Chapter 12 A Bite Out of My Bed - The New Pornographers

I know, I know this is the second time I've used the new Pornographers. I'm not going to say it'll be the last either because their music is awesome. ANYWAYS. As some of you know (other not so much but come say HI if you haven't) I'm headed to Africa in about 36 hours. Yeah big stuff. Relax though I'll be back. I just won't be posting next weekend because of the lack of internet where I'm going. Don't worry though the story goes on and there will be a double post week in Oct. to catch up. I'm about 7 chapters ahead in writing the story so I won't even be missing a week of writing.

Hope you enjoy this chapter. :)
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The injuries were really starting to rack up meaning more work for Sarah as she tracked everyone’s recovery coordinating visits to Doctors and cornering the training staff forcing them to write progress notes. She was loving that they were coming to fear her. It was a small victory in the tenuous partnership with the training staff. The trainers were focused on getting the guys well enough to play while Sarah was as always focused on total recovery. She knew they played hurt every single one of them had something that she was keeping her eye on from a distance. It was clear only the obvious things were reported to her. Only the injuries that could not be ignored were checked out. Everything else was wrapped, taped and iced or even injected to make playing manageable. Making the trainers keep notes was the only way she could truly know what was going on.

Max, Gonch, TK, and Geno out it was a lot to keep track of. For the moment she was still traveling with the team though if another guy went down she was going to have to stay home to keep track of them all. For now though she was following her usual routine only this time in San Jose. In the beginning she watched games from the press box with the injured guys but it became clear that wasn’t going to work. Running though the whole arena to get back to the locker room was just beyond stupid. So she spent the time hanging out watching on the monitors in the training room. That led to just playing around on the bikes and then really working out. Hey no one said she couldn’t and they were available. She cleaned them better than the guys did when she was finished anyways.

Things were always wonky when it came to road games but she kept to her routine riding the bike watching the game on the monitors. She missed hearing Mike Lang call the game but at least she could see the action. They hadn’t even made it out of the first when she caught a bone crushing hit on the PP. She hopped off the bike leaping into action. Thankfully she hadn’t had much of a chance to get sweaty as the training staff crowded around the injured man.
Kris was seething both in pain and anger as he came down the runway. “Get off me!” he was yelling as he held his arm to his chest not wanting to move to let the training staff get his gear off. “If you touch me again…” he started to say as Sarah caught his eye in the madness. He looked at her pleading with his eyes to get them away from him.

“Guys lets get into the training room, get him some water and a chance to breath.” she said slowly turning them one by one away from him. “He’s not bleeding so take a chill pill.” They all rolled their eyes but followed her directions giving them some space. She stepped up next to him walking at his side as he slowly made his way to the training room. “Tell me about the pain what is going on?”
“It fucking hurts.” he said still holding his arm obviously in pain.
The Doctor finally got his as into gear turning up. “Hello, Ms. Pearson I presume.” he said extending his hand.
“Yeah that’s me.” Sarah said getting her folders out so they had all the paperwork in order as they entered the training room Kris walking in front of them. “I’m guessing dislocation or contusion from what I saw and the pain he is exhibiting.” she turned from the doctor looking directly at Kris. “Sit down and let them get the gear off of you. It’s going to hurt but it’s either let them help or I’ll cut it off.” She game him the look that made all the guys cringe and do what she said. They all said it was the look that reminded them of their Mothers.

Begrudgingly Kris let them get his gear off of him stripping his top half. His shoulder was already starting to purple looking extremely angry. “Son you aren’t getting back in the game for awhile. You’re going to need some x-rays.” Sarah looked to the clock and sighed. “Kris go change we’re heading to the hospital. We’re on limited time here.” Kris nodded as Did the training staff as they got his skates off and his stupid tan crocks on. “Doc can we get him something called in for the pain for now.? Make him comfortable please. It‘ll be a long flight.”
The doctor opened his mouth to say something but Sarah quickly cut him off. “Look it’s obviously not dislocated his actual arm is mobile. He’s healthy and at low risk for a clot. Please.” Kris remained sitting on the table watching Sarah in awe. He knew she could be direct but she had yet to see her actually bring a doctor under her will.
“Yes, I’ll get him comfortable.” the Doctor said after pausing. He had no power over the rival team. The Doctor worked quickly giving Kris an injection to help with the pain. “Be sure to immobilize him once he’s changed.” The Doctor finally looked between Kris and Sarah and smiled. Sarah was distracted already working on arranging a flight for them. She walked away on the phone.

“You’re a brave one Son. She’s a good nurse which makes her extremely dangerous.”
Kris looked at the Doctor tilting his head. “Why do you say that Sir?”
The Doctor chuckled. “She’ll always take care of you, she will always love you but she will always put taking care of her patients first. Aside from that I didn’t know they came so pretty in the Steel City.” He clapped Kris on the good shoulder. “Best of luck to you son. I know you’re in good hands. Best get showered before she gets you immobilized like this.” Kris nodded carefully hopping off the table heading for the showers with the trainers to help him out.

