Chapter 4
By the time Jack gets to the hospital Chris is in a room hooked up to an IV and monitors. She is sleeping and Jim and Hondo are there sitting in her room. Chris looks so peaceful. Jack comes in and goes to her bedside.
"Do not disturb her. She needs her rest." Hondo says.
"What the hell happened?" Jack asks without even looking away from Chris.
"She was hit on tactical take down of a perp. It tends to help from time to time. We did everything right and it still happened." Hondo says.
"Why did it happen to her?" Jack asks while brushing her hair back. Looking at Chris lovingly.
"She is a part of our team. She is treated like any other team member. We all care and look out for each other. We all go in knowing this could happen. That is the job." Hondo says.
"But she is a woman." Jack says.
"And your point is? We do not treat anyone any different. Man, nor woman. I am sorry that she got hurt. I really am. But if you are dating her you need to know this could happen again. She was ready to walk away and not be brought here. But with her amount of blood loss, the doctors thought an overnight stay was in her best interest. Just to get fluids to get her blood supply replenished. She should be able to go home in the morning. We are going to go to leave you to her. But do not wake her. She will wake up soon. Maybe go get her favorite snack and drink. Before she wakes up. She would like that." Hondo says. Jim stays silent. All three of them leave the room. Jim and Hondo get in the elevator while Jack asks the nurse where the cafeteria is. Hondo and Jim must get back to HQ. When in the elevator, the guys talk.
"Did you get a vibe from that guy?" Jim asks.
"I did think he seemed a little too wound tight. But everyone acts differently to a loved one in the hospital. Or injured. Sorry about your mom. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help with funeral arrangements or get you some time off. Anything you need, I will gladly help. We are all here for you man. Even Chris. She is just down for a little time. But you know she will help anyway she can." Hondo says as the elevator doors open on the first floor of the hospital. They walk out of the front door and out to the car. Jim cannot take his mind off Chris and the guy known as Jack. There is just something Jim cannot put his finger on about this guy. He thinks about it on the drive back to HQ.
Sometime later, Chris wakes up to Jack sitting next to her. He is reading and does not notice that she woke up. She watches him as he reads. She notices his bangs keep falling into his eyes. He keeps pushing them back up on his head. She watches his eyes. Then his face reacting to what he is reading. The corner of his mouth twitches slightly like he is amused by something he is reading. That is when she looks down to read the title. It was a true crime book about a serial killer. She could not tell who the book was on. But she did find it a little strange that he would be amused by a serial killer. She thinks maybe it is just the lack of blood or the gun shot itself. That is when Jack looks up.
"Hey sweetheart. How are you feeling? Can I get you anything?" Jack asks, grabbing her hand and brushing back her hair from her face.
"Can I get some water? The meds they gave me just knocked me out. How long have you been here?" Chris asks, while Jack gets her some water then hands it to her.
"I got here about 2. Your boss and Jim were here. I got you some cucumbers and some vanilla chi tea. Jim and your boss said you might like some stuff you like. They did not have much of what you would like. For a hospital, they did not have much healthy stuff." Jack says.
"I know. They usually have salads, but those are questionable. Everyone has different likes on toppings. But thank you for being so sweet. That sounds so good. Did you happen to get some ranch for the cucumbers?" Chris asks, hoping.
"No, they were out of ranch. But I can go down and see if they have some now." Jack says.
"No, that is ok. What time is it?" Chris asks, drinking more of her water.
"It's 5:30." Jack says, looking at his watch. Just then, there is a knock on the door.
"Come in." Chris says. In walks the whole team, minus Chris.
"Hey sweetness, how are you doing?" Luca asks, coming over for a hug.
"I'm good Luca. Thanks for coming." Chris says smiling.
"Hello. I am Luca. I work with Chris and am a friend. I hear you are her new boyfriend." Luca says, reaching his hand out to shake Jacks. Jack shakes his hand.
"Hi. I am Jack. Nice to meet you." Jack says a little overwhelmed by all these muscular men filling the room. Also knowing they work with her.
