Chapter 3

Stubborn, Or What?

Downstairs outside the autopsy lab, Alexx faced Horatio and said firmly, "You need a hospital, H."

"I need to go home and sleep, Alexx. I've had a hard day."

"You were bleeding, I heard."

"Not much."

"Any blood when you threw up?"

Horatio hesitated. "A bit."

She took his hands in hers. "Look, precious, I know you're tough. So do your team. You've nothing to prove. But whatever you're feeling, it's got to be bad to knock you out like it did."

"I've got a monumental headache, that's all."

"I'm going to call in some favours at Dade General. I want you to have a full scan and I want your hearing looked at. And don't scowl at me - if you go deaf, you'll be out of a job. Now, I can't make you go, but… do it for me, mm?"

He hesitated, then nodded briefly.

She smiled, and squeezed his hands. "Sit down while I make a call."

He did so, while Alexx went into her office. After a few minutes, she came out and held out a hand. "All arranged. Come on, I'll drive you."

He got wearily to his feet. "God, Alexx… I was OK, you know? This just came on so fast…"

"I'll look after you, now you're letting me. You're a stubborn man, H."

"One of my many virtues, Alexx."

She chuckled, and slipped an arm round his waist, as they walked out to the parking lot. It was a short run to the hospital, and, because of her status, Alexx was allowed to stay with him. She had also, somehow, cleared the way for him to be seen immediately. He had stopped protesting. In fact, he hadn't said a word since leaving the lab. She suspected it was taking all of his considerable willpower just to keep going. He looked as if everything hurt, from undressing, to getting into a hospital gown, to sitting down, to lying under the scanner.

On Alexx's instructions, they gave him a full body scan, then a detailed brain scan. She and the hospital radiologists checked, and checked again, looking for anything that might be hidden under that enigmatic exterior. She expected bleeding, broken bones, something… When she went to see him, in a side room, she was shaking her head in disbelief.

"I don't know how, H, but you've got no broken bones, no brain swelling, no internal bleeding…" She was more relieved than she would ever let him know.

"I told you I was OK."

"Not quite. You've got more internal bruising than they've ever seen, apart from in major traffic accidents. Your lungs are bruised, your diaphragm's bruised…"

"I get the picture."

"And your brain's bruised. A bad concussion, if you like, which is why you've got such a headache. That's apart from external injuries." She reached out and touched the darkening bruises on his neck. "Still, now we know what's what, you can have some pain relief and get some sleep."

"What about my hearing?"

"They'll do some tests tomorrow, and maybe look at your throat. They really can't now, with you in this much pain, or full of morphine."

"I'm not staying in."

"Oh yes, you are. Come on, Horatio. They can keep you comfortable and keep an eye on you. You'll probably be out tomorrow." She got the feeling it was just a token protest, and that he was too knocked out to fight anymore. That he'd have a hard time even standing up again at the moment. Not that she doubted he would, if challenged. "I'll take your clothes and bring you some fresh stuff, yes? Can I get into your house?"

"Keys are in the jacket."

She felt one of the pockets, and nodded.

"You've got my guns, haven't you?" He had handed them to her as he undressed.

"All your hardware's in here." She patted the briefcase she carried. "I might hand them over to Eric though… my kids…"

"Sure. You'll be by in the morning?"

"First thing, unless anything desperate comes up at the lab."

"If anything desperate comes up, you phone me, right?"

The blue-eyed stare that intimidated many a suspect cut no ice with Alexx. "Difficult, honey," she said, with a smile. "I've got your cell. And your clothes." She turned to go.

"Alexx!"

"Oh, go to sleep!" And she left the room.

They gave him an injection of what he assumed was morphine, and he felt the deep all-over pain ebbing. He was distantly aware of the bed being moved, of being wheeled along a corridor, but he was asleep before they reached their destination.