Chapter 5
Rick heard Laurie scream again, then coming to the edge of the hollow, saw her less then 6 feet away, being banged against the rocky cliff. He tried to reach her with his thoughts, "swing yourself over to the right, darlin', I'll catch you. Swing over and when you feel my arms around you, let go of the rope and scream."
He saw her turn around and look for him, then holding out his arms, called "Laurie, push yourself over toward the right, now!" Laurie sobbed, "Rick!" then kicking away from the rocks, headed right for the tunnel.
Catching her, Rick quickly untied her hands, then let the rope go as she let out a scream. Limping backwards, he managed to sit down, still holding her tightly in his embrace. "Rick, darling," she gasped, as he kissed her and whispered her name over and over. "Sweetheart, how did you get here, who threw you over the cliff?" he asked, feeling her shivering. "Steve flew us over, A.J.'s in the hospital just a little ways from here, oh, Rick, we've been looking for you since yesterday when Towne found him. That monster who attacked me in Arizona also tried to kill you and A.J."
Rick shook his head, dazed at the turn of events. "Laurie, darlin', he went after you at home, I thought it was just A.J. and I they were after?"
Suddenly they both heard Oscar yelling, then Steve called out to Laurie. "Oh, no, Rick, Oscar thinks that guy killed me, we've got to let them know we're alive!"
Helping him toward the opening of the hollow, Laurie and Rick called out to Oscar, "We're here, we need a rope! " Laurie added, "Rick's leg is broken, we need a splint!"
There was a pause in the wind and rain, then Robbie called "Hang on, Pop, Mom, we're sending down a rope for both of you, Uncle Steve's going to pull you up!"
Hanging on to Rick, Laurie put her face against him, she felt rung out. "Hold on, my angel, we're almost out of here." he soothed, forgetting his own pain. "I'm all right, I knew you weren't gone from me, I knew I'd find you," she told him.
Just then a rope dropped down in front of them, with a plastic splint attached. Rick took the rope and tied it around both of them, as Laurie put the splint around his leg.
Yelling, "Ok, bring us up," Rick wrapped his arms around his wife as they edged up the slope. Laurie buried her face in his shoulder, afraid to look down as their friend slowly pulled them over the rocks, then finally across the lip of the cliff. All at once, they were on level ground, where Laurie was surprised to see Abby bend down and manage to untie the rope from around their waists.
Robbie grabbed his father, then hugged him, as he helped him sit up. "Pop, I was so scared we wouldn't find you." Rick held on to his son as Oscar gathered Laurie in his arms. "Baby, are you all right, I saw you go over the edge." He held her tightly, and she saw tears in his eyes. "Oscar, I'm fine, just sore."She took a deep breath," I was so scared! I did wait for you, I did." she insisted. "I know, honey. I shouldn't have put you off like I did. Thank God Steve heard you, I should have killed that animal anyway." he said, looking at the killer being held by Towne.
"No, Oscar, that's not you, let him face his failure in jail, "she assured him, as he wrapped a blanket around her. "She's right, he'll be really sorry he messed with us when Matthews finds out, Oscar." Rick added, as the paramedics put both him and Laurie on gurneys, then loaded them into the ambulance.
"Oscar, uh, you and Rudy ride with them, I'll drive Steve and Rob back to the hospital." Abby offered, to their surprise.
Once in the emergency room, Laurie saw Rick taken to a different treatment room, and she started to panic.
"Rudy, please stay with Rick, I want to make sure he's safe." she said nervously. "Honey, it's ok, I'll go with him but you listen to Dr. Wakely, he'll be in to see you shortly." he said, giving her a hug. "I'll let Robin know you're all right, she and your Mom are on their way now." As Laurie sat back to wait, she saw Lt. Marsh standing by herself.
Hoping she wouldn't notice her, Laurie looked down, then hearing someone clearing their throat, she looked up to see Abby standing next to her.
"Mrs. Simon, uh, Laurie, I want to apologize, I had no right to unload on you like that. I've seen enough of Rob and Robin to know they've been brought up with a lot of love and care, and it does take someone very special to do that. I guess I'm a little envious of the family you have, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see how much everyone loves and cares about you."
"Abby, it's ok, believe it or not, I understand. I have to tell you, I've always been been a little in awe of you and the work you've done. You worked so hard to continue Towne's work, and make a name for yourself. All I can say is I had to wait so long for a family, but it was worth it! It'll be the same for you, believe me!" she said, forgetting her hurt and putting her hand on the detective's arm.
