Everything Or Nothing

[Mariya Pyne]

As the teams rushed Kayleigh into the OR, having shocked the admiral twice previously and continually performing CPR since aboard the transport vessel only moments ago, they managed to pull only a series of small blips from the heart monitor before she went flat-line as the blonde was lifted from the stretcher and immediately placed atop the operating table. The medical facility's full available staff was awaiting, RNs with datapads containing the admiral's full documented medical history including allergies, previous injuries, last physical results, and all recent planetary travel. A pair of overhead lamps were activated, thereby brightly illuminating the area beneath it, namely the patient, while trays and cabinets containing various laser tools intended for precise, accurate incisions, as well as injection needles, drip bags, scissors, scalpels, and bandages were wheeled close.

A team of three medical droids entered quickly and began performing a series of small independent tasks, one a bioscan to determine if any foreign parasites were present, another to create a digital 3D map capable of notating the extent of the bleeding, broken or fractured bones, and a third droid which was busy recording all of the actions of each of the doctors via holo for future reference and documentation archival. Immediately the lead surgeon cleared for another sudden jolt of current, eliciting a slight contraction of the girl's muscles in a simultaneous jerk. The man looked down at the girl, helplessly at the mercy of this man and his team of experts, then back to the monitor. "Come on Kayleigh, you can do this. Come on!" A few compressions and breaths later yielded no results, and the monitor remained stagnant. "Administer an intracardiac injection, now!" No time was wasted as the order was immediately adhered to. A fresh stream of heart-racing inducing liquid was injected directly to the woman's heart through the use of a larger than average spinal needle.

Following the shot another shock promptly followed, and the team looked once more to the monitor, the surgeon whispered quietly, "Come on....Come on..."​

​

[member="Fixx Kearney"] | [member="Felicity Vorana"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Fixx leant on the hangar wall outside of where the medical teams had rushed through with Kayleigh. Outside, operations resumed as normal. Transports docked, fighters took off. A well-oiled machine riddled with corruption. Who was watching them – pilots, technicians, captains, droids?

He looked at the com in his dirty hands, and activated the signal, hesitantly bringing it up.

"Vorana this is Kearney. Find the one responsible for this before I do. I’ll see you when I know what’s happening here."

That was all he had the desire to say right now.

[member="Kayleigh Tyven"] | [member="Felicity Vorana"]

 

[Mariya Pyne]

​

A faint glimmer of hope would blip the monitor on the screen. Another pass, and another small blip. A third and an ever so slightly stronger ping on the monitor would indicate that her body was trying. It was fighting. Though it was tired, and weak, it was there. A swath of needles and drips were immediately introduced to her bloodstream, including anesthesia to ensure that Kayleigh remained unconscious during the emergency surgical procedure.

Without hesitation the surgeons and their aides, including droids, began the work of sealing off the damaged arteries and veins in her body. A long, 9 hour surgery would be undertaken in efforts to save the admiral’s life. Work would need to be done to set the broken bones suffered in the immediate impact of the crash, as well as perform a number of further blood transfusions to replace the near fatal amount lost.

A heavy dosage of sedatives and pain medication would be administered on a constant, timed dosage directly through IV. Finally, after the longest night of the girl’s life, the doctors and droids cleared out, bringing her from the operating room down two corridors and into the ICU ward of the medical bay. Here she would receive 24/7 care and observation. While she was not out of the woods just yet, she was out of the maw of hell at the very least.

One of the doctors would page Fixx to let him know she had at least survived the surgery.

[member="Fixx Kearney"] | [member="Felicity Vorana"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Sleeping without actually sleeping was confusing to everyone else, but to Fixx it made sense. He would sleep to try and naturally detoxify himself, let out the stress of the day and to refuel his body. But as soon as he would wake, he would be on the move and not let drowsiness hold him back – he would sleep because it was something the body forced him to do, and as soon as he could get back into action he would be there.

However for the first time, the vibrations of the com on his wrist woke him on the bunk of the frigate he was still on. There was no confusion as to where he was or what was happening, and to hear that Kayleigh was out of surgery was enough to get him out of the bunk and down the turbolift towards the med bay at once.

A fresh layer of stubble coated his face, still grazed but cleaner from having nothing to do while she was operated on other than take time to clean himself up.

