A Promise Kept
A/N; Just a short chapter as promised to keep the story progressing towards its conclusion.
Chapter 36
Rita nodded but felt an uneasiness in her stomach as the Doctor drew her to one side. Before a reprimand was forthcoming Rita spoke bravely.
"Dr. Lowell, I take full responsibility for Mr. Keller going missing. He was under my care and after the earlier incident where I was informed he tried to leave I should have been more in tune with how he was feeling and kept a closer eye on him. I accept whatever disciplinary action you deem necessary as a result ..."
Dr. Lowell couldn't help but smile as he heard his most Senior nurse's words. He blushed slightly and cleared his throat.
"Actually, I WAS going to apologize for being so abrupt with you just now. It wasn't your fault. The Unit is substantially understaffed and overworked and well ... it's been a long few days of surgeries and I ... well I guess I overreacted. I shouldn't have yelled at you like that. Your work ethic in this Unit is exemplary and we have many very happy patients who will testify to that fact. Steve here is a tough case. He won't allow people to help him as readily as others and his stubbornness frustrates me quite frankly. But that being said ... he's been found and we have him stabilized for now and I see no reason to take the matter any further. Your actions in trying to find him couldn't be faulted and I hope you won't allow my sometimes overbearing nature to take away from the fact that you are a very indispensable asset to this Unit. Forgive me for being an old goat, my old friend? Bob would have had my butt in a sling for even daring to speak to you like that ... I really miss him sometimes, you know ... ah ... I can't even begin to imagine how much you miss him."
Rita smiled warmly and despite the aches and pains coursing unmercifully through her tired shoulders and legs and the heartbreak his words had reminded her of, she took the hand of the Senior Consultant, that he had openly proffered, as he stood before her and shook it warmly.
"Of course. We all get a little tired and stressed around here from time to time. Besides ... while retirement some days sounds like heaven to these old and tired bones, I'd miss this place too much and even you Patrick ... Even when you are being an old goat!" she added playfully, which brought the first smile and chuckle to the Doctor's face since they had arrived back up with Steve a while ago.
"Ah that's what I love about you Rita. You never let me get away with anything or get fazed like some, by my stature here. You could say you keep me grounded Rita. Now what would happen to me if you weren't here to do that, huh?"
"You'd probably be insufferable and Cecilia, that poor wife of yours would have even more to contend with" she teased back.
"See! You're absolutely right. So for everyone's sake, you had better stick around and keep me in my place. Go home and get some sleep Rita. We'll take Steve from here. Lisa? Let's get Kevin back in here. As soon as word comes from the Scan room, I want to get Keller up for his scan STAT" He added, before nodding warmly at his Senior nurse and heading back to check on Steve as Lisa left the room in search of Kevin.
Rita rolled her tired shoulders and then remembered Mike and Jeannie. They must be worried sick. So she hurried off out of Steve's room and headed down to where she saw them standing anxiously watching Steve's door. Just as she had expected, Mike was standing with his arm clasped around his daughter's shoulders and he seemed to be trying to comfort her. On seeing Rita emerge they headed towards her, their worry palpable. Raising a hand in hasty reassurance, she uttered quickly.
"He's fine for now. Don't worry. He quietened after we returned the photo and he seemed a lot easier when I gave him your message Jeannie."
Rita could see Jeannie's facial expression change before her eyes from one of worry to relief and gratitude and at the same time, she saw Mike grasp her shoulder tighter, his own expression easing a good deal also.
"Oh thank God! Is he still in a lot of pain? ... Can we see him yet?" Jeannie stammered anxiously.
"No, the painkillers have kicked in now and he's not in any pain at the minute but I'm afraid you won't be allowed in to see him just yet. He has to go up for his scan soon but when he gets back and they have him settled, I'm sure they'll let you in. I'll leave word with Lisa to let you know as soon as you can."
"Thank you Rita ... for everything. You've truly been a Godsend" Jeannie gushed, as she saw Mike then looking closely at the kindly nurse and smiled to herself at his admiring expression.
"Jeannie's right. You've been terrific. But I hope you don't get into trouble with Dr. Lowell. He didn't seem too pleased about the whole thing earlier. Will there be any unpleasant consequences for you because of what happened?"
Rita smiled at Mike's obvious concern, touched that he truly cared about what might happen.
"No, everything will be fine, Mike. Dr. Lowell can be a little menacing sometimes and truthfully, I think he likes it that way. It keeps the staff on their toes but ... well him and his wife Cecilia were close friends of mine and my late husband Bob's, so we go back a long way. He was just letting off steam, that's all. "
Mike sighed and smiled wider.
