Thanks to the Reviewers. I just wanted you guys to know I do read each and everyone, and appreciate them all. I don't always know what to say to you other than thank you for taking the time to do them. I don't usually send a thanks by email, because most of the time they are anonoymous and when they aren't well, lol I still don't know what to say other than thank you.
Also, about this chapter, lol, I had so much done on it, then my comp didn't save correctly...and long story short (yea first for M thats for sure lol) I had to redo most of it. And as most authors will tell you...it isn't what it was, but its ok I guess. lol
So, now that its finally finished...after I had my little tantrum and threatened to take my comp apart by one 'one and zero' at a time lol here it is..
Enjoy, M
Reality
Chapter 28
Stepping into the cab, Jamie was so angry she almost couldn't speak, but worry and fear were vying for tops over even that, as for Rose, sitting already in the backseat waiting on her, she was pale and wringing her hands nervously as Moe leaned into the window one last time and put his hand on hers to still them, "Ma, its going to be ok, I promise. CJ's not really leaving remember, and March won't be far away, I'll be fine."
Studying his face as if she were committing it to memory, Rose nodded and attempted to smile, but failed miserably, her voice shaky, "Maurice, I know its going to be ok, but I'm your mother, its my job to worry, remember?" She gave a small laugh that almost turned to a distressed cry then quickly asked, "How is CJ getting back here without anyone seeing him? You aren't really going to be here all night alone are you? Because if you are..." she started to attempt to open her door and was stopped by Moe.
"Ma," he pleaded with her, "please, ok, don't do this. Ceege is going to hike back as soon as its dark, one of March's deputies is going to pick him up in his personal car at the hotel, I told you all this already, he's going to drop him off at one of the houses near the end of the road here, and then Ceege will walk in as soon as its dark enough. March is going to come by like he does just to 'check up on us' and set up the surveillance equipment, I won't be alone long. Now please, just try to pretend to enjoy the hotel, and take a walk on the beach this afternoon, you don't know who's watching remember?" Glancing over at Jamie who was refusing to look his way he added, "That goes for both of you, please?"
Snapping her head around to stare him down, Jamie's only comment made him want to laugh, but self preservation prevented him from doing so, "Oh don't worry, I'll have a good time, and its going on YOUR tab! I hope you don't want this credit card back in one piece!" Her attempt at humor for Rose's benefit, but Moe knew she was still steaming hot and he tried to give her the smile that usually melted her, only this time the fire in her eyes didn't soften, instead he heard CJ cough in the front seat as he also tried not to laugh.
Reaching in the window he whapped CJ on the back of his head, "Shut up Caster..." leaned in and kissed Rose on the cheek adding, "love you Ma, call me when you get a room number, ok?"
Nodding Rose patted his cheek and agreed, then Moe stood back as CJ told the Cab Driver, who was actually another of March's deputies working undercover as their 'bodyguard', that they were ready to leave.
Moe watched them pull away, waving at the retreating car and was a bit surprised but greatly relieved when Jamie turned to stare back at him, a small wave of her own telling him she might be mad enough to flame him and burn a hole in his credit card, but not so mad she wouldn't forgive him for shutting her out of this. He watched until they rounded the bank of trees along the drive then returned to the house to wait until dark, hoping that March was right, that the Slasher would wait until at least dark, if not tomorrow before he returned. Then he wondered if Jamie was serious about getting that credit card cut up by maxing it out, and chuckled to himself as he anticipated her reaction if she asked about the limit on it, he'd given her one of his 'Lyons' cards, something he'd gotten right before the attack. She'd play hell maxing that sucker out and a small part of him hoped she'd make an attempt, but he sighed as he knew she'd probably not do more than put the room and meals on it, it would have been fun to answer the phone when she found out though.
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Later, nearly night:
Hooking the small wire of the microphone around the button of Moe's shirt collar, CJ looked him straight into his eyes, stating softly, "You don't have to do this you know."