Keeping his black clothes on, holster still on his chest, he still looked the shadow operative he was born to be, but coming slowly into the ICU war amongst the clean cut doctors, nurses and chrome medical droids, he stuck out like a sore thumb in a world he had sent many people to in the line of duty…but, now he had Kayleigh to add to that list.

He provided his identification and took part in the mild decontamination ritual all visitors had to do; wash the hands and be sprayed with a fine gel that would prevent the spread of basic germs. Fixx walked towards the bed Kayleigh was in, bandaged up and hooked to two drips and a monitor.

A small gasp left his mouth and he inhaled sharply, seeing first-hand the result of a what a corrupt unit had done, with him as the wrecking ball and Kayleigh as the stronghold he had smashed down.

Swallowing his anger, he slowly sat down in the soft blue chair beside her bed and cast his eye over her body. It was angelic, with soft white, blue and green colours on the sheets and walls to give it a clinical, but peaceful look. Beeps, hydraulics and other noises gently filled the air. Her breathing was soft and steady. She looked…at peace.

Fixx reached out and placed his hand gently on the back of hers, resting by her side on top of the sheet as he body was tucked safely under, and he held it there.

He wanted to speak, but there were no words. He just wanted to touch her hand and let her know he was there.

[member="Kayleigh Tyven"] | [member="Felicity Vorana"]

 

[Mariya Pyne]

A few hours would pass, which slowly turned into a day and a half. The blonde admiral's vitals were constantly under surveillance by the administrative and nursing staff, with a number of blood samples being taken throughout the course of the day and evening. Every thirty minutes would cue a rotation, where the nurses on staff would visit each patient, observe their charts, take blood pressure, view heart rate history for the past thirty minutes, check to see if their patients required any adjusting of medication, position, or if their family and loved ones needed anything.

Each time one of the nurses passed by Fixx, they would smile and ask if he needed anything, a pillow, a blanket, something to eat or drink. A doctor would step in to the room later in the evening to speak quietly with Fixx. "We'll need to keep her in the ICU until she is both conscious and stable for 48 hours. After which she will be moved to her own private room for another 72 hours and then released. She will need constant observing and assistance for the first week. She will be further restricted to light exercise and absolutely no heavy lifting for three weeks while her body heals. Do you have a name of a family member or friend that will be taking over care once she is discharged?"

[member="Fixx Kearney"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

It was hard enough for Fixx to leave the frigate when called away by special operative Mark Crassis, but when the doctors refused him entry until he had taken time away to refresh himself, being no good to anyone in his state, he had no real choice. May as well let those upstairs know just how things were on the frontline.

Another day passed, and back by her side seeing little improvement, the doctors at least remained optimistic and assured the agent things were looking better at this moment. Fixx stood at the foot of her bed with her doctor, arms crossed as he listened.

"Just do what you need to do, and ensure her well-being. She’s one of the best Admirals in the fleet, and the most decent person who would lay down her life to protect everything you work for. This isn’t how she should go."

Glancing to her as the doctor fronted the question of care, there was only one person he knew who was the closest to family she probably had, even if she didn’t want it.

"I’ll take care of her when she is released."

It was the very least he could do to start the healing process. For both of them.

[member="Kayleigh Tyven"]

 

[Mariya Pyne]

"Very well, Mr. Kearney." The doctor would make a few notes on the datapad before turning and exiting the ICU room. A number of hours would continue to pass before a soft stir would alert Fixx to her semi-consciousness. An incomprehensible noise or two made its way from within the confines of her throat and echoed in the quiet room, surrounded by only a few beeps and boops of the medical equipment. Another shift or two in her body would find her laying on her side for only a minute or two.

More minutes continued to pass by, and she remained quiet and unmoving once more. That is, until one of the nurses stopped back in and noticed that her body was laying atop one of the IV hoses, preventing the drugs from properly tunneling into her bloodstream. A quick shift of her back and she was once again facing the ceiling. The nurse smiled warmly to Fixx before once again departing.

Another hour or so would run its' course, until finally the blonde's eyes snapped open, a frightened gasp of air and a half-scream accompanied it immediately afterwards. She had been out for days now, and seemingly trapped within her own mind, blacking out in between varying dreams and states of being that she wasn't coherent or able to focus, another gasp of air and scream, her eyes wide as she scanned the room over and over, unsure of what she was seeing, feeling, or what was going on.

