John walks through the precinct doors in a foul mood after a shoot-out he would rather forget. An officer had been shot but thanks to Dorian they managed to stabilize and get her to hospital in time. Brought back to many memories of fallen friends.
Getting to the last step before reaching the main precinct floor John suddenly felt light headed and just managed to catch his footing before falling flat on his face. He thought it odd, but brushed it off, it had been a long day. "Detective Stahl" he smirks flashing his signature smile, walking back to his desk and sinking into his office chair suddenly exhausted.
John caught a glimpse of detective Stahl smiling, watching him closely before she focused back on the computer screen. Their relationship was non-existent in John's eyes, he didn't want to subject such a beautiful person to his emotional baggage. He was a wreck these days and the entire precinct knew it. However from time to time he couldn't help himself flirt with her a little. He had to try and stop that he thought to himself.
A while passed and Dorian wanders toward John having cleaned the blood off from the shoot-out. Blue lights flickering on the side of his face, Dorian stops dead in his tracks and looks intently at John.
John looks at him oddly and says "Don't tell me you've malfunctioned, I don't want to train another DRN". Dorain looks at him cautiously, "John do you remember getting shot?". John smirks, "I think I'd know if I got shot, what are you on about?". Dorian moves his hand behind Johns ear and expertly plucks something from his skin. "Oww" John complains.
Dorian studies the object for a moment, "John, this is a MPCI a micro projectile chemical injector". Detective Stahl stands from her desk overhearing the conversation, a strained expression on her face, "Dorian what was inside the injector" she asks nervously. John a blank expression on his face still wondering how he was shot and not notice. Dorian examines the projectile for a moment, "it had roughly 12mg of hyper-p". "What's hyper-p?" John asks.
Dorian carefully explains "Hyper-p was developed to disable motor functions whilst inflicting searing pain and contractions at random intervals to the subject, there is no known antidote". "Based on the dosage you will be unable to move and be in terrible pain for the next 48 hours". John pauses, looking at him carefully, "well I'll take some time off, pain meds and catch up on some much needed sleep, no biggy".
"John" a faint whisper from detective Stahl, now standing beside him with a worried expression, "If any type of pain medication is ingested hyper-p kills the subject instantly". After a long moment of shock between all three Dorian states "I've informed the captain". John struggling to grapple with the new information turns back to detective Stahl only to find the captain in her place.
"John, this is a very serious drug, I'm sorry for this but I must suspend you for four days until it is completely out of your system. I'll need your badge, weapon and car." the captain explains. After a pause all John can muster is "Ah …. ok". "Dorian how long until the drug starts to kick in?" asks the captain. "Around 4 hours captain". "Right, John, I need you to finish the paperwork for the last investigation, don't take anymore than two hours and Dorian will drive you home…. I'm sorry John" her hand squeezes Johns shoulder.
John can't believe the captain has suspended him, its a bit over the top he thinks. "crap..." is all he can mumble before he focuses back to the paperwork.
Valerie had to turn away from John before he saw the single tear fall from her eye. "Hyper-p" she whispered, why would anyone be so cruel she thought, and how did he not notice being shot! Must be that thick skin of his. She had heard of the drug before and knew a little about it but never witnessed its effects.
She looked at John carefully as he tried to finish his paperwork, his frightened expression all over his face. Never had she seen John frightened before, he was like a rock, knew exactly how to handle every situation thrown at him, yet here he was sitting frightened. It broke her heart, she just wanted to give him a hug.
At that moment she knew she had to help in anyway she could. Rushing towards the captain as she reached her office door, Valerie asked "Captain, umm, I need to take four…". "Yes" the captain interrupted. A shocked expression on Valerie's face as she realised the captain already knew what she was asking. "He will protest?" the captain asks. Valerie with a smirk on her lips "Of course he will, but I wont give him a choice". Both ladies smile at one another before Valerie asks one final thing, "Captain, why suspend him?". The captain pauses for a moment, "I needed his gun Val. 35% of all hyper-p cases take their own lives in the first 10 hours because its too much". The captain enters her office leaving the stunned detective.
Valerie was determined to help John get through this. She knew he didn't have anyone else and would be too stubborn to ask for help.
John finished up the paperwork as instructed, slowly standing from his desk leaving his badge and gun. Pausing for a moment he looked up to find Dorian, "are you ready". John flinched, "this is the only time you are allowed to drive, do you understand me". Dorian smirked, but it quickly disappeared realising that John was terrified of what was to come.
John and Dorian were silent the entire way home. Little did John know Dorian had earlier received a text message from detective Stahl asking him to stall John and take the long way home. John could start to feel the pain and muscle contractions slowly hit him. Eventually the car pulled up outside Johns apartment complex. John sat there not moving wondering why he was nervous. Then it hit him, he didn't want to be alone, not that he would ever admit such a feeling.
With a sigh he slowly got out of the car but couldn't resist one last crack at Dorian, "see this is why I don't let you drive, you went the long way and waisted 20 minutes, ill catch ya in a few days". As Dorian watched John disappear into the apartment complex he couldn't help but be thankful detective Stahl would be there for him.
She was waiting in the dark corner, his front door in sight but far enough away for him not to notice her. She knew he would protest and lock her out, she couldn't risk it. She was ready like a tiger ready to pounce, a bag full of supplies over her shoulder. She'd spent the last few hours researching how to comfort those infected with "hyper-p" and was thankful it wasn't contagious. Running home to get a change of clothes then to the shops for supplies and now waiting for her patient.
"Patient" that was and odd way to refer to John she thought. With a little smirk she wondered if he would call her "Nurse Val", a dangerous thought. She had to focus on comforting him and nothing else, in a few hours he is going to be in a world of pain. Valerie's thoughts racing through her mind as she waited….. for her John, her patient.
As John made his way up the stairs he realised the pain was getting worse and he was strugglying. He barely made it to his door, out of breath, his eyes unable to focus. Fumbling with his keys, he finally managed to open the door to his apartment, walking in throwing his keys on the counter and swinging the door closed behind him.
He started for the comfort, the safety of his couch but froze sensing a presence. The door behind him didn't close quick enough, that was odd. He slowly turned around to see detective Stahl, leaning with her back against his closed front door, track pants, tight fitting shirt, her hair in a pony tail with a large bag over her shoulder. He honestly didn't understand how she could make track pants look so good.
Then it hit him. "No…?" he said forcefully hoping she would give up without a fight and go back out the way she came in. She smirked, softened her expression and whispered "Yes".