BABY BLUES – 7

Disclaimer: I don’t own any of the characters in this fic. However I do own Barry J.

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Bron wakes up to the sound of the shower running. She looks at her watch and realizes that its 9.00 and that Luke is late for work. She stares up at the roof as she takes a few deap breaths. She hears the taps turn off. She drifts off to sleep again but wakes when she hears Luke rummaging around the room. She opens her eyes.

Bron: You’re late

Luke: I know

Bron: You didn’t sleep much did you?

Luke: (putting his tie on) No… I didn’t… I’m not the only one though.

Bron: (sits up and looks at him) Nice tie

Luke: Bron… the money…. When does he want it?

Bron: Probably right about now

Luke: I’ll go and take it to him

Bron: You are already late… maybe-

Luke: Don’t even think about going yourself

Bron: I just-

Luke: No I’ll take it… now where will he be?

Bron: At home… he’s probably broken in again

Luke: Alright…. Now are you going to be ok here?

Bron: I’m going into the hospital… I’d better get Charlotte to do an examination…. And tell Terri that I need a few days off.

Luke: Well I’ll drop you off

Bron: I’m not ready yet, I haven’t had a shower or anything

Luke: Well I’ll wait

Bron: Are you sure?

Luke: Yeah… some of your clothes are in the other room, they are all washed and ironed.

Bron: (gets up) Good thing I left them here then

She walks off

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Luke pulls up in the hospital car park

Luke: I can walk you in if you like

Bron: Luke I’m not an invalid ok?! I don’t need you to walk me in there! Its only a few meters away!

Bron looks over at Luke and realizes that he was only trying to help and make things easier.  Bron pushes some loose strands of hair away from her face.

Bron: I didn’t mean to snap at you Luke.. I just-

Luke: Its ok, I get it.

Bron nods and hands Luke her house keys before opening the door.

Bron: Don’t do anything stupid ok?

Luke nods. Bron gets out and starts walking towards the hospital entrance. Luke watches Bron go through the hospital doors then drives off.

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Bron arrives up on the ward. Jared comes over to her on his way to the lift.

Jared: You look like shit

Bron: Well I feel like shit Jared… is Terri in her office?

Jared: Yeah

Bron: Thanks

She walks over to Terri’s office and knocks on the door

Terri: come in

Bron goes in. Terri looks up from her work.

Terri: Bron your late again

Bron: I can explain….

Terri: Bron this has got to stop! I know you have had a few problems but this is getting to be very inconvenient, Jared is having to cover for you.

Bron: I know, I’m sorry… I need some time off

Terri: What? Oh come on Bron I can’t believe you are asking me this

Bron: Terri please… I wouldn’t be of any use to you at the moment

Terri: Ok what’s happened?

Bron: I really don’t want to talk about it… will you just give me the benefit of the doubt and trust me on this one?

Terri: You know I have to have a valid reason before I let you take leave Bron.. I would love to give you the benefit of the doubt, this is obviously personal, but I can’t. Now what’s the problem?

Bron sighs as she tries to think of how to break the news to Terri.

Bron: I was raped by my loan shark

Terri: Oh Bron….

Bron: I really don’t feel like talking about this Terri…

Terri: Of course… look take as much time as you need to, I don’t want you back at work till you are 100% sure you are ready

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Luke gets to Brons place. He unlocks the door with Brons keys and goes in. He hears Barry’s voice.

Barry: You better have that cash this time!

Luke goes into the lounge room and sees Barry sitting on the couch with his feet up on the coffee table.

Barry: So Mr hotshot came to deliver the money hey?

Luke: Take the money and get out!

He holds the envelope out to Barry. Barry stands up and walks over to Luke.

Barry: My pleasure hotshot

Barry takes the envelope of money and begins to walk towards the front door. He turns back around to face Luke.

Barry: So how is little Bronwyn today? Is she well?

Luke: Get out Barry!

Barry: Did she tell you about our little bonk fest then hotshot? I reckon she really enjoyed it!

Luke shoves Barry up against the wall in a violent rush.

Luke: You go anywhere near Bron again and I will make your life a living hell! Do you know what you’ve done to her?!

Barry: (smiles) Yeah I know what I’ve done to her

Luke punches Barry in the face, he hits his right eye. Luke then drags Barry out the door and shoves him out of the yard.

Luke: Now piss off before I do something I might regret!.

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Bron is down in emergency looking for Charlotte. She spots her talking to Mitch. Bron goes over to them.

 

Charlotte: Bron? Is everything ok?

Bron: Ah… I actually need to talk to you about something

Mitch: Well I’ll be on my way then, I’ll see you both later

Charlotte- Bye Mitch

Mitch: Bye

Bron: Can we go into an examination room?

Charlotte: Why is something wrong?

Bron: I need to see you professionally

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20 minutes later Luke arrives at the hospital. He is walking through emergency as Bron and Charlotte come from the private room they were in. Charlotte puts hugs Bron.

Luke comes up to them.

Luke: Is everything ok?... physically I mean

Charlotte: Yeah, everything is fine

Charlottes pager goes off. She grabs it and looks at it.

Charlotte: Sorry I have to go

Charlotte rushes off towards the lift.

Luke: Are you ok?

Bron: Yeah… did you-

Luke: Don’t even mention that pricks name. I made it clear that if he came near you again he would have to deal with me.

Luke hugs Bron.

Luke: Come on I’ll give you a lift home

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In the car

Bron: Luke?

Luke: Yeah?

Bron: How would you feel about me moving in with you?

