{Group, OPEN} So you had a bad day

[Liz]

The doctors had worked non-stop to get Liz stable. After some hours of doing tests and scans, she was finally ready to be admitted to a room. Liz still hadn't come back from a coma though. The doctors found that she had severe swelling in her brain and probably wouldn't wake up for another few days. Even if she did, they would keep her for probably much longer than that.They also found that she had a broken arm and other bones were really bruised. The doctors walked out to find Santiago and tell him the news. They found him sitting in a chair, looking still quite tired. She's stable now and you can go see her, but not for long. We're going to move her to an actual room soon. Once we get her there, we can tell you what's wrong and what not. The doctor walked back to all the other patients and got to work on them.

As Liz was laying there, motionless, she breathed slowly, the breathing tube helping her body maintain a steady air flow. The reality of things was scary, this could keep her injured for a while, or she could recover as quick as humanly possible. She didn't want to blame any of this freak accident on Santi, otherwise she'd feel bad and truly, she didn't want to have him pay, but if he felt he needed to, she'd let him...once she was better that is. Returning to reality, she lay quietly on the hospital bed and just stayed in a coma, her body recovering itself from the tragic ordeal.


(I'm done.

[Charlie Parker]

Santiago looked up as the doctor came out to tell him what was going on with the current situation. He nodded gratefully, not having anything to say in response. As the doctor left, he stood and started down the hall to where Liz was currently being held. He was almost afraid to see what had happened to her. It probably appeared to the doctors and whatnot that he was in a relationship with her, and, although he wasn't, he considered her a friend, and wasn't about to just stand aside while she was in the hospital on account of his horse.

When he got to the door, he stopped and hesitated a moment, his hand just above the door handle. The moment passed, and he entered the room. He paused again at the sight of her. All color was drained from her, and she lay almost completely motionless on the bed, aside from the rising and falling of her ribs as she breathed. He stepped forwards once more and moved slowly to her side. God, He whispered as he came up along side the bed. I'm so sorry about all of this. He felt terrible standing there looking at her while she lay in a comma. Just whatever you do, don't die on me.

Santiago was a generally caring person, especially when it came to people he knew well. Knowing that his horse had put her in a comma was killing him, and he hated it. He knew it wasn't his fault, but he couldn't help be feel terrible about it. After all, he'd been attacked by that horse many times and he wasn't lying in a hospital bed...it just didn't seem right that the first time she would meet that devil animal she would get put in a hospital.

[Liz]

You know how a lot of people say that even in a coma, talking to the person in it was good. Well, this certainly was the case with Liz. She could somehow hear a voice, she didn't remember exactly whose it was, but she figured it was someone close. She the person continued to talk, she just barely remembered that it was Santi. Inside, she was smiling, she didn't think he'd come, but was please that he did in fact come. Just whatever you do, don't die on me.. The words struck at her and as much as she wanted to reply, she was still in a coma, not able to wake up. Liz drifted out of thought and could still hear conversation, it just wasn't registering in her mind. Her mind started to play tricks and set her in a false world...her actions as vivid as if she were actually living them...

I walked methodically into the barn, smelling all of the normal smells of the barn and hearing Cherokee greet me. I headed to get his tack, tacked him up and rode. He was great today, I patted my almost nearly white hand against his bay neck, as I finished working him on the flat. I put him away and cleaned up as normal, giving him some treats before releasing him into the field. I had recently met Santi and started talking to him, his agressive horse in his hands. I talked to him for almost 15 minutes, before my life flashed before my eyes. Blackness consumed me and I was aware of nothing. Voices filled the air around me, Move away. Is she ok? What happened? I'm so sorry. none of which I was aware too. My life never seemed the same and I haven't seen anyone since.

Liz's mind jolted a bit and she was a little more aware of her surroundings. Her body was sweating a little bit and her temp. went up. It was the scariest thing she'd felt...in her life. She felt so lonely, so alone. She wished she could only wake up and none of this would've happened.

