Hey, everybody. The idea for this story came to me after I heard about Chris Noth deciding to leave the show, and finding about how he was going to leave. Apparently, Chris has no intentions of reviving his role as Mike, so the August 24th episode, Last Rites, will most likely be his last. According to my source, the show is looking for a paramedic to rattle off stats to Ross and Wheeler about "a person of interest". I'm dreading the episode, because like many of you, I adore Mikey. Sigh. Anyway, I told my room mate that the only way I could be okay with it would be if Wolf brought Annabella back to reprise her role as Carolyn one last time. But she doesn't think it's going to happen. So I decided to write this, with the help of the Confused One. Enjoy, and please remember to review!
Disclaimer: Not ours!
CICICICICICICICICI
Carolyn Barek's entire body was trembling as she walked into the hospital. She had gotten the call... Now she couldn't even remember how much time had passed since she had gotten the frantic call from Mike's partner.
The air swooshed around her as she walked through the automatic doors, and she felt like it was taking the air out of her lungs. She couldn't lose him. She couldn't. Fuck...
Wheeler was standing in front of Mike's ICU room, and Carolyn suddenly saw red. Because of this woman in front of her, there was a chance Mike wouldn't live. She stalked up to her, trembling.
The redheaded woman looked her up and down and nervously extended a hand. "You must be Carolyn. I'm Megan Wheeler..."
Carolyn glared at her offered hand. "I know who you are," she spat, reaching for the door. She couldn't waste any more time or energy on this woman. She had to see Mike.
With a trembling hand, she opened the door and slipped inside. A nurse was checking his vitals, and at the intrusion, looked up. "This patient isn't allowed visitors."
Carolyn stepped forward. "I'm his medical proxy. Carolyn Barek."
The nurse glanced down at the chart in her hand. "Right, okay. I see now." She gave Carolyn a sympathetic look, which chilled Carolyn to the bone. "His doctor will be by later to speak with you."
She nodded numbly as the nurse finished, then walked out of the room. Finally they were alone. Barely breathing, Carolyn moved closer to the bed, her hand extended. She couldn't believe any of this. This wasn't supposed to happen. Not like this.
The tubes and wires were frightening enough, but seeing him lie so still in the bed sucked the oxygen out of her lungs, leaving her desperately heaving and fighting back the tears. She couldn't cry. She had to be strong for them, for him. He needed her to be strong.
Slowly, almost timidly, she laid her hand on his arm. The skin beneath her hand was warm, reassuring, and she found herself able to take a small breath. "Mike..."
Mike stirred slightly at the sound of her voice and the touch of her hand.
Her heart jumped into her throat. Leaning closer, she gently stroked his hair. "It's okay, Mike," she whispered. "I'm right here. It's okay."
Fighting the darkness, Mike stirred again. He knew that voice. It was Carolyn. He wanted to get to her.
Encouraged, Carolyn smiled. "That's it, baby. Open your eyes for me."
Mike's eyes finally blinked open. He turned his head slightly and closed them again against the bright lights. He groaned softly.
She frowned and quickly reached over to turn the lights off. "The lights are off, Mike," she murmured, taking his hand.
Mike blinked a couple of times and opened his eyes again. Adjusting to the light that was in the room, he finally looked at her. Confused, he reached up with his free hand for the oxygen mask over his face.
She gently grabbed his other hand, shaking her head. "No, baby. Leave that there."
Mike gave her a frustrated look. It was in the way. Hoarse, he tried to speak, "Want...it...off..."
"No, you need it," she insisted firmly, running a cool hand over his warm forehead. "Leave it there."
Mike met her eyes. He finally stopped trying to pull it off. Lowering his hand back to the bed, he ventured, "Where...am I?"
"Mercy General." She continued to run her hand gently through his hair. "You were shot."
Mike nodded slowly. He remembered arriving at the suspect's house. He remembered being with Wheeler. He frowned. "And Wheeler? Is she...okay?"
She forced down a whirlwind of emotions that name brought. "She's... fine, Mike. Don't worry about her." She sure as hell wouldn't. "You were the one who was hurt." She gently squeezed his hand.
