A Promise Kept
Chapter 9
The walk or rather the mad dash to Dan's car was a less than pleasurable experience for Mike when he discovered to his dismay that Dan had not parked in the underground carpark but instead had settled for street parking instead. The relentless rain meant that by the time Mike sat into the passenger seat, his jacket and trousers were soaked through and the droplets ran down his face and he seriously regretted not having had his overcoat and fedora with him. Wiping the rain off his face and hair, as Dan got in the driver's side equally as drenched, Mike barked unceremoniously.
"Couldn't you SEE that it was raining?"
Dan could feel the annoyance emanating from his partner and knew he'd messed up again. He knew if this partnership was going to work, he was going to have to try a lot harder not to irritate the man sitting beside him. He also knew he was competing against an unseen force, Mike's regret that he was NOT Steve and never would be.
"Sorry Sir ... I mean Mike ... I guess I wasn't thinking ..."
"Weren't thinking huh? Well you got that right!"
Seeing Mike pulling at the fabric of his now sodden trouser legs and brushing the raindrops off his jacket, Dan felt bad and reaching over, he tried to help.
"Here let me help you with that ..." but his hand was abruptly brushed away.
"I'VE GOT IT ... I've got it ... Couldn't just park in the underground carpark, huh?"
"Well ... I thought it would be quicker if I parked here ..." Dan mumbled.
"Quicker? I see and have you figured out yet what else it was?"
"Wetter? ... " Dan mumbled again.
"THAT'S RIGHT! Boy, you have a lot to learn, my friend."
Dan sat looking remorsefully at the older man wondering if he would ever live up to Steve's reputation. To his added dismay, Mike stopped brushing himself down and glared once more at him, gesturing to the key in the ignition..
"Well what are you waiting for NOW? A formal invitation?"
Dan frowned and muttered back.
"No Sir ... Sorry I mean ... Mike."
Dan turned the key and drove off quickly in the direction of De Haro Street as Mike continued his annoyed rant beside him.
"And will you PLEASE stop calling me SIR! This is not a Military Academy. There's no Yes Sirs or No Sirs. How many times have I told you that so far?"
Dan was getting annoyed now and sick of never getting anything right as far as Mike was concerned and so as he drove he argued back, feeling hard done by.
"I only call you that when you make me NERVOUS! "
Mike was taken aback by the sudden defensive answer. He seemed to calm a little and spoke with a tone of surprise in his voice.
" What? WHEN do I make you nervous? "
"When you act all gruff like just now. "
"I DO NOT act GRUFF!"
"See you're doing it AGAIN! ... " Dan responded and shook his head in frustration as he drove on further and took a sharp right turn, causing Mike to shift suddenly where he sat and grab the door handle to steady himself.
Mike scowled at the crazy manoeuvre and opened his mouth to protest but then stopped himself as Dan's words gradually began to sink in. Was he really acting that badly towards the young man without realizing it? An uncomfortable silence filled the car for several seconds as neither man spoke. Mike was beginning to question how he always acted around Dan. Was he always being too hard on the boy? Was he comparing him too much to Steve unfairly? He thought about the many times Dan had floundered during their first week as partners and had called him Sir and began to realize that it normally HAD coincided with times when he hadn't quite lived up to Steve's high standards and he had become annoyed with him as a result. He was going to have to stop doing that for Dan's sake ... and his own. Maybe Steve wasn't the only one struggling to accept all the changes that had taken place in their lives. Deciding that he needed to change the subject, he quickly spoke in a purposefully less antagonistic tone.
"So tell me. How did you manage to find me on my day off?"
Dan glanced sideways briefly and was glad to see that Mike didn't seem to be reacting that badly to his earlier outburst. He had regretted the words as soon as they had left his mouth but on the other hand he was glad that he had at least spoken up for himself.
"Oh that was easy ..."
Mike smiled curiously and rose to the bait.
"Easy, huh? Do tell ..."
