Chapter Six
Mike grew more anxious and just as he was ready to bust the door down himself, the S.W.A.T. team members with him used a battering ram right at the lock. Before anyone within the warehouse knew what was going on S.W.A.T. and Mike's men swarmed the place.
Although it wasn't done without resistance, the captors finally were arrested. Mike's first thought actually was Steve but knew the captors had to be dealt with. Once he was sure all of them were caught, he wasted no time checking on Steve. He was alarmed to find Steve seemed more dead than alive. He had turned to find out where the ambulance was and saw Lee Lessing leading two paramedics his way. Mike and Lessing stood back to let them do their job.
Mike couldn't miss the look of worry that passed across their faces and it just increased his concern. Once they had managed to stop the bleeding and did what needed they moved Steve onto the gurney they had brought from the ambulance. Mike rode in the ambulance with Steve after he'd left orders with Marsden to alert Irene so Jeannie could be at the hospital. In the ambulance, Mike let his tears fall. He felt deathly afraid Steve wasn't going to make it this time.
Arriving at the hospital, the damage was assessed. Steve was rushed into surgery.
Officer William Marsden arrived at Irene's. Her bedroom being near the front door, she heard the urgent sounding knock and pulled on her robe as she hurried to the door. As soon as she saw Marsden, she knew what the news was before he could open his mouth.
"Steve?"
"Mike rode with him to General. I came to get you and Jeannie and the baby."
"It's not good, is it?"
"I'm afraid not, at least it didn't look good," Officer Marsden answered.
Just then they heard a sound and Irene turned to see Jeannie standing not far away. The distress was evident in her face. Irene went to her and embraced her.
"They have Steve at General. Mike's there. Get ready and we will leave soon." She guided Jeannie to the room Jeannie was staying in and left her to dress. Irene went back to where Officer Marsden waited.
"I'll wait for you three in the car unless there's something I can do in here for you."
"Thanks, but I'll drive them down in my car. Thanks for coming and letting us know. I better get ready."
Officer Marsden left. Irene dressed, then went to check on Jeannie. She found her holding the baby close with tears falling freely. Jeannie could tell from Irene's eyes things were not very good. She felt afraid of a future without Steve.
"He's not going to make it is he, Irene?"
"Honey, I wish I knew but I do know one thing. After what he had gone through before and he managed to survive that, I wouldn't count him out. I mean there's not many people at all that you could say survived being shot in the heart. He needs you now like he needed you then, Jeannie. Don't give up on him because if you of all people give up on that young man, he is lost. We have to think as positive as we can."
Jeannie nodded and got up and got the baby ready. Once she had the diaper bag and all she needed, they left for General. When they arrived there, they were met by Mike, and Jeannie and Steve's neighbor who was a paediatric nurse at General. Deidre Henderson looked very worried and offered to take the baby to rest in a crib in paediatrics. Jeannie at first hesitated about letting the baby out of her sight, but knew she could trust Deidre. After the baby was taken to paediatrics Jeannie went with Mike and Irene to the OR waiting room. They had waited almost another three hours before Mike saw the doctor headed toward them. He was worried by the look on the doctor's face and wondered if the news he brought would destroy his daughter.
"Would you rather wait until Dr Armstrong can join us, or should I go ahead and speak with you now?" Dr Hartman inquired.
"I don't want to wait. I need to know about my husband."
"I feel it's best, too, that we don't wait. Please tell us what you know," Mike answered.
"We fixed the ulnar artery but we'll have to wait and see how he does. We lost him twice on the table. His condition is critical yet stable. His blood pressure still is too low and I am afraid he has slipped into a coma."
"What are his chances Dr Hartman?" Mike inquired.
"50/50 now. I have to be honest before I wouldn't have thought he would make it. He has a strong fighting spirit. Don't give up hope. I arranged for you to be able to be with him as much as possible, Jeannie. I think you would be the key that his survival hinges on. We can set up a cot in his room for you or you could sleep some in the doctor's lounge. You will be able to shower there as well."
Jeannie was quiet; if Mike hadn't known her so well he would have thought she was calm. He knew better though and hugged her close to him. They were taken to Steve's room. Irene thought it best Mike and Jeannie have a few moments alone with Steve and waited outside the door. Jeannie panicked when she saw how pale Steve was. She wanted to touch and kiss him but he looked so fragile she was afraid. Mike held his daughter close feeling her pain. She broke down in his arms. When she calmed they sat on either side of the bed and talked to Steve, hopeful they'd get through to him. After almost half an hour, Jeannie spoke to Mike.
"Mike, I want to stay with him. Would you please take the baby home with you? I would know he's safe with you and I could concentrate on Steve a bit better."
"Of course, sweetheart. I'll go tomorrow morning and pack you a small bag so you have a few changes of clothing. I'll come back here after I have done that."
"Thanks, I'll call you if there's anything you need to know before that."
"I love you, sweetheart; you hang in there."
Mike kissed his son-in-law on the forehead before he prepared to leave. He was at the door when Jeannie called out to him.
"And, Mike?"
"Yes, Jeannie?"
"Thank you for bringing him back to me. I really appreciate it more than I can say."
"He means everything to both of us, Jeannie. I wasn't leaving without him. I'll see you tomorrow. Try to rest a little bit."
Jeannie assured him she would. About ten minutes after Mike left, a nurse entered. She did checks of Steve and wrote notations down in a file she had with her. After she had finished she spoke to Jeannie.
"I'm Nurse Page. I'll be in here every half hour to do checks on your husband. If you need anything please don't hesitate to ask. Whether it be to ask questions or anything."
"Thank you, Nurse Page, I appreciate it."
"You're very welcome, Mrs. Keller. Our prayers are with you and your husband."
