Chapter 8 - Fix Me
Running, breathing heavily. His heart hammered so fast within his chest. He could feel his body struggling as he moved so fast, rushing. Sweat fell from his face, a face filled with nothing but distress and strain. Holding Michael in his arms, Sam had parked the Fed Ex van in a "No Parking" zone...If he wasn't already struggling to keep his breath, his screaming only made it harder to concentrate as he screeched and yelled at the top of his lungs. He had made it to the Emergency entry, even with the weight of Michael's limp body within his grasp, Sam still managed to run in from a distance and make it inside the doors... As he shrieked, two nurses came to his aid...
Taking Michael from his arms, the nurses and two other assistance placed Michael on a bed, wheeling down the rather cold and weary corridors. Sam stayed beside the bed as he was rushed through...
"What is his name? what happened?"
A Doctor rushed over and demanded answers from Sam..
"Michael Westen.. I .. I Don't know..."
Sam quickly replied, telling the man all he could. He really was clueless to what exactly had happened to Michael; it could be a very large list of things that could have coursed the reaction. The Doctor stopped Sam from entering the room, his hand gently placed on Sam's chest. Pushing him back, the doctor gave him a reassuring look..
"Do you know this man?"
He cocked an eyebrow at Sam... Sam smacked his hand from his chest and growled..
"No, I just knew his name...Of course I do, he's like a brother to me.."
Sam aggressively snapped, raising his voice at the man...a fierce look struck his exhausted face.. The Doctor nodded to Sam and cleared his throat, looking back as the nurses and other assisting doctor called him in..
"Ok, sir. I'll inform you when I can. please, take a seat"
Leaving Sam instantly after his words. Sam stepped back and just stared for a moment. Feeling the overwhelming rush of dread take over his body, the weakness attacking him. He was completely fatigued, disorientated and completely shaken..
Standing there, Sam could feel his throat thickening, feeling rough and dry. He took a small glimpse around him, standing there alone. This wasn't something new, he had just been doing the exact same thing earlier. It wasn't only Fiona fighting for her life anymore, It was Michael. Both of them, the two most important people in his life were struggling and fighting for their lives...Feeling so helpless and defeated. Sam started to wonder just how he was going to let Madeline know; as he thought about it. It struck him that Eli could possibly be on his way.. that he may somehow come across Fiona... Realising that he may have made things worse, Sam quickly rushed to the ICU floor..
...
Standing in Fi's doorframe. His hand over his face, Sam tried to contain the sheer stress and sorrow that drained him, it was painted all over his face. Keeping it sealed in, to keep Madeline from the stress. Sam cleared his throat to gather Madeline's attention. Startling her as she was inches from falling asleep as she sat beside's Fi's bedside. Turning to see Sam, she immediately noticed..
"Sam? are you ok? did you find Michael?"
Somewhat excited by Sam's return. pleased he was in one piece, yet she felt the sudden flush of dread attack her as Michael wasn't seen with him. She could see the sheer strain on his face, giving him a sincere face. Madeline got up and placed her hand on his shoulder, looking up at him...
"I'm.. fine.. Maddie...Mike's here.."
Before he could finish his words, Madeline's face lit up, beaming as he started. Watching his face, hearing his voice.. she then realised and noticed that, he had much more to say, that it wasn't good news at all, her face instantly drained to a sore look as she watched Sam closely...
"What do you mean, Sam?"
Madeline slowly asked him, uncertain she wanted the answer. Hesitant on her eager attitude to know just where Michael was..
"He stopped breathing.. I rushed him here... he's in the Emergency ward.."
Not even bothering with beating around the bush anymore; he told Madeline straight out. Feeling guilty of his actions. He was so unsure whether he did the right thing; he has a medical background, yet at that time. he really couldn't think straight.. he still wasn't think straight now..His mind was twisted and warped. Too disorientated to think clearly...Madeline knew it, she cleared her throat. Keeping him from seeing the panic that rose within.
"I think I screwed everything up Maddie... the guys who were with Mike are probably already here...good thing is, they'll be looking for a Kaine Slade...not Michael Westen.. but.. I can't have them wandering in here, I can't have them seeing Fi, Maddie... these men are the one who planted the bullet in her..."