"Well, I rang your house and there was no answer so I drove over there and knocked on your door and when I didn't get an answer I drove over to Steve's place to see were you there."
"Oh I see ... you just assumed that I would be over at Steve's , huh? And what made you jump to that conclusion Inspector? I could have been at mass, shopping at the food store, OR getting my hair cut. Why Steve's ?"
Dan seemed to fluster a little but he answered in a quiet voice, his eyes never leaving the road.
"Because you talked about him a lot yesterday ..."
Mike swallowed hard. He hadn't noticed that. He took a deep steadying breath, his eyes never leaving the young man at the wheel.
"Did I?"
Again Dan didn't catch the older man's eye but answered truthfully.
"Yeah ... So I figured he was on your mind and that you might call in to him when I got there and found no answer, Steve's neighbour Anderson saw me leaving and came out and told me about Steve's procedure this morning so I ..."
"... Put two and two together and made four. Right?"
Dan finally looked briefly across at Mike.
"Yeah ..."
"Not bad detective work ... " Mike mused and Dan smiled as he heard one of the first compliments he had received from the older man of late.
"Well thank you ..."
Dan's smile didn't last long though as they turned the next corner and hit heavy traffic seemingly at a standstill.
"Oh man ... This is all we need! " he moaned as he checked his watch and saw that it was coming up to four thirty.
The radio blared to life, announcing a five car pile up on the Bay Bridge that was affecting traffic on all routes. Dan banged the dashboard with his fist.
"We'll never make it Mike, not in this gridlock. What are we going to do now?"
"Put on the siren ... " Mike calmly answered reaching down and picking up the gumball and slapping it onto the roof.
"But there's no real emergency. Isn't it unethical to use the siren when there isn't a life of death situation involved?"
Mike looked with amusement at the young man.
"Unethical huh? Ok, tell me this ... If you knew that someone was going to be killed at five o'clock across town this very afternoon, would you use the siren then?"
"Of course ... "
"Well if you don't get that file to Olsen on time for that meeting YOU'RE going to be that murder victim so PUT ON the SIREN!"
Dan shook his head and couldn't help but smile at Mike's observation and with the siren blaring he forced their way through the gridlock amd took a few shortcuts to try and reach their destination as quickly as possible. Mike's thoughts returned to Steve and he hoped that he had gotten his message ok and was doing alright. He wondered if his temperature had gone up any more. The fever and infection were starting to worry him more than he was willing to let on. Despite the Doctor's reassurances that they had caught the infection in time, Mike still feared the worst. Steve had looked like death warmed up the last time he had seen him and an ever growing guilt consumed him for having left his friend to go on a file seeking mission. He watched as Dan took several shortcuts but he also frowned as he could see that despite clearly doing his best, Dan didn't seem to know the best shortcuts like Steve always did. He bit back the criticism that rose to his lips as Dan took another wrong shortcut and ended up back in traffic. Manoeuvring his way successfully around the blockage and turning up another adjoining side street, Mike couldn't contain his frustration any longer.
"DAN? Why did you take this one? Steve always takes the next one. It brings you out a lot CLOSER to my house!"
That was the final straw and Dan slammed on the brakes and backed up angrily, stopping as he got to the top of the side street and turning to address Mike in a very aggrieved tone.
"LOOK MIKE! I'm sorry I'm NOT Steve, ok? I am genuinely sorry about what happened to him and I'm even more sorry that I don't seem to be able to live up to his standards in your eyes but maybe ... just MAYBE if you simply give me a chance, then I might be able to prove my OWN WORTH in this partnership ... SIR! " Dan found himself yelling, as the stress and awkwardness of their whole situation finally reached boiling point for the young man, who felt he was doing his best in very trying circumstances but as he saw Mike's stunned and hurt expression in reply, Dan suddenly felt sorry for his unforgivable outburst and stammered apologetically.
"I'm sorry ... Mike. That was out of line. I just ... Well I ... I'm sorry ..."