"I know," Moe replied quietly as he broke the eye contact while plugging the other end of the wire into the tiny recorder transmitter taped to his waist, his tone changing to reflect the grimace on his face, "you know this is going to hurt when it comes off." His change of subject not unnoticed by March who was checking the receiver to make sure everything was working as he studied the two men but remained silent as the idea for this wasn't his to begin with, but in fact was Boscorelli's.
"Only if you let Jamie take it off," CJ getting the hint teased as he smirked down at him before he stepped back and slapped Moe on the shoulder, "done." Glancing back at March he asked, "You ready with that thing?"
"Yep," March stood up, "soon as he gets his clothes in order, I need to get going. Say something Moe," he moved a few dials on the receiver as Moe spoke a few words, then grinned, "works fine." He walked over to the door, "I'll head out now, it will only take about twenty minutes for us to get into place, you let me know when you're coming outside, oh and CJ, stay out of sight even if you have to wait in the bathroom all night. I hope you brought some food in there already, if he sees anyone besides Boscorelli he's not going to bite, he has to believe that you and the ladies left and are gone for good."
Staring at him then grinning CJ remarked, "Yea, I know, this is not the first time I've done this Chief, I've worked undercover before." Taking the second small receiver so that he could hear what was going on also, from March he headed to the back of the house, doing as March had suggested.
Nodding March refrained from another comment and exited the room as the deputy who had come with him but whom had stood the entire time next to the door between it and the window against the wall so that CJ could move about the house with them so that the attacker would not see four instead of three men, now followed him out.
Moe walked March to the door, as he always did, then after closing the door turned and followed CJ who had already entered the bathroom off of Rose's bedroom, where he raised his brow to CJ but knowing the Chief would hear everything they said he simply shrugged and pointed to his collar then winked. CJ laughed, "Well, now we just wait until you get attacked I guess." But the laugh didn't go with the serious expression of worry on his face, it was simply for March's benefit, if he'd had it his way, this would not be happening. But the argument had been done and over with two days ago, Moe had insisted and now there was no turning back.
It was time to bait the hook, and CJ was afraid this time the fish wouldn't get a 'save' in time if something went wrong.
"No, not we Ceege, ME," Moe grew serious again, "you need to stay out of sight, in here because its the only bathroom without a window, and yea I know you already know that." Glancing around the small room he asked, "You need anything?" He then spied the snacks CJ had already put on the counter, "Nevermind," a light laugh erupting from him, "I should have known you wouldn't stray far from the food. Ok," a deep sigh leaving him, "I'll just be in the living room watching TV for a while, don't want to look to obvious here so it might be a while before I head outside."
"Ok," CJ nodded as he took a seat on the closed toilet lid, giving Moe a pointed look, as he seriously commented, "you mind? I'd like a bit of privacy..."
"Oh funny," Moe shook his head as he closed the door behind him, "but, you might want to try cleaning something in here while you wait before I tell your mother what a pig you are!"
He heard something soft hit the door as it closed all the way, then heard the small receiver being turned on, the grin he was wearing quickly fading as he moved about the house quietly, trying to make it all look normal that he was alone now.
In the kitchen he opened the fridge and snagged a soda, leaving the beer he'd liked to have had alone for now, then opened the pantry and rummaged around for something to snack on before he headed to the livingroom and turned the TV on. Settling back on the couch, sipping the soda and munching on the chips he'd found, Moe realized after several minutes he had no idea what he was watching, the feeling of being watched suddenly overwhelming as he came to the conclusion that he hoped it was March and not the attacker. But he also knew he'd not admit his feeling of anxiety if asked, he wanted this guy as bad if not more so than March did. His hand slipping to his knee as he brought his foot up onto the opposite knee as he lightly ran his fingers down his calf until he felt the small holster attached to his ankle; lightly stroking his fingers and then his palm across the snap as if to reassure himself the ankle gun was actually in place in case he needed it and that he could indeed access it quickly.
