AN-Another short update with more to come.
When Pride had guided her to the chair next to Chris's bed and she was sat down Merri had no idea what she was supposed say. She looked at the mass of tubes and wires covering him and the machines surrounding the bed. There was a some sort of framework lifting the sheet off his lower half whereas his top half was was just a mass of bandages and clear wraps covering what was left of his skin. When Pride had said he was a mess she had no idea how bad a mess he was actually going to be. Now she could see for herself she was speechless, there didn't seem to be a single part of his body that wasn't burnt to some degree. She wondered if this was what the outside of him looked like what internal damage had been caused. She had no idea where he was found so had no idea what had happened to him since the fire.
Turning to look at Pride she saw his face was ashen white. It was then she noticed his hand on her shoulder, whether for support for her or him she wasn't sure, but she was glad it was there. Pride felt her look at him and looked down, squeezing her shoulder as he did.
"I will go find a doctor and see what we can find out. You okay to be on your own?" His concern for her evident.
"I just..." Not knowing if she was okay or not.
Watching as he pulled his phone out he sent what she presumed was a text message. Seconds later Abigail Borin entered the room and came to stand beside Merri. Pride pulled another chair over and Borin sat down next to Merri, taken her hand as she sat. Pride nodded to the door and went to leave, leaving Borin holding Merri's hand as she slid her other arm around her shoulder.
Pride came out of Chris's room and instead of going straight to the desk to ask for a doctor he stood resting his back against the nearest wall and closed his eyes, his mind trying to process what was happening. Chris was burnt badly, very badly. Pride had never seen anything in his life as bad as this and he had seen some sites in his time. He knew seeing the amount of burns covering Chris's body it was touch and go.
He felt a hand on his arm and opened his eyes, Gibbs was now standing beside him.
"That's rough in there Gibbs, I hate to have to say this aloud but if he makes it it's going to be a miracle." Pushing back off the wall and making his way to the nurses station.
Gibbs followed behind not sure if he should stay or go. He was one of Pride's oldest friends and seeing how much this was affecting him he decided to stay. Pride reached the desk and flashed his badge at the nurse. He asked if it was possible for a doctor to come around and bring them up to speed on Christopher's condition. The nurse said she would page the doctor and he would be there as soon as he could. Thanking her Pride nodded at Gibbs and the two men made their way to Chris's room.
On opening the door, they took in the site of Abigail Borin sat sideways with her arms around Merri as she sobbed uncontrollably into Borin's shoulder. It broke Prides heart to see how distraught she was knowing there was nothing he could do to help. He stood on the opposite side of the bed to the two women and looked down at Chris. He looked down at his hand and saw somehow it looked like it was one of the only places he could see normal pink unburnt skin. Reaching out he took hold of Chris's hand and just stood holding it. He looked down at his most trusted sidekick, student and surrogate son. He again found himself praying for Chris, this time to wake up and make it through this mess.
Gibbs had walks around the bed and stood looking at the occupant of the bed. His thoughts drifted back to his team, to DiNozzo, McGee and Bishop. He thought of the team members he had lost right back to Kate and then Ziva. At least he knew Ziva was alive and happy now as he was still in touch with her. Kate, on the other hand, wasn't, she was the first agent he lost as a team leader and it hurt like like, especially since he hand picked her. He looked down at the two women still wrapped in each other's arms and his religious streak reappeared. He hadn't prayed in years and now he was, this was a prey of a different sort. For once he was thankful, thankful the woman he was falling in love with had made it through with only a few bumps and bruises that he knew of. He couldn't lose another woman he loved, he had lost Shanon and his daughter Kelly and even now that still haunted him. When he fell for Jenny Shepard he thought he was home and dry, only for her to pack and leave him to better advance her career.
