Otalia fic - Heroes and Friends, 15/?

[calliopes_muse]

Title: Heroes and Friends

Fandom: Otalia

Rating: Mostly PG-13, eventual NC-17 for sex and violence (Not between our girls though…the violence that is…promise. The other? Well…teehee).

Disclaimer: These wonderful ladies and the rest of the town belong to CBS, Telenext, and P&G. I’m just having some fun with them.

Spoilers: I don’t think so. This story picks up at the “no more waiting” gazebo scene and goes off canon.

Summary: Nat gets the shock of her life and it turns Liv’s world upside down.

Warning: Not beta’d so if it sucks, there’s only me to blame.

Links to previous chapters:
Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3 - Chapter 4 - Chapter 5 - Chapter 6 - Chapter 7 - Chapter 8 - Chapter 9 - Chapter 10 - Chapter 11 - Chapter 12 - Chapter 13 - Chapter 14
 

Chapter 15

A light knock at the door roused Olivia from the deep sleep she had fallen into. In her arms, Natalia shifted and forced an eye open. The pout on her lips was adorable as she burrowed into Olivia’s neck. The knock came again, a little harder and longer this time.

Natalia moaned. “Make it go away.” Olivia swung a leg off the bed, but Natalia pulled her back. “Don’t you dare.”

Olivia smiled at the dark head on her shoulder and kissed it lightly. She’d gladly give in to the other woman’s demands because she didn’t want to move either. 

Instead she cleared her throat, “Come in.” She smiled bigger when she saw the wheelchair coming through the door. She nudged Natalia. “I think you want to see this visitor.”

Olivia felt Natalia raise off the bed next to her. “Oh my God, Rafe! Baby!”

A hand went to Natalia’s mouth and Olivia pulled her a little closer, knowing she was crying but they were happy tears. Rafe’s smile was lopsided and he tried to get out of his chair, but Josh, who was pushing him in, guided him back down by his shoulder.

“Hey, Ma.”

Natalia turned a teary smile on Josh. “Get him over here. Closer.”

Josh saluted. “Yes, ma’am!” Olivia laughed at him. Nobody denied Natalia her heart’s desire.

With all the wires and tubes hooked to her, Natalia couldn’t move far but she could roll over in her bed as Josh parked Rafe as close to her bed as possible so she could scoot over and give him a kiss on the cheek. She saw his arm in a cast and touched it lightly.

“My Baby.”

He blushed at the endearment and concern. “Ma, it’s okay.” He looked over her shoulder at Olivia, blushing harder. “They took me off the good pain meds though.”

Josh smirked next to him. “They had to, buddy. You were hitting on every nurse that walked in the room. I think there may be a little Spencer blood running in your veins after all.”

Olivia raised a hand up trying unsuccessfully to hide her snicker. Rafe looked over his shoulder at Josh. “Dude!”

Josh lifted his hands innocently. “What? At least you didn’t hit on any of the male nurses.”

“Jeez, I’m never going to live this down.” Rafe shook his head and turned back to his smiling mother, ignoring the laughter from the peanut gallery. “Anyway! You’re looking good, Ma.”

She took his good hand, rolling over so she could curl back into a surprised Olivia. He only spared a quick glance to Olivia and tried to hide the small smile on his face at Olivia’s shocked expression. “I’m feeling good. Except for feeling like I got hit by a truck, I’m good.”

The door to the room opened again, pulling everyone’s attention away. Olivia held her breath certain that at any moment it would be unwelcome guests. It was actually an orderly rolling a bed into the room. Natalia looked at Olivia with confusion.

Josh answered the look. “You’re going to have company for the rest of your stay.” He looked down at Rafe then back to Natalia and Olivia.

Natalia looked over at the woman behind her. “Did you do this? You did, didn’t you?” Olivia shrugged. “I love you so much.” Natalia kissed her and Olivia blushed deeply at the show of affection in front of Rafe.

