Broken Past, Good Path

you can't go back and change the beginning

    Olivia Hodgens watched the scene unfold with a blatant expression on her face. She knew what her dad had meant by his words. Her eyes also took in the way Bradley leaned forward dangerously close to falling and the way Morgan gracefully caught him. Her two ears heard perfectly well the sounds of denial. Olivia smirked as she watched the interaction and the eye contact between the two parties.

                “He only meant that I helped by giving Noah my blood. That is all. I will be going back to my room now,” Bradley moved past Morgan. Olivia shook her head at him. Was it really that hard to tell the truth? Olivia shot her dad a look which kickstarted him into action.

                “Oh. Ah, Bradley! You really shouldn’t move just yet! Moran be a dear would you and help him to his room.”

                “Why not Olivia?” Morgan asked with hostility in her voice.

                “I have to check her bandages. It is already several hours past due. I assure you Noah is in safe hands,” The doctor quickly shooed Morgan out of the room. When he turned back, Olivia held up her hand for a high five. “I really do need to check on you,” Her father said after the high five, patting the gurney that Bradley had previously laid on. Olivia hopped onto the gurney, allowing her father to check on her minor injuries. She turned her attention to a bed a few down from hers, holding the still form of Noah.

                “You seem to be healing wonderfully. Most likely due to my expert care,” her father chuckled at his own praise. “I think you will be fine to sleep in your own room tonight.”

                “Oh dad! Can’t I stay here for one more night? Please?!” Olivia turned her begging eyes to her father. The doctor looked at her with surprise.

                “If you wish… I thought you would be rather tired of staying here…” The doctor glanced over to Noah and back at her again. “It wouldn’t be because of a certain someone, would it?”

                “Dad…” Olivia suppressed the urge to purse her lips. The doctor held up his hands, his palms facing her.

                “If you truly like this boy, I won’t object. After all, he has saved my precious daughter twice now!” The doctor smiled and walked away before Olivia could say anything else. She laid down on the gurney, turning her eyes back to Noah with a sheepish smile on her face.

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                Morgan Dylan walked down the halls with her arms crossed, a short distance away from Bradley. From the corner of her eye, she watched as Bradley stumbled every now and then, but otherwise moved just fine. She hated to admit that she was curious but her gut told her there was more to the words the doctor had said to him back in the medical cube. There was more to the story than Bradley just giving Noah his blood. She was sure of it. But what had he meant by saying Noah wouldn’t be alive today if not for Bradley?

                “You can go. I can make it to my room by myself,” Bradley’s words cut into her thoughts. Morgan silently thought about turning around to go back to the medical cube but forgot about it after seeing Bradley stumble again.

                “The least I can do is make sure you get into bed…” Moran replied, reaching out to him. She placed a hand under his arm, steadying him.

                “I’m only a little light headed. I can make it by myself,” Bradley said, doing his best to shake her off. Morgan remained firm even though she was taken back by the mass of muscle she felt under his clothing and how such a simple action nearly forced her to let go.

                “Just take it as a thank you from Noah, since he can’t repay you right now.”

                “Don’t start being nice to me now… I might get confused,” Bradley scoffed under his breath. Morgan chose not to reply. “In that case…” Bradley swung his arm over her shoulder, leaning into her. Morgan held back a howl of protest, considering that the Hall of Letters came into view. They silently moved down the hall with Morgan guiding them. Her thoughts once again questioned the meaning of the doctor’s words followed by Bradley’s most recent advances, including the kiss he had stolen from her. She erased them as they arrived at Bradley’s door. She pushed the door open, shivers running up her spine as she remembered once again the last time she had been in this room. She guided them across the room to the bed. Bradley removed his arm from around her shoulder, sliding down onto the bed with a grunt.

                “What did the doctor really mean?” Morgan questioned as she watched Bradley fall back onto his pillows and pull up the covers. He held up a finer and wagged it with a smirk.

                “I’m in bed so you can go now,” Bradley murmured, turning onto his side and showing her his back. Morgan stared at his back for a while getting the feeling that he wasn’t telling her something once again. She backed up to the door lifting her hand to the handle, her eyes scanning the room.