Madeline listened carefully, she completely understood. Nodding; she placed a comforting hand on Sam's left cheek and patted it softly before moving from him. Smiling sweetly, Madeline took a deep breath in and exhaled loudly...
"Right... is there a chance, that they'll ask the receptionist for a Kaine Slade and leave as there is no record of him listed?"
Madeline's mind started thinking deeply; her heart starting to pound hard within her chest. Scared...
"No Madeline; I.. I didn't move my van, I was in too much of a rush to get Mike in here... they would have spotted it...they'll no doubt scout the entire hospital..."
Turning to Sam as he replied quickly, shaking his head. Madeline raised an eyebrow at him. Giving him a rather shocked expression...
"Just what sort of men did Michael decide to get involved with?"
A very stern look sat on Madeline's face as she asked Sam; she was no just as curious as Fiona was. Just who these men where? just how dangerous they were...
"Trust me Madeline, it's best you don't know. If Fi asked Michael to keep his cover and bring them down... that should tell you just how bad they are..."
Keeping the details to a minimum, he slowly stated and felt that he needed to go and check on Michael.. Hoping Madeline would stay with Fi..
"Maddie, I need to go and check on Mike..."
He started before Madeline began to walk out towards the exit...
"Maddie, stay with Fi... she needs you... I got Mike.."
Realising that she was willing to leave Fi alone, she instantly sat back down and grabbed a hold of Fi's hand. watching as he chest rose as the machine sucked air into her lungs..
"You're right, you let me know anything as soon as possible Sam.."
Sam left the room instantly, leaving Madeline to her thoughts. She began to feel terrible, leaving her son alone, yet she'd feel just as terrible for leaving Fi...So torn as she sat there, she started to imagine and wonder just who these men where, what was so important about them that Fi would rather risk her life for...
..
Making it down to where Michael was, six floors down. Just in time as the doctor exited the room, Sam studied the man intensely before he made his way over to him.
"Your friend is stable. He's suffering from Pneumothorax, collapsed lung, due to two broken ribs puncturing the right medium lobe...He's had either a great fall, or had taken a lot of physical abuse. Judging by the bruising and injuries on his cranium and the blunt force to his ribs, I'd say he was assaulted...fortunately, no other vital organs had been damaged. His blood pressure has dropped but He's stable and breathing on his own, in fact... we were lucky it was a small case of Pneumothorax. We've stitched his major head wound and dressed the other cuts. He'll be fine. You got him here at the right time, well done. If he had been moving around much more, causing more harm to himself, it wouldn't be a small case of Pneumothorax... so, thank you."
Giving Sam a gently pat on his shoulder, The doctor smiled at him after explaining with his rather good news.
"He'll be staying in ward five, give me a second and I'll see which room he's staying in"
Smiling, the doctor moved away from Sam and slipped back into the room where Michael was, whispering and murmuring to his nurses. Sam stayed back and waited, however; he tried to at least take a peek inside the room to see for himself that Michael was ok..Exiting the room, the doctor came to meet Sam again..
"He'll be staying in room 332"
Informing Sam of the room Michael was to be moved to, Sam smiled and thanked the doctor..Moving from the room, Sam started for the elevators that were close by. Awaiting for one of them to open, he could still feel that tickle of dread at the back of his neck. Desperate to clear his mind even for a second, to gather his thoughts and think clearly. Sam closed his eyes for a moment and sighed deeply...Hearing the loud ding of the elevator echo through the halls. He shot his eyes open, moving towards the elevator, as he awaited it to open. He stood before it, waiting for the doors to open, hearing the very mechanic sounds. His eyes laid on the two men standing inside... his skull almost left his body..
"You!"
Jason lunged forwards and grabbed a hold of Sam, pulling him inside roughly. As the doors slowly closed, leaving it just them in a small confined region. Sam was then pushed into the metallic walls of the elevator, Jason's face filled with aggression...Gritting his teeth, he clenched his fists and pulled at Sam's shirt...
"Which floor?"
