Title: Flashburn
Chapter 2 – In the Shadows
A/N: A special thanks to you all for your amazing feedback for chappy 1. I hope you all continue to like this angsty little adventure. Thanks!
"Seriously that was actually Ed's suggestion?" Tom lightly smirks as the two of them enter the barn and head for the reception area; the rest of team three pulling away and heading for the lockers to get changed and head home.
"Hey I liked it," Donna retorts in her husband's defense as they near Winnie's desk.
"Yeah you would," Tom chuckles back as they both watch Winnie pick up the phone, greet Spike and then offer a few words.
"Oh god what?" Winnie asks in shock as looks at him with a panicked expression.
"What's going on?" Donna gently inquires.
"Is team one back?" Tom asks Donna.
"Doubt it," Donna shrugs back. "Winnie?"
"There's been an accident…an explosion…Ed's been taken to the hospital."
"What?" Donna gasps as she quickly snatches a headset from Winnie. "Spike? Spike, it's Donna. What happened to Ed?" Donna demands as her and Tom race back for the exit; the next destination, the hospital.
XXXXXXXX
Everything happened so fast he hardly had time to react. His mind recalls in painful flashes as he had engaged the masked suspect in a fight. Pulling his mask off. Seeing the angry face snarling at him just before he felt his eyes starting to burn and sting – chemical spray. His ears picking up a promise of deathly vengeance. Another attack. Wordy shouting for him to get clear. Greg's voice in his ear asking what's going on. The suspect pulling his mask back on. Sam arriving. Wordy recovering. Ready to fire. His own gun aimed. But then…painful darkness. The stinging had gotten worse and then he had opened his eyes at the exact second a flash of painfully blinding brilliance blinded him – literally.
His body falls. Heart beating so loud and fast he was sure his ear drums had burst. Heat all around him. His skin blazing. Eyes burning. Darkness. His hands come to his face, desperately wanting to rub out the stinging chemicals. Doing more damage. Wordy's voice finally coming back into focus. Greg. Sam. Spike. Jules. The team. Where the hell am I? Where's the suspect? Why is it all dark? Turn on the damn lights! And then the sickening realization as he lays helpless on the floor.
Oh god…I can't see. I can't…I'm blind…no it's just the lights…turn on the lights…someone…oh god someone turn on the lights.
"Wordy…" Ed whispers in torment. "I can't…"
"Hold on. Boss help him here…we still have an active shooter."
"Wordy, stand cover. Sam will lead the pursuit."
"Greg…I can't see…I can't…" Ed's lips mutter over and over as his watery, stinging eyes squeeze shut. "There was a chemical spray and then the flash and…"
"Okay, Eddie hold on buddy," Greg states as he trades places with Wordy, Wordy standing up with his gun raised; Sam, Spike and Jules all in pursuit of the elusive killer.
"Boss…I can't…see," Ed stammers as he raises his hand to rub the stinging liquid from his eyes; Greg quickly stopping him so as not to push any more of the stinging poison further into his eyes. "Boss…"
"Don't rub. I know it stings. Jules! Get me a first aid kit with a saline flush in it!"
"Copy. Ambulance is a few minutes out."
"Sam, Spike. Do you see the shooter?"
"Negative," Sam's voice replies with a heavy exhale. "Fresh skid marks here…I think he had a car waiting and now he's gone."
"Okay Sam hurry back. Spike head for the security room and get started on those security tapes. He came in with a mask but Ed said he saw his face. Let's see if we can get a picture and get the database's searching."
"On it boss. On my way to the security room now," Spike replies as he hurries toward the security room.
"Boss…"
"Eddie trust me don't touch your face…the skin is pretty red," Greg tells him as Jules reaches them, the medic's right behind her.
"I can't see…" Ed states in frustration as he feels himself being bodily helped upright and then carefully laid down onto a nearby stretcher.
"What happened?" One of the medics asks; Greg gesturing for Wordy to accompany Ed to the hospital.
Ed can only offer a frustrated curse as he lays on the stretcher, his eyes carefully flushed with saline to clear out the last bits of the stinging residue before cool, damp pads are placed over them and then held in place with some gauze; the medic applying some soothing cream to the slightly burnt parts of his cheek and forehead.
