Log: Baja/Brea/Gabe
Who: Baja, Brea, and Gabe (With an appearance by three very pushy girls) When: January 17th, Afternoon (3:30pm in NH, 12:30pm in CA) Where: Zener/Hospital in CA What: Accident. Phone calls. Rash Action. Warning: Very long. Sappy. And long. Did I mention that??
Excited could not even hold a candle to what Baja felt. She was going to get her license. Finally! After failing the test multiple times, the driving portion that was, she was going to pass this time. She just had a feeling. The test was scheduled for 12 pm. She and Brea had flown in the previous day after classes, arriving home close to dinner time. Despite the jet lag, she hadn't been able to sleep hardly at all. It was a big moment for her. Everyone in the house was sleeping when she woke Saturday morning, even though her twin had told her he wanted to come with her for the test. Baja didn't think it was necessary, he hadn't even needed to come back to Cali with her at all. But Brea had insisted, telling her she'd been there for his. It was too sweet. Especially since her parents had had to leave for business unexpectedly. Which meant only the housekeepers and staff would be around for their short stay.
Unfortunately, he wasn't awake when it came time for her to leave, so she'd left for the DMV without him. Leaving them a note, of course, explaining she hadn't wanted to wake him and she'd see him when she got back with a license. Baja was in the Driver's Ed car now, the first part of the test going smoothly thus far. Or at least it was to her. "Now. Merge off of the ramp, slowly, and onto the highway." The instructor's voice was calm, even though the tiny man didn't look at all relaxed. Which could've been because Baja was not the best driver. Not by a long shot, though she wasn't doing as bad as before. A fact that had her extremely pleased. "Sure!" she said, overexcited, which made him jump. Checking the mirror, she put on the signal, seeing no one coming. Sliding the car over, she wasn't prepared for what happened next. A car horn sounded, loud, from beside her as a truck chose that moment to switch lanes despite Baja merging. Panicked, she screamed, not having time to swerve or break. Not even the brake located with the instructor could stop the other car from slamming into them, causing the tiny teaching vehicle to spin into oncoming traffic facing the wrong way. Baja screamed again, a little dazed from the last hit, at the sight of a car coming straight for them unable to stop. And then everything was black.
~~~~~~~~~
Brea was still asleep when his phone went off. He glanced at the clock, surprised to see it was around 2:30. Sitting up, he looked around, wondering if Baja had missed her test. Spying the note on his phone, cleverly placed because his twin had known he'd check it first, he was relieved when he saw the message. Relieved and a bit upset with himself. He'd wanted to go with her so he could cheer her on as she'd done for him. With a sigh, he figured he'd just have to settle for taking her out somewhere when she got back.
The phone was still going off, but he didn't recognize the number. Yawning, he opened it, managing a sleepy greeting. His expression was bored and disoriented at first. That is until a few seconds into the conversation. Brea's eyes widened in horror, a lump forming in his stomach as the person on the other end spoke. The only words he heard were 'sister' and 'accident', and the rest blurred together as panic settled in. Throwing the phone down without even a goodbye, he rushed out of his room, before remembering he needed pants. Running back, he pulled on a pair, along with the first shirt he found, and picked the phone up just in case. He needed to get to the hospital. It was a wonder he didn't crash himself on the way over, and sooner than he'd thought possible he was standing in the room next to Baja's bed. Brea felt sick to his stomach as he looked at his twin. She was just lying so still, and the bruises and bandages made his heart twist in panic. The doctors spoke to him immediately, telling Brea what had happened. They went on to explain she had some minor injuries, but luckily nothing too serious. A concussion, a couple broken ribs, and a sprained wrist being among the worst. The rest of the damage consisted of severe cuts and bruises, and they were worried about internal bleeding which meant they'd need to observe her for a day or so. Even though she hadn't woken yet, they had assured Brea it wasn't a cause for concern. It was apparently normal with patients who experienced head trauma, and Baja would wake when she was ready.
Taking a deep breath once they'd gone, he stepped into the hall, not wanting to leave her. Despite his desire to glue himself to his twin, he knew he had an important call to make. He needed to call Gabe, as Brea knew his sister's boyfriend would want to know. Not to mention they wouldn't be returning at their previously discussed time, so he didn't want the other boy to worry. Yeah right. This phone call was a recipe for worry. Placing his head in his hands as he listened to the ring, he prepared himself for what he was going to say, hoping he could explain without Gabe going into a worried frenzy. It would be difficult, considering Brea himself was a mess.
Gabe had been pretty anxious about the time that Baja would be away, but he was excited for her to be getting her license. It was obvious this was a big deal to her and he didn’t want her concern or worry about leaving him at school effect her chances. So though part of him never wanted her to leave, he never let onto that in the week prior to her departure. When it came time to drop Baja and her brother off at the airport, Gabe made a good show of covering any anticipation he felt about her leaving, instead wishing her well and promising to see her as soon as she got back.