[lovasz]

Santiago closed his eyes in weariness, for a moment, then re-opened them and lifted his hand to her face to brush aside a piece of hair that had fallen across her eyes. As the tips of his fingers brushed across her forehead, she felt hot to the touch, which probably wasn't a good thing. He sighed and let his hand drift down to her hand where it lingered for a moment. I'm sorry I can't stay, He said softly, beginning to feel like he was a haze and moving in slow motion. He'd lost enough blood earlier that his body was just completely worn down to where he almost had no control over himself. The doctors need to move you, and I can't be in the way. That said, he stepped back from her, watching her still form for a moment before turning and walking out the door.

He wouldn't be going home tonight, at least not until he heard something more about her condition. He knew what hospitals were like, he'd been there many times. First time was when he'd taken an elbow to the face and the bone just below his eye had been broken, he had metal plates in his face now to fix that. Second time was when he'd been going in for a goal and the goalie completely took him out and dislocated his shoulder. Third time was when he'd taken the iron spiked cleats to the knee. Now he was here for Liz. Yes, he knew hospitals all too well. He also knew that it was nice to have someone always there for you...even if you didn't know them all that well.

Last time he'd been in here for one of his own injuries he'd had several fans in the waiting room wanting to hear the updates. They, of course, had been crazy British 'football' fans who did nothing but follow their favorite players, and when they'd heard he was hospitalized in their city...well, they couldn't exactly stay away. But still, it was nice to know that someone cared. Santiago didn't know if she had any family or anything, but if she did, they would probably have already been contacted and informed of the accident, and if they cared at all, someone would probably be coming down to see her.

He took a seat in the waiting room again and lowered his head wearily into his hands, much the same position he'd been in when they EMT had found him. Good thing the soccer season didn't start until August, otherwise his coach would have a fit that he was in this condition and was staying out all night. Not that it would have made a difference. The president of the United States or the Queen of England could have been coming to his house that night, and he still wouldn't have gone home. The people who were close to him were more important than all the important people in the world that he'd never met. No, he was staying here, and no one could convince him otherwise.

[Liz]

Liz wasn't fully aware of her surroundings, but she could sense that Santi was no longer in the room with her. She felt lonely again and hated feeling this way. The doctors soon followed and moved all of the machines she was hooked up to. They took her to an elevator and then took her up to the second floor. They found a nice, spacious, room and wheeled her in. They would put her in the ICU only if she got worse. The doctors then went back to where they were needed and a nurse told Santi what floor Liz was on and the room number. You can go visit her now. The nurse then walked back to her desk and started working. Liz's brain started to drift off again, and she was in another horrible dream, if you could even call it that.

I was at a horse show with Cherokee. It was new to him, the whole showing idea. We got tacked up, despite him being extremely hyped up. I warmed him up with little success of getting him to actually focus and work on elements in the dressage test we had to execute. I entered the showing ring at my specified time and everything was already going wrong. Cherokee was acting up and wouldn't settle down. I sighed heavily and took a deep breath, this test wasn't going to be good at all. The judge's bell rang, I went around the ring once and entered at A, going down the centerline, saluted to the judge and went on. Cherokee seemed to do well in the first half of the test, but I could tell Cherokee was starting to get antsy for something. We approached a corner, near M and R and Cherokee started acting up. He twirled around, lifted up a little bit and started to bolt. He tripped in the arena chain and toppled over me, I fell back and tried to move out of the way...once again darkness consumed me and loneliness settled in. Once again, voices surrounded and filled the air. Everyone stunned and awed at the horrible sight.

Liz's body started sweating and heating up again. This time, she didn't instantly become aware of herself again. She stayed in the dream, darkness not wanting to let go. The doctors rushed in as machines started to annoyingly beep and buzz, they tried to stablalize her, but couldn't at first. They continued to work and finally she came out of it, still sweating, but this time more than ever before.

[lovasz]

Santiago hated all this waiting and not knowing anything. It very nearly drove him mad. He was usually exceedingly patient when it came to waiting, but not now. No, now it was killing him to just be sitting there and not hearing anything from anyone about Liz. To keep himself from going completely insane, he went out of the waiting room and into the clear crisp air where he could think without the sickening sterilized smell of the hospital clouding his mind. It didn't help much. In his current state of mind, there wasn't much that would.

