This Drug Fueled Dream

[Deleted]

[attr="class","samnah"]

[attr="class","samleft"] [attr="class","samleft2"]

[attr="class","samright"] The answer didn't surprise him, but a part of him felt relieved. Evan hadn't told him because his son didn't know. Their falling out might not be as insurmountable as he believed it to be. Or that's what David would let himself hope. That it took this—his son's kidnapping—to recognize such an obvious failing made him openly wince. Things had to be his way. That demand had led to him pushing people away. Including some of the individuals that had gathered here in the hospital. Everyone here cared for Evan—even Vanessa, someone David considered to be a business rival. Especially Vanessa. David sat down on the other side of her. If Evan got the chance, his future daughter-in-law. Perhaps David should start thinking of her in that light. It didn't take someone with a genius-level IQ to see the way Evan looked at Vanessa. If she made his son happy, then who was he to stand in the way of that? The couple would soon be welcoming a new addition into their lives. "He's going to be excited when you tell him. You will get to tell him." David needed to believe as much. Maybe Sam could give them more information on Evan's condition, but Martin had stepped away to admonish his subordinate. David couldn't blame the poor girl for her response—no doubt a byproduct of whatever she was using to help keep awake. They were all tired… and worried. As for himself, David couldn't remember getting more than couple minutes of sleep here and there. Jacqueline, meanwhile, had brightened—not a lot, but a little—at the news of a child. Such a thing should be a happier revelation, of course, and Evan should have been the second person to know. Much to his chagrin, she would often tease her son about meeting a nice girl and getting married. But a mother knew: he would meet someone that turned his world upside down and he had. She reiterated what David had said. "Evan's strong. He's going to make it—and he's going to be a great father. You should see him with his nieces." --- Sam shook her head—an action Martin couldn't see, which was for the best. If the Head of Security wasn't able to follow along, he probably needed another cup of coffee… or two. Maybe three? "Uh… that's what I'm doing? Try and keep up. As I was saying. Evan's been wheeled out of surgery. From what I understand, the doctors want to keep him in ICU as a precaution. You can visit, but he's not awake." Vanessa Whitmore-Cross [attr="class","samright2"]

deltra of gangnam style

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[Vanessa Whitmore-Cross]

[attr="class","de1"]

Vanessa was not sure what to do or say or even to put all the pieces together. She looked over hearing David’s optimism. She’d told Evan but not in the way she had hoped. Hell, he probably didn’t even remember. Oh, how she hoped he didn’t remember the way it had just blurted out in the back of the ambulance in front of her ex. Vanessa knew she needed to make a phone call to Mark later but that was beside the point. Right now she was just worried about Evan pulling through surgery. What was taking Martin so long to extract information out of Sam?

Vanessa could only smile at Jackie’s sentiment. Vanessa was certainly not going to tell Jackie that she was not a kid person. Vanessa couldn’t find words but luckily she was saved by an incoming phone call. She sent it to voicemail before a text message came in. Someone was missing some paperwork for some new model of something and the last place it had been seen was her office. I have them, they are at the office. She texted slowly and it was evident that she wasn’t feeling well just by the way she moved.

“Sorry I have something someone needs at the office. I…” before she realized what was happening the phone was ringing again. “I swear if you cannot read!” She was yelling at the phone and threatening to throw it across the room when David took it from her and turned it off.

“You have employees for that Ms. Whitmore.” Martin put his phone on his chin in the middle of the conversation with Sam.

David’s voice was the next one Vanessa heard. “I agree.” Wait did the two past friends just agree on something? Why is it that people always agreed on things when it was to gang up on her? Vanessa decided to try and argue the point in true Vanessa fashion.

“It keeps my mind off of things.” This was about the best argument she could come up with at the moment. It wasn’t a very good point, but she wasn’t feeling well and she was exhausted. Then again Vanessa didn’t like to go down without a fight so to speak.

“Burying yourself in your work isn’t the answer.” David was probably right but that didn’t mean that she was going to accept his response as finite.

“It passes the time.” That argument wouldn’t fly either, she was sure of it and it was about as pointless and invalid as the first time she had phrased it. Now she was arguing in circles already. But anything that kept her mind off the worst possible scenario right now was a welcomed distraction.

