Alright, it's two in the morning, I'm half asleep, and this idea has been tumbling around in my mind ever since I saw the Sex And The City ep, The Domino Effect. Actually, this story was completely inspired by that ep. I absolutely adore Chris Noth (come on, ladies? Am I right?) and I started watching the show just to see him. The ep was amazing, and I had to write a Mike version (in the mothership ep, Deadly Prescriptions, he mentions a family history of heart problems) I have an idea for a second chapter, if I get enough interest sparked in this one. If not, I'll leave it as a oneshot. Anyway, enough of my rambling. Enjoy, and please remember to review!
Disclaimer: Not mine!
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"Okay, what's going on, Mike?" Carolyn asked, staring intently at her partner. They were sitting in the corner booth of a quiet local diner after a long day of work. He had announced sometime during a quiet moment at their desks that he had something important to tell her, and she had spent the rest of the day chewing on that thought. What could it be? Was it good, or bad?
He set the burger that he had been eating back down on his plate, taking a drink of his Coke before he finally met her eyes again. "I'm not going to be coming in for the rest of the week."
She raised an eyebrow. "Why? What's going on?" she asked curiously.
"It's nothing. Really. The doctors... They found a blockage in my heart."
She couldn't contain her soft gasp as the news hit her like a blow to her gut. "What? What kind of blockage?"
He waved a dismissive hand. "Nothing a little surgery won't fix." He smirked at the hamburger on his plate. "But I can kiss these goodbye."
"What kind of surgery?"
"An angioplasty." He took a drink. "No big deal. It's really routine. They do hundreds of them every day." He snapped his fingers. "I'll be in and out like that."
The color drained from her face. How could he joke about something like this? How could he take it so lightly?
He raised an eyebrow at her pale complexion. "Barek? You okay?"
She jumped, startled, when he called her name. Shaking her head, she said quietly, "Are you... I mean... When?"
"Tomorrow. They'll go in and fix the blockage and I'll be back home tomorrow night."
She scoffed, trying to hide her jittery nerves.
He took another bite of his burger. "Don't worry about it, Barek. I'll be back before you know it. Promise."
Somehow she wasn't reassured.
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She didn't know how she did it, but she managed to convince Deakins to let her leave early. She suspected that he knew she was going to check on Mike, and that was why he had let her leave. Now she was standing in front of the door that led into the room the nurse said he was in, and she had never been more afraid in her life.
She took a steadying breath before she gently rapped her knuckles against the door and pushed it open. "Knock knock," she murmured, easing into the room.
A nurse was standing by Mike's bed, checking his vitals, when she heard Carolyn's voice. Raising her head, she gave her a small smile. "Are you family, ma'am?"
Carolyn paused. "No, I'm not. I'm his partner." She sighed. "He doesn't have any family to speak of."
Nurse Taylor raised an eyebrow. "We're limiting visitors to family only until he comes out from under sedation."
Carolyn motioned to herself. "I'm the closest thing to family he has." She flashed her badge. "We're cops."
Her eyes went to her patient, then to the raven haired visitor. "If he has no family, I suppose it's okay for you to stay with him."
Her shoulders sagged slightly with relief. "Thank you."
Taylor nodded, then stood upright. "He should be waking up in an hour or two. I'll be back then."
Carolyn stepped aside to let the nurse get to the door. "Thank you," she repeated, waiting until the door was shut before she finally relaxed.
After taking a few moments to pull herself together, she finally moved to stand beside his bed. His head was tipped to the side, his lips slightly parted as he drew in deep breaths. Wisps of thick hair fell across his forehead, and without realizing what she was doing, she reached out and gently smoothed them back.
She stood there for several minutes, just watching his chest rise and fall with each even breath he drew. When she was sure he wouldn't awaken, she went around the bed and found an empty chair, pulling a book out of her purse as she sat down.
But she quickly realized that she couldn't focus enough to read the book. Her eyes kept drifting up, reassuring herself that he was still breathing.
What the hell was going on?
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Two hours later, Mike's hand went to his chest, and he groaned softly. Forcing his eyes open, he licked his dry lips and stared up at the white ceiling. His chest was aching, but he was alive.
A rustling beside his bed caught his attention, and he turned his head, surprised to see his partner curled up in a cramped hospital chair. A smile tugged at his lips, and he groaned quietly as he turned onto his side, facing her.
When he groaned, she shot upright in the chair as though she had been shocked by a live wire.
He looked at her in amusement. "What's the matter, Barek? Bad dream?" he asked in a hoarse, quiet voice.
She met his tired eyes, and a powerful wave of protection crashed into her. Right then, she wanted nothing more than to gather him into her arms and never let him go. But she settled for reaching out and gently laying her fingertips on his arm. "How do you feel?"
He exhaled deeply, meeting her dark eyes. Mustering all of his strength, he pushed himself upright and said, "I'm alive!"
His sudden outburst startled her, and she glared at him. "Logan!"
He chuckled, returning his head to the pillow. "From the look on your face, I must be dying."
"Shut up," she growled, crossing her arms.
"Relax, sweetheart. I told you I was going to be fine. And I am." He held up two fingers. "Promise."
Her scowl faded, and she let out a heavy sigh. "I know. I just..."
"Was expecting me to be dead?" he offered, receiving another glare.
"No. And now that I know you're going to be okay..." She pushed herself to her feet and grabbed her purse, then proceeded to the door.
"Carolyn?" he called out hesitantly.
She turned around, surprised by his use of her first name. "What, Mike?"
They locked eyes. "Thanks," he finally said quietly.
She stood there for several long moments, lost in his eyes before she could finally form a reply. "Don't worry about it, Mike. It's what I'm here for."
He gave her a heart warming smile, then settled back into the pillows and closed his eyes.
Her hand was on the door handle, but she couldn't bring herself to turn it and walk out. Even though she knew he would be fine, she wanted to be near him. She struggled with herself for several moments before she finally returned to her chair, dropping her purse on the floor.
He struggled to open his eyes. "You don't have to..."
Allowing herself one moment of weakness, she reached out and gently ran the back of her hand along his cheek. "But I want to," she assured him.
He leaned into her gentle touch, sighing deeply as sleep overtook him again.
She continued to stroke his cheek, even after he faded into sleep. The warmth of his skin against her hand was more soothing than she could ever describe, and she didn't want to lose that feeling. But they were partners, nothing more. Her hand stilled. She didn't even know if that was true anymore. Did she want more? Her hand began moving again. She wasn't sure.
He stirred and groaned softly, his eyelids fluttering.
Standing up, she settled her cool hand against his forehead. "Shh, Mike," she whispered, caressing his warm skin. She was surprised when he settled again, his breathing returning to an even and steady pattern.
Slowly, she returned to her seat, her hand still on his forehead. She didn't know exactly what she wanted, but right now, that didn't matter. All that mattered was the man in the bed beside her. She could figure out the rest later.
Sighing softly, she leaned back in the chair. And not for the first, or last, time that day, she said another prayer of thanks that he was still with her.
Because that was what was in her heart of hearts.
The End...?
A/N: So there ya'll have it. I had a good time writing it, and those of you who watch Sex And The City will recognize the concept. I hope I did it justice! Oh, and for those who are interested, I'm working on my first Sex And The City story. (I'm not sure if it's going to be for the show or for the upcoming movie, but I'm working on it. So please check it out) Thanks for reading, and if ya'll want to see more, just hit that purplish little button... Yeah, that's the one. It wants to be your buddy!