[member="Fixx Kearney"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Leaning on his elbows, Fixx chewed his lips and toyed with his fingers and he watched the floor, losing himself staring at nothing while he waited for a few minutes more. It was routine – wait, leave, refresh, sleep, return, wait, leave, eat…a cycle that was getting stagnant.

It was hard enough seeing a flicker of life in Kayleigh, but that was due to simply her IV being blocked. After that was adjusted she was gone again.

He must have dozed off, because the movement from Kayleigh and her gasp woke up, and he was laying back in the chair. Immediately he was alert, and darted up to her beside, hand reaching for hers – doing anything to calm her.

"Kayleigh?"

Fixx leaned and hit the call button which would attract the nurse station immediately.

"NURSE!" A sharp call from him sounded out.

His hands cupped hers and gently tried to calm her before the medics arrive. This had to be a good sign!

[member="Kayleigh Tyven"]

 

[Mariya Pyne]

A team of nurses rushed into the room as Kayleigh flailed about in a wild panic. The sensory overload was too much, and she was experiencing a mixture of panic induced from recognizing that she was now in fact, awake, and terror of what had happened since becoming trapped within the confines of her own mind for who knows how long. As the nurses swarmed her, this served to only panic her more, screaming as they attempted to subdue and calm her. As they pressed her back and into a laying position, the other stepped behind Fixx and, with Kayleigh's arm restrained, injected a sedative immediately and directly into her bloodstream.

A few moments of resistance would pass before she began to calm, her urge to fight back diminished. Her lips trembled a bit, and she looked over and around the room, her eyes locking on to Fixx's while her mouth draped open to speak, but in the next instant she was gone again, lost to the effects of the sedation, her arms falling to the embrace of wherever they landed. As the nurses exited one turned back to Fixx to give some bit of reassurance. "This happens sometimes...Nothing to worry about."

[member="Fixx Kearney"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Yet again, Fixx took two steps back both literally and physically – he moved to let the nurses in, and also at the chance of progress taken away from Kayleigh coming too as she was put back under sedation. The first hurdle was over, for now, but she had plenty more to face.

The next time she woke would be another test of her mental and physical strength to understand where she was and what condition she was in.

"Thank you,” Fixx said to the nurse as she left, not breaking his gaze from Kayleigh.

Rubbing his hands together, he exhaled loudly and sat down, watching the holo-vid in the corner of the room reporting on the local news channel. It was a distraction, anyway, while he did what he did best. Wait.

[member="Kayleigh Tyven"]

 

[Mariya Pyne]

Aside from a number of emergency alarms indicating patients needing immediate attention, or the sound of ECG machines and compressors occasionally sounding off, the ICU was relatively quiet. No new patients had been admitted, and several others were discharged throughout the course of the day. It seemed to be relatively easy going thus far. Kayleigh made few movements during the day, after the sedatives had kicked in and sent her back to rest. Just as before, nurses would stop in once in thirty minute intervals, noting her vitals and checking on her before exiting again.

Later that evening the girl would twist her body ever so slightly, as if she were still unconscious, though her eyes would open slowly before blinking a couple of times, looking directly at Fixx. And though she spoke not a single word, her eyes would remain trained on him until he noticed her. A small smile dancing across her cheeks as she watched him, even if she were still a bit too tired to say anything. She had many questions, but at the moment, being awake and looking at him was enough for her.

[member="Fixx Kearney"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Hard to think over the last few days of being away and involved with re-shuffling the MI branch of the Republic, Fixx was giving up hope. It was working; the armour was coming back up, the cold-hearted bastard was making his voice heard and didn’t care which foundations were rocked by it or who took offence.

There was so much to do, and right now Fixx had to try and keep busy and keep a sliver of dignity to do it all for Kayleigh. He was missing her smile, her voice, her touch – but who was he to mope? It was his fault she was laying in a vegetative state and his fault alone.

So it came as rather a nice surprise when he came by before cutting back to 4 times a week, when she opened her eyes…and smiled.

It was a small smile, but it lit up the room and Fixx lowered his head, feeling the emotion bubble up and moisten his eyes with tears. Humanity was so robotic and rigid in the Republic, seeing her natural smile reminded him that she was alive and well and still fighting. Brushing back a lone tear with his hands, rubbing his face, Fixx slowly rose from his chair and moved forward to her bedside.