XXXX
Setting the second soda he'd drunk in his wait for something to occur down upon the bathroom counter, CJ counted the towels sitting above on a shelf once more, then opened up the small drawer below the counter to again rifle through the contents as he'd already done several times. Boredom not a friend of his, he was anxious and bored at the same time as he waited for something to come over the small radio receiver besides the sounds from the TV and Moe's chewing of what sounded like chips, that or he was knawing on bricks. A snicker coming from him as he shut the drawer and returned to sit on the edge of the tub where he proceeded to play with the bottles of bath wash and the bath sponge, again. When it occurred to him that Rose might not appreciate him messing with all this stuff, he dropped the sponge back into the small glass holder as he gave a sigh wishing he'd brought something to read, or at least more food.
Waiting during a stakeout was for CJ, as most cops found to their dismay, the hardest part, but waiting for someone you knew as out to kill your best friend was agony. His greatest fear at this moment was that he'd not hear or rather not realize what was going on until it was too late to matter. Moe running along that road didn't hear nor see this guy until he was run over, literally, by him; to CJ that meant the man was exceptionally quiet in his movements. Perhaps quiet enough to slip into the house without any of them realizing it until he'd gotten to Moe again. Standing up about to head to the door as his thoughts of 'what if' began to take over CJ heard over the small receiver, "ninety nine bottles of beer on the wall, ninety nine bottles of beer, take one down pass it around ninety eight bottles of beer on the wall" then only the sound of the TV, then more 'singing', "I had a girl, her name was Pearl, I gave her a twirl so she'd give me a whirl...", more silence, this one a bit longer, then, "One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish, Horton hears a who, who knew? The Grinch knew that's who..." CJ knew that March was probably dying laughing, but he was the one having trouble staying quiet suddenly as he bit back a burst of laughter and was seriously wanting to kill Moe right now for it.
Moe grinning like a fool, was bored out of his mind and knew what he was doing to CJ but changed the channel on the TV to cartoons anyway, now he had more to play with as Scooby Doo appeared on the screen, so instead of singing, he decided to 'narrate the scene' for CJ's benefit. "Ohh ohh man, Shaggy's going to be so pissed, Velma just ate the last Scooby Snack! Yep, there he comes and boy does he look mad! She's gonna get it now, look out Velma! Oh hell, nevermind, Scooby found a new box, whew that was close! Oh Oh look its the ghost one! No, no don't go in there Scooby! Oh man this is so scary, you know somebody should have given that dog a gun, of course with those paws he'd be a horrible shot. Kind of like a partner of mine..." He stuffed a few more chips into his mouth and began chewing, knowing that both the narration and the chewing would make CJ nuts, and he was enjoying every moment, proving once again, boredom was neither of their friend.
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Outside the house the man studied the picture before him, one he was suspicious of; the picture of the Man he was going to 'help' sitting on the couch watching TV and seeming to be talking to the television as he did so. Earlier that day he'd seen the two women and the other man that had come to live here with the Man in town walking around and had followed them to see them enter the Holiday Inn Hotel. He'd walked casually into the lobby and had watched them head to the elevators, again following them at a distance he saw the doors close and quickly went to watch the numbers rise until they stopped. Stepping into the other elevator he pressed the ninth floor button and once there he stepped off to see the younger man entering a room by himself but not before one of the women stepped back out of another room to tell him that they would be meeting him for lunch in a little while after they freshened up first then she asked him if he wanted to take a walk on the beach after or wait.
Not waiting to hear the man's reply, his curiosity overwhelming him, he returned to the lobby where he asked one of the desk clerks if his 'favorite room' was available, to be told no that someone had booked the room overnight but it would be available the following night as the party in the room was flying out in the morning. She asked him if he'd like to book the room now, and he told her that he would return in the morning as he'd left his wallet back at the condo where he was staying with friends overnight. She smiled and told him she hoped he'd return as he turned away and left.
He didn't notice she was a different woman than had been at the desk when the party of three and himself had entered the hotel lobby, nor did he notice the other woman return from the restroom to ask if anyone had inquired about the rooms that Ms. Richards had booked for overnight. She was told yes, but it was too late, he was gone already and the young woman who'd not been informed yet of the Chief's orders to call him had not really paid much attention to the man once he'd said he wasn't staying overnight other than he was average looking and dressed like most everyone else on the island in casual clothing.
