Trust

Hello everyone,

Sorry, I have not updated but have had so much going on including writing the last two chapters of this story. I understand many of your comments about the short chapters. That was for me to properly flush out the last few chapters which were more emotional and what I do not consider a strong writing point for me. That being said, I am currently writing the outline of the last chapter. I had to change it a few times to work better with the changes made to these last few chapters.

Thank you all for your patience and my apology for frustrating you with the long wait and short chapters. Have a good day and week.

~!~!~!~!

Storm walked through the sliding glass door and looked at Ayasha wearily. He was having a difficult time getting through to Salina, who hardly spoke with anyone and ate anything. Everyone was worried and he was at a loss of what else to do.

"Storm..." Ayasha said putting her purse on the kitchen counter.

"Ayasha, I can't do this right now. I have to get back to the hospital," he interrupted, closing the sliding glass door behind him.

"I know and I want to come with you," Ayasha pleaded.

"No. Please understand what..."

"Why are you doing this to me? Treating me as if I'm the enemy; the one who did this to you both?" she asked angrily, pain evident in her eyes. "What do you want me to understand, huh Storm? How do I understand you shutting me out of both your lives? How am I..."

"I'm not shutting you out," he snapped, taking a breath. "We're going through a..."

"Yes, you are. You're shutting out only me and I don't..."

Storm grabbed the cup with his coffee, turned and threw it against the wall. "Dammit Ayasha!" he yelled, "you can't always get your way." He was breathing heavily, the anger in his eyes, a coldness she'd never seen before, directed at her. "Not everyone gets to have the perfect fucking life like you do. Not everyone gets to have to the perfect family where life never fucking goes wrong. Some of us don't get that; I don't get that. I get hurt. The woman I love gets ripped apart. We get our hearts torn out. I don't get the one thing I've ever wanted with the only one I've ever wanted it with. We lose everything. We don't get the fucking happily ever after."

Storm grabbed his keys and left, slamming the door behind him as Ayasha looked on with tears running down her face.

~!~!~!~!

Helen looked at the ultrasound pictures again. There was definitely something wrong but she couldn't seem to put her finger on it. She needed Salina's medical file but Salina had listed no previous gynecologist or family doctor. Leaving her office, she went to Salina's room.

"I see you're still in bed," Helen said sitting in the chair by the bed, facing Salina. When Salina didn't answer or acknowledge she continued. "I need your medical record."

"Why?" asked Salina softly, still staring straight ahead. If the room wasn't so quiet, Helen would have missed her words.

"I'm your doctor and I should have them. Who is your doctor?"

"Dara will get then to you," Salina replied dejectedly.

"Dara? Why would she have them?"

Realizing Salina was not going to reply, Helen stood. She had only taken a few steps to the door before turning back to look at Salina.

"Salina, I will help you, with or without your help. Your choice."

When the door closed, Salina began to cry silently.

~!~!~!~!

"I overheard your conversation," Storm said to Helen as she exited the room. "I'll get it to you shortly."

"How do you have Salina's medical file?" Helen asked.

"It's a long story but I've seen the file. What's wrong with her? Please tell me Helen."

"Why do you...come to my office please."

"Not now. I want to check on her. I'll tell Dara to get it to you ASAP," Storm said before going into the room.

~!~!~!~!

Dara took a sip of her ice tea and placed the glass on the table. Sitting across from her was Madelyn. Both women were on the balcony of the townhouse Madelyn was staying. The view was beautiful but unable to hold Dara's attention. Her mind was on the request for Salina's medical file she had received earlier that day and the information on the now ex-officer Eastman, she had received yesterday.

"Are we assigning a bodyguard for her?" Madelyn asked quietly.

"Already done. They have been at the hospital from the moment I found out."

"Does Storm know?"

"I haven't told him and I don't know if he's noticed." Dara sighed and stretched her shoulders. "He's hurting badly and I don't know how much longer he can hold everything inside. Also, the request I received today for her medical file, has me worried. I have a feeling she is more ill than we previously thought."

"Helen asked for her medical file?" Madelyn asked taking a sip of her tea.

"Yes. Apparently, it's the real reason she has not been discharged."

"Has she started responding to anyone yet?"

"No. She's blaming herself for everything. This baby...this baby was more. Neither did everything they could to prevent a pregnancy, especially Storm who is always so meticulous."

"I wished we could get June," Madelyn mused.

"Yes, I agree," Dara agreed.

Both women looked at each other. "Is there every going to be a time when we will truly know Salina?" Madeline queried.

"I like that she's a mystery. I wonder who knows more about her, us or Storm?" Dara pondered.

"I think after this, he knows more. Do you think he'll let her in?"

"I think he already has. He feels safe and she's someone he can trust. She doesn't want his money," Dara responded.

"Do you think he'll hurt Eastman?"

"Yes. If given the opportunity, he'll hurt Eastman and badly which is why I need the PI to get to him first. I don't want this tainting him. For all our sakes, I hope someone finds him before Storm. I'm glad he's occupied with Salina getting better."

