Behind Closed Doors
Fritz/Sharon
Chapter 1
…
Lt. Mike Tao's stomach dropped the moment Agent Fritz Howard mentioned the word heart attack, for the first time in his life he was at a loss as to what to do. He was ordered not to tell a soul, not even Brenda as he watched Fritz make his way out to the back of the building while Mike rushed off to grab the water and pills. Provenza gave him a quizzical look as Mike opened his desk drawer and grabbed two aspirin along with the bottle of water he had grabbed from the break room.
"Headache?" Louie asked.
"I do, yes."
"What's wrong with you, you're being weird."
"I'm fine."
"You sure Mike, you do look a bit off." Amy added.
"Just a headache, really I'm fine. I'm just heading home."
"Sure, see you in the morning then."
Louie watched him rush off, giving a curious glance to Amy who looked just a suspicious.
"What's he up too?"
"Whatever it is, I guess it's none of our business. Right, I'm going home."
"Hot date with Lieutenant Cooper?"
"Maybe, I'll see you tomorrow."
…
Mike rushed down the fire escape, two steps at a time towards Fritz car; he jumped in to the driver's side before removing the bottle cap on the water and passing it to Fritz along with the pills. He helped the younger man as he began to cough as he swallowed, Mike could see that he was becoming paler by the second.
"We need to get you to the hospital…now."
Fritz head fell back against the head rest, his breathing becoming labored. Mike drove as fast as he could, trying his best to stay within the speed limit. He pulled up out the front of A&E, yelling for help as he helped Fritz out of the car. Two nurses came running out followed by a doctor.
"I need some help here, my friends having a heart attack."
"Okay Sir, what's his name?" The doctor asked, helping Fritz into a gurney.
"Fritz Howard, he's FBI."
"Okay and how long has he been having chest pains?"
"About 30 minutes."
"Okay guys, get him upstairs now." The doctor yelled.
"Mike…Mike…"
"Yeah buddy, I'm right here." He spoke quickly, coming to his side.
"I need you to do me a favor; I don't want her finding out from someone else."
"You want me to call Brenda?"
"No, not Brenda…Sharon…I want you to call Sharon…please."
Mike saw the pleading in Fritz eyes as the doctor and nurses whisked him away. Mike stood in a state of shock as people hurried around him; he was in two minds as to what he ought to do. The obvious choice was of course to phone Brenda, she was after all his wife but Fritz had been adamant that she was not to be called. Mike couldn't understand why he asked for Sharon but the look on his face told Mike more than he wanted to know. He pulled out his phone and quickly dialed his Captain's number.
…
Sharon was sitting at her kitchen table with Ricky and Rusty, the two young men laughing and joking, a totally different picture than Sharon had witnessed earlier in the day. She hated the way she'd spoken to Ricky, the conversation replaying over in her head for the tenth time that day.
"Richard William Raydor, you listen to me, and you listen to me good. You've got one chance to get this right, you need to turn your attitude around right this minute…because if you make Rusty feel unwelcome in this family I will be just so…disappointed. Oh my god, I am so disappointed in you right now, I don't even know what to say."
Ricky looked up to see his Mom lost in her own thoughts.
"Hey Mom, are you listening?"
"Sorry honey, what was that?"
"Rusty and I were just saying we should take you to lunch tomorrow, since it didn't quite work out today…if you want too?"
"Yeah Sharon, it'll be fun." Rusty smiled.
"You know what, that sounds like a lovely idea…why don't I…" Sharon's phone began to ring, stopping her in her tracks. "Excuse me boys, work."
Sharon got up from the table when she saw Mike's name coming up.
"Mike, good evening…what can I do for you?" She spoke softly.
"Captain, I'm really sorry to be calling you so late."
"It's fine, is everything okay…do we have a case?"
"This isn't work related Captain, well in a manner of speaking I suppose but I…"
"Mike what is it?" She asked, hearing the awkwardness and worry in his voice.
"I'm at Cedars."
"Are you alright, are you hurt?"
"Not me Captain, I came with Agent Howard."
"I don't understand."
"Captain, Agent Howard has had a heart attack."
"What, oh my god."
Rusty and Ricky looked up from their conversation when they heard pain in Sharon's voice and the way she steadied herself on the edge of the couch. Both were on their feet in seconds, Ricky's arm coming around his Mom's shoulder.
"Mom, what is it?"
"Sharon, is everything okay."
"Mike, how serious is it."
"I don't know anything yet I'm afraid, they took him away as soon as we got here. Captain, he asked for you personally…no one else."
"I'm on my way Mike, I won't be long."
"I'll wait for you."
Sharon hung up and tried hard best not to show any tears, Ricky's hand tightened a little on Sharon's shoulder forcing her to look up.
"Mom what is it, has something happened. Is it Dad, Emily?"
"No honey it's not your Father or Emily, it's work related…I have to go, will you boys be alright on your own, I don't know when I'll get back."
"We'll be fine Sharon, do you want me to call Lieutenant Flynn."
"No, no it's alright. They don't need to be disturbed."
"Are you sure?"
"Really, I'll be alright. I have to go; you boys look after each other and I'll see you soon alright."
"Sure Sharon."
"Mom I can drive you."
"Ricky please, I'll be better on my own. Just stay here with Rusty, please."
He saw the look in her eyes, the one that told him not to argue so he nodded his head in agreement. They both stood and watched as Sharon rushed to grab her coat and purse before running out the door.
"Okay that was like really weird." Rusty said.
"I hope she's okay."
"If it was really serious she'd have said right?"
"Not always, come on we better get things cleaned up. You fancy watching a movie."
"Sure."
…
To Be Continued…