"Before…when I couldn't see…it was…temporary right?" Ed demands with a small growl as Wordy looks down at Ed and then up at the medic in concern.
"I can't make any diagnosis officer Lane, I'm sorry. We're almost there."
"I can't be blind…I just…can't," Ed's voice trails off as Wordy's hand rests on his shoulder and gives it a comforting squeeze.
This can't be…Ed's mind races in anguish as he tries to get his heart rate to slow; his mind trying to block out the sickening feeling of being able to hear everything around him but his panic surging each time he turns his head but only sees blackness. You have moist eye pads on to help counter the damn stinging…the doctor will remove the pads, flush your eyes…you'll be okay and take the rest of the day off…it's going to be okay. It's a very surreal feeling as the ambulance comes to a stop and he feels the stretcher leaving the back of the warm ambulance; his face being hit with a blast of cool late afternoon air; and strange voices assaulting him from all angles. His eyes try to flutter open under the moist pads and for a split second panic once again courses through his veins as he realizes the darkness is forced upon him from the temporary blindfold and he quickly settles back down.
"Where is officer Ed Lane?" Donna asks in haste as she rushes up to the triage desk and flashes her badge.
"He's just arri…" is all the triage clerk manages before Donna spies Wordy's uniform and then glances down to see Ed on the stretcher between the two medics and bolts for him.
"Ed!"
Donna…no she can't see me like this…Ed's mind groans as he tries to move on the stretcher; his brain quickly reminding him of the thick, heavy straps holding him down and that without sight – really where could he go?
"Ed!" Donna gasps as she nears, her eyes spying the tinged skin on her husband's face; her eyes lingering on the bandages over his eyes and Ed's clenched jaw. "Oh god…Wordy…what happened?"
"Chemical spray."
"Donna."
"Hey I'm here," she quickly grasps his hand and gives it a comforting squeeze as the medics rush him into a waiting examination room; a chemical spill to the eyes always given a top priority. Wordy hangs back and heads over to a very worried Tom.
"Spike said he's blind. Wordy…is that…"
"Tom I don't know. Ed said he couldn't see but…damn I hope he's okay," Wordy lightly growls as the door closes the Lane's from their view.
"Hello Officer Lane I am Dr. Eng."
"I'm his wife…Donna," Donna quickly introduces herself as she remains at Ed's side; their lands still clasped.
"Why can't I see? It'll be only temporary right? Once you…" Ed's voice rattles off in an angry, nervous tirade.
"First my nursing assistant and I are going to get you seated upright and then we'll remove the pads and flush the eyes. I want to see just what I'm dealing with before I tell you anything."
Donna feels her hand tighten around Ed's as Dr. Eng removes the damp bandages and her breath sharply intakes as she looks in horror upon his chaffed skin.
"The skin will heal Mrs. Lane. I'm more worried about what we can't see," Dr. Eng assures her as she nods and then puts on a tight lipped smile. She regrettably allows their hands to be broken and pulls away as the male nursing assistant helps get Ed to a seated position beside the sink and they gently lean him backward and start to flush the eyes.
"How much does it sting? On a scale of one to five?" Dr. Eng inquires.
"Three…four…five…damn it hurts," Ed growls as Donna nervously bites her bottom lip and tells herself that it was just a surface wound and her beloved husband would be okay in a few hours. All she can do is stand helplessly by and listen as the doctor explains what kind of chemical he had been sprayed with and its potential side effects. Not acidic but if left untreated any longer – possible long term damage.
"Doc…I'm a sniper…I can't have long term…I need perfect vision…" Ed rambles in a panic as he's brought back up to an upright position.
"Taking the chemical spray out of the equation and I would simply be diagnosing you with flashburn from the intense exposure to the welding torch. It's a temporary condition that with proper rest and care can go away in about 72 hours."
"72 hours?" Ed manages weakly.
"However, the chemicals that you were exposed to has exacerbated the injury and we have to wait for the swelling to go down before I'll know if there has been any permanent damage."
"There can't be any…any permanent damage," Ed grumbles as he feels Donna's hand quickly intertwine with his.
