Nathan, JD, and Ezra were seated in front of the fireplace as the snow continued to fall. It was well past midnight and the silence was unnerving, especially when it came to the youngest member of the team. Dunne was seldom without something to say or some corny one liner that made them all groan. Buck had called earlier, but the phone lines were unpredictable and he'd lost the signal before they'd been able to get any new information on Chris and Vin.
"It's Christmas," Dunne said softly.
"That it is, JD," Jackson said. "I believe we should give thanks for the miracles we have received."
"Chris and Vin are in the hospital. Josiah and Buck are in Red Lodge and we're stuck here because of a snowstorm from hell!" Dunne spat.
"Chris and Vin are in the hospital because of a lull in this storm. Buck and Josiah made it too Red Lodge without incident and we have shelter from the storm. There's plenty of reason to give thanks, JD," Jackson observed.
"Nathan is correct, JD, and this storm may feel like it's from hell, but I believe Josiah would say its beauty is heaven sent," Standish said.
"Josiah would be glad to know you were listening to him," Jackson said.
"It is not possible to sit in a church and tune out Josiah's baritone," Standish explained.
"He gives a mighty fine sermon," Jackson agreed.
"Remember the one he gave after Sarah and Adam died?" Dunne said.
"I do, I doubt anyone could ever forget those words and the look on Chris' face was one of pure rapture," Jackson said.
"I believe Chris found some solace in the words Josiah chose," Standish agreed.
"I think we all did," the Bostonian observed and stared at the Christmas tree in the corner with the unopened gifts beneath it. He'd placed them there soon after the Medivac chopper left in hopes that they would all be together to celebrate a late Christmas.
M7M7M7M7M7M7M7
Buck woke to sun streaming through the partially open curtains and sat forward as he tried to make sense of where he was. It came back in flashes of images of Chris' bloody leg and Nathan doing his best to clean the wounds and hopefully prevent infection from setting in.
Buck reached for his cell phone, surprised to see he had service and quickly called Saint Vincents. He waited until he was connected to patient information and finally put through to Dr. Roy Simmons.
"Simmons."
"Doc, it's Buck Wilmington. How are Chris and Vin?"
"Merry Christmas, Wilmington, where are you and the rest of Larabee's hotshots?'
"We're in Red Lodge. Look, Doc, how are they?"
"I'm just on my way to see them. How about I call you back as soon as I'm done with them?"
"I'll be waiting, Doc," Wilmington said and leaned back against the sofa. A strange sound reached his ears and he realized the cell phone Chris had found was ringing. He looked at the screen and quickly pressed the answer button.
"Hello," he said, making his voice low in an effort to fool whoever was on the other end.
"Johnny, is that you? When are you coming home you sonofabitch?"
"I'll be home…"
"Who the hell is this?"
"It's Johnny…look, I'm just cold and tired."
"You're not Johnny…how the hell did you get his phone?"
"Lady, whoever this Johnny is he's in trouble and so are you if you're involved."
"I don't have any idea what you're talking about…"
Buck cursed when she hung up, but he knew her number was safely stored in the phone. He reached for his own cell and dialed the number Hank had given him for the local police department. A man whose voice sounded like he was bored answered his call, and Buck realized it had probably been quieter than normal given the amount of snow that had fallen overnight.
"Red Lodge Police Department…how may I direct your call?"
"My name is Buck Wilmington and I have information about the poachers up near Lake Mary."
"I'm listening," the voice said, suddenly alert and interested.
"We were staying in a cabin at Lake Mary and heard gunshots several times over the last few days. We searched the area…"
"That was a stupid thing to do, Mr. Wilmington; you could have gotten yourself killed."
"Probably, but we knew what we were getting in to. Look, the reason I'm calling is that we found a cell phone in the area and think it belongs to one of the poachers."
"What makes you think so? It could belong to someone staying in one of the cabins?"
"Let's just say it's a hunch, plus I just got a call on it from a woman who sounds like she's pretty pissed at someone named Johnny," Wilmington explained.
"Did you get her name?"
"No, but her number is stored in the phone."
"Where are you?"
"I'm at Newman's garage. We came in yesterday, but with the snow down and the phone lines being what they are we couldn't do anything until now."
"All right, Mr. Wilmington, stay put and I'll send a car out there as soon as the road's are clear. Can you give me the information on the phone and the number of the woman who called?"
Buck gave him as much information as he could access before hanging up and moving into the kitchen where Marge Newman was making coffee.
"Merry Christmas, Buck."
"Thanks, Marge, same to you," Wilmington said and accepted a cup of coffee before sitting at the table and willing his phone to ring.