“So do other things. Put that to the side. You have capable employees who can handle the workload in your absence.” Okay so maybe David hadn’t met her employees but it stand to reason with a successful business you had capable people behind the job.

“Hold on a minute Miss Ryan. I have a situation.” Martin was going to have to put Samantha on hold. Though he was perfectly aware she would be able to hear the entire conversation going on between David, Vanessa, and now himself. “Vanessa. He makes a valid point. Stop being so crass.”

“It’s a hospital there isn’t much to do.” Why wouldn’t they just let her pass the time like a normal person?

“I think he means to say that you don’t need a hospital bed too” Martin continued.

Though David seemed to have it under control as he pocketed her phone to keep it out of her reach. ”I'm not asking, Vanessa. We don't need to be here for two people.”

Just when Vanessa thought the peanut gallery was done weighing in Maxwell had to go and open his mouth. “Sleep! That is something to do.” Why was he here? Hadn’t she slipped him? Oh right… Martin and Ryan probably spilled the beans to her locale.

Vanessa sighed, “I am out numbered aren't I?” It wasn’t really a question, it was a statement of fact. David, Martin, and Maxwell all decided that apparently working to pass the time was taboo.

“You are.” Leave it to David to confirm that she was being ganged up on. She leaned back in her chair and clenched a fist. Vanessa was stressed, overwhelmed, and needed sleep as much as anyone else in the room.

Martin had gone back to his conversation while Anderson and Maxwell watched over Vanessa and the Cross family. Security had tightened around the two families that much was certain. “Sorry about that Samantha. I copy. Perhaps you can help convince Miss Whitmore to rest while he is resting? If he wakes up and she’s worse for the wear… we don’t need him making a fuss when he needs to be recovering.” Martin shifted the phone to mute to relay the information he had been given to David. Martin was purposefully keeping out of the earshot of Vanessa. “Maxwell, see if you can get Miss Whitmore to eat something.” Martin was well aware she hadn’t hardly touched food in a few days. He unmuted the phone as he waited for Samantha’s response.


⚓ _@samantha ⚓

[attr="class","de2"]VANESSA WHITMORE

♦.♦

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[Deleted]

[attr="class","samnah"]

[attr="class","samleft"] [attr="class","samleft2"]

[attr="class","samright"] Sam could overhear the ongoing debate between Vanessa, David, and Martin—something she didn't intend to insert herself into the middle of. Yeah, not if those three were involved. That was just asking for trouble. Somehow, though, she had known she would get dragged into the middle of it regardless. Had Martin kept her on speakerphone? "Vanessa," Sam broached the subject cautiously. The last time she'd tried to step in—at the police station—her principal had just about tried to bite her head off, but if Martin thought she could help to convince what might be the most stubborn person on the planet… then that's what she would do. Best as she could figure, Martin probably wanted to present Vanessa with a united front. It just so happened that Sam agreed with the Head of Security. "You should get some rest. There's a chair here with your name on it. Don't you think when Evan wakes up, you're going to be the first person he wants to see?" Sam remained positioned at the door to Evan's room. One of the local SWAT teams had overwhelmed the kidnapper in a daring raid on the abandoned warehouse and rescued Evan, but Sam took her responsibilities seriously. No one knew if the kidnapper had been acting alone or not. So Sam's orders to safeguard Evan kept her rooted to the door. In this state, her friend needed someone watching over him. Protecting him. Sam poked her head into the room. Considering everything he had been through, Evan looked… peaceful. She continued speaking into the phone. "I don't want to be the one to explain to him why you're not here. It would crush him." It wasn't that long ago the roles had been reversed. A victim of one of her ex-boyfriends, a scumbag named Bentley, Vanessa had been the one lying in that bed. While most of the security detail had originally believed Evan to be a suspect in the attempted murder case, Sam had kept tabs on Vanessa's then best friend, smuggling him updates and a decent meal, as her time on the security detail had allowed. When Evan had finally been allowed access to the hospital room, he'd refused to leave her side. Heck, he'd even quit his job. Surely Vanessa could understand where everyone was coming from—their concern, not just for Evan, but for her. In her attempt to focus her attention elsewhere, she could push herself too hard. Sam could recognize that, even if Vanessa could not. "Because Evan needs you here. And you need to be here for him." David had taken that moment to offer Vanessa his hand, having overheard Sam on the phone. He could see, both from the way she moved and the expression etched on her face, that she felt sick to her stomach. Nonetheless, if Vanessa didn't object, he would guide the younger woman towards Evan's room. It was strange how one thing could change the way you looked at a person—could bring you closer together. Or, at the very least, bring you towards a… mutual understanding. David spoke to her gently, but firmly, his tone indicating he still wouldn't accept work as a valid excuse from her. If nothing else, the phone he'd deposited in his pocket would make that more difficult. "Jackie and I are going to watch over Evan. You should come with us. You can get some rest there. We'll take shifts so one of us is awake when Evan wakes up." Perhaps David had been unwilling to listen the night of the campaign fundraiser, but the message had sunk in loud and clear since then. Respecting Evan's wishes meant including Vanessa with the Cross family. Properly putting that into words was, perhaps, something he couldn't do in such a short period of time, so he kept it short and succinct instead. "Evan would want you there. I know Jackie does. And so… so do I." Vanessa Whitmore-Cross [attr="class","samright2"]

