Fanning the Flames
Ten minutes later, he pulled into his assigned parking place. Lynne woke at the sudden stop of the jeep, a look of panic crossing her face. Mac put his hand on hers.
"Hey, it's all right! You're with me. Remember?"
"Oh.....right....." she said quietly.
Mac got out, retrieved the bag from the backseat while she got her crutches out, and slid out of the jeep. They walked together to the houseboat. Mac unlocked the door and opened it, and gestured her inside. She looked around at the unique layout.
"You...have a nice place," she stuttered.
"Thanks." Mac said.
As she took off the over sized jacket, Mac saw fresh blood droplets on the floor.
"You're still bleeding from your hand."
Lynne looked down at her palm. "Oh....I didn't even realize......" she replied, and lost her balance for a moment.
Mac wrapped his arm around her waist and guided her to a kitchen chair. She sat down and rolled up her sleeve as Mac got the first aid kit. The gash was about four inches long. He got a compress out and pressed on the wound.
"Ow!" she yelped.
"I'm sorry, but I have to stop the bleeding. "
"I know, I know."
"You know, I think you should get it looked at - I don't think it's going to stop on it's own."
"Can we give it a few minutes and see?"
"You really don't want to see a doctor, do you?"
"They're not my favourite people."
Mac laughed. "I see your point, they're not exactly mine either. But if you've damaged the tendon, you won't be able to use your fingers."
She just hung hung her head and muttered something inaudible.
"What was that?"
"I said, that's what I get for trying to defend myself. I can't even do that right!"
"How did you end up there anyways?"
She just shook her head.
"Too soon huh......"
"I don't want you to get hurt. People usually do being my friend." She wiped a tear away.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you."
She brushed it off.
Mac got a damp cloth while she kept pressure on the wound, then cleaned her up her hand. The bleeding seemed to have almost stopped, and he took out a fresh bandage and taped up the wound. Then he got some saran wrap and wrapped it around her hand, taping the ends to her wrist. She looked at him quizzically.
"For when you take your shower. That way it won't get wet and start bleeding again."
"Thanks. I appreciate that."
"Would you like to eat? Or did you want to shower first? " he asked.
"Shower. If that's okay?" she queried. Mac nodded.
"Bathroom is at the top of the stairs, I'll walk you up. I can loan you some clean clothes too, if you like?"
"Sure. That would be great, these stink to high heaven."
"I wasn't going to say anything," he smirked.
"I'd be worried if you hadn't!" she almost laughed. It was the first time Mac had heard her relaxed enough to do so.
She rested one crutch against the wall, then used the left one to make her way up the stairs. After a few minutes, they made it to the top. Her body was shaking with the effort, due to the lack of food, and Mac encouraged her to rest a few minutes on the bed. He found some clean clothes for her in the closet, and placed them in the bathroom, along with a clean towel and a bar of soap. She took a few deep breaths, and stood up, staggering towards the bathroom.
Mac decided to make a few sandwiches for lunch. Since she hadn't been eating much, he figured the sandwiches would be safest. He heard the water stop running, then went up five minutes later, to escort her down the stairs. He heard the bathroom door open, and she came out. Her hair hung down to her waist, her eyes were blue, and she was a little thin. The jeans and sweatshirt were a little baggy, but still showed her shapely figure.
"That felt good. I almost feel human, but I'm afraid I've used all your hot water."
"No problem....I've done that a few times myself." He picked up her hand to check her wound, and saw that it was bleeding again. He sat her down on the bed, then placed more gauze on top of it, and re-wrapped it.
She started towards the stairs, but Mac beat her to it, and went down the stairs backwards as he held her hand. She was grateful he was there, she didn't feel comfortable on this staircase. They were down in no time.
"How about we get you something to eat, okay?" Mac offered.
"Please.." she said gratefully. He led her to a kitchen stool, and place two sandwiches in front of her.
"Apple or orange juice?"
"Apple, please" she said quietly. And started to nibble at the cheese sandwich. She could only eat half the sandwich though, her body had gotten used to going without food.
"I'm full. Sorry you went through all that trouble for nothing," she apologized quietly. Mac put his hand on hers.
"Look, it was no trouble, I just wish you would eat more," he smiled. She got up, and staggered towards the window.
"What did you do for food when you were out there?"
