Lena’s heart was beating so loudly, a nervous lump in her throat, as she pushed with all of her strength, wheeling the bed slowly towards the door.  She glanced down at Brian to ensure he was okay, squeezing his hand reassuringly.  Maybe it was partly for her own comfort as well.

She struggled to control the bed as it tried to veer off to the left.  She wondered if she should use a wheelchair instead.  Before she could make up her mind, she faintly heard the sound of the elevators opening.

She glanced down at her watch and realized an hour had already passed.  She cursed herself for taking so much time to decide what medicine and machines she should bring to help revive him.

Holding her breath to better listen to the sounds outside, she leaned against the door, pressing her ear to the cool metal.

She could hear someone exit the elevator and walk down the hallway.  They were humming to themselves and with a sinking sensation, Lena recognized Hyun Joon’s voice.

She turned to the bed, where Brian was still unconscious and gripped the side railings.

“What am I doing?  How did I think I would be able to safely get you out of here?”  She whispered to herself, now wondering how she was going to explain this.

Lena’s mind quickly assessed the situation, and realized belatedly that she should have waited until Brian was awake and able to move and then sneak him out.

Shaking herself out of it, she began to push him back towards the end of the room.  Just as she had finished putting all of the various items she had thrown onto the side of bed and re-attached his IV, the door slid open.

“I had a feeling you’d still be here.”  

Lena fought to control her breathing from the effort just moments ago and hoped that she wasn’t overly perspiring.

She had managed to sit down beside the bed and hastily grabbed a clipboard before Hyun Joon walked in.

She looked up, forcing a smile on her face.  “You caught me.”

Hyun Joon put his hands on his waist, his eyes twinkling as he glanced at her with mock disapproval.

“Dr. Nikolaev insisted you were on your way but I forgot my bag.  I figured I might as well check in if you were still here and give you a ride.”  He explained, picking up his knapsack beside his desk.

He glanced at the clipboard in her hands and lowered his bag before approaching her.  Lena felt her pulse quicken as she stayed glued to her seat, watching him come closer.  

“No more work for you.  It’s time to celebrate properly.  He’ll still be here waiting for you, so don’t worry.”  He reassured her, taking the clipboard from her and offering his hand.

Her eyes widened at his words, but he already leaned forward and took her hand in his.

“Come on.  Dr. Nikolaev is probably drunk by now.”

Lena glanced at Brian, watching his chest rise steadily.

“He’ll be safe here.  You have my word, Lena.”

She glanced at Hyun Joon again.  “What do you care?  They’re just experiments right?”  She forced herself to ask.

Hyun Joon gazed into her eyes for a moment, before shrugging.

“They mean a lot to different people and different ways.”  Was his cryptic reply. 

Before she could ask him again, he was already gently guiding her towards the exit, picking up his bag along the way.