Christmas Break
Chapter 13
For the next half hour Jeannie and Mike were so happy to be taking Steve home that they chatted about how they would try to make sure that he would enjoy Christmas at the Stone Residence. Jeannie was so excited about the idea that she didn't even feel sleepy anymore despite the fact that it was still the early hours of the morning.
As they continued to chat, the curtains parted once more and Nuala and another junior Doctor who looked very fresh faced and almost newly qualified arrived in with the special sling that they would be putting on Steve. Despite the fact that Nuala reassured Mike that Steve was still under sedation and would be oblivious to any discomfort that putting the sling on would cause, Mike remained very apprehensive. The blood curdling yell that Steve had let the last time they had assumed he was asleep when Dr. Sanchez examined his shoulder was still a little too fresh in his mind for comfort. The young Doctor seemed very efficient and unfazed and wasted no time in getting the task in hand done quickly and efficiently. He laid out all the things he needed on the bedside tray and Mike could see a black sling and another large wide black strap that seemed to be separate from the sling itself.
" Dr. Sanchez isn't putting it on?" Mike almost whispered to Nuala still fearful about how young the new Doctor looked and especially fearful that the young man's inexperience might cause Steve even more pain than the last time but Nuala sensed his unease and reassured him.
"Mike, Jeannie, this is Dr. Curtis. Dr. Sanchez had another emergency so Dr. Curtis here is going to strap up Steve's shoulder for us while he's still sufficiently under sedation, so to speak."
Dr. Curtis looked up briefly to nod politely towards them both after the introduction and then quickly continued with his task. Lowering her voice to a barely audible whisper Nuala spoke to Mike again.
"He's older than he looks Mike and he's a very good Doctor. It will be fine, you'll see."
"I hope so ..." Mike whispered back.
When the sling was ready. Mike watched as they very carefully removed the old sling and Nuala once again supported the left arm. Steve never budged or protested in anyway thankfully and his breathing and pulse remained stable and steady. Mike started to feel bad for doubting the young Doctor as he admired the gentleness and care he was taking with Steve completely opposite to the unsympathetic and painful probing Dr. Sanchez had caused his partner to suffer before.
Very carefully he attached the black sling, securing it around the arm Nuala was holding and then around the back of Steve's neck. That was the part that proved the most awkward due to the way Steve was lying. As Dr. Curtis passed the strap in under Steve's neck and reached for it on the other side again Mike marveled at the fact that Steve never budged one inch. The Doctor and Nuala showed Mike how the sling went on so that he would be familiar with it as dressing Steve meant the sling would occasionally need to be removed and reattached so they wanted to make sure he knew exactly how it was fitted.
Lastly with the sling firmly in place and supporting his arm again, Dr. Curtis took the wide black strap and handed it to Nuala. Putting his hands carefully and gently under Steve's waist that lay on the gurney, he lifted Steve's body effortlessly, just enough so that Nuala could pass the wide strap in under the young man and then lowering him back onto the bed very slowly, he strapped it so that it fully secured the inner sling in place and also kept Steve's left arm pinned securely to his chest. Again Steve's lack of movement was both a great relief to Mike but also a worry when he thought of trying to get the very drugged, groggy man up all the steps to his house in just over an hour and a half's time.
Mike was anxious about the whole sling fitting procedure and hoped that he would manage it ok when the need arose but again Nuala seemed to read his mind and stated matter of factly.
"It will be easier for you to do Mike, because when you're attaching it, Steve will be sitting up and so you'll have better access to it."
Mike nodded gratefully at Nuala for her reassurance and her confidence in his abilities but wished in that instance his confidence in them matched the nurse's expectations.
With the new sling in place, Mike watched the Doctor listening to Steve's chest with his stethoscope and then he saw him taking Steve's pulse. He then leaned forward and gently lifted one of Steve's eyelids to check his pupil dilation. Then replacing the stethoscope around his neck he seemed to finish his exam.
"How's he doing Doc?" Mike asked as soon as the young Doctor turned around and Nuala smiled at his eagerness.
"His vital signs are strong and his shoulder is well supported now but he's still very much under. However things should improve by three thirty as Dr. Sanchez estimated. We'll be in to check him just before that but in the meantime the rest will do him good."
