5. Indecision

Your eyes spring open and look around while struggling to regain focus. The increased beeps from the monitor beside you seems to match the elevated beat of your heart. Sitting up, you continue looking around the room. Your heart skips a beat upon the sight of someone standing in the doorway of the room. You relax marginally as your eyes adjust and recognize the person. Deep brown eyes stare across the room at you. To your annoyance, a light blush begins to spread across your face. Luke has always been a particularly attractive man. Slightly shaggy, dirty blond hair frames his broad, chiseled face. A few deep lines run across it, adding to his character and showing the hardship of his life.

His tall, muscular form is leaned to the side, casually. In contradiction to his relaxed pose, he's somewhat nervously fiddling with the Stetson in his hands. The lines across his brow deepen as he continues to observe you. Finally, he clears his throat and straightens his posture. The fluorescent light from above reflects harshly against the Sheriff's badge pinned to the front of his shirt. The light temporarily blinds you, causing you to look away. The long shadow his figure casts across your bed alerts you to his arrival.

"Lillian." His husky voice seems to register deep within you. "You can't avoid this forever."

"Silly me to think I'd have at least a day." You mumble under your breath. "Given my condition."

"You've had several days, as you confessed last night." Luke replies in an almost chastising manner.

"Yes." You admit, albeit begrudgingly. "I suppose that is true."

"And running away was your answer?"

"I think it's your answer." You're somewhat surprised by your own reply.

"So, that's it then?" Luke scoffs, his tone indicating he doesn't believe you. "You're done?"

"What if I said 'yes'?" Your voice softens, barely coming out above a whisper.

Luke's sudden laugh startles you visibly. Somewhat reluctantly you look over at him. An overly confident expression covers his tan face. His self assured personality is one of the things that first attracted you to him. Now it comes off as smug arrogance.

"I wouldn't believe you."

"What makes you so sure?" You can't help asking, though you're sure you should simply focus on ending the conversation. "There's nothing you can say to change what I saw."

Luke pauses for a moment, seeming to contemplate your statement. His brown eyes are temporarily clouded by conflict before quickly clearing. The assertive look returns to his face as he leans down towards you.

"Because, you can't leave me." He smirks into your ear. "Not for long anyway. I know you, after a week or two you'll be back."

"Not this time." You snap, his warm breath sending unwanted shivers down your back.

"Face it, you need me." He continues, ignoring your comment. "No one knows you like I do, _all _of you."

Your blush returns as his words elicit unwelcome memories. The thought of your sweaty bodies intertwined is far from what's needed at this moment. His hot breath keeps pressing against your neck, reminding you of your strange dream. Shifting uncomfortably, you find yourself pulling at the collar of your gown once again.

"I don't need someone like you." You manage to retort, quickly pulling away. "Not someone who's capable of the things you've done."

"I can explain that." Luke insists, straightening up again. "Just not right now."

"How convenient for you." You respond dryly.

"Lill-"

"I said don't call me that." This time it's more of a plea than a request.

Luke's face hardens slightly before he places his hat back on. It takes all your focus to remain strong. Despite your adverse feelings, you still find it difficult to see the man upset with you.

"You _will _be back." He growls softly before turning for the door.

You open your mouth to speak again but are saved by the arrival of someone at the door. Luke throws you a final look before leaving.

"Doctor." He mutters as he pushes past the incomer.

You remain silent, staring at the space where the man last stood. The Doctor somewhat awkwardly clears his throat, drawing your attention back to him. Once again, you're graced with the unwanted reaction of blushing.

"Sorry," You shake your head, trying to clear your thoughts of the earlier conversation. "Doctor.. um, Doctor... Actually, I don't think I got your name."

"Doctor Underwood." He smiles, revealing a shiny set of teeth.

"Right." You smile back faintly, still unable to place the exact source of your unease around the man.

After all, he is classically handsome. Though his long, lean features are not something you're used to seeing. The man's porcelain white skin certainly is uncommon. This far outside Houston, most people tend to live a slightly harder life. Even your own skin has been touched by the ever present, scorching sun.

"You look flushed." He comments in an almost fascinated manner.

"Hmmm?" Your eyes widen as you distractedly tuck a lock of hair back. "Oh, I think my fever is back."

"Of course." He replies dismissively, stepping forward and placing a stethoscope in his ears. "Now, if you don't mind, I need to perform a quick check up."

Nodding absentmindedly, you watch the man somewhat warily. He takes a seat beside you on the bed then motions for you to sit up more. Leaning forward, you gasp in surprise when cold fingers brush against your back. Averting your gaze, you feel more of the material covering your back pulled away, A moment later, cold metal presses against your skin. Following his instructions, you inhale deeply as he listens to your breath. This continues on for a minute as he periodically moves the chest piece around your back. As he moves it, his fingers also continue brushing against you. Goosebumps form along your skin, causing you further distraction.

After another minute, the chest piece is pulled away, however, his fingers remain. A deep shiver runs down your spine as they begin moving up along your back. Almost reflexively, you sit up. Glancing over, you see a somewhat coy smile flash over the man's face. Wordlessly, he looks down and writes something on the clipboard that's sitting on his lap. You watch him, though you're unable to make out his lazily scrawled script.

"Now." He states suddenly, straightening back up. "I need to check your eye and change your bandages."

"It still really hurts." You admit softly, eager to have this examination over with,

"Does it now?"

The Doctor's responses are never what you'd expect. Instead of sympathy or understanding, he instead often appears surprised by your admissions of pain.

"Yes." You confirm, somewhat brusquely.

Ignoring your curt reply, the Doctor turns his attention to the bandages covering the side of your face. Bracing yourself, you remain still as his fingers run across your cheek. Wincing as the bandage is pulled away along with dry, crusted blood. Blinking in pain, you feel your damaged eye **** open by the Doctors fingers. Bright, hazy light floods the eye's receptors, causing immense pain. Gasping, when you try pulling away, the Doctor's other hand swiftly wraps around your wrist to hold you in place.

"What do you see?" He questions somewhat breathlessly.

"Stop." You demand, trying in vain to pull away. "You're hurting me."

"What do you see?" He repeats, his voice low and almost ****.

"Nothing!" You whimper, your eyes now rolling back in pain. "The light hurts, please let me go."

Growling in annoyance, the Doctor roughly pushes you back. Wisps of his dark hair have come loose and are hanging around his wild, slightly irritated eyes. The damaged eye quickly snaps back closed as soon as his fingers pull away.

"Sorry about that." He smiles after standing up and pushing his hair back. "These exams can be rather uncomfortable at times. I'll have a nurse come and finish redressing you."

Gingerly placing a hand over your closed eye, you're too distracted by the pain to take note of his words. Intense throbbing has returned to your head, causing a nearly blinding migraine. Thankfully, it's not long before a nurse has arrived to re-bandage your face and re-administer your pain meds. They seem to have upped the dosage as all your worries quickly melt away minutes later. Exhaling softly, your mind slowly slips back into abstract thoughts of relaxation and pleasure.