He wasn't out long though, he didn't want to miss it when any information came in. He had timed it perfectly, only about five minutes after returning, he was informed that she had been moved and he could go in to see her once more. Just as he was about there though, the machines within started beeping all at once and he stepped back from the door, knowing that in about ten seconds a herd of doctors and nurses would come flying down the hall and file into the room, and he wasn't too keen on getting trampled.

After some time, they got her stabilized again, and he was again told that he could see her. He stepped into the room and walked up to the bed. By now it was getting to be rather late and in his already exhausted state, he was beginning to feel rather light headed. He pulled the chair up along side the bed and took a seat before he passed out and looked like a complete idiot...not that he already didn't. He took her pale and limp hand in his, praying in his mind that she would come out of it soon. He wasn't sure he could take this for much longer. God, Liz...I'm sorry he has to be such a devil... He said, referring of course to the horse that had attacked her. It just doesn't seem right that you end up in the hospital the first time you meet him and I've been attacked by him a thousand times and all I walk away with is a few stitches.

[lovasz]

(Um, he's kind of in a hospital room with Liz at the moment......not in the waiting room anymore.)

[Liz]

Liz's body returned to normal again. The dream was over and she was breathing at the slow pace she had been before. Her face was still quite pale, even though she had started to sweat and her temp. raised. Her mind was once again, aware of the people in the room, the doctors at first and then someone else. When she heard their voice, her attitude started to brighten up. She laid there quietly, not doing anything but listening to his sweet voice. Her breathing became a bit more normal, but other than that there were no other signs that, she was in fact listening to him. Every now and then her body would make her take deeper breaths, more like sighs...happy sighs. She wanted to so badly talk to him, but her body wasn't physically able to.

She was so glad at least someone came. She wasn't sure if Logan was going to come or not, but she hoped that he would...at least sometime or even when she was better. Knowing that Santi had cared enough for her, made her happy. She knew that this would definitely strengthen their relationship as really good friends. Her brain continued to be aware of what Santi was saying. She just barely noticed that he sounded tired and run down. She felt bad that he was like that, but she was really glad he had stayed, even after they had gotten her a normal room. Her mind wandered and she was into her dreaming again. This time, it wasn't a horrible experience, but something recent.

I had, once again, ridden Cherokee, untacked him and then cleaned all of his tack. All of a sudden, this amazingly hot guy walked up and introduced himself as Logan. I smiled brightly, more than ever before. Somehow I felt it, he was the one. We talked and had some fun and then went on an amazing trail ride. We had the greatest time and we became more than just friends...it was the begining of a real realtionship. Something that I'd never had really before. I sighed happily as the trail ride came to and end. I also frowned a little bit, sad I couldn't spend even more time getting to know that great guy. Before we went our ways, I hugged him lightly and thanked him for a great day, taking in his amazing scent and well built body. He was perfect.

The edge's of Liz's lips started to form in a smile. It was nothing ground breaking and nothing Santi could really see, unless he was looking closely. It wasn't really Liz waking up though, just her mind showing how happy she was, especially in the dream. Once again, she took a deeper breath and then rested, something she desperately needed.

[lovasz]

Santiago was beginning to wonder if anyone was going to come to be with her. She had to have family somewhere, and what about that guy who he'd seen her with at the dance not too long ago? Surely he would be coming. It didn't really matter though, he was going to stay here until he heard something on her condition, or at least until someone else showed up to be with her. He knew what it was like to be alone in a drab hospital building with no one for company but the nurses and doctors who didn't really care about anything except their job of getting you well. No, it was always good to have a friend who really cared about you.

