Chapter 1-Found
"Whoa, whoa stop, stop, stop," insisted Hale slapping at Dyson's shoulder.
Dyson slammed on the brakes of the police cruiser. "What is it?" he asked bored with the day thus far and running his hand through his unruly curls.
"I see something in the ditch near the trees," replied Hale reaching for the door handle.
Hale was a hansom, lanky man. Well spoken and even better dressed. Dyson on the other hand was a bit rough around the edges with his scruffy demeanor and impatience for politics.
As the two men walked stride for stride they quickly arrived at what looked like a naked dead body. Hale was about to call it into dispatch when they heard a soft moan. The girl, was maybe late 20's, very badly beaten and the scars around her wrists suggested being tethered for long periods of time.
Dyson bent down, touching her bloody shoulder, "my name is Dyson, can you hear me?" The girl groaned again but never answered or regained consciousness.
"Hale get a blanket, from the cruiser before she freezes to death," snapped Dyson kneeling to check her pulse, "and bring something to apply pressure to this abdominal wound."
Hale nodded, "should I call it in?"
"Not yet," replied Dyson, "there's something about her,"…..he trailed off.
"Is she Fae?" Hale asked when he returned with the blanket and first aid kit.
Dyson covered the naked girl and replied, "could be, she should be dead from her injuries but she isn't," continued Dyson rubbing his hand over his bristly chin. He wrapped the girl in the blanket and lifted her in his arms, "We'll take her to Lauren. She can provide direction."
Hale slipped in the back seat and Dyson cautiously lay the young woman across him so he could keep pressure on her injuries.
"Doc, we need some help here," shouted Hale entering the clinic with Dyson trailing him, his arms wrapped protectively around the young woman. Lauren looked up from her microscope, noticing the unconscious girl in Dyson's arms and a lot of blood.
Lauren hastily slipped around the table, "please, put her in here," indicating the open room. Dyson gently lay the girl on the hospital bed and backed away allowing Lauren room to examine her patient.
Lauren's expression remained unchanged as she partially uncovered the girl and noticed the severity of the deep cuts and bruises.
The doctor took professional to new level with her perfectly pressed button down shirts, tailored trousers, and a newly dry cleaned lab coat. Taking out her pen light she looked in both eyes of the patient, intrigued by the unique auburn color.
Lauren clicked off her light and asked, "has she regained consciousness? Said anything?"
Hale shook his head, "she moaned a couple times, that's it." Lauren nodded not looking up from her patient and took out her stethoscope to assess her heart and lungs. She then applied a blood pressure cuff, and frowned.
"What is it?" Dyson asked detecting a change in her expression.
"Her pressure is very low," replied Lauren, who noticed that her comment meant very little to Hale and Dyson. She quickly continued her thought and added, "which likely means she has lost a lot of blood."
"Is she Fae?" asked Dyson checking his watch casually.
Lauren peaked under the makeshift bandage that the Dyson and Hale had applied. The cut was very deep and approximately six inches long, gushing blood. Lauren placed the bandage back and applied pressure with her hand.
"Very likely," replied Lauren still lost in thought, "but I will need to run some tests assuming I can even stabilize her."
"We should get back to the shop, unless you need us to stay," offered Dyson anxious to get on with other business.
"I'll let you know when I find out anything," replied Lauren not taking her eyes off the patient. "Oh," added the doctor, "did she have anything with her, ID perhaps?"
Hale turned shaking his head, "Nothing."
"Katie, David, I'm going to need your assistance please," requested the doctor as the detectives exited the room.
Katie and David, Lauren's third year interns, scurried into the exam room and waited for instructions.
"Please prepare a suture tray, get her hooked up to the heart rate monitor, and draw some blood," instructed Lauren continuing to examine the girl noting all her injuries.
"Doctor, the tray is ready for you," offered Katie breaking Lauren from her intense scrutiny.
Lauren absentmindedly replied, "Thank you. We need the portable x-ray machine to get a better look before we proceed. Let's move people, we don't have much time," add Lauren sensing a lack of urgency.
"Right away Doctor," replied Katie hurrying out of the room to retrieve the machine. Lauren expertly slipped an IV into the girl's vein and started a drip to replenish the blood she had lost. Lauren sighed, encouraged to see an instant increase in pressure giving her hope the patient would respond to treatment.