"I begged a few times, but I was worried about being recognized, er caught by the cops. Mostly I dug through garbage cans of restaurants."
Mac didn't miss a beat. "Recognized by who? Who are you running from?"
"Look, you seem like a nice enough person and I don't want you involved... all right!" She turned her head to stare out at the water. A few minutes of awkward silence passed before anyone spoke.
"Nice view. Sunsets must be beautiful."
"They are." Mac admitted. He came over to the window to stand beside her. "I work at the Phoenix Foundation, as a problem solver, maybe I can help with yours?" he queried.
She shook her head.
"No one can help me. I wish you wouldn't try," lowering her head.
"It doesn't matter how bad of a situation you're in, there's always a solution. I wish you would trust me enough to tell me what's going on?"
She turned around and started towards her bag. "If I do, you'll either turn on me or get hurt, and I can't handle either, I've hurt enough people. I'm going to go...thanks for food and clothes, I'll pay you back once I'm on my feet," she said coldly, then tried to pick up her backpack. Mac followed behind her, and turned her towards him.
"Where are you going to go? You're in no shape to be out there, and you know it! You don't belong out there!"
She shrugged her shoulders then tried to make a run for the door, but Mac wouldn't let her go. He grasped both her wrists.
"Please...just let me go...I'm not worth getting killed over...please..." she sobbed, as tears slid down her face.
She tried to break free, but his hold remained firm.
"Why couldn't you just leave me alone..." she cried, and broke down on Mac's shoulder. Mac moved his hands to embrace her. After a few minutes, she broke contact, and tried to walk to the couch. But the lack of food and exhaustion overtook her. She started to slump towards the floor.
"Whoa.....it's okay, I got you."
Mac caught her before she hit, and lifted her into his arms. She was light, and he easily made his way to the couch and placed her on it, covering her with a blanket and placing a pillow under her head. He went to the phone to call Pete.
"Hi Pete..."
"No, she hasn't revealed anything yet. Does Phoenix have any doctors on their payroll? She's passed out, and her hand is still bleeding. I'd like to get her checked out by someone associated with Phoenix, familiar with awkward situations......"
Pete told him the name of a doctor that worked at Rampart General, a Dr. Kelly Brackett. He worked part-time for Phoenix as well, and was knowledgeable when it came to keeping people 'off the books'.
"Thanks Pete. I'll cover any expenses that occur. I'll call you later to let you know what's going on, " and hung up the phone. Lynne was beginning to stir on the couch, Mac went over and sat beside her.
"Hey! How are you feeling!" he asked.
"I'm okay," and tried to sit up.
Her arms shook with effort, and Mac had to help her to a sitting position.
"Listen. I think that you should get checked out by a doctor. Your hand is still bleeding, and that worries me. And you've been without proper food for so long...... well, I would feel better if you got looked over...would you be willing to do that?"
She was too pale for his liking, and her body was shaking a little.
She nodded, and hung her head in shame. She should have never let her health get this bad.
"Good......why don't you take a few minutes to center yourself, while I make a make a quick phone call." She nodded.
He went to the phone and called Rampart. The nurse, Dixie McCall, R.N., confirmed that Brackett was working right now, and he explained a little of the situation. She nodded her head, and told Mac it wouldn't be a problem. Mac hung up the phone and went back to Lynne.
"All set?"
"I need my things don't I?"
"You can leave your things here, but we should take your wallet."
"Okay."
Mac put her wallet in his pocket. She got up slowly, using only her right crutch, since the left one was still bleeding. Mac slipped his arm around her waist, and walked her out to the jeep. He helped her in then jogged around to the driver's side, slid in and started the jeep. Mac kept glancing over at Lynne, and was becoming extremely worried about her condition. Her hand was bleeding again, her face was extremely pale, and she was shivering. He pressed the gas pedal a little harder.
In no time, he slid into a parking space at Rampart. He got out and went to her side to rouse her.
"Huh...what....oh..." she said, slightly confused.
Mac reached in and got her crutch out for her. She staggered a little, and Mac steadied her. She carefully made her way into Rampart, Mac walking beside her, with his arm around her waist. He sat her down on one of the chairs in the waiting room, then went to the nurse's station.
"Dixie?" he asked the woman behind the counter. She nodded.
"Name's MacGyver. I gave you a call earlier about Lynne. I got her in here, but she's not feeling too good." Dixie took a look at Lynne, then nodded.
