Chapter 36
The next morning saw Ty woke up with a much clearer perspective on the events from the day before.
Dr Harrison had given him the all clear to go home after morning obs and Amy had left him alone for a
quick walk outside to get some fresh air.
Ty had managed to get dressed and was sitting on the side of the bed in his room, he ran his fingers across the bandage that was wrapped around his arm. The skin underneath was sensitive to his touch. He shut his eyes and took deep breath, wincing as his ribs protested.
The door opened and Dr Harrison walked into the room, he smiled at Ty and came to stand on front of him.
"how are we feeling this morning Ty," he asked picking up his chart.
"better "Ty responded flatly, trying to smile, "well, as best I can be anyways"
Dr Harrison nodded and looked at the chart. "pain? 1-5?"
"3, but manageable, "Ty replied, "gut hurts though"
"well that's to be expected, you took several blows to the kidneys and the ribs, you may find that the swelling will take a little longer to dissipate, due to your previous injuries. "
"but it will be ok though, I didn't cause any more damage, did I?" Ty asked, looking at the doctor, concern in his eyes.
"No, I think it's all superficial bruising, you may find though that this will set you back a bit in your recovery, getting into a fist fight so soon after a major procedure like the one you had wasn't the smartest thing to do"
Ty nodded, and looked away.
"however, I think some more bed rest and some pain medication will be all you need." He reached out and took Tys arm. "you'll have to come back in a week to get the stitches out, that's a nasty gash you have there"
The doctor put his hand under Tys chin and shone a light into Tys right eye, making him blink uncomfortably, he then pressed Tys cheekbone and touched his lip.
Ty winced and pulled away slightly, the wounds on his face becoming more apparent.
Lastly, Doctor Harrison checked his temple and the cut that was now stery stripped closed.
"all in all, Ty, I think your very lucky to get out of that encounter as you did. "
"lucky, "Ty half heatedly smiled and pushed himself further back on the bed." Doc?"
"yes" doctor Harrison responded, putting his chart back in the rack and pocketing his pen.
"Jeremy? How did the surgery go?" Tys watched the doctor intently,
"Ty, I can't discuss another patents condition with you, all I can say is the surgery went well, and he's responding well. He's on this ward so under my care, "
"But he's going to be ok?" Ty continued to push,
"it's too early to answer that Ty, But I'm feeling confident "Doctor Harrison touched Tys shoulder and squeezed it slightly, he could see how down Ty was and how desperately he needed to know that Jeremy was ok.
"how about you focus on getting better and leave Jeremy recovery to me"
"thanks Doc, "Ty smiled, "thanks for everything, you saved my life, I can never repay you for that"
Ty put out his hand and Dr Harrison smiled, shaking it in appreciation.
Amy opened the door and came into the room, she smiled at the doctor and then came over to sit next to Ty on the bed. She placed her hand on his in reassurance.
"so, can we go?" she asked,
"not yet Amy, "the doctor smiled, "I'm still a little concerned about Tys pain in his ribs, So I'm going to order an x-ray, just to make sure there's nothing to worry about, "
"oh, "she said looking deflated, "you don't think they are broken, do you?"
"no, maybe bruised, or possibly a crack, the x-ray will show us more,"
Amy nodded in agreement and leaned over to Ty and placed her head on his shoulder.
Ty smiled at her and reciprocated but placing his arm around her waist.
"It shouldn't take too long, then I'll organize your discharge, "Dr Harrison said as he headed for the door.
Once he was gone Amy turned to Ty and placed her hand on his bruised cheek.
"are you ok?" she asked, her eyes watching his.
"yeah, I'm ok, I can't really see out of my right eye, and my chest hurts like a dam. But yeah, I'm good,"
Ty leant forward and hugged her softly. He needed her close to him. His mind was still in a dark place, he was trying hard to be positive, but the pain and discomfort where wearing down his defenses making his strength to fight these dark thoughts diminish.
The door opened again and Jack came into the room, he looked like a man on a mission,
"Amy, TY" he said coming over to them quickly. "Um, now I don't want you to worry or anything Ty, but,"
"what Jack?" Ty answered, sitting up slightly, looking at Amy and then back at Jack.
"the police are on their way in, they need to talk to you about yesterday?" he said quickly,
Tys face dropped, he had a feeling this was coming, he had been around the legal and enforcement world long enough to know it was only a matter of time before they would want to talk to him and get his side of the story.
"it's Ok Jack, I was expecting it," Ty said softly, "especially after what happened"
Jack signed and looked at Amy who looked worried.
"I had a chat to a lawyer on our behalf, they said you don't legally have to say anything, "
Ty raised his hand and smiled faintly, "its ok Jack, I'll talk to them, I'd prefer they hear it from me"
Amy pulled Tys face to hers. "this is not your fault Ty Borden, I know you feel like it is, but you're not going to throw yourself under the bus because you feel bad, do you hear me!"
"Amy, I lost control, I ,,,,,,,,," Ty started, but she stopped him by placing her finger on his lips.
"you defended yourself, "she stated, "don't you dare try to paint yourself as the bad guy"
Ty looked at the ground and squeezed her waist with his hand. He knew she was trying to be strong for him. Her devotion was one of the things he loved most about her.