Not with urgency, but with some fear and hesitation, as if not to disturb or frighten a small animal. He didn’t want to worry her, to scare her – for memories to come flooding back, because who knew what state she was in right now. But she was looking at him, and smiling softly. Small steps.

Crouching down, he smiled and gently placed his hand on hers atop the bed sheet.

"I love you.”

[member="Kayleigh Tyven"]

 

[Mariya Pyne]

Her jaws separated into a heavy yawn as Fixx sat beside her, returning once again to a smiling face when he said those three words, only this time her smile was brighter, small glimpses of her teeth peeking through. Her eyes were still rather heavy, but she kept fighting the urge to fall back asleep. The desire to see the world as it were, rather than within her subconscious was enough motivation to fight the tiresome call of rest.

Her hand twisted underneath his and she squeezed his gently, with words flowing like a soft whisper in turn. "I love you too."

Laying back she wriggled her body slightly to adjust her positioning to something relatively comfortable, and though she was connected to an incalculable number of IVs and monitors, she managed alright. She remained exactly as she were for a long series of minutes, silence broken only by further yawns before managing to formulate something relative to what she wanted to ask. "Where am I? And what happened?"

[member="Fixx Kearney"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Shifting on his feet, slowly drawing small circles around the palm of the small hand under his, Fixx just watched her. Smiling and just being there was enough until she wanted to speak, she was awake – she was alive! That was enough, and he just wanted to see her, every little movement, every little sparkle in her eye. When she did speak, it was hoarse and broken, but he knew what she said.

"We were in an accident but you’re safe now in the medbay with the Republic fleet over Attahox. You’ve been here for quite a while young lady. We’ve been worried.”

Carefully choosing his words, he didn’t want to scare her or bring back any memories she may want to forget.

He stood slowly and leaned over and kissed her on the forehead, a long gentle kiss that allowed him to feel, taste and smell her. The little flickers of the senses that he had missed, all alive once more as his lips met her brow.

"Do you remember what happened, any memories?”

Fixx had to ask, for his sake but also hers to gauge how her mental activity was functioning.

"Please don’t talk if it hurts, it’s ok.”

[member="Kayleigh Tyven"]

 

[Mariya Pyne]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yX_22YOfFB4​

Kayleigh thought for a few minutes, recalling the memories in order was difficult, especially trying to sort the memories from her dreams and nightmares during the time she spent unconscious.

"I..." Quiet breaths of frustration would pause her words intermittently as she spoke. "I remember walking out to a ship with you..." Her free hand raised and rubbed her eyes, trying to put things into place in order. "We had been in the air. You were asking me questions...Something happened...I don't remember what really...I just know that I shifted my seat because we were going down. Did we get shot down? No...My recollection is iffy at this point. I recall bracing for an impact, and then I remember laying on the ground. I don't remember much else."

Her hand squeezed with a little more pressure against his. "I know that I was angry...With you...I remember telling you I was sorry. I meant it, but I didn't want that to be the last thing I ever said to you. I'm happy that I get another chance."

Shuffling again she winced slightly, the painkillers were in full effect, but broken bones were broken bones, and she would still be sore for some time. Holding back the nightmarish reliving of her past she decided to end her monologue and let him talk, to fill in the blanks of what had happened, and what she had missed for the past few days.

[member="Fixx Kearney"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Trained to not give anything away in his physical appearance, Fixx found it hard to do so as Kayleigh recollected the events leading to her current situation. He couldn’t tell if she remembered everything or nothing. A tricky moment, and one that passed in silence as she stopped talking; her fragile voice still holding onto that positive, hopeful outlook.

"Don’t worry about that now. Once you’re better, I’ll fill you in more, tell you everything. It doesn’t matter now anyway – you’re safe, and you’re here and that is most important.”

With a gently squeeze, he smiled and nodded to her.

”To be honest you’ve not missed too much, at least not that I’m aware. The fleet has moved around here and there, but I’ve been involved with possibly helping re-build the Intelligence Unit. God knows we need to after this whole mess. We’re two steps behind when we should be three steps ahead. Hell, even one step would be nice.”

Reaching to brush a lock of hair back from the side of her head, he trailed his fingers down her arm, skirting the IV line and back to her hand.