Sam stayed silent. Keeping his mouth shut, Eli instantly whipped out an identical blade to Jason's and shoved it in Sam's face, teasing and haunting him with it. Sam watched as Eli smiled with eager. Swallowing hard, Sam started to panic. Either he was going to tell them and have Michael taken from then, or killed... or he was to be the one facing his demise...Even though; he was uncertain that Eli or Jason would do such a thing, his mind travelled back to Michael's state... the things he had heard they had done to minors...These men were likely eager to strike the blade into his stomach.. or eye for that matter...
Realising he couldn't use his favourite cover ID as he had used it with this subject; Sam closed his eyes for a second...Nothing was going to help him right now, he had a choice...To send them to Michael or have Michael, Fiona and Madeline face the Dearing fact that he was in fact, Murdered. He could only imagine the mere guilt and dread Michael would feel as he'd pick straight away that he was keeping them from finding him...He didn't want Michael to deal with that, nor with having these men at his bedside either...
"Uh, why? you're not going to kill the guy are you?"
Sam started acting like an innocent fed ex driver. He gave them both a concerned and frightened look, for his own life...Seeing the sweat fall from Sam's face, Jason closely watched him before turning to Eli...
"No, he's our friend. We want to make sure he's ok and take him home.."
Sam instantly thought just how much bullshit came out of the man's voice. However; he did sound convincing... He didn't fool Sam at all...
"Ok... Ok... Floor five..."
The words slipped from his mind as Eli started to cut his right ear...As Sam shouted, Eli stopped and pulled away, blood started to trail down the side of his face. His ear bleeding ruthlessly. Sam winced at the sudden sting to his ear, wiping it quickly as they arrived at floor five, they were lucky no one else had wanted to use the very same elevator...
As they pushed and poked at Sam's back... He kept his hand on his ear, his mind was elsewhere..trying to think of a way to keep them from spotting Michael, he watched as Eli opened the closed doors, making sure he wasn't there. just how desperate these two where...It made his skin crawl...
Interrupting each and every patient, Eli stuck his head in every room they passed. As they moved closer to Michael's room; Sam started yelling, hoping he'd wake and alarm Michael... hoping, wishing and praying...
"I don't understand this! why are you doing this? this isn't right! leave the guy alone!"
Sam shouted out, screeching and shrieking as loud as he could. At this moment, he didn't care for the others, he could care less as they came from their rooms and gave him stares...
"Which room..."
Eli shouted at him as Jason quickly covered Sam's mouth with his hand. pressing down hard to keep him from making a single murmur..Removing his hand as Eli asked; Jason grabbed the blade from Eli's grasp and edged it into Sam's back, jabbing him softly..a warning..
"330"
He screamed out before Jason cracked the back of Sam's head with the butt of the blade. Irritated and completely frustrated by Sam's sudden need to yell everything, having pierced the skin, the sudden impact had caused the wound to bleed, tickling down his neck...
As they approached the nearest rooms; Sam made every single noise he could, from clashing into chairs that sat outside the rooms, to moving and swaying into the walls. Bumping and throwing himself into them. As orderlies slowly made their way down the long and wide corridors... He intentionally bumped and threw himself into them...causing them to fall and spill their items and objects as their wheeling tray fell with them...Making as much noise as he could... Jason picked up and chucked Sam into a corner...Insisting he stay there as they made it to the room...
After Eli checked the nearby rooms, still. even after having been told that Michael was in fact in room 330. He still felt the dire need to check every single room otherwise.
Keeping Sam at bay, Eli moved into room 330, stepping straight back out. He turned to Sam and struck him in the stomach, hard.
"He's not there..."
As Eli's fist collided with Sam's stomach, he let out a loud cry. As he crouched forwards; he watched as Eli then checked the next room, moving out from that one. He started for Michael's room...
"Hey!.. maybe it was floor seven.. I can't remember now... since I'm now suffering from a head injury..."
Sam yelled at Eli, trying to keep his attention on him. However; it failed. Eli opened up the door and stepped in, poking his head in. He took a look at the bed and a quick scan around the room.. Nothing and no one...
"No one.. we'll keep looking... screw this guy, he knows nothing"
Eli screeched at Jason and hit Sam in the stomach again, this time. Jason let go of Sam and let him fall from the force...Walking from Sam, they just continued to check each and every room alone and quietly..As they moved further and further down the long corridor. Sam quickly dashed into Michael's room...closing the door slowly.. He sighed deeply, whispering to himself..