Unsure of what else to say, Dan drove off again, this time taking the turn that Steve would have, and pulling up outside Mike's house in mere minutes at four forty. Mike hadn't responded to Dan's rant and in a strange way Dan wished he would just yell at him and get it over with. The man's silence was even more unnerving than the gruff manner that usually made him so nervous. Feeling even more awkward than before, Dan merely stated quietly.
"I'll wait in the car ..."
"Dan? Listen ..."
"You don't have to say anything Mike. I was out of line. I know you're just worried about Steve and that's perfectly understandable and I know you miss him as your partner ... It just makes things a little harder that's all ..."
"No, you're WRONG. I DO have to say something. You're right, I'm worried sick about Steve and yes, I miss him as my partner and well ... just the same as it's hard to teach an old dog new tricks, it's equally hard for this old man to get used to a new partner, especially one like yourself who shows as much great potential as ... well ... I guess as Steve did when he was first assigned to me. You two are very different in so many ways but you both show the same energy and drive and ambition and maybe it's those similar traits that make you a constant reminder of the one person I wish you were. I won't lie and say this is going to be an easy transition because ... Well that wouldn't be fair to either of us but you DO deserve a chance to show what you can do and I promise if you give this old man another chance then I'll try and stop the comparisons and what did you call it again? Oh yes ... Being gruff! What do you say? Truce?" Mike added, offering his hand out towards Dan.
Dan smiled and was touched by Mike's words and took his hand and shook it warmly.
"Sure ... Sounds good ... Thanks Mike ... And I'm sorry for yelling and for not being as understanding as I should have been. Look ... I consider Steve to be a good friend too and ... I really hope everything works out well for him, you know?."
Mike smiled.
"Yes I know you do Dan ... You know ... I don't think I've ever really thanked you properly for everything you did for him that night. If you hadn't stemmed the bleeding like you did and drove us to the hospital so fast well ... who knows how differently things would have turned out. And as for me well, that night is mostly a blur for me but I know you and Jeannie piloted me through most of it. So thank you for that. I mean it. Thank you. "
Mike squeezed Dan's arm strongly and Dan suddenly felt the better for it. Maybe this partnership would be successful after all, if effort was put in by both sides to try and make it work. Who knew?
"You're welcome ... "
Mike swallowed back the emotion that had filled his throat as he had imparted his thanks and recalled that horrifying night that he tried so very hard not to recall most of the time and then just as quickly pulled himself back together.
"Ok, I had better go and get that key. You, my friend are running out of time."
Dan watched as Mike got out of the car and raced up the steps to his house. The rain had eased a little bit, but the sky still looked dark and ominous and Dan figured that the heavy rain wasn't far off again. It only took less than a minute for Mike to return, this time under a large black umbrella and arriving at the passenger window he indicated for Dan to roll it down. When he did so, Mike leaned down and handed the keys over towards him and spoke.
"Here, you only have fifteen minutes. You're cutting it very close. Put the siren on and head straight for Bryant Street. Call dispatch along the way and tell them to inform Olsen you're on your way with the file and that should spare any bloodshed ... " he added teasingly.
"Wait a minute. Aren't you coming? I thought I was going to drop you back at the Hospital on the way."
"Dan you haven't time for that particular detour right now but don't worry, I'll call a cab. Listen Dan ... I may have to take an extra couple of days off this week ... Steve needs me and well ... I haven't been there for him as much as I should have been these last four weeks and I want to make it up to him, no, I NEED to make it up to him and I need you to understand that. Would you mind sitting in with Bill and Norm for a couple of days just until I get back? "
Dan smiled.
"No ... I don't mind at all. Actually I think there are some reports that need typing up too on my desk. Guess I need some practise at those too. Take all the time you need Mike. Do you want me to tell Olsen for you?"
"No, best not say anything for now. I'll call him later this evening after he's calmed down from talking to the Mayor! " Mike added and both men laughed.
"I'll see you soon Dan ... Go on now ... You better hurry ..."