To fill his newly found alone time over the weekend Gabe had thrown himself into homework and studying for the exams. Which is exactly what he was doing when the phone on the desk next to him went off. He smiled as he glanced at the clock on the wall knowing that it was definitely past the time for when Baja’s driving test had been. Reaching over to pick up the phone he flipped it open fully expecting to see Baja’s number on the caller ID, but instead found it to be her brother's instead. Gabe pressed the talk button and brought the phone to his ear.
“Hey Brea…what’s up? Do we need to start clearing the roads of little children now?” Gabe smiled as he teased lightly about Baja’s driving ability.
"Hey. I-um. No," Brea managed rather lamely, not sure how to begin. His tone was not what it normally was. There was no lightness, no teasing, and his worry showed through. Something he was trying to keep in check. "I'm at Cedars-Sinai medical center. Something happened. An accident. Baja..." For a moment he was unable to continue, taking in a deep breath instead. He was so bad at this.
Gabe was smiling as he waited for Brea to answer…sure that the other boy’s statement would be just as teasing. His smile faltered though as Brea did finally speak, eventually slipping away completely. “What?” Gabe leaned forward in his chair, an action Brea couldn’t possibly see as his voice continued with an urgent tone to Brea’s concerned one. “What happened? Is she ok?” Brea had said accident and Baja, two words that Gabe never wanted to hear in a sentence together.
He was definitely not cut out for this sort of thing. The words weren't coming out right. Or maybe that was just because it was Brea's twin lying in a hospital bed only a few steps away. "I'm not sure what happened. It was during the test," he began, as the doctors hadn't had any insight to the details of the accident. "She's alright they think. They told me so at least." The fact that Baja wasn't awake worried him, and before Gabe could pick out the concern he decided to voice it. "She hasn't woken up yet, but they say it's normal. The injuries are minor..." He needed to take another breath or he was going to do something very un-manly. Like cry.
Gabe pushed his desk chair back and stood up, his face scrunching up with concern as Brea spoke and kind of filled Gabe in as to what happened. All rational thought was slipping away as his concern for Baja overrode everything else, everything Brea was saying swirling around in his head before it slid down to settle in his stomach like a heavy stone. Baja had been in an accident and was in the hospital and nobody was being forthcoming with proper answers. “They think? How can they just think she’s alright?” Gabe was doing his best not to get angry at the short answers from Brea, he knew this had to be 10 times harder for Brea to handle. Reaching up Gabe pinched the bridge of his nose before he started to move about his room collecting a few things.
"They say it's normal. She has a concussion and she'll wake up when she's ready." Brea could hear the tone in Gabe's voice and sighed. Even though the other boy couldn't see his face, he knew he could hear his discontent. It sounded like Gabe was moving around his room, which meant he was getting agitated. "There's no need to worry," he said, trying to make his tone sound convincing. Instead he was sure it just sounded tired and stressed.
Gabe almost snorted at Brea's statement that there was no need to worry, choosing instead to keep it silent as he paused at his desk to retrieve his wallet. He had been pacing as Brea talked, a sudden and impulsive plan forming in his head. “Well it’s too late for that now. This is me worried….” Gabe trailed off, flipping his wallet open he check the contents of it before he shoved it in to his back pocket and searched for his car keys.
Of course he was worried. Brea was crap with this. He was just making it sound worse. What was he supposed to say? "Just calm down. They told me she's fine," he insisted. He sounded like a broken record, but he didn't know what else to do. Brea wasn't a doctor, and he could only parrot back so much information.
“Sorry Brea…it’s so far past the point of calming down.” Gabe wasn’t mad at Brea for the lack of information, he knew the other boy was just as upset as he was and getting vague answers from the doctors wasn’t helping either of them. “My girlfriend….your sister is laid up in a hospital and I am stuck all the way here at school.” Gabe was not necessarily freaking out….and he most definitely was not getting mad at the situation.
Great. He was supposed to be making Gabe feel better, but Brea was just making it worse. And hearing mention of the fact that the other boy was stuck at school made him sigh. If it had been him then Brea knew he'd be feeling the same way. There just wasn't anything they could do. "I know she is. And I know you must feel like crap, especially since I suck at this. But there's nothing we can do about it." His own anger was evident now, not directed at Gabe of course, but Brea was trying to keep it in check as he listened to Gabe's question.
Gabe shook his head as he spun in his seat to click away at the keyboard on his computer as he talked to Brea. "Crap doesn't even touch the surface. And there is something I can do...and I am doing it." The sounds of his fingers on the keys as he typed away a quick email was audible over the phone.
"Is it just the concussion?" Gabe was sure it was much worse then Brea was leading on, but that he didn't want to say anything and possibly set Gabe off.
Now there was a loaded question if ever Brea had heard one. "Well, there are some other minor injuries. Bruises and whatnot." He didn't want to get into the sprained wrist or broken ribs. Or the fact that they wanted to keep her around in case she had any internal bleeding. That would definitely make Gabe even more worried, though he wasn't good at disguising his own concern.
Gabe settled back in to his desk chair as he dragged his shoes over towards him. He wasn’t sure where his impulsive action was going to take him, but Gabe couldn’t think of anything else at this point other then getting to Baja in the hospital. "You're not telling me everything Brea."