M7M7M7M7M7M7M7
Vin heard the door open and turned to see Roy Simmons and the day nurse enter the room he shared with Chris Larabee. The blond was still asleep and he knew this had to do with the heavy pain medications he was being given. The blond hadn't moved when the lab techs had taken blood from him, or when the nurse had taken a set of vitals.
"Well, Tanner, how's the back and don't give me any crap about it being fine," Simmons grumbled.
"It's okay as long's I don't move the wrong way," the Texan answered.
"That's good…Kojay left standing orders for your meds, but if you find they don't help just let the nurses know and they'll contact him or me," Simmons said.
"I will…"
"That'll be the day," Simmons said gruffly. Tanner and the others understood him better than most people and expected his 'gnarly' remarks. He knew if he spoke in any other manner they'd think something was seriously wrong. Besides he enjoyed being snarky, because he got as good as he gave.
"Hell, Doc…"
"For me and the rest of the hospital it is," the doctor said with a grin before turning serious. "Just give it time, Tanner, and you'll be fine."
"Thanks, Doc," Tanner said and wished they'd just let Larabee sleep, but he knew Simmons needed to check the blond before he left. He listened as the nurse went over the test results and heard Simmons speak in a low voice that set off alarms in his mind. "Doc, is something wrong?"
"You know Larabee, Tanner, he's just not happy until he's adding chapters to War and Peace," Simmons quipped.
"You two mind keeping it down. I'm trying to sleep over here," Larabee said and pushed the button to raise the head of the bed.
"Merry Christmas, Larabee…"
"It would be if I didn't have to wake up to your ugly mug," the blond told him.
"Better watch it, Larabee, I'm the man who holds your pain meds in his hands," Simmons said and looked over the patient's chart before studying the injured man's face closely. "How do you feel, Larabee, and like I told your roomie I don't want to hear 'I'm fine'."
"Not feeling much of anything, Simmons, I'm guessing I owe that to you or Kojay," Larabee said.
"Kojay wrote up the orders, but if you find you're still in pain let the nurses know," Simmons told him. "Now, Dr. Frost was called into emergency surgery and asked me to go over everything they did for your leg. You know you'll be in that cast for six to eight weeks and then you'll need physio therapy to get full range of motion back."
"I figured as much," Larabee said.
"Good, then don't force me to lecture you on overdoing things. Right now I want you to rest and let the nurses know if there's any pain or burning in your leg."
"I will, Doc," the injured blond said tiredly.
"Donna, his temperature is up a little so keep an eye on it," Simmons told the nurse before they left the two men alone.
"Vin, thanks."
"For what?" the Texan asked perplexed.
"For what you did at the cabin…how's your back?"
"Only hurts if I twist it," Tanner answered and turned his head toward his friend. "It'll get better, Chris, Kojay said it's inflammation and he's givin' me stuff to help with that and pain."
"Sorry for wrecking Christmas.
"Ya didn't wreck it…postponed it fer a spell, but I gotta feelin' we'll be headin' back ta the cabin soon's Kojay gives the okay," Tanner said.
"Without poachers and bear traps this time," Larabee said, unconsciously rubbing his injured leg.
"That's fer damn sure," Tanner agreed as the door opened and Nettie and Casey Wells entered carrying a tray for each man.
"Breakfast is here," Casey said and placed her tray on Vin's table before pushing it so that it was over the bed.
"Good, I'm starved," the Texan said and grimaced when he raised the head of his bed so that he was sitting straight.
"Chris, your breakfast is here," Nettie said and positioned the table for the blond before lifting the covers off the tray.
"Hell…what did you get, Vin?"
"Looks like a cheese omelet, toast, coffee, Rice Krispies and fruit? What'd they give ya?"
"I don't think there's a name for it," Larabee groused.
"Now, Chris, you know the day after surgery is hard on a patient so clear fluids are the normal diet," Nettie said.
"Eat up, Chris," Tanner said with a grin.
"Don't you mean drink up?"
"Not in my case," the Texan said.
"Care to share?"
"He will not," Nettie scolded. "You know this is probably all you can stomach right now, but if you eat it all then maybe they'll send you something more substantial for lunch."
"Hell, Nettie, ya know Chris ain't like me. He don't like hospital food on a good day," Tanner said.
"Hospital food is nutritious," Casey offered.
"Tastes like crap," Larabee said with disgust. He closed his eyes and felt himself drifting toward sleep once more and sighed tiredly before giving in to the rest he needed.
Nettie touched her fingers against his cheek and moved the table away from the bed worriedly. "His fever's gone up."
"That's what Simmons said," Tanner said. "The nurses are supposed to keep an eye on it."
"What did they say about his leg?" Casey asked.
