Going Under
Chapter 14
A/N : Sorry for the delay in updating. I have been offline for a while. Thank you to all those who have read and reviewed it so far. Here is the next instalment.
Mike had stirred his second cup of coffee for the thirtieth time without realizing. He was lost in his thoughts watching the clock on the wall of the coffee shop. About forty minutes had passed since Lenny had headed up to Steve and Mike couldn't stop wondering how things were going. He couldn't help but remember how upset Steve had been the last time he had seen him. He had seen the hurt in his eyes and while he had turned his head away to hide his upset, Mike had noticed the tears in his eyes. Steve had been through so much and now he had to suffer an evaluation and while he knew Lenny would be true to his word and would go easy on Steve, he also knew that in his current emotional state talking to Lenny wouldn't be easy.
Before Mike had a chance to think any more, someone shouted his name and as he turned around his heart sank as he saw Lenny dashing towards the coffee shop and heading straight towards him alarmed and slightly out of breath. Abandoning his cup of coffee he grabbed his coat and hat and rushed out to him.
"Lenny what's wrong? Is it Steve?" Mike asked shakily, sensing that something had gone terribly wrong with the evaluation.
Lenny nodded his head.
"Yes. You better come quick. I'll fill you in on the way!"
The two men hurried toward the elevator and as they waited for it to arrive Lenny told Mike about how Steve had seemed out of sorts while they had their talk and how suddenly Steve had grabbed his right arm and appeared to be in a lot of discomfort. As they stepped into the elevator, Lenny told him how the nurse had examined his arm and told them that the I.V had infiltrated and how she had to remove the needle. Mike winced out of sympathy knowing full well Steve's aversion to needles.
"He was complaining about that needle being sore when they put it in when I was with him earlier! Did he get upset at your questions?" Mike asked curiously.
"No. This time it wasn't all my fault Mike! I went to get the doctor and the nurse went to get some ice for his arm and ... well ... he decided to go looking for you! He said he had to find you and tell you he was sorry."
"He got out of bed?" Mike asked horrified. "Looking for me?"
"Yes. He only made it outside the door though when he keeled over ... and passed out!"
The elevator doors had been slow to close so Mike pressed the third floor button repeatedly and impatiently.
"What's the matter with this thing?" Mike asked getting frustrated out of concern for his partner.
Knowing that Steve had fallen while he had been looking for him trying to apologize made the older man feel worse. As the doors finally closed and the elevator headed up towards the third floor Lenny put a calming hand on Mike's shoulder.
"Mike, take it easy. Between me and another orderly we managed to get him back into bed and the doctor was with him when I left. He was starting to come around and he was agitated looking for you so I came to get you. I think he'll calm down when he sees you."
Mike smiled at Lenny for his thoughtfulness and as the elevator doors opened on the third floor both men made their way quickly to Steve's room. Entering the room, the sight of Steve in the bed turned Mike's blood cold. He looked as white as a ghost. He had his eyes shut tight and seemed to be in a lot of pain and discomfort. His right arm was elevated and a nurse was standing over it holding an ice pack where the needle had been and on the other side the Doctor was taking his pulse and trying to talk to Steve but wasn't getting much response.
Seeing Mike enter, the Doctor addressed him.
"Mike! I need you over here. He's been asking for you. His pulse is racing. I need you to talk to him and calm him down. He's not responding for me!"
Mike didn't have to be asked twice and passing behind where the doctor stood he quickly pulled up the chair beside the bed and stroking Steve's forehead he spoke reassuringly.
"Steve? Steve, it's Mike. I need you to look at me now."
Steve stirred slightly at the sound of Mike's voice and although he didn't open his eyes he turned his head in the direction the voice came from and a faint pain filled word left his lips.
"Mike ...?"
"Yes, Steve. I'm here! You better open your eyes and take a look for yourself if you don't believe me. Come on now!"
Steve forced his sore eyes open a little and struggled to keep them that way. But seeing Mike's face, Steve became agitated and grabbing out blindly and catching Mike's arm he spoke emotionally.
"MIKE! ... I'm sorry ! ... I shouldn't ... have sent you away. I'm really sorry ..."
"Shush now. Calm down. You don't have anything to be sorry for. You had every right to be upset. I'm sorry too. Ok? "
"But Mike ... you were right. There is something in that box! I have to tell you about it ..." but as his head pounded, his eyes closed again and he groaned.
"Now, now. It's ok. Take it easy! My gut instinct is rarely wrong but you don't have to tell me now. You need to feel better first ok? Steve, you're in too much pain to go upsetting yourself more. Let the doctor help you and when you're feeling better you can tell me all about it...ok?
Steve nodded painfully.
"Ok ... but Mike ... I am sorry ..."
"I know, I know. Hey, we're ok ...you and me. Alright?"
As Steve looked at Mike once more and appreciated his words and his presence Mike saw the gratitude in his eyes and squeezed his hand.
"Now you talk to the doctor so he can help you ok? I'll be right here with you.I'm not going anywhere. Ok?
