Chapter 10: Wake Up

Dr. Early walks back over to Officer Reed and the two ladies just outside the Intensive Care Unit. "Considering the circumstances, I think we can make an exception when it comes to visitation. Give me just one minute to check in on Officer Malloy, then, if you three want to come in and stay awhile that would be fine. I think having him hear familiar voices would be good for him."

Joe goes back into the room along Pete's bed. "Any changes, nurse?"

"No doctor, he seems to be stable, but he still hasn't come around yet."

Joe takes note of the heart & blood pressure monitor, the fluid rate, the oxygen flow and then looks over the patient in general. He notices the leg bandage has blood soaking through it. He finally looks at Pete's eyes using the penlight. "Equal and reactive; good. I think he will be coming around shortly. I would like a fresh bandage on his leg. Please page me if there are any changes otherwise I'll be back to see him in about an hour."

Joe walks out of the unit and gives the go ahead for the three visitors to go in. Jenny looks at Jim and Jean, "You go ahead, and I'll wait here."

"What are you talking about? I'm sure Pete will be thrilled to see the woman that rescued him."

"Let's be honest Jim, he might not even remember me. He was hurting pretty bad, and the concussion may not have helped his memory either."

Jean reaches out and grabs Jenny's hand. "I know Pete, he'll want to see you, and how could he forget a beautiful face like yours. Besides I don't know many women who have shown the bravery that you have and twice in one day."

The girls walk into the room hand in hand. Jim pauses for a minute and breathes a big sigh of relief. Partner, I almost lost you twice in the same day. Let's not make a habit of this. How could I let this happen to you? Then, Jim walks in behind the ladies and up to the side rails. He stays just out of the way as the nurse finishes putting on a fresh clean bandage on Pete's leg.

"Excuse me. Let me get out of your way. Go ahead and talk to him. It might help him to wake up." The nurse ushers herself out to the nurse's station where she watches all of Pete's monitors.

"Hey Pete, it's not good to make a lady wait for you. You have Jean, Jenny, and myself, just wondering how long you plan to sleep. Partner, are you listening?" With that last statement from Jim, Pete begins to shift his head from side to side willing himself to wake up.

At first they only hear a small groan come from underneath the oxygen mask. Then his eyes flutter open and they take a few moments to clear.

"Finally, you decide to join us. Glad to see those gorgeous eyes again," Jenny says with some apprehension.

"Hi," is barely heard by all.

Pete feels smothered by the mask and reaches up to pull it away with his free right hand. "What do you think you're doing Peter Malloy? I think you need that oxygen," Jean sounds off in her motherly tone.

Just then, the nurse comes back in and approaches the railing opposite of where Reed is standing. She had seen the elevations in the monitors, which communicates his return to consciousness. "Officer Malloy, we can try you without the oxygen mask, but if your respirations become too rapid, then, we'll have to put it back on."

"Ok."

"I'll let Dr. Early know that you're awake." She leaves the room.

Straining to really talk, "How did I… get so lucky… to have two… lovely ladies… in my room?"

"Hey, I'm not chopped liver here," Reed kids with his partner.

"Good to see you too, Jim. You look a bit uglier than I remember though."

"Ramming my face into a dashboard can do that to a person. Don't worry; it won't stay this shade of blue for long."

"How are you feeling, Pete?" as Jean and Jenny move closer to the bedside again.

"Like I was hit by a truck."

"Matter of fact you were, along with a few other things, but I know you are too stubborn to let that stop you," Jim says.

"Jenny," Pete reaches up with his right hand to grab hers. "Thank you," as he squeezes her hand.

Jenny lowers her eyes, and bashfully says," I'm just glad that I could help."

Jean and Jim exchange glances as they witness this sweet moment. Is there a little more than appreciation being expressed? They notice the way Jenny caresses Pete's arm with her free hand. "It's too bad they won't let dogs in. Your biggest fan is Sadie, you remember."

"Pete, I didn't think you were a big dog lover," Jim expresses.

Knowing this could get him in trouble, "What are you talking about, Jim? You know I love dogs."

"Oh yeah, there was the time we found a lost young boy who was diabetic and was out looking for a puppy. Pete snuck the puppy into the hospital room to cheer the little guy up. Then, his parents let him take the dog home. It was quite a happy ending."

"Well, Sadie is usually a good judge of character, and she took to Pete right away."

A moment later, Dr. Early walks into the room. "So, Officer Malloy, how are you feeling?"

"Happy to still be here, but looking forward to leaving the hospital."

"Well, I think you might be staying with us for a little while. I would like to see you get up on your feet, but you will have to take it slowly with that left knee. I'm not sure yet how stable it will be. If we're lucky you will leave using a cane and not a wheelchair. Your shoulder injury will make this a bit harder on you, I'm afraid. It's a bit premature to say, but when you are ready to go, I think you will need a place where someone can help you."

Jean quickly spoke up, "Doctor Early, we plan on Pete coming home with us."

"Fine; that is one thing taken care of. Now if we want Pete to get better then he is going to need to get his rest. I need to clear you folks out of here and have Officer Malloy take it easy. I think we can move you into a private room where you will sleep better. I think you may be ready for another dose of pain medication as well," noticing Pete wincing as he shifts in the bed.

Dr. Early walks out to speak to the nurse in preparation of moving Pete and getting more medication on board.

"Pete, we'll come in to see you tomorrow. Maybe I can even get my hands on a burger from Duke's. I'm sure that will get your strength up." Jim turns and waves to the girls to start out.

Jenny leans down and whispers, "Sadie would want to wish you well and since she can't be here."…She plants a kiss on Pete's cheek. "See you later, Pete Malloy." Then, Jenny heads out into the hallway with Jean.

Jim turns back around to speak privately with Pete for a moment. "Just wanted you to know that we got Shaw."

"He didn't hurt anyone else did he?"

"He did knock around Dr. Brackett, but he's going to be ok. He mainly cracked some ribs and has some cuts. I think Dixie is taking care of him. She says he makes a very bad patient."

"How did that happen?"

"I think Dr. Brackett walked in on him trying to kill you. Fortunately for you he did interrupt, but not so fortunate for Brackett."

"Where's Mac?"

"He's finishing up in the morgue, but I'm sure he will be up to check in with you soon. I'm guessing that he'll want to make up a report of the kidnapping, shooting, and the attempts of murder."

"That will be a long report." Pete pauses. "Jim, are you sure you're ok?"

"I'll be out of action for a short while with my wrists, but yeah, I'm fine."

"I'm really sorry that you got dragged into this mess."

"Hey, it's not your fault partner, that one maniac was dead-set on revenge. I'm just glad that the good guys survived, and Harry Shaw won't be around to fight another day.