Chapter Two
The pain in his ankle and hand was beginning to intensify; Colby was busy talking on the phone to the other agents at the scene while David tried to distract Don from his obvious discomfort.
"We were lucky to catch a break with this case, now we have Miller it shouldn't take too long to track down the jewels"
"That's if he sold them, he might not have been able to yet, make sure Colby tells the other guys to tear that house apart, if they're there I want them found"
"He's doing just that, try to relax Don, we're almost there"
Don would have replied but David hit a bump which sent a hot poker through his ankle. He closed his eyes and tried to think of anything but the pain. It occurred to him that he'd never sat in his own back seat let alone laid down. It was a weird feeling to say the least , it then occurred to him that he wasn't going to be doing many reports for a while seeing as he was right handed. He smiled despite himself just as David hit another bump.
"ARGH !"
"Sorry man, we're here"
Once inside Don was seen to pretty quickly, the Doctor checked his hand and ankle and sent him for X-rays, to Don's surprise there were no bones broken. Once his wounds were cleaned with a special solution the moment he had been dreading arrived. So far he'd only been given a painkiller, easily taken with water. The nurse standing before him now held two needles, the likes of which he'd never seen. David and Colby were standing the other side of the curtain , there was no way he could plead with her while they were in ear shot , there was no way he could live that down. He was going to have to summon up all the Eppes strength he could muster and grin and bear it, well maybe not grin, grimace more like.
The nurse explained that the first needle was a high dose antibiotic and the second the tetanus. Don gritted his teeth as the first needle went into his flesh; he was lying on his side and gripping the thin sheet draped across him with such force that his fingers almost broke through the cotton. He tried to ignore the faintness he was feeling but as the second needle went in Don felt himself rolling further forward than was advised on a high bed. He crashed to the floor in an unconscious heap. David and Colby had leapt around the curtain the instant they had heard the crash , both had their hands on their guns , still holstered on their hips , but ready to be drawn .The sight that greeted them was to keep them amused for many weeks to come. Today was not a good day to be Don Eppes. Don had fallen off the bed side first and landed on his back, the gown that he'd been made to wear while being examined had thankfully not ridden up higher than his thighs, but enough to cause a red flush when he woke up. The nurse was attempting to wake him with gentle slaps to his face.
"What happened?" asked David as he helped the nurse place a pillow under Don's head.
"I guess he's a little scared of needles" she laughed "This happens every week with the people you'd least expect it from"
"Seriously! He fainted at the sight of the needle?" The nurse smiled back at Colby,
"I don't think it was just the sight, they have to go in pretty deep "
"aaaoooooooooooh"
"Don? Don? Are you ok?" David aided the nurse in helping Don sit up.
"What happened?"
"Man you fainted at the sight of a needle" Colby knew the instant the words had left his mouth that he was going to regret saying that. Don glared at him, although it didn't have the desired effect as he was still as white as the sheets and shaking a little.
David and the nurse helped Don back into the bed. He hadn't managed to aggravate any of his wounds so the nurse left him to rest.
Colby could be heard chuckling behind David.
"I was attacked by a dog, I passed out because of that "
"Ok man, whatever you say" Colby could barely speak at this point. Don, the big macho man, big boss man had fainted because of a needle. Colby had a great amount of respect for Don, but couldn't help but find this funny. Don could face down an attacking suspect yet give him a needle…..oh it was too much , he turned to David , barely making eye contact and excused himself from the room.
Alan had driven to the Hospital at a speed he would have reprimanded Charlie for. Even though David had said Don was fine, just deep gashes was all, Alan needed to see for himself. As he walked up to the entrance he was greeted by David and Colby.
"Hello Mr Eppes, Don's fine. He's inside resting"
"Thanks David, where inside is he? "
"This way Mr Eppes" Colby led the way inside to Don's bed; he was still lying with his arm over his face.
"Mr Eppes "David placed his hand on Alan's arm, "he's ok, honestly. We'll leave you to it, call if you need anything, anything at all"
"Thanks David "
"Feel better Don, we'll see you soon"
"Uh huh" Don didn't even bother looking at David or Colby; he was too embarrassed right now to acknowledge either of them.
