Chapter 18
Stella and Lindsay had just both been rushed to the hospital. Martino was now dead and Mac knew that they would need to start processing the scene as soon as the fire was out.
Mac: "Captain when can we get back into the build to start processing?"
Captain: "Why don't you go to the hospital and check on your CSI's and I will contact you when we feel it will be safe to return to the scene."
Mac got everyone together and they went straight to Trinity Hospital.
Upon their arrival Hawkes went up to the nurses station and showed them his badge.
Hawkes: "I'm Dr. Sheldon Hawkes Detectives Stella Bonasara & Lindsay Monroe were brought in a little while ago. Could you please leadus in their direction?"
Nurse: "Are you here for Detectives Bonasara & Monroe?"
They all shook their heads. "Follow me."
They were in 2 separate rooms across the hall from each other. The nurse took them into see Stella first. She was conscious.
Mac: "Stella….How are you feeling?'
Stella: "I'm fine. How's Lindsay? They won't tell me anything?"
Hawkes walked over her and kissed her on the forehead. "I will go find out."
Danny: "Stel. You okay? Stella shook her head. "Now that I know that you are okay I am gonna go check on Lindsay with Hawkes."
Stella just smiled. "Go Danny. I'm fine."
As Hawkes and Danny were walking out into the hall they saw the Doctor in with Lindsay. They approached her room cautiously. "Doctor. How is she?" Hawkes asked.
Danny walked right up to her bed. She appeared to be unconcious. "Doc?"
Doctor Barnes: "Um, she's gonna be fine. When she wakes up she will be in some pain. There is tremendous bruising around her neck & she did inhale some smoke. But she should be fine. From what I understand this girl is a fighter."
Both men smiled. They knew that already.
Doctor Barnes: "I took the liberty of giving her something to make her sleep." I was informed from Detective Bonasara about her recent events and I felt that she would need something to put her at ease so she could get someneeded rest."
Danny: "She'll be angry when she wakes up. But I know that its for the best."
Sheldon walked over and shook the Doctor's hand. "Thanx Doc."
Doctor: "I will be back to check in on her soon."
Doctor: "She's gonna be out awhile. Why don't you go over and visit with Detective Bonasara. I am gonna go and get her release papers. Detective Monroe won't be up for hours."
Hawkes and Danny looked at each other and thanked the Doctor.
Danny: "Go ahead over to Stella's room I will be there in a minute." He walked over to Lindsay and lifted up her hand. He couldn't believe that she was back in the hospital again. At least Martino was dead this time. He put her hand up to his lips and kissed it. "As soon as you are back on your feet Montana. We are getting married. I don't ever want to lose you!" He gently put her hand down and kissed her gently on her cheek.
"I love you." Then he walked out.
Danny: "Hey Stel. Sorry there was something I needed to do." She reached out for him to come over to her bed; as he sat down she gently placed her hand on his face.
Stella: "You knowshe's gonna be okay. You will help her through this. She knows that you love her and she loves you too."
Danny: "I know. I just want this to be over. I just want her to be able to on with her life and put this all behind her."
Flack walked over and put his hand on Danny's shoulder. "She will buddy. She will."
Mac: "We are all gonna have to help Lindsay. It's gonna take some time.".
As they were talking about Lindsay the Doctor came in with Stella's release papers.
Doctor: "You are free to go Detective. Take care of yourself"
Stella: "I will Doctor. Thank You."
Stella got up and got her things together. "I wanna go check on Lindsay."
Mac came in as Stella was getting ready to walk out. "Mac I wanna check on Lindsay before we go back to the lab."
Mac: "Stella you are not going back to the lab you are going home to rest. Flack will go with you."
Stella: "Mac!"
Mac: "No arguments. You are not going back to the lab. You have been through a lot today."
Stella: "Not as much as Lindsay has."
Mac: "I know. Come on lets go check on her."
They walked over to Lindsay's room. Danny, Hawkes, and Flack were already there. Stella walked up to her and gently brushed a strand of hair out of her face. "Hey I am sorry that….." as she started to speak Lindsay started to open her eyes.
Lindsay: with a shaky voice. "Stella…..are you okay?" She started to cry. " I'm so sorry."
Stella: "Hey its okay. You didn't do anything wrong. I'm fine. Don't you dare cry, because you are gonna make me cry!"
Danny walked over to the two women. "Hey, hey, hey!" he said pulling a chair next to Lindsay's bed. "There is no need for tears. You ladies already shook us up enough today. I don't know if any of us could take that again."
Flack was standing in the doorway. "Yeah. You both scared the hell out of us. Don't ever do that again."
The nurse came in. "Um gentlemen. Det. Monroe needs her rest, and I am sure that Det. Bonasara needs her rest too. I am afraid I am going to have to ask you to leave."
Lindsay: asked very groggily "Can Danny stay?"
The nurse looked at him. "Yes you can stay. I will see if I can get you a more comfortable chair for the night."
Danny looking at Lindsay and then said to the nurse "Thank You!"
Flack and Hawkes walked over to Lindsay and the both gave her a kiss on the cheek.
Mac walked over and took her hand "I am glad that you are okay. You are not coming back to work until the Doctor gives you the okay." With that he kissed her on the forehead and they all left.
Danny: "Linds..I will be right back." He followed them out the door. "Mac..."
Mac: "No need to ask Danny..You can have the next 3 days off. You need to take care of Lindsay. She is gonna need you."
Danny: "Thanx Mac. I will." He then walked over to Stella and gave her a hug. "You know I love you Stel. I'm glad you are okay."
Stella: "I know Danny.I love you too. Now go in there and take care of Lindsay."
A few hours went by and Danny had his head back resting in the chair beside Lindsay's bed. He felt her stir. She was beginning to wake up. He sat up and touched her forehead. "Linds? You're in the hospital." She began to slowly open her eyes. She seemed disoriented. "Hey Montana. Its okay. You're okay."
Lindsay: "Danny." Her voice was shaky. "Danny. Is Martino dead. Is he dead? I remember falling to the ground. I could see blood. It was his blood. It was all over me." DANNY! Is he dead?" She began to cry hysterically.
Danny gently climbed onto her bed with her and gently placed her head on his chest. "Yes. He's dead. It's over. It's all over. "Shhhhh it's gonna be okay. You are gonna be okay" he said. He laid on her bed and held her for awhile.
Lindsay had finally calmed down and just laid on Danny forawhile. "Danny. Thank you." He looked at her. "What for?" "For alwaysbeing here for me." He kissedthe top of her head. "I love you Montana. I will always be here for you. Now close your eyes and go back to sleep. I'm not going anywhere. I will be right here when you wake up." Lindsay hesitated for awhile but she was unable to fight the effects of the drug that the Doctor had prescribed and she fell back asleep. Danny closed his eyes& held Lindsay tight and let the effects of the day take their toll on him.