[hr][hr][center][h1][b][i][img]http://fontmeme.com/embed.php?text=Cassandra%20Hope&name=learningcurve_tt.ttf&size=75&style_color=88cdcb[/img][/i][/b][/h1][img]http://67.media.tumblr.com/502f6435b943c8550d4f69be29c3ac4b/tumblr_mv8ie9eTl71sp02wlo4_250.gif[/img][hr][b]Location:[/b] Best Exotic Hotel - Dining Room/Front Desk
[b]Interacting With:[/b] Claire, Joel, Desh and anyone else around[/center][hr][hr]
	[color=88cdcb]"Daaamn. Poor lass, cannae imagine wha' that'd be like... Fuck. Good job yer bro was 'ere t'help her."[/color] Cass's face showed more sympathy than it had before and she slowly put her phone away after the video had done playing. She nodded to Claire and smirked a little, more subdued than before. [color=88cdcb]"The new guy is as stubborn as yer bro. Pair o' 'em decided tha' Tasha would patch 'em up. Then everythin' went t'shit after tha'."[/color]

	Cass rolled her eyes some and shrugged her shoulders before looking to Claire as she began to introduce Joel in answer to her question towards him. [color=88cdcb]"Aaaah! So tha's why I recognise ye, 'em pics from Paris are mental!"[/color] She chuckled and took Joel's outstretched hand and smiled brightly. [color=88cdcb]"Lovely t'meet 'cha."[/color] Cass then looked to Claire and nodded towards Joel and wiggled her eyebrows suggestively before bursting out laughing and slapping her thigh.[hr][hr][center][h1][b][i][color=a187be]Tas[/color][color=117722]Lin[/color][/i][/b][/h1][img]https://media.giphy.com/media/OKydRMuKCEgEM/giphy.gif[/img][hr][b]Location:[/b] Apex Hospital
[b]Interacting With:[/b] Each Other[/center][hr][hr] 
	Tasha's eyes slowly opened and her lips thinned a bit as she saw Lincoln standing there. She wasn't expecting to see him, she figured Murphy would be the one coming to check on her and take her home. She hadn't even been aware that Lincoln was at the hospital. She tried to say something but she couldn't manage to. Her expression started to change; her lips pouting as the muscles in her face tightened. It was obvious she was trying not to start crying as she looked at him, her eyes looking down as her hand let go of the key and she pressed her palm against her eyes as she was attempting to fight it back. 

	He was unsure what to do, his instincts wanted to run forward and hold her, to stroke her hair and tell her it was all going to be okay but he also knew that she didn't want him there and he wanted to leave to give her exactly what she wanted. But he'd just told Murphy he would take care of her and he couldn't take another beating from the man again just yet. Lincoln walked forward briskly and wrapped an arm around her shoulder, hugging her to him as tightly as he could dare to without hurting her. [color=117722]"It's okay, I'm sorry, for everything I said that upset you. I'm sorry. Do you want me to get Murphy?"[/color] He would give her the choice on whether he was to stick around or not. He wasn't going to force her to deal with him if she really didn't want to right now.

	Turning slightly she buried her face against his chest, curling around him slightly in the bed as her hand let go of the key and reached out; fingers curling against his shirt as she shook her head. [color=a187be]"I don't want Murphy,"[/color] she whispered in a shaky voice as she clung to him. She knew what she wanted right then, she wanted him, but she still felt it was best if he just packed up and let; it would save him a lot of pain in the long run. Right then though, she felt vulnerable and Tasha never made any rational decisions when she was like that. 

	Lincoln wrapped his arms around her and rested his cheek against the top of her head as he held her. He knew she hadn't changed her mind but for now he'd give her what she wanted. That's all that he wanted to do, to give her exactly what she wanted. He travelled here to tell her how he felt and see if they had a chance. He had told her everything and she had told him everything and she wanted him to leave. He had his answer. It would take some time to get himself a flight back home so in the meantime he'd do what he could to help her. Doesn't matter what Murphy said, if Tasha really didn't want him around then nothing could change her mind except for herself.

