A/N: Here is the newest chapter in the story. Sorry it took me so long to post it, it turned out to be longer than I thought it would be. This is so far the longest chapter in the story. Sadly I think there will only be one more chapter for this story before its completed. Like always, read and enjoy, and send me a review telling me what you think:)
Chapter 8- Recovery and Rescue
Maneuvering their way through the East wing's maze-like hallways both Prophet and Sam felt a sense that impending doom was waiting for them at Gina's room. Looking down at his torn, blood stained sleeve Sam gently touched the make-shift bandage under which lay the open wound where Grant Addison's bullet had grazed him. It still stung pretty badly, but Sam knew that Beth's anger would be a lot worse. Even though he didn't talk to her directly Sam could still hear, through his ear piece, the anger building beneath her calm words; Prophet may not have mentioned who it was that had been wounded but Beth was able to figure it out with her insightful mind. Turning onto another hallway of doors Prophet and Sam were met by the sight of Beth leaning against the wall beside the only open door, waiting for them.
Catching sight of the two apprehensive agents making their way down the hall, Beth, pushing off the wall, turned and continued to wait as they made their approach. Using her eyes Beth quickly scanned both men for injuries; it didn't take her long to notice the injury she knew that Sam would have. Crossing her arms loosely over her chest Beth fixed Sam with a mixed expression of anger and worry; but as the two male agents came to stand before her the mixed expression of anger and worry was replaced with an expression of irritated relief. Trying to squash her feelings of irritation Beth took a deep calming breath. Feeling in control of her emotions Beth, raising her arms in a shrugging motion, looked at Sam, and asked,
"What happened to you Sam? So you were the one that Grant shot at?"
Brushing his bandaged arm with his fingers Sam replied,
"He wasn't necessarily aiming at me, the bullet just grazed me."
The worry that had previously inhabited Beth's face shined brightly in her eyes as she replied,
"It doesn't matter whether or not he was aiming at you or if the bullet just grazed you. When Prophet said that a certain someone had been injured I knew that you were the one that had gotten hurt. It nearly scared me to death Sam, to death…"
Seeing Beth's eyes glistening dimly with newly formed, unshed tears Sam fully comprehended how his request that Prophet not label him as the injured agent had affected Beth. Turning to Prophet Sam nodded his head toward the open door as he said,
"You go on ahead inside Prophet. Beth and I will be there in a minute."
Catching onto the hidden meaning behind Sam's words Prophet nodded his head in understanding before retreating forward through the open door of Gina's freed quarters. As soon as Prophet was completely engulfed by the room's dim, shadowed darkness Sam pulled Beth into his embrace. Pressed against Sam's warm chest within his safe, secure arms Beth allowed the building tears to fall. A couple of minutes later the cascading tears ceased to flow down Beth's cheeks. Pulling Beth away from his chest slightly Sam used his thumb to wipe the tears from Beth's cheeks as he said,
"I'm sorry that I told Prophet not to tell you that it was me that got injured, Beth. I didn't want to upset you by having Prophet tell you directly over the ear piece…I'm sorry."
Covering Sam's hand that currently cupped her cheek with her own hand Beth smiled up at Sam as she replied,
"It's ok Sam; I can understand why you had Prophet be discrete over the ear pieces. I'm just glad that you're ok. You also know that you're going to have to have your arm checked out by one of the medics."
Sam nodded his head in agreement,
"Yes I know that, but if it turns out that I need stitches I'm not riding in the ambulance to the hospital…" Noticing the look of surprise upon Beth's face Sam swiftly raised his hands in caution, "Think about it Beth, the Emergency operator only dispatched one ambulance, and since Mick will no doubt ride with Gina and the baby to the hospital there will be no extra available space for me to ride. So with that in mind I will let the medics check me out but I will go in the SUV to the hospital with you and Prophet."
Coming to realize and understand the logical aspect of Sam's reasonable response Beth reluctantly nodded her head in agreement as she said,
"Ok, I guess that will work. We'll just have to wait and see what the medics have to say. But right now we should probably head on into the room before Mick and Gina send Prophet back out here to check on us."
Knowing the truth of consequences within Beth's suggested words Sam, while tightly securing his arm around Beth's waist, nodded his head in agreement before they made their way through the open door. As the two of them walked into the dimly light room they were greeted by the friendly smiles of their friends and colleagues. Ignoring the childish grin plastered upon Prophet's face Beth and Sam joined their family of team members in and around the hospital bed. Reaching the crowded bed Beth and Sam positioned themselves in the only available slot, the area near the end of the bed right beside Beth's previously occupied seat. As she swept her eyes over her friends' joy and love-filled faces Beth caught sight of the second unlocked, open-ended shackle lying at the end of the bed; turning back to Mick Beth commented,
"I see that you've already picked the lock of Gina's second imprisoning shackle."