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“That’s not good enough.” Sarah said her phone to her ear. “No I need two seats first class on the flight. No, I understand but I am telling you that’s not ok.” It had been like this for the last 10 minuets. Sarah sighed obviously frustrated. “Fine. The name of the passenger is Kristopher A. Letang. ID is Canadian Passport. “ Sarah rolled her eyes as she heard the period end. “No I do not want to dot he survey about customer service I think I made how much I am not satisfied extremely clear.” Sarah slammed her phone closed. She was quickly distracted though as the rest of the guys came down the hall. She waited patiently for Dan to step up along aside of her and she fell into stride explaining what was going on. “yeah he’s flying out at the same time as us but straight to Pittsburgh. I’ll be staying with the team. I’ve arranged the flight and am working on ground transportation now. He’ll be in good hands.
Dan nodded turning into the locker room leaving her in the hall. She texted Mal immediately asking the big favor of picking Kris up and making sure he goes for the x-rays immediately. Once Mal agreed Sarah sighed heading back to the training room to find Kris. “So… you feelin’ anything on your side there?” she asked trying to revert back to girlfriend mode for a bit as she helped him finish tucking his shirt into his dress slacks and tie his tie for him.
“Not really.” he admitted shrugging his good shoulder. “The Doctor numbed it.” She smiled easily seeing he wasn’t in pain at the moment. “She got out what she needed to immobilized his shoulder for the trip home. “So You’re going home right after the game.” she said tightening the straps. That would hold his arm in the sling to his chest.
“Yes I figured as much.” he sighed obviously annoyed by the whole thing. “What time is our flight?” he asked running his free hand though his damp hair.
“There is no us. I couldn’t get another seat. And I need to continue to Boston with the team.” Really she should have been going with the team. It has been out of selfishness that she wanted to go with him. She wanted to make sure she was ok. She wanted to be the nurse and the girlfriend. “Well there is an us just not an us going home tonight. There is however a you and a Mal will be waiting to take you to get your x-rays and then she’ll take you home. I know you aren’t broken is dislocated but I can’t tell about fractures. They could be in there and a bitch to heal if not treated appropriately.” she slowly made her way closer to him as the time ticked off the intermission. As the guys streamed back down the runway Sarah rested her hand on Kris’ good shoulder.
He sighed heavily hanging his head. “I do not like being hurt.”
“I don’t think anyone does sweetie.” She said moving to rest her head on his good shoulder. “Well some people do but they are sick in a different way.” She had seen many people who self harm when she worked psych. It was never something that sat well with her. “I’m pretty sure your bones are bruised so we’re looking at four weeks, six on the outside. That’s what 9 games?” she said him open his mouth to speak and she shushed him covering his mouth with her hand. “Four weeks or pain every time you shrug or lift your arm. But I’m not going to lecture you now.” she pressed a kiss to his forehead. “I was really freaked out when I saw it was you.” She removed her hand from his mouth. “I am so, so sorry that it’s you. I wouldn’t want it to be anyone but especially not you.” She went to continue but his lips covered hers. Previous to this they had a strict no kissing at the arena rule. It all went out the window though as his lips moved against hers. His kiss was gentle and tender maybe with a tinge of worry as well.
“Your turn to shush. Do not worry about me I will do what I must. I will list…” he smiled correcting himself. “I will do my best to listen and follow your directions.”
Sarah nodded. “Good or I’ll beat you and it’ll be in a bad way not a good way. Now lets watch the game.”
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There was nothing like traveling with a pack of men and more gear than one could imagine. For Sarah it was always easy to be caught in the crush. She was swept in with the training staff and the media often time also with smelly gear. Once at the airport Sarah personally dug through the bags to get him his carry-on. She could see he was tired but stressed he at least deserved to have his psp when he flew alone.
“Ok so I put Mal’s number in your phone. Text her when you land. She’s going to take you for your x-rays. It’ll be good. She has my permission to answer 5 personal questions about me so have fun with that.” Sarah joked. “You have a whole flight to think of what you want to ask.” The team flight had to bored and do their usual pre-flight rituals. She still found all the rituals weird and was sure a few of the guys were borderline OCD one or two of them for sure meeting diagnostic criteria.
“Oh I will think of good question.” he said taking her hand pulling away from the group a bit. “Thank you for being my nurse and girlfriend.” Sarah went pink in the cheeks hearing him give her a title for the first time.
She didn’t wait for him to say anything else as she stretched up to kiss him. “I’ll call in the morning about your x-rays and you will know as soon as I do, I don’t want to leave my boyfriend hanging to long.” she ran her hands over the lapels of his suit. “In about…” she paused to look at her watch. “In about four hours take the Advil. If you don’t you’ll wake up in some serious pain. Mal has some better stuff for you once you’re on the ground.” she gave him another quick kiss before pushing him away lightly. “You better go or you’ll miss your flight.” she said sadly. It was going to be weird not having him there. It wasn’t till now she realized just how much time she spent around him. They weren’t always interacting directly but he was always just in the other room or on the ice and she was in the training room or even on the same plane or bus just a few rows away.
“I have questions to think of.” he teased kissing her head. “See you in a few days. Do not worry to much. The rest of the guys will feed on it.” he reminded her kissing her forehead. “Don’t give them a reason to tease you.” he hugged her close with one arm before letting go starting the walk towards security for his flight.