"I'm not losing you Ty, I won't let you do this" she said quietly, a tear rolled down her cheek,
There was a knock at the door and Ty called out for them to come in, two officers entered the room, one was officer Parker.
"good morning Ty, Amy, Jack, "he said, "how are you this morning,"
"is this really necessary Denis, he's still recovering" Jack retorted,
"it's ok, Jack," Ty interjected, "I'm fine "
"sorry Ty, but I need to ask you some questions about the events that took place at heartland yesterday, involving the altercation between you and Mr. Hughes "
Ty nodded, "what do you want to know?"
Amy listened as Ty ran through the events of the day before, he explained how he had stayed at home alone for the afternoon while Amy was at a clinic, and how Jeremy had knocked on the door and confronted him.
Officer Parker took notes while Ty replayed the confrontation, how Jeremy had texted Amy pretending to be him and then threatened him with a knife when he had tried to grab his phone.
"and what happened then Ty?" the other officer asked,
"well, He told me to go into the lounge, which I did, and to stand near the couch, "He looked at Amy, his hands slightly shaking, "that's when Tim came in and disturbed us, "
"Tim Fleming?" Officer Parker said,
"yes, he came in and Jeremy started acting erratically, he was in pain, I could see he had a headache or migraine. He grabbed me around the throat when Tim tried to challenge him. And then he hit me here "Ty motioned to his bad side, "and then I fell onto the couch"
Ty signed slightly, reliving it was becoming harder as the memories started to open up old wounds.
"Tim left and that's when he called you I guess, Jeremy was really struggling and wanted to leave, and that's when he put the knife to my throat, and took me outside,"
Ty stopped and looked away, his hand touching the small plaster on his neck where the knife had broken the skin,
"ok Ty, what I need now is a recount as to the fight, how did that happen?"
Ty looked back at Amy and then at Jack, his face was defeated and full of guilt. "when we came back inside, he stumbled and I took a chance to get free, so I …" Ty lost his words. He looked away again, his hands now in his lap,
"you? hit him? "Officer Parker said seeking reassurance from Ty.
Ty nodded, and clenched his hands together rubbing the grazes on his knuckles.
"I charged at him and hit him, yes"
"and he hit Ty back!" Amy cut in "he's got the cuts and bruises to prove it!"
"I know this is hard Ty, But I just need to hear it from you, was there any time during this encounter that you feel you may have used excessive force? "
They all watched Ty who had looked back down at his hands again.
"Ty?" officer Parker continued, "Please answer the question"
"I did what I had to, to end it, I couldn't let him hurt anyone else," He said softly, his voice hardly audible.
"it was self-defense "Jack chimed in. "look at the bruises man, he was defending himself. "
Amy rubbed her hand across Tys back and placed her hand on top of his. She could see how much he was struggling having to relive it all.
"please can we stop, "she asked, "he's not up for this"
"ok, Ty, thank you for answering my questions, I'll need you to come down to the station later to sign a statement on what you have told me today, but I think that will be enough question s for now. "
"so that's it then, your letting him be?" Jack asked.
"at the moment, I feel that there are no grounds to place charges against Mr. Borden, his story corroborates the evidence that we have gathered. I will however be talking to Mr. Hughes once he's conscious."
Jack signed a huge sigh of relief and smiled at Ty, who still hadn't looked up from his grazed hands,
"Ty. "officer Parker knelt down and locked eyes with Ty who looked up to meet his gaze,
"Regarding the kidnapping on the 27th, and yesterday's events, do you wish to lay charges against MR Hughes yourself, "
Tys eyes looked towards Amy and then back at the officer.
"there's also the incident with the medication overdose that took place here, Nurse Tasha Morrison has been charged in regards to this offence. She has confessed to administering these medications to you without doctor approval in an attempt to incapacitate you at Mr. Hughes request. "Officer parker was reading from his note pad now, "Do you wish to press charges against Miss Morrison?"
Ty rubbed his head and slowly stood up, he couldn't concentrate, he still carried the guilt from his encounter with Jeremy in his heart, and now he was being asked if he wanted to draw charges against the young nurse who was just as much a victim of Jeremy as himself and Amy where,
"no, I don't want to press charges against Tasha, not personally, "He said softly, Amy went to protest but stopped herself mid retort, deciding to back her fiancés decision even if she didn't agree with it.
"very well, We will still be perusing her for the city but Ill note that you will not be posting charges yourself. "
He paused and then continued "and Mr Hughes, do you want to press charges?"
Ty looked down again and nodded slowly, Amy smiling slightly at him in agreement,
Officer Parker amended his notes and shut the folder, "I think that will do it for now, thank you Ty, I know this isn't easy, but we appreciate your help. "
He shook his hand again and the officers left the room,
As the door closed behind them Amy reached for Ty and held him tightly to her, knowing how hard that had been for him.
"it's Over Ty, "she said softly, kissing him on the lips, "it's done, you did so well"
He smiled at her weakly, and returned her hug, his heart still heavy although relieved
" you did well man, "Jack soothed, touching his shoulder, "its behind you now, all you need to worry about now is getting well"
to be continued