It's Out of my Hands...

[Chelsea Armstrong]

Pacing around the room I take a deep breath as my mind continues to flow back and forth with my steps debating if I’m making the right move, glancing back at my phone again I nod as I hit the call button I hear the dial tone several times before I get connected...

Receptionist: Saint Mary's Hospital, Susie speaking how may I help you today?

Chelsea: Hello, is Doctor Carter in today?

Receptionist: May I ask if you’re a patient or is this a personal call?

Pausing for a moment I look around the room before closing my eyes.

Chelsea: Patient.

Receptionist: Okay just let me check...

The line goes quiet for a second...

Receptionist: Yes, Doctor Carter is in today... Do you want me to put you through or would you like to leave a message for her?

Chelsea: Put me through please, I’d prefer to talk straight to her.

Receptionist: One second while I try to connect you...

I hear the on hold tone as I impatiently wait... After a few moments I get put through...

Doctor: Hello Doctor Carter speaking...

Chelsea: Aeryn?

Doctor: Who is this?

Taking another pause I let my breathing flow steadily.

Chelsea: Chelsea Armstrong...

I hear a pause from the other end of the phone...

Doctor: You've got a lot of nerve calling me...

Chelsea: I know...and I don't expect you to want to talk to me. Just please hear me out before you hang up.

Doctor: You're asking a hell of a lot for me to do that...

Chelsea: Again I know…but I tried talking to him first and he shut me out, I expected it but this just seems so up his ally.

Doctor: Why the hell shouldn't he... After everything you did... You were lucky he didn't kill you...

Chelsea: I know I am, but this is more than just for me right now...when talking to him I can tell things aren't right. Yes we haven't been on the same page in ages but I know how he used to be...and it's not this...this would help him as much as it'll help me...

Doctor: Listen, I'm on my break soon, give me your number and I'll ring you back in a few... I'm not sure who could be listening in...

Chelsea: 596-3467.

Doctor: I'll ring you back shortly...

I hear the click of the phone before the dial tone soon follows as a soft sigh leaves my lips before I put my phone on the bed. It then hits me as I wonder if she will really call back. It feels like an eternity passes before my phone finally rings as I quickly pick it up placing it against my ear.

Chelsea: Hello?

Doctor: Not sure why I called you back…

Chelsea: I didn’t think you would…but I’m glad you did.

Doctor: I'm still not sure I am...

Chelsea: Ok, well just hear me out and then if you still don’t want anything to do with this I’ll let you go and neither one of you will hear from me again…ok?

Doctor: How is he? ...I mean how did he seem?

Chelsea: From what I got…it’s not good. He kept telling me he wasn’t the same guy anymore…and then told me that he just needed to be forgotten…that it would be best for you.

I hear nothing but silence from the other end as I softly speak up.

Chelsea: Are you ok?

Doctor: Yeah…

I can hear her voice trembling slightly as a part of me knows I’m going in the right direction.

Chelsea: I think that’s the reason he turned down my offer…he’s still protecting you…I don’t know everything he’s been through lately but I know he’s hurting. And honestly I think he believes if he hurts then you won’t…that you’ll be safe….

Doctor: I wish it was that easy...

Chelsea: But that's the thing...I think he believes it is that easy. I mean come on you know better than anyone how he is...would the old him turn down a chance to kick some ass? And over that no matter who it was if someone was being targeted and ganged up on he'd usually be the one you could count on to step up and help...right? He's in a downward spiral...and if he doesn't get pulled up soon...I don't even want to think about it...

Doctor: You don't know how much I wish... I would give anything to be there with him but there's too much you don't know about... I feel like I'm in a prison here... And I'm completely helpless as he's consumed in the darkness...

Chelsea: I know I don't know everything right now...but I can help him. If you could just talk to him, convince him to take up my offer...I can pull him out there and get back the man you know and love...All I'm asking for is help, I feel like he's my only hope in this place...

Doctor: I want to but I know he won’t risk it…Even me talking to him puts us both at risk…

Chelsea: Then tell me what I can do or say to get him to come back…even if it means him wanting to tear my head off…if it gets him back into that ring I’ll do it.

Doctor: Let me make some calls and I'll see what I can do... I think I'm the only one he will listen to...

Chelsea: Ok…will you let me know if you figure anything out?

Doctor: I'll guess we'll both know soon enough... If it doesn't it'll at least be nice to hear his voice again... Even if he's mad at me...

Chelsea: If he gets mad because you call...push the blame on me, it might not help you much but it might help a little...can't hurt me that much more...mean not really his favorite person to begin with. This does mean a lot to me...and I know you probably don't believe me but I am sorry and regret everything I did to the two of you...that was a dark place for me and I've tried to move past it...I know it'll never be ok but I just do want you to know I am sorry.

Once again I hear silence at the other end.
 
Doctor: I appreciate the sentiment... I'll guess will both know soon enough if it works... I better get back before anyone notices I'm missing..

I hear the dial tone and it's obvious she's hanged up as I put my phone back down before falling back onto my bed and letting my eyes close as I know for now…it’s all out of my hands.