Continuing to smile proudly Mick nodded his head as he replied,
"Yep, I figured that while you were outside waiting for these two guys that I would go ahead and pick the lock. Be one less thing that has to be done when the medics get here…"
At that moment having spotted Sam's dingy, bandaged arm through the room's dim light Gina interceded,
"Speaking of medics, and needed medical attention, how's your arm Sam? Mick relayed everything that Prophet had said over the ear pieces once Beth went outside to wait for you guys."
Raising his bandaged arm slightly Sam gave Gina a reassuring smile as he replied,
"It's not too bad, it just stings a lot. Now I know what it felt like for Prophet when he got grazed. It's definitely something I don't want to experience again for myself."
From beside him with a smile still upon her face Beth nodded her head in silent agreement. Silence filled the room, causing the anticipation to build. Unable to take the silence out of his eagerness to find out the baby's name Prophet broke the silence,
"Alright you two the silence is killing me. Can you please tell us the name you picked for your daughter?"
Upon Mick's face his trademark mischievous grin replaced the pride-filled smile as he pointed at Prophet and said,
"I knew you would be the one to break the silence, Mate. You just can't take the suspense. Alright I guess we can tell you guys what her name is now…"
Instead of revealing the name Mick turned to Gina, and gave her a single nod, giving her the special honor. Eyes shining brightly with eagerness Gina swiftly repositioned the bundled new born in her arms so everyone could see. Looking around at her family of team mates Gina, smiling broadly, said,
"Guys, say hello to Madeline Rose Rawson."
At the divulgence of her name little Madeline opened her eyes. Staring up at Gina, curiosity radiated from her dark, dilated orbs. With the grin upon his face threatening to split his face in two Mick, gently caressing his daughter's soft cheek, said,
"Hey, would you look at that- she heard, and recognizes her own name."
As Mick moved his hand up to Madeline's equally soft, light brown hair Prophet remarked,
"Yeah, let's hope that that's a sign that she received Gina's smart mind, God knows we don't need another Mick Rawson personality in our mix-matched family."
Laughter erupted all around the bed, except for Mick, who glared mockingly at Prophet. Absorbing the fake glare from his British team mate, and friend as if it were a simple piece of cake, Prophet replied,
"Hey man, you know that I was only kidding. Oh, speaking of brilliant minds is someone going to call Garcia now, and tell her the news, or do we wait and contact her once we're out of this hell hole, and at the real hospital?"
At that moment, before anyone had a chance to answer Prophet's question, Sam's phone started to vibrate loudly from within his back jean pocket. Retrieving the vibrating electronic device Sam couldn't help but smirk at the name on the caller ID. Turning the device around so everyone could see it Sam said,
"Speak of the sweet she-devil tech goddess. It's like she has ESP, or something."
Placing the phone on speaker Sam answered,
"Hey Garcia, we were actually just talking about you…"
In her usual cheery, jokingly-flirtatious voice Garcia replied,
"Well I hope it was a mixture of both good and bad things. Anyway, onward to the real reason for why I've called you- I have an update on the paramedic's arrival time. After talking with Prophet a while ago I made a second call to the emergency dispatch, I informed them of the additional incident that had taken place while trying to detain Mr. Grant Addison, as well as the floor level that our Gina was, and is located on. They promised to compensate for the additional information; more specifically, because of the indicated floor level that Gina is on, dispatch said that they would send a cargo lift for the medics so they can adequately reach Gina's room. The one thing that they ask that you guys do so as to make their search and location of the room much easier for the paramedics, is that you open the room's window, and shine a light or some kind of signal from the window… Speaking of our Gina, can someone please tell me how she's doing?"
In reaction to Garcia's question four pairs of eyes shifted to stare at Gina; with a sheepish grin upon her face Gina replied,
"I'm fine Garcia, or rather we're fine. Thanks for inquiring about my well-being."
Evidently not expecting for Gina to be present amongst the team and to personally respond to her question Garcia was overcome with silence out of shock. Regaining her composure Garcia, after three failed attempts to speak, successfully replied,
"Oh my God, Gina! Oh my fair Gina, it's so great to hear your voice. You have no utter idea how worried I've been about you…Wait a minute, you said 'we'. Who is the other person you're referring to?"
