It's been hours. Waiting was torture. I hate waiting. So I was immensely relieved when they called me back to join Tina in the emergency room.

"They're finished with the tests. The doctor would like to talk to you," the nurse who was leading me back to Tina informed me.

"Is there's a problem? Has she gained consciousness?"

"The doctor will answer all of your questions," she told me as she pulled back the curtain. Tina was still laying there with her eyes closed and beside her bed was her doctor.

"Mr. Bragin?"

"Yes, that's right."

"I was told you were the contact in regards to Tina's care?"

"Correct." I wish he'd just jump right to the point because my anxiety was hitting the roof.

"We obviously released her too soon but the development wasn't present before."

"Development?" I asked. I swallowed hard though my mouth went dry.

"Tina has fluid on the brain. It's what caused her disorientation and ultimately her fall."

"Is it why she's unconscious right now?"

"It could be related. Sometimes the body chooses to shut down in order to heal, but I can't say  for certain."

"So what now?" I sincerely hoped they had a plan.

"She has to undergo a procedure. We need to drain the fluid from her brain to relieve the pressure it is causing before it becomes a blockage."

"She has to go through brain surgery?!" I asked alarmed.

"I've talked with a specialist. She believes we should do and ETV - endoscopic third ventriculostomy, basically what that means is we aren't going to insert a shunt and tubing to drain the fluid instead we will be making a hole in the floor of the brain to allow the trapped fluid to escape to the brain's surface where it can be absorbed."

"Are there possible complications?" My body tingled, every nerve on edge, my skin was crawling. I just want this nightmare I walked into to end.

"Every surgery has that possibility, Mr. Bragin. We opted for this procedure over inserting a shunt as it puts her less at risk for infection, and has fewer possible side effects."

"Side effect?"

"We can't say for sure we'll know more once she comes to. But some side effects can occur. I just want you to be prepared."

"Okay," I said trying to prepare myself but not having a clue on how to make that happen.

"Since this, all occurred so quickly, I don't really expect there to be any issues. There is a chance, however, that Tina could experience nerve problems. Possible numbness down one side of her body, double vision, hormone imbalances. There is a small possibility she may become epileptic, but that is very rare."

A misguided laugh escaped my lips. "Is that all?"

The doctor's eyebrow rose in response. I'm gathering by his reaction, that he's under the impression I'm not taking him seriously.

"I'm sorry. I've had a lot to deal with these last few days and I didn't mean..." I backpedaled. 

"I need you to know all the risks and possible outcomes. It's not a guarantee. I honestly expect her to pull through this procedure just fine, but I'd be neglect in my duties if I didn't give you full disclosure."

"I understand," I said, sobering up so he knew I got how serious this was. I didn't bother to ask the obvious. Could she die? knowing all surgery comes with that risk.

"We'll get her prepped for surgery. Once she's ready they'll take her back. You can stay with her until then. There may be some members of my team who will drop by and introduce themselves to you and they may have some paperwork for you to sign."

I nodded that I understood. "When we take her back, a nurse will tell you where to wait. Either I or someone from my team will let you know how things are going. You will then be able to see Tina once she's in recovery."

"Okay."

"Do you have any questions?"

"How long does this procedure usually take?"

"About an hour," he told me.

"Thank you."

The doctor nodded and left me there with Tina. I pulled up a chair held her hand and prayed.

I met everyone who would be in the room when Tina was operated on. I knew she would be in good hands. They had her prepped and ready to go. I followed the nurses and the gurney outside of Emergency, into an elevator to the floor they would be performing the surgery, down a corridor and then we stopped.

"Okay this is where we part ways," one of the nurses said to me. "You'll make a right here and follow the hall down to the waiting room. One of us or the doctor will let you know when the procedure is over and she in recovery."

"Okay, thank you," I said. I gave Tina one last look, I didn't know what to do or say. So I opted for, "Please take care of her."

"We will," the nurse assured me, and off they went.

***

Cat could not believe Alex just left. Not that she expected him to stay behind but she was totally at a loss as to what to do next. Should she follow him? Should she stay here and wait?  She wasn't even sure her presence would be welcome. Cat wasn't used to Alex being mad at her. The only other time was when she thoughtlessly packed up his belongings and touched a nerve about his brother.

Liam startled her by touching her shoulder causing her to jump.

"What's going on?" He wanted to know. "Was that Alex climbing into that ambulance?"

"Something has happened to Tina," Cat replied watching the ambulance drive away.

"Tina? The girl we met when we were at the phone store? His assistant?"

"Yes, look it's complicated. I can't talk right now. I have to get to the hospital."

Liam stopped Cat from walking away. "Why do you keep running after this guy? You don't owe him anything. Okay, so he helped you out when you were upset with me but that doesn't mean he should get to treat you any way that he wants. I heard how he talked to you, Cat. You would never stand by and let me talk to you with such disrespect."

"Look Alex is dealing with a lot right now. He's not himself. I really have to go."

Again Cat went to walk away but this time Liam followed her.

"How much do you know about this girl?"

Cat stopped when she reached the door. She whirled on Liam. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"I mean, he and this girl seem awfully close for just a boss-employee relationship."

"What are you implying that there's something going on between the two of them?"