"Ok, thanks Doctor." Mike replied as he watched the Doctor leave but Nuala noticed a certain unease in the older man's voice.
"Mike? What's wrong? I thought you were really pleased that Steve is getting to go home?"
Mike looked at Nuala and smiled but beneath his warm smile he flustered a little.
"Oh I am, believe me I am ... it's just that ... well ... I guess I'm just a little worried that I won't be able to look after him as well as you have. Right now I don't even know how we're going to get him up all the steps to my house."
"Mike stop worrying. In another hour and a half he should be a little more lucid and I have a feeling you're going to look after him better than we ever could." Nuala said smiling.
Mike felt a little better as she said that and smiled gratefully and then Nuala took her leave of them to go get his prescriptions and his discharge papers in order. Mike walked over beside Steve's bed and stood watching him for several minutes.
Jeannie was a little concerned too that her father's earlier enthusiasm seemed to have petered out and something seemed to be weighing heavily on his mind. Coming over and standing behind him she wrapped her arms around his waist and spoke softly.
"Mike? What's the matter? Something's bothering you. What is it? Tell me please."
Mike put his hands over Jeannies but still stayed watching Steve.
"Jeannie ... What if we can't manage his pain? Or if I can't get him to take his painkillers? You know how he despises having to take painkillers and how they make him feel. What if we can't make him comfortable or get him to eat or what if he still keeps getting sick? Or ..."
"MIKE STONE! You stop that right this instant. "
Jeannie's interuption and subsequent statement took Mike by surprise and he wheeled around to look at her. Seeing that she had, at the very least got his attention and stopped his negative train of thought she lovingly took both his hands in hers and smiled up at her father. Softening her tone she spoke softly.
"Mike. This is Steve. I have yet to see you not being able to convince him to do something. He listens to you Mike. He always has. And there isn't much that famous Stone Glare can't get him to do. You know that. "
Mike smiled at his daughter lovingly and chuckled.
"Yes. I suppose I have gotten around him a couple of times using that one alright. Yes, you're right. I'm just being foolish but I just hope that things work out ok that's all and that we can keep him comfortable."
"We will Mike. "
Smiling even wider at Jeannie now he added teasingly.
"You know, come to think of it, there is someone else I know that can twist him around her little finger and get him to co-operate."
Jeannie blushed and feigned a confused look.
"Why Mike! I don't know who you're talking about."
Mike laughed again.
"You don't huh? Who got him to open the bathroom door earlier, huh?"
It was Jeannie's turn to laugh.
"Ok, ok. I guess sometimes he does listen to me too. But that's all the better because between us we have this covered Mike. Try not to worry. Ok?"
"Ok sweetheart. I'll try ... but it's just that ... there's something else bothering me" and letting go of her hands he moved past Jeannie and sat heavily in one of the chairs.
Jeannie followed him slightly concerned and sat down beside him. Placing a hand on his arm, she asked again.
"What Mike?"
Mike wasn't even sure where to begin to tell his daughter what worried him most about his partner and his recovery but knowing by her expression that he was worrying her, he took a deep breath and tried to explain as best he could.
"Steve doesn't accept help easily Jeannie and so far I've managed to convince him that he does this time but when Steve reaches a certain low point he ... well it's like he ... retreats into some dark place inside him. And when he gets like that it's very hard to reach him or to reason with him. He shuts everyone out. I don't really know what happened in his past to make him be like that but it worries me. I've seen it happen a few times before since I've known him and I saw it a bit earlier after he was sick and after the Doctor had caused him all that pain. For a brief moment he just buried his head in that pillow and wouldn't respond to anyone. This whole situation has the potential to cause that to happen again and that worries me Jeannie. I ... don't know if I can get him back if he reaches that place."
"Mike, you're worrying too much. We just have to make sure that Steve doesn't reach that low point. You'll see. Everything will be just fine. We are in this together you know? And if anyone can reach Steve and make him listen it's you Mike. You must believe that."
"Ok ... I'll try and stop being an old worry guts. I guess I just had an attack of cold feet huh?" Mike answered smiling.
"I'll just have to make sure you wear your warmer socks then won't I? Jeannie joked back causing them both to laugh and the laughter helped lift the tension and worry that had filled the air minutes earlier.
