Horatio's eyes were still looking down now, concentrating.
"I've seen that look before." Frank said to him with a smirk, waiting.
"Hmm, Joe Sanchez has a record, I presume?" He shook his head, knowing the answer already.
"That's right H, he does, a very long record. Possession of a firearms, aggravated assault, burglary, malicious destruction of property... should I go on? I'll let you read the rest for yourself." He handed him the file.
"Is that all, Frank?"
"Probably not,... but so far that's what I came up with. What's interesting is he has not served a day in jail. Somehow the slime-ball keeps slipping through the system. Maybe you can figure it out and find something useful in there." He pointed to the file now.
"Thank you, Frank. See if you can find anything else on him in the system, like his known accomplices and acquaintances. Maybe we can find Ed Mathis that way, maybe the van too. And who knows what else we'll turn up?"
"It's sure worth a try H, I'll check as soon as I get back."
"Alright Frank, keep me posted."
A cell phone chirped, it belonged to Alexx, she opened it.
"Ok, that's the start to my day, DB found. You two take an easy today, ok? I'm off. I'll check up on you both later."
"Yes, Alexx, we will." Calleigh answered, looking over to Horatio.
Then Eric's and Ryan's cells went off, also getting the call out for a DB.
"So much for the visit, H. We'll talk to you later, ok?" Eric said now.
"Alright Gentleman, as soon as you find anything out, I want to know, you understand?"
"We do H. We do. Alright, we'll call you as soon as we have something." They said goodbye. Alexx said goodbye also, and left with Eric and Ryan.
"So how you two doing? What did the doc say?" Frank asked now.
"You mean besides we were lucky? Calleigh joked. "Well, Horatio was told to rest and maybe he would be released in a few days, we'll have to see." Calleigh smiled to Frank. Frank shook his head now getting her message. Frank looked over to Horatio.
Horatio had already opened the file Frank gave him, nodding his head now as he scanned through it.
"What about you Calleigh?" Frank turned back to Calleigh as he saw Horatio starting to read the file.
"I'm fine. Joe said tomorrow for me, but I plan on keeping him company." Her head nodding toward Horatio. Frank's cell rang now, he opened it.
"Alright, where? I'm on my way." He answered to the voice on the phone.
"Well, we may have just found our mystery van."
Horatio's head came up from the file now.
"Where was it found, Frank?
"Near the Marina, H."
"I need you to make sure Eric and Ryan know about it and process it now. I want that van gone over, piece by piece."
"Well that's what they are gonna have to work with, H. It was torched, from what I understand." Horatio shook his head now and a cold smile appeared on his face.
"Of course it was. They find a body yet, Frank?"
"Nothing about a body... yet, H. Why, what are you thinking? Frank asked curious now. Horatio didn't answer him. He just shook his head in disgust.
" I'll... let you know when I find something out. I'll see you two later."
"Bye Frank." Calleigh said softly.
Frank left with a wave of his hand and was out the door. Horatio's head dropped back down into the file. Calleigh was staring at him now in awe.
"So, how did you know it was torched and whose body are they going to find, Horatio?" Calleigh asked curious now.
Horatio looked up at her and grinned; he tilted his head and looked back down at the file. He spoke.
"Well, he keeps burning all the evidence to keep himself pristine. Horatio shook his head. "They're going to find Mathis, sooner or later. He's using him now, like he did Jay and Claudia, it's just a matter of time before he turns up dead too. I figured, he'd destroyed the van and Mathis with it. He'll get rid of everyone and everything that can tie him to the case."
Calleigh's eyes went wide now in shock at Horatio's words. "How do you figure things out so quickly, Horatio? You amaze me sometimes."
"Only sometimes?" He smiled and raised his eyebrows to her. She gave him a smirk back but was glad he was joking now.
"So, are you gonna share some of those with me?" She got off her bed slowly and walked over to his. She slid a chair over to his bedside, and now sat down, wincing a bit. Horatio saw her pain.
"You alright? Why don't you get some rest for a while and you can give me a hand later, Calleigh." Horatio worried for her, he knew she had to be in pain. He let go of the file and took her hand in his. His eyes searching hers now, he remained quiet, his eyes spoke for him, then he looked down.
"Hey, I'm alright Horatio, just a little sore. Now give me some of those and don't hog them all for yourself." She smiled at him. He pulled her hand up to his lips and kissed it softly.
"I'm sorry about all this and I promise to make it up to you, Calleigh."
"Horatio, this was not your fault, please stop thinking it was. You saved us."
"Did I? You're in the hospital because of me. This maniac is after me and I ... I ...lost perspective, I was..." He shook his head in disgust and looked away from Calleigh now.