Again he'd escaped, and again he didn't know how close it had been, now he was standing watching the Man he'd soon help, the knife he'd not lost in the trees held tightly in his grip as he slowly rubbed his thumb along its razor honed edge, a small sliver of a line of dark red blood welling up along his thumbs pad as his lust for helping grew.
Soon, soon he'd complete his helping and the Man would know how much he really cared about him, he only wished the others had allowed him the same chance to help them and had not left before he could return to complete their change. They were so precious to him, of all he'd come across he'd picked them out special when he had seen their need for change, their need for someone to see their pain and make it go away, someone to free them from everything that kept them tied to this existence and now he would finally after all the long waiting show the Man how wonderful the change could be...the line of blood along his thumb grew until it began to drip slowly upon the ground below him.
Soon...
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Watching the phone's red light not glow, hearing it not ring, Jamie again changed the channel on the Television set in the hotel room as she waited for some word from Moe or CJ or even from March. Anxiety becoming the catch word of everyone involved, it was eating her from the inside out, something, a gut feeling, woman's intuition, whatever it was it was telling her that tonight was it. Glancing over at Rose who sat at the small table next to the tiny balcony window reading a magazine, she tried not to let Rose see how anxious she was, although she was pretty sure the feeling was mutually shared by both of them.
"Rose," Jamie started, "would you like me to order something to eat or drink? OR I could go down to the concessions in the lobby and get a snack?" At first she was hoping Rose would say yes to the snack as she needed to get out of the room and walk around a bit, then in the next thought wished she'd not said anything in case Rose did want something, as that meant she'd be leaving the phone behind, cell phone reception was horrible on the island. Not something one usually cared about when one is on an island hiding out, but now she wished like hell that it worked better.
"I could use something to drink," Rose glanced up from her magazine, one she wasn't actually reading and had no real idea what it was about as she was only using it to keep her mind occupied, much as Jamie was using the TV set, "but lets order from room service. I saw it closes at eleven, so its still open, I don't want to take a chance the phone rings..." she locked eyes with Jamie a moment, "I'm not sure I can answer it..."
Nodding Jamie leaned over and stated, "I was hoping you'd say room service because I want to be here if it does ring," picking up the menu she asked, "so, what looks good to you?"
XXXX
Walking out onto the back porch, Moe softly commented to the listeners, "Crap, somebody could have reminded me it was still cold," immediately returning into the house where he snagged a coat from the hook next to the front door. Walking out the back door , again, slipping his coat on as he did so, he slowly made his way to the rail where he leaned over it and pretended to study the water that was reflecting the moon's glow. The lights of the interior of the house shining enough on the decking to give a false illusion that it wasn't pitch as black outside the small circle of lighting. Moe though knew better, and he damn well hoped he didn't have to 'walk around in the yard' to get this character to make a move, if he did, he wasn't going to be happy that was for damn sure, even with the small flashlight in his pocket.
Deciding to sit for a while, Moe walked over to drag one of the lounge chairs more into the middle of the deck, making himself a more prominent target as he plopped down and lay back against the cushion, his half grumpy comment making CJ inside the house again roll his eyes, "finally, no more house guests, just me and myself, yep no more partner stealing all the beer or TV time."
XXXX
March sitting in his RMP just a bit down the driveway deeply ensconced in the trees along the small road, his two deputies waiting with him shook his head as he overheard Moe tormenting CJ again, a small smirk on his face he hoped that Moe wasn't as calm and arrogant as he sounded, he knew if it had been him awaiting an attacker whom had already gotten him once, he'd be nervous as hell. When he'd heard the scraping of the deck lounge chair over the wood he'd for a second thought that something was happening, then he heard Moe begin his comments that were obviously directed towards CJ and relaxed again, drinking from his thermos cup as he and the deputies joked about how Caster was going to get Boscorelli back for his tormenting. Several long minutes passed with more chewing of the loud chips and comments when suddenly he heard Moe speaking in surprise and a scowl coming over his own face he wondered what in the heck Caster was thinking coming out onto the deck and breaking cover...
