Paybacks
Chapter 15
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Remember I have NO medical background, and this is FICTION therefore it doesn't have to be possible…'cause it's make-believe :o) And in make-believe land I'm married to Bosco ;o)
*****
Bosco's eyes got wide, and he frantically shook his head no. Alex still had the mischievous grin on her face. "Gee Bosco, seeing how much you don't like shots makes me want to give you one even more."
"Why?" He didn't bother moving the mask. He figured Alex would understand the muffled question.
"Because last time I helped bring you to the hospital they drugged you up, and you said some pretty suggestive things to me. I figure torturing you with a needle or two would make us even."
His eyes narrowed. Taylor moved the oxygen mask for him so he could talk. "Don't remember…that."
"Yeah you probably wouldn't. You were pretty out of it."
"What'd I say?"
She put the oxygen mask back in place. "Well, you kept going on and on about how a three-some could be fun."
Bosco's pale face turned bright red, and Alex couldn't help but laugh. "Seeing you blush like that," she chuckled. "That's priceless."
Suddenly the expression on Bosco's face turned to one of sheer pain, and he tried to sit up thinking that might help ease the pain. Alex put her hands on his chest and gently pushed him back down. "Whoa Bosco. Hold on. Just stay still." She moved her hands lower to exam his already damaged ribs. He tried to sit up again, and that's when she felt the tremor in his abs.
"Not the greatest time for muscle spasms Bosco." She said calmly.
His eyes were pleading with her. She once again removed the oxygen mask. "Make it…stop."
"OK. Just try to relax." Alex gave him a shot to relax his muscles. She gave his shoulder a gentle pat. "That wasn't near as much fun as I was hoping it would be."
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The automatic doors slid apart, and Faith stepped into the ER. Carlos waved her over to the nurses' station. "How is he?"
"He's fine."
Faith and Alex exchanged looks. "Thanks Nieto. That was real helpful."
"What? You asked how he was, and I told you; he's fine."
"I think she was looking for a little more information than that." Alex then turned to Faith. "They're making him comfortable. He had some pretty nasty muscle spasms in the bus."
"Damn. I knew he shouldn't have been working, but he insisted that he was fine."
"Men."
"Yeah, no kidding."
Dr. Thomas came out of the exam room. "Officer Yokas. Your partner was asking if you were here. You can go back and see him."
"How's he doin'?"
"We pumped him full of muscle relaxers, so he is probably doing better than the rest of us." He smiled. "There is no new damage to his ribs, but we wrapped him up just to be safe, and prevent any movements that might cause further injury. He is on oxygen right now. The running he did, and the muscle spasms wore him out. Since he was so badly bruised his body didn't appreciate the fact that his lungs were trying to expand at such a rapid rate."
"When can I take him home?"
"Actually I would like to keep him here a couple days. We probably shouldn't have released him the last time. Plus if he's here he can't try going to work."
"I doubt he'll agree to that."
"Well, I was hoping maybe you could talk him into it."
Faith nodded. "I'll try."
****
"Hey partner."
"Hey Faith." Bosco was hooked up to an IV, and a nasal canal. He wasn't wearing a shirt, so Faith was able to see the bandages that were wrapped around him to protect his ribs.
"How you feeling?"
"Right now I can't feel a thing. I like it." He smiled.
"Glad to see you smiling. You had me scared for awhile."
Faith wasn't sure how to bring up the fact that Dr. Thomas wanted him to stay in the hospital a few nights. So she just blurted it out. "Bosco, they want you to stay here a couple nights." She braced herself for a verbal onslaught, but it never came.
"OK."
"OK?"
"Yeah. I'm not really up to working, and somebody's going to have to keep an eye on me right?"
"Uh…yeah…right. So you're OK with staying?"
"Why wouldn't I be?"
"Gee I don't know. Maybe because you've been here two other times this month, and you basically threw a fit the last time they wanted you to stay."
"Well I've grown up since then."
"Yeah, you've really grown up," her words were laced with sarcasm, which he ignored.
"Can you hand me my shirt? I'm getting cold."
Faith helped him put his long sleeved uniform shirt on. Since he was hooked up to the IV she just draped it over his left shoulder. "I guess I better head back to work. Do you realize how much paperwork I'm going to have to do because of you?"
"Yeah, but you're so good at it. I figured you wouldn't mind."
"I'll stop by after the shift. You want me to bring you anything?"
"Some sweats and a t-shirt would be good. That way I won't have to wear one of those stupid gowns."
"OK, I'll swing past your place and pick them up. Should I call your mom?"
"You can, but she still isn't talking to me 'cause of Mikey."
"Oh, alright. I'll see you later than."
*****
When Faith got back to the station she paged Fred on his work pager. It didn't take long for him to call. "Hey Fred. You coming home tonight?"
"Depends. Is Boscorelli going to be there?"
"No Fred. He's back in the hospital."
"What happened?"
"I'll tell you when I get home tonight, but I'll be a little late. I promised him I'd pick up some stuff from his apartment, and bring it to the hospital."
"Alright than. I'll see you tonight."
Faith hung up, and dialed Bosco's mom. "Hello?"
"Hi. It's Faith Yokas. Maurice's partner." She felt odd calling Bosco Maurice.
"I know who you are Faith. Did something happen to Maurice?"
"He's in the hospital again."
"Again?"
"Yeah, third time this month. Someone's stalking him, and he's been attacked twice. The last time was just a couple days ago. He got a couple cracked ribs out of the deal, and he tried coming back to work today."
"So it isn't serious?"
"No, not really. He'll be OK."
"That's good to know. Have him call me when he feels better," and with that Bosco's mom hung up. Faith heard the click of the line being disconnected, and stared at the receiver.