I'm really sorry it took this long to update but you know how life is, I got crazy busy this week so I couldn't work on it as much as I hoped. That being said I researched this chapter so I hope it's accurate and I hope you enjoy this installment. Next up Reese's revenge so please keep reading and reviewing and letting me know what you think.
Chapter 3
"John I'm coming. I'll bring help," Finch said breathlessly. Reese ripped Jocelyn's shirt open so he could get a better look at her wound. Blood was steadily pouring from the small hole. Carter whimpered as he placed his hand over it and pressed down firmly. With the sound of his own heart pounding loudly in his ears, he quickly discarded his suit jacket and dress shirt with his free hand. Retrieving a knife from his jacket, he rapidly cut a large square from his dress shirt folded it and placed it between his hand and the hole in Carter's chest and reapplied pressure. The pressure from his hand had slowed the blood flow from the wound.
Now the immediate problem was addressed, Reese took in his surroundings. Ogle was laid out unconscious and useless on the other side of Jocelyn. The kid he'd shot was gone but his weapon still lay in the dirt where he dropped it. He glanced down at Carter to find her wide gaze fixed on him and every breath she took looked laborious and painful. Before he could reassure her, he heard footsteps coming down the stairs of the apartment building. He remembered the gang member who had passed him and Ogle under the stairs on his way up to the apartment. There was no way he could move Joss in her condition so he grabbed his gun off the ground with his free hand and positioned his body between her and the door without relinquishing the pressure on her injury. As soon as the door opened John aimed and fired hitting the kid in both knees. The boy went down immediately losing his weapon in the process.
John immediately turned his focus back to Jocelyn. He used his free arm to roll her slightly looking for an exit wound. Not finding one he pushed away the panic trying to engulf him as he tried not to think about a fragmented bullet wreaking havoc inside of Joss. He sat as close to her as he could and pulled her gently into his lap with her back against his chest so he could keep pressure on the hole.
"Joss I need you to concentrate on breathing for me," John said in a calming voice. "I promise you'll be okay if you just stay with me."
"Taylor, you have to take care, promise" Carter got out between painful gasps.
"NO! Joss I won't because then you'll give up," Reese's calm facade evaporated and his voice cracked.
"Finch where the hell are you," he cried into his ear piece?
"I'm here. Almost there," Harold said reassuringly.
"John please," Carter begged through more, shorter gasps.
"No, stop talking, save your strength" he said in her ear. "I will never forgive you if you die in my arms and I told you you're not alone and I meant it. If you go I'm going with you," he said fiercely.
Finally John heard the sirens approaching in a hurry.
"I'm sorry for hurting you earlier," Reese said apologetically. "You should know your opinion of me is more important than anyone else's because you have my heart."
Carter made a feeble attempt to turn and see his face but he held her still with one hand pressing against the hole in her chest and the other arm wrapped tightly around her waist.
"Shhh, be still, you're going to hurt yourself babe," Reese said gently.
The wailing of the approaching sirens prevented any further conversation. Two paramedics entered the courtyard carrying a stretcher loaded with two large medical bags. Finch was a few yards behind them moving as quickly as he could towards Carter and Reese. When the paramedics reached Carter they tried in vain to get John to let her go.
"You have to let her go so we can help her sir," the younger one pleaded as the older one went to check on the teenager crying in agony in front of the apartment building. Reese shook his head no and tightened his grip on her waist.
Finch knelt down next to Carter and put his hand on Reese's shoulder. He waited for John to turn his tortured gaze to him.
"John she's losing a lot of blood, let them stop it and then I promise you can stay with her until she's stabilized," Harold said softly recognizing his partner's fragility.
Reluctantly Reese helped the paramedic move her to a stretcher as he began working to stop the bleeding.
"The bullet is still in there," Reese's voice trembled from just over the medics shoulder.
"Thank you sir, you did well. We've stopped the bleeding but we need to get her to a hospital quickly."
As two other medics showed up for the teenager, they expeditiously stabilized Carter on the stretcher, retrieved their medical bags and carried her to the ambulance with John standing next to them holding her hand. An oxygen mask over her mouth and nose kept Jocelyn from speaking but her eyes never left John's.
John entered the ambulance with Jocelyn refusing to relinquish his hold on her hand.
Finch stuck his head in just before the young paramedic closed the door.
"I'll be there just as soon I drop Ogle off at the safe house," Harold said reassuringly.
"Bring Taylor," Reese said never taking his eyes off Carter.
Harold backed away from the vehicle and allowed the paramedics to secure it. He watched as they sped off lights and sirens in service. While he knew there was a strong connection between Reese and the detective, he had underestimated the depth of the feelings involved. Jessica's death resulted in John withdrawing from society. Finch knew for sure Reese would not survive Carter's death. He'd heard John tell Jocelyn if she died he was going with her and Finch believed the conviction in his voice. Praying Detective Carter would survive and by proxy save Reese, Finch moved to roust Ogle and get him to the safe house.