"You mean because of me, right?" Calleigh looking straight at him now, feeling hurt. Horatio could not look back, his eyes remained down. His voice low, he did not want to hurt her, but he couldn't stand the thought of losing her either.
"When I saw you lying there---." He squeezed her hand now in his, words failing him now. He shook his head.
She squeezed his hand back and rubbed his arm softly. "I know, I know, Horatio." She stood up and leaned down, kissing his cheek now. His hands easily found their way into her soft hair, he kissed her softly on the lips.
"You mean... the world to me Calleigh, I... I, don't want to hurt you." His thumbs softly caressing her cheeks, his tone a soft whisper. His eyes locked with hers as she kissed him softly back.
His eyes closed as he felt her warm soft lips meet his. Her love and warmth overwhelming him again. The sensations he felt with her were incredible, he thought. She gave him such a peaceful feeling, It took his breath away. Slowly now, he took a breath in and opened his eyes, she whispered softly back to him now.
"Then don't, just love me, Horatio." She placed her head on his chest now as his fingers caressed her head and hair.
"Mmm. This has to be hurting your side, no?" His voice low and smooth.
"No. In fact, it's making me forget about the pain." She realized the moment she said it... it was a moment too late. He tensed under her now; she lifted up and looked at him, shaking her head.
"I'm fine, Horatio. It's not that bad."
"You're in pain sweetheart, that's bad enough." His blue eyes, heavy now.
"Yes and I'm glad about that. That means I am still alive, right?"
"Mmm." He tilted his head, and just stared at her in awe.
"So come on, let's get started on these files; we have a lot of work to do. Right?" She smiled brightly to him now, her eyes full of light.
"Indeed, we do." He gave her a grin and handed her a few files to start with. He could always count on his bullet girl.
" Thank you, Calleigh."
"Anytime Horatio, anytime." She smiled at him again now. "So, what are we looking for?"
He took a breath in, thinking, tilting his head to her, and said, "Anything out of the ordinary... Something that connects this all together. I'll let you know when I... figure it out."
"Ok, so where do I... start?" She laughed.
"Just start reading and keep an open mind. You'll know when you find it." He gave her a grin.
Calleigh gave him an odd look, confused now. She shook her head to him and he smiled, she opened a file and began reading.
Horatio started reading about what Frank told him. Joseph Sanchez, AKA, Freddy Gonzales. He had a very long record, Horatio thought about it, reading on.
OFFENSE PROFILE FOR JOSEPH SANCHEZ
DOB: 02/04/1978
Alias: Freddy Gonzales
SSN: N/A
Address: 715 Main Street
City: Miami
State: FL
Zip Code: 05252
Gender: Male
Race: Hispanic
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Black
Height: 6 ft. 1 in.
Weight: 240 lbs.
OFFENSE INFORMATION
Status: Parole
Search Type: Miami Florida Criminal
County: Miami
StateID: 23990004
Financial: Unknown
Admitted Date: 12/01/1996
Prison/Probation Agency:
Code:
Phone:Miami Dade DEPT CORRECTION
Parole Date: 12/01/1996
Prison Release Date: N/A
COURT RECORD
PLACE & TYPE OF OFFENSE CUSTODY & CASE INFORMATION
Offenses:
MALICIOUS DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY,
ASSAULT- CAUSED BODILY INJURY,
WEAPONS,
BURGLARY,
AUTO GRAND THIEF,
DRUG POSSESSION,
SEXUAL ASSAULT
Offense Type: ALL-FELONY
Offense Date: 08/20/1996, 12/10/1999, 03/19/01, 05/23/03,
04/02/03, 06/29/04, 10/08/05
Offense Code:18.2-51
Disposition:NO CONVICTION
Disposition Date: 09/25/1996
Disposition Code: 310
Court: 195TH DISTRICT COURT MIAMI
Statute: 14-111
County: Miami
Case Number: F-99546097
Count Number: N/A
Sentenced Date: 09/25/1996
Incarceration: NONE
Probation: YES-PAROLE GIVING
Earliest Release Date:N/A
Max Release Date: N/A
Release Date: N/A
Suspended: YES
Special Provisions:YES-PER JUDGE
JAIL / PROBATION DATA ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Admission Date: 12/01/1996
Agency:Miami Dade Police Department
Agency Code:MI227015G
First Arrest Date:08/20/1996
Arrest Agency:Miami Dade PD
Plead:Offender Pleaded, Not Guilty
Time:N/A
Status:INACTIVE
Verdict Code:Not Guilty
Verdict Description:Not GUILTY
Court Fine:$0
Community Service: NONE- PER JUDGE
Joe Sanchez,
Hispanic,
6'1, 240lbs
Black hair and brown eyes...
