Chris felt someone touching his leg and opened his eyes. He blinked several times until he brought the room into focus and looked at the man standing near the end of the bed.
"Hello, Chris."
"Kojay," Larabee said and swallowed past the dryness of his throat.
"Are you in pain?"
"Not much…they gave me Morphine on the trip in," Larabee answered. "Can I get some water?"
"I'm afraid as of now you can't have anything by mouth. This is a serious wound and you will need surgery to clear away the damaged tissue. I have put in a call for Dr. Frost and Dr. Angelus."
"I know Dr. Frost, but who is Dr. Angelus?" the blond asked.
"He is a plastic surgeon and will take a look at the wounds caused by the bear trap. Once the infection is cleared up she will decide the best way to close the wounds without causing too much scarring," Kojay explained as the nurse removed the bandage from around his lower leg.
"Damn, I was hoping to be home in time for Christmas dinner," Larabee groused, wincing as Kojay gently touched the swollen area.
"I am sure the others will not mind waiting until you are recovered to celebrate," the elderly man said and made several notations on the chart the nurse handed him. "Chris, Shirley is going to start your antibiotics and give you something to help you relax. You are going for x-rays and as soon as we have the results you will be taken to the OR."
"Thanks, Kojay, is Vin all right?" the blond asked.
"I have yet to see him, but I am sure he will tell me he is fine."
"His back's hurting…hauled my ass to the snowmobile and then made sure we got back to the cabin," Larabee said.
"I will make sure he is taken care of," Kojay said as the nurse finished setting up the antibiotics. "Rest, Chris, I will be back before you go to the OR."
"Thanks, Kojay," Larabee said and closed his eyes as the accumulated effects of the medication and exhaustion took over.
M7M7M7M7M7M7M7
Vin shifted on the bed and stifled a moan as the curtain was drawn back, but he knew the man standing next to his bed had heard him. "Is Chris all right?"
"It is funny that he just asked the same question about you," Kojay said.
"I'm fine, Kojay…"
"Yes, I can see that you are," Kojay said with a hint of a smile. "Chris is going for x-rays and then he'll be seen by Dr. Frost and Dr. Angelus. They will decide how best to treat the wounds on his legs. There is also the problem of infection, Vin, not just in the surrounding tissue, but also to the broken bone. A bear trap is not exactly clean and there is no way of knowing what animals were caught in it. We have him on strong antibiotics and hopefully they will help, but until we get him to surgery we have no idea what is going on."
"Damn poachers," Vin said and was glad he'd given Wilmington the cell before he left for Red Lodge. He lay back on the pillow and hoped the phone would lead the authorities to the people who were behind the killing of animals around Lake Mary.
"Vin, I need you to tell me about your back. How bad is the pain?"
"Thought it was getting better," Tanner said.
"Tell me where it hurts and if it's the same kind of pain you've been having," Kojay ordered.
"Same as when Prichard hit me. Was getting better until…"
"Until you had to help Chris," Kojay said.
"Yeah," Tanner answered honestly.
"I believe you probably aggravated the previous injury, but I want to send you for x-rays to be sure nothing else is happening. I will have the nurse bring you something for pain while you wait."
"Thanks, Kojay…can I see Chris?" Tanner asked.
"Perhaps after you have both had your x-rays," Kojay said and left the room.
Vin took a deep breath and winced when pain flared in his lower back. He heard the nurse come in and looked at her when she checked the band on his arm.
"Kojay gave orders for pain medication, Vin, so just turn on your side and I'll give you the shot," Shirley explained.
Vin did as she ordered and winced when he felt the cold swab and then the stab in his muscle. He lay back once she was done and pulled the blanket up over his body before raising the head of the bed slightly. "Thanks, Shirley."
"You're welcome, Vin, the orderly will be here in a few minutes so just relax and let that shot work," the nurse ordered.
M7M7M7M7M7M7M7
Buck stared out at the snow falling softly to the ground. He knew there was nothing he could do until the weather cleared and was thankful it had held off long enough to get Chris and Vin to the hospital. The landline was unpredictable, and the cell phone service was all but useless, although he had managed to get through to Nathan and was relieved to hear that they were keeping warm.
"Buck, Marge and Hank want us to join them for dinner," Sanchez said and handed the solemn man a cup of coffee laced with whiskey.
"I'm not real hungry right now, Josiah," Wilmington said.
"I hear you, Buck, but there's nothing we can do until the snow clears. Hank said he has a truck we can borrow once the roads are plowed," Sanchez explained.
"I'm going to call Nettie and let her know that Chris and Vin are at Saint Vincents," the rogue told him.
"Okay, but after you speak to him, come eat," Sanchez ordered.
"I will," Wilmington said relieved when his cell phone showed full service. He dialed the number and waited for the call to be answered while watching the snow fall steadily outside.
"Hello."
"Hi, Nettie, it's Buck. How are you?"
"I'm fine, Buck, but I thought you and the others went away for the holidays."
"We did, Nettie, but there was an accident and Chris was hurt..."