After a few minutes of silence, Madelyn spoke. "When are you going to retire?"

"When are we both going to retire? Is there anyone who can do what we do?" Dara smirked.

Madelyn sighed and took another sip of her tea. "Our job is difficult but at least it's for people we actually like and care about."

~!~!~!~!

The following day...

Salina was coming from the bathroom when her room door opened and in walked the nurse. "It's good to see you moving about. Do you want to go outside today? It's a beautiful day."

"Please tell Dr. Armstrong I would like to be discharged today," Salina said softly.

"I already know the answer to that question but you can ask her when you see her next. I would advise you to begin going outside. You'll feel better."

The nurse checked her vitals as Salina looked around the room. It was a private suite on a high security floor. The nurses who worked on that floor only attended the patients there. Even the meals were prepared by a gourmet chef.

She looked at Storm's things and knew that no matter how much she loved him, she had to let him go. He was a good man and didn't deserve the pain and danger being around her would bring to both him and his family. But she missed him now as she remembered how he would hold her when she was crying. Many times she had woken up to his large, warm arms wrapped around her, holding her close to him.

Then she thought about Tracey. This had happened to Tracey because of her. She had requested Dara and Madelyn to have Tracey moved to a secure, private room with a guard. All her medical bills where taken care of including a plastic surgeon and private physical therapy.

Yes, the best way for her to keep everyone safe was to leave. She would begin by going outside.

~!~!~!~!

Everything was bright, almost too bright, Salina thought as she turned her face up to the sun. It was warm against her skin and she closed her eyes and allowed herself to absorb some of it's amazing energy. She felt another presence but didn't open her eyes to acknowledge the person. After a long time, she finally opened her eyes and looked at Ayasha sitting next to her.

"Hi," Ayasha said softly.

Salina looked at her for a moment before replying. "Hi."

Salina looked away and it was a few minutes later before Ayasha spoke again. "Do you want me to leave?"

After a long pause, Salina replied. "No."

It was almost thirty minutes or more before Salina stood up. "Are you okay?" Ayasha asked.

"Yes, I'm going back to my room. Thank you for stopping by..."

"I'll come back with you, if you don't mind. I just want to know that you made it back okay. Are you hungry?"

"No and you don't have to."

Back in her room, Salina sat on the bed and faced the window. Suddenly Salina covered her face with her hands and began to cry. Ayasha sat by her and wrapped her arms around her, soothingly.

"I feel so trapped. Nothing I do is right..."

"Oh Salina, please don't say that. You didn't do anything wrong. You...you lost so much. I can't imagine the pain you're in right now, but please don't shut us out. We love you. We all want to be here for you and Storm. Please don't shut us out, please," Ayasha pleaded. "Cry Salina, we're here with you, always."

~!~!~!~!

Storm was frantic. Salina was not in her room and nurses didn't see when she left. They checked the security camera but only saw that she went into the elevator. He had just returned from the security office and was shocked to find Ayasha sitting on the bed while Salina cried on her shoulder. His head dropped as relief and anger surged through him. Ayasha, the only person who had gotten Salina to show an emotion beyond silent tears and almost complete silence. He stood by the door watching for a while before leaving, giving them privacy.

About an hour later, Ayasha gently closed the door as she left the room. Storm stood and both he and Ayasha looked at each other for a moment before he turned and walked away.

Ayasha turned to their Aunt and Uncle, "She's resting," she assured them. "I think she maybe hungry when she wakes."

"Ayasha, what happened? Why did Storm..." Annetta tried to ask.

"It's nothing Aunt Annetta. He's stressed and upset. They're both going through so much and I want to help anyway I can. Let him be. I'm sure he was just worried about her."

"Okay," she said tentatively accepting her answer, "we'll stay until he returns."

~!~!~!~!

"It's lunch time," Mitch announced coming into her room. He took his lunch with Salina daily, keeping her up to date on the latest hospital gossip and what was happening in the lab. "Unfortunately, lunch today is snacks and I have good news. I now have a few hundred dollars saved up. It feels good to know that I won't stave if my next paycheck is late?" He pulled the chair up to the bed, sat and kept talking. "When you get out of here, we're going to dinner, just you and me to celebrate my new above zero savings account. And did I also mention I have about a hundred dollars in my checking account too? Yes, I am rolling in dough," he boasted pridefully. "So, anyway, I have a favor to ask. Do you feel like working with me on reports so I can catch up?"

Salina looked at him and then turned away sadly.

Mitch sighed, "Sal you can't keep doing this." He leaned back in the chair before leaning forward again. Extending his hands on his knees, he dropped his chin to his chest and released his breath loudly. Looking back at her, he pleaded, "God Sal, I can't imagine what you went through, still going through having to deal with something like this, but you can't just stop living. You can't just stop feeling. All of us are hurting just as much as you, seeing you in so much pain." When she didn't acknowledge anything he said, he stood. "I'm gonna go. Call me if you need anything."

~!~!~!~!