Busted. "Ok. She sprained a wrist. And they're keeping her here for observation in case there's any....internal bleeding." Brea's words trailed off at the last part, almost going quiet. Both because it was hard to say and because he was sure Gabe would get incredibly worried. "I don't know what else to say man, really, but just sit tight. I will call you with updates," he said, figuring he should stop sinking and try to stop the conversation before it spiraled any further.
Gabe slid his second shoe on and tied up the laces before he turned back to his computer and clicked away at a few things. He was going to drop everything and fly out to California the instant he got of the phone with Brea, to hell with the circumstances. He couldn't stand the thought of sitting back and leaving Baja there in the hospital. Yeah she had her brother, which was a good thing, but Gabe wanted to be there with her. He started to shake his head, an action Brea wouldn't see so he vocalized his dislike for the whole thing. "No...I can't sit here and wait for phone call updates." With the way Brea was dancing over everything Gabe was getting the feeling that Brea wasn't telling him everything, which just drove his desire to be there for himself.
"Whoa whoa. There's no reason to be hasty. She's fine," Brea spoke up quickly. There was no way Gabe could come here. It certainly wouldn't help, and in fact it might make things worse. So many people bustling around worrying weren't going to be good when she woke up. "There's nothing you can do here either. I'm keeping watch over her. She's not alone." It wasn't that Brea didn't want the other boy to be there for his sister, Brea actually found it quite endearing, but he just didn't think it would do any good.
Gabe did roll his eyes at Brea’s statement. “If she is fine then why wont you tell me everything?” Oh yeah, Gabe knew that Brea was leaving things out, but he wasn’t going to get mad at him for it. It wouldn’t do any good getting mad over the situation when there were much more important things at hand.
"I don't want to worry you. I mean, I just told you she was in a car accident. She hasn't woken up. What else do you want me to say to make you freak out?" Brea thought it was pretty reasonable. If Gabe heard every single nuance than he would get even more anxious. And since he was trying to convince him to stay put that wasn't exactly what he wanted to do.
“I told you already…it’s past the point of worrying. She was in an accident….and ok maybe you don’t want to tell me it all because you’re afraid I would get mad at you. But no matter the severity of her injuries that doesn’t take away from the fact that I feel helpless sitting here doing nothing.” Gabe was bound and determined to follow through with his plan whether Brea liked it or not, nothing Brea could say would sway his decision.
Brea sighed, getting up and beginning to pace. Gabe just wasn't listening. And while his words had logic, he still tried to sway him. He just didn't comprehend the need to fly all the way across the country. "I'm telling you, there's nothing you can do here," he repeated, struggling to keep his voice low. No use upsetting the hospital staff, and shouting was unnecessary.
“There may not be anything I can do…but I can be there.” Now that his shoes were tied Gabe finished up what he was doing on the computer before shutting it down. He had sent an e-mail off to the headmasters letting them know he was leaving for an emergency and that he would get in contact with them if he was going to be gone past the weekend. Once that was done he stood, pausing to scoop his coat up off the back of the chair. “I know you’d do a fine job keeping an eye on her Brea…….” Gabe trailed off swallowing down the lump in his throat before he continued. “I can’t not be there….”
"Listen. I can appreciate you wanting to come. It's definitely impressive, and I know how much it would mean to Baja," he said slowly, running his hands through his hair to show agitation. There was no way he was going to be able to pretend it wasn't bad. That Brea wasn't scared. "But you are just going to worry more if you're here. Plus, it's flying all the way across the country." There was no way Gabe could fly all the way over to Cali. If he saw Baja like she was, so lifeless and battered, it would make him feel as bad as Brea felt. "Promise you'll stay put??"
Gabe sighed heavily as he listened to Brea’s words. There was logic to them of course, but what he was feeling now defied all logic. His mind was set on what he was going to do and the wheels were already in motion. He was shaking his head as Brea spoke, ready to disagree with him no matter what he said to convince Gabe to stay. Gabe opened his mouth to speak…snapping it shut to rethink his words before he finally did say something. “Fine.” Gabe’s words where short and curt….to convey annoyance towards Brea. He never actually said he promised he would stay put though, and he most definitely was not doing that. Brea couldn’t stop him once he was already there.
Hearing the sigh, Brea nearly groaned, but kept himself in check. He understood that rational thought had flown out the window, but he was sticking to his guns. As Gabe replied, words rather curt and the annoyance apparent, he sighed again. He felt bad that the other boy was angry and upset, feeling helpless. But he was glad to hear the agreement, not noticing that Gabe hadn't mentioned an actual promise. "Good. Thank you. I will keep you updated. So just....try and stay calm. I'll have the phone on if you need to call," Brea said, taking care to explain things to Gabe before he snapped his phone shut and exhaled.
