Chapter Text
Stella sighed as she stuffed her hands into her pockets. It was a clear, quiet night, something she was grateful for as she listened to the soft crunch of frost beneath her feet. It was late. Later than she would be out walking on a regular day but ever since Belfast it seemed she had forgotten what exactly a ‘regular day’ was.
She hadn’t realised she was crying until a silent sob ripped from her chest, bringing with it a blinding pain in her ribs as she sucked in a breath. The cold air shocked her already aching chest and she was unprepared for the panic that gripped her almost instantly as she tried in vain to catch her breath.
The tears intensified as her chest tightened and Stella’s eyes darted wildly for something she could lean on in an attempt to ground herself. With one hand clutching her ribs she made it to a nearby bench, leaning heavily on it with her free hand, still taking shallow, useless breaths.
“Excuse me.”
Stella almost jumped out of her skin at the gentle voice. She had been so overwhelmed by her panic at the pain in her chest that she hadn’t heard the other woman approach.
“My name’s Dana. I’m a doctor.” The woman’s voice was kind and it was clear that she was careful not to get too close.
Stella barely acknowledged the doctor’s presence despite the fact that she could feel the woman’s eyes scanning every inch of her. She had no doubt noticed the dark bruising that still covered half of her face, probably the stitches in her eyebrow too. It was likely obvious to anyone that her chest was also causing her pain.
“I’m gonna come a little closer, okay? I just want to help you.”
Stella managed a nod, still doubled over and leaning on the bench as she felt a tender hand come to rest on her back.
“What’s your name?”
“Stella.”
“I know it’s damn hard and you’re having trouble breathing but I need you to stand just a little straighter for me, Stella. Can you manage?” Dana’s voice wasn’t patronising, simply full of concern with a hint of authority and Stella found herself trying to comply.
“Are you asthmatic?”
Stella shook her head as she straightened her back, still clutching her ribs with her right hand, the left gripping the back of the frosty bench.
“You’re absolutely freezing, you need to warm up.” Dana’s hand fell from her back and Stella watched the other woman remove her gloves. “Why don’t you let go of the bench? It’s covered in ice. Here, put the gloves on and take my jacket.”
Stella didn’t have the energy to argue as the doctor helped the blonde’s trembling hands into the gloves and draped a warm running jacket over her shoulders.
“Try to follow my breathing. It’ll help yours even out.” Dana instructed, exaggerating her own breathing as she kept her eyes on Stella.
Stella’s face scrunched against the pain as she attempted to take a deep breath. “I can’t.” She gasped, bringing Dana’s attention to the hand once again cradling her ribs.
“Your ribs?” Dana questioned. Stella nodded in affirmation. “Broken or bruised?”
“Very broken.”
“Put your hands in your pockets. This might hurt a little to begin with, but I promise it’ll help.” Dana told her.
Stella let out a small noise of pain when she felt Dana’s small hands come to rest with one on her back and one right over her broken ribs. She listened to Dana’s instruction to attempt to follow her breathing again as the doctor applied a small amount of pressure to her chest.
Both Stella and Dana were filled with relief when slowly, Stella’s breathing found a steady rhythm in time with Dana’s. The blonde’s tears had dried on her cheeks and despite the cold, her face was burning.
Dana looked her over, taking in the blonde’s lack of appropriate clothing. “You need to get warm before the cold shocks your chest again. Did you drive?”
Stella shook her head, cursing herself when she realised exactly where she was.
“Where do you live?”
“About an hour away on foot.” Stella answered. “Less if I could walk at a normal pace.”
“I live just around the corner.” Dana replied and Stella didn’t have the strength to fight when the redhead began to guide her towards the street.
They walked in silence until they reached a row of terraced houses and Dana pulled a set of keys from her pocket, leading the blonde through the front door of her house.
Stella shivered when the heat of the house sent a shock of realisation through her at just how cold she had been. She wasn’t surprised when she thought about it. She wasn’t exactly dressed for frost and ice, wearing a hoodie and a thin softshell jacket paired with her gym leggings and a pair of trainers.
Dana on the other hand had been well prepared for the weather. The redhead wore a pair of thick leggings with equally thick socks beneath her running shoes. On top she wore a thin base layer covered with a long-sleeved top and a now unzipped hoodie, not to mention the jacket and gloves she had donated to her in the park.