Horatio began reading over it again now, his mind processing the information. Why the alias he thought? What was he trying to hide? He had a very long rap sheet, arrested on malicious destruction of property, burglary, grand thief auto, weapons possession, assault and battery, and the list went on. 'He was released on all counts.' "What?"
Now Horatio's intuition kicking in, thinking, that was impossible. He shook his head in disbelief.
'How could he be released on all counts?' Thinking it all over again and again, shaking his head now. Things already suspicious, but this, this was all wrong, were talking felony's here.
Things were simply not adding up now, and his throbbing head was beginning to feel the effects of it. His eyes were becoming tired, he squinted and began reading again. This time looking deeper into the case file, knowing there had to be more, there had to be something he was missing.
He flipped over another page and began reading again. This was definitely not his first offense, Horatio knew. He had quite a few priors but he was just a kid then, how did he get so mixed up in all of this? He thought.
Horatio examined the photo of him again; his eyes looked familiar to him. Something about his eyes, Horatio thought. He felt as if he knew him, thinking now, trying to recall his memory of where he saw him before. He stared at the picture, his mind almost remembering, he closed his eyes and concentrated, taking a breath in. NOTHING,... nothing coming to mind now.
He clenched his jaw now, agitated and annoyed at his failing memory. He took another deep breath in and shook his head, letting the file drop into his lap now, he pinched the bridge of his nose. The throbbing headache beginning to pulse and pound now. He closed his eyes, trying to relieve some of the pressure in his head. His eyes were strained from all the reading, making the headache even worse. He took another deep breath in, and this time Calleigh noticed and quickly responded.
"Hey, you ok, maybe we ought to take a break?" His eyes shot open quickly, his hand moved back to the file.
"I'm fine, just a headache, Calleigh."
The door opened and Joe came walking in, just catching the end of Horatio's sentence. Calleigh continued talking and Horatio now nodded his head to her.
"Yeah well, you look like you could use a break, Horatio. Just relax your head back for a little while; the files will still be here when you wake up. You've been at it for over 4 hrs, you need a break."
"Who said anything about going to sleep? I'm fine and I don't need a break."
Calleigh gave him a look and shook her head. "No you're not fine, I can tell."
Horatio now picked up the file again, it slipped from the bandaged left hand and he winced, trying to pick it up again with his fingertips.
"Ok, you two done?" Joe asked, placing one hand on his hip, looking at one and then the other.
"Hi Joe, how's your day?" Calleigh asked, sarcastically.
"Going better than yours, it seems." He laughed. His eyes narrowed on Horatio and he looked back over to Calleigh. She shook her head to him and he knew Horatio was misbehaving again.
"Well your quiet today, Horatio. How you feeling,... besides the headache?"
Horatio gave him a quick grin, realizing he heard their conversation walking into the room.
"I'm feeling fine, thank you, Joe."
"How long have you been, sitting up like this?" Horatio now looked over to Calleigh, she looked away from him, he knew she was upset.
"Not that long." Now Joe gave him a look.
"Do you ever answer the question?" Joe asked, shaking his head.
"He's been like that since this morning, and he didn't rest at all." Calleigh said annoyed.
A flash going off in Horatio's head now. His eyes concentrated and he turned his attention away from them and back down to the file. Horatio's brain taking him back to the file again now, he looked down at the file, seeing the picture again and again, his eyes searched for the answer.
His brain was not cooperating at all though; it was blocking it out, and making him draw a blank. He closed his eyes and his hand now went to his forehead, his fingertips caressed it. He wondered again where he'd seen him before. Joe now seeing how stressed out Horatio was already, was not going to allow this to continue. He stepped closer to his bedside now and gently acted on the matter.
"Ok, let me take those from you, I need to examine you now." His eyes locked onto Horatio's, his voice strong and steady.
Horatio tilted his head and gave him an intense look back. He took a breath in, thinking. His head was killing him and his brain was blocking him. He was getting nowhere right now, and the more he tried, the worse the pain and pressure in his head grew.
His hands began to gathered the files together and he handed them to Joe. Joe nodded to him and he put them on the bedside table of Horatio's bed. Joe pressed the button on the bed and it began to move down. Horatio shook his head in frustration, as the bed lowered down.
"I'm fine Joe, really."
"Ok, I didn't say you weren't. I do need to examine you though, I am your doctor, remember?" Joe gave him a smile. Horatio's jaw set and he shook his head again.
"Hmm, how could I forget?" Horatio said, sarcastically.