Unfortunately for Brea, Gabe wasn’t so good at listening once he set his mind to something. And his mind had been made up that he was going to California no matter what Brea had said. Gabe couldn't sit at school while Baja was off in a hospital, he needed to be there for her. Once the conversation had ended Gabe grabbed his coat and headed out the door. The e-mail had been sent to the headmasters explaining the situation and he knew getting to the airport and getting a ticket would be no issue. Thank you mother who insisted he carried the family credit card. He'd explain the charge to her later and deal with it all after he was sure Baja was ok.
The flight to Cali was an uneventful one filled with worry and concern, Gabe's stomach knotting and twisting as he thought of all the possibilities of what was wrong and why Brea hadn't been forthcoming with everything. Was it really all that bad that Brea couldn't speak of it? The seriousness of the situation had time to settle in during the flight, coming to a peak as he stepped out in to the warm California air and flagged down a taxi to take him to the hospital Brea had mentioned. Gabe settled into the back seat of the cab for the short ride, his mind swirling with all the possibilities of what he was about to walk into and just how mad Brea would be for being so obviously defied. Gabe realized...he didn't care. He didn't care if the school gave him detention for his rash actions, he didn't care if his mother yelled at him for hours about the expenses of his impulsive action, and he didn't care if Brea was angry at him for ignoring the promise that he didn't even make. All he cared about was getting to Baja and making sure she was ok.
The cab ride didn't give him much time to think, so before he knew it Gabe was walking in to the hospital. He stopped at the front desk to get the right room number before he made his way up the stairs, skipping the elevator because it would take too long, until he found himself walking down the hall towards the room that contained his damaged girlfriend.
It had been hours since Brea had hung up with Gabe, and he'd hoped he would be able to call and report that Baja had woken up by this point. Unfortunately, this was not the case, which had him near insanity. He just didn't understand why she wasn't awake if everything was alright. And the doctors didn't seem concerned at all. They just kept telling him it was normal and there was no need to worry. It made him wish he had the telepathy instead, since Brea wanted to pick their brains for everything they weren't saying. He didn't move from his spot next to her in the several hours since he'd been there, but after awhile there were certain things that couldn't be ignored. Like the need to go to the bathroom that was making him more than a little uncomfortable. Patting Baja's hand, he stood, figuring a quick bathroom trip wouldn't be too bad. He could be back in a few minutes.
Gabe was busy glancing at the numbers on the wall as he trailed down the hallway, his feet dragging a little as the concern of what he was walking into sat in the pit of his stomach. He was counting the numbers down for something to focus on as he made his way to Baja’s room and attempted to figure out what he was going to do.
Stepping out into the hall, he shuffled towards the bathroom, eyes down at first. Brea was tired. He'd spent half the day worrying, and the other half fighting his sister's friends out of the room. Sighing, he looked up, stopping dead in his tracks. Surprise passed over Brea's face as he took in the sight of a familiar figure. One he had definitely not expected to see. His mouth was slightly open, eyes wide. Was this for real? "What....I thought I told you to stay at school!" That was all Brea could manage, he was close to speechless. The guy had flown all the way across the country!
Gabe pulled up short as he came face to face with Brea, the surprised look on Brea’s face pulling a strained apologetic smile from Gabe. “I don’t listen very well.” And he didn’t, at least not when somebody he cared about was concerned. His actions were a surprise even to himself as he stood there now staring at Brea more than sure that the other boy was about to read him the riot act for what he was now doing.
"Obviously not," Brea snorted, shaking his head. Was he mad? Not really. More impressed than anything else. Was he a bit annoyed he hadn't been listened to when it concerned his sister? Maybe a little. He had enough on his plate without adding a worried boyfriend to the mix. His twin not waking up was the highest priority on his concerns list, but her overprotective friends didn't help either. At the thought, he peered around the hallway cautiously, relieved when he didn't see the three girls. The hospital staff had helped chase them away, mainly because visiting hours were close to being over. Only family, though since Gabe had flown all the way here Brea would convince them it was ok for the other boy to stay.
Gabe was a concerned boyfriend, but it wasn’t like he was going to be hovering around Brea, and hopefully not adding to the stress of the situation. “Sorry man. I couldn’t stay at school, even though you told me to.” Gabe was a bit relieved that Brea wasn't showing any anger, they didn't need to add that to their already high stress level. He watched curiously as Brea looked about the hall, a bit confused on the look that passed Brea's face.
Shaking his head, he sighed. There was no use lecturing him, or arguing. He was there and it was done. "Her room's right here. She still hasn't woken up but I need to go to the bathroom so I'll be right back." Brea shook his head again as he indicated the room beside him with a hand, clearly not knowing whether to laugh or thank Gabe for his obvious support. "If three girls try to wrestle their way in there, you're on your own," he added, a strained smile on his face. While it was amusing, it was also the truth. Brea moved past Gabe then, needing to go to the bathroom before he burst, and figuring a couple minutes alone with Baja was the least he could offer Gabe.