"Oh I'm glad ... You look tired. Shoulders at you again?"
Rita rubbed at her shoulder absentmindedly as she responded.
"When are they not these days?" she said laughing then she saw Mike's face grow worried again. "Mike? What's wrong?"
"This scan Rita. Do you think it could show up anything serious?"
Rita placed a reassuring hand on Mike's arm.
"No ... No I don't think so. He could have jolted the wires holding his sternum together when he stumbled on the stairs and as a result some internal bruising could be causing the pain he's experiencing. That would be my opinion anyway."
"Whats the worst case scenario?"
"Well I don't think there's any need to be negative just yet until we see what the scan shows up ... "
"Rita please? I just need to know what we could be up against?"
Rita heard Mike's heartfelt plea and her face darkened slightly.
"I do honestly believe it is probably just some bruising but at worst he could have a small internal bleed or jolted the repair to his heart, especially as he's not long over the angiogram procedure. But I really wouldn't worry about that just yet ... He would have proved harder to stabilize had either of those things been to blame for the pain he's in. "
Mike's face paled visibly.
"Internal bleed? ... Would he ... need more surgery then?"
"Possibly but MIKE, please trust me will you? I really don't believe that's the case here and I WOULD tell you if I felt it could be. Look Mike, I think maybe we had better give breakfast a miss. I understand that you need to be here with Jeannie and then Steve later on. We can take a rain check on the breakfast some other time."
Mike flustered as he looked from Rita to Jeannie and then back again. He had been so looking forward to joining Rita for an intimate breakfast over his favorite chilli dish but he also knew that she was right. He would only spend it worrying about Steve and Jeannie and he felt his rightful place was with them until any possible danger had passed. He couldn't just leave them both to finally have his first official date with Rita. As a sad and disappointed expression crossed his face, he forced a smile at the kindly nurse.
"I appreciate the understanding. I do hope you'll keep your word about that rain check though" he added hopefully.
As Rita and Mike stood smiling at each other and the disappointment of their missed breakfast date stood out so clearly on both their faces beneath the forced smiles, Jeannie piped up between them.
"Nonsense! You two run along and have breakfast together as you had planned to. I'm a big girl now Mike. I CAN stay by myself for a while you know? And I'll keep an eye on Steve for the both of us. Just let me know which place you're going to and if there's anything you need to know, I'll call you. Now don't just stand there. Here ..." she instructed firmly, holding his over coat open so he could slip his arms through and then hoisting it up onto his shoulders in one fell swoop. Then she handed him his fedora and smiled warmly, as she saw his stunned expression as she then leaned over and kissed his cheek.
"Are ... are you sure?"
"YES ... I'm SURE. Now don't leave the lady waiting Mike. We'll see you later."
Mike looked gratefully and proudly at his daughter and a lump formed in his throat at her thoughtfulness. He gripped her in a tight hug and whispered in her ear as he did.
"Thanks Sweetheart. You're one in a million, you know that? "
Jeannie smiled and whispered back.
"I should know it by now, with the amount of times you always tell me. Now go and ... seize that second chance, ok?"
She felt Mike tremble in her arms at her words and knew how much they meant to him. He released her and she saw the faint moisture glistening in his eyes.
"Ok ... I ... I will. "
Watching the touching and tender father daughter moment play out before her eyes, Rita was loathe to interrupt but seeing Mike struggling with the parting, she softly touched his arm and spoke to Jeannie warmly.
"We'll be just down the block in Mo's diner. It's not far. The Nurse at Reception will get you the number for it, if you need to contact your Dad."
Jeannie returned the smile.
"Thanks. That's fine. Now run along you two and enjoy and ... maybe bring me back something nice?" she added to break the tension.
Mike grabbed Jeannie's hand and squeezed it before releasing it to clasp Rita's instead.
"Count on it. You'll call me now ... if there's anything wrong?"
Jeannie grinned and pushed him gently towards the door and towards Rita.
"Yes. I promise. Now GO!"
Mike finally allowed himself a faint grin and then let Rita guide him away towards the other side of the Unit casting one last guilty look back at his daughter, before she disappeared from sight, as he went.
"I just have to get my coat and bag. I shan't be a minute Mike."
"Sure, take your time." Mike added politely but Rita sensed his misgivings. " Mike, I meant it you know? I do understand if you need to be here with Steve and Jeannie. We can have breakfast some other time, if you prefer?"
Mike looked once more back over his shoulder and suddenly felt torn between where he felt he should stay and where he wanted to go. He didn't want to mess up this chance to be with Rita and yet his family needed him. Seeing his reluctance to answer and his palpable conscience struggle, Rita spoke softly.
