I'm sorry again for the unbelievably huge delay in updating this story. Life has been sooooo hectic recently! Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to review and e-mail me, it really is appreciated.
Hide and Seek Chapter 14
As soon as the elevator reached the 4th floor the heavy doors shook slightly as if in weary protest before sliding open to reveal the surgical floor. The judder startled Benton out of his reverie and he slowly lifted himself off the elevator wall with a sigh and made his way in the direction of Carter's private room.
The surgeon, though usually at ease in the familiar surgical environment, now felt a stirring of nervousness creep through him at the thought of facing Carter for the first time since his ordeal. Never a man big on communication anyway, he struggled to think of a conversation opener that wouldn't come across as weak or lame. Asking if the younger doctor was ok seemed so unsubstantial, so inappropriate when it was abundantly clear that Carter was far from ok, would be far from ok for some time until his physical and mental injuries had healed.
He knew when his former student was fully conscious he would be going over and over what had happened tonight in his head, struggling to find a reason for tonight's events. Knowing Carter he would probably find someway to blame himself, he seemed to have this complex where he would try to point the finger of responsibility in his direction, no matter what the circumstances. Benton knew how good a doctor Carter was, knew the skill he brought to his job. Yes he had never given him the praise he fully deserved but that was just the surgeon's style; he wasn't big on communication, he was more a do-er than a say-er. But whatever he had said or hadn't said in the past he knew that there was no way Carter could have made a mistake like this; he had followed the patient's wishes.
Benton absentmindedly rubbed his neck in deep procrastination, feeling guiltily unsure if he wanted his friend to be awake or not. He admitted to himself begrudgingly that he was desperate to ensure that Carter was ok and the younger doctor being conscious would provide him with some sort of relief from his worry. But he also knew that Carter might question him about tonight's activities and Benton's knowledge was sketchy at best. He couldn't even explain to his enquiring mind what had happened never mind Carter.
He took a fleeting glance around him as he strode down the familiar hallway. All was silent around him except for the odd nurse he passed along the way. When he had first started his surgical training he had hated the night shifts as they usually consisted of patient monitoring and little else. He had craved the fast pace of the day time hours with the more opportune moments for him to use his growing surgical skills. He had thrived on the possibilities the daytime brought.
But now, as he walked down this practically deserted hallway he realised he welcomed the moments of peace that came with the darkness. The silence brought a balance of calmness to his harried mind, and the tightness of his shoulders started to slowly dissipate as he felt a stirring of what could almost be described as home wash over him. The hospital had always been a safe haven for him, a place where he could feel secure and know his place. With each step down the hallway he had the growing sensation of a blanket of comfort being placed around his tired shoulders.
When he reached the hallway junction Benton moved to turn right to head in Carter's direction when he heard a familiar voice call his name from behind. He was about to turn around when a quiet noise ahead of him grabbed his attention. He knew from experience that the familiar squeak could only come from one of the hospital's old wheelchairs and natural curiosity made him want to discover who was using one so late at night. Leaning to the right he took a quick glance down either side of the hallway but all that greeted him was a silent, empty corridor.
He frowned in consternation, wondering if that bang on the head had affected him more than he thought when Kerry tugged at his sleeve from behind, making the already on edge surgeon jump in surprise.
"Peter, is everything ok?" The female doctor asked, struggling to see past the taller surgeon and at what had grabbed his attention.
"Uh yeah everything is fine." Benton replied, shaking his head as if to clear it. He took another quick glance down the hallway before turning round to face Kerry.
"I just wanted to let you know that I've spoken to Carter's doctor and he told me that he is doing well. Hopefully Carter will be transferred out of the ICU ward during the next day or two."
It felt to the surgeon like someone had suddenly come along and removed the enormous weight that had been pressing down on his shoulders. He could feel the tension start to ebb with the good news about Carter.
"That's great news Kerry. I'm sure Carter will be pleased. I'm just about to stick my head in his room, make sure everything is ok, and then get home for some much needed sleep." He rubbed his eyes tiredly. "Lord knows I need it now, did you want to join me?" Benton asked her, gesturing with his hand towards Carter's door.
"I would but unfortunately the ER never sleeps. I need to get back down there and make sure Malucci hasn't destroyed the place." Placing her hand around her crutch handle Kerry headed back towards the elevators. "See you soon Peter."
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Trying to calm his frantic breathing Smith took another slow, deep breath in before pulling the blinds apart slightly to have another desperate look at the hallway. He licked his dry lips in nervous contemplation, listening with bated breath to the conversation occurring only a few steps away from where he was standing.