"What happened and how bad?"
"Chris stepped in a bear trap and Vin hurt his back trying to get him back to the cabin. Medivac took them out a couple of hours ago. They're at Saint Vincents."
"Casey is on her way back from the children's party and as soon as she gets here we'll head for the hospital. Are you still at the cabin?"
"No, Josiah and I are in Red Lodge. Nathan, JD, and Ezra are stuck at the cabin because of the snow. As soon as the storm passes Josiah and I will head for Billings," Wilmington explained.
"Just be careful. The roads between Red Lodge and Billings can be treacherous with patches of black ice under the snow. I just heard Casey drive up so I'd better go before she gets in here. I'll call as soon as we know what's happening."
"Thanks, Nettie, we'll be here," Wilmington assured her before hanging up and rubbing at his temples.
"Now that you've made your call come eat while it's still hot," Marge ordered, hands on her hips showing that she wasn't about to give up.
M7M7M7M7M7M7M7
Vin closed his eyes and lay back against the pillow as he waited for Kojay's return. He knew the man had seen his x-rays and hoped there was nothing wrong with his back that a few days rest wouldn't cure. Right now though, he wanted to find out what was happening with Larabee. He sat forward and slid his legs over the edge of the bed, gritting his teeth as pain exploded in his lower back.
"Let that be a lesson to you," Kojay warned upon entering the cubicle.
"Damn it, Kojay, how's Chris?" Tanner snapped, and reluctantly sat back.
"Chris is in surgery," the elderly man answered and sat down beside the worried Texan. "Dr. Angelus and Dr. Frost are with him and they will do everything they can to make sure he recovers. Now, since we cannot do anything for Chris at the moment, why don't we talk about you?"
"I'm fine," the Texan lied.
"No, you are not, so stop trying to be that super hero in the movies and let us do what needs to be done," Kojay ordered. "You are having spasms in your lower back…possibly the result of the injury you received there and the fact that you were forced to carry Chris. There is going to be residual pain for some time, Vin, but if you rest and let us do what is needed then you will be fine. Perhaps, you and Chris will be sharing a room for a couple of days and then you will be able to celebrate Christmas…a little late, but since when has that stopped you?"
"It hasn't," Tanner said with a hint of a smile.
"Good, now I have admitted you and want you to do what the nursing staff tells you. I am writing up orders for several medications including an anti-inflammatory and a muscle relaxant. You really do need to take care of the injury…it could take anywhere from two weeks to two months to heal, but I am sure you will not be down that long."
"Hope not," Vin said and looked up as the curtain was drawn back slightly. He smiled at the woman standing there and motioned for her to come inside.
"My stars, Vin, you look like death warmed over," Nettie Wells observed.
"That good?" Kojay asked with a hint of a smile. "Vin, the nurse will be in with the medications and will let you know when your room is ready. I will check in as soon as Chris is out of surgery."
"Thanks, Kojay," Tanner said as Nettie came and sat beside him once Kojay had left them alone.
"What have you been doing to yourself?" Nettie asked worriedly.
"Got problems with my back," Tanner answered.
"I can see that," Nettie said and gently rubbed circles on the young man's shoulders. "He'll be okay, Vin, you both will, but it's time for you to rest and let someone else worry about Chris."
"I hear ya, Nettie, but…"
"Vin, I have your medications here," Sandy said and smiled at the woman seated beside her patient. "Hello, Mrs. Wells."
"Hello, Sandy," Nettie said and waited for the nurse to administer the medications before continuing her conversation with Vin.
"Vin, they have a room ready for you and those medications will make you drowsy so sleep while you can," Sandy advised as an orderly pushed a wheelchair up to the bed.
"I can walk…"
"You can sit," Nettie ordered and smiled when the Texan did so without arguing. "That's better."
"Nettie, he'll be in room 310 if you want to go grab some coffee," Sandy told her.
"Thank you, but I think I'll make sure Vin goes straight to his room," Nettie said and followed behind the wheelchair.
M7M7M7M7M7M7M7
Harrison Woodridge's anger knew no bounds as he watched the elderly man he now knew as Kojay enter the doctor's lounge and pour a cup of coffee. Woodridge shoved back his chair and stood up to confront the other man, but even though Kojay was smaller in stature, there was something about him that spoke of authority.
"Is there something you wish to say to me, Dr. Woodridge?" Kojay asked softly.
"You have no right to come into my ER and take over like you're some kind of God…"
"I have never believed myself to be The Great Spirit, but I do believe He has given me the gift of healing. You, on the other hand, have delusions of godhood and I am afraid you fall short of such arrogant beliefs," Kojay said and added sugar to his coffee.
"Look you pompous…"
"Pompous is a word I have heard associated with you, Dr. Woodridge. I have taken the liberty of sending a report to the board requesting they look into your background."
"You have no right!"
"As a physician who has seen how you treat both the staff and the patients I have every right to make that request. I am sure you will be allowed to give your side when the board reconvenes in the New Year."
"I will make sure they know what you did here tonight!"