	She had nearly forgotten how comforted she felt in his arms, letting out a slow breath as she closed her eyes and found herself calming down. Her other arm slipping around him as she pulled herself closer. She honestly never thought she would be enveloped in his embrace again and right then she found herself savoring it. Tilting her head back she slowly looked up at him, thoughts running through her mind. [color=a187be]"Why now? Why'd you come find me now?"[/color] 

	[color=117722]"I came back from sabbatical and Dr. Joshi told me that you had returned to the hospital in my absence which took me by surprise. Then I ran into Marco and caught up with him and he gave me something."[/color] Lincoln reached into his trouser pocket and pulled out his wallet. He flipped open the coin flap and showed the contents to Tasha. The ring that she had left him was there. [color=117722]"I took it off on the plane because my fingers felt swollen, I didn't want it to have to be cut off."[/color] He lifted the ring out of his wallet and slipped it onto his left ring finger. [color=117722]"I hope you don't mind but it's kind of my good luck charm aaand it doesn't fit on any other finger."[/color] He let out a light chuckle before holding her tightly again.

	Tasha looked down, her eyes widening slightly as she saw the ring that she had left him. Her bottom lip curled in as she bit down on it with her teeth. Sitting up slightly she reached out and ran her finger over the ring. [color=a187be]"No, it wouldn't. I bought it for you the day after you proposed, it was meant to be your wedding band..."[/color] she admitted quietly as her hand cupped his, her thumb running over the platinum setting. [color=a187be]"I didn't think anyone else should have it,"[/color] she squeaked out as she always did when she was nervous as her eyes cast upwards towards his. 

	[color=117722]"So exactly why I left you with yours even if I did hide the true reason behind some nasty words..."[/color] Lincoln glanced down and gave a sorrowful smile towards Tasha and sighed as he looked at the ring. So it was supposed to be his wedding band. [color=117722]"I am so sorry for all the hurt that I've caused you."[/color] His right hand rose up and tucked some hair behind her ear and his eyes bore into hers. He wanted to kiss her but knew she wouldn't take kindly to it. Instead he raised his left hand, with hers cupped around it, and kissed the back of her hand. [color=117722]"Thank you for my ring. It's almost as beautiful as you."[/color]

	Tasha swallowed hard as she sat there, those eyes of him breaking through her defenses like they always did. It was why she refused to look at him in the eyes the night everything that ended, she knew if she had she would have faltered; that she wouldn't have been able to walk away. She was barely able to and it crushed her that evening when she got to the airport. She had ended up locking herself in the lavatory during the short flight crying her eyes out. She felt her breath catch as he tucked her hair back and kiss her hand. She looked around for a moment, trying to compose herself but only found her eyes going back to his. [color=a187be]"I'd never leave you over nothing, you are...,"[/color] she started to say and closed her eyes, about to correct herself but in the end just continued as she looked back to him, [color=a187be]"moya zhizn'."[/color]

	He sucked his cheeks in some and felt his jaw tightening as he tried to fight the urge but he couldn't help himself now, she was so close, they weren't fighting, she wasn't screaming at him to get away... Lincoln cupped her face with his hands and lowered himself towards her. His lips found hers and he kissed her for as long as she would allow. He would regret either doing this or not doing it so as he saw it he was taking a 50/50 chance here.

	Tasha felt her body quivering as he cupped her face and pulled closer to her, she knew this feeling. The way her heart fluttered, her breath went ragged; the way her eyes drifted close without thinking as a supple sigh escaped her lips when his own pressed a kiss to them. It was all coming back to her, everything he always made her feel. Her hand slipped up his chest, caressing the line of his jaw as her lips pulsed against his, savoring the feel and the taste of him. She was lost in the moment and nothing in her wanted to pull away right then. Her lips never leaving his even as she whispered into the kiss, [color=a187be]"ya tebya lyublyu."[/color]

	The words were familiar and warm but no matter how long it had been, Lincoln still knew the translation of those words. He held onto her tighter and scooped her up from the bed onto his lap as he made the kiss deeper. He'd respond to her words once he was done reacquainting himself with her taste, smell and the feel of her body against his own. His mind wandered to happier times where they were together and he felt his stomach fluttering and then he stopped and laughed, pulling away from the kiss and leaning his forehead against hers as he breathed heavily and chuckled. [color=117722]"I'm sorry it's just... I fucking hate your friend Murphy."[/color] He laughed some more before showering her face with light little kisses as he held her close.