"Mike, I know being here with your family is important and I respect you for that. I won't hold it against you, you know? But for what it's worth, I feel that Jeannie has this under control. She truly loves that young man in there and I've seen first hand before how well she takes care of him. I genuinely believe they'll be ok for an hour while you get something to eat. But it's your choice and I'll fully respect what ever choice you make."
Mike processed her words and thought about them carefully. His apprehension lifted as he remembered how Jeannie had coped quite sufficiently with Steve's condition all by herself when he hadn't been around as much after the shooting. This time he would only be gone for a very short amount of time. He was however very touched by Rita's understanding and wanted even more to spend the next hour or so with the nurse who was becoming so strangely even more important to him with each passing day. Finally allowing himself a smile, he boldly stepped forward and snaked his hands around Rita's waist and pulled her closer to him, much to Rita's sudden surprise.
"You're absolutely right. Jeannie is one of the strongest young women I know and I shouldn't doubt her. And I well ... I really want to spend some time with you Rita ... and I'm also very grateful that you WANT to spend some time with an old dithering, worry guts like me too."
Rita gasped at their initial closeness and then recovering her senses a little, she blushed and reached her hands up to curve around his neck and placed a sincere and tender kiss on his lips, smiling even more as she felt him tremble as she did.
"Mike Stone. You are NOT a dithering, worry guts! You are a very sweet and caring man and I want to spend A LOT more time with you BUT ... you're going to have to let me go for now so I can get my things ... " she added playfully.
Mike never moved at first but swallowed hard and stammered almost breathlessly.
"Do I ... have to? I ... I kind of like holding you like this."
Rita laughed and kissed him again, this time feeling his lips move more against her own. Pulling back and placing a gentle almost restraining finger against his lips, she added, sounding equally unnerved by the strong feelings that this charming man was awakening in her.
"I'm afraid so. We have the next hour to talk and get to know each other a little better and if you behave yourself, I'll even let you hold my hand as we walk there ..."
Mike laughed and gently but reluctantly released his hold on the kindly nurse. Straightening himself and blushing slightly from his uncharacteristic forwardness, he chuckled and dropped his head in acceptance.
"You have yourself a deal. I ... I'm sorry if I was out of line ... I just ..."
Again Rita pressed her finger gently to his lips, stopping his stuttered apology midway.
"Don't Mike. You don't have to be sorry for anything. I like you holding me like that too but ... I just think that maybe we should take things just a little slower for now, ok? This is all maybe moving a little too fast for both of us and you have an uncanny effect on me that I can't quite put into words. I just want us to do everything right and not rush things and spoil something that I feel could so easily become something quite wonderful given half the chance. Do you ... understand?"
Mike smiled and nodded.
"Yes, I do and I know exactly what you mean and I'm fine with that too, believe me. I am a VERY understanding kind of guy."
"Yes you are Mike Stone ... Yes ... you ARE!" she stated admiringly, then catching her breath she turned and pushed the door in front of her open and spoke over her shoulder pleasantly " I won't be long. "
Mike watched as she disappeared into the small staff room and he sat down outside and waited. True to her words, she reappeared minutes later with her coat on and her handbag slung over her arm. Holding out his arm for her to take, he smiled as she latched on agreeably and they headed together out of the CCU.
Jeannie paced a little after Mike and Rita had gone from view, merely to quell her anxiety about Steve's scan and to keep her mind from thinking too much about it. She was glad that her father had gone with Rita. She hadn't seen her Father so smitten with anyone in a long time. Not since his relationship with Irene Martin but sadly that had not turned out as they had both hoped it would. Almost resulting in marriage their engagement had been short lived as both of them realized that while they cared for each other a great deal, a marital relationship would not have worked. Irene and her father were destined to just remain very close friends and she had been saddened at the time that Mike wasn't going to be blessed with someone else to make his life complete. Now he just might have another chance and this time she hoped beyond hope that it would have a better outcome than the last one.
Her thoughts soon turned back to Steve and she began to wish that they would just let her see him for herself so that she could see with her own eyes that he was ok. She knew that if she could just see him, that she would feel better. After a few more minutes passed, she sank into the guest chair at the wall and leaning forward she dropped her head into her hands wearily. The sound of a woman's footsteps drew her attention back up the corridor and she saw Lisa approaching her. Standing back up anxiously she studied the young nurse's face intently and sighed again as a reassuring smile lit up the young nurse's face.
"Hi Jeannie. We're just waiting on the Scan room to call and tell us when they're ready for Steve. I thought that maybe you'd like to see him for just a minute before he goes up. He's very much out of it. To be honest I doubt he'll even know you're there but ... well I just thought that maybe you'd like to still sit with him for a while rather than out here on your own."