XXXX
Having heard Moe's comments, CJ was impatiently waiting now for the opportunity to tell him off, even if he knew it was a game Moe was playing with him, he knew the others could hear, and as Moe continued to comment on his 'greedy and lazy' house-guest, CJ's eye rolling turned to plotting against his deranged partner. Moe became silent for a minute or two, but CJ could hear him breathing as well as more chip's being chewed, when suddenly there was a light knocking at the bathroom door, standing quickly, he grinned as he started to the door, "I'm naked in here, but if you have to come in come on in I know how much you like seeing what a REAL man looks..." his words, which he hoped March and the others could hear knowing that they would torment Moe over them were cut off as the door slammed open on him catching him in his chest and driving him backwards from the force. Before he could reason out what was happening a white hot burning agony shot through his right side as he was rushed, falling and unable to stop his decent, his short cry of surprise and attempted warning was cut off as his head struck the side of the tub...
XXXX
Moe quiet for a few minutes, giving CJ a break now sat up and turned around as he heard the back door open, his surprise was evident as was his irritation as he complained to the silhouette outlined just outside the doorway by the light coming from inside the house, "CASTER what the hell are you thinking get the hell back inside before you blow our cov..." Moe's insides clenched as his mind went in several different directions at once with the feelings of confusion blending in with fear and a sense of nausea rushing into blind anger and panic as he saw the glint of light reflected off of the large kitchen knife held in the downward hanging hand of the man in the doorway, and knew it wasn't CJ he was looking at in horror as a red dripping fell from the sideways angled blade, his half whispered, "Oh god...no" becoming a near scream as he charged up off of the chair, "MARCH, MARCH HE WAS IN THE HOUSE, HE WAS IN THE HOUSE! CJ, CJ, CASTER WHERE ARE YOU...OH GOD WHAT DID YOU DO TO HIM YOU SON OF A BITCH!"
Moe froze, his next words lost as the man who'd attacked him spoke to him for the first time, his voice soft but insistent as if he wanted to both soothe and convince Moe of his sincerity, almost ignoring what Moe had half screamed at him, "I helped the man inside your house, he asked me to help him. I did." He took a step out of the house as Moe backed up one step, blinking at the madman's words Moe was trying to digest what he was being told, and was in horror denying what he was hearing as the man continued, "I could feel his pain, I released him from it. Like I tried to help you before, now I can help you release your pain, its time..." He started toward Moe, slowly lifting the knife as he walked patiently to him...
XXXX
March heard Moe's words and at first thought CJ had heard enough, but at the same time something in his gut told him otherwise, and as they changed to agonized screaming for him and CJ he yelled at his deputy to "GO, GO DAMN IT, GO!" Roaring out of the trees and down the drive as March heard the rest of the conversation between them as the man 'explained' that he had not only 'helped' CJ but now had to 'help' Moe then he heard cursing and running footsteps across the decking then a short yell and the receiver went silent then he heard more cursing and another cry then heavy breathing with the sound of branches being struck.
Slamming the car to a stop, the deputy driving exited the car, March and the other deputy running with him to the house, March yelling for him to "GO AROUND THE BACK" while he told the other deputy to "CHECK ON CASTER, GO!" Then March rounded the river side of the house, hoping against hope that Moe had managed to escape the madman's attack...
XXXX
Shaking his head in pain, CJ attempted to clear the fog of his vision while rolling to his stomach as he tried to get to his knees. One hand lifting weakly to explore the rapidly growing lump on the back of his head he groaned as he felt the thick blood coating his hair and running down his neck to soak his collar, his other hand flinching as he touched his torn side feeling the slickness of blood drenching his sweater. A large hole sliced through the cotton weaving another having split his tee-shirt underneath matching the long slicing rip in his side, fighting back nausea he struggled to his feet to stagger to the towel rack where he drug a towel down to press tightly against his side. Ignoring the pain he used it instead to focus on having to get out of the bathroom and to Moe whom he could hear still although it sounded as though he were fighting something off now, moving quickly across the bedroom floor he was in the hallway when he staggered and fell against the wall, fighting a feeling of sickness and more blurry vision before finally reaching the back door. Outside as fast as he could make it without falling down, CJ stared in shock at the empty deck before him, the yard beyond absent of light now that the moon was behind the bank of clouds coming out from the west obscuring the night sky, his voice rough he was making his way across the deck to the steps when he called out, "MOE, MOE, MAURICE WHERE ARE YOU?"