With her loving smile growing even larger Gina replied,
"The other person whom I was referring to would be mine and Mick's baby girl Madeline. I delivered her not long ago with the aid of Beth and Mick."
A high pitched squeal of excitement erupted through the speaker of Sam's phone. Patiently the Red Cell team waited as Garcia completely relinquished her excitement. As the squeals of excitement finally tapered off the team heard Garcia take a slow calming breath before she further replied,
"Oh my God, congratulations. Promise me that when you guys get to the hospital and settled into a room that you will call me. I have got to come see you myself and meet the newest member of our rag-tag team."
While Gina gave Garcia her promising word Sam caught the faint sound of a siren off in the distance, not far from the hospital main entrance. Looking around at the peaked, attentive expressions upon his team mates' faces Sam knew that they all had heard the faint sound of the siren. Knowing that they still had to create some sort of signal for the paramedics Sam was personally relieved that Garcia had decided to end her call after receiving Gina's promise. At least now he wouldn't have to cut the two blonde's conversation short. Upon returning his cell phone to his back jean pocket Sam quickly scanned over the room's few various objects before turning back to his team. Looking from Beth to Mick Sam questioned,
"When you two and Bell first came into the room, did any of you find a primary source of light, or anything that could be used as such?"
Both Mick and Beth shook their heads no as Mick replied,
"No, I scanned the room just like you just did when I first entered, and all I found was the busted lamp over there on the far table, nothing else…"
Beth then added,
"Mick's right, I couldn't find any primary light sources either, when we first walked in everything was dark, and the only source of light we had besides our flashlights was the light flooding through the open door. In order to see things more clearly, especially during the delivery, we had to use our flashlights…"
Nodding his head at their given information Sam replied,
"Alright then I guess that in order to make our signal for the paramedics we're just going to have to improvise a little."
At that moment an idea popped into Sam's head, their flashlights. Looking around at the flashlights in Beth's, Mick's, and Prophet's hands Sam said,
"Hey guys, hand me your flashlights, I have an idea…"
Curious as to what Sam's idea entailed Mick, while handing over his flashlight, questioned,
"That's great Coop, care to elaborate a bit?"
Holding the three borrowed flashlights, as well as his own flashlight in his hands Sam gave Mick an ingenious smirk as he replied,
"Yes Mick, just be patient…" Sam glanced around at the fellow curious expressions upon Beth's, Prophet's, and Gina's faces, "Ok, sense you're all curious as to what my idea is I'll tell you. I was thinking that if we combine our four flashlights together as one giant flashlight then the medics should be able to spot it through the open window."
Silence once again ensued as Mick, Gina, Beth, and Prophet each considered Sam's plan. Finding no logical flaw in the idea Beth shrugged her shoulders as she replied,
"It sounds to me like a good enough idea, it couldn't hurt to at least attempt it to see if it will actually work."
Seeing both Mick and Prophet nod their heads in agreement to Beth's suggestion Sam quickly got to work turning each flashlight on before clumping them all together in his hands. Just as he had hoped the lights of the four flashlights combined to make one giant spot light. Shielding both Madeline's eyes and her own from the extremely bright light Gina said,
"Oh yeah I definitely think that that light should be plenty bright. If those paramedics can't see that then they need to get their eyes examined."
Laughing softly at Gina's comment Mick started to rummage through the remaining contents of the open container upon the bed. Finally, after digging to the very bottom of the container Mick found what he had been searching for. Smiling triumphantly Mick retracted his hand from the plastic container, a roll of medical tape in his hand. Seeing that Prophet was standing next to Sam Mick tossed him the tape as he said,
"Here, wrap this around the flashlights to hold them together in place."
Wrapping three loops of medical tape around the group of flashlights Prophet deemed them secure, tossing the remainder of the roll black to Mick. Holding the new medical tape encased flashlights in his hands Sam maneuvered his way over to the window, with Mick right on his heels, lock pick tools in hand. Standing in wait of the job's completion Sam couldn't help but watch as Mick swiftly worked his magic on the window lock. After ten seconds of picking the lock the loud click of success rang from the window; with a look of triumph shining in his eyes Mick backed away from the now opened window to allow Sam full access. Giving Mick a nod of thanks Sam moved into position, shining the brightly light make-shift signal spot light out of the window.
Time felt to be at a standstill as the Red Cell team awaited some type of response from the approaching paramedics. Just as rapidly as it seemed to standstill, time returned to normal; from outside the room's window shined a responding light. Turning his head away from the blinding light Sam said,
"Ok, that responding light was the paramedics, they see our spot light; shouldn't be much longer till they make it up here."
