Reaching Out

Chapter 19

Sam's mind drifted to six months after that first meeting. To the first time she saw a different side of Magda.

Sam unlocked the door of her apartment, glad to finally be home. "Magda?" she called as she pocketed her key, but there came no answer.

As she walked into the living area and threw her bag on the floor, she noticed her girlfriend sleeping on the couch, a few empty beer bottles on the coffee table in front of her. The paramedic crouched in front of the Latina, her hand reaching out and placing a strand of hair behind Magda's ear.

Dark, unfocused eyes looked at her. "Hey Sammie," she slurred. "What's cooking, good looking?"

Sam turned her eyes to the table. "What's with all the bottles? You got something to celebrate?"

"Uh." Magda huffed as she sat up. "I wish." She reached for one of the bottles and took a big gulp before she started telling about what had happened that day. Business was going slow at the restaurant where the Latina worked as Chef de Cuisine, guests choosing the new Greek restaurant down the street over theirs. Trying to salvage his restaurant, the owner of Les Amis had sent half of the staff away, putting a load of pressure on the remaining kitchen staff. "It really is hell's kitchen." She sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose before she continued, "Maybe I should just quit."

Sam stared at her incredulously. Magda wasn't one to be stressed out easily, especially when it came to her job, but for her to talk about quitting, Sam knew things had to be really bad down at the restaurant. She quickly sat down next to her lover and wrapped her arms around the dark-haired woman's waist.

"Just see how it goes for a few days, then decide what you want to do," Sam said. "Whatever you then decide, you know I'll be there, right?"

Magda nodded, a single tear trailing down her cheek.

"Good," Sam said as she placed a soft kiss on the Latina's forehead. The paramedic thought Magda just needed a break; needed some time to unwind. So, she stood up from the couch, held out her hand, waiting for her lover to take it. Guiding her lover to their bedroom, she knew just how to help her forget about it all…Even if it was just for a while.

They forgot about work…They forgot about the bottles…They forgot about the world around them.

But that soon changed.

Sam cleared her mind as she noticed Magda's old Jeep heading over to the hospital's parking lot.

*-*-*-*-*

Sara and Catherine walked down the hall, the brunette's quick pace making it hard for Catherine's shorter legs to keep up. As Sara almost bumped into a patient in a wheelchair, the strawberry blonde reached for her arm. "Sara, slow down. She won't go anywhere."

"I know," the younger woman said as she stopped and turned to face Catherine. "I'm just so glad that she's ok."

"Honey," Catherine started as she took Sara's hand and entwined their fingers. Looking up into the brunette's dark eyes she said, "Yes, she is doing better, but we still have to wait till she's had all the tests to know for sure."

"You're right," Sara sighed as she gave the strawberry blonde's hand a tug, pulling the shorter woman close and wrapping her arms around her. "Thanks for being here."

"Hey," Catherine replied as she leaned back. "You would have done the same if things had been the other way around."

Sara leaned in and placed a soft kiss on the strawberry blonde's forehead. "I…I…ehm," she started, but then hesitated whether to continue her sentence. Catherine caught the look in her eyes, but kept silent, knowing that now wasn't the time…Their time would come.

Pulling Sara towards Megan's room, the older woman said, "Come on, let's go to our girls."

As they walked in they noticed that the only one in the room was Lindsey, who was just finishing her breakfast. Megan wasn't there, her entire bed was gone.

"Hey sweetie," Catherine said as she walked over to her daughter and placed a kiss on her cheek, wrapping her arm around her shoulder.

"Hey Mom, Sara," the blonde said, a smile gracing her lips. "She can see again!" she practically yelled.

"We know, baby," Catherine started as she looked over at Sara who was standing at the foot of Lindsey's bed. "Sam called us."

"They doing tests?" Sara asked as she nodded towards the space vacated by Megan's bed.

The girl nodded. "Doctor Fredricks took her along for an MRI a few minutes ago."

*-*-*-*-*

Sam left the small MRI technicians' room, giving the doctor and two techs a curt nod. She'd ran into Doc Fredricks taking Megan along and had joined them to the MRI unit. But now, because her shift would start in fifteen minutes, she had to leave the young woman in the men's capable hands. So she walked over to the elevator, heading for the ambulance bay.

Inevitably, her thoughts wandered off to a certain Latina, memories that were clouding her vision. She raked her hand through her short, blonde hair as she waited for the elevator car to arrive. The paramedic was so lost in her own thoughts that she didn't notice someone standing near the door to Megan's room.

Sam looked up as the doors opened, looking straight into the eyes of the woman who had been haunting her thoughts for the last few days. The paramedic stepped into the elevator, the other woman nailed to the ground. Their eyes didn't lose contact, not for a second, when the short-haired blonde stopped, standing opposite of Magda.

"Sam…Hi," Magda said nervously, her fingers wrapped tightly around the strap of her shoulder bag.

Sam nodded. "Magda," she said curtly as she shoved her hands deep into the pockets of her uniform pants. Both of the women looked away as they waited for the elevator doors to close. They didn't really know what to say…How to start.

Just as Sam had gathered her thoughts and started to talk, the Latina interrupted her. "You look-" "Can we-"

"Sorry." Magda raised a hand in apology. "Can we," she tried again. "Can we please talk?"

Sam observed the dark-haired woman, noticing the pleading look in the dark brown eyes that were focused on her. The elevator car came to a halt and as the doors slid open Sam stepped out, then turned to face the other woman. "No," the paramedic replied as she checked her watch.

"Oh," Magda whispered, hanging her head.

"I mean, my shift will start in a few minutes," Sam quickly added as she realized how her answer must have sounded to the Latina.

Dark eyes shot up, staring deeply into her own eyes. "Right," Magda said, releasing the breath she'd been holding.

"I'll drop by afterwards. I take it you have to work at the Inn tonight?" The Latina nodded. "Good, I'll see you then." And with that said the paramedic turned and headed off for the ambulance bay.

Continued…

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