The next hour went by very slowly and Steve was starting to move a little in his sleep. Mike too was getting restless and although the seats in the cubicle were much better than the waiting area wooden seats, Mike's back was still getting stiff from all the sitting around. Jeannie saw the tell tale signs as Mike rubbed at his lower back and she knew that Mike was very on edge seeing Steve starting to get uneasy so she spoke insistently.
"Mike, why don't you go stretch your legs for a bit? Huh? Maybe go out and get some air? I'll stay with Steve and I'll come and get you if there's anything you'd want to know or if he wakes up. Ok?"
Mike smiled at his daughter and felt that she was probably right. His back sure could use some exercise but he felt torn leaving Steve especially when he seemed to be coming around a little. However he knew better than to argue with Jeannie and he knew she would take good care of Steve in his absence so he finally made his decision.
"Ok. I'll take a little walk but I won't be long. Would you like me to bring anything back for you?"
"No thanks Mike. I'm fine. You go ahead."
"Ok sweetheart. I won't be long" Mike said as he stood up and stretched and put on his coat and fedora.
Mike stared at his partner for a few seconds before finally heading out of the cubicle and exiting out through the double doors of the ER. The waiting area was now nearly empty and Mike headed out the main doors into the night air. It was a bit chilly compared to the almost overbearing heat in the ER treatment area and Mike pulled his coat up around his neck as he stood and took in some lungfuls of fresh air. Looking at his watch under the hospital porch lights he saw that it was just gone three am and suddenly he began to feel tired. It had been a long day and a rough evening and Mike's gut was telling him that somehow it was going to get a lot rougher before the morning came.
As he stood there enjoying the fresh air and the peace, two people caught his eye over to his right. There was an ambulance in the ambulance bay and one paramedic seemed to be loading a newly vacated gurney back into the ambulance while a second one was chatting intimately with what Mike could make out was a nurse. From where he stood they were a good bit away from him and the lighting wasn't great where they were standing, but as Mike's eyes adjusted he recognized the nurse as Nuala. Mike smiled to himself and wondered if the young man was the famous "Robert" and then feeling uncomfortable about staring at them he turned his head away and left the two young lovers to talk in peace. As he turned to go back into the ER however someone called out to him.
"Mike?"
Turning to see who had called him he saw Nuala approaching him with the paramedic being pulled behind her by the hand.
"Is Steve alright? Were you looking for me?" she asked with genuine concern in her voice.
"Oh no. He's ok. He's fidgeting a little but he hasn't woken up yet. Jeannie is in with him. I just came out to stretch my legs and get some fresh air. That's all. It's fairly chilly out here though compared to inside." Mike said rubbing his hands together to ward off the chill.
Nuala seemed relieved that all was well.
"Yes, it's a cool one alright and it's a good sign if Steve is fidgeting. It augurs well for getting him home soon" she encouraged but then quickly she pulled the young man from behind her to beside her. "Mike. There's someone I'd like you to meet. This is Robert, my fiancé. Robert, this is the man I told you about, Lieutenant Mike Stone."
"Nice to meet you Sir" Robert said reaching out and shaking Mike's hand warmly. " I believe I have you to thank for convincing Nuala not to keep me a secret from her family anymore. I'm much obliged Sir. I've been trying to convince her of that for the longest time. It will sure make me feel easier about this trip if I'm not going as a surprise" he said shooting an exasperated but adoring look in Nuala's direction.
Nuala blushed visibly under the young man's gaze and looked down at the ground but Mike noticed that their hands remained firmly clasped all the same.
"Well, you're welcome. And please, no Sir. Just call me Mike. And congratulations on your engagement. You two sure make a fine couple."
It was Robert's turn to smile broadly but then he asked unexpectedly.
"How's your partner, Sir ... eh I mean Mike? "
"He's ok thanks. He has a bit of recovery time ahead of him with two fractures but he'll get there. Nuala here has been taking real good care of him for us. I hope you know how lucky you are young man?" Mike said smiling while Nuala blushed even more.
"I sure do Mike. But your partner is quite the hero. They said he took down the Oakland Blade Mugger! "
"The Oakland Blade Mugger? " Mike asked curiously " Well, where did you get a name like that from? And who told you he did that? Nuala?"
"No ... well ... from the news. It's all over the tv tonight. Your partner is being hailed as quite the hero. Seems the elderly community in Oakland were afraid to go out of doors. But your partner taking this creep off the streets is the best Christmas present they've had. The media have been running the story all evening. Haven't you seen it yet?"
