Not Alone

Enid was on edge and wary of everyone who entered the room.

After she had told Thing everything that had happened with Officer Magnuson, as well as the revelation that Laurel Gates most likely had accomplices who might want to finish what she started, they both tried to figure out how they were going to guard Wednesday while she was in the ICU, which had strict rules about visitors.

It was a given that Thing was not leaving her side for anything, but Enid worried about him too. No one knew he was there and pretty much no one at the hospital knew that he even existed, except for Eugene.

And Laurel.

Laurel tried to kill him once and nearly succeeded, so they couldn't rule out the possibility that her accomplices would know about him and try to get the jump on him before going after Wednesday. They needed to be careful. None of them were truly safe – though Enid feared that Wednesday would be their number one target. She was the one who stopped their plans after all by killing Crackstone.

"I bet it was epic," Enid said to her unconscious form, squeezing her hand, "when you killed him. I can only imagine – even at such a disadvantage, losing so much blood, getting shot with an arrow, and you still managed to beat him. That's incredible, you know. That's something I admire about you. When you set your mind to something, you don't give up, no matter how big of an obstacle gets in your way. You're the most badass person I know, you know that? So, don't give up fighting yet, OK? Don't let some stupid infection be the thing to take you out."

Now that she knew, thanks to Eugene, that Wednesday would be able to know she was there and even hear her sometimes, she spent a lot of the time talking to her. She told her about her visit with Eugene, and how supportive Yoko had been since the attack, and how Xavier was out of jail and asking about her. She complained about her mother and expressed how lovely her parents had been and how they were on their way and would be there as soon as possible.

She told her about everything she could think of, except she didn't tell her about her encounters with Officer Magnuson or about talking to Deputy Santiago. It probably didn't matter, especially if, as Eugene described, everything would be more of a blur that she wouldn't remember, but Enid didn't want to upset her. Which was ridiculous since she was in a coma. But Enid didn't want her trauma to bleed into her dreams or give her something new to be concerned about. Wednesday needed to focus on getting better, so when Enid was met with the urge to talk about it, she stopped and told Wednesday to hold on.

"I need you," Enid whimpered. "You need to hold on and keep fighting OK? Please!"

She wiped a few tears from her eyes and winced as her head throbbed. Her exhaustion was quickly catching up to her and she was struggling to keep her eyes open. She didn't know what else to say so she folded her arm over the rails of Wednesday's bed and rested her head, not letting go of Wednesday's hand as she tried not to cry.

Thing asked if she was OK.

"Yeah, thanks," Enid said with a small smile, but the lights were hurting her eyes so she squeezed them shut with a deep wince.

He tapped on her wrist and when she looked at him, only letting go of Wednesday's hand to shield her eyes from the light, he asked if she was sure, expressing how worried he was about her.

"Yes, I'm fine," she said.

He responded by reminding her that that was what Wednesday had said.

Feeling called out and defensive Enid snapped, "This is totally different and you know it!" Then she closed her eyes and added, "Sorry. I didn't mean to be so harsh. I'm fine, but I'm just really tired and my head hurts and I ache all over and I'm scared and I…I'm sorry," she whimpered, "but I'm fine. As fine as I can be, all things considered."

Thing suggested maybe she try and take a nap.

Enid shook her head, but regretted the motion, "I'm sure that when her family gets here I will be able to sleep." She sat up and gently sandwiched Wednesday's bandaged hand between hers, "If someone is after her – after us, we can't afford to let our guard down."

He reminded her that she wouldn't do much good protecting Wednesday if she made herself sick either.

"I won't," Enid promised, "her parents should be here soon. I just don't want her to feel alone. When they get here, they can take over and I will get some rest."

Thing reluctantly relented and expressed his regret that he couldn't talk to her like Enid could.

"Maybe, but she knows you're here, I'm sure of it. And I can tell her anything you'd like me to say." She watched his reply and then said, "Hey Wednesday, just so you know, we're here, OK? Me and Thing. We're not leaving you. Thing wants you to know that he has not left your side once, and he's not going to," she watched as he continued, "he also wants to tell you that…" she turned to him again, "Really? OK. Thing says that if you die he will kill you. He says you'll know what that means."

Suddenly they heard someone entering and Enid stiffened while Thing quickly ducked out of view.

It was Lorraine, the head nurse.