"It shouldn't be too long....maybe ten minutes? We just had a serious trauma come in. As soon as a room opens up, you're next," she offered.
"Thanks Dixie," then sat back down beside Lynne. He held her hand, and eventually, her head slumped against his shoulder. She seemed to be asleep, although she was still pale and shaking. About 15 minutes later, Dixie came over and told Mac they were ready, he nodded and roused Lynne. She seemed to have trouble focusing, but stubbornly got her crutch and got up. Dixie was talking to Brackett about ten feet away, briefing him on his next patient. Lynne took two steps and started to swoon, and Mac wrapped his arms around her.
"Hey guys! Help!" Mac yelped.
Her crutch fell noisily to the floor, and Mac ended up with her in his arms. Dixie picked it up, while Brackett directed them to Exam Room 3. He held the door while Mac brought her in and placed her on the stretcher. He briefed them on the situation and informed them of the cut on her hand, then dug out the her wallet.
"Her full name is Lynne Walberg, and she's from San Francisco."
He continued to search.
"Aw man...... she's got low blood sugar. She's 38. Her birth date is August 4, 1971."
Brackett nodded as he gave Dixie his order. "....cross and type her....... we need two bags to replace the blood she's lost! I also want a BUN, glucose and potassium level. And get those to the labs stat!" Dixie nodded as she handed the vials to the nurse's aid, who quickly left the room. He gave her a shot a glucose, then hooked her up to an I.V. . He was just starting to examine the wound on her palm, when she started to rouse.
"No!...what are you doing to me?..." she started to struggle.
Mac went over and tried to calm her down.
"Ssh...Lynne...it's ok. The doc and Dixie are just trying to help you....."
She tried to get up, and when Brackett and Mac slowly eased her back down, she started to thrash.
"Hold her down....," Brackett ordered. He held her left wrist, while Mac held her right.
"Nooooooo...let me go...please!"
Brackett prepared a sedative and swiftly injected her in the arm.
"I need to take a look at you, but you've got to relax. I've given you a sedative." Brackett informed her.
"But......"
"Ah.......no buts! That's an order!" Brackett responded softly.
"too…..tired,…can't…fight...no...more...... " she whispered softly, then slowly lost consciousness.
He took a closer look at the wound on her hand, then tested her reflexes. "Dixie...get an O.R. ready, she's got some damage to her tendon. Make sure they enough blood on hand. I'll be back in a few minutes to prep. Can you keep a close eye on her vitals for me please? I'll be in my office if you anything changes."
He showed Mac outside, where they introduced themselves formally, then they walked down to Brackett's office, and he offered him a seat.
"I'm not sure how long she's going to be in here. She needs surgery to repair the tendon in her hand, but I need to stabilize her blood sugar before we even think about that. How long has she been without food?"
Mac told him of their conversation back at the boathouse.
"It sounds like she's been like this for a while. We should be able to stabilize her blood sugar within the hour, then take her up to surgery. It's going to take a few weeks to get her strength back, and a few months of therapy for her hand. Combine that with the loss of blood, well, you can see how that would complicate matters," he paused to pick up his phone. "I see. Thank you."
Brackett hung up the phone, then called Dixie.
"Put her on a potassium drip Dix - her levels are low. I'll be there in a few minutes."
"It's bad, isn't it?" Mac asked worriedly.
Brackett nodded. "But not as bad as it could have been if you had waited to bring her in. As you heard - her potassium level is low, but she's also dehydrated and malnourished. It complicates her case slightly."
Mac nodded.
"Do you have any idea of who she is or where she came from?"
He shook his head. "She wouldn't tell me that much. Just that she's on the run from someone. To be honest, I found out more from her wallet than I did from her. Any chance you could admit her under a different name? Just to be safe."
Brackett raised his eyebrows.
"I don't see that as being a problem. I'll have Dixie make all the appropriate documentation."
"Thanks Doc. I'm going to do some background research at Phoenix tomorrow, I'll let you know what I come up with," as he rose from his chair.
"If anything changes, you can reach me at this number."
"No problem. I'll call you once she's out of surgery, and let you know when you can come visit."
"I'd appreciate that Doc. I think she could use a friendly face.....no offense," he smiled.
Brackett laughed.
"None taken."
Mac left the hospital, while Brackett went to find a room for his patient.