XXXX
March could now hear CJ as he rounded the back of the house, he could hear Moe breathing heavily over the receiver he held still in his possession but could not pinpoint his location from it, spotting CJ just stepping down into the yard moving away from the house. March ran to him, asking worriedly, "Are you alright?" Then caught him as turning to March he went down, his grip as he grabbed for support stronger than March would have expected as he saw the blood soaked sweater and saw his pale face in the light from the house, "Hang in there Caster..."
"Moe," CJ breathed out, finding it harder to do so than he'd expected, "he's after him...he was in the house Chief..." Gasping he fought to stay awake but was quickly losing that battle as his vision further blurred and the pain in his head intensified, "Help hi..."
"I will Caster, I'll find him, don't you worry..." March assured him then lowered him to the ground where he called to the deputy coming quickly upon them, "call for Barty, and stay with him, keep pressure on his side..." Standing he didn't wait to see if his deputy would do as asked as he knew he would, then took off as he heard more yelling coming from the river...
XXXX
Moe moved through the trees using them as shields as he tried to keep the madman at bay and not stumble and fall in the darkness, his fear of the surrounding dark overcome for the temporary as he was more afraid of the knife at this moment than of what could be lurking. This time there really were things to fear in the darkness and it held a razor sharp blade which Moe had already felt the sting of once, he had no intention of doing so again, tripping over tree roots and trying to not fall into the fast flowing river were the least of his concerns, then he felt a blow to his back and the fall he had been working against became reality.
Rolling against a tree, Moe cried out from pain as his chest injury again made itself known, he'd braced himself as he fell but still was surprised at how much it hurt to do so. Instantly he was on his hands and knees moving at as fast a crawl as he could, trying to not be a target for the knife he sensed was on its way.
A grasping hand on the waistband of his jeans caught hold of his belt, he felt the man's legs tangling with his as he was dragged to a halt and thrown onto his back, but this was not the unsuspecting Moe from before and without hesitation he threw his feet up and kicked out, striking the madman in his stomach as he leaned down toward Moe with the knife held high in his fist. The man was thrown against the tree behind him and bounced off in anger at having to work so hard at his 'helping', "YOU HAVE TO LET ME HELP YOU...I FEEL YOUR PAIN, YOU NEED TO BE RELEASED!"
"RELEASE THIS!" Moe yelled as he kicked out again as the man fell upon him, his kick not as effective in such close proximity he was able to deflect the man enough to grab his wrist and hold tight against the next stabbing blow but was fast losing the battle against the stronger and larger man...
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Answering the hotel room door, Jamie felt her heart leap into her throat as the woman deputy standing before her gave a hesitant nervous smile, "Ms. Richards, Chief March sent me to bring you and Mrs. Boscorelli to the hospital," she held up her hand at Rose's exclamation and rushing to the door, "no one was killed mamn" she explained quickly, "but you do need to come with me now, they caught the man," she stepped back as both Jamie and Rose exited the room then escorted them to the elevator and then to her waiting car, answering with what information she had, "he seems to have gotten into the house, but as far as I can tell, no one knows how he did it, the front door and windows were locked up tight. Chief only gave me a little bit of information, the Paramedic and the ambulance were leaving and that's all he had time for before telling me to come and get you, I don't know who was hurt or how badly, only that he said you needed to come."
Exchanging frightened glances, Rose and Jamie grasped hands as they both silently prayed that the men were ok.
Soon they had reached the hospital and rushing through the doors were met by March, before they could even ask, he told them, "I'll take you to them, this way."
Entering the exam room he led them too, Jamie's breath was caught as she saw Moe lying on the bed with his eyes closed, bloody scratches on his cheek and forehead he had his hand over his chest and a grimace on his face. Eyes quickly scanning him for more injury she stepped closer as Rose reached his other side, "Maurice, baby are you ok?"