Enid was on high alert as she approached. So far Lorraine had been nothing but kind to her, but the same could be said for Ms. Thornhill. She hated being so paranoid, but with Wednesday in the state she was in, Enid decided that while she would not act much differently around her, because the likelihood that she was any kind of threat was slim, it was still better to be cautious.

"Hello hun," Lorraine said, "who are you talking to?"

"Wednesday," Enid replied, "I heard that she would be able to hear me."

"Yes," Lorraine agreed, "we have had some patients report that they could hear their loved ones even in a coma. It's a good thing that you're talking to her. I'm sorry it just sounded like you were having an actual conversation."

"Oh. I'm just imagining what Wednesday would say and um, responding to that. I know it's silly."

"It's not silly, hun," Lorraine smiled. "How are you holding up?"

"Me?" Enid asked, "I'm OK. I'm just…really worried, you know?"

"And certainly no one can blame you for that," she said, looking over Wednesday's chart and the various monitors she was hooked up to and writing some things down. She made a worrying frown.

"What's wrong?"

"Not sure at the moment," Lorraine said, "just some anomalies. Nothing to be too alarmed about just yet."

"What kind of anomalies? Is she getting better? Worse?"

"We won't know until we run some more tests, I'm afraid," Lorraine replied, "but we'll have to wait and see what her doctor says." She put the chart back and then gazed at Enid with concern, trying to meet her eyes, "How are you doing, hun? I mean really."

"Fine."

"You don't look fine. You look exhausted and I can tell your head is bothering you and you seem so tense I can feel it from here. I know you were in the ER this morning and that Dr. Tobin wants you to get some rest and look after yourself, too."

"When Wednesday's parents get here I will," Enid said, "I just promised I wouldn't leave Wednesday's side. When she started to get really sick, she was scared, and I've never seen her scared before. Like never. Not even when she…" Enid stopped herself before she could accidentally reveal that she almost died once already from a completely different injury, "I don't want her to feel alone."

"She's lucky to have a loyal friend like you," Lorraine smiled.

"Yeah well… she would do the same for me," Enid said. As cold and uncaring as Wednesday seemed on the surface, Enid knew better. Besides, she had already proven that with Eugene.

"Well, I'm sure Wednesday is glad that you're here, but don't let your health suffer because of her," Lorraine said, "I'm sure she would not want that."

"Thank you, I will try," Enid said.

Lorraine smiled and left and once she was gone Enid relaxed a little, but only slightly. Her presence was comforting but she had no choice but to be wary.

"Anomaly? What's that supposed to mean?" Enid asked Thing once they were sure the coast was clear for him to come out. Lorraine tried to make it seem like it was no big deal, but Enid caught the concern in the nurse's eyes. Was Wednesday getting worse?

She turned her attention to Wednesday's still and pallid face, and then glanced at all the machines, trying to see if she could notice anything unusual, but she didn't know what she was looking at and quickly gave up.

"Don't let go," Enid said to her, taking her hand again, "no matter what, please keep fighting. The great Wednesday Addams will not be defeated by some stupid infection, you hear me?"

She knew that they were going to kick her out soon to do more tests, even if Lorraine didn't find some mystery anomaly, but when the time came and Lorraine and another nurse asked her to step out, Enid froze. "Can't I stay with her? I'll stay out of the way, I promise."

"Sorry hun," Lorraine said, "policy."

"Last time I left her alone, when I came back she was having a seizure, I need to be with her."

"I know you're worried about your sister," Lorraine said pointedly, reminding Enid that she had already bent the rules for her and silently warning her not to push her luck, "but we won't be long. She's in good hands. Now you can wait in the waiting room, or go to the cafeteria for dinner and come back in an hour, those are your options."

Enid sighed, "Fine." At least Thing was with her. She took Wednesday's hand and gave it a gentle squeeze, "I have to go but remember, I am not leaving you. I will be waiting just outside and will be back as soon as I can."

She went to the waiting area, which was a tiny room near the ICU nurse's station and sat down, clutching her knees as she waited for them to do whatever they needed to do. Closing her eyes, she tried to keep her anxiety at bay and tried not to think of all the horrible things that could happen or the people who might want to hurt her.

Just as she thought it was a losing battle to keep her calm she heard a familiar voice from the hallway outside somewhere just out of her line of sight.

"We're looking for Wednesday Addams," the woman's voice said, "we're her parents."

Enid jumped to her feet as relief swept over her and a huge burden was lifted from her shoulders.

The Addams family had finally arrived.