He leaned back in the chair wearily, beginning to feel like he couldn't even think without putting a strain on his mind. Blood loss, it was a terrible thing, and it wasn't the first time he'd experienced it, oh no, he'd been through it several times. His shoulder was very slowly beginning to ache, though he had expected that. After all, Son was an incredibly powerful horse, and it was no small thing to get his hoof smashed into your shoulder. Lord how he wished none of this had ever happened. The last thing he needed was this kind of stress on his life, and the last thing he had wanted was for Liz to get hurt by his horse.

(Blah...sorry so short and poopie)

[Logan Harding]

Logan

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&& baby I'll be there;
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The old white pick-up truck was barreling down the road towards Pinewood General Hospital, faster than usual. If one looked hard, they'd see the pure fear in the driver's chocolate optics; and the obvious panic in his pale face. He felt like he'd been kicked in the gut. A few moments earlier, he had pulled up to Pinewood and had gotten the worst news he could have ever imagined; or at last it seemed that way to him. Liz had been trampled by a horse and taken immediately to the ER. At least, that's what he had gotten out of the confused crowd of people who were milling about the stable yard.

He had jumped right back into his truck and was now headed straight to the hospital. He had to be with her. He was told she was unconscious when the ambulance came, and Logan's grip on the steering wheel tightened, making his knuckles turn white, as he pictured her limp body laying helpless and alone in a hospital bed. Of course, they had told him that some guy had gone with her as well; Santiago? It was a small comfort to him to know that she was not completely alone, but that didn't make him let up on the acceleration. He'd never forgive himself if something happened to her while he wasn't there.

A few minutes later, he was half-jogging up to the Hospital's Front Desk. "I'm here to see Liz? Liz Johnson" He added, his voice a little shaken and his mouth dry. He thanked her quietly as she directed him towards her room. Logan grasped the door knob and silently slipped in, closing it behind him with a small click. He was a little surprised to see a guy sitting there as well, but it quickly regained himself and walked slowly over to him; noting that he looked exhausted. "Hi, you must be Santiago. I'm Logan, Logan Harding" He whispered, shaking his hand. "Thanks for staying with her" He added, with genuine appreciation.

He left Santiago's side and moved to the bed, where Liz was still laying unconscious. Worry took over his whole body, and showed clearly in his face as he gently took her cool hand in his. "Liz?" He asked quietly, knowing she wouldn't answer, but secretly hoping she heard him. "I'm here now, can you hear me?" He sat down on a chair that was pulled up right next to her bed and brushed some hair from her warm, moist forehead. His throat tightened. Her face was slightly swollen, but he could still recognize her; he could recognize her anywhere. Her arm was wrapped in a heavy cast, and dark bruises swelled everywhere. He felt himself shaking slightly. "You're going to be okay" He whispered assuringly, more to himself than to her as he gently brushed his thumb against her hand.

He took a deep breath and turned his glance to Santiago again. "Thanks again for staying, but you should probably go get some rest, you look exhausted" He finished, concern in his tone. He didn't really mind if Santiago stayed, but the guy looked as if he was about to pass out. Logan looked back to Liz and tried not to think the worst. The constant beep of the heart monitor comforted him a bit, but he still felt fear surging through his veins. The only thing that would calm him now was her voice. He closed his eyes and blocked out everything else, straining to hear her perfect voice in his head again; straining to see her smile, to hear her laugh...

((OOC: kinnda died at the end xD))
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[Liz]

Liz laid there quietly and could sense that Santi was as tired as ever. She didn't want him to worry about her this much because she wasn't going to die and she wasn't going to stop fighting. Nothing would stop her from regaining full ability in her body, right now she seemed helpless, but She didn't want Santi to worry. Liz's mind was taking a break from listening to everything. All of the sounds, the background noises, and the beeps of her machines, were zoned out as she started to drift off into a deep, long sleep.