	It took a moment for Tasha to come out of the daze of his lips leaving hers, a small whimper escaping before her eyes opened and she looked up at him. Another moment passed before the words registered. That wasn't exactly what she had been expecting to hear. He was talking about Murphy? After... [i]Right, she understood.[/i] Nodding slightly she forced a small chuckle out that was anything but heartfelt as she took a breath and reached up, pushing her hair out of her face. [color=a187be]"Murphy is a pain in the ass but he's a good guy,"[/color] she said slipping back onto the bed. She wasn't exactly sure what to say now. 

	A moment ago she was so wrapped up in him had he carried her off to exchange vows right then she would have gone without question. Now she was back in reality and the cold feel of the IV liquids going into her veins reminded her how sick she was and the promise she had made to herself. She had never been happier to see Dr. Kumar than when he opened the door to check on her. Turning slightly she crossed her arms over her chest, it was obvious she was closing herself off again. [color=a187be]"Can I get the fuck out of here? I have shift tonight."[/color]

	Lincoln noticed her wrapping in on herself and sighed a little. He shouldn't have stopped the moment but he couldn't keep from laughing at the situation for a moment. Alleviating the stress of it all for a second. Then Tasha's last words hit him and he gulped. [color=117722]"About that... You've been given leave for the next couple of days."[/color] Lincoln stood up from the bed and straightened himself out before stepping slightly away from the bed, turning to look at Tasha once again. [color=117722]"Doctor's orders, not mine. Honest."[/color] He held his hands up in surrender before she could react fully.

	Tasha's eyes narrowed and she ripped the IV out of her hand before flinging the sheets back and getting out of bed. [color=a187be]"Fine, I could use some time off,"[/color] she said with venom in her voice. [color=a187be]"Been planning on a trip to the north for a while now. I can make a couple day excursion of it and get the fuck out of town."[/color]

	"Dr. Brinne you will do no such thing. You need bed rest, you need to be kept in a cool room and get lots of rest and fluids. Bed rest," Dr. Kumar interjected and Tasha whipped her head around as her eyes narrowed to the point of slits. 

	[color=a187be]"And just who in the fuck is supposed to be waiting on my ass hand and foot for the next two days?"[/color] she spat, Dr. Kumar's eyes went over to Lincoln as he nodded in the mans direction. [color=a187be]"Awww hell naw!"[/color]

	Lincoln flinched from her reaction and his face fell completely. Even if he had been expecting it, it stung to know it was what she thought. [color=117722]"I'm not going to bother you, honestly. I'm just going to make sure you're okay since I am responsible for this and I am going to be around until I can get a flight back out to the States. It's only two days, Natasha. Just please let me help?"[/color] His voice trailed off and was quite meek after he said her full name. He was trying to become as formal as possible now, to stop her from doing something else to hurt herself.

	[color=a187be]"Yeah, you'll be too fucking busy getting your shit together to leave to be under foot right Roberts?"[/color] she snapped at him before she started to get dizzy and collapsed against the side of the bed. Dr. Kumar groaned as he just let her fall, knowing better than to get in her way right then. 

	"Natasha, you must stay calm and stay in a cool place. Your body can't take this. I have already pushed back your chemo treatments that were supposed to start tomorrow for a week. You have to be strong if we..." he started before he was hit in the face with a pillow that suddenly came flying out Tasha's hand. 

	[color=a187be]"Cancel them, I am fucking done with this shit!"[/color] she hissed before storming out of the door of her room and fighting the rising whirl in her head. 

