Chapter 2 The Aftermath
Cheryl had just returned to the desk when the Captain came out of his office and called her in.
"Detective Banks, my office now!" Cheryl stood up wondering why the captain would want to see her. She didn't think she did anything wrong.
"Yes Captain Newman?"
"Come in and shut the door." Cheryl did as she was told and sat herself down in one of the chairs across from the captain's desk.
"Cheryl, there's a problem," Captain Newman said softly. Cheryl looked up concerned she had never heard the captain call her by her name.
"What is it sir?"
"It's Steve there was an explosion at your crime scene. I do not know who was still there but I do know that he was critically injured." Cheryl let out a gasp and she could feel the tears welling up in her eyes.
"Does Dr. Sloan know?"
"Yes and Detective Banks, I am taking you off the case you are to close I want your focus to be on looking after Steve."
"But Captain I want to help find out how this happened."
"Detective, you will not be on this case or at least not lead investigator ok?"
"Yes sir."
"Ok your dismissed Detective please go to the hospital and keep me informed of Lieutenant Sloan's condition."
"Yes sir," Cheryl said as she rose and walked out the door and headed for the hospital to see how her partner really was.
Steve's return to consciousness was a painful one. Everything hurt and he was very disoriented. He could hear voices but he couldn't make out what they were saying. His head was in such pain and the rest of his body burned so bad that he would welcome the return to darkness. He tried to move but found that he couldn't he was trapped under something heavy.
"Easy does it lets move him very gently," the EMT said. Steve let out a groan as he was moved and pain shot through him. It was such excruishiating pain that he blacked out. "He's out again."
Jesse had just finished stitching up a cut on a ten-year-olds hand when the call came over the radio. An explosion at a house several polices injured one severely. Jesse couldn't help the uneasy feeling that crept into his stomach. He didn't have time to dwell on it when the victims came through the door. He had just finished looking at a cop that had some glass imbedded in a cut when the EMT's rushed in pushing a gurney.
"Steve Sloan forty years old severe head trauma and second and possibly some third degree burns.
"Steve, oh my gosh!" Jesse cried as he ran forward shouting at the people around him. "Page Dr. Sloan immediately." Jesse shouted out orders as he rushed his best friend into a trauma room. He had just gotten an IV administered when he heard the distinct voice of Mark in the hall demanding to see his son.
"Jesse, how's Steve can I see him?" Mark asked as soon as Jesse had walked out of the trauma room.
"Mark, listen to me. Steve is in bad shape and has a lot of second and third degree burns as well as severe head trauma." Mark visibly paled and had to hold on to the wall for support.
"Oh my gosh Jess, will he be ok?"
"Mark I honestly don't know. I need to get him settled and call for a burn consult. He will definitely need surgery for the burns. I tell you what why don't you go to the doctors lounge and I will come and get you once I know something ok?"
"But Jess," Mark protested.
"Mark you know that you are way too personally involved go to the doctors lounge and I will meet you there once I have news." Mark gave a resigned nod and headed dejectedly towards the doctor's lounge. Amanda had heard the page and was concerned she found Mark in the doctor's lounge and tried to comfort and reassure him.
Cheryl broke several traffic laws and had used her siren to get to the hospital. She ran into the ER and quickly spotted Jesse.
"Hey Jess, is he ok can I see him how badly was he hurt?"
"Cheryl, give me a second and I will explain. He has severe head trauma from hitting the ground and being trapped. He also has a number of second and third degree burns."
"Oh my gosh," Cheryl said as tears filled her eyes and she began to fall to the floor. Jesse caught her before she fell.
"Hey Cheryl lets get you sat down and once I get Steve off to surgery I will walk you to the doctors lounge." Cheryl nodded as she let Jesse lead her to a chair. A few minutes later she jumped up as she saw Steve being wheeled towards surgery.
"Oh Steve, I am so so so sorry," Cheryl cried as she got a good look at her partner.
"Cheryl come on lets go to the doctors lounge and give Mark and Amanda an update," Jesse said as he helped Cheryl up and they walked towards the doctor's lounge to wait with Mark and Amanda and to provide what little comfort they could.