Stella took in her surroundings as Dana bustled around somewhere in the other room. It was a cosy house and at some point since they had arrived, Dana had turned on the electric fireplace, emitting a gentle heat into the already toasty room.
“Here. Take a seat.” Dana appeared in front of her and pressed a hot cup of tea into her hands, nodding at the couch.
Stella did as she was told, carefully shrugging off the jacket and pulling the gloves off one by one being careful not to spill the tea. She stared at the cup, embarrassed at her apparent inability to care for herself at the moment. It was obvious that Dana’s eyes were on her again and she found herself hoping that it was Doctor Dana that was scrutinising her, not the side of her that was just a normal person.
“Have you taken any painkillers recently?”
Stella held back a sigh of relief at the question and shook her head. “They make my head feel fuzzy. I don’t like it. Plus I’ve had no food.”
Dana sighed and Stella suppressed a laugh at the obvious disapproving doctor look that crossed the redhead’s face. “Drink the tea and try to relax. Holding yourself so tense will cause you more pain in the long run.”
With that, Dana was gone. Back into the kitchen Stella assumed as she sipped the tea.
Not more than ten minutes later, Dana appeared with two steaming bowls of pasta. “It’s nothing fancy, just plain pasta with some cheese sauce.”
Stella took the bowl with a small thank you, only mildly surprised when Dana planted herself at the other end of the couch instead of one of the armchairs.
“What happened out in the park?” Dana asked carefully as she watched Stella pick at her food. “You don’t have to tell me if you’re not comfortable.”
Stella shook her head. “I’m not sure. I couldn’t sleep so I decided to go for a walk. I didn’t even realise I was crying until I tried to take a gasp of breath. It hurt my ribs, the cold shocked my lungs and then I couldn’t breathe. I think I panicked because I was unable to take a productive breath in. Next thing I knew you were talking to me.”
“I don’t usually make a habit of forcing my help upon people like that, but I was worried that you were about to pass out.” Dana told her. “I was worried something had happened when I saw the bruises. But then I noticed the stitches.”
Stella took a bite of pasta, waiting for the question that never came. She was relieved when Dana didn’t ask what had happened to her. It wasn’t something she wanted to talk about, especially not with a woman she had just met.
Instead, Dana took her empty bowl and stood to make for the kitchen. “Have you got any allergies to pain medication? Any history of negative side effects? Any other current prescriptions?”
“No. To all of the above. Except for the pain medication I got from the hospital.”
“Can you remember what it’s called?”
“Tramadol, though I’m not sure what dosage.”
Dana nodded and disappeared from the room. When she returned a few moments later she carried a glass of water and a small unopened packet of painkillers. “Take two. Once they kick in I can take you home. If you don’t feel great, you can sleep here if there’s nobody to keep an eye on you at home.”
Stella gave her a small smile before she swallowed the pills and took another sip of the water. It was unlike her to accept this level of help from anyone. Usually she would have shrugged Dana off once she was able to breathe and walked herself home. She wasn’t sure what was different about tonight but she was so drained that she found she didn’t want to fight Dana’s assistance.
They sat quietly until Stella noticed she was beginning to feel woozy. She looked up at Dana and noticed the redhead looking at her watch. “Timing’s about right. Do you want me to take you home or do you want to stay here?”
“I’ll be okay at home.” Stella replied as she stood up, running a hand over her face. It wouldn’t be long before she started to feel more disconnected from herself and she wanted to be in bed before that happened. “Thank you for everything.”
Dana gave her a smile as she led the blonde to the car. “Don’t mention it, really. I’m just glad I was able to help you.”
Stella truly had no idea how long the drive had been. She looked up when she felt the car slow and saw that they were outside her house. She didn’t even remember giving Dana her address. “Thank you again.”
“Take this.” Dana told her, holding out a piece of paper. “Call me if you need anything. At all. I’d rather you called than struggled on your own. Don’t worry about what time it is, either.”
Stella nodded and climbed out of the car, fumbling with her housekeys. Dana waited until the blonde’s long, straight ponytail was hidden behind the closed door before she drove away.
Alone once more, Stella fumbled her way upstairs to her bedroom where she changed into a pair of warm pyjamas and climbed under the heavy duvet, pulling it up to her neck as she felt the full impact of the medicine take effect.