Gabe glanced over Brea's shoulder to Baja's room before his eyes settled back on the boy in front of him. He didn't like the idea that Baja hadn't woken up yet, settling more worry in his stomach that things were worse then either of them were aware of. Gabe nodded but paused as the curious and confused look returned to his face. "Wrestle their way in? Something I need to be worried about?" He did his best to slide a strained smile onto his face, hoping it would take some of the stress off of Brea. Gabe being there was mainly for Baja, but he could see where it would be helpful to her twin as well. He nodded again as Brea pushed past him, waiting for the boy to take a few steps away before the anticipation pushed him to move to Baja's door. He paused to look in, worried about what was awaiting him inside.
"That depends on your definition of worry. If you're worried they'll disturb Baja, then no there's no reason. If you're worried for your own safety, then yes," Brea explained as he started to move past Gabe. Oh yeah, the other boy was definitely in for it if the girls came back. "They're her three best friends. Since kindergarten. So...let's just say they've had a lot of time to perfect being protective of Baja." With a slight shrug, he kept going, making his way down the hall quickly. Hopefully his sister wouldn't wake up without him there, though Brea wouldn't mind if Gabe was the first to see her. As long as she woke up.
Brea's parting words were nonexsitant to Gabe as he paused at Baja's door, his eyes settling on the form of her body lying in the bed. All the concern he would have had about Brea's warning in regards to Baja's friends were pushed away as he stepped slowly in to the room. Gabe's heart climbed into his throat as he closed the distance between himself and Baja, his hand reached out tentatively to brush a few fingers across her hand as he took in Baja laying battered and bruised in front of him.
Baja was lying still, not moving save for the rise and fall of her chest as she breathed slowly and evenly. Her eyes were closed, though one would have a hard time figuring that out thanks to the swollen bruising around them. It looked like someone had punched her to give her two black eyes, and the bruising even spread down to her cheek a bit. Her lip was split in one place, and there was a bandage on her forehead from where she'd hit the windshield. Her arms had scrapes or bruises here and there, including a set of three that looked like scratch marks on her shoulder, and a white bandage was swathed over her left hand going down to her wrist. The blankets on the bed were pulled up over her, though all that would be left to see were more bruises and abrasions. With the exception of her midsection, which was carefully wrapped and hidden by the gown she'd been changed into. Machines beeped rhythmically in response to her heart, and she had the tell-tale tube in her nose despite not needing help to breath per se. All in all it was a pretty pathetic sight, and definitely a far cry from the way Baja usually was.
Baja looked horrible, there was no nice way of putting it. Her body was a mass of bruises and bandages. The whole image pulled at Gabe’s heart, filling him with an aching feeling as he wished he could pull Baja into his arms and make this all go away. Reaching over he dragged the chair Brea has been sitting in close to the bed so he could settle down in it. Once sitting Gabe slowly pulled Baja's undamaged hand in to his, leaning in to press his lips against her skin lightly. It was hard seeing her sitting there as lifeless as she was, the beeping of the heart monitor and the rise and fall of her chest the only sign that Baja was still with them. Gabe bit down on his bottom lip, fighting the very unmanly action that was threatening to spill forth. Gabe felt just as helpless looking upon her now as he did back at school, but at least now he could see everything for himself. He sat there, holding her hand and watching Baja breathe unknowingly taking up the task that Brea had left while he went to locate the restroom.
Being the sneaky and crafty, girls that they were, Baja's friends knew that it was only a matter of time before Brea left. After all, he'd have to eat or something at some point. Use the restroom. Whatever. Seeing him coming down the hallway in search of something now gave them a ray of hope. After the staff had ushered them out, they'd found an abandoned supply closet to hide in. One of them kept the door open a crack, keeping watch for either the coast to be clear or Brea to walk by. Luckily, the latter had happened first, giving them a ray of hope. "Let's go! Now now!" Blair whispered once he'd walked past, motioning for the other two to follow. They climbed out of the closet, checking left and right until they were sure no one had seen three girls spring from a supply closet. Once they were sure everything was clear, they hurried to Baja's room. Not running, but no casual pace either.
Gabe had been sitting there for a bit, attempting to figure out what would be the next step now that he was here. It was hard taking in the image of Baja in the bed, the sinking feeling in his chest growing as he watched her rest. Gabe was starting to feel why it was so hard for Brea to talk about everything over the phone, there was no way he could have done what Brea did and shared the horrible news with anybody. With her hand still in his Gabe brought it to his cheek and nuzzled just a little before he let out a sigh.
They entered the room rather quietly considering their urgency, all three stopping short when they caught sight of the boy attached to their friend's bed. Immediately, Alana stepped forward, fixing him with a suspicious glare. "Who the hell are you?" she demanded. Holding Baja's hand or not, this guy did not look familiar. He could be some skeezy pervert for all she knew. Blair eyed the newcomer with a smile, stepping up beside Lannie eagerly. "I'm not sure who he is, but can I keep him??"
Gabe was preoccupied, caught up in the moment so much that he wouldn't have even heard the girls come in had they made a noise. It wasn't until one spoke that his attention was ripped away from Baja on the bed in front of him. Gabe turned in his seat, his eyes settling on the three girls behind him and giving them a questioning look but not answering their questions. These girls must be the ones Brea had attempted to warn him about.