"Frost put in pins and the plastic surgeon stitched the wounds. It'll scar, but it won't be as bad as it could have been," the Texan told them and began picking at his food. He knew Larabee's fever could be caused by the surgery, but with Chris things were never that simple and he silently prayed there was nothing going on that could cause future problems.
M7M7M7M7M7M7M7
Nathan reached for his cell phone when the familiar Christmas jingle reached his ears. He hit the button and placed the phone to his ear, holding up his hand when JD and Ezra went to ask him a question. "Buck, yeah, it's stopped snowing here too. Is there any word on Chris and Vin?"
"Vin's back injury was aggravated when he helped Chris…Simmons and Kojay kept him in. Chris had surgery on his leg and he's running a fever, but Simmons said it's nothing to be worried about yet."
"Chris never does things simple," Jackson said.
"I know. I spoke with the Red Lodge Police Department and they picked up the cell phone. They're going to run a trace and see if it leads to the poachers."
"I hope they catch them," the medic observed. "Any word on when the snow plows will get out this way?"
"Might be a day or two depending on how long it takes to clear the main roads. Look, as soon as the roads are clear Josiah and I are heading for Billings."
"We'll be there as soon as we can," Jackson said. "Call if there's anything new on Chris and Vin."
"I will, Nathan, stay warm and try not to worry."
"You do the same, Buck, and drive carefully," Jackson said and hung up. "You heard?"
"Indeed, it sounds as if Chris is being his usual self when it comes to complications," Ezra said.
"Well, it could be a lot worse. At least they were able to repair the damage. Now it's just a matter of watching out for infections," Jackson advised.
"Did Buck say how long it'd be before the plows get out here?" Dunne asked.
"It depends on how long it takes them to clear the main roads," Jackson answered. "Look, we could be here for a while yet so why don't we get something to eat and stay warm."
M7M7M7M7M7M7M7
Vin watched as the nurse checked Chris' vitals before she left the room. Chris had remained asleep during her ministrations, probably the residual affects of the anaesthetic and pain meds he was being given. He shifted on the bed and eased his legs over the side, wincing when the dormant pain in his lower back was reawakened by the simple move.
Vin stood beside the bed and clutched at the rail until the spasm eased and he was able to straighten up. He moved to the second bed and looked at the sleeping blond, worried about the flush that was now evident on his cheeks. He knew Simmons would be checking on Larabee before he left for the day and hoped there was nothing dangerously wrong.
Vin slowly made his way toward the bathroom and took care of his basic needs before making his way back to his bed. He closed his eyes and again waited for the pain to ease, surprised when he opened them to find Kojay watching him with his arms folded across his chest and a look of concern on his face.
"Hey, Kojay."
"Hey yourself, Vin, I am sure you realize you should have called for help," the elderly man scolded.
"I hate buggin' 'em," Tanner said.
"I can see that, but if you fall you could add time to your recovery. You must be careful, Vin, an injury like yours could be debilitating if you are not careful," Kojay warned and moved to the bed where Larabee lay. He'd already checked the blond's chart and knew his temperature was elevated. Dr. Frost had been informed and would be in to check Larabee's leg in case an abscess had formed.
"Kojay, how is he doing?"
"He is doing okay," Kojay said in an effort to skirt the issue.
"Why's his temperature so high?"
"There was an infection in the wounds, Vin, and you know Chris has always had trouble fighting infections such as this. We are starting him on a new antibiotic and hope that will take care of the infection and he'll also be given Tylenol in an effort to bring down the fever," Kojay explained.
"What'll they do if'n there's an abscess?"
"It may require more surgery, but Dr. Frost will make that decision once he's reviewed the tests," Kojay answered. "I know you are worried, Vin, and I wish I could tell you everything will be all right, but the truth is Chris received a serious injury that could very well have lasting affect on his mobility."
Vin sighed heavily and lay back against the pillows, but didn't take his eyes off the sleeping form in the other bed. He knew Kojay and the medical staff would do everything they could for Chris, but he couldn't help the anger he felt at the injury caused by the poachers and hoped the Red Lodge Police would catch them. He silently wished he could spend five minutes alone with the bastards and make them pay for the senseless killing they took sadistic pleasure in.
M7M7M7M7M7M7M7
Chris felt a hand on his right shoulder and opened his eyes. He smiled at the woman standing beside his bed and reached for the button to adjust the height of his upper body. He winced when he shifted his leg and bit his bottom lip when pain reawakened in his lower limb.
"Chris, let me do that," Nettie ordered and adjusted the pillows behind his head. She'd seen the fine sheen of sweat that spoke of fever and had spoken with Roy Simmons before checking on the two men.