Luke: I don’t have a problem with it

Bron: It’s just that… I don’t think I feel safe at home anymore… I don’t want to move in if you’re not ready though

Luke: Bron if its what you want then It’s fine by me

Bron: Are you sure you don’t mind?

Luke: I’m positive… Bron I am going to support you, you know that right? Whatever happens I’ll be right by your side.

Bron nods

Bron: I know…thank you… you’ve really surprised me you know?... you have changed a lot over the last few years.

Luke: Because I know that you are the most important thing to me and I don’t want to make the mistake of loosing you again… ok off to your place to pack then?

Bron: Yep

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After collecting her belongings Bron spends the rest of the day at Luke’s place unpacking, she manages to keep herself busy and get through the day without thinking about Barry and what he had done to her.

She is lying on Luke’s bed staring up at the ceiling, she almost drifts off to sleep but her mobile rings. She picks it up and answers it without looking at the screan.

Bron: Hello?

Barry: Hello Bron

Bron: What do you want?!

Barry: I just thought I should let you know that hotshot got the money to me.

Bron: Gee that’s great but I already knew that! Now piss off!

Barry: Just one more thing Bron… you better watch your back! You never know when I might come looking for you! We had so much fun that we might have to do it again some time!

Bron: You’re sick you know that?!

She hangs up the phone and hurles it at the nearest wall.

Bron: Prick!

Bron takes a few deep breaths and tries to calm down.

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Later that afternoon Luke arrives home with some KFC. He comes into the bedroom to find Bron fast asleep. He goes back out into the kitchen and starts to unpack the KFC. Bron hears the rattling of the plastic bags and quickly sits up.

Bron: Luke?

Luke comes in from the kitchen

Luke: Hey, sorry if I woke you.

He goes and sits beside her and looks into her eyes. He sees the sadness in her eyes.

Luke: Did something happen today?

Bron shakes her head

Bron: No… nothing, I’m ok

Luke: Are you sure? You seem a bit… distant

Bron: Well what do you want Luke? Do you want me to throw a party in honor of the occasion?!

Luke gets up and walks out into the kitchen. Bron flops face first onto the pillow and goes to sleep.

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At about 11pm Bron wakes up when Luke slides into bed next to her. She turns over to face him.

Bron: Luke….

Luke: Not now Bron, I just want to go to sleep ok?

Bron: I’m sorry

Luke: I know you are

He places his hand on top of hers then falls asleep soon after from exhaustion.

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The next morning Luke is almost ready for work. We see him doing up his tie in the mirror. He then looks over at Bron who is just lying in bed watching him.

Luke: You planning on having breakfast? I could grab you something from down the road if you like

Bron shakes her head

Bron: I don’t want anything

Luke: Bron you didn’t eat dinner last night and now you’re skipping breakfast

Bron: Thank you for pointing that out, but I already knew that. I’m not hungry.

Luke: Shorty-

Bron: I’m not hungry Luke

Luke sits down beside her.

Luke: I know that you are suffering Bron and I know its hard to cope with but if you don’t-

Bron: I’m coping fine Luke, stop worrying ok? I’m alright

She gives him a small smile, it is just enough to convince him.

Bron: Now hurry up or you’ll be late!

Luke: You aren’t trying to get rid of me are you?

Bron: Never!

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 Luke arrives on ward 17 looking for a file. Charlotte comes over to him. They are standing at the front desk. Luke is shuffling through some files trying to find the one he is looking for.

Charlotte: How is she doing?

Luke: She says she is fine, but I really don’t think she is

Charlotte : What gives you that idea

Luke looks up at Charlotte.

Luke: She’s snappy, she won’t get out of bed and she won’t eat

Charlotte : Maybe she just needs some time to get her head around this, she needs to sort herself out

Luke: I know, I’m just worried… I don’t want her sinking into depression… she’s been through enough already

Charlotte smiles and grabs one of Luke’s cheeks, she twists it.

Charlotte: (High pitched voice) Oh Luke you’re so lovely!!! If I were straight I would love you to bits! Pity.

She walks away as Luke finally finds the file he has been searching for

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 Luke arrives home to find Bron still in bed. He sits down by her.

Luke: How are you feeling?

Bron: I’m ok, just tired

Luke: That would probably because you haven’t eaten anything all day. How bout I get us some Chinese or something?

Bron: I don’t want anything

Luke sighs

Luke: Bron… at least get up and change into some new clothes

Bron: I’ll get up when I’m ready Luke! I don’t need you ordering me around!

Luke: I just want to-

Bron: If you want to help the leave me alone

Luke: I will not leave you to sink into depression… you know that’s where you’re headed don’t you? Look at yourself Bron

Bron: I didn’t ask for your opinion

Luke puts his hand on Bron’s, she quickly pulls her hand away.

Bron: Don’t

Luke: Bron how can I help you if you won’t tell me what you’re thinking?

Bron: I don’t need help! I’m alright! How many times do I have to tell you Luke?

Luke: Ok, if you’re ok then why are you acting like this? Look at how you’re treating yourself. It’s like you’re punishing yourself Bron. Look at what you’re doing to me. Its bloody clear that you aren’t fine.

Bron: It’s all about you isn’t it?!

Luke: I didn’t-

Bron: (yelling) This is just one big inconvenience for you isn’t it?! You want sex but you can’t have it so you’re trying to-

Luke: (yelling) Jesus Bron! Would you listen to yourself?!!!.

 

Bron looks away

 

Luke: Look I don’t need this alright?! All I want to do is help you and I can’t do that till you’re ready to stop slinging shit at me and start being realistic!. I know its hard but you can’t keep this up!.

Luke goes out the front door slamming it behind him.

 TO BE CONTINUED

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