"Well, you're very generous, Laurie, thank you. Now, I'm going to make sure my illustrious predecessor locked up our suspect, you get some rest and I'll be back to take your statement." Abby smiled tentatively, then turned and left.
As the night turned into morning, Rick was diagnosed with a broken tibia, as well as a concussion and numerous cuts and bruises. Getting permission to put him on the same floor as his brother, Rudy headed over to see how Laurie was, only to find Robin outside, distressed. "Uncle Rudy, Mom's having trouble breathing, can you come see her?" Worried, he went into the treatment room to find Laurie hyperventilating slightly. "Honey, when did this start, why didn't you call the doctor?", he asked.
"I. I'm all right, Rudy, is Rick ok, he was is such pain, I need to know." she pleaded. Sitting next to Laurie, he took her hand. "Honey, he's fine, he has a broken tibia; he'll be on crutches for about six weeks. He also has a concussion, but he's very lucky, being out of the elements, he didn't suffer from exposure or hypothermia. You need to calm down, missy, he's worried enough about you as it is."
She managed to slow her breathing down, "I'm sorry, I'm just so afraid." she admitted to his surprise. "Mom, you don't have to be afraid, you're safe." Robin said, giving her a kiss. She smiled back at her daughter, "I know, I'm just a scardy-cat, darling, I'll be fine." Rudy saw the frightened look in her eyes still, and made up his mind to take care of that right now.
"Robin, I'll be right back, you stay here with your mom," he told her, then kissed Laurie on the cheek and left the room. Just then there was a knock on the door, and Linda appeared, pushing A.J. in a wheelchair.
"Laurie, honey, we came to see how you feel, Rudy said it would be ok," her sister-in-law said. Laurie tried to smile, "I'll be all right, just waiting to be seen by the doctor." As A.J. came closer, he saw the same fearful look in her eyes. "Honey, it's all right to be scared, you and Rick were both assaulted. Just don't hold it all in, ok?"
She nodded, "all right then, you get some rest and we'll see you in the morning," he added. Waving bye to A.J., she sank back onto the pillows, as Robin told her, "Mom, Uncle Oscar told me what that murderer did, he was awful. Robbie told me he nearly killed him, because he thought he'd thrown you over the cliff."
"Yes he almost did. I'm glad he didn't, because that would have turned a crook into a victim. Your Uncle is the most decent man, I wouldn't have had him waste a bullet on that scum." she said vehemently, then exhausted closed her eyes and lay back on her pillows.
A knock on the door stopped their discussion then, and Robin opened it to find her father at the door. Putting a finger to his lips, he told her quietly "Robin, can you sit with your Grandmother for a moment." "Sure, Pop, that's a good idea," she whispered, then gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Rob and I will check on you two later."
Wheeling himself to her side, Rick took her hand, "Laurie, darlin', I'm here." Opening her eyes, she gasped, "Rick, I was so worried, I'm even afraid to go to sleep without you now."
"Sweetheart, you're safe, I won't go anywhere, I promise. No more bad dreams. "he kissed her, then managed to pull himself up onto her bed.
Sighing with relief, she snuggled up to him. "Better, my Laurie?" he comforted her, stroking her face. "Yes, darling, I love you," she told him, "I have to tell you, Rick. I had a premonition of you and A.J. going over the cliff. I heard you calling his name. At first I was so upset. I didn't want any of this second sight anymore if I couldn't change things.
Now," she kissed him, "I'll never complain again, because Oscar says if I hadn't seen what happened, nobody would have known where you and A.J. were!"
Rick was astonished, he had called his brother's name as he was thrown from the truck. He saw the acceptance in Laurie's eyes, if she could handle it, he could. "Darlin', I don't know what to say, I don't ever want you burdened with anything like this. All I know is we're blessed. I have my sweetheart in my arms and no one is going to separate us again." He kissed her back, then caressed her and told her he loved her until she went to sleep. Secure she was safe, Rick closed his eyes; hospital regulations be hanged, he was not going to sleep without his wife.
Hunting down his patient, Rick's doctor came in and found the two Simons fast asleep, as well as Robbie and Robin, each sitting on one side of their parents. Quietly backing out, he saw Rudy and Oscar waiting outside their room. "Well, I found him, like you said, he's asleep with Mrs. Simon and the two kids are asleep next to them."
Oscar smiled for the first time in 48 hours. "Just as it should be, Doctor, all's right with the world. Our family is together again."