Jeannie was very touched by the Nurse's kindness. As a lump manifested in her throat she merely nodded and stammered gratefully.
"I'd like that very much ... Thank you ..."
As she spoke to Lisa, she saw Dr. Lowell and Kevin leave Steve's room briefly and she followed Lisa back in there. As she walked through the door she gasped and held her mouth as she got the first glimpse of Steve from the doorway. He was lying very still, his head flopped to his left side on the pillow, a nasal cannula that hadn't been there before now curved above his upper lip, the two tubes from it entering his nose. The heart monitor was beating a steady rhythm and there were various wires and tubes leading under a foil blanket covering his chest and arms. Lisa reached over as she approached the bed and pulled the foil blanket briefly down from his chest to check the cannula in his upper right arm. Seeing Steve's chest exposed, Jeannie sighed heavily as she saw the long angry looking scar still standing out so starkly against his pale skin, the recently restitched part standing out even more pronounced than the rest, where the infection had previously taken hold. Jeannie edged closer towards the bed, her hand desperately wanting to reach out and touch him, yet hesitating for fear of upsetting a wire or a tube that was currently doing vital work. She watched as Lisa tenderly adjusted the cannula in his arm, causing the blanket to fall even more down away from his body and used the opportunity to get a look at his right hand that still held the photo they had returned to him and she purposefully reached over and curled his lifeless fingers around it a little more just in case he lost it again. Lisa saw her and sensing her concern she piped up sweetly.
"Don't worry! I'll make sure he doesn't lose it again during his scan."
Jeannie smiled her gratitude to Lisa and then as the nurse returned the foil blanket up around her patient, she moved even more forward and leaned over Steve to study his face. His eyes were closed, not even a flicker evident from them. She so badly needed to see his green eyes and how his smiles made them sparkle and light up. She watched his lips so dry looking now and remembered how they had felt brushed lovingly against hers not so long ago.
"You CAN touch him you know?" Lisa encouraged kindly. "I know he looks fragile at the minute but I can assure you he won't break."
Jeannie chuckled nervously and finally plucked up the courage to reach her shaking hand across to lie against his exposed cheek. It felt chilled compared to the other one that was flushed from its time against the warm pillow. She stroked it gently and leaned across to whisper in his right ear.
"Hey Babe ... It's Jeannie. I'm right here with you. Everything's going to be fine. They're going to take you somewhere for a quick scan and when you get back I'm going to be with you again. I ... I love you so much. You have to do what they tell you from now on. Do you hear me? I want you back on track so we can start planning our life together. I need you Steve every bit as much as you need me and there's nothing we can't deal with together. I'm sure of it! You have to stop being so stubborn and let us all help you. I've got enough strength for the both of us right now and when you're better, we'll face everything else together hand in hand ... " She reached her other hand down to curl around his left hand as she spoke "... and side by side ..."
A solitary tear escaped her left eye and trickled slowly down her left cheek as she spoke so emotionally. When not even a single sign came from Steve in any shape or form that he had heard her, she dropped her face to lean her cheek against his and swallowed back the other tears that threatened to follow the first as she did. She had to stay strong for him just like she had just promised and so she cleared her throat and stayed pressed against his cheek, feeling it slowly warm up beneath hers. As she took comfort from their limited closeness, a sudden movement from Steve's hand in hers made her look down towards their entwined hands. A very slight, barely detectable movement made her gasp as she felt a definite attempt by Steve to squeeze her hand. It lasted barely a few seconds and then it stopped but it was all the sign she needed to feel strong again. Lifting her cheek from his she moved across and kissed him gently on the lips as her voice gained strength and volume.
"That's right Steve Keller. You and me together will be a force to be reckoned with. Adversity doesn't stand a chance!"
Dr. Lowell and Kevin arrived into the room just then in a hurry and amid more barked instructions that Steve was to be moved STAT, Lisa leaned over and touched Jeannie's shoulder.
"He has to go now but you can wait in here for him to come back if you like? He shouldn't be more than a half hour but I'll let you know if there is any change to that, ok?"
Jeannie smiled back at Lisa and then turned and whispered back into Steve's ear.
"They're taking you away from me now but you be strong Keller, ok? I'll be right here waiting for you when you get back. "
With those words and after one more tortuous one sided kiss that she longed for his lips to respond to, she reluctantly let go of Steve's hand and watched as Kevin and Lisa pushed his bed silently out of the room. Then sitting down in the visitor's chair, she leaned her head back wearily and waited for his return.