“I love you too.” She said low.

Rafe cleared his throat. “Um, if you two are going to be like this the whole time, I don’t know if I can take it. Too mushy for my tastes.”

Natalia smiled at him then turned back to Olivia with a wicked look on her face. “Get used to it. I’m not letting another moment pass without telling or showing Olivia how I feel.”

Rafe rolled his eyes. “Great!”

When the orderly got the bed set up and left, Josh moved behind the wheelchair again. “Come on, big man. Let’s get you settled in.”

***************

About thirty minutes later when Rafe had just started to doze off in his bed and snoring loudly, Dr. Ashby came in to check on Natalia. Olivia had finally been able to convince Natalia to let her get down from the bed and stretch her legs, so she now sat in the uncomfortable plastic chair that matched the ones in the waiting area.

“Good day, Ms. Rivera. How are you feeling?”

“Pretty good, actually.” She smiled at him, already having a feeling that he was a kind soul.

“I would hope so because all of your vitals are getting back to normal, and your sugar levels are balancing out nicely.” Natalia nodded her head, understanding. Olivia had filled her in earlier on her diagnosis, confirming what the brunette had assumed from her symptoms while Edmund had her captive. “I understand you’re familiar with proper care and nutrition because of your son having diabetes.”

Natalia nodded. “Yes, I think I read every book on diabetes when he was a kid and eating well is second nature to me after all these years.”

“That’s the truth!” The no longer sleepy voice in the other bed piped up.

Natalia rolled her eyes good-naturedly. “It’s my job.”

“So, who here is going to tell me where Frank’s at?”

The two women looked at each other. Olivia closed her eyes and mentally kicked herself for neglecting to tell Rafe what was going on, and Natalia hesitated thinking he may have already known. Olivia put a hand over hers to stop her when it looked like she was going to spill the beans.

“Um, Rafe…” Rafe didn’t like the look on Olivia’s face or her hesitation. He sat up, and immediately went to Natalia’s bed.

“Olivia, what happened?”

She looked up at him and ran a tired hand down her face. “He got hurt, Rafe. Bad.”

“What? How?” Rafe looked like his legs were about to give out and a sudden strike of fear went through him. “Olivia, is he…? Please tell me he’s not.”

Natalia put her hand over his where he gripped the rail of her bed. “Baby, sit down.”

Dr. Ashby slid a vacant chair up behind him, but he was frozen to the spot. He looked frantically from his mom to Olivia, the tears already forming in his eyes. “Ma?”

Olivia walked around to be closer to Rafe. She put a hand on his shoulder. “Rafe, he was shot by Edmund. He lost a lot of blood and it took us a while to get help. He developed an infection, and it’s not looking good right now.”

Rafe jerked his head up to look at her then. His eyes haunted and scared. “You mean, he’s going to die?”

She could feel him take in a shaky breath and his body wavered under her touch. She knew he wanted to give out but tried to remain strong. His hand was white-knuckled as he held the bed rail in a death grip.

She swallowed hard and fought down the tears. She didn’t dare look at Natalia because she could hear her crying already. If she looked at her now, she’d never be strong enough to get through this.

“Probably, Rafe. He probably will die.”

The tears then came in earnest as he lost his battle to hold them back. He shook his head and broke down. Olivia pulled his head down to her shoulder, and in spite of their recent past, he let her hold him as he cried.

“I did this.” He spoke into her shoulder.

“No, no you didn’t. I never should have let you two come along.” Olivia ran her fingers through the thick dark hair, trying to soothe his pain, and take the brunt of the fault.

He shook his head and stood back up. “No, you don’t understand. He treated me like a son, like the son he never had, and I knew this. I used it to get my way. I wanted to find Ma, and I knew he wouldn’t let me go alone. It’s my fault he’s dying. Mine!”

“Neither one of you are at fault.” Natalia’s interruption was so soft they almost missed it.

