get it all set up, and you could use a warm meal."

[_slade_]

Slade had heard Lex's outburst, something about some other girl. Remember Lex's declaration the night before about how himself and Ruby weren't welcome to stay he couldn't help but smirk slightly as Lex blurted something out about another woman and dashed off. Looked like the Sheriff had himself in a spot of woman trouble, and Slae couldn't help but that perhaps it was what he deserved. Well, if he was gonna be so rude to his Ruby, when she was unconscious and all.... It wasn't that Slade wanted to stay, and he knew Ruby would want to get out of the city as soon as she could and get back to Liberty. But then again, Liberty probably didn't exist anymore, not after the fire. Plus, either being in the city or being closer to the city would mean he would be nearer to where Josh was... His slight smirk had quickly turned to a worried frown, and remained there as he heard someone enter the hospital.

Glancing to where Slade thought the person was, he saw the kid who had briefly looked at Ruby last night, he couldn't remember his name, Pete? Pat? Whatever. He was the doctor but last night he had seemed pretty nervous and not at all sure what he was doing. Slade had felt the Eco healer to be more trustworthy with Ruby's health. However, looking at him this morning, while this kid was just a scrawny thing he looked a lot more comfortable and capable, and Slade watched as he checked over the Mall Rat girl.

The doctor came over to check on Ruby, so Slade stood back and let the kid do his thing. Hearing the Doc say that Ruby was gonna be okay only made Slade feel more frustrated. They had said exactly the same thing last night, and here she was still knocked out. "So, any idea on when she's gonna come round?" Slade asked, refraining from following on with a scathing remark about how no one seemed to be honest about Ruby's condition, as all anyone cared to tell him was that she would be fine, which wasn't really being proven.

Slade refrained from overly responding to the Doc's comment about how he must really care for Ruby. Everyone was bound to think they were a couple, that was how people were. Go within half a metre of a girl and you're automatically dating apparently. Well, he didn't feel the need to let anyone know what his relationship with Ruby was, as no doubt they would be out of here as soon as they could be, so he simply responded with "She's worth worrying over."

The Doc suggested he go and get some food, but there was no way he was leaving Ruby, not until she woke up. He couldn't leave her here and have her wake up in a strange place and not recognising anything or anyone. It was bad enough that Liberty was now gone, he didn't want her anymore upset. That was of course providing that Ruby woke up, but that was a possible outcome that Slade really didn't want to think about. "I'll stay here thanks." Slade said to the Doc, "I want to be here when she wakes."

[tribe_patch]

The newcomer didn't say it in so many words, but the weighted tone of his voice and the piercing gaze told Patch all he needed to know. Ruby's boyfriend was obviously growing impatient just waiting for her to wake up, and he wanted to know when exactly that would be. The trouble was, Patch had no idea when that would be. It would have to be soon though, for both Tai-San and Ruby. If they didn't wake up today,...the chances that they would got slimmer by quite a margin, and whatever damage they sustained would be more likely to have lasting effects. What worried him most though about that prospect, was the fact that they wouldn't be getting any liquids or nutrients. The hospital didn't have any saline solution bags or many syringes that could be used to hook up an IV even if they had one. Tai-San or Ruby could die from dehydration before they died of smoke inhalation or a head wound. Ruby was the one he was most worried about in this regard however, since she was probably dehydrated before she'd even arrived. If Patch could find a way to make some solution...His eyes darted over to the stack of books at the side, mulling over this possibility so he could be prepared if she hadn't yet awoken by late noon.

Patch quickly resumed eye contact with Slade, not wanting to look like he was simply spacing out and not listening to what was being said. "It's hard to say really. But I wouldn't worry too much just yet. She's probably just resting." Knowing that probably wasn't at all comforting Slade, Patch went further. "If she hasn't woken up by mid-noon, we'll try something different." Realizing all too late that Slade might take that comment to mean that he wasn't doing everything he could right now, Patch once again tried to smooth things over. "What I mean is, I'm going to do everything I can for her. I promise. But I really think she's going to be ok. She's made it through the worst of it."

A sympathetic smile crossed his face as Slade said in no uncertain terms that he wasn't leaving Ruby's side. "I understand." He turned around, walking over to the pile of books and finding one of chemical composition. If he just knew how to make the hydrating solution, he might be able to work something out, but he wanted to be absolutely sure he got it right. Breakfast probably wasn't ready quite yet, so for the time being, Patch took a seat, silently pouring over the book's contents.

[_slade_]

Continued HERE