"Thank god you weren't here Mikey..."
Resting his head against the door as is closed quietly, Sam leaned against it and closed his eyes. Feeling the surge of pain that attacked the back of his temple and his stomach. He couldn't help but feel a sense of relief flush over him. As he stood there quietly, movements in the room startled him... as he jumped, Sam spun around to find Michael smiling at him..
"Mike!"
gasping quietly, Sam was almost gobsmacked by his friend's sudden appearance...
"He didn't look hard enough...he's as dumb as you think he is, Sam"
Throwing Sam one of Michael's signature winning smiles, Sam couldn't help but smile back, just as wide. the relief he felt as he was actually speaking to Michael...
"Are you ok, Brother?"
Finally, Sam asked quickly...Michael knew it was coming, it was normal for Sam to care..
"I'm fine, bruised ribs. Nothing I can't handle, you don't look good, Sam!...Tell me Fi is ok?"
Michael shrugged and smiled as he replied... as he asked with his last string of words, his face became pouty...
"I'm fine Mikey.. just got a scratch of what you've been dealing with...She's hanging in there Mike... Your Mom seems to think, as soon as she hears your voice she'll wake up.. but, as you may have just heard, he have a problem..."
Taking in what Sam lightly explained...Michael let his mind trail off as best as he could, masking the pain of the mere thought of Fi laying in a hospital bed, in a coma... Looking for his shirt, he quickly placed it on and only just noticed that he was still in his jeans and boots.. they really did rush with him...
"Mike... you need to rest... you can't go running around..."
Raising his hands before him, at a halt. Trying his kindness to keep Michael from fleeing the scene..
Michael shot his head up to see Sam, a very sincere look struck his face. that very puppy dog look as he moved the shirt over his shoulders slowly, wincing as he had to arch his body upright. Michael carefully pulled the shirt down and grunted softly...
"Sam, I don't have time to rest. If they see Fi...they'll know I lied...and probably finish her off, My Mom can't be involved... she'll be executed as well... so.. I'm sorry Sam, but I'm not staying here... They need me, just as much as I need them.."
Taking deep and painful breathes as he spoke. each and every inhale and exhale was like a small blade digging in and out of his lung. gritting his teeth, he watched Sam for a moment. Sam knew this was how he'd react...
"Let me at least... go and tell Maddie that you're ok and we can keep her up here...you stay put while I do that though!"
Pointing at Michael to stay put. Raising an eyebrow at Michael. He was very steady and strict with his words. Michael could at least agree with those terms..
"Alright Sam... I'll be here, hurry.. it won't take them long to clear Fi's floor..."
Michael let out carefully, still standing before Sam. He carefully studied him. So much trust and loyalty within his eyes...
"good Mike, don't let anyone else in but me, got it?.. coz, I can't handle losing you again...got it?"
Turning to the door, Michael smiled and watched him carefully make his way out..
"you never lost me Sam..."
Shaking his head slowly, Michael softly stated before Sam quickly shut the door and headed out...
...
"Maddie"
Sam cheerfully jumped into Fi's room, a smile plastered on his face. even with the doom and gloom that was lurking around each and every corner they turned, Sam still felt that incredible urge to smile. It was as if he knew, and felt that everything was going to be ok...
"Sam? are you ok? you're bleeding!"
It didn't take Madeline long to pin her eyes to the blood that trailed down his neck. For a moment; Sam had forgotten about the trauma that was inflicted...
"Oh, right.. yeah I'm fine Maddie, Mike's ok! we'll go and see him..."
Hesitation struck Madeline as soon as the thought of leaving Fi's side was indicated. She wasn't too sure, nor did she really want to leave her. She couldn't stand the image of her being left alone. it startled her...
"I can't just leave her Sam..."
Seeing that sore and broken look upon Madeline's face, it sank in and hurt a little. He knew just how she felt; he felt the same. However; the quicker they obtained Michael and headed down there, there better their chances were they'd beat Jason and Eli at finding her...
"Look, Maddie. I don't want to leave her.. trust me. but right now... if we don't move quickly, they'll find her first before Mike and I get down here..."