Steve nodded very carefully due to the blinding pain throbbing through his skull and turned his head back towards the Doctor gingerly.
The Doctor was smiling at Mike's ability to get through to his young partner and acknowledged his help with an admiring nod. Then turning his attention back to Steve and seeing him wincing visibly he posed his first question.
"How bad is the headache now Steve on a scale of one to ten?"
Steve rubbed at his forehead again with his eyes shut tight and was watched very closely by Mike with a worried look on his face.
Shakily he answered.
"Six ..." and as another merciless throbbing began he continued "maybe seven and I ... feel really sick ..."
Steve hadn't let on to his increasing nausea up to this although the Doctor had reckoned that it probably was going hand in hand with Steve's pounding headache.
"What about your eyes. Are they hurting in bright lights?"
"A little ... but not like before."
Turning his attention now to Steve's swollen and bruised arm that was packed in ice he continued.
"Steve, do you have any pins and needles in your right hand or any numbness at all?"
Steve wasn't expecting that question and shot the Doctor a worried glance through half-opened eyes.
"No ... I don't think so. Why did you ask that?"
"The needle that was in your arm moved and the iv fluid leaked into the surrounding tissue. That's what caused the swelling. I just had to be sure the swelling wasn't affecting the nerves in your hand. Looks like we caught it in time. The ice will help bring the swelling down."
Listening to the Doctor, Mike intervened.
"Has his migraine come back again?"
"I don't think it ever fully went Mike. Like I told you a migraine of that severity can last as long as two days. We were just keeping it at bay with the painkillers. We need to give him another shot of painkiller and anti sickness medicine. But he really needs some proper rest. And your evaluation will have to wait Lenny! He's not up to it just yet."
Lenny nodded at the Doctor, suitably embarrassed and feeling guilty that his difficult questions had probably caused Steve's headache to worsen. Steve felt relieved that the Doctor had rescued him from Lenny's painful questions but was alarmed at the thought of more needles.
"No! ... No more needles ..." he responded shakily catching everyone by surprise.
Knowing Steve's hatred of needles Mike questioned the Doctor on his behalf.
"Couldn't you give him pills instead Doc?"
"Mike. The injections kick in faster and will make him more comfortable sooner as well as the fact that with his nausea so bad I can't be sure he wouldn't throw them back up. I'm sorry Mike but he has to get two more shots."
Knowing that the Doctor was right Mike turned his attention back to the young man in the bed.
"He's right Steve. The needles will have you feeling better quicker. I know you're fed up with them but just two more ok? Then you'll be done with them. Alright?"
Steve groaned but not wanting to make a scene he just nodded reluctantly. Not being able to use the sore arm the Doctor tried to get a vein in Steve's other arm but wasn't successful. The only one he could get was in the back of his left hand. Knowing how Steve despised needles and how sore that spot can be for injections Dr. Armstrong broached the subject very carefully.
"Steve. You have the worst veins I've seen in a long time. I'm going to have to give you these in the back of your hand but you must keep your hand still for me. I want you to make a fist and we'll get this over with as quickly as possible. Ok?"
Steve was not overjoyed at the prospect but again with Mike and Lenny in attendance he was doing his best to put on a brave front so he made a fist as requested but could feel his heart starting to pound faster. As the Doctor inserted the needle he flinched involuntarily and the Doctor chastised him for it.
"Steve! You must stay still!"
Seeing Steve struggling Mike intervened and held his hand still for him and spoke soothingly to him noticing a cold sweat breaking out on his forehead at the ordeal.
"Ok Steve. Take it easy. Breathe nice and slow through it and it will be over in no time."
Steve's head was pounding and the nausea was threatening to overwhelm him at the sensation of the needle pushing medicine into the vein in the back of his hand. Mike could feel Steve trembling from where he was holding his wrist still and studied him closely. He had his eyes closed and was swallowing repeatedly. Looking up at the Doctor, Mike spoke quietly.
"Doc. You better finish this up quickly. The boy's looking a bit green around the gills!"
"Alright Mike. I noticed. We're just done." and with that the doctor removed the needle and placing cotton wool on the spot he got Mike to press down on it to stop the bleeding. Then turning to Steve he issued instructions.
"Ok Steve, just take it easy now. Those shots should kick in very soon and you'll feel better. Then it's strict, quiet rest for you for at least the next twelve hours if we're going to beat this migraine and I want you to drink lots of water and keep hydrated as soon as the nausea goes away. Ok?"
Steve nodded but remained with his eyes shut tight. With that the Doctor's pager went off and looking at it, he sighed.
"I'm needed in the ER again. I have to go. I'll pop back as soon as I can to check on you Steve. Mike, make sure he takes things easy " and with that the Doctor turned and left the room.
Mike glanced anxiously at Steve and patted his arm.
"You did good buddy boy. You can relax now."
Mike could see Steve visibly relax and he smiled although his smile faded as he lifted the cotton wool to see if the bleeding had stopped only to see a large bruise spreading over the back of Steve's hand. Alerting the nurse she went to fetch some ice for it. When she returned with the ice, Mike thanked her and placed it on Steve's hand causing Steve to flinch.