The x-rays revealed there was still part of a dagger in the wound that may have broken off against one of the girl's ribs and would need to be removed. Lauren snapped on a new pair of gloves and proceeded to pull the wound open wider and used a pair of forceps to dig around in the wound. The girl moaned, but didn't wake up, so Lauren continued, pulling out what looked like the tip of a dagger. With the object out, Lauren quickly stitched up the inner layers and then used staples to pull together the outer flesh.
The girl had several cuts and bruises with the worst being the deep abdominal wound, but she also had several broken ribs, and needed stitches in her left shoulder and forehead. Lauren shivered as she examined the girl's back and found several deep gashes that appeared to be caused by a whip or belt. Lauren frowned, wondering, "what happened to this girl?" She grabbed her forceps and started pulling out several bits of leather from the wounds, her eyes still drifting over the extensive injuries.
With the bleeding now under control, Lauren gently picked up each of the girl's hands in her own and examined her wrists. She had obviously been restrained for long periods of time and she had struggled thought Lauren, cringing at the thought of what she had endured. There were strands of rope still embedded in both wrists which Lauren began gently removing, then cleaned and bandaged her wrists.
Her pressure was holding as was her heart rate and respiration so Lauren finally had the opportunity to really look at her patient. Lauren estimated the girl was maybe 5'ft 8", 125-130 pounds, very muscular, and looked strong for her size. Lauren's brow furrowed wondering how this could happen to a girl like this and pulled the sheet up to let her rest.
The doctor picked up a vial and syringe from the tray and proceeded to administer a dose of pain killer before reviewing the file that Katie had started. While making notes Lauren thought to herself, "if she's Fae, what is she?"
Lauren remembered the vials of blood that Katie had drawn and went out to the lab to analyze them. She ran some of the samples through the DNA system and the report was just coming off the printer when Katie walked in noticing the doctor pinching her lip between her fingers.
"Problem?" asked Katie pulling her long dark hair back in a ponytail.
"I'm not sure," replied Lauren not taking her eyes off the paper. "She's part wolf, and I don't recognize the other half."
"Is that even possible?" asked Katie .
"I ran the samples three times and it comes back the same. I've never seen anything like this before," replied Lauren looking confused. "Can you check on her please, I'd like to look at her x-rays more closely?"
"Sure, no problem," replied Katie heading to the girl's room.
While down the hall in the x-ray room Lauren heard trays crashing and then yelling and screaming. Lauren's gut tightened running toward where she heard the commotion quickly concluding it was coming from her patient's room. She ran in realizing the girl was awake and fighting both Katie and David who were trying to tie her in restraints.
"Stop! No restraints," she blurted as calmly as she could, feeling the girl's distress. Katie and David held the girl but didn't continue to try and get her in restraints. Lauren could see the fear and wildness in the girl's eyes.
"Look at me," Lauren asked calmly. The girl's auburn eyes were glowing and furious.
"Look at me," repeated Lauren, "Please, look at me." The girl raised her gaze to Lauren, "Good", encouraged Lauren holding her hands up in front of her.
"We aren't going to hurt you, you're in a clinic, I'm a doctor, we're trying to help you." The girl dropped her eye contact with Lauren and began struggling with Katie and David.
Lauren cautiously stepped closer. "No restraints," she instructed again. Both David and Katie looked confused.
"Let her go," instructed Lauren firmly never taking her eyes off the girl. The girl's stance was still one of fight. "Katie, David, please slowly back out of the room," continued Lauren softly.
Katie and David backed up to the door, "Should we get security?"
"No," whispered Lauren, her eyes still locked on the piercing auburn ones across the room. "Just give me a minute."
Lauren held the intense gaze of her patient, and moved a little closer, "just relax," she offered gently. "I'm not going to hurt you, I want to help you." The girl looked wildly around the room looking as if searching for an escape route.
"Dr. Lewis," cautioned David adjusting his glasses. "Be careful, she is really strong, she could hurt you."
"It's okay David. You aren't going to hurt me, are you?" she asked slowly taking another step closer to her patient, her heart racing. The girl pulled back deeper into the corner, looking more like a trapped animal than a young girl. Lauren could see the fear and mistrust in the girl's mesmerizing auburn eyes.