                “I’m sorry,” Bradley’s voice floated across the room in between a shuffle and a gentle snore. Moran paused in leaving. Why was he so sorry? Was it because of Noah? Because he had kissed her? She shook her head and escaped from the room as quickly and silently as possible. She nearly ran back down the halls to the medical cube. Her eyes first scanned for the doctor ad when they didn’t find him, they stopped on Olivia. Morgan barged into the medical cube, stirring Olivia into an upright position.

                “What happened that night?” Morgan asked. Olivia looked at her, blinking her eyelashes several times over.

                “We were targeted. Our car flipped over several times-.”

                “No… I know that. What happened after?”

                “Well…” Olivia began, turning her head away. Morgan raised her hands to her hips, prepared to wait for the answer. “Ok… I’ll tell you… but if anyone asks, you didn’t hear it from me.” Olivia struggled to find a more comfortable position as she recounted the ordeal up until the car had stopped rolling. “After that, I was in and out of consciousness. The next thing I remember seeing was my dad. He was inspecting me and Noah inside the car. Bradley was scanning the area outside, making sure that whoever targeted us didn’t come back. Then they moved me and Noah into their car and drove us back here. It wasn’t until later my dad told me what happened. After the radio call, Bradley directly went to my dad to take him along to find us. Bradley said there was no time to wait for Ryland or Jax, s he very directly risked his own life and my father’s just to save Noah and I,” Olivia finished. Morgan nodded, comprehending Olivia’s words with a sense of horror. Another wave of discomfort washed over her as she recalled the words she had said to Bradley.

                “So that is what your dad was talking about,” Morgan backed up to the medical cube’s door. She scanned the now familiar room of the medical cube, looking at Noah last. “I’ll see you tomorrow,” Morgan whispered. She left the cube, drifting back to her own room listlessly. For hours, she flipped and turned, her own words tormenting and keeping her from sleep. After falling asleep, her dreams were filled with Noah’s savior, waking her after only a few hours. After changing, she left her room, slowly making her way towards the kitchen.

                “Where the hell could he be?” A voice shouted once she turned down the Hall of Letters. Ahead of her, a crowd formed just outside of Bradley’s door. The doctor looked up and spotted her. “Ah, Morgan! You did put Bradley back in bed last night, didn’t you?” The doctor questioned her. Morgan responded with a nod. “Then, where the hell is he?”

                “I think I know,” Ryland answered, leading them all down a maze of hallways, stopping in front of one door at the dead end of one hall. Morgan bit on her lip, unsure of why she followed. “I’m almost positive this is where he will be,” Ryland stepped aside, giving room for the doctor to push open the door. They all peered in. At first, Morgan didn’t see anyone. Then, a flash of movement caught her eye. Her eyes widened a little as she made out ivory skin, a six pack and muscular arms.

                “What do you think you are doing?” The doctor burst in, startling Bradley. He lost his grip on the bar he was doing pull ups on and fell, his two feet hitting the floor with a thump. “Do you know how much blood you lost yesterday? No working out for twenty-four hours!” The doctor slapped Bradley’s shoulder.

                “I wasn’t even doing anything strenuous!” Bradley complained, looking up for the first time. He blinked, wiping the sweat from his face before looking at each of them in turn. He paused when his gray eyes found Morgan’s blue pools. Morgan frowned as Bradley visibly tensed.

                “You need to eat a proper meal and rest while your body is restoring your blood.” The doctor again brooded over Bradley.

                “I’m sorry but will you please excuse us?” Morgan suddenly blurted out, gaining the eyes of everyone in the room. The silence stretched on as Morgan stared at Bradley.

                “Sure! Just make sure you bring him to breakfast with you! Let’s go, Doc,” Ryland backed up into the hallway and out of sight, followed closely by the doctor. Morgan’s eyes didn’t stray from the fierce, steel gray eyes as the door clicked shut.

                “Is there something you wanted?” Bradley brushed his eyes away from her. Morgan followed him with her eyes. He pulled a shirt over his head, hiding away his abs. The silence increased and enfolded around them.

                “I came to apologize and to thank you.”

                “Thank me? Thank me for what?” Bradley turned back around to face her. Morgan stepped toward him. She took her time, at first, but as she gained confidence she sped up, crashing herself into the man’s rock-hard body, wrapping her arms tightly around his midriff.