Hannah sighed as her two friends immediately stepped forward, responding in the ways she had come to know and love. The boy looked confused, which was to be expected. She herself didn't know who he was, but she was used to giving people the benefit of the doubt. The fact that he didn't answer seemed to agitate Lannie, while Blair took it as a invitation for her to move closer. She made her way across the room, stopping next to the chair and looking down at him with a smile. "If you're some kind of hospital candy striper, I think I feel a little sickness coming on myself," she said with a knowing smile. Hannah fought the urge to laugh, shaking her head at Blair. "Sugar, you'd better just tell us who you are. Before Lannie throws you out on that cute behind, or Blair decides to make herself comfortable in your lap." She was sure if he was in here, he knew Baja. And judging by the way he held her hand and sat near her it was a very personal kind of relationship.
His hand allowed Baja’s to slip away, settling her hand gently on the bed before he turned his attention to the advancing friends. Gabe stood from the chair, pulling up to his full height and trapped between the three girls and Baja’s bed, his eyes bouncing between the three. He resisted taking a step back from Blair who now stood next to him and was throwing everything into her flirtatious words. Gabe's eyes slid from Blair to the angry looking one he was assuming was Lannie before finally settled on Hannah as she asked for an introduction. "Since you asked oh so nicely." Gabe paused making sure his voice didn't carry the annoyance he was feeling right now. "I'm Gabe....Baja's boyfriend."
"Excuse me? We don't have to ask nicely. You're in our friend's room!" Lannie was clearly angry, but a calming hand from Hannah stopped her from saying anything else. Once Gabe answered them, she visibly deflated, looking a little sheepish. Hannah nodded, having figured it was something like that. "See what happens when you jump to conclusions, Lannie?" Hannah made a show of wagging her hand at the blonde girl as if she were reprimanding a child. Blair's expression went from flirty to crestfallen, and she instantly took a step back. "Well damn. There go my fantasies."
Gabe bit back a snide comment to the aggressive Lannie, it wouldn’t do any good getting in an argument right now. An argument that was pointless. He knew Baja’s friends were just being protective of their battered and bruised friend behind him. He was happy that Hannah was the voice of reason and stepped forward to stop Lannie before she said something she regretted, Gabe wasn't about to get angry but he wasn't going to be talked down to by somebody because she jumped to conclusions. He turned an apologetic eye to Blair's crestfallen look, a smile playing across his lips before he spoke and watched her step away. "Sorry to disappoint."
The girls didn't seem bothered by how big Gabe was, in fact they didn't even notice he had stood. Hannah instead moved over to the bed, instantly clucking around Baja like a mother hen. She didn't touch the other girl too much, only to shift the pillows and make sure the blankets were tucked just right. The other girls relaxed once they knew Gabe wasn't a threat, Blair settling in another empty seat, while Lannie eyed him every so often as she perched on Blair's knee. "So how did you get here so fast? Did you come with her for the test?" Hannah was the one speaking as she went about her work, not as effected by the look of her friend as Gabe or Brea seemed to be. She certainly didn't seem as panicked as Brea, that was for sure.
Gabe watched as the girls settled in around the room, choosing to ignore the looks Lannie was giving him as he turned a critical eye to the way Hannah bustled around Baja like a mother would dote on their child. He watched as she shifted the pillows and snuggled the blankets around Baja's battered and bruised body, the sinking pain in his chest sliding back as his eyes were turned back to her now. Gabe's thoughts were ripped away again as it took him a few moments to answer Hannah's question, his worried and pained eyes turning up to her.
"Oh...no. I stayed at school. Brea called me this afternoon. And I flew out." Gabe shrugged as if the gesture was no big thing, he hadn't put much thought in to it and just acted according to his feeling, and his feelings told him he needed to be here.
"Oh my God! That is so sweet!" Blair's squeal made Hannah jump, and if she'd been a less practiced girl she probably would've pulled a pillow out from behind Baja's head accidentally. Or hit something she shouldn't have. Luckily, she was used to the way Blair reacted to things, as was Lannie who didn't even move. She did cringe at the pitch of the noise coming directly behind her head, though. "You flew all the way over here from New Hampshire??? You're the cutest. I'm so upset she found you first," Blair continued, clearly finding the entire idea romantic. Lannie rolled her eyes, though if she were being honest it was an impressive gesture. She hadn't decided if she was going to trust him completely or not yet, which was typical.
Gabe cringed at the squeal from Blair, a confused look crossing over his face at her reaction. He didn't think of how other people would take his impulsive actions, that his gesture was very much a moving and sweet one. His eyes moved over all three girls before he settled back down in the chair next to Baja's bed. "Yeah....I did." Gabe was for no reason confused because in his book there was no other option. He shrugged a little as if it was nothing big, that somebody else would have done the same thing. Gabe didn't think the possibilities that his actions showed how much he cared for Baja, more then cared for that perhaps it was more then just a puppy love relationship.