Rick heard Laurie scream again, then coming to the edge of the hollow, saw her less then 6 feet away, being banged against the rocky cliff. He tried to reach her with his thoughts, "swing yourself over to the right, darlin', I'll catch you. Swing over and when you feel my arms around you, let go of the rope and scream."
He saw her turn around and look for him, then holding out his arms, called "Laurie, push yourself over toward the right, now!" Laurie sobbed, "Rick!" then kicking away from the rocks, headed right for the tunnel.
Catching her, Rick quickly untied her hands, then let the rope go as she let out a scream. Limping backwards, he managed to sit down, still holding her tightly in his embrace. "Rick, darling," she gasped, as he kissed her and whispered her name over and over. "Sweetheart, how did you get here, who threw you over the cliff?" he asked, feeling her shivering. "Steve flew us over, A.J.'s in the hospital just a little ways from here, oh, Rick, we've been looking for you since yesterday when Towne found him. That monster who attacked me in Arizona also tried to kill you and A.J."
Rick shook his head, dazed at the turn of events. "Laurie, darlin', he went after you at home, I thought it was just A.J. and I they were after?"
Suddenly they both heard Oscar yelling, then Steve called out to Laurie. "Oh, no, Rick, Oscar thinks that guy killed me, we've got to let them know we're alive!"
Helping him toward the opening of the hollow, Laurie and Rick called out to Oscar, "We're here, we need a rope! " Laurie added, "Rick's leg is broken, we need a splint!"
There was a pause in the wind and rain, then Robbie called "Hang on, Pop, Mom, we're sending down a rope for both of you, Uncle Steve's going to pull you up!"
Hanging on to Rick, Laurie put her face against him, she felt rung out. "Hold on, my angel, we're almost out of here." he soothed, forgetting his own pain. "I'm all right, I knew you weren't gone from me, I knew I'd find you," she told him.
Just then a rope dropped down in front of them, with a plastic splint attached. Rick took the rope and tied it around both of them, as Laurie put the splint around his leg.
Yelling, "Ok, bring us up," Rick wrapped his arms around his wife as they edged up the slope. Laurie buried her face in his shoulder, afraid to look down as their friend slowly pulled them over the rocks, then finally across the lip of the cliff. All at once, they were on level ground, where Laurie was surprised to see Abby bend down and manage to untie the rope from around their waists.
Robbie grabbed his father, then hugged him, as he helped him sit up. "Pop, I was so scared we wouldn't find you." Rick held on to his son as Oscar gathered Laurie in his arms. "Baby, are you all right, I saw you go over the edge." He held her tightly, and she saw tears in his eyes. "Oscar, I'm fine, just sore."She took a deep breath," I was so scared! I did wait for you, I did." she insisted. "I know, honey. I shouldn't have put you off like I did. Thank God Steve heard you, I should have killed that animal anyway." he said, looking at the killer being held by Towne.
"No, Oscar, that's not you, let him face his failure in jail, "she assured him, as he wrapped a blanket around her. "She's right, he'll be really sorry he messed with us when Matthews finds out, Oscar." Rick added, as the paramedics put both him and Laurie on gurneys, then loaded them into the ambulance.
"Oscar, uh, you and Rudy ride with them, I'll drive Steve and Rob back to the hospital." Abby offered, to their surprise.
Once in the emergency room, Laurie saw Rick taken to a different treatment room, and she started to panic.
"Rudy, please stay with Rick, I want to make sure he's safe." she said nervously. "Honey, it's ok, I'll go with him but you listen to Dr. Wakely, he'll be in to see you shortly." he said, giving her a hug. "I'll let Robin know you're all right, she and your Mom are on their way now." As Laurie sat back to wait, she saw Lt. Marsh standing by herself.
Hoping she wouldn't notice her, Laurie looked down, then hearing someone clearing their throat, she looked up to see Abby standing next to her.
"Mrs. Simon, uh, Laurie, I want to apologize, I had no right to unload on you like that. I've seen enough of Rob and Robin to know they've been brought up with a lot of love and care, and it does take someone very special to do that. I guess I'm a little envious of the family you have, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see how much everyone loves and cares about you."
"Abby, it's ok, believe it or not, I understand. I have to tell you, I've always been been a little in awe of you and the work you've done. You worked so hard to continue Towne's work, and make a name for yourself. All I can say is I had to wait so long for a family, but it was worth it! It'll be the same for you, believe me!" she said, forgetting her hurt and putting her hand on the detective's arm.