"I understand and I'm sorry I can't give you something more concrete right now. The delicate skin around the socket is enflamed and needs to go down before I will touch it further."
"What do I take for the pain?" Ed asks in haste.
"Normally with say a basic Arc Burn, I'd have already administered some anesthetic eye drops during the examination and you would have felt some temporary relief but…"
"I'll take them now I just need…"
"But they are only to be used for the examination," Dr. Eng quickly interjects. "Again, under normal circumstances even that would be limited because continued used could interfere with corneal healing, and may lead to corneal ulceration and even loss of the eye."
"What?"
"So we are taking no chances with this."
"So I can't take…anything? Doc I need…"
"Right now because of the damage from the chemicals I am only going to recommend cool wet compresses. Natural tears are fine but the natural saline could cause a stinging sensation. If this happens do not despair; your natural tears will not damage the cornea further."
"I don't cry," Ed states firmly, earning a small pursed-lipped expression from his wife in return.
"In the event that you do," Dr. Eng presses onward. "Simply wash with cool water and then allow to air dry. The headache will subside overnight and I am going to give you something topical for the chemical burns. This…" he hands a small tube to Donna, "is designed specifically for the sensitive skin around the eyes in case of burns. However…"
"Don't get any in the eyes," she echoes in haste, earning a firm nod from the Asian doctor. "So when…"
"Will I see again?" Ed demands in frustration; his agitation at seeing only dark blurry shadows before him more than disconcerting – it was downright maddening.
"If we have gotten all the chemical residue out in time and nothing further is left inside to fester; and I am confident that we have, you should have your sight back. After 72 hours, if there is no change, we'll bring you back for an eye exam and then…"
"I need perfect vision," Ed hisses. "There is no option here!"
"I understand your frustration and…"
"Really? Are you blind?" Ed snaps before he utters a low growl and then slumps back down. "I need perfect vision."
"I understand," Dr. Eng restates as he gives Donna a small sympathetic stare. "I'll get a care package ready to send home with you. Please wait here."
Ed hears two sets of feet leaving the area and then feels his hands automatically lifting to his face.
"You can't…touch there," Donna quickly stops them. "Trust me…you don't want to do further damage."
"How bad…does it look?" Ed manages in a defeated tone.
"Like a bad sunburn," she whispers as she kisses the top of his head. "I love you."
"Donna I can't be blind…" Ed mentions firmly as he pulls away and rapidly blinks in angry frustration. But a few seconds later of hearing only silence his agitation soars. "Donna?"
"I'm waiting before I say something I know you don't want to hear."
"I'm fine…"
"If I tell you to just calm down a bit will I get my head chewed off?" She asks carefully.
"I can't…" Ed's huffs as he drops his head, his teeth gritting at the blackness that envelops him. Donna steps up to the small bed and clasps both his hands in hers.
"Let's just focus on…"
"I CAN'T BE BLIND!" Ed half shouts and then quickly recants, trying to pull his hands free but being stopped by his wife's strong grasp. "Donna…"
"I can't imagine what you're feeling right now, honestly I can't. I close my eyes but as soon as I hear a sound I open them and look. I see your blue eyes and…" her voice breaks as her hand rests on the left side of his face; his hand closing over hers and slightly pressing down; the skin not as chaffed as on the right. "It's going to be okay," she mentions tenderly. "Let's just get home…get changed and…"
"And what? I can to nothing! I'm just…"
"Not nothing; we have had sex in the dark before," she lightly quips; hoping her flirty remark would at least ease some of the tension from his face – it doesn't. "Okay so let's not dwell on that right now. Dr. Eng is going to come back and…" Donna pauses as Wordy's face appears on the left side of the curtain.
"Hey," he enters with a concerned expression. "What's going on?"
"I can't see…I'm damn it Wordy I'm blind," Ed states in misery as Wordy looks at Donna in shock.
"Temporarily," she insists as Dr. Eng finally returns.
"Okay Mrs. Lane this is for…" his voice trails off with instructions for the next four days; Ed's ears picking up all sorts of sounds around him and his anger once again surging at the fact that he doesn't know who's on his right or his left…front or behind. But as soon as he feels Dr. Eng or someone else starting to put something over his eyes, his hands come up and he tries to fight them away.
