Chapter Text
Pain was the first thing she registered. A deep, all-consuming ache that spread from her spine outward, like fire licking at her nerves. It was worse when she tried to move—so she stopped trying.
Kate Whistler opened her eyes slowly, blinking against the sharp white light of the hospital room. The rhythmic beeping of monitors filled the silence, grounding her in the reality she had yet to fully process.
Her mouth was dry, her head was pounding, but all of that paled in comparison to the heavy weight pressing down on her chest. Something was wrong.
She turned her head slightly, wincing at the effort. A nurse noticed and stepped closer.
“Agent Whistler,” the woman said gently, her voice calm but practiced. “You’re awake.”
Kate tried to respond, but her throat felt like sandpaper. The nurse must have anticipated it because she held up a cup with a straw and brought it to Kate’s lips. She sipped slowly, the cool water offering a brief reprieve.
“What…?” Her voice cracked.
“You were in a car accident,” the nurse supplied. “You were brought in three days ago.”
Three days?
Her brows furrowed. The last thing she remembered was driving home after a long meeting with ASAC Michael Curtis. It had been late, raining lightly. And then… nothing.
A doctor entered the room, her expression neutral but serious. “Agent Whistler, I’m Dr. Mason. I’m glad to see you awake. How are you feeling?”
Kate let out a humorless breath. “Like I got hit by a truck.”
The doctor nodded. “Close enough. A drunk driver ran a red light. He hit your car at high speed, flipping it into oncoming traffic. You sustained multiple injuries—concussion, broken ribs, and severe spinal trauma.”
Spinal trauma.
The words sent a chill down Kate’s spine, except—she didn’t feel it.
Her hands trembled as she reached down, pressing against her hospital blanket, then against her thighs.
Nothing.
Panic clawed its way up her throat. “I—I can’t feel my legs.”
Dr. Mason’s expression softened. “I know. Kate, your spine was severely damaged in the crash. The swelling is preventing communication between your brain and your lower body.”
Kate’s breathing turned shallow. “But it’s temporary, right?”
Dr. Mason hesitated.
No. No. No.
“There’s a possibility that, once the swelling goes down, you may regain sensation,” the doctor said carefully. “But… there’s also a chance that you may not.”
The words slammed into her like a second crash.
Kate blinked rapidly, trying to process what was happening. This couldn’t be real. She was young. She was healthy. She had spent her entire life moving—running, fighting, chasing criminals. And now—
A choked breath escaped her lips.
She wasn’t just injured. She was trapped.
The nurse reached out, but Kate flinched away.
“I need a minute,” Kate whispered.
Dr. Mason nodded. “Of course. I’ll come back later to discuss your options.”
She left, and Kate stared at the ceiling, her mind spiraling.
The only thing that broke through the numbness was the sharp knock at the door.
Michael Curtis stepped inside, his usual hard expression giving way to something softer. He looked… concerned.
Kate swallowed. “You’re here.”
He crossed his arms. “You put me as your next of kin. I got the call right after they brought you in.”
That made sense. She didn’t have family nearby. The only person she had—
Her chest ached. Not just from the broken ribs, but from the realization that Lucy didn’t even know she was here.
Michael sighed, stepping closer. “How are you feeling Kate ?”
Kate let out a bitter laugh. “I’m peachy sir.”
Michael frowned. “Kate.”
“Don’t”
Michael hesitated, then pulled up a chair beside her bed. “Do you want me to call Tennant ? Agent Tara ? ”
The name made her stomach twist. “She doesn’t need to know.”
Michael’s jaw tightened. “Kate—”
“I’m serious.” Her voice was sharp now. “We broke up.. She moved on.”
Michael exhaled through his nose, but didn’t argue. Instead, he leaned back, studying her. “So what’s the plan?”
Kate scoffed. “Plan? I just woke up to find out I might never walk again, and you want a plan?”
Michael shrugged. “That’s what you do, Whistler. You plan. You strategize. You don’t just sit there and accept things.”
She clenched her fists, but the fight drained out of her almost immediately. “I don’t know what to do.” The admission felt foreign on her tongue.
Michael’s expression softened. “Then let’s figure it out.”
Kate swallowed hard, looking away. The weight of everything pressed down on her, suffocating and unrelenting.
She wasn’t ready for this.
And she sure as hell wasn’t ready for what came next.