Hannah studied Gabe's reaction to what Blair said, smiling a little as he seemed to think it was nothing big. Poor boy didn't have a clue as to what his own feelings were. "That's very thoughtful and sweet of you. You must really care a lot about Bee," she said gently, deciding it wasn't up to her to point it out. At least not come right out and tell him what it meant. That would be influencing him. Lannie shifted a little in Blair's lap, pleased that no more squealing seemed to be forthcoming. "How did you manage to convince Big Bad Brea that you could come? He kept us out all afternoon," she spoke up, ignoring the fact that Blair seemed to be trying to file her nails or something behind her. Typical.
“I didn’t.” A playful smirk played across Gabe’s lips as he turned to answer Lannie. “He told me to stay at school….I didn’t listen.” Gabe’s eyes turned back to Baja as he reached over and tenderly scooped her hand back in his. Gabe wanted nothing more to place a million gentle kisses on her hand and her cheeks to attempt to banish all the bruising. But the present company might not like that, not to mention he knew it wouldn't actually change anything. He didn't see the studying look that Hannah gave him, or what was behind it. The fact that he had done what he did, dropping everything possible and flying cross country into a situation where he had no clue what was going on was most definitely an extreme gesture of feeling. His next words were directed towards Hannah as it all started to sink in. "I do care about her....a lot."
Ok, now that Lannie could appreciate. "Oooh. Why didn't I think of that??" She was honestly wondering why she hadn't just shouldered Brea out of her way. It was probably thanks to years of having him looking after them and telling them what to do. "Of course he wouldn't stand up to him, Lan. Look how big he is," Blair spoke up, casting an appreciative glance at Gabe before she returned to whatever she was doing with her nails. She made a good point, though. Lannie could easily see why Brea hadn't put up a fight when the other boy had shown up despite his wishes. Or orders, depending on how he saw it.
Gabe smirked at the appreciative tone in Lannie's voice, his eyes pausing as Blair mentioned Gabe's size. Gabe could be a physically imposing person, but he never threw that around or attempted to bully people. He simply hadn't listened to Brea, choosing his own decision over what the other boy had suggested. Now had he gotten here and Brea try to send him home it might have been a completely different story.
"I can tell you do. It's really good that she found someone like you," Hannah spoke up, not missing the comment he directed her way. Nor did she miss the look on his face. It certainly looked like he was coming to some sort of epiphany, and she wasn't going to urge him along. She just wished Baja was awake to see it. "I'm sure once she wakes up she'll be glad to see you. She could use someone who cares about her...a lot." The last was said pointedly, but that was the only thing she was going to say on that. The other girls seemed oblivious, naturally, since Lannie was trying to wrestle whatever filing contraption Blair held out of her hands.
Gabe's attention moved back to Hannah on the other side of Baja's bed, giving Baja's hand a gentle squeeze as Hannah spoke. "No. I was lucky to find her." Gabe was in his own slow way coming around to something at least. He didn't think the word love should be so easily thrown around, especially considering how quickly their relationship had developed and how quickly it had become serious. But the more and more Gabe thought about it the more he realized Baja was becoming a very important part of his life. Gabe smiled at Hannah's observation about Baja's reaction wishing that it would come true and she would finally wake up.
"You win at the sweet card, darling," Blair spoke up loudly, though thankfully didn't squeal this time. It was just too adorable the things he kept saying and doing. Hannah chuckled, shaking her head at Blair as she watched Gabe discreetly. It was sweet the way he squeezed Baja's hand, and she found that she agreed with her friend in that respect. He certainly won at being romantic. "It sounds to me like you were both lucky," Hannah added with a gentle smile. She had a feeling the two went around and around on who was luckier. Something just told her that's how cute they were.
"She does have people who care about her." Gabe smiled sweetly as he looked over the three girls in the room with him. Gabe didn't even think of the possibility that Hannah might be talking about Baja's ex. "Or are you girls just here for the fun of it?" It was obvious Gabe's statement was a teasing one, he knew they where there because they cared about Baja as much as he did.
The three laughed in unison at his response, though Lannie seemed less amused than the other two. "I think Hannah was referring to my ass-" Lannie began, but was cut off abruptly by Hannah's reprimand of "Language!" Shaking her head, Lannie sighed and began again, "I think she was referring to my jerkface of an older brother. Who didn't deserve to be in the same room with Bee, let alone be her boyfriend." It was clear the blonde did not approve of her brother's actions, and in reality Lannie and Zack didn't really get along well. Ever.
Gabe resisted a sneer when the topic of Baja's ex had come up. It wouldn't do any good to dwell over what happened because had it not happened he never would have gotten to know Baja. Sure he knew her in passing at school but that was about it, until that night he came across her screaming at her boyfriend over the phone Gabe probably would have never known what he was missing. He gave Lannie an apologetic look as a playful smile danced across his lips. "I'm sorry you got stuck with him as a brother."