deltra of gangnam style

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[Vanessa Whitmore-Cross]

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Vanessa could hear the phone on speakerphone and she heard Sam addressing her now that Martin had stepped closer. “It’s for you Miss Whitmore.” He spoke just before Sam called out Vanessa by name. He waited to see what response Vanessa would give as he made his decision to cut in or not. In this instant the moment Vanessa opened her mouth, her let her talk.

"Being there, isn’t a question Sam. But there is no way rest is in the cards.” No she was too worried to sleep but she was going to give into going to see Evan. The moment she could there was no question about it. Vanessa wouldn’t let Evan wake up alone; she knew what that was like.

“I know that Sam, and I wouldn’t put you in that position.” Why couldn’t she work in the room? Pass the time. David was making things difficult and Sam was acting like Vanessa was about ready to abandon Evan in a hospital. It was somewhat infuriating. Vanessa grabbed the phone and hung up on Samantha. Vanessa looked towards Martin and glared. Sam needed sleep as much as the lot of them.

Vanessa could feel rage building until David spoke. His voice calmed her down. Vanessa really wanted her dad. Looking towards David Vanessa sighed. “I wasn’t nor will I be leaving.” The words perhaps a bit bitter sounding though not towards David. She leaned on Jackie as they moved towards Evan’s room.

David had spoken of taking turns being awake to keep an eye on Evan but there was no way that Vanessa was going to rest. Once they got to the room she took a spot on the wall. Vanessa was tempted to tell Sam to go home but was interrupted by Maxwell who had followed the group. “Go lay down Sam. Get some rest.” Suggesting she go home? Yeah that wasn’t going to happen. He hadn’t slept much either but Maxwell was worried more about her well being than his own. “I got a few hours, you should try.”



⚓ _@samantha ⚓

[attr="class","de2"]VANESSA WHITMORE

♦.♦

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[Deleted]

[attr="class","samnah"]

[attr="class","samleft"] [attr="class","samleft2"]