"Easy, easy Mike!" he said painfully.
"Sorry buddy boy. Is it very sore?"
Again Steve nodded carefully. Examining the back of Steve's hand and wincing sympathetically Mike continued.
"Well, I'm not surprised. Your veins seem to have a bigger aversion to needles than you have buddy boy! If we don't get you out of here soon you're going to be one large walking bruise!"
Steve forced a half-smile but Mike saw through it.
"Just try to rest now Steve until the pain eases."
Lenny chimed in next unexpectedly.
"Mike, my sister used to suffer migraines. A cold compress on the forehead can help sometimes."
"Good idea Lenny! Here hold this on his hand for me."
While Lenny took over ice pack duty Mike headed for the sink. Retrieving his ever-present clean handkerchief from his pocket, he ran the water and soaked the handkerchief in the ice-cold water and wrung it out. Then returning to Steve, he placed it on Steve's forehead. Steve flinched at first but then relaxed as the cool compress gave some relief to the throbbing pain that was assaulting him mercilessly. Taking back over icepack duty from Lenny, Mike sat down and spoke softly.
"Does that help buddy boy?" Mike asked hopefully.
"Yeah ... thanks."
"Good, now don't try to talk. Just lie still and give those meds a chance to kick in. There'll be plenty of time to talk later."
Lenny pulled the blinds and darkened the room and the two men sat and watched the young man in the bed for around half an hour. Steve had lain still for the whole time, not moving much with his eyes closed and Mike had changed the cool compress a couple of times during that time. Lenny and Mike had chatted quietly while the young man rested. Steve hadn't opened his eyes once and the two men had assumed that he had drifted off to sleep. After half an hour, he seemed to have relaxed. He was breathing steadily and the pain that had been visibly etched on his face seemed to have eased. Turning to Lenny, Mike spoke.
"He seems a little easier now. Hopefully he'll sleep for a while."
Lenny nodded but then Steve's voice caught the two men off guard.
"I'm not asleep ... I was just resting my eyes."
Opening his eyes Steve looked at Mike and smiled. Mike smiled back.
"I thought you'd drifted off. How's the pain now?"
"Yeah ... It's better. Although I think I'm getting frostbite in two places!" Steve added referring to the ice packs on his arm and hand.
Mike chuckled and removed the one on his hand.
"Well, I can take this one off but the nurse has to give you the all clear on the other one. Looks like your sense of humour is back at least. That has to be a good sign."
Steve smiled and then turned serious again.
"Mike ..."
Mike patted his arm. "You really are itching to tell me what's chewing on you huh? What do you think Lenny? Is the boy up to it?"
Lenny looked between the two men and gave his answer.
"In my job, when someone is ready to share it's usually beneficial to let them. If his headache has eased up, I don't see the harm in it but then your medical doctor might disagree with me."
Mike studied Steve closely and decided that the boy had waited long enough to tell Mike what he needed to.
"Ok buddy boy. If you feel up to it. Lenny, could you give us a few minutes please?"
But as Lenny stood up to leave Steve spoke again.
"No Mike. Lenny can stay."
Lenny hadn't expected that reaction and shot Mike a curious glance which Mike returned.
"Are you sure Steve?"
"Yeah ... it's ok. He needs to hear this too. "
Lenny sat back down and was moved by the fact that Steve was allowing him to stay while he revealed personal details to Mike.
"Ok buddy boy. Take your time. We're listening."
Steve seemed to take a deep breath as if to compose himself and then looking at Mike he spoke shakily.
"The rescue was a rough one and I'll admit it shook me a bit but that's not what caused my migraine. And Lenny, it's nothing to do with my parents ... Helping Ruby stirred up some memories that I never really dealt with I guess and they've been back in my mind ever since."
Mike had listened carefully and was becoming a little anxious about the reason behind Steve's current angst.
"Is it about your Grandfather?"
"Yeah .. you see Mike ..." Steve swallowed hard as he struggled to tell Mike about the bad memory that he had never revealed to anyone before and felt the lump return to his throat. "I found him ..."
Slightly confused and even more anxious Mike replied.
"Steve. You've lost me now. What do you mean by you found him?"
"The day he ... passed away ... I ... I found him ..." Steve said getting upset.
Mike's blood ran cold and he exchanged a worried glance with Lenny. Almost afraid of the answer he would receive he asked his next question.
"Steve. How old were you when you ... found him?"
"Fifteen. I was fifteen."
Lenny intervened at this stage and seeing Steve struggling with his emotions he placed a hand on Steve's shoulder.
"Steve, finding someone we care about like that is traumatic at any age but at fifteen you were still just a child. Take your time and tell us what happened slowly ok? There's no pressure. If you need to stop at any stage or you feel you can't continue that's ok."
Then both men exchanged a brief concerned glance between them as they watched the young man in the bed closely and waited to hear what trauma he had suffered that would cause him such pain and heartache.