"Ok, see ya Mike. Oh and ... tell Steve I was asking for him, will ya?"
"Sure ... I will ... Bye ..."
Mike watched as Dan drove off and smiled even wider as the siren wailed as he tore off around the corner. He even drives as fast and as precariously as Steve! he thought to himself. STEVE ... He checked his watch and frowned as he saw it was coming way too close to four fifty. He'd been away for fifty minutes now and he had to get back to Steve as soon as possible but with the gridlocked traffic he didn't fancy his chances for getting back as soon as he wanted to. He mounted the steps back up to the house and started the onerous task of calling cab companies.
Twenty minutes later and a more frustrated and annoyed Mike Stone was talking to the operator of the last cab company name in the phone book.
"Now look ... How difficult is it, to just get a cab to take me to Franklin Hospital ?" Yes, I know all about the Bay Bridge pile up and the traffic gridlock but there must be some car near enough to where I am. Look it's important that I get back there soon. Please can you just check and see if you have a car near my location?"
The man on the other end was less than helpful.
"Listen Buddy, the only way you're going to get next or near Franklin Hospital anytime soon until the traffic clears a bit, is to call yourself an ambulance!"
"Well, thank you very much. You've been MOST UNHELPFUL!" Mike yelled as he banged down the phone in frustration. " An ambulance indeed ... " Mike repeated and then he grinned to himself as an idea struck him and he picked up the receiver and quickly dialled another number. Mike listened to the phone ring several times and then heard a voice answer.
"Police Dispatch. Johnson speaking."
"Johnson, it's Lieutenant Mike Stone. Listen ... I need to ask a bit of an unorthodox favor ..."
Back At Franklin Hospital in Cubicle Nine :
Steve was still struggling to cope with the relentless waves of nausea that were refusing to be ignored. He had tried everything he knew to keep his stomach contents in place but it was taking its toll on him and he was tiring and knew he was rapidly losing the battle. As he took long slow breaths, he startled as the curtain suddenly pulled back but much to his relief it was Sylvia and not Dr. Lowell. She was already addressing him as she entered.
"The porters are on their way down Steve. I just need to disconnect your ... STEVE? What's wrong? "
Sylvia stopped mid-sentence as she saw Steve in clear distress and breathing erratically. Rushing forward she took Steve's good hand and spoke urgently.
"Steve? Please talk to me. What's happening? Are you having chest pains?"
She studied the heart monitor quickly and saw no worrying change in the rhythm before looking back at her patient who seemed to struggle to answer her.
"No ... No ... I just ... feel a bit sick ..."
"Steve, you look more than a BIT sick. Hold on. I'm going to get Dr. Lowell ..."
As she passed by him , Steve grasped her arm gently and pleaded.
"No , no Sylvia ... Please? I don't want you to tell him ... Please don't! "
Sylvia looked around at him and looked confused.
"STEVE! I HAVE to tell him if you're sick. He's your Doctor and it's my job and my obligation as your carer. Why on EARTH do you not want him to know?"
Steve knew that if the Doctor heard of his nausea so soon after touching his scar he would realize that Steve's insistence at not having issues with his scar had just been a pretence and then he would have to endure more lectures about desensitization and help groups. He wanted to deal with HIS scar in HIS own way. Was that so much to ask? He didn't think Sylvia would understand his reasons so instead he pleaded for her help some more.
"Please, just don't tell him yet ... You can tell him when we get up to CCU ... I promise ... At least then he'll think it was the movement of the bed that caused it. Please Sylvia ... You'll still get to tell him so there won't be any harm done ... I'm just asking you not to tell him now ... That's all ..."
As soon as the last word left his mouth, he gagged violently again and had to swallow hard once more to prevent himself from vomiting. Sylvia grabbed a bowl from the locker and brought it close to him.
"Steve, you can't fight that. You're gagging. You're going to have to get rid of it. "
Steve pushed the bowl away.
"No ... I can stop it. It's just taking longer than usual ... to pass ... That's all ..."
