Freedom ((part III))

[Hawkeye]

Doc Benson looked at Hawk before answering, “Yes, she should be just fine if we can get her there in time…” He coughed nervously and tightened his grip on his bag. Though normally very calm and collected during times like these, a few of the Harlem newsies made him a bit nervous. The Harlem leader watched as Ace tried to keep it together, as she valiantly tried to stay awake. Ultimately, it was a loosing battle and she quietly slipped into unconsciousness, her arms staying locked around his neck. Hawk picked up the pace after hearing the doctor’s words and was relieved when Mount Sinai hospital came into view.

They hurried inside and Doc Benson immediately took charge, in his element at last. He walked up to the front desk, had a hurried conversation with the young nurse behind the counter, and then motioned for the group of newsies to follow him. The nurse led them quickly down a large hallway and into a room with a gurney in it. “Set her on this,” she said hurriedly to Hawkeye, “The doctor will be in in a moment.” As she left the room, he gently laid Ace down on the gurney and untangled her arms from his neck. Then, they waited, hoping the damn doctor would get here in time.

[Ace]

((Skipping to after the procedure))

Kitten paced the waiting room anxiously, unable to sit still, when she looked up, it had seemed like days had passed when it had only been hours. She shot her gaze over at a nurse who had come down the hall,"Kitten?"she asked. Kitten nodded and walked over to the nurse, she glanced over her shoulder at Chase and Hawk who had been rather quiet since they got there. Kitten exchanged words with the nurse briefly before she turned and walked back to the boys,"We can see her now,"Kitten told them.

Coming out of a knocked out state, through the haze and confusion that slowly hit her, Ace opened her eyes, finding herself in what she could assume to be a recovery room as she lie in bed. She sat up slowly but could feel the slight pain as she looked down seeing herself patched and bandaged. She tilted her head and wondered how long she had been out for. Kitten walked into the room slowly and looked over at Ace,"Hey....you're awake...you feel ok?"she asked softly, grabbing a chair from the corner and sitting down. Ace nodded slowly still abit unsure about what had happened,"Where's Chase? Hawk?"she asked instantly. Kitten looked up,"down the hall they're comin'....I think ya worried Hawk, I don't think I've eva seen him like that before.."Kitten muttered softly knowing how much that would mean to Ace.

[Chase]

Chase leaned up against the wall. His face was pale white. He couldn't speak. He saw the nurse talking to Kitten. He pushed off the wall when Kiten said they could see Ace. He walked a little ways behind Kitten. He glanced at Hawkeye. He looked just as worried if not more than Chase did. Something inside of Chase said that should bother him, but he honestly didn't care right now. He walked into the room about 30 seconds after Kitten. He smiled at Ace. "Hey. You okay?" That was all he could manage. He stood next to Kitten.

[Hawkeye]

Hawkeye followed the Manhattan kid into Ace's room and saw her talking quietly with Kitten. He was glad to see she was awake, but knew that also meant she was in pain. Glancing over at Chase, Hawk smirked at the “I’m about to be sick” look on his face. As Kitten got up, he waited for Chase to move in, but when he didn’t Hawk moved to stand beside her bed. “Ey doll, how ya feelin?” He asked quietly then chuckled. “You gave us a real scare, ya know.”

[Ace]

Ace looked over at Chase and then at Kitten, she could see the sick look on Chase's face and sighed softly,"Chase why don't ya go get some air...Kitt mind gettin' meh some water?"she asked before she looked up at Hawk. Kitten grabbed Chase by the arm and dragged him out of the room, listening to Ace's request. Once the two were gone Ace nodded at Hawk and looked down abit,"I'll live, ya know meh, strong as hell,"she muttered. She ran a hand through her hair as she lie back and stared up at the ceiling, soon resting her hands over her stomach, wincing just barely when her hand brushed against the stitched up spot. She closed her eyes and took in a few breaths taking in the silence for a few moments. "Ya think that scared ya? imagine what woulda happened if I didn't make it out,"she teased softly before opening her eyes to look into his once more. "Ya'd have gone ballistic huh?"she asked softly with a small smile on her face.

[Chase]

Chase let Kitten lead him out of the room. How could he tell Ace about Mischief? She was in pain, that much was easy to see. He couldn't tell her. Not now. He watched Kitten get Ace water. She came back with a cup for him. He smiled at her. "Thanks." He said. He sipped his water slowly, thinking. He could semi-hear what was happening inside the room. But, his mind was so far away, he barely noticed.

[Hawkeye]

He sat down in the chair that Kitten had vacated and scooted it closer to her bed. “It prolly wouldn’t have been pretty,” he chuckled, “so let’s never find out.” All kidding aside though, Hawkeye didn’t know what he would have done. The thought of loosing Ace at all, let alone to a disease he couldn’t stop, almost made him feel sick. He didn’t let her know that though, instead he asked “You need anything though? I hear the food here’s just great,” and then winked at her to let her know he was being sarcastic.

[Ace]

She smiled at his sarcasm and she propped herself up and hugged her knees to her chest as she took in a few small breaths in thought,"Ya always were my favorite,"she said half teasing half truthfully. She winked back at him and ran a hand through her hair,"I'm fine, I don't need a thing, the water was jus' ta get Chase outta here, poor boy looked like he was gonna be sick jus' from the scent of the place,"she said grinning. She looked down and smiled to herself,"So....how've ya been?"she asked him softly.