"Hi, I'm Deacon. Nice to meet you. You take good care of our Chris. She is our little sister." Deacon says, shaking his hand.
"Nice to meet you." Jack says.
"I am Victor. But you can call me Vic. Nice to meet you." Vic says shaking Jack's hand.
"Nice to meet you Vic. Then you are Hondo, and you are Jim. So, you all make up a team?" Jack asks.
"Yes, we all are a team. The best team. Thanks, guys, for coming to see me after the rest of your shift. Jack here was kind enough to get me some cucumbers and my favorite tea. Is he not a sweet man?" Chris says, beaming at Jack. Jim is not impressed since it was Hondo who suggested it. Jim just cannot seem to like Jack. He thinks it is because he is dating Chris when Jim wants her. He just cannot put his feelings into a drawer when it comes to Jack. So, Jim just keeps his mouth shut and listens. He watches how Jack and Chris interact. He is thinking that it is all for show. He just does not trust Jack.
"How are you feeling?" Deacon asks.
"Fine. Thanks." Chris says.
"Annie said to feel better, and she would come by your apartment tonight and make sure you have some food in the fridge, and she would make sure things were taken care of before you come home tomorrow. Is there anything you want requested?" Deacon asks.
"Tell Annie I say thanks. She does not have to do that. I am just here to get fluids. No biggie. I should be ok to shop and clean. How is she and the kids? Did Lilah start that new school?" Chris asks.
"Yes. She loves it. It is helping a lot." Deacon says.
"That is terrific. Is she still having nightmares?" Chris asks.
"She is down to one every now and then. Much better. Thanks." Deacon says, smiling.
"I need to come by for a visit if Annie is ok with that." Chris says.
"She would love that. Why would you think you would not be welcome?" Deacon asks with concern.
"You know Deacon." Chris says, giving Deacon that look that says you know, and I cannot say it around others.
"Oh! No, she is past that. Besides, she might like to meet your Jack here." Deacon says, looking to Jack. Just then another knock on her door and then Captain Hicks is at the door. He is holding flowers and a teddy bear.
"How are you doing Alonso?" Hicks asks.
"Fine. Thanks sir. These are beautiful. I will be out of here tomorrow as early as can be. Then I will be back to work." Chris says taking the flowers and bear.
"No. When you get discharged tomorrow, you go home and rest a few days. Let that arm heal. Then you might be able to come back and take a less active role until your doctor gives you the ok to return to work. Seems like you have a lot of visitors. You feel better and I will talk to you soon." Hicks says, giving a smile then leaving.
"That was the big boss. Captain Robert Hicks." Chris says to Jack.
"Seems like a man of little words and right to the point. I like him." Jack says.
"Can I speak to Chris alone for a moment? Maybe you guys could go get me a coffee?" Hondo asks.
"Sure." Deacon says as they all leave the room.
"How are you doing Chris? Really." Hondo asks.
"Fine. I will be out of here in no time. Why? Did the doctor say something to you?" Chris asks concerned.
"No. No one said anything to me. I just know that Erika's death hit you hard. I just did not want this to bring back bad memories. I want you to talk to me and tell me how you are feeling. For my own piece of mind." Hondo says.
"Yes, I did have some flashbacks of what happened to Erika. But I am feeling fine with the IV and the nurses taking good care of my wound. I feel fine. No pain. I have all you sweet men and teammates looking out for me. No need to worry about me. Are you ok? This had to have brought back bad memories for you too." Chris says.
"It did bring some panic back. But I panic when any of my teammates get hurt. You are sure you are, ok?" Hondo asks.
"I'm fine Hondo. Thank you for your concern." Chris says smiling at Hondo. They talk a little bit, joking around. Things seem fine for the night. The team even invite Jack out for a drink once they were told visiting hours are over. Chris thinks this the start of a great friendship with her team and the man that she is falling in love with. She goes to sleep that night with a great sense of peace and harmony.