David and Colby left, both still trying to keep the smirks from their faces.
Alan lent over Don and pulled his arm away from his face, he gave a little resistance.
"Donnie? What happened?"
"I got bit by a dog "
"Donnie?" Alan frowned down at his eldest.
"And I fell off the bed when the Nurse gave me the Tetanus "
"Ah, I see"
"What?"
"Do you not remember when you were 12? You did the same thing when you broke your arm at Baseball"
"I was 12 Dad, this is a little different"
"No Donnie it isn't. Everyone has something they're a little afraid of"
"I'm not afraid"
"But they deal with it and move on; they do not act like a spoiled child and ignore their friends. We don't do that Don"
Don put his arm back over his face. Maybe, just maybe when he opened his eyes again he'd find himself back in time three hours and he'd let Colby through the door first.
Alan walked around the bed and cradled Don's right hand in his. The hand was heavily bandaged and the fingers were a little red. Alan then moved to Don's right ankle, also heavily bandaged. He had to hand it to Don; his boy didn't do anything by half's. Alan turned; about to find someone to tell him what the damage was when he saw a Doctor making a line directly for them.
"Mr Eppes?"
"Yes"
"Yeah" answered Alan and Don simultaneously .The Doctor, who quickly guessed who Alan was, shook his hand and approached Don, who was now allowing a view of his face.
"Your results have come back fine, no broken bones and no sign of any nerve damage. I have removed a small amount of damaged tissue from your ankle but that's nothing to worry about. The wounds are now clean but I am going to prescribe you with a course of antibiotics to top up the shot we gave you. Should you see either wound become inflamed then please come straight back. Apart from that you're good to go. Make sure you schedule an appointment with your Doctor to check the wounds in a couple of days, and keep off your feet for the next few days .Just to give your ankle a chance to heal without being aggravated, plus you might feel a little tired from the antibiotics."
The Doctor handed Alan the prescription sheet.
"Do I need to change his bandages or anything?" Alan enquired.
"They'll be fine for today, its best if you could change them tomorrow and apply the antibiotic cream I've included in the prescription if the wounds weep or bleed at all"
"Ok, thank you Doctor"
"That's no problem, take care"
"Thanks Doc"
Don was about to cover his face with his arm again but Alan stopped him.
"Come on Donnie, get yourself dressed and let's get you home"
"I hope you mean my home"
"Of course I mean your home, you don't think I'm allowing you to stay on your own in that apartment of yours do you?" Alan raised his eyes at Don and walked away before he could argue. He made a b-line for the Nurse who had treated Don.
Don watched as his father talked to the nurse, he knew he was checking to see if Don had hurt himself when he fainted. Passed out, he corrected himself.
Once in the car Don felt himself relax as his father drove him back to the family home. A few days rest was what he needed, a few days to try to forget this awful day.
The throbbing in his hand and ankle was beginning to return. He had been given a painkiller at the hospital but the movement of the car had brought back a dull ache. He couldn't wait to be situated on the couch, in front of the tv, beer in hand, relaxing.
His Dad's voice broke through his reverie.
"Why were you the first through the door Don? Don't you have people for that?"
"We didn't think we'd need them, we knew where the guy was in the house, and he had no curtains or anything so he was in plain sight the whole time"
"But you didn't see the dog?"
"No, we didn't see the dog" Don's voice had a slight edge to it. Alan knew better than to push the matter any further.
"Charlie's home, I need to run to Art's quickly so he can keep an eye on you "
"I don't need Charlie looking after me, I'm fine"
"You are not fine Donald and you will allow Charlie to look after you, he needs that every once in a while you know"
Don looked at his father who risked a glance back.
"He likes to feel that his big brother needs him. In more ways then just helping out on cases. Let him help you Donnie, he'll surprise you "
"I've had enough surprises all ready thank you, did you tell him what happened?"
"Not yet, no. I thought it best to not worry him; you know how he can get"