She wasn't aware of anyone else coming in at the moment, which meant she didn't know that Logan had come in. She laid there silently, just sleeping, her breathing somewhat shallow and slow. A while had passed before her brain kicked in again, Liz heard Logan's voice and her heart leaped, she so longingly wanted to hug him and talk to him, but she couldn't. She was starting to get so frustrated with her stupid, impaired body at the moment. A smiled crept onto her lips, once again barely visible, but if either one of them looked hard enough, they'd see it. She tried to move her fingers as she felt Logan's warm, comforting hand on hers, but they were stiff and wouldn't move very well. You're going to be ok. These words ran through her mind over and over and made her happy that she had his constant support. Although Santi had been there through it all, she felt more comforted with Logan, whom she had known for longer and had gotten to know a lot better. Don't get her wrong, she thought of Santi as a great friend and someone who would always be there, but Logan was more important to her.

Liz listened to Logan's voice and could tell he was genuinely concerned for her and once again that made her feel loved and cared for. She felt so much less lonely now, knowing that more and more people cared for her, not just the people who crowded around her and wouldn't let her have her needed air after that fateful accident. She hated the people who did that and just before she blacked out, she could tell more and more people were gathering around her. She hated that feeling, everyone watching you...just staring at you, not respecting you in anyway. Liz laid in the bed, and just listened taking in Logan's sweet voice and sweet smell.

[lovasz]

Santiago let his hand drop from the bed and let his elbows rest on his knees, forcing down the urge to just pass out or fall asleep. He wasn't going to settle for either. He wasn't going to leave Liz alone, mentally or physically. By now he had determined that if someone else came to be with her, he would head home. He wouldn't be much help in this condition, and if the doctors needed to get in their quickly, he doubted if he could get out of their way quickly enough for their convenience, and even if he could, he would probably pass out in the process and be even more in the way.

He looked up slowly at the sound of the door swinging open, half expecting to see a nurse of doctor coming in to check on her. He was slightly surprised to see a young man with a look of complete worry on his face. It took his mind, which was working much slower than usual, a minute or two for it to register that he had seen him before. It wasn't until he spoke that it finally occurred to him. This guy...Logan...was the one who had been at the club the night he'd met Liz and Avril. He nodded, without saying a word to Logan's introduction. If he'd attempted to say anything it probably wouldn't have come out right anyway.

Santiago figured that Logan would probably like to be alone with her, and he also really needed to get out of this place. The sterilized white walls and constantly beeping machines were suffocatingly too familiar to him. He rose up out of the chair slowly, really starting to feel the affects of the blood loss now. I'm so sorry about all of this. He said before leaving, I'd say he wasn't normally like that and he hadn't intended to hurt her, but I'd be lying. I apologize. His apology stated, he turned and walked wearily towards the door. He only hoped he wouldn't kill himself driving home. Hopefully Tucker would keep him awake.

[Logan Harding]

Logan

[/font]
So lately, been wondering, who will be there to take my place
When I'm gone you'll need love to light the shadows on your face;
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Logan looked up as Santiago spoke again, his voice full of apology. 'I'm so sorry about all of this. I'd say he wasn't normally like that and he hadn't intended to hurt her, but I'd be lying. I apologize' Logan nodded, "Don't worry about it, accidents happen" He said slowly, his voice sounding a little hoarse. It took him a moment to realize that it must have been Santiago's horse who had attacked Liz. No, he had not gotten all of the story. "Be careful going home" He added, noticing that Santiago still looked like he would faint at any minute. The last thing he needed was to feel like he had a vendetta against him for this. Logan turned back to Liz now, still holding her hand in his.

Her breathing was somewhat shallow, which made Logan worry, but her heart beat was still consistent. He studied her expression, although it was somewhat painful to do. She seemed almost pleasant, despite the dark, fleshy bruises that were stamped there. He wondered if she knew he was there, and a faint smile might have flickered on his expression if he hadn't have been so scared for her life. He reached out slowly and stroked her matted hair gently, hoping he wasn't disturbing her false sleep. He just felt the need to do something... it killed him to see her this way, and he hoped she could sense that he was there and that he cared for her.

He leaned back slightly in the seat, feeling a little dizzy for some reason. No, he had never done well in hospitals. He took deep breaths, and ran his free hand through his hair. He was determined to stay clam, still playing with the idea that Liz could sense he was there. "Liz, if you can hear me" He started, glad that no one was around to hear him "Don't worry about anything, okay? I'm not going anywhere" He finished quietly, feeling a little emotion rise in his throat. He swallowed it, and looked away from her, studying the tiles on the ground. He knew that they'd take good care of here, but he wouldn't let himself leave her; not like this.