"Ed, hold on," Donna rushes as she takes a hand and Wordy the other and both quickly push them back down.
"I don't want…to walk out of here with those…I'm fine," Ed growls as he pulls his hands free.
"Officer Lane, I don't want to take the chance of getting further irritants in or around your eyes. The worst thing would be for you to have something new introduced to cause the irritation to flare back up and hinder the healing process. Even the smallest speck of dirt or debris in the air could be harmful. At home you can be a bit more relaxed but even then I am going to recommend a cool damp blindfold to keep the eyes moist and protected for at least two days."
"I can't…walk out of here...like that…doc…I can't," Ed begs in frustration.
"I understand your frustration, however, I can't take the chance. Not with something as delicate as the eyes. Trust me, in your line of work you'll want me to take every procedural precaution to get you back to one hundred percent. Right?"
As much as he wanted to argue in return, Ed knows inside that Dr. Eng's right; he would be mad if the doctor had given in to his hurt pride request and taken a chance and possibly damaged his eyesight when a few small preventative measures at the start would have ensured total healing.
"Right," Ed resigns as he allows the cool pads to be placed over his eyes and lightly kept in place by soft gauze.
"I want you to change these as often as you feel the need. You simply dampen them with cool water and keep them in place with the gauze or a sleep mask," Dr. Eng instructs Donna as he hands her another packet of supplies. "I'll see you back here in a few days."
"Thank you Dr. Eng," Donna remarks kindly; Ed muttering a small thank you as well. "Alright up you g…"
"I can stand on my own!" Ed snaps as he stands up; his legs at first shaky from his own inner agitation but his mind yelling at them to regroup so he could at least walk out without help.
"I can get a wheelchair if yo…"
"I don't need a damn wheelchair!" Ed growls at Wordy who nods and offers a gentle pat on the back. Without saying another word, Donna loops her arm in Ed's; the packet of medicine and supplies in the others and tells Ed she's simply going to walk him outside to the truck and Wordy would get a ride back to base with Tom.
"I'll call later," Wordy offers lightly as Donna replies with a small nod but continues on. Not wanting to talk to him like a child, Donna only offers a further instruction to her husband if he would bump into someone otherwise they arrive at the truck; Wordy calling Greg with an update on Ed on the way to the barn.
Ed settles himself into the front passenger seat, thankful that Donna didn't offer to help belt him in; his mind racing to find ways to keep his dignity intact.
"Okay so…." Donna's voice dies out as she looks sideways at Ed and then back again.
"Donna…"
"Ed, I know that…"
"I'm sorry I yelled back there," he quickly interrupts; her hand giving his a comforting squeeze as she leans over and kisses his cheek.
"Let's just go home and…relax. You've been through a lot and…"
"This can't be…can't be permanent. If I can't work…"
"Whoa hold on there. Dr. Eng said this was only temporary and that with good care you could regain back your…"
"What if something goes wrong or…"
"Nothing will if you stop touching them," Donna lightly scolds as she swats his hand away from his face. "I know you want to touch them but you can't."
"I can't be blind," Ed sighs as he leans back in the front passenger seat. "So much for a fun weekend."
"You are justifiably miserable right now but it will pass. We'll go home and…"
"And then you go to work tomorrow and I sit at home miserable. It's so easy for you to…"
"You think this is easy for me!" Donna snaps and then quickly recants. "It's not easy for me to see you like this Ed…not at all."
"I…I shouldn't have said that," Ed states in remorse.
"You could have died in that explosion…Spike said if it had been stronger…but you're here and suffered a temporary setback. Just keep telling yourself it's temporary."
"Temporary," Ed whispers with a strained tone as they ride the rest of the way home in uncomfortable silence.
"Okay so…you should take a shower and…" Donna pauses as they enter their quiet apartment. Her voice breaks and Ed can only cock his head in wonder as he strains to hear where she's gone. "I nearly lost you today," she utters in misery as she pulls him into her arms; his strong arms automatically wrapping around her and holding her close. "When Spike called Winnie and she told us…there was an explosion and you were caught in it…Ed I was scared."