“What?” Olivia looked down at her, noticing the tears were dry and her face was surprisingly calm, serene.

“I said, neither of you are at fault. If it’s anyone’s fault, it’s Edmund’s. He kidnapped me and set all of this into motion. The only other person at fault here is Frank himself. He’s a grown man and made his own decisions. Just like you two had to make yours to come after me. He made his to go too. I won’t have you two arguing over who’s going to take blame because neither of you are. You got it!”

Natalia gave each her no nonsense mom look that brooked no argument from either of them. Rafe did look around Olivia’s shoulder though to Dr. Ashby who had been waiting in case he was needed.

“Can I see him?”

“Me too.” Natalia took Rafe’s hand.

Olivia smiled at them then at the doctor. She put her arm around Rafe’s shoulder. “Me three.”

****************

Lillian picked the perfect time to come in bearing bags of fresh clothes she had picked up at a store down the street. The shirt was a little big for Natalia and the jeans a bit baggy for Rafe, but all in all it made them feel much better. When the doctor came back to let them know they could see Frank, they headed two floors up to the intensive care wing.

Frank’s room was stark and cold, not just visually but physically. Natalia gasped in front of her as she was wheeled into Frank’s room, and a hand instinctively went to the brunette’s shoulder where it was clasped tightly by Natalia. 

“Damn.” Rafe muttered in his chair next to his mother. Natalia would have normally corrected him for his cursing, but even she found herself speechless at the image in front of her. Josh glanced at Olivia before quietly exiting the room.

Olivia raised a hand over her nose, trying to block the odor in the room. All of the disinfectant in the world couldn’t kill the foul smell of death that permeated the room. Frank was dying from the inside out. His body turning on him and withering away. His eyes were already sunken as if the soul that had filled them had already passed over and the skin was pale with the loss of life.

Olivia shook her head and felt the tightness fill up her chest at the sight of Frank helpless on the bed. There had been so much history and pain between them, and she remembered good times, laughter, and some shared intimacies that belonged to her and Frank alone. He didn’t deserve this. His only crime had been loving Natalia, and for that, she couldn’t blame him. That love drove him to protect Natalia, even when it was against Olivia that he was doing it, and she couldn’t blame him for that either. She had done and would do, over and over again, the same thing for the woman she loved. She understood what had driven him to insist on following her to San Cristobel for Natalia. Whether it was disguised by concern for Natalia or to protect her son, the bottom line was that Frank paid with his life for loving Natalia. Olivia had done and would do the same thing. She would die if it meant Natalia or Rafe would have lived. She would have, like Frank, done it without thinking.

There was no fault on anyone’s part here and certainly not for Frank who had done nothing wrong but love a woman who couldn’t return it.

Tears fell down her cheek as she watched mother and son stand and walk to either side of Frank’s bed. They mirrored each other as each of his hands were taken in theirs. She moved between the two wheelchairs that had brought them in and took a spot next to Natalia. She offered comfort to the woman next to her and rubbed her back in slow circles.

Natalia sniffled and leaned over, a tear falling on Frank’s forehead as she bent to kiss the clammy skin there. Olivia couldn’t hear the words Natalia uttered as she pressed her cheek to his, but she did feel the quiver in her back as the tears came with more force.

When Natalia finally straightened back up, she leaned back heavily into Olivia’s arms, completely drained. She closed her eyes and looked at Rafe.

He swiped at his tears in embarrassment then looked at the two women across from him. “Can I have a moment alone?”

Olivia nodded and helped his mom back into the wheelchair. She knew whatever he needed to say wasn’t something he wanted his mom to hear.

When the door closed behind them, Rafe finally relaxed and let the tears come.

He cleared his throat trying to get words out around the knot in his throat. “Hey, Frank. I just…I wanted to thank you. You…I just wanted to thank you for everything you’ve done. I’m not talking about all the stuff with me being in jail and all that. I know that wasn’t your doing so don’t pretend, ‘kay? But you…,” the knot was back in his throat, “You were my friend when I didn’t have any. You stood up for me and believed in me, you listened to me rant. I wasn’t looking for dad, in spite of what my mom was thinking, but I did need a friend and you were there.”