Steve realized as soon as he had said that, that he had slipped up as he watched Sylvia's facial expression change.
"Longer than USUAL to pass. Dear God Steve, how long have you been feeling sick without saying anything? "
Steve looked down at the bed, still trying to breathe through the nausea and struggling to keep everything together and answer at the same time.
"Not long ..."
"STEVE? HOW LONG EXACTLY? "
Steve's face seemed to flush redder than before and he took one more deep breath before the truth came out.
"Since ... Since I got here ..."
"STEVE! What am I going to do with you? "
Steve gagged painfully a third time, and stopped it again, but was starting to fear that Sylvia was perhaps right. This time he was NOT going to be able to stop it and the thoughts of vomiting and tweaking his scar was more than he could bear. He looked at Sylvia one last time and she saw a desperation in his eyes that startled her.
"PLEASE ... Just hold off telling him ... Just for now ..."
Sylvia knew what she was obliged to do but something about this young man troubled her. He needed help. Someone to be on his side. With the older man missing for now, he didn't seem to have anyone else. She wasn't quite sure what he was achieving by waiting to tell the Doctor about his nausea until they got upstairs but she couldn't see too much harm in it for now. After all, if she hadn't come back in, she wouldn't have been any the wiser. Besides, now that she knew, she could at least keep a close on eye on him. She struggled with her conscience for several seconds more before finally responding.
"Alright ... I don't know what this is about Steve but you need to know that as soon as this bed starts moving you're not going to be able to stop yourself from throwing up ... That nausea is very severe. Dr. Lowell is going to know then regardless."
Steve managed to force a smile at Sylvia, but quite from where he wasn't sure.
"That's ok ... Just bring that bowl and keep it close to me ... will you please?"
"Don't worry I will ... but if you do manage to stop being sick somehow ... I'm GOING to tell him when we get to CCU ... Got it? I won't cover for you any longer than that!"
Steve shivered from the stress and the internal battle he was having with his stomach contents. Through slow labored breaths he spoke gratefully.
"Sure ... That's fine ... I understand ... Thank you ..."
The curtain pulled back again and two porters appeared with Dr. Lowell with them.
"Ok ... Are we all ready to go in here?"
Sylvia looked at Steve as she disconnected the last of the monitors and draped the various drips on the edge of the bed for transporting. Then covering Steve with an extra warm blanket for the trip upstairs she spoke clearly.
"Yes Doctor. We're all set ..."
"Great. Ok Steve, let's get you upstairs shall we?" Dr. Lowell stated as the two porters started to manoeuvre the bed out of the cubicle.
Sylvia grabbed the bowl and made sure she stood right beside Steve as the bed moved. Seeing Mike's fedora and coat on the window sill, as the bed was pushed forward, Steve called out.
"WAIT! Mike's coat and hat ..."
They stopped moving and Sylvia went and retrieved them and placed them at Steve's waist level on the bed. She smiled down at him as she saw him looking at the fedora dolefully and swallowing hard. Bending down within his earshot, she whispered.
"Don't worry. I'm sure he'll be back soon and when he does get back here, they'll redirect him up to CCU where you are. If you're going to be sick, just grab my arm to let me know, ok?"
Steve nodded gratefully at Sylvia who then frowned as she felt him shiver again and saw how distressed he was, as the bed started moving again. She made sure to keep beside him as they made their way slowly out past the other cubicles and through the Double doors of Recovery and then Sylvia noticed sadly that the young man's fingers reached for the fedora and held it fast as if he was drawing some much needed comfort from it or as if his very life depended on it.
A/N : Again thanks to everyone for continuing to read and review. If my updates are slower for the next few days it is because my littlest boy is down with a dreaded tummy bug and I am waiting for the others to possibly follow suit ... So I may have my hands full with more unpleasant things in Real Life and be holding the bowl just like poor Sylvia at the end of this chapter !... :-( Hopefully the rest of them will not get it but If I am missing you will at least know why ...xx