Mike's face fell and he felt worry grip at his heart .
"No, no I haven't. They haven't named my partner have they?"
"No ... they just said it was an off duty detective from Bryant Street who made the arrest. They've been bombarding your Captain with questions but he keeps saying no comment."
Mike felt some relief at that and knew that it was policy at the precinct to never reveal arresting officer's names to the media but knowing how Steve felt about publicity of any kind, he knew that this latest development would not go down well with his young partner at all and knew his work was going to be cut out for him trying to hide it from him.
"The Oakland Blade Mugger huh? " Mike said again, always wondering who in the media came up with these bizarre and sensational names for these creeps.
Then thinking about Steve, he decided that it was time he headed back to him and Jeannie. Shaking the young man's hand once more he spoke kindly.
"Well, I'd better head back inside. It was very nice meeting you too. I hope you both have a safe trip to Ireland for the New Year and ... well I hope everything goes well."
"Thanks, I better be heading back too. "
Nuala saw Mike's reaction to the fact that Steve was the hero of the hour and knew something was not as it should be so before Mike could turn to leave she spoke quickly.
"Hold on a minute Mike. I'll come back with you." then turning to Robert she kissed his cheek and whispered. " See you at four."
Robert nodded sweetly. "You bet. See you soon." and then the young man ran off back to his partner who was impatiently waiting for his colleague at the ambulance door.
Nuala turned and quickly joined Mike and together they headed back inside.
"Well, he seems like a fine young man Nuala and if he's always that charming and polite I don't think you have anything to worry about with regards to your parents liking him" Mike beamed to a blushing Nuala.
"Thanks Mike. He's special alright."
As they made their way through the almost empty waiting area a news bulletin came on the television and drew Mike's attention. Stopping and moving closer to the television, he listened as Nuala came and stood beside him.
" ... And now the latest on the Oakland Blade Mugger. We can officially confirm that at approximately five forty pm this evening in San Francisco, an off duty detective from Bryant Street witnessed the culprit assaulting an elderly lady and without thought for his own safety pursued him for ten minutes on foot in a chase that crossed busy streets and through heavily pedestrianized areas and finally took him down and apprehended the man who has become known in the Oakland area as the Oakland Blade Mugger! Terrorizing the elderly and instilling fear in the whole community, many people can finally rest safely in their beds tonight thanks to the heroic and selfless actions of this off duty officer. We understand that the officer may have been hurt in the pursuit but Captain Rudy Olsen would not confirm or deny these rumors when we tried to speak to him earlier, insisting that he had no comment to make on the matter but that a press conference would be forthcoming. In the meantime if the detective in question is watching this broadcast, San Francisco and Oakland remain in your debt and we thank you. This is Sandra Collins reporting from the scene of the earlier arrest. Back to the studio ..."
Mike stood looking blankly at the screen as the next news item played. Part of him swelled with pride hearing how people were applauding and appreciating Steve's selfless and courageous actions and for the same reasons that everyone else that he had managed to get another creep off the streets and behind bars where they were no longer a danger to society but another part of him knew only too well how Steve felt about too much media attention and that was the part that concerned him the most. Nuala could see Mike in a world of his own and she touched his arm softly.
"Mike? What's the matter? You don't seem too pleased about the fact that Steve's being hailed as a hero. I don't understand. Surely that's a good thing for everyone including Steve. Wouldn't recognition like that boost his career?"
Mike came out of his thoughts, looked at Nuala and forced a smile.
"Normally, I'd say yes but sometimes the media attention can be a more of a hindrance than a blessing. If they were to leave it at that then it's not too bad but sometimes when the media gets frenzied like this they don't let up that easy and try to use every means at their disposal legal or otherwise to get the detective's name they're looking for. Then things get messy. Apart from the fact, that Steve hates the attention. If he knew he was all over the evening news he'd ... well let's just say that I wouldn't want to see what he'd do. No ... best to keep it from him for the time being and hope the attention eases off. Right now he's got enough on his plate to contend with without that."
"Come on Mike. Let's go see how he's doing." Nuala suggested trying to take Mike's mind off his new found concerns and it worked as Mike turned and nodded purposefully and followed Nuala back to cubicle one.