Helen read over the letter that was given to her, in one of the two envelopes that came by messenger. The letter instructed that she was only allowed to read the contents of the file in the second envelope. No copies or notes and she could never speak of the contents, not even with the patient. She had to sign the letter, agreeing to the terms before she would be allowed to see the contents of the file. She did and handed it back to the messenger. The messenger handed her the second envelope and took a few steps back, and it became apparent he would not be leaving her alone with the file. She opened the envelope and took out the file labeled, 'Medical File: Salina A. Carter'. 'Who was this girl and why so many secrets?' Helen wondered as she flipped the cover of the file.

Helen became more and more shocked as she read the file. Salina had had two major surgeries done to repair the damage done by a brutal beating and rape. A rape that she knew nothing about and Helen had now unknowingly agreed to keep this secret from her. 'Shit, what was Dara playing at?' she wondered, angrily. She had to find a way to help her. Help her and lie to her at the same time. Suddenly, cell phone beeped as her desk phone rang.

"Dr. Armstrong," Helen answered, "I'm on my way," she said hurriedly closing the file, putting it back into the envelope and shoving it at the messenger as she existed her office.

~!~!~!~!

Salina didn't know what woke her but she felt uncomfortable. The room looked the same except it was...empty. Storm wasn't there and she missed him. Maybe he stepped out for a few minutes and would be back soon, but as she looked at the bed he sometimes slept in, still perfectly made, she knew instinctively that he had not been there. She wanted him there but this was for the best, as his angry and anguished looks always cut her to the bone. Suddenly her abdomen began to cramp, similar to the ones she got when her period was bad. Telling herself she could tolerate the pain, she tried to make herself comfortable except she kept looking at the empty bed hoping Storm would materialize.

Turning on her side, she felt sticky and the smell of blood suffused the air. Then the pain in her lower abdomen increased. After a particular severe contraction, something expelled from her body. Hurriedly, she went to the bathroom but almost fainted as she suddenly felt lightheaded. With shaking hands, she cleaned herself as best she could but felt too weak to make it back to bed on her own. She had to call for help, but before she could the pain that infused her body made her feel as if she was being torn in half, and she screamed.

~!~!~!~!

"What happened?" Helen asked the nurse who was trying to hold Salina down. Blood seemed to be everywhere and Salina was crying hard.

"Don't know Dr. Armstrong. She just began screaming. When we came in, we saw the blood. She's bleeding vaginally."

"Give her a local. I need her sedated." Helen turned to Salina. "Salina, I'm going to give you a mild sedative. It will keep you calm so I can examine you. Can you describe the pain?"

"Cramping, tearing..." she cried.

"Good, just take deep breaths. This will be over soon."

The door opened, "Hey..." the word died on Collin's lips as he noticed the nurses and Helen working on Salina. He saw the sheet smeared with blood and rushed over. "Helen, what's going on? How can I help?"

"Leave, I've have this," Helen replied. "And keep everyone else out."

Collin nodded and went by the door. He trusted Helen but Salina was practically family and he wasn't leaving. He would do as she asked and keep everyone else out, especially Storm.

It was almost an hour later before Helen left Salina's side. She looked at the results of the ultrasound before looking back at the nurse.

"Schedule the OR for first thing in the morning. She is to have nothing to eat or drink until after the surgery."

"Yes, doctor," the nurse replied before leaving to do what she asked.

"Why does she need surgery?" Collin asked.

"Because I believe her body is fighting to heal."

"What?"

"If it's what I suspect, her body is fighting to heal. I'll know more when I get in there and see what's going on. Go home. Let Storm know."

"Let Storm know what?" Storm asked them both.

Both turned to him, and then he saw a nurse come out of the room with the bloody sheets. "What happened? Salina?" he yelled trying to push past them both.

"Storm! Storm! Wait!" Collin said holding him back.

Storm stopped. "What happened Collin?"

Collin looked at Helen. "I'm scheduling her for surgery first thing in the morning."

"Why? What's happening with her?"

"I don't know but I'm going to find out with the surgery. Do you know why she didn't see a doctor all these years?" she ask Storm.

"She was afraid. She's been through a lot."

Storm looked at the door wanting to be near her but wondering if she would want him there.

"Storm go home and rest. She's sedated and you need a proper night's sleep," Collin said.

"I can't walk away from her..."

"No one said you should. You need rest, proper rest and...you, you needs to heal also. Give yourself and her the time and space. Go home and sleep. I'll be here for the surgery."

"I need to check on her."

"I'll wait for you," Collin said and watched as he entered her room.

Storm closed the door quietly and walked over to the bed. Watching Salina sleep peacefully, he wondered if and when their lives would go back to the way it was. He doubt it would but didn't want to accept it. Seeing her open to Ayasha was a clear sign that she didn't trust him to protect her and their baby. He saw the disappointment in her eyes and wondered if there would ever be a time when it wouldn't be there. He had failed her in the most basic ways a man was suppose to protect the woman he loves and their family. But he still couldn't let her go because he his love for her was now an obsession.

He kiss her on the forehead and left the room.