"I'm sorry," he whispers as they linger together for a few seconds longer.
"Okay so…you should take a shower…" she tries once more; a small strained smile playing upon both their lips. "Want some help?"
"Help. I don't need…I shouldn't…I…" Ed pulls back and groans as he tries to open his eyes; greeted only by another stinging sensation and quickly reaching for his face.
"What?"
"Stings."
"Dr. Eng said it would but that's normal. Just…don't touch it okay? Come on I'll…"
"I can manage," he says in quiet defiance.
"Okay," Donna pulls back with a small huff; her mind racing to find a balance between being a supportive wife and an overly protective guardian. "I'll get the water ready and…Ed…"
"I'll be fine," he says dryly as he takes a step to the right. But as his left leg bumps into the right side of the table he can only curse the darkness and momentarily freeze.
"Here let…"
"I got it!" Ed growls as he pulls away. "I just…Donna…"
"I don't know how much to push or not…and I get you're angry and frustrated but this is going to be a lot easier on both of us if you don't treat my kindness toward you as pity."
"Donna…"
"Because I don't pity you Ed."
"Well I pity me!"
"Well I don't but I know if it were me I'd be just as angry," she states candidly. "But I love you and I want to help make this easier on both of us but you can't be snapping at me every time I want to help."
"I just need…to go to sleep and wake up and…have this over."
"I want that too but just prepare yourself for the next few days to…"
"Be BLIND!" He half yells and then frowns. "These damn pads aren't helping."
"You want a sleep mask instead?"
"I want nothing."
"You have to keep them moist, there is no choice here."
Without saying another word, Ed pulls away, sticks his right arm out and then walks until he feels the hallway wall and slowly heads down toward their bedroom, Donna watching with a heavy frown and wondering how they'd survive the next few days with this much looming tension.
Ed enters their quiet bedroom, uttering a whispered curse as he stumbles upon the bed and quickly puts his hands out to keep himself from falling forward. He feels around to ensure nothing was on top and then slowly eases himself to a seated position. With his fingers slightly shaking from nerves, he slowly starts to unbutton his black SRU shirt, tossing it aside and then reaching for his black tee-shirt and pulling it over his head, careful to avoid harming the protective eye coverings.
"Donna?"
"Never tire of watching you undress," she remarks in a kind tone, his lips slightly twitching upward as she nears. "Let me help with the rest."
"Donna…"
"Up…now," she playfully demands as she helps him stand upright. She studies the purplish markings on his chest, some carefully hidden by the soft black hairs and some closer to his belly button and on his back very visible. "Must have been one hell of a fight," she remarks as she plants a soft kiss on his bare back.
"It was," he merely states as he remains rigidly in place. "I…"
"Drop your pants," she continues. Normally, his face would light up at her playful commands and she'd instantly see outward signs of sexual arousal. Tonight – nothing. But she couldn't fault him for not wanting to be in the mood; he'd been through hell and was handed the worst injury a sniper could get – sidelined due to loss of sight. Normally she'd offer to join him in the shower, but knows he'd probably just feel guilty at not being able or even want to perform so shelves her own intimate needs and quietly leads him to the bathroom.
"I can manage the rest," Ed tells her as he hears her turn on the water and the bathroom area starts to fill with warm steam.
"I know this is going to sound motherly but…Ed the water's hot…don't get any on your face."
"Caring."
"What?"
"Sounds caring…not motherly," he warmly corrects, bringing a small smile to her face. "Thank you."
"The towel is on the toilet seat," she carefully reminds him. "And I'll put some of the cream on just before bed. Think I'll order in dinner tonight."
"Okay."
Donna gives him one last look of loving concern before she closes the bathroom door and heads back into the hallway, her fingers reaching for her phone to send a quick reply to Greg with her own status update and then see about getting dinner. She reaches the fridge and then looks at a picture of her and Ed on their wedding day; a playful candid taken by a skilled photographer, capturing the moment of two people looking lovingly into each other's eyes – the rest of the world not given a second thought.
"Please god…" she utters in a soft whisper as she clutches the photograph to her chest, "let him heal quickly."