Clapping his hands together, Sam did his best to convince her. seeing her shoulders drop, she grunted slowly and sighed..
"Whatever.."
Seeing as the plan was clearly Michael's plan..Madeline rolled her eyes and moved out of the room but not without a glimpse over her shoulder, she looked at Fi for a second before leaving the room with Sam. Shutting the door shut, she and Sam rushed back up to Michael's ward...
Sam kept a sharp eye out for Jason and Eli. Cautious of every turn they made. He was walking ahead of Madeline carefully observing and making the path clear for Madeline. occasionally looking back, just in case he missed them. He couldn't help but feel a shadow cloud of him as he didn't see them. Either they were still in the same ward as it was very large... or they had gone up to the ICU ward..
Opening the door slowly, Sam whispered and stated that it was him and Madeline. Opening it completely, stepping in he instantly walked in and looked around. Michael was nowhere to be seen...
"Where is Michael?"
Madeline screeched, her eyes then narrowed the floor...She felt her throat close on her..
"why is there blood on the floor, Sam... Where is Michael?"
Looking down instantly as Madeline pointed out. He took a look at it for a second and then shot his head up to Madeline, keeping the dread that rushed over him from exposing itself, he looked back down quickly...
"Maddie, I need you to stay here... in case Mike comes back, you hear me?"
Grabbing Madeline, he firmly held into her upper arms.. As she stared into his eyes. Seeing the sudden rise of tension and fear strike him. Madeline nodded softly, swallowing hard. she let Sam move her to the bed...As she sat down, she didn't even get a word from Sam as he swiftly dashed out of the room, letting the door slowly close itself..
Running again, he rushed and scattered around the ward. looking for a security guard or any signs of Michael or Jason and Eli. As he hit the reception desk, he quickly reacted..
"We have a missing patient... inform your security guards now..."
Sam shouted in the women's face, who was taking a sip of her coffee. She swallowed the hot substance quickly and placed the cup down immediately..picking up the phone, she speed dialled..
"What's the patients name?"
She asked quickly..
"Michael Westen..."
Sam answered without taking a glimpse at her as he kept an eye out for a security guard within the ward..
"All Security units, Code Yellow. we have a missing patient; Patient Room 332, Michael Westen"
Slamming the phone down as Sam instantly turned to her, he heard that very same announcement over the hospital's public service announcements... She realised she had failed to place the right number in for the security officers. Placing her hand over mouth, shocked and scared..
Sam moved from the desk and took two steps back...Wiping his face with his palms, he took a look around... The whole hospital heard the announcement... they would have heard the announcement...They now knew that Michael was in fact, Michael Westen.. not Kaine Slade, his cover was blown...
"What's that?... did she just say Michael Westen?"
Jason held Michael against a wall, down a corridor that lead them to the restrooms. Pushing Michael harder into the wall, his palm across Michael's mouth. Michael stayed quiet and distant...
"I thought his room was 330... or did the guy lie to cover his ass?"
Eli stood in front of the corridor. Keeping an eye out as there was an emergency exit at the end of the corridor. Jason slowly removed his hand from Michael's mouth, to let him speak for himself..
"There's a lot of patients in this hospital. I'm not the only one..."
Michael roughly stated before Jason struck him in the stomach..
"... is it a coincidence that the person's name is Michael!"
Jason growled as he pulled Michael up from his crouch and grabbed a hold of Michael's throat, holding him upright. Gritting his teeth, he stared into Michael's eyes for a second..
"it's a very fashionable name..."
As Michael replied, Jason squeezed Michael's throat tightly before pulling away. As he let go, Michael lunged forwards, trying to catch his breath. If he wasn't already having issues breathing...Jason then grabbed a hold of Michael and pushed him towards the exit, grabbing his blade from its pouch. He then wrapped his arm around his shoulders, placing the blade on his throat. Making sure he wasn't to do anything stupid...
"you've got a lot of explaining to do before Eli and I rip you to shreds..."
Authors Note:
Thank you each and every one of you who R&R's. Your words mean the world to me. thank you. they really do make me write quicker too! the eager in your reviews is inspiring! Thank you all! :)