In response to Sam's informative words a contagious feeling of relief spread over the team. Not wanting the paramedics to become confused or lose their way Sam turned back to the open window and resumed shining the signal light down to the approaching paramedics. Then finally, after nearly half an hour of shining their make-shift flashlight beacon, there came new sounds from outside the window- first, the loud sound of some sort of miniature engine running, followed directly by the squeals and squeaks of interlocked metal being stretched out of its compressed position. Intrigued by the two somewhat unexpected, mysterious sounds Sam stuck his head out the window, peering down at the ground below them. Pulling his head, as well as the signal light, back into the confines of the room Sam turned and made his way back over to his team mates, coincidentally at a safe distance from the room's window.
Upon resuming his previously occupied place beside Beth Sam quickly explained,
"The paramedics are raising the cargo lift now with two medics aboard it. In order to give them the efficient amount of space needed for them to get into the room we should all stay back here, unless they ask for our assistance?"
Just as everyone nodded their heads in agreement the squeaking and squealing came to an end; at the same time the cargo lift came to a halt outside the window. Without skipping a beat the two paramedics jumped into action, one swiftly climbed through the large open window to catch the collapsed stretcher that his partner was steadily pushing behind him. When the stretcher was firmly planted upon the floor, and the other medic climbed into the room both medics turned to face the Red Cell team. After somehow picking Sam out as the team leader the middle aged brunette medic, who had been first to climb through the window, spoke,
"I'm Adam, and this here is my partner Myles, we received a call from dispatch of a woman who has just recently given birth as well as having been held captive, along with a person who was grazed by a bullet on his arm."
From his spot over on the bed beside Gina Mick raised his hand as he said,
"Well the recently freed captive, as well as newly made mum's right here, gentlemen."
As the second medic identified as Myles made his way over to the bed Sam looked at the first medic named Adam, and raised his hand as well as he said,
"And I'm the unfortunate person who got his arm grazed by a passing bullet, SSA Sam Cooper. You can call me Sam, or Cooper, your choice."
With each of their victims identified, and their medical bags already in hand the two medics got to work. Pulling a large-headed flashlight from within his medical bag Adam diligently started the process of removing the dingy make-shift bandage from Sam's arm. With the wound completely exposed Adam shined the flashlight upon it so as to see the extent of the damage. Using his glove covered finger Adam poked and prodded the wound to see how deep it truly was. Removing his finger Adam gave Sam a reassuring smile as he said,
"Well Sam, from what I can see your wound doesn't appear to be very deep, just a moderate flesh wound. All it requires are some butterfly band-aids and a little gauze to keep it clean. But before I start applying the butterflies I want to clean the wound and the area around it so that it doesn't become infected."
Receiving Sam's nod of approval Adam swiftly procured a handful of individually wrapped alcohol wipes. Gesturing to Beth for assistance Adam then deposited all but one of the packets into her open hands so that he could effectively open the package. Bracing himself for the additional, unavoidable stinging pain Sam remained as still as a statue as Adam gently wiped the alcohol wipe over his bleeding wound. After successfully enduring the complete ten seconds of stinging torture that it took for Adam to adequately clean the wound Sam couldn't help but mentally heave a sigh of relief when Adam applied the butterfly band-aids before covering his completed work with a length of gauze. Turning his head from its frozen position Sam took a second to examine the crisp, and clean piece of gauze that was now tightly secured around his forearm; satisfied with the completed work Sam returned his gaze to Adam, and exchanged nods of thanks.
As the two men concluded their exchange of nonverbal thanks, over at the bed with Mick, Gina, and little Madeline Adam's partner, Myles, while looking over at his partner, said,
"Hey Adam, if you're done working on your patient with the bullet grazed arm, maybe you can come over here and help me get this new mother and her baby girl onto the stretcher so we can get them out of this steadily freezing prison of a room?"
His back still facing his partner Adam gave a dramatic eye roll before he turned around on his heels, and replied,
"Alright Myles, just hold your impatient horses, I'm coming."
Wanting to help in any way they could Sam and Beth followed on the medic's heels back towards the bed. There, coming to stand beside his erect partner Adam asked,
"Everything good, is she ready to be moved to go?"
The medic named Myles nodded his head,
"Yep, they are both ready to go. I'll discard the after birth when we get down to the main ground in the dumpster. Other than that all we have to do is transfer her to the stretcher and then get her and the baby through the window and onto the lift."
Looking over at Mick who was now standing next to the bed Myles asked,
"Agent Rawson, do you think you can transfer your wife and daughter from the bed and onto the stretcher?"
