“Have you been abused in any way?”
“How do you feel about the fresh allegations of sexual misconduct against Owen?”
“Will you defend him in court?”
“Do you blame Owen for losing your job and your apartment?”
“Have you received any money from Owen Gasnier?”
“GO AWAY!” Tegan cried, lashing out with flailing hands. She was only held back by Owen’s arms around her waist, though with the weight she had lost, she wasn’t in any shape to fight anyone. Owen gritted his teeth and slammed the elevator button repeatedly until it pinged open. He half carried Tegan inside and wrapped his arms around her, covering her from the cameras until the doors finally closed, enveloping them in silence. No sound could be heard except for Tegan’s sobs. She gripped Owen’s arms around her as he pressed the floor they needed and the lift ascended.
“I’m so sorry...” Owen whispered, kissing her head. His worst fear had been realised. Tegan had been thrust into his world. A world she wasn’t ready for. A world she didn’t understand or care for.
When she slackened in his arms, panic seeped into his brain. He had been told about her panic attack during the Williams fight. Told her heart couldn’t take too much pressure. “Tegan! Tegan! Oh God...”
The doors chimed open and Owen carried her limp form into the corridor, screaming for help. Within seconds, ward nurses rushed over to him, taking her from his grip and onto a wheeled bed. A blood pressure wrap was placed around her arm and an oxygen mask placed over her mouth. Owen heaved breaths, telling himself to calm down when he was doing anything but. They rushed Tegan through the emergency doors, and when they closed, it hit home that he might never see her again.
Owen paced the halls. No one on duty could tell him what was wrong. They couldn’t get through to the room she was in which meant they were still working on her. He wanted to go back down to the parking lot and lay waste to everything. He also wanted to force answers out of the nearest staff member, but as he leaned against the wall and placed his hands on his knees, rational thought seemed to edge through him. It wouldn’t solve anything. It wouldn’t help Tegan. From that clarity, through the rage, questions began to form. How did they know to be there? How did they know to be in the car park on the exact day Tegan was going in for her results? How did they know her name? That was more than just investigative journalism. It was then it hit Owen. This was how they were coming after him. Through Tegan.
How much did Diaz’ team know? Were they behind it? Could they be innocent? Did it even matter? Was the title fight itself a complete set up? He shook his head, clearing all thoughts except for Tegan as the doors opened and a nurse trotted out, spied him and headed over.
“You brought the young woman in?”
“Yes...” Owen stood up and walked closer. “How is she?”
“She’s resting. You can go in and see her in a few minutes when we get her a room.”
“What happened?”
“Looks like it was a panic attack. Her heart has a murmur. We were very, very lucky. Another few minutes... we might not have been able to help. I’ll let you know what room she’s in and I’ll have the paperwork ready for you,” she finished kindly. Thankfully, Owen didn’t have to wait long. After a few minutes, she leaned over the nurse’s station and called out a room number.
Owen found it quickly. Tegan was alone, sitting up in bed, her face the definition of exhausted. “Did the nurse talk to you?”
Owen nodded. “She said we were really lucky. I’m so sorry about all that. It’s what I was afraid of—”
“Did she say anything about paperwork?”
“Oh... yeah. She said she would have it ready for me. Don’t worry about that.”
“It’s not admissions, babe. I can’t do this anymore...” she croaked from the bed.
Owen leaned forward and got close to her face. “Don’t say that. The results are here, right? You’ve been so brave. You can’t give up.”
“I can’t, Owen. I tried... I gave it my all. I don’t care what the results are. I’m not doing anymore chemo. I don’t want any more surgery. If it’s spread like they thought, it won’t matter anyway. I want to enjoy the time I have left with you.”
“Teegs, please don’t say this, OK? You can’t give up hope...” he said thickly, stroking her cheek. “I need you to keep fighting. Please... I need you.”
“I need you...” she replied, “to help me.”
“What do you mean?”
“If anything happens to me, I need you to tell them not to operate. Not to revive me.”
“Teegs, stop. I don’t want to hear this.”
“Well, you’re going to. You wanted to be here... I didn't ask you to." she said. She took his hand and continued gently, "Now I am."
Owen got up slowly, sighing. “I’m gonna... go for a walk.”