	[color=117722]"TASHA!"[/color] Not again, he wasn't letting this happen again. Lincoln charged out after her and grabbed her from behind, lifting her up and carrying her in a fireman's lift. He didn't want to make her strain herself but he wasn't letting her make herself worse either. [color=a187be]"Put me down you jackass!"[/color] she hollered as she smacked his back wit her fists, her feet kicking in the air. He carried her straight into the hospital room and plopped her down into the bed. [color=117722]"You are going to stay down, get better and let me take care of you. You are sick and I damn well want you to get better."[/color]

	He folded his arms across his chest and stared her down. [color=a187be]"Don't give me that look. It didn't work then, it sure as hell won't work now!"[/color] Her comments made him think that she didn't want him to leave but then she had outright said she wanted him to leave. It was all very confusing and at this point, Lincoln was at his limit. [color=117722]"You have to decide two things. Right now. Do you want to get better? Do you want me to leave? Think hard on what you want and whatever decision you make I will follow."[/color]

	[color=a187be]"Yes! I mean no! I mean, fuck!"[/color] she yelled as she flopped back on the bed and covered her face heaving for breath as she tried not to black out. [color=a187be]"I'm tired of fucking fighting this shit! I'm tired of the pain, all of it. I just want it over!"[/color] she said through ragged breaths as she curled up on her side and into a ball. Dr. Kumar made a quick exit, figuring it was better to speak to her later. Closing the door gently he scurried off as Tasha kept spouting off. [color=a187be]"You need to go, to get out. Never look back, fucking forget about me. I need to forget about you. I need this over. I want to get better. I want you here. I never wanted to leave. I just want this over. It's not over. I just want it over,"[/color] she continued. She was torn. She didn't want him seeing her like this, that was why she needed him to go but she didn't want him to. She never wanted that. 

	Lincoln wasn't sure how to react, his mind was overwhelmed and his body was physically aching in more ways than he could ever have imagined. He walked forward and knelt down beside the bed his hands resting on her hip as she lay curled up. [color=117722]"I guess that settles it. I'm not going anywhere and you're going to get better. Now, you need to stop fighting right now and let me take you out to your jeep and get you back to the hotel and into a cool room with plenty of bed rest."[/color] He lightly let his thumb stroke across her hip as he rested his cheek against the mattress of the bed, his eyes watching the area where her face might pop out if she would just stop curling up into a ball.

	Slowly she tilted her head back and a look was on her features that Lincoln would have never seen before; fear. Her guard was down right then, that glacier she kept built up one way or another in varying degrees finally cracked. She was terrified right then. Tasha wasn't able to say anything at first, simply reaching out and pulling herself over to him with a nervous nod of her head. Tucking her head beneath his chin she pulled herself closer. [color=a187be]"No wheel chair this time,"[/color] she croaked out to him.

	[color=117722]"Who needs a wheelchair anyway? Certainly not you."[/color] His voice was soft, he was worried that anything he said could break her more than she already seemed to be and he wasn't risking that. He scooped her up into his arms and shifted her arms around his neck as he stood upright. He held her close to him, being firm but gentle with his grip, and made his way out of the room. He requested the assistance of her lithe little hand to grab the handle of the door so that he could carry her out to the jeep.

	Slipping her arms around his neck her body curled up in his arms. Reaching for the door she opened it before quickly wrapping her arm back around him. Murphy looked up from his spot leaning against the jeep and he cocked a brow when he saw Tasha keeping her face down and looking so helpless in Lincoln's arms. He didn't say anything, just rushing over and opening the door to the jeep for the man carrying his friend.

	Lincoln gave Murphy a single look of gratitude as he opened the door. He gave a nod and looked at the two seater jeep and chewed on his lip a little before deciding to do as they had done on the way to the hospital. He climbed in and settled Tasha in his lap before patting her hair down some and cradling her closer. He was worried she would get overheated but figured that the faster they got to the hotel then the faster he could get her cooled off completely and resting.

	Murphy hopped in quickly and turned the car on, turning the AC on full blast and pointing all the vents towards her. He had been through this once before with Tasha when she first moved to India, he knew the drill.[hr]