Chapter Title: Decisions

Author: Merrianna

Story: Life Altering: 02 of ?

Series: SpeedBurn: 14

xxx

The emergency room was chaotic with nurses and doctor's going from one patient to another. For Stella Bonasera, the flurry of activity was a buzzing background noise in her semi-conscious state. She was vaguely aware of the pain to her body but it was distant. There were a few times that it came through vividly making it hard not to succumb and fade back into the darkness that seemed to beckon.

Though it was appealing to give in to her need to just let go and get away from everything that was happening, but somewhere in her pain filled existence she knew that there was something she needed to do. There were people that the green-eyed woman felt she had to communicate with. So instead of surrendering to the void, Stella stubbornly fought to regain full consciousness.

"Detective Taylor, I don't know what you've been told of Detective Bonasera injures," Dr. Dawnsen began.

"Detective Flack told me, she was shot but was stabilized when she got here." Mac's voice held no hint of the emotions that were raging in him.

The Doctor had a pained expression on his face that did nothing to alleviate Mac's ever-growing anxiety. "There's a little more to it than that, Detective Taylor. If you would follow me; I'll explain."

Mac gave Flack a brief glance indicating that the other detective could follow along. Both men strode just behind the medical physician until they reached an open doorway to another waiting room; this one was empty. It had only four chairs, two coffee tables and a desk with a phone. The doctor gestured for the men to sit.

Mac felt his insides freeze as he sat down uncomfortably with Flack beside him. Doctors usually wanted privacy when they were dispensing life or death decisions. He had just gotten up the courage to move on from his wife death. Would God be cruel enough to take someone else that he cared about?

Sitting opposite, Doctor Dawnsen assessed the men before him. They were seasoned cops but, still, what had happened to that poor woman was shocking. "Detective, you of course were correct that Miss Bonasera was shot: one bullet went completely through, it pierced into the right lung, exiting out the back; the other is lodged in her shoulder. Those are serious injuries, but when you add in the other factors it really is surprising that she is still alive."

"Other factors? What other factors?" Mac demanded.

"I can only hypothesis that prior to this trauma, Ms. Bonasera was severely beaten and raped." Even though he tried to school his features anger appeared in the tightening of the doctor's jaw. "She has yet to regain consciousness which is a cause for a degree of worry."

Mac sat stunned, his face whiting; he swallowed the lump that formed in his throat. Getting shot was one thing, they were cops it went with the job, but to be raped and beaten was what they fought against every day. He could see from the corner of his eye that the news hadn't been as surprising to his companion.

"Detective Taylor, you do have some decisions to make concerning Ms. Bonasera." The young doctor said in a gentle tone.

Still trying to comprehend everything Mac automatically nodded, his desire to know exactly what was going on with Stella outweighed his necessity to make sense of what happened.

"Unfortunately with the head injuries she sustained there is substantial swelling to the brain, the risk is that if we were to commence with the surgery... she might fall into a coma." Dr. Dawnsen could tell the man needed a moment so he paused long enough to let the first scenario sink in before going on. "The flip side is that if we wait for the swelling to go down, and she doesn't have the surgery, she very well might die."

Mac dropped his face into his hands, a myriad of thoughts going through his head. Both decisions were bad but the worst would be for her to die. Going into a coma was terrifying but there was always the hope that she could wake if given the right stimuli.

There really wasn't much a choice. Looking up, Mac's haggard face gave away the pain he felt over the situation. "Isn't there anyway that you can do both. Stella's a strong person. She…"

The doctor shook his head, "We really don't have much time to waste. You need to make a decision."

Mac got up pacing back and forth a few times. Through most of the conversation Don had remained quiet, but at that moment he decided that he needed to by the voice of reason that Stella usually was for Mac in these types of situations. He stood, approaching the former Marine laying a comforting hand on the other man's shoulder getting him at once to stop looking up. "Mac, I know this is hard but Stella is strong she'll come through no matter what. Just ask yourself what she'd want you to do." Don gave his friend's shoulder a squeeze before pulling away to let the man make one of the toughest decision he'd was ever going to make.

Mac looked from Don to the doctor for a moment and then swallowed once giving a nod of his head. "Do the surgery." The answer barely came out in a whisper.

Dr. Dawnsen stood, "I'll do everything I can."

The door to the waiting room flew open and a harried nurse came barging in, "Doctor, Ms. Bonasera." The older woman took a breath, "She's awake."

xxx

Continued in Chapter Three: Uncertain Times