Markus Powers dealt with many types of people in his last four years as a paramedic but the man in his ambulance right now actually scared him. The cold, penetrating stare he'd received when he asked the man to move back so he could work chilled him enough to make him physically shiver. Markus thought working around the man was probably better for his own health. The woman was obviously important to him. He didn't have the heart to tell the man she might not make it and he was afraid of his reaction if she didn't because the guy was unstable.
Suddenly the woman started gasping for air and her heartbeat became erratic. Markus quickly examined her and determined her lung had collapsed. As he began frantically preparing to attempt to re-inflate her lung he noticed the man pull out a gun and set it in his lap. He didn't stop doing what he was doing but he had never been more frightened in his life.
As soon as Jocelyn started struggling to breath John felt a blackness encompass his soul. Tears poured silently from his eyes as he refused to turn from Joss' frightened brown orbs. He pulled his gun out of his waist and set it on his lap.
"I'm not going to hurt you," he said quietly, "but I made her a promise and I intend to keep it."
Markus quickly stuck a 14 gauge needle attached to a one way valve into Carter's chest as far away from the gunshot wound as possible. A rush of air filled her lung and she began to breathe with less difficulty. After verifying her heart rate stabilized, Markus turned to John.
"I won't let her die in here but it's hard to concentrate while you're sitting here holding that," he said pointing at the gun in John's lap. "I'm sure she doesn't want you to hurt yourself no matter what happens."
Carter nodded her head slightly in agreement with the medic. She let go of Reese's hand and lifted her hand to his face to wipe the tears away. John turned his head to rest his cheek in her hand.
"I can't do this without you," he whispered brokenly.
Jocelyn was fighting her body's attempt to pull her into unconsciousness to avoid the excruciating pain in her chest. She'd always suspected Reese cared more for her than he'd let on but she never imagined his feelings were as deep as hers. The tears he shed for her caught her by surprise. The pain in his eyes mirrored her own. Jocelyn realized she had to keep fighting for Taylor who'd already lost his father and for John who'd already lost one woman he loved and still managed to open his heart to her.
Markus felt like he was intruding on something very private between his patient and her friend. He busied himself checking Carter's monitors trying to give them as much privacy as possible. He did notice the man put the gun away after his patient touched the man's face. Her action appeared to calm him and for that Markus was grateful. While he truly felt for the couple he was never happier to see the entrance to the hospital as they pulled into position to drop the patient off.
Dr. Tillman was standing at the ambulance bay entrance with two ER attendants awaiting the arrival of Detective Carter. Finch explained the importance of keeping the officer's identity hidden to protect John who wouldn't leave her side. Meaghan Tillman owed John her life because he'd prevented her from taking a life that would have most likely destroyed her.
When the doors to the ambulance opened up she rushed in to assist. She noticed right away her friend Markus, who she'd sent to Finch when he called, had his hands full with John. She smiled at him sympathetically and approached John slowly. She reached out and touched his shoulder gently.
"Hi John, you want to help me get her inside so we can fix her up," she asked softly?
Reese turned at the sound of her voice and he was relieved to see her. He nodded and got to his feet and him and Dr. Tillman pulled Carter's gurney out of the vehicle, lowered it softly to the ground and wheeled her into the emergency room. As they were walking, Markus followed, briefing the doctor on the status of the bullet and the collapsed lung. She led them to a private station she had set aside at Finch's call where another friend of hers Dr. Carson Johnson a renowned surgeon was waiting impatiently.
When they entered the space, Markus took his leave wishing John the best even though it went ignored as he was totally fixated on Jocelyn. Meaghan immediately briefed Dr. Johnson on the detective's condition.
"We're definitely going to need you. The bullet is still in there and I'm pretty sure it nicked her lung from what Markus told me."
"Well let's get her up to x-ray stat so I can see what I'm working with," Dr. Johnson said while performing a quick external examination under the watchful eyes of Reese.
Dr. Tillman walked up to John and placed her hand on his back.
"John you have to let us take her but I promise you I will keep you informed of her condition and just as soon as possible I'll take you to her," she said trying to reassure him with her presence.
Reese was torn. He knew he could trust Dr. Tillman but Carter was squeezing his hand with her failing strength and he didn't want to leave her. He looked at Carter intensely and he noticed her pale color and clammy skin. He made himself let her go so they could help her. As they wheeled her away he grabbed on to Dr. Tillman.
"Please don't let her die," he pleaded with tears in his eyes.
"I won't John. I promise," she said praying she didn't let him down but knowing he needed reassurance. "Stay here John and I'll be back real soon," she said as she pulled away to follow Carter.
Finch was on his way to the hospital with a very quiet and frightened Taylor. He'd successfully stashed Ogle in a safe house with a warning to stay put because the Red Barons were still looking for him. As he was leaving Ogle asked who the woman was and why she jumped in front of a bullet for him. Harold explained she was a police officer who assisted Reese sometimes. He purposely added that she knew what Ogle's beliefs were yet she had still protected him possibly at the cost of her own life. Michael had the decency to look shaken as Finch exited to retrieve Taylor.