"Katie can you grab my lunch bag please and bring me some milk too?" asked Lauren. David looked at Katie with raised eyebrows wondering how Dr. Lewis felt she had time for lunch, as Katie shrugged and handed the bag to the Doctor.
Lauren took her sandwich out and cautiously moved to sit in the chair near the bed, waiting for the girl to calm down. "What's your name?" asked Lauren when she noticed the girl's breathing returning to normal.
The girl hesitated then replied, "Danny."
Lauren smiled, pleased with the break through, "my name is Lauren," not wanting to sound too clinical.
"Danny, are you hungry?" Lauren asked slowly reaching toward the girl with half of the sandwich.
Blood was running down Danny's arm where the IV had once been and the hospital gown on her left side was now soaked with blood from her re-opened abdominal wound but she was oblivious to the pain. Fear and mistrust were her only companions, they had served her well in the past but she was fighting to maintain her guard with this doctor. Her eyes were a soft brown that were honest, nurturing and caring and it was difficult for Danny to resist.
"Danny, you're hurt, I don't know what's happened to you but I promise you, you're safe here and I will look after you. Please let me help you," offered Lauren extending a hand to the injured wolf. Exhausted, hungry and losing blood, Danny surrendered, reaching out hesitantly to take the doctor's hand.
David looked at Katie and said shaking his head, "How does she do that?"
"It's called patience and she's very good at what she does," Katie replied with admiration.
Danny sat on the edge of the bed staring at the doctor while she quickly swallowed the sandwich Lauren had given her.
Feeling like she was gaining trust the doctor glanced at her patient and suggested, "Lie back please." Danny obeyed the request but moaned, grabbing her side, struggling to move. Lauren immediately reached for her and felt Danny tense. "I'm not going to hurt you," reassured the doctor. Danny relaxed a little involuntarily and allowed Lauren to guide her down to the pillow.
"I need to restore your IV and look at your abdominal wound. Will you let me do that?" asked Lauren.
Danny nodded warily but felt herself falling under the charm of Dr. Lauren Lewis.
Lauren quickly restored the IV. "We're giving you antibiotics, a low dose of pain meds, and blood if necessary. Just thought you might be wondering," offered Lauren with a reassuring smile.
Silently Danny nodded.
"Okay, now let's have a look at your abdomen."
Gently pulling the gown down to Danny's waist Lauren let her eyes linger on the well built body, examining every inch before blushing as she felt herself aroused by the beautiful stranger. Self consciously she took a few seconds to compose herself and then removed the bandage to inspect the wound. Just as she suspected several of the staples had been pulled open but it looked like the internal sutures had held. Lauren looked up to meet Danny's intense gaze that had not left the doctor during the entire examination.
"I need to replace three or four staples," advised Lauren pausing, "Your options for this are, a local anesthetic, which means I numb the area only with a needle, I sedate you for a short time, or we go with out anything but I can tell you it will be extremely painful."
"I don't want anything," replied Danny not wanting her senses dulled.
"Are you sure? This will be very painful," advised Lauren concerned. "You're safe here, you don't need to worry."
"I'm sure," replied Danny. "I have suffered much worse with less." Compassion passed through Lauren's eyes, allowing herself to think about what might be worse.
"Okay." Lauren took a deep breath, "can you raise your left arm up over your head so I can get a good look at the wound?"
Danny moved her arm for Lauren and braced herself. Lauren could hear Danny's respiration increase anticipating the procedure.
"Ready?" asked Lauren. Danny nodded, gritting her teeth and grabbing some of the bedding in her right hand.
"Click." Danny yelped rolling on to her side, the pain worse than she had anticipated as the staple punctured her skin.
Lauren put her hand gently on Danny's thigh, "Are you okay?" Danny nodded, feeling the coolness of Lauren's slender fingers and instructed her to go ahead.
"Click." The air burst out of Danny's lungs like she had been kicked in the ribs and her entire body tensed. Danny gasped for air.
Concerned Lauren suggested, "we can try one of the alternatives, let me at least give you a local."
"No," Danny gasped through gritted teeth. "Just keep going." Danny braced herself again,
"Click." Danny moaned and rolled around writhing in pain.
Lauren reached out and brushed an errant hair out of Danny's eyes which was now drenched in sweat, "Last one Danny." Danny nodded and tensed again.
"Click." Danny moaned, her face contorted waiting for the pain to subside.