When he couldn’t hold out any longer, he broke down crying. He mouthed the words “I love you” but no sound came out.

Outside the room, Olivia and Natalia waiting along with Josh. The door opened behind them, and they turned to see a red-eyed Rafe standing there with his good hand stuffed deep in his pocket. Natalia immediately wrapped him in a hug, and he closed his eyes as he buried his face in her neck.

The slow-rise of angry voices down the hall didn’t click with Olivia at first as she watched Rafe and Natalia comfort each other.

“Um, Olivia?” Josh tried to get her attention. “Olivia!”

Green eyes finally broke away from her family, and she followed Josh’s line of sight down the hall as the voices became louder and sounding awfully familiar.

“Where the hell is he? Where’s my father and where’s that bitch that broke his heart and killed him?” Marina’s bright red hair flew away from her face as she rounded the corner. Her face was red and blotchy from crying and now anger.

“Oh shit,” Josh shook his head. “This is gonna get ugly.”

Olivia stepped in front of Natalia putting herself between her and the raging woman coming down the hall. Olivia’s voice though held no trepidation. “Oh yeah.”

Comments

[bsofthewest.livejournal.com]

“Oh yeah.” is right! I thought this was winding down....no way. It just got a second wind! Keep'm coming girl. I love it all!

[ttandme69.livejournal.com]

wow, another great chapter in this story! it is good to see Rafe accepting Olivia & Natalia's love....staying in the same room...adorable! Sad about Frank...Marian is an ass and Olivia will just have to kick her ass! Thanks for posting...more - soon - please. Thanks, Lisa

[luverindaniels.livejournal.com]

Ohh this oughta be good. Can't wait for the next chapter.

[ceridwyn2.livejournal.com]

Ooh this is really good. I'm glad Natalia's so relaxed with showing affection with Olivia in front of her son. The face off with Marina should be good. :)

keep up the great writing.

[anice5.livejournal.com]

You brought it right back from slow heat to roiling boil. It is a soap opera story after all. This is a great read. Thank you.

[revanstar.livejournal.com]

Now while I don't want frank to die and I feel bad about him gettin' shot, Natalia's right, he made a choice, he knew the risks and unfortunately he got hurt, That said I hope Olivia bitch slaps Marina into next week. It isn't like Natalia asked to be kidnapped. You know I like buzz but for the most part I think the Coopers are a waste of Space.

Actually... *Punches Marina* Shut up Ompa Lompa!

Cheers and Thank,
L

P.S. I just thought about it but I must say that I am pissed that she shares her name with the smokin' Marina for the L Word. That woman was hot.

[wkgreen.livejournal.com]

Very nice! Loved how you had Natalia telling Olivia and Rafe not to blame themselves for Franks dying. And can't wait to see the showdown between Olivia and Marina. Marina is way out of her league. ;)

Waiting for next chapter. :)

[geekgrrllurking.livejournal.com]

Oooh, this is gonna be good. And Frank is about to kick the bucket to boot. Woohoo, there is a Santa Claus!

[jennjenn30.livejournal.com]

Damn you're good!!!!!!

[authorw.livejournal.com]

This was great.
I love the way Olivia comforts Rafe!
More drama to come, can't wait.

[sinjenkai.livejournal.com]

Uh oh

[suzotchka67.livejournal.com]

ugh, please tell me Liv is gonna kick Marina's ass!

loved the scene with Nat and Liv waking up, just before Josh wheeled Rafe in, as well as the way he's seemingly willing to accept both Olivia and her relationship with his mother, now.

as annoyed as i was with Frank on the show from the proposal on, i'm actually not sure how i feel about him dying, though it's certainly a very soapy end for him, i guess. :)