"Pretty boring really if you ask me. However I have put myself down to look after you once they let you go. You’re going to need 24 hour care for the first week or so I imagine.”

Nothing her shuffling for comfort, and swallowing frequently, Fixx was ready to help her if she was going to be sick. He thumbed the call button on the pad by the side of her bed.

"Here,” he brought a fresh tumbler of water from her side unit to hold up to her, “have a sip of this if you can. I’ve called a Nurse. You’ll be alright now Kayleigh, I promise.”

[member="Kayleigh Tyven"]

 

[Mariya Pyne]

Her head laid back against the soft plush pillow underneath her, looking back up to the ceiling of the room she was in while Fixx reassured her, holding her hand. She nodded as he explained what he had been up to during the interim. "It's good that you're involved. We've been ill prepared for far too long. We need to get out in front of these threats before we're crushed beneath them."

She took in a deep breath and sighed as her eyes turned and focused back on Fixx. "Thank you, you didn't have to offer to look after me though. That was sweet of you."

Kayleigh lifted up as he brought the water towards her and took a few big gulps, the cool liquid felt incredible in her dry mouth, the first thing she had drank in some time that was not directly injected into her body. One would think she might be drowning herself by the amount of water she forced down before tilting back and gesturing it away with a satisfied groan.

As the nurses entered they remarked that she was now awake and quickly checked her vitals on the monitoring machines before smiling at the two. "It's nice to see you awake, Miss Tyven. You've been out for quite some time, but you've been a delightful patient! And your friend here has been here to watch over you constantly. I will go and call for the doctor."

Kayleigh nodded and smiled to the nurse as she turned to exit.

[member="Fixx Kearney"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

"This isn’t your problem – don’t worry, you need to focus on getting better and then getting back to active service. God knows they need you.”

Toying with her small fingers under his own, Fixx looked nothing but her soft flesh, broken by the IV in her hand.

"And I do need to look after you – I put you in here, and I’ll never forgive myself.”

Thankfully the nurses came to break his train of thought, and he stood and moved back for her to carry out obs. Glancing at her monitor, Fixx noticed there was more activity now; more strong pulses, higher blood pressure readings – good signs. He folded his arms and smiled at the two nurses who left, and stood beside Kayleigh.

"Is there anything I can do for you – I mean, hopefully this is the start of the end of you being here, but if you need anyone getting in touch with, or whatever, just tell me.”

He couldn’t help thinking…somehow….she would be better off without him. She had been hurt to an inch of losing her life because of his actions and his job. This wasn’t something she should have to g through again. The butterflies started to dance gently around his stomach.

[member="Kayleigh Tyven"]

 

[Mariya Pyne]

Kayleigh nodded to Fixx. "I am sure everything is operating fine without me. Those under me are well capable men and women. I trust my Grand Admiral."

Her eyes focused on his hand while her fingers intertwined with his, and she smiled warmly as she listened to him blaming himself. "Things happen. If I can forgive you, you should forgive yourself. I love you, Fixx."

Once the nurses finished their notations and checking her charts they filed out, but stopped and asked if either Fixx or Kayleigh needed anything right then. The girl shook her head and then addressed Fixx again. "I haven't got anyone to contact, really..." That was the moment she realized she was truly alone in the galaxy. Short of Fixx, she had few, if any, close friends, and her family was gone. Wow. That was a hit to the emotions. She forced back the onset of feelings before she spoke. "You're all I have. And that's enough for me."

[member="Fixx Kearney"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Fixx looked to the door. For what? Who knew, it was habit. Checking they weren’t being watched, or observed. Chances are, however, they were as they were in a hospital.

"There’s big changes coming, and I’m trying to get involved in making things right because the things that went wrong put you here. I put you here.”

He looked straight at her and shook his head gently.

"I nearly killed you. Me, because of the job. And can you tell me what makes a job worth more than the one you love? Because I can’t.”

With a sigh, he took her hand again gently in his and drew small circles on her skin. To be honest, she could take their relationship any direction now after openly admitting his part in this botched operation and he wouldn’t hold it against her.

"I just need to get you out of here, back to your home and back to where you belong with the Republic because they need you, just as much as I do. How do you feel in yourself?”

[member="Kayleigh Tyven"]