Lauren gently placed a new bandage over the wound. She pulled the gown and sheet up over Danny's chest, leaned over her to where she could make eye contact with Danny and said, "It's over, you can rest now."
Danny swallowed hard, her respiration still elevated and nodded. Lauren placed her hand on Danny's arm and stroked it gently, trying to comfort her incredibly strong patient. Danny closed her eyes enjoying the nurturing touch, and allowed herself a moment of unguarded contentment.
When Lauren went to pull away to go attend to other things Danny's pleading eyes caught hers and she realized she was needed right there. Lauren smiled and pulled up a chair next to the bed, "I'll stay right here until you wake. Rest now." Danny closed her eyes exhausted and unable to worry anymore.
When Danny woke she was confused and couldn't remember where she was until she noticed the beautiful blonde doctor sleeping in a chair next to her. "She stayed," Danny thought to herself as she studied the doctor, really seeing her for the first time.
Lauren woke with a feeling of someone watching and immediately sat up in the chair, "You're awake." Danny smiled and nodded.
"How do you feel?" asked Lauren rising to her feet and grabbing her stethoscope.
"Sore, but okay I think," replied Danny still watching the doctor.
Lauren placed the stethoscope under Danny's gown on her chest, then moved to examine the cuts she had repaired including the large abdominal wound.
Lauren nodded, "everything looks pretty good considering." Danny smiled. "Are you hungry?" asked Lauren.
"I'm starving," replied Danny.
"I am going to stop by my house, pick up some things and then I'll stop and get food, okay? One hour tops," assured Lauren as she looked into Danny's now very soft and gentle auburn eyes. "I won't be long."
"Be good," suggested Lauren smiling as she left the room still thinking about Danny's magnetic eyes.
Danny sighed and lay her head back on her pillow to wait for breakfast, her stomach growling mercilessly.
After what seemed like an eternity Lauren walked back in the room wearing jeans and a black button down shirt. She announced, "breakfast is served," as she approached the bed.
Danny jumped at her voice and tried to push herself up into a sitting position, but just the movement made her wince in pain. Lauren noticed the pain flash through her patients face.
"More pain meds?" she asked putting the food down as well as some clothes she had brought for Danny.
"No," replied Danny, gritting her teeth until she got herself sitting more upright.
Lauren cringed hoping Danny wouldn't reopen any stitches, "I got pancakes, eggs, ham, bacon." "What do you want first?"
Danny smiled, "definitely pancakes."
"And, I brought myself coffee and for you, I pegged you as a milk drinker," she said holding up a bottle of chocolate milk. Danny smiled again, this time her smiled reached her eyes and they glowed like nothing Lauren had ever seen before.
Danny was stuffing in her forth pancake, when Lauren decided to ask, "What's your full name?"
"Danny Jenson," replied Danny between bites of food.
"What do you do for a living Danny Jenson?" asked Lauren trying to keep her questions as light as possible.
"I am a freelance writer for a magazine," replied Danny downing the bottle of milk.
Lauren reached in the bag and handed her another bottle. Danny accepted the bottle and hesitated for a moment, "How'd you know?" she asked now meeting Lauren's eyes.
"What?" asked Lauren confused. "How'd you know how much I would eat?"
"Oh," said Lauren pausing to think how she should answer that. "Can I ask you one question first?"
Danny considered the question and finally answered, "okay."
"What do you know about Light and Dark Fae?"
"Never heard of them, should I know?" replied Danny leaning back.
Lauren thought to herself, "this can't be a coincidence, first Bo and now Danny."
Realizing Danny was waiting for an answer she quickly composed her thoughts, "Okay, well, let me speculate on a few things and you can tell me if I am right."
"I assumed you would be a big eater yes, and I will tell you my reason later, I also believe you were likely raised in one or more foster families but never felt like you fit in, you were considered to be a problem child, you kept sneaking out at night about every ten to fourteen days but you don't remember doing it? You lose time and wake up not knowing how you got there, and you feel like you have been running your whole life."
"How am I doing so far?" asked Lauren looking up to see Danny's auburn eyes staring at her, and she knew instantly, she was right about everything.
"How do you know?" whispered Danny.
Lauren pulled her chair closer to the bed knowing this was going to be a difficult conversation.
"Lauren looked in Danny's eyes and replied, "I need you to keep an open mind."