Instead of replying instantly Mick gazed down at Gina with Madeline still cradled in her arms, as if her were doing calculations of some kind in his head. Realizing the reason for his hesitation Beth stepped forward and said,
"Here Mick, how about I hold Madeline for you while you get Gina onto the stretcher and then hand her back? That way you won't be worrying about hurting her in the transfer."
Pondering Beth's suggestion Mick gazed down at the precious and delicate bundle that was Madeline in Gina's arms. After a few seconds of staring into Gina's shining, expressive eyes Mick nodded his head in agreement. Moving slowly and carefully Mick extracted Madeline from Gina's protective arms. Turning towards his compact-sized brunette colleague Mick gingerly placed Madeline in her awaiting arms. Without breaking his moving stride Mick gathered Gina's weakened body in his arms and swiftly transferred her onto the stretcher.
Once Gina was securely strapped to the stretcher, true to her word Beth returned Madeline to Gina's empty arms. Watching the two medics start to wheel the occupied stretcher towards the window with Mick right beside it Sam spoke up,
"Well, I guess unless you guys need any more help, that we'll head out ourselves…"
Stopping the stretcher right at the window the medic named Adam turned to Sam, Beth, and Prophet, and replied,
"No, that's ok; Myles and I should be able to handle this, but thanks for the offer though. We'll see you guys soon back on solid ground."
With a nod of his head Sam replied,
"Alright then…Oh, just for personal clarification, will you be taking them to Sibley Memorial, or Potomac Hospital?"
After conferring with his partner privately for a moment Adam replied,
"The hospital that is closest to I-495 is Sibley Memorial, so we'll be taking them there."
Storing that particular piece of information in a mental folder within his mind for when one of them called Garcia later on Sam nodded his head for a second time. Turning with Prophet and Beth following on either side the three remaining Red Cell team members exited the room. Making their way through the winding hallways a sense of relief settled over them; they had found Gina and had apprehended both Unsubs, the case was now officially closed. And as an added bonus they had another little girl to add to their family. Allowing the divine feeling of closure to mix with the sense of relief Beth, Prophet, and Sam started to descend the stairs within the cramped staircase.
Free of the staircase's cramped space the three Red Cell team members walked briskly across the lobby's linoleum floor. Before them over a short distance stood their target- the glass-plated main hospital doors, the only thing that separated them from the fresh, outdoor air. Reaching the main doors, and without breaking their brisk pace, Prophet opened the door effortlessly. As they passed through the door way the three agents greeted, as if as a reward for their hard work, by a cool, gentle breeze. Relishing over the effects of nature's air conditioner Prophet, Beth, and Sam walked down the cracked sidewalk under the twilight lit sky.
In the far distance to the left of them Beth, Prophet, and Sam spotted the bright shining red lights of the ambulance; a few feet from that, sticking out like a sore thumb, was the retracted and newly compacted cargo lift. Turning in the direction that the ambulance resided in Beth, Sam and Prophet started to walk down yet another cracked patch of sidewalk. In just a short amount of time they had made tremendous progress in their approach, a distance of less than a quarter mile was all that separated the three agents from the ambulance in its parked position. Then, at that moment where they currently stood Beth, Prophet, and Sam watched as Adam and Myles, with Mick right alongside them, pulled the stretcher carrying Gina and Madeline up the tail end of the ambulance. Appearing to catch a glimpse of their distant audience Adam turned in their direction, and gave them two thumbs up; even from their quarter mile separation Sam caught the hand signal, and nodded.
Seeing Sam give a nod of his head Prophet understood the meaning of the double hand signal. Diving with his hand for the car keys in his pocket Prophet said,
"I'll run and get the SUV and then come pick you guys up, that a way we can stay behind them at least at a distance as we all head to the hospital."
Eyes still trained on the ambulance and its medics Sam gave Prophet the go ahead. The only sound that was heard was Prophet's feet beating the pavement as he ran to where they had parked the SUV. The SUV must have been close to they were standing, that or Prophet had miniature rockets on his boots, because less than five minutes had passed when Prophet pulled up behind the wheel of the SUV. It seemed that Prophet's fast retrieval was perfect timing, for after closing the double rear doors just a moment ago the ambulance's engine, lights, and sirens roared to life simultaneously; wasting little time the emergency vehicle started making dirt-clouded tracks. As they followed the ambulance's dirt-cloud trail Sam pulled out his cell phone; since they already knew which hospital Gina was going to, even though it wasn't his responsibility but sending Mick a heads up anyway, Sam knew it was a good time to call and inform Garcia…