"Well, you're very generous, Laurie, thank you. Now, I'm going to make sure my illustrious predecessor locked up our suspect, you get some rest and I'll be back to take your statement." Abby smiled tentatively, then turned and left.
As the night turned into morning, Rick was diagnosed with a broken tibia, as well as a concussion and numerous cuts and bruises. Getting permission to put him on the same floor as his brother, Rudy headed over to see how Laurie was, only to find Robin outside, distressed. "Uncle Rudy, Mom's having trouble breathing, can you come see her?" Worried, he went into the treatment room to find Laurie hyperventilating slightly. "Honey, when did this start, why didn't you call the doctor?", he asked.
"I. I'm all right, Rudy, is Rick ok, he was is such pain, I need to know." she pleaded. Sitting next to Laurie, he took her hand. "Honey, he's fine, he has a broken tibia; he'll be on crutches for about six weeks. He also has a concussion, but he's very lucky, being out of the elements, he didn't suffer from exposure or hypothermia. You need to calm down, missy, he's worried enough about you as it is."
She managed to slow her breathing down, "I'm sorry, I'm just so afraid." she admitted to his surprise. "Mom, you don't have to be afraid, you're safe." Robin said, giving her a kiss. She smiled back at her daughter, "I know, I'm just a scardy-cat, darling, I'll be fine." Rudy saw the frightened look in her eyes still, and made up his mind to take care of that right now.
"Robin, I'll be right back, you stay here with your mom," he told her, then kissed Laurie on the cheek and left the room. Just then there was a knock on the door, and Linda appeared, pushing A.J. in a wheelchair.
"Laurie, honey, we came to see how you feel, Rudy said it would be ok," her sister-in-law said. Laurie tried to smile, "I'll be all right, just waiting to be seen by the doctor." As A.J. came closer, he saw the same fearful look in her eyes. "Honey, it's all right to be scared, you and Rick were both assaulted. Just don't hold it all in, ok?"
She nodded, "all right then, you get some rest and we'll see you in the morning," he added. Waving bye to A.J., she sank back onto the pillows, as Robin told her, "Mom, Uncle Oscar told me what that murderer did, he was awful. Robbie told me he nearly killed him, because he thought he'd thrown you over the cliff."
"Yes he almost did. I'm glad he didn't, because that would have turned a crook into a victim. Your Uncle is the most decent man, I wouldn't have had him waste a bullet on that scum." she said vehemently, then exhausted closed her eyes and lay back on her pillows.
A knock on the door stopped their discussion then, and Robin opened it to find her father at the door. Putting a finger to his lips, he told her quietly "Robin, can you sit with your Grandmother for a moment." "Sure, Pop, that's a good idea," she whispered, then gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Rob and I will check on you two later."
Wheeling himself to her side, Rick took her hand, "Laurie, darlin', I'm here." Opening her eyes, she gasped, "Rick, I was so worried, I'm even afraid to go to sleep without you now."
"Sweetheart, you're safe, I won't go anywhere, I promise. No more bad dreams. "he kissed her, then managed to pull himself up onto her bed.
Sighing with relief, she snuggled up to him. "Better, my Laurie?" he comforted her, stroking her face. "Yes, darling, I love you," she told him, "I have to tell you, Rick. I had a premonition of you and A.J. going over the cliff. I heard you calling his name. At first I was so upset. I didn't want any of this second sight anymore if I couldn't change things.
Now," she kissed him, "I'll never complain again, because Oscar says if I hadn't seen what happened, nobody would have known where you and A.J. were!"
Rick was astonished, he had called his brother's name as he was thrown from the truck. He saw the acceptance in Laurie's eyes, if she could handle it, he could. "Darlin', I don't know what to say, I don't ever want you burdened with anything like this. All I know is we're blessed. I have my sweetheart in my arms and no one is going to separate us again." He kissed her back, then caressed her and told her he loved her until she went to sleep. Secure she was safe, Rick closed his eyes; hospital regulations be hanged, he was not going to sleep without his wife.
Hunting down his patient, Rick's doctor came in and found the two Simons fast asleep, as well as Robbie and Robin, each sitting on one side of their parents. Quietly backing out, he saw Rudy and Oscar waiting outside their room. "Well, I found him, like you said, he's asleep with Mrs. Simon and the two kids are asleep next to them."
Oscar smiled for the first time in 48 hours. "Just as it should be, Doctor, all's right with the world. Our family is together again."