Ed feels his anger surge as he clumsily feels around the square shower stall for things he normally takes for granted; his lips uttering a louder curse as the tender skin on his burnt cheek teases one of the hot strands of water and he pulls back with a painful yelp; thankfully not getting damaging the skin further.
With his head still pounding Ed's hands rest on the damp tiles of the enclosed space; his back happily taking the brunt of the hot streams as his mind tries to process the fact that his eyes aren't closed on purpose; they are closed because they have to be.
I can't lose my sight…I can't…life would be over…I just…I can't…his mind chants over and over as he's flashed an image of his attacker's snarling face just before the tanks explode and his world spirals downward into darkness. He quickly finishes his shower and then opens the door, his entire frame seizing as he suddenly is aware of the thick darkness now embracing him.
Towel is on the toilet to your right just as you open the door, he recalls Donna's instructions and reaches down, feeling for the towel and quickly grasping it in his wet hands. As soon as he had dried and dressed into something he'd eventually sleep in, Ed pulls the door open and – stops.
I HATE THIS! His mind yells as feels his fists tighten at his sides. He hears Donna in the kitchen but decides to go the opposite direction, slowly heading for the bedroom and slumping down onto the bed, leading back and staring up in silent misery. A few moments later, Ed feels weight on the bed beside him and offers a small mutter.
"Wondered where you had gotten to," Donna says as she spoons up beside him, his body at first tense and rigid in her grasp.
"So much for a fun weekend," he states sourly.
"We had planned to do nothing so technically…"
"I'm not wearing these damn things for fun," Ed angrily growls as he tries to sit up.
"Just relax okay?" Donna tells him with a small sigh as she pushes him back down. "How about I use one of our blindfolds and…"
"This isn't fun for me!"
"I get that okay but I'm trying to make the best of very tense situation right now," she replies with her own hint of frustration as his head slumps back down onto the pillow; her head coming to rest on his chest. "The next few days are going to be hell for us but …we just need to work together and make the best of it. We'll just relax and if we look after you properly come Monday…"
"I'll be back to normal?"
"I know it'll be frustrating but…but we'll just stay in and have a nice relaxing…quiet weekend with nothing to worry about."
XXXXXXXX
"Spike talk to me…what did you find?" Greg asks as he enters Spike's electronic lair that same night.
"Okay boss…here…see this is where our shooter enters," Spike shows Greg the masked image entering the industrial plant. "He takes out the first guard here. He then proceeds down this corridor and…"
"Yeah I see…gives the camera the finger," Greg groans. "Gloves…mask…regular height…build…"
"A very visible ghost," Spike sighs. "A few seconds later he shoots guard number two and the call comes into us. He's still roaming. He goes here….here….here…there is no reason to his actions."
"Almost like he was walking a drunken path only…"
"He seemed to be doing it on purpose," Spike ponders.
"Is there a time we ever see his face?" Greg inquires as they continue to watch the footage.
"No. Okay here is where Ed enters," Spike shows the camera view of Ed and Wordy. "The shooter is here…waiting. Wordy's up top. Our shooter is still masked. He attacks Ed…they fight and…here…for a split second you can see the top of his head. Has to be his because…"
"Ed's bald. He knows Spike," Greg lightly retorts as Spike smiles. "So they fight and…"
"Ed see's the shooter's face and then the shooter pulls away and here…."
"The mask is back on just as Sam and Wordy get into position and then the explosion."
"Everything goes dark except here…this door is opened and he's gone. Checked that area and the camera was fixed with a mirror. It's a small alley with only garbage service. Not enough for them to really worry about unless it was garbage day; which it wasn't so it was overlooked."
"For a few key seconds that mask was off. So this means that only Ed knows the identity of our killer."
"Yeah boss, but the killer's still out there," Spike reminds Greg.
"And Ed could be the next target," Greg utters gravely.
A/N: Oh our poor Ed! yup would suck for an alpha-male sniper to be sidelined even for a short time and am hoping you all felt his frustration. That is going to continue to build. Donna of course will struggle trying to find a balance between concern and avoidance and of course you know its me so the baddie hasn't gone too far *wink* as always would love your thoughts on this update so please do review before you go and thanks!
