RIVER

Last year, during Davion's first mission, he was shot in the back.

The bullet went through his right kidney and it had to be removed. However, Davion absolutely hated hospitals.

Dr. Archibald Lakey, has been fixing us up for the last twenty-seven years. Before him, it was his uncle, Seamus Lakey, who was best friends with my grandfather in college.

Dr. Lakey covers our butts in regards to the law and our suspicious bullet wounds. He's a life saver. Literally.

Caleb is currently practicing under him, while simultaneously going to college as a doctor. When the wound is simple and easily fixed, he manages it on his own. He's usually close by, and when the shooters are still out there, we generally aren't too fond of traveling to find the doctor.

Which is why Thia has not yet met the doctor.

Davion, on the other hand, was in pretty bad shape. Bleeding profusely, he was struggling to stay conscious. Obviously, he needed to go to the hospital.

Even half dead, he fought hard to get out of there. We were forced to strap him down and Doc quickly put him out.

It was ridiculous.

This time, I chose not to bring Thia to Dr. Lakey. Instead, I brought her to a doctor who is a renowned neurosurgeon. Her name is Dr. Holly Sinclair.

We had a thing once.

It was ages ago and I haven't thought of her romantically since. But I know first hand that she is an excellent doctor. She's the only one I would trust with Thee.

Presently, Thia is acting like Davion did when he was taken in.

"YOU GUYS HAVE SOME NERVE," she screams, whether she's addressing the hospital or myself, I don't know. Struggling violently in my arms, she tries to dodge the needle in the nurse's hand. "DON'T TOUCH ME, YOU UNEDUCATED HIPPY!"

As gently as I can, I pin her arms to her sides and wrap my legs around hers to keep her still. "Thia! She's only drawing your blood!"

She writhes stubbornly, desperate to avoid the poor nurse. "STOP! River! Let go!" The fear in her voice makes my gut drop.

What else am I supposed to do? This is for her own good! I need to know that she's okay!

Her body is trembling hard and she claws my arms frantically. "RIVER! DON'T LET HER DO IT!"

Her screams awaken something within me, but I crush it down, knowing that I cannot protect her from this. Instead, I try to soothe her.

Softly, I brush her hair away from her face and hold my hand on her damp forehead. Speaking gently, I cradle her firmly against my body, not letting her squirm, "Angel, shhh... It's okay, I won't let her hurt you."

When she opens her big blue eyes, they are filled with terror. Blind terror.

Acting as if she can't even hear me, she screams as loud as she can, sending ice down my spine.

Her trembling turns into violent shaking and she starts screaming louder. She isn't comprehending that the nurse has stopped trying to take her blood.

What happened to this girl to make her so afraid of needles? More so than she is of guns.

"Stop," she pleads, beginning to cry, "River!"

Shaken, I wave the nurse off and loosen my hold on the beautiful mess in my arms.

The nurse backs away, her eyes wide with concern.

With some wiggle room, Thia breaks her right arm free and swings her little fist into my throat.

Completely taken off guard, I gasp in pain and release her.

What the f***?! She packs a f***ing punch!

Trying to recover, I hold my throat and scramble off the little bed. Frantically, I chase after her as she sprints out of the room.

"THIA," I gasp, running down the hall, "Thia, come back!"

She only runs faster.

D*** it! She's faster than I realized! Where is this coming from?!

As she races ahead of me, her adorable little butt just jiggles...and d***, her legs look so f***ing hot.

Sh**, focus!

Ignoring the throb in my throat, I drop my hand and sprint after her.

"Thia! Wait! It's okay!"

No reply.

Sh**! I didn't realize how afraid she was of needles!

Gradually, I gain on her, until she's within arms reach.

Her breaths are choppy and panicked, squeezing my heart. "Stop," she wheezes, her voice terrified and full of tears.

"Thia," I implore, trying to break through to her, "You don't have to be afraid."

She releases a terrified sob that tears me apart inside, "I have to get out!"

Reaching out, I catch a hold of her arm and pull her to a stop.

Out of desperation, she brings her foot back and goes to kick me in the groin.

Before she can, I scoop her up into my arms and pin her to my chest. "Stop it," I growl, shaking her a little bit.

She inhales sharply, her blue eyes wide and shimmering with tears. With her plump pink lips in a little "O" shape, she seems to finally be broken out of her trance.

"Angel--"

Her face crumbles. Sobbing brokenly, she buries her face into my heaving chest. "Please! I can't stay here! Please!"

Bewildered by her behavior, I find my confidence in the situation cracking. What is going on?! Why is my baby acting this way?

A newfound fear awakens in me. What happened to this girl?

Suddenly, I'm wracked with a confusion of emotions. Fear. Anger. Guilt. Rage.

Settling on anger, I swiftly exit the hospital. My hands shake as I cradle my little woman's head to my shoulder.

"Okay, sweetheart. We're going."

I will get down to the bottom of this.