((OOC: eep, a little cheesy, but it'll do I suppose ^^))
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[Liz]

Liz drifted in and out of true sleep, her mind and body not deciding whether to pay attention to it's surroundings. One thing that her mind and body both picked up on was when Santi left. She could hear his foot steps become distant. She knew it wasn't Logan who had left because he wouldn't leave her, and deep down she knew it in her heart. Their friendship was becoming stronger each day they spent with each other. Liz had fallen back into sleep again, but not before she heard Logan's sweet voice again. Don't worry about anything, okay? I'm not going anywhere" Again, words like these really comforted her, in the time of support from real friends. She breathing became a little more regular as she slipped into a deep sleep. She didn't want to zone the smooth sound of Logan's voice out, but even so, fatigue consumed her hurting and aching body. She wasn't going to be able to try and continue to respond, it was just too taxing on her mentally and she saw no use when she couldn't get her body to work the way she wanted it to. As she slipped into a deep sleep, she was barely aware that Logan had been brushing away her matted hair. He cared so much for her and that's what she loved about him. They hadn't even been really dating, but he came anyway, for support.

After a few hours had passed, her mind became active again. She wanted to make sure Logan was there. So, she tried to move her hand some, hoping that he saw. She felt some of her fingers move just barely. She wasn't happy with "just barely" though she wanted to move it some more. The more she tried the more she was able to move it. At last, she could open and close her fingers...not too gracefully, but she could get them to at least open and close. She hoped that Logan had been watching her secret messages and hoped that he'd comfort even more than he had.

[Logan Harding]

Logan
You're all I've ever wanted
And my arms are open wide;
- - - - - - - - - - - - -

Logan found himself thinking as he watched her sleep; if it could really be called sleep. Logan cared for Liz more than he had ever cared for anyone. He felt the need to take care of her, to protect her, to be there for her. He never wanted to leave her. Did he... love her? After all, wasn't that what love was? Wanting only the best for someone, at the expense of your own safety? He thought back to that night in the club. He had gotten over it by now, but he still vividly remembered the 'encounter' he had with the idiot who was using her like that. He still couldn't believe he had done that. He had never been the kind of guy to start a fight; what had made him do it? He only had one explanation...

He sighed, feeling tired. He must have over-estimated what stress can do to you. When he had found out what had happened at the stable, all he was thinking was 'No, anyone but Liz'. But it was Liz, the only person he didn't think he could live without. He knew she would wake up, it was just a matter of time and patience, right? He tried to keep his eyes open for the next few minutes, but soon he found himself drifting in and out of sleep. He wondered what time it was. It was almost 8:00pm. Had he been there that long? He sighed, giving into the sleep that awaited him behind his heavy eyes and drifting off into a shallow sleep.

He didn't sleep well, and guessed that his mind was still too worried about Liz to allow him to rest. He kept waking up and checking on her, sometimes getting up and sitting by her side, just watching her. Nurses came in every once in a while to check on her, making her comfortable and sometimes administering painkillers. Logan stayed close to her, and ignored the nurse's suggestions to get some sleep; it would do no good anyway. After about an hour, he saw something. A movement in her hand. At first it was subtle, just a small flinch, and Logan wondered if something was wrong, but then it was more defined, opening and closing.

Logan smiled, and took her hand gently in his. She was trying to say something, he knew it. "I'm still here" He said quietly, a smile still gracing his features. That little sign of hope was everything to him. He reached out and traced his finger across her cheek. "Liz" He whispered, not really knowing why. "I'll be here when you wake up, okay?" He finished, bringing his arm back to his side. "I'll always be there for you" He whispered without thinking. Now he closed his eyes and leaned his head back against the back of the chair, deciding to try to get some rest. Only he knows the words that he left unsaid.

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&& I want to tell you so much
I love you