He recognised the couple straightaway and he felt his chest tighten when he heard the man say he was headed for the room. Why were people so interested in this damn doctor?
He glanced desperately around the room for any kind of inspiration before resting his eyes on a nearby medical trolley. Smirking slightly at his find he quickly marched over to the trolley and began quietly hunting through the individual drawers until his hand landed on what he had been searching for.
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As soon as he had opened the door Benton found himself in a darkened room, which put him on edge straightaway. Even though it was night the nurses still kept the rooms dimly lit so they could carry out their duties without disturbing the patient. He squinted hard and used his right hand to feel for a light switch on the wall. Carter could yell at him all he wanted for waking him but Benton wouldn't feel reassured until he had a proper view of the room. His hand kept coming up empty so, cursing with frustration, he took a step further into the room and twisted himself slightly to try and make out the light switch.
When his hand finally landed on the familiar plastic Benton flicked the switch and with the illumination saw that Carter was indeed safe and fast asleep. A deep feeling of disappointment washed over the surgeon and, not wanting to wake his friend, he made to turn the light down when he suddenly heard a slight rustle behind him. He turned automatically toward the source of the sound and saw Smith coming toward him, hand in the air, clutching a scalpel with his face twisted tight in rage.
Benton surprise swiftly vanished and he quickly dodged Smith's swipe of the blade and used the man's momentum to throw him to the ground. As Smith landed hard and awkwardly on the floor his hand went to cushion the fall and the scalpel flew from his grasp in response, sliding from view underneath Carter's bed.
With his adrenalin numbing the pain Smith quickly resumed his fierce stance in front of the surgeon and flew at him again with a roar of anger, coming low at the surgeon this time. Benton responded slow and stumbled with the hefty force of Smith's blow, falling backwards hard onto Carter's bed. He slid to the floor with a grunt of pain and out of the corner of his eye saw Smith lumbering towards him again.
As he struggled to regain his balance Benton caught sight of the scalpel just out of his reach under the corner of the bed. Smith curiously followed the surgeon's gaze and with shock widening his eyes made a desperate grab for the instrument, just as Benton reached his arm across the floor.
The two men rolled around on the floor with limbs flying wildly over each other, each clambering desperately over the one scalpel. Benton had just made a second wild swipe for the scalpel when he heard a click followed by harsh illumination and he was faced with his deranged attacker, whose face was twisted in a fierce animal snarl. The surgeon had never seen a look of pure anger and hatred.
"Kerry! Quick get Security! Get anybody!"! He yelled frantically at the female doctor, relief flooding through him. Kerry's face was a picture of shock, amazed at the sight in front of her. She wordlessly nodded in response and gripped her crutch tightly as she stumbled back in the hallway to search for help.
Hoping that help was on its way Benton returned his attention back to Smith, praying the help would arrive soon.
"You son of a bitch, look what you've done. I had this all figured out and now you have ruined everything." Smith cried, pacing around the small room in frustration. He started muttering to himself, gripping the surgical instrument tightly in his hands. He could feel sweat starting to trickle down his temple and he swiped furiously at the liquid, annoyed at the distraction.
"I had it all figured out; I would get justice for my mother but now you…." He spat, swinging his large frame around to face Benton with accusation marring his twisted features. "….you have messed everything up!"
Smith raised his head and tensed his body, scalpel raised high, ready to pounce when the door swung open and two Security guards came flying through in quick succession.
Smith turned at the noise, distracted, and Benton took the opportunity and swiped quickly with a right hook that hit Smith's jaw hard. The older man went down hard and Benton leapt on him with a last burst of energy and grabbed the man's arms, twisting them so they were held tightly behind his back. Smith struggled desperately to get free but with the full force of the surgeon on him he couldn't manage to lift himself. He soon stilled his frantic movements when he saw the Security guards come running across the room at him. He could only stare despondently at the men as they dragged him off the floor and handcuffed his hands behind his back.
Benton watched with deep relief as Smith was taken from the room towards the elevator, struggling hard against the guards. He staggered slowly upwards, using theside of the medical trolleyto steady himself before making his way over to his friend.
The younger doctor was now awake and gasping for breath, but one look at those wide brown eyes, glassed over with fear, and Benton knew with a sickening feeling that this wasn't a result of recent events.
"Carter…..?" He asked, gripping the younger doctor shoulder in support.
"I… can't …breath." He wheezed, before the lack of oxygen caused darkness to consume him.
