There will be a happy ending
Title: Partners
author: Cindy Ryan
"And here I thought that exam was going to be the most stressful thing about my
day."Rookie LAPD officer Lucy Chen commented as she got out of the squad.
"Best case, it's tomorrow's problem."Training officer Tim Bradford responded as they approached the front door of a one level yellow stucco house.
"And worst case?"Lucy asked then shook her head. "Never mind don't answer that."
Tim knocked on the front door and an African American male in his thirties answered it. Before they could introduced themselves the man began to speak in a frustrated tone.
"About time you got here."The man said as he stepped further into the living room. "I called you six hours ago."
"Sir..."Tim started.
"Do you have my bag?"The man continued.
"What bag?"Tim asked.
"Grabbed the wrong one when I got off the bus."The man explained as he walked to the bed room and returned with a medium sized black canvas bag. "Thought it was mine until I got home. Started looking through it for ID all that's in there is a weird science experiment."
Lucy felt her heartrate shoot up as she met Tim's gaze. His expression was carefully schooled but she saw the anxiety and worry in his brown eyes.
"Sir..."Tim began as he took a step forward.
"Cut myself on something in there."The bus passenger stated as he held up his right hand. "Won't stop bleeding."
Tim gave Lucy half a nod and she got the message. She pulled out her radio and just as she walked near the coffee table towards Tim and the front door the man began to cough violently. Lucy felt liquid hit her left cheek, ear and neck. She froze like a kid playing the game statue. Lucy heard Tim curse as he yanked out his radio.
"This is Adam719 patch me through to the task force and Sgt. Grey."Tim said into the radio.
"Is there anyone else in the house?"Lucy asked finally finding her voice.
"My kid's with my ex."The man replied hoarsely.
The man coughed once more and more blood hit his shirt. Then his eyes rolled back in his head and he fell back against the sofa. Instinctively Lucy began to move forward and reach for the unconscious bus passenger.
"Chen!"Tim snapped. "Don't go near him!"
"Already infected."Lucy countered. "I'm not letting him suffer if I can help him."
"Bradford, what's going on?"Grey asked over the radio.
"We're at Peter Langston's home at 243 Walker St."Tim reported grimly. "Mr. Langston had the misfortune of grabbing the terrorist's bag by mistake. He's been infected."
"CDC's on their way."Grey replied. "What about you and Chen?"
"Chen got blood splatter."Tim continued grimly. "Tell the CDC we're in the living room they're going to have to quarantine the whole house."
"Understood."Grey acknowledged. "Hang in there; help's coming."
"Yes, Sir."Tim responded as he ended the radio call.
Langston was semi-conscious now and seizing. Tim started to move forward to help reaching for gloves from his uniformed pocket as he did.
"No, Tim. Stay where you are."Lucy insisted.
Tim bit back the sharp retort he was about to say to his rookie. The last thing he wanted to do was stay where he was. Chen had infected blood on her and was tending to a dying man. Before Tim could decide on his next course of action sirens came to a halt outside. Dozens of running feet pounded up the sidewalk.
"This is Dr. Morgan from the CDC."A familiar female voice called from the front step. "How many people are inside?"
"Just us and Mr. Langston."Tim replied. "Langston's not doing too well. He's seizing and coughing up blood."
"I heard Officer Chen came in contact with Mr. Langston's blood."Morgan stated. "What about you Officer Bradford?"
"No, nothing hit me."Tim responded. "How far away is that antidote?"
"Still in the air, hour and a half out."Morgan explained.
"He's not going to last that long."Lucy called from near the sofa.
"I'm sorry it's the best we can do for now."Morgan replied emphatically. "Officer Bradford, can I put you to work?"
"You want to know what's in the bag."Tim surmised with a sigh.
"Yes."Morgan affirmed.
"I'll take pictures on my phone and send them to you."Tim suggested.
"I'll get your number from Sgt. Grey and send you mine."Morgan commented. "Meantime you'll hear plastic as we put up a quarantine."
"Understood."Tim acknowledged.
"How you doing, boot?"Tim asked as he walked to the bag that was still on the floor on the far side of the couch near the front door.
"Elevated heart rate and shaking but that could be the adrenaline."Lucy replied anxiously.
"Most likely."Tim agreed.
Tim watched as Lucy took an orange and red quilt from the back of the sofa and tucked it around Langston. He didn't want to think that he could be tending to her in a short time. Shaking off the dark thoughts Tim began the task of inventorying the terrorist's bag. With gloved hands he took each item out and took a picture before returning it to the bag. Just as he finished Tim's cell phone rang and he saw Grey's name on the caller id.
"Yes, sir?"Tim greeted solemnly.
"I talked with Dr. Morgan and gave her your cell number."Grey reported. "How are you two holding up?"
Tim walked a few paces toward the bedroom and lowered his voice to be out of Chen's earshot.
"Chen got blood on her neck and face. Pretty good chance she's infected."Tim stated quietly. "She's attending to Langston making him comfortable. We need that vaccine ASAP."
"It's on it's way."Grey said softly. "Keep an eye on Chen. Let me know if she shows any symptoms."
"Yes, Sir."Tim replied as he ended the call.
Turning back to the living room Tim felt his heart freeze. Lucy lay crumpled next to the sofa, blood drops falling from her nostrils. Langston was still out cold on the sofa.
"Boot!"Tim called as he raced forward kneeling once he reached the young woman's side.
"Morgan!"Tim shouted towards the front door. "Dr. Morgan!"
Still with gloves on Tim took Lucy's vitals. He let out a relieved breath when a pulse sounded under his fingers. For half a second Tim thought he'd lost his partner. Over the last few months despite their rocky start he and Lucy had become friends. Well as much as a T.O and a rookie could be. With his marriage to Isabel ending along with the drama surrounding her addiction to drugs Lucy had been a constant in Tim's life. Something he didn't realize he'd needed. Tim hadn't thought Lucy would make it this far in the training program. But she'd been a determined spitfire from day one.
"Lucy?"Tim called worriedly lightly slapping the rookie's right cheek. "Boot, come on. Wake up."
Lucy remained still the blood trickle increasing from her nose. Tim swallowed hard trying to keep his fear at bay. He glanced once more at the living room window.
"Doc!"Tim shouted.
"Officer Bradford, what's wrong?"Morgan finally responded in a breathless tone.
"Chen's collapsed and has a bloody nose."Tim reported.
Movement near the window caught Tim's attention and he saw a yellow hazmat suit move among the bushes. He now could recognize Morgan's face through the protective shield as the doctor peered through the window.
"Understood."Morgan commented grimly. "Did any get on you?"
"No."Tim replied.
Using hand signals Morgan gestured to Tim's radio. He rocked back on his heels and took the device out of his pocket. A few seconds later he heard the doctor's voice.
"Officer Bradford?"Morgan called.
"Got you, Doc."Tim responded into the radio. "This means she's infected; doesn't it?"
"I'm afraid so."Morgan affirmed
"Damn."Tim swore. "Doc, she's my rookie. My responsibility."
"I understand."Morgan said softly. "When she wakes keep her as calm as you can."
"Copy that."Tim replied ending the radio call.
Once more Tim lightly touched Lucy's left cheek. Her dark hair was falling into her eyes and was out of it's ponytail.
"Lucy?"Tim called gently. "Need you to wake up. Come on, boot...wake up."
Lucy remained still. After a moment Tim stood and got a clean pillow from the sofa. He placed it under Lucy's head then Tim sat on the floor next to her. All he could do was wait.