[attr="class","samright"] Sam wasn't used to getting hung up on, but there was little she could do now besides wait. Sam supposed she could call back, but between Martin, David, and what she reasoned had been a pretty rousing pep talk from herself, was there anything more to be said? Either way, her principal was being difficult—as usual. Evan had them all worried. There was no denying that. But Vanessa was stubbornly pushing away the people trying to look after her. "It's not my fault you need a kick in the rear," the spunky security officer mouthed at the phone. The minutes ticked by as Sam waited for the others to show up—or did it just feel that long? But eventually she spotted the group heading towards her. It was strange. So many people that didn't get along were getting along. Evan had brought them together—just not in the way any of them wanted. Sam smiled as she saw Maxwell trailing behind the group. When had he gotten here? They hadn't seen much of each other these past few days. Evan's kidnapping had worn them ragged. The workload had only increased. Now that Evan had been found, protecting two principals had them stretched thin. Her smile faded fast, as Maxwell just had to open his mouth. Sam grabbed Maxwell by the hand and dragged him down the hall. He was so not telling her what to do! She pushed him up against the wall—not with enough force to hurt him, but certainly enough to get his attention. Maxwell knew her better than most—the security detail cared for each other like family—but that was exactly the reason he should know better. The fact Sam liked him, even if she did have to roll her eyes at most everything that came out of his mouth, didn't mean he got to send her to bed. If Vanessa could be stubborn about this then so could she. The coffee would keep her going. Sam dug her heels in and sassed off to Maxwell, as she fought back a yawn. "Suggesting implies I can refuse. And orders are made to be broken." David ushered the two women in first, remaining outside to speak with Martin in private. The past was the past—they could build on that and move forward. At least that's what Evan had pushed for the night of the campaign fundraiser. David had simply refused to listen, but he owed it to his son now. "After all these years, I have no idea what to say," David admitted. The man was rarely at a loss for words, but he found himself struggling here. This wasn't the first time since arriving at the hospital either. I… made mistakes. Things should never have gotten to the point they did. Evan wanted us—wanted me—to try and move past that. David offered his hand to the other man. It shouldn't have taken Evan's kidnapping for him to reach this point, but he was willing to make the effort, if Martin was. No one said repairing the damage would be easy. It rarely was. But everything that happened next would be on Martin. Vanessa Whitmore-Cross [attr="class","samright2"]

deltra of gangnam style

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[Vanessa Whitmore-Cross]

[attr="class","de1"]

Maxwell promptly picked Sam up and took her to sleep in the hospital room. There was no way she was getting out of sleeping. He sat beside her and rubbed her shoulder until she fell asleep. He was tired too but she’d been up much longer than he had. He looked over to see that Vanessa was also asleep. Though he didn’t think it would last long and it didn’t.

Vanessa woke up to Evan’s voice. “I had this weird drug-fueled dream.” She squished a brow and rubbed her eyes sitting up when he spoke again. “Something about you being pregnant? As if! You hate kids.” Well that was kind of true, kids weren’t exactly her favorite little people to deal with.

“You wish that were just a dream.” Not quite awake and sleep just out of reach Vanessa’s voice was only slightly audible.

“Wait.. What? Words, not making sense.” Maybe he was just tired, or high. Vanessa didn’t question why nothing made sense. Very little made sense to anyone right about now.

“Let’s discuss this when you aren’t on drugs” This wasn’t how this conversation was supposed to happen. Vanessa wasn’t sure if David had gone for more coffee, or if he’d taken Jackie back to her place already. Either way she kind of wanted his advice. With her own dad out of town, as awkward as it sounded she was looking for someone to guide her.

“Discuss what?” Evan was persisting the conversation that she whole heartedly wanted to drop.

“You just made my point.” Why was this still going? She was glad Evan was awake but she didn’t need the back and forth banter right now. She hated herself for saying something in the ambulance.

“Points are sharp, you aren’t being clear.” Know it all pain in the ass genius. Oh some days he really knew how to get under her skin.

That was about the time Martin cut in. “Do I have to explain everything?” There was a pause as he looked to Evan.

Cue more drugged talk from the pita genius. “How did that happen?”

Vanessa sighed. Was that even a question. “I am not going to explain how that happened.” Well it was quite simple wasn’t it?

Vanessa made the mistake of thinking that Maxwell was asleep with Sam on his lap. “You knocked up your girlfriend, that is how that happened.” Unfortunately, something Maxwell had made the mistake of doing with his ex wife. Were they really having a bird and bees conversation in the middle of the hotel room. He was sure there would be more input if everyone else was awake.

Vanessa sighed, she was supposed to be ecstatic about all of this and the only one who seemed happy about this was her boyfriend’s family, at least someone saw the bright side of their family growing. Sleep claimed her as Martin and Maxwell watched over those in the room. Before Evan could open his mouth again Maxwell put his foot down. “Anyone who wakes Miss Whitmore or Miss Ryan will regret their decisions quickly.” Oh it was most definitely a threat tossed in Evan’s direction.



⚓ _{End Thread
Evan Cross used with permission of player} ⚓

[attr="class","de2"]VANESSA WHITMORE

♦.♦

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