"Thanks, Nettie, thought you were going home to get some rest?" Larabee asked, turning away as a series of harsh coughs escaped his throat. He fought to catch his breath and lay back against the pillows with his eyes closed tightly and his arm held tight against his chest.
"Hold on, Chris, help's on the way," Nettie said worriedly.
"I'm okay, Nettie, just need to catch my breath," Larabee assured her as Simmons entered the room.
"What the hell've you been doing, Larabee? Didn't I tell you not to be runnin' any marathons?" Simmons said and reached for the stethoscope he wore around his neck and placed it on his patient's chest.
"Jesus, Simmons, do you take pleasure in putting that thing in the freezer before using them on your patients?" Larabee groused,
"Only for you, son, only for you," Simmons said with a grin before growing serious. "Take a deep breath."
"No," the blond said, remembering how much it hurt to do that and the resulting coughing attack that followed.
"Look, Larabee, I need to listen to your lungs…"
"Chris, stop bein' stubborn and take a deep breath," Nettie ordered and watched as her nephew-in-law did as she ordered. She touched her hand to his shoulder when the deep breath turned into an attack that sounded worse than the first one. She turned to the door as Vin Tanner returned from physiotherapy and knew the young man was worried about his roommate.
"What's goin' on?" Tanner asked and eased his way to Larabee's bed.
"That's what I'm trying to find out," Simmons told him and turned to Larabee as a nurse entered the room. "Chris, I'm going to send you for x-rays of your lungs."
"What's wrong with him?" the Texan asked.
"It sounds like he's got fluid on his lungs," Simmons answered and looked at his patient with concern. "Chris, you're not helping my back any with these added chapters."
"Sorry, Simmons," Larabee wheezed as the nurse finished taking his vitals.
"His temperature is 102.8, Dr. Simmons," Marsha Wallace observed.
"Repeat the Tylenol and I want him placed on oxygen," the physician ordered when he noted Larabee's oxygen intake was lower than he liked.
"Hell, Simmons, I hate those things," Larabee spat.
"Yeah, I know, but you should be getting' used to them by now," Simmons said once the nurse had placed the nasal canulas. "Now, I want you resting."
"All I've been doing," the blond said.
"Good, now as for you, Tanner…"
"What the hell'd I do?" the Texan griped.
"You showed up at my hospital and you're taking up a perfectly good bed so make use of it and don't go giving the nurses any problems," Simmons ordered and looked at the chart the nurse passed him. He made several notations and changed the orders he'd written earlier before handing it back to the woman.
"I wasn't doin anythin' 'cept the damn physio torture ya sent me for," Tanner groused and moved to his bed. He sat on the edge and listened as Simmons read them both the riot act before leaving; glad the older man understood not only him and Larabee, but also the whole team.
"Chris, I'll be back in a few minutes with your medication," Marsha told him before leaving them to Nettie Wells.
"All right, Vin, back ta bed with ya," the elderly woman ordered, relieved when the young man eased back on the bed and allowed her to cover him with the blankets.
"Thanks, Miss Nettie," Tanner said as the nurse returned with Larabee's medications. He solemnly watched as she added the new bag of antibiotics and adjusted the flow of oxygen through the canulas.
"He's stronger than you think, Vin," Nettie whispered once Larabee drifted off to sleep.
"I know…and I keep tellin' myself that, but Kojay said he could have permanent damage ta his leg," the Texan explained.
"We can only hope and pray he's wrong, but if he's not then we'll simply have to help Chris deal with it," Nettie offered.
"Ya know Chris, Miss Nettie, he loves what he does and havin' a bum leg…"
"Isn't the end of the world, Vin. I know Chris would hate being stuck behind his desk, but if that's what's best for him then he'll have to face it with the same strength he uses to face those hardened criminals you boys chase down."
"That's just it, Miss Nettie, he ain't gonna be able ta chase 'em down if'n Kojay's right."
"There's more to chasing down the bad guys than using your legs, Vin…a lot more. You boys have paperwork and research to do and you have to make sure everything's on the up and up before the DA takes it to trial. Chris will deal with whatever happens, but he won't be dealing with it alone," the elderly woman observed.
"No, he won't be," Tanner agreed as the nurse brought him the prescribed medications. He took them without grumbling and sighed tiredly. "Why don't'cha go on home and spend Christmas with Casey…me and Chris'll probably jest sleep the rest of the day?"
"Casey is waiting for me downstairs, but if you or Chris need anything just call and we'll come back," Nettie assured the young man before kissing his cheek and doing the same with the man sleeping in the other bed. She left the room with a hint of sadness on her face and silently prayed Chris Larabee would not be crippled because of the poachers who saw fit to hunt down the beautiful creatures on the mountains.
TBC