Mike relaxed a little. "Good..." He cared about Megan Wheeler a lot. She was a good partner. He shifted slightly and then groaned in pain. It hurt to move. Closing his eyes, he decided not to do that again.
"Don't move," she murmured, her hand pausing in his hair. "Just relax."
Mike swallowed hard and tried his best to relax. Looking up at her again, he hesitated a moment to ask. He finally ventured, "Where...is...my badge?"
She raised an eyebrow. "Your captain or Wheeler probably has it. You can get it back later. Don't worry about it right now."
Mike frowned. He shook his head and looked at her. He insisted, "I...want you...to have it."
A cold chill swept through her veins, and she gripped his hand tighter. "No, I don't want it. You're going to need it when you get out of here." Mike frowned. He looked away from her and replied, "If...I get out of here."
"No..." She gulped. "You're going to get out of here. I'm going to take you home..."
Mike frowned. He insisted, "You...don't know that. Have to be...realistic."
"Logan," she growled. "You're not going to give up on me. You're not."
Mike frowned. He gave her a look. "Not...giving up..."
"Good." She gently lifted his hand and kissed his knuckles. "Because... I need you."
Mike squeezed her hand softly. "And I...need you."
She smiled weakly, rubbing his hand. His skin was cold, and she swallowed hard. Was he really trying to tell her goodbye? She shook her head. No, he was going to be just fine. He was. And he needed her to believe in him. She kissed his fingertips lightly.
Mike met her eyes again. "I do love you, Carolyn." He was in a lot of pain, and he really wasn't sure he was going to be okay this time. He knew he only got so many chances, and he had to be running out.
"I know you do, Logan." She couldn't bring herself to say it back to him. A deep worry ate away at her gut.
Mike studied her now. He gave her hand a squeeze. "You're-you're going to be okay, Carolyn..."
Her face paled. "Mike, no..."
Mike swallowed hard. He insisted, "Yes... I have to... I have to know that you know these things...in case..."
"In case nothing. You're going to be fine." Her hand tightened around his, and she brought it up to rest against her cheek. It was still too cold, and she willed her warmth into him.
Mike swallowed with difficulty. "You-you don't know that..." He shifted again just a little and was nearly paralyzed with pain.
She got to her feet and leaned over him, gently stroking his cheek. "Please, Mike..." She didn't quite know what she was pleading for, but she knew that she couldn't lose him. To lose him would be to lose her heart. She just couldn't.
Mike nodded slowly. He tightened his hold on her hand. "I...will... I just... I want to be...prepared. Want you to be...prepared."
She shook her head, bringing his hand up to her mouth again. "No..."
Mike breathed shakily. He insisted, "Yes... Carolyn, I've scraped by way too many times..."
"And you're going to be fine now," she whispered.
Mike swallowed thickly. He shook his head again. "You...don't know that."
"Damn it, Mike, you're going to be fine!" She tried to sound strong, but her voice cracked.
Mike closed his eyes when he heard her voice crack. He took a deep breath. "I...hope you're right."
She nearly panicked when he closed his eyes and his hand relaxed in hers. "I am, Mike," she whispered unconvincingly. "I'm right."
Hearing the panic in her voice, Mike opened his eyes again. He met her eyes. "It just... It hurts..." He shifted just a little again, more pain flared in him, and he groaned.
She sat down on the edge of the bed, resting a careful hand on his chest. "I know," she whispered soothingly. "I'm sorry. Just rest."
Mike swallowed hard. He finally nodded. "Yeah..." He closed his eyes again, willing himself into sleep where the pain was gone.
She picked up his hand again, gently rubbing it as she willed herself not to panic at the thought of him closing his eyes.
Trying to sleep, Mike was comforted by having her close. No matter what, he knew he had her there.
Bringing his hand against her breast, she used her other hand to gently stroke his hair. He was going to be fine. She just had to believe that. Finally she whispered, "I love you, Mike."
Hearing her, Mike gave her a ghost of a smile. "I love you, too, Carolyn." And he did. His hand went limp in hers, and a shrill whining filled the room as he stopped breathing.
TBC...
A/N: Ooh, evil cliffie! (hides from angry mob with pitchforks and left shoes)