Liam's just shrugged at the possibility.

"You're dead wrong," Cat said, vehemently.

"How can you be so sure? Are you so willing to turn a blind eye? Why won't you see?"

"Because I know Alex," Cat affirmed, "and I know he would NEVER do that to me."

Liam scoffed at this. "You don't know this guy. You've known him just a few short months."

"I know him well enough," Cat said turning back to enter the house.

Liam grabbed hold of her arm again.

"Let go of me, Liam! I have to go. We can talk about your concerns later."

"So you're seriously going to put this guy that you just met ahead of everything else, even our baby?"

"Our baby is fine. I talked to Dr. Devereaux. I wouldn't do anything to put this baby at risk."

"Oh yeah! You're supposed to be relaxed, not stressing out. You don't look like your very relaxed."

"That's because YOU'RE stressing me out!" Cat raised her voice at him and knew that was the wrong move as it only fueled Liam's anger towards her. "The baby is fine. We will find out next week how things are going. Even if I get news I don't want to hear, hearing it now won't make it any easier and I want Alex with me."

"You want Alex with you? So that's it in a nutshell, right? You want Alex and to hell with me, my rights, what I want. It all about him and what he needs and what he wants. Well, I'm not okay just standing by and putting our child at risk, so you can cater to his whims."

"Cater to his whims?! Do you even hear yourself? You sound like an idiot. Which you are! Alex's father died, Liam. He has to bury him this weekend. His mother is sick, with Alheimerzers and is currently in the hospital. Tina was looking out for her and she got hurt tripped and fell hitting her head, she had a concussion and is now back in the hospital. He's not begging me to wait on him hand and foot like you would when you'd get a stupid head cold."

"Hey it was the flu," Liam defended lamely.

"Yeah, okay. I'm done here," Cat said pulling her arm free so she could get inside and shut the door.

Liam was furious that Cat slammed the door in his face. "Most unreasonable... infuriating. How does she not get I'm trying to help her?! That's it!" Liam stormed back to his car, grabbed a folder from under the seat, and stormed back up to the door to Alex's house. He pounded his fist on the door but no answer.

He growled.

Pounded again.

No answer.

He pulled out his phone and his call went straight to voice mail. Cat was almost going to make him enjoy this, even though up until now he's been sitting on this information not wanting to hurt her, but damn it she needed to know.

He left the folder on the matt. "You brought this on yourself, Cat," Liam mumbled, throwing his hands in the air in surrender and frustration. "Now she'll see first hand what she's really dealing with."

Cat gathered her things. She heard the pounding on the door but chose to ignore it. Hoping beyond hope Liam would just go away. There was no dealing with him when he was like that. When the pounding stopped she breathed a sigh of relief.

As she stepped out of the house to get to her car she nearly slipped on something on the ground. She saw under her foot a manilla folder.

"What the hell?!" Cat picked it up. Was Liam serving her with some sort of custody papers? Her heart began to race. She opened up the folder and what she saw caused her heart to plummet. The folder slipped from her fingers scattering around her feet, images of Alex and Tina together.

Her fingers covered her mouth to stifle to sob that wanted to escape. There, in full color, was Tina feeding Alex icecream. Kissing Alex while he stood by her car. That was the day Tina was with him at the phone store. Cat knew this by the clothes Tina and Alex wore. The very same day they reconciled. 

Then there was another picture... Tina in a silk nightie standing in the doorway of this house, looking all seductive in a glossy 8x10. How long has she been staying here? Cat knew she was helping to take care of his mother she didn't think that meant overnight.

Cat remembered how Tina had her arms around Alex when she came upon them in Aidan's room. How Tina jumped up quickly. How guilty Tina appeared. How she stumbled over her words when Cat asked, "What was going on?"

"No," Cat shook her head not wanting to believe the evidence that was strewn around her. "He wouldn't. I know he..." she stared at that picture of the kiss and picked it up. From the angle, it was taken it was obvious that Tina was kissing him but not so obvious if Alex was kissing her back. His hands were at his sides. They definitely were not in a passionate embrace. Cat just didn't know what to think of all this.

She bent down and scooped up the photos putting them back into the folder. Cat took the pictures with her to her car and tucked them under the passenger seat. She needed time to think. Alex needed her now, whatever those pictures were about she'd have to deal with it later.

It took some time for Cat to find the right route to the hospital not being familiar with the area. It took even longer to find out where Tina was in the hospital. Finally, she tracked down the room. The door was open. Cat was about to knock when she took in the sight of Alex sitting hunched over by Tina's side holding her hand.

Cat heard Alex whisper, "You've got to pull through this. Do you hear me? You have to. I don't think I could handle losing you too. Not now that I've found you."

Cat's heart broke into a million pieces. She was about to walk away but a nurse passed by her. "Do you need help?" she asked Cat. Alex looked up and their eyes met, and he smiled at her.

"No, I'm fine," Cat said. Whatever this was that was going on between Alex and Tina would have to wait. If Alex was cheating on her then she wanted to hear him say it, but now was not the time to confront him. Cat would keep the promise she made. She would see him through, but her heartfelt heavy as Alex closed the distance between them and gathered her into a hug.