Now he had Abigail Borin, his equal in every sense. She was slowly making her presence known not just in his home but his Heart. When he got the call to say she was hurt he asked Vance if he should come out and head the investigation as Pride may be a little too close. Vance agreed, knowing that the real reason was a lot more personal than Gibbs was letting on. So now he was here and he could see it would be a while until the case was wrapped up as Pride was indeed too close. As he stood his hand had come to rest on the top of Borin's back. It was a simple touch of not only support but also a reassurance she was there and not the one lying in the bed.
The silence of the room was interpreted as there was a knock on the door and a doctor entered. He looked around at the four people in the room and then at Pride as he stepped forward. Pride offered his hand to the doctor and did a quick introduction of the others in the room. He stumbled as he came to Brody as he wasn't sure how she wanted to be introduced. Brody saw his problem and stood up, offering her hand out to the doctor.
"I am special agent Meredith Brody, Christopher partner, girlfriend and also the mother of his children." Resting her hand on her bump.
"Hello everyone. I will not beat around the bush here, it's not looking good at all. When Mr Lasalle was brought in he was in a very bad way. We managed to stabilise him but it was close, we almost lost him twice. His body was shutting down, he has burns covering his whole body just about. They are mostly third and fourth degree due to his proximity to the blast site, yet it was the blast that pushed him away and into the water. The salt water he has been submerged in till he was found has not helped at all. I will give you an honest outlook and say if he makes it through the night it will be a miracle in itself. He is lucky to still be alive now, I have seen far less serious not make it. He has a strong will, but I am afraid that probably won't be enough to save him." The doctor finished as he looked around at the four people In the room.
When no one spoke the doctor asked if anyone had any question and when his question was met with silence he excused himself. Pride stood stock still, not sure if he should speak or leave or even move. Gibbs for his part was now stood behind Borin with both his hands on her shoulders. Borin was now an ashen grey colour and she seemed to be finally realising how damn lucky she was to still be sat there. Brody was a different matter altogether. She was still stood up on the opposite side of the bed from Pride just looking down at Chris. She hadn't moved, hadn't spoken, hadn't even flinched when the doctor spoke. She just seemed to be in a trance of sorts, between not wanting to believe and letting the reality of it all sink in.
Pride gestured to Gibbs to take Borin home, she had been through enough today and didn't need to deal with this as stood still to Gibbs and Borin had left before he came and stood beside Brody.
"Brody I got to go phone Christopher's family, I promised I would be the one if anything ever happened. He promised me the same thing and I would have liked to think he kept his promise, now I have to keep mine. Take a seat and I will back in a couple of minutes." Guiding Merri into the chair behind her.
As he left the room to go and make the phone call he hoped he would never have to make he looked back at Brody. She had moved the chair up to the bed and now her head rested on the edge near Chris's other hand. He hoped that hand was as good as the one he had hold of as it was some comfort to him just touching the young man's skin. Walking away down the corridor he went to phone Christopher's mother and see if he could arrange to get her here as fast as possible.
Phoning Vance first he got the all clear to use what means was necessary to get Christopher's family here as quickly as possible. Going on what the doctor has said they didn't expect him to make it through the night. Sitting in the quiet waiting room talking to Chris's mother and arranging her flight and transport to get the hospital it all seems surreal to Pride. He never ever expected to have to make this call to Christopher's family. It wasn't supposed to work like this, he was supposed to go first, not Chris. Chris had his whole to still to live. He had a family that loved home and a beautiful girlfriend who was now carrying his twins. What more could a man want? After arrangements were made to get the family here as soon as possible Pride just sat and looked at his phone. Finally getting up he got some coffee from the machine and took both cups back to Chris's room. Using his elbow to opened the door he pushed it open and stepped inside. He found Brody in the same position as when he left her, she had moved a limb.
Coming to sit beside her he gave her a gentle nudge and passed her a cup of coffee. Sitting up and taking it from him at the same time as slotting her hand in Chris's. She just looked at Pride then Chris.
"How do I do this on my own?" Seeing the tears in the corner of her eyes.
"You don't, I will always be right here beside you." Using his free hand to slid his arm round her back and hug her. "You will never be alone."
