Mchapter5

Josh woke up with a weird headache and very confused. And then he remembered about the police officer and then falling to the floor. So where was he now?

The hospital. He could tell because he was in a waiting room by the looks of things. He looked over to see Joey asleep beside him. He scanned the room to see that they were the only ones still there. Then he tried to remember why he was there.

And as he remembered, tears came to his eyes. His baby girl was hurt. Some asshole had put his hands on her. Oh God, how was he going to get through this?

He was in the hospital. The last time he�d been here was when Christi had died holding his hand. Josh pretty much despised the place after that. And he hadn�t gone back since.

But now he had to be here. He just hoped to God that Leah would be ok and that he wouldn�t lose the only family he had left.

He heard Joey awake next to him, and looked over. Joey smiled a sleepy, but sad smile, and patted Josh�s hand. �How are ya doing, Josh?� he asked.

�I�m not doing too well. The last time I was here, was the night Leah was born. Oh God, Joey, what will I do if she doesn�t make it?� Josh sobbed, throwing his arms around Joey.

�They said she�s going to be fine. Officer Bass said she was in shock from what almost happened. She only has a few cuts and bruises,� Joey said, hugging Josh tightly and rubbing his back.

�Wait, did they say why she wasn�t� well, you know what I mean�� Josh trailed off, not able to say the word rape aloud.

�Officer Bass saved her himself. He arrived there just in the nick of time,� Joey informed him.

�Really?� Josh asked, surprised. The man had saved his daughter.

�Yeah, now he�s a hero,� Joey replied with a laugh.

But all Josh could think was, �how can I ever pay him back?�

****

Lance had spent the last half-hour at the cafeteria drinking coffee. He would never get used to working the night shift. Now all he could think about was that poor girl who was nearly raped. And her father. What was his name again? John? No� Josh. That�s it. Lance had felt so bad having to tell Josh about his daughter. It was part of his job, but that didn't mean he enjoyed it.

Lance could picture Josh�s face filled with fear as he was told about his daughter� Leah. He decided that he should go up there and see if Josh had woken up yet and also to see if there was any news on Leah.

When he got to the waiting room, Josh and Joey were right where he�d seen them last. Except that they were now awake. And looking very tired.

Josh�s head snapped up as he heard someone enter the room. And his eyes connected with the beautiful green eyes of Lance, the policeman.

Lance was the first to speak. �How are you doing, Mr. Chasez?�

�Please, call me Josh,� Josh answered, �I�m doing ok, considering.

�Have you heard anything new?� Lance asked curiously.

�All we know is that she�s going to be ok,� Joey started, �that�s all that matters now.�

****

Leach woke slowly, shuddering because she�d had a horrible dream. Some guy had almost raped her.

She rubbed her eyes before opening them. She was very confused by the machines surrounding her. �Where am I?� she thought to herself.

Justin then, a nurse came in to check on her. She smiled at Leah when she looked over.

�Good morning, Leah,� the nurse said, �my name�s Kelly.�

�Hi. Am I in the hospital?� Leah asked, still confused.

�Yeah, do you remember what happened?� Kelly asked her.

�I think so. I thought it was a dream though. Wait, is Justin here too?� Leah asked suddenly.

�Yes, he�s in a room just down the hall. He�s got a big bump on his head,� Kelly answered

�He�s going to be ok?� Leah questioned, worried.

�Yes, he will be. So will you. Luckily you just have a few cuts and bruises. How are you feeling though?� Kelly asked, truly concerned.

Leah decided that she liked Kelly. �I�m ok. I still can�t believe that almost happened to me, you know?� Leah said.

�Yeah, I know what you mean,� Kelly replied, frowning. �It happened to me too.�

�It did?� Leah asked, her eyes widening.

�Uh huh. Except there was no one to save me. I was so scared. Especially when I found out I was pregnant. My daughter�s two now,� Kelly explained.

�Oh my God,� Leah breathed out.

�Yeah,� Kelly agreed, �but my daughter�s the best thing that ever happened to me. I just wish she�d happened under different circumstances.�

�Wow,� was all Leah could say.

�Yeah. So anyway, there are three handsome men in the waiting room, wondering how you are. Can I let them in?� Kelly asked.

�Of course,� Leah responded, while trying to figure out who the three men were.