Chapter Two: Doctor in The House
Disclaimer: See Chapter One
Summary: Neil and Christy- Christy is shot while Neil is tending Fairlight Spencer from one of her ' Faintin' Spells'.
DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE:
Neil pulled the stethoscope from his ears, perturbed at what he just heard. Fairlight's heart seemed perfectly fine, except after every beat that he could hear, he heard a softer, less distinct beat follow.
Could it be? Fairlight with child, again?
Neil thought for a second, then put the stethoscope back to his ear, and ran the metal diaphragm down to Fairlight's stomach. There indeed, was a second heartbeat. He cleared his throat and smiled at his patient.
Fairlight snuck a glance at the Doc, and when she saw him grinning, she knew what was going on. " I kin tell what your 'bout ta say Doc, I kin see it in your eyes."
Neil grinned again, relieved that it was nothing too serious. " You always read me well, Mrs. Spencer."
He started to pack up his things when Fairlight put a hand on his shoulder, and gently turned him around. " I saw sumthin' else too, Doc. Why was there relief in your eyes, were you 'fraid I was gunna die?"
Neil sighed, and then started to explain his protective feelings over a certain schoolteacher. Fairlight smiled when she heard this, but frowned when Neil asked how the reading lesson went today. "Doc, didn't cha know? Miz Christy cancelled our lesson taday, She came over here ta tell me, b'fore I dun and had my faintin' spell. She told me she was gunna go and visit your place, said she needed to get sum supplies from ya."
Neil's face grew grim, " How long ago was it when she came over?" His voice was like an urgent plea.
Fairlight thought for a second, calculating the time. " I think hits been 'bout an hour or so since you've been here, and she was here bout two hours 'afore you came, so, bout three hours, Doc." Fairlight rounded in a worried tone.
"Oh God, it only takes an hour to walk there, and forty five to ride. She's probably been hurt!" Neil threw the rest of his tools in his saddlebags, and ran out the door, yelling instructions to Fairlight on his way. "Get some rest, and don't fret! I will find her, I swear on my own heart, I will find her!" And with that, he rode out into the storm.
Charlie began to pick up speed in his gallop, sensing Neil's urgency. He could already see the clearing to his cabin. He needed to pick up a lantern and some other medical supplies, and then resume his search for Christy. He might as well stop by Grantland's place too, and let him know, after all, they are close friends, but no longer courting, as the Preacher has found a long lost girlfriend from school.
Charlie's hooves finally touched the path to the cabin, and Neil could see that one of the front lanterns was lit. There was snow shining on all five steps to the cabin- wait, five steps? There were only four, he should know, he built them himself. It was then that he noticed a bit of cloth on the fifth 'step'. He jumped off Charlie, tied him up, and ran to the steps of his cabin.
Pulling his jacket closer, Neil shivered as he bent down to retrieve the cloth, and when he got close to the step, he noticed that there was less snow on this step than all the others, and it was fresh too, no footprints from his previous visit.
"Oh my god, Christy! Are you alright Lass?!" He brushed the snow off of her and gently but quickly picked her up. He ran up the steps and kicked open the door. Once in the living room, he laid her down on the rug and started a large fire.
Neil ran to get the down filled blanket from his bed and a few other quilts and a pillow. He ran back down to the living room, and put the pillow under her head, and dropping the blankets next to her.
" Christy? Christy! I have got to get these clothes off of you! Wake up!" He shook her very gently, being careful incase she had any head injuries. She wouldn't wake up. He checked her pulse, it was weakened.
" Damn it, woman, wake up!" Neil was desperate. He quickly worked at getting her dress off of her, knowing how improper it was. He didn't care. All he cared about was that Christy got better, quickly. He pulled the dress off of her and gently turned her on her side to undo her corset and petticoats. Neil heard someone groan, then he realized it was Christy.
"Neil? Neil, what is going on, what are you doing?" Christy felt painful and groggy. She turned to face him, her shoulders aching.
It was about that time that Neil noticed blood on her right shoulder, and then the bullet hole. " Jesus, Christy! You've been shot! No wonder your in shock! You have lost one hell of a lotta blood!" Neil covered Christy with a blanket and reached for his medicine kit. " I have to get that thing outta your shoulder Christy, or you could get Gangrene. I have to do it now." He went and cleared his operation table and covered it with one of the blankets, then arranged his tools on a small table tray. He then carried a conscious Christy over to the table and carried on sterilizing his tools.
" Christy, I am going to give you some medicine for the pain, but I need you conscious, or you might go in a coma from the shock."
Christy nodded, her face full of pain, and her eyes full of trust. She whimpered when she saw the needle. " Neil, please, make it go away, make the pain go away." Her eyes closed as he pressed the needle to her wrist.
" Christy, stay awake Lass!" Neil screamed as he checked her neck for a pulse. Steady. He checked her eyes. She was only sleeping, not unconscious, he could live with that. He began the operation, praying that Christy would make it through.
END CHAPTER TWO
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