Before anyone could say anymore, a very familiar sound caught their attention. Brea stood just inside the doorway, clearing his throat rather pointedly. "Ladies. Such a surprise to see you here, as I was positive you'd gone home." He looked at each of them in turn, a stern expression on his face despite the amusement dancing behind his eyes. A chorus of groans sounded, but he merely held up a hand and it was quiet. "I don't think you want me to get the hospital staff again do you?" The three shook their heads, though none of them looked particularly pleased. "I thought not. So maybe you should say goodnight and you can come by tomorrow." Brea was struggling not to laugh, pleased when the girls got to their feet grudgingly and said their goodbyes to Gabe. They filed out sullenly, Lannie going so far as to push Brea a little with her shoulder as she passed. Once they were gone, he cracked a smile, shaking his head. "Way to wrestle them out." It was obvious he was teasing as he made his way to the chair Blair and Lannie had been occupying on the opposite side of Gabe.
Gabe raised an eyebrow at Brea, saying his goodbyes and waving to the girls before they begrudgingly filed out of the room; he smirked at the shoulder bump Lannie gave Brea as she brushed past. Gabe's eyes followed Brea across the room until he settled down in the chair. “Wrestle them out? It’s obvious I am not as manly as you and couldn’t possibly take those three down.” He shrugged a little as he watched Brea get comfortable in the stiff hospital chair.
"Me? Manly? Nah," he said with a laugh, settling himself in the chair as comfortably as possible. "I've just known them for so long they're like sisters to me. They've learned to listen, even though I'm not older than them." Brea had dealt with the girls his whole life, since they'd been practically glued together from the time they met until now. And since Zack wasn't exactly the nurturing or fun brother, that role fell to him. Even with his own friends to deal with, he always made time for the girls. It was hard not to.
“Plus….they were behaving….once they stopped giving me the whole interrogation.” Gabe snorted a laugh before his eyes trailed down to Baja nestled in the covers Hannah had worked so expertly in place.
A chuckle escaped Brea's lips at that, and he nodded his head. "I bet Lannie started that. She can be a bit...protective," he said, though that was clearly an understatement. "I certainly hope Blair didn't make you too uncomfortable." The girl still held out hope that Brea would see her as something other than a sister one day. Which was so not happening. Glancing over at Gabe, he saw the other boy's eyes trail down, and Brea instantly changed from a bit lighthearted to worried. The girls were good for a distraction, but ultimately the situation remained the same. Yawning, he leaned back a little bit, trying to keep his eyes open. "I might need some coffee," he said idly, fully intending on staying awake until she woke up.
He rolled his eyes at Brea's statements about Lannie and Blair. Oh yeah, Brea definitely knew these girls all too well since he hit their reactions right on the head.
"It wasn't anything I couldn't deal with....on both accounts." He laughed softly as his thumb feathered lightly across the top of Baja's hand.
"Oh I have no doubt. Though I'm sure Hannah helped calm things down a bit." Not that Gabe wasn't a calm individual. Brea was actually surprised at how well he handled certain situations. Sure, the boy was older than himself, but Brea had far less control over his temper. He would never lose it with the girls, but he certainly got frustrated.
Gabe just nodded, amused at the whole situation with the girls and how well behaved when they were around Brea. It certainly did seem like even if they didn't agree with Brea they respected him enough to listen. Now that the room was empty of the imposing force of Baja's friends, Gabe was finding it hard to focus on anything other then his battered and bruised girlfriend in front of him. The mood definitely changed in the room as they both watched Baja lying in the hospital bed. Gabe's eyes trailed up to Brea, and the worried expression he saw mirrored there, a small strained smile pulling across his lips as he watched Brea yawn. It wasn't until he was settled now in the chair, adrenaline from his impulsive action wearing off, did Gabe realize just how tired he was. "Coffee sounds like a very good idea." He responded with his own yawn.
It was way too quiet in the room now. Maybe they should turn on the TV or something. Brea yawned again, eyes drooping for a moment before he jerked them open. This was not starting off well. The feeling of amusement the girls had brought had faded completely. Watching his twin continue to lie there unresponsive was definitely starting to wear on him. "I can go see if they have any," he paused to yawn again, trying to ignore the sounds of the machines around them. He hated hospitals.
With another yawn Gabe released Baja's hand to bring his arms up over his head in a long drawn out stretch. The flight here with all the coiled tension and worry had done a number on his back. He wanted nothing more then to crawl in to the bed next to Baja and snuggle her close as he took a little nap. But Brea probably wouldn't like that too much, and the bed wasn't big enough for the two of them. Standard issue hospital beds weren't built for two people. Settling his hand back on Baja's Gabe nodded to Brea. "I'll stay here...don't worry I will come running for you the instant anything changes." Gabe watched as Brea dragged himself from the chair and eventually shuffled out of the room in search of something that would hopefully keep them both awake. Neither wanted to be the one gone when Baja woke up so he knew Brea would be back soon.
With a soft sigh, his hand wrapped around Baja's again, Gabe leaned forward and rested his arm on the bed. His chin came up to rest on his arm then as he watched Baja for any signs of change. Gabe's eyes grew heavy, the rhythmic beep of the heart monitor slowly lulling him deeper into a tired state until his head drooped to rest fully on his arm on the bed next to Baja as he slipped off to sleep.