As soon as Taylor opened the door to Finch on his doorstep, he knew something was amiss. Whenever his mom called to say she would be late he knew it most likely had something to do with John. While he hadn't physically seen John since his rescue from Elias' goons, he knew he'd been around. Sometimes when he came home from being out with friends he'd notice two coffee cups in the sink and the toilet seat would be up in the bathroom. He never left the seat up for he'd been properly trained by his mother. Taylor didn't mind John being around because he trusted him to protect his mother.
Hearing his mother was shot brought all Taylor's nightmares of being alone to head. This couldn't be happening. Wasn't it enough that he'd lost his father before he was old enough to remember him? Taylor didn't ask any questions. He just locked up the house and jumped in the car with Finch.
When Harold and Taylor arrived in the emergency room they were immediately approached by one of the attendants who had been with Dr. Tillman in the ambulance bay. He led them to the private station where John was sitting with his face in his hands waiting for information.
"Where is my mom," Taylor asked with a tremor in his voice?
Reese stood at Taylor's question and looked the young man in the eyes hiding the fear he felt for Jocelyn.
"She's getting an x-ray right now so they can figure out where the bullet is located," he answered leaving out the lung injury.
Taylor noticed John glance away from him momentarily and instinctively determined he was leaving something out.
"What aren't you telling me," he asked glaring at Reese?
Reese hesitated looking into Taylor's eyes and saw the same determination he'd seen in the boy's mother on several occasions.
"I'm not a child! Tell me what's wrong with my mother," Taylor said angrily.
"The bullet may have damaged her lung. It collapsed earlier but they were able to re-inflate it," John said honestly as his heart filled with pride and respect for the young man in front of him.
Hearing about the deflated lung on top of the gunshot injury shook Taylor's anger fueled confidence. Tears spilled from his eyes and his body shook uncontrollably.
John stepped up and wrapped his arms around Taylor. At first Taylor stiffened but then he relaxed in John's embrace and cried in earnest.
"It's okay Taylor. Your mom is in really good hands right now," he said in a calming voice.
Dr. Tillman entered the room looking harried yet determined. She was surprised to see John holding a sobbing teenaged boy and she shot Finch a questioning look.
"The detective's son," he answered solemnly hoping she had good news.
"John," she said getting his attention. "Can we talk outside," she asked looking at the young man?
He looked at Taylor who immediately straightened up and pulled away from him.
"No, he needs to hear what you have to say," John said focusing his attention on her.
"The bullet lodged into the detective's sternum and a small piece broke off and punctured her lung. Dr. Johnson has her in surgery as we speak. He is confident he can get both pieces of the bullet out and repair the damage to her lung but her body has been through a lot and he's worried she might slip into a coma during surgery." She paused to see how her news was being received. John and Finch seemed a little relieved but Carter's son was worried. She approached him slowly and put a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"Your mom has one of the best surgeons in the country working on her. He's going to take great care of her," she said hoping to soothe some of his fear.
"Thank you Dr. Tillman," Finch said sincerely knowing John and Taylor were still processing the information.
"No problem, I'll be back to update you just as soon as she gets out of surgery," she said leaving the men alone.
For hours John, Finch, and Taylor sat in the room quietly dealing with their emotions. Finch volunteered to get food but Reese and Taylor refused to eat while they waited.
When Dr. Tillman reappeared both Taylor and Reese jumped to their feet with Taylor unknowingly holding tightly to John's arm.
"She's out of surgery. Dr. Johnson was able to remove the bullet pieces and repair her lung but we haven't been able to wake her," she said gently. "She's been through a lot, so there is no reason for concern yet."
"Can I see her," Taylor asked softly?
"Yes but only for a moment she's in recovery right now," she said heading toward the exit. She led the men up to the surgical waiting room where Finch decided to stay and wait. After speaking to the nurse at the recovery station she escorted Taylor and Reese back to Carter's bed and left them.
To Taylor she looked fragile with an oxygen mask on her face and all sorts of wires coming from her chest covered mostly by the hospital gown.
To John she looked beautiful. Her color had returned to the rich caramel he loved and while she was being monitored by a half dozen machines she appeared to be resting peacefully.
"She's going to be fine Taylor," Reese said feeling confident for the first time since seeing the hole in Jocelyn's chest. "She's a fighter and she loves you," he said reassuring Taylor.
"You love her," Taylor asked watching John intensely?
"Yes I do," Reese answered feeling a huge weight lift off of his shoulders at his admission.
"Are you okay with that," John asked hoping for Taylor's support?
Taylor looked down at his mother thoughtfully.
"I just want her to be happy so if you can do that and keep her safe then I have no problems with you two," Taylor answered honestly. Reese hugged him tightly and Taylor hugged him back.
Jocelyn opened her eyes to a dull ache in her chest. She was slowly taking in her surroundings when she turned her head to the right and her eyes met with John's warm blue gaze over Taylor's head. He smiled at her before he turned Taylor around to see his mother was awake.