"Thank you, I am sure they will be happy to hear that I helped alleviate the stress of an ER full of patients on Christmas Eve," Kojay said softly with just a hint of a smile.
"That's not what I meant!"
"Perhaps you should think before you speak, Dr. Woodridge…"
"Is there a problem in here?" Roy Simmons asked from the open doorway. His shift was about to start and he'd overheard part of the conversation between Kojay and Harrison Woodridge.
"I do not believe so," Kojay said.
"You haven't heard the last of this, Kojay!" Woodridge said and shoved past Simmons.
"That man has one hell of a chip on his shoulder," Simmons observed.
"Yes, well, chips have a way of being taken down," Kojay told him.
"Just watch yourself around him…he's a blowhard and I don't think he'll back down. I'll be glad to tell the board what I observed of his behavior around the nursing staff and patients," Simmons assured him.
"Thank you…I believe there are many who wish to see him released from his position here," Kojay said.
"I hope the board will see it that way," Simmons said. "Now what's this I hear about Chris and Vin being admitted?"
"Vin will be fine if he learns to take it easy with his back. He aggravated the injury and I have written up orders for pain meds, an anti-inflammatory, and muscle relaxants. He was taken to his room on the third floor not long ago. Chris is still in surgery to repair damage to his left leg."
"What kind of damage?" Simmons asked worriedly. In the time he'd accepted the offer to be Stacey Midland's partner, he'd grown to know and respect not only Chris Larabee, but also every other member of his team. He just wished they'd stay out of the ER and give the staff a chance to treat other patients.
"He stepped in a bear trap and it broke the bone and cut deep into his leg. Dr. Angelus and Dr. Frost are working on him."
"Damn, leave it to Larabee to find a new way to injure himself. When did this happen?" Simmons listened as Kojay explained what he knew and shook his head. "I swear he's a trouble magnet. You look tired, Kojay, so why don't you go on home. I'll check in on Chris and Vin as soon as I check on the patients in the ER."
"Thank you, Roy, I believe I will go home. I left several notations on Vin's file, but I do not believe he is in any danger as long as he does not try weightlifting," Kojay said.
"I'll tell the nurses to tie him down if he tries anything of the sort," Simmons said with a grin before walking toward the ER.
M7M7M7M7M7M7M7
Chris knew this feeling all too well and licked at dry lips as someone called softly to him. His throat was sore, but at least there were no tubes there. He forced heavy lids to open and groaned softly as the nurse adjusted the blankets covering him.
"Thanks," he whispered and was grateful when she used a pink sponge to moisten his lips.
"You're welcome, I've just given you something for pain and we'll be moving you to your room in a few minutes," Wanda Summerton explained and moved to the end of the bed as Larabee's surgeons joined them.
"Hello, Chris," Frost said.
"Doc, how bad?" Larabee managed.
"Well, Dr. Angelus had his work cut out once I put pins in your leg, but the scarring shouldn't be too bad," Frost explained. "Now I'm sure the medication Wanda gave you is making you drowsy so we'll let them move you to your room and I'll come by tomorrow and explain everything in more detail."
"Thanks, Doc," Larabee said tiredly. He closed his eyes and soon felt his bed moving. It wasn't long before he heard the orderly handing him off to the nursing staff on another floor and he opened his eyes when a woman's voice spoke to him.
"Hello, Chris, my name is Pamela and I'll be one of the nurses taking care of you today. We're going to move you to your room and let you sleep."
"Okay," Larabee said and was soon moved into a new room.
"Chris, we're going to move you to the bed so just relax and let us do the work," the nurse ordered.
Chris nodded and tried to do as she said, but the move to the new bed sent dagger like pain through his injured leg and he gripped the edges of the blanket tightly. He waited until the agony eased and took a deep breath before opening his eyes, surprised to find the nurse had been replaced by a familiar figure. "Hi, Nettie," he said sheepishly.
"Hello, Chris, how do you feel?"
"Better now…just have to remember not to move my leg," Larabee told her and turned his head when he heard a sound from behind the curtain. "Vin?"
"Right here, Cowboy," Tanner said as Nettie pulled back the curtain. "Ya look like hell."
"Have you looked in a mirror lately?" Larabee asked.
"Can't say's I have," the Texan said, relieved that the blond seemed to be okay.
"Land sakes, but you two are enough to make an old woman…"
"Chris, ya see an old woman anywhere?"
"No, can't say that I do," Larabee said and smiled at the woman standing between the two beds before sighing tiredly and closing his eyes.
"Nettie, why don't'cha go on home and get some rest. Me and Chris ain't goin' nowhere," Tanner said.
"Casey will be back for me in half an hour," Nettie said. "Why don't you go ahead and close your eyes?"
"I am kinda tired," the Texan said.
Nettie pulled a chair closer and listened as both Chris and Vin slept. She silently thanked God for bringing them home safely and hoped they would not be in the hospital too long. She knew when the others returned she would make sure they celebrated Christmas and got the rest they needed.
TBC