Opening his eyes, Moe gave a half smile to his mother, whispering, "Yea, my chest just hurts some, the Doc wants to take a look at it, but I'm ok." Glancing around he spotted Jamie and held out his hand to her, "We got him, we got him."
Kissing his hand, Jamie grinned, "Of course you did honey, but what happened? Why are you scratched up and where is CJ, I would have thought he'd be here bragging all over himself!"
"I fell," Moe partially evaded her question, "no biggie, but I might have pulled something doing it," he suddenly had a haunted look come over his eyes, "CJ's still being looked at, Doc wants to do a CAT scan before they..."
"CAT scan," Rose piped up, "for What? What happened to CJ, Maurice?"
"Ma," Moe gave her hand a squeeze, he knew she considered CJ one of her own now, "he got a knock on his head, the guy got into the house, but we don't know how, CJ thought it was me knocking on the bathroom door and before he realized it wasn't he'd been jumped." He left out the stabbing part for now at least until they knew how serious it was, Moe wasn't ready to deal with it himself just yet, his guilt over tormenting CJ even while he now knew he was being stabbed was eating at him, "He hit his head on the tub when he fell, and he was having some trouble seeing and staying awake."
His low tone told Jamie there was more to this than he was saying, she gave a slight nod as she offered to go and check on him for them, "I might be able to get more information from them than you can, I'll be right back," the look she and Moe exchanged told her that there was indeed more than he was saying, and told him that she knew it and was also trying to shield Rose, she leaned over and kissed Moe on the lips, "you rest, you're going to be sore as hell in a few hours," tapping lightly on his shirt, "make sure they know you already have pain meds and you're on that antibiotic still."
"Yea yea Ma Two," Moe winked at her attempting to make light of the situation as Rose gave him a light shoulder slap and a warning to behave, "I'll do as told."
"Yea yea, that will be the day," Rose smiled at him in relief he was ok, she gave another smile to Jamie as Jamie turned to leave then began to ask Moe more details about what had happened.
XXXX
Entering the exam room where CJ was, Jamie was shocked to see him looking so pale, his usually tanned skin blanched and drawn, walking up to his side she was asked by the nurse who she was, and told her she was his friend. The nurse began to tell her she would have to leave, when CJ opened his eyes and without focusing on anything told the nurse she could stay. Nodding the woman went back to checking on his IV's, Jamie noticed he was already being given blood as well as the usual liquids.
"Hey," she began, "I heard you got a bump on your noggin, what happened?" She took his hand in hers and lightly stroked the back of his palm.
Swallowing he licked his lips before answering her, his voice low and weak he didn't open his eyes as he spoke, "I thought it was Moe, I should have realized it wouldn't be, but I let my guard down." Hesitating he coughed then cleared his throat, Jamie noticed when he coughed he groaned and grabbed for his side and her worst fear was realized as he continued, "He jumped me, he had the knife already I guess because he stabbed me as soon as the door knocked me back then I hit the tub and blacked out for a few minutes, I think."
"How bad is it?" Jamie's question was directed at both the nurse and CJ, but it was the nurse who answered her first.
"He's got a pretty good slice out of his side," she walked back to the bed, "Doc says it punctured the abdomen wall, but he's undecided if it can be repaired down here or if Mr. Caster is going to surgery, depends on what the CAT scan tells us." She rearranged the IV lines as she spoke and was checking the heart monitor, "If its just a bad concussion he'll go up, but if its more, they might just do a quick repair and wait to do the rest later, he lost a pretty good amount of blood, but getting him here so quick we were able to stop it and he's already improved."
"I see," Jamie squeezed CJ's hand lightly, "when are they doing the CAT scan?"
"I'm getting him ready to move for that now," the nurse spoke, "they had a car accident that required the machine right before he got here, but now its clear so as soon as I get this done, he's going up. And if you could stay with him and try to keep him awake that would be good too, we don't want him going to sleep and it could be a few minutes up there before they actually can start."
"Of course," Jamie quickly told her that she was a nurse so she knew what to do, then the orderly showed up and the nurse and he began to move CJ out of the room, Jamie staying with him as they did so, she told them she'd be right back and headed to tell Moe and Rose what was going on as they went to the elevator.
TBC...