Calleigh laughed a bit now and Horatio gave her a quick look. She Put her hand over her mouth and stifled it. His lips curled up a bit, he nodded his head at her. She gave him a bright smile now back and tilted her head to him. Her lips moved, but no sound came out. He read her lips, she knew he would. "I'm sorry" she mouthed to him silently.
He gave her a smile and nodded to her. His fingers began to unbuttoned his shirt, the left hand was a problem but he managed with his fingertips. Joe opened his shirt to the sides.
"Ok, let's have a look, shall we?"
Joe began feeling around on Horatio's chest and ribs. He listened with the stethoscope over his chest and frowned. Titling his head listening more closely now. His eyes narrowed as he tried to concentrate on the sounds. He lifted his head up and looked at Horatio now, who seemed to be breathing fine.
"Take a breath in for me." Horatio took a breath in and coughed a bit, he let it out. Joe gave him a glance, making sure he was ok. Horatio's left hand quickly covered his broken ribs.
"Ok, let's try this"
Joe now pressed the button to lift the bed again. Horatio now sitting up, looking at him confused.
"Sit up and lean forward for me. Take some deep breaths in and let them out, ok?" Horatio nodded and did as he was asked.
Calleigh now became concerned and watched Joe closely. He was listening to Horatio's lungs and he shook his head, as if disturbed by something. Horatio was now beginning to get short of breath, after the 3 breaths he took in, and let out. Joe patted him lightly now.
"Ok, ok that's enough, Horatio. You ok?" His eyes searched Horatio's, small beads of sweat beginning to appear on his forehead.
"I...m Fin...e..." He said winded now, and began coughing. Now he winched in pain, tightening his hold on his ribs.
"Ok, let's get you down now." Joe lowered the bed down and fixed two pillows behind Horatio's head for him.
"No arguments, ok? You need to get some rest now, that lung is not sounding too good. I'm going to order another set of X-rays for you also, I want to take another look and see if anything changed.
"Is he ok, Joe? What's wrong? Calleigh asked, very concerned now.
"He's fine, Calleigh. I um... Just want to make sure about that lung and his ribs. Joe shook his head, unhappy now. He looked back over to Horatio.
"You ok, let me take a look at those ribs?"
"I'm fine... my ribs are fine and---." Joe cut him off, knowing Horatio was now becoming annoyed.
"Yes, and I'm your doctor and will be the judge of that, right?" Joe waited for an answer now, his eyes searching, Horatio's.
"Hmm."
That was the only sound that came from Horatio's mouth. Horatio's eyes now found Joe's, and they said much more.
"Look, please keep in mind I am trying to help you. I know how frustrating this can all be." Joe said defensively, now knowing Horatio's looks, and that last one could have killed. Joe took a breath in and sighed.
Horatio quickly realizing he was giving him a hard time, gave in. Shaking his head, acknowledging Joe's words.
"You're right... I'm Umm... I appreciate your he..LP!---." Horatio gasped in pain, losing his breath, he quickly tried to sit up.
Joe quickly slapped the stethoscope to his chest and listened, keeping him down. He heard wheezing and some congestion now as Horatio tried to catch his breath.
"Easy, breathe easy and stay down, stop trying to sit up, you'll only exert yourself more."
Horatio's eyes began going wide now as he tried to breathe normally. He struggled more and became even shorter of breath.
"Easy, take a small breath in, slow Horatio." Joe put his hand on his shoulder now, trying to reassure him.
Horatio's eyes locked on Joe's now, and he began taking small short breaths in. Joe nodded his head to him.
"Good, that's it, your fine. Now put your head back and keep it there."
Joe grabbed the oxygen mask on the wall and turned the knob. Calleigh now sat up and slid off her bed coming around to Horatio's left side.
"This will help you breathe easier." Joe said now.
Horatio nodded no to him now. "I'm...o-ok..., I don't..."
"Yes you certainly do!" Joe insisted now, his voice rose. He put the mask on his face and lifted the band onto his head and slipped it on.
"Keep it on, and keep your head back! Joe snapped at him, loudly.
"Calleigh, make sure he keeps that on." Joe pointing to the oxygen mask now.
"Ok, Joe." She softly rubbed Horatio's left arm.
Joe's hands began feeling around on Horatio's ribs now. Horatio grunted and moved when Joe's right hand found the problem rib.
"Ok, I got it; it's not the lung... I think." Joe said now. "The X-ray will tell for sure, but I think it's the ribs.
"So, he's ok, Joe?" Calleigh asked now. Joe looked back up at Horatio now, who was breathing a little eaiser.
"You ok, feeling better now?" Joe asked.
"Mmm, yes, I am but..." Now he began to remove the mask, his words mumbled by it.
"No, leave it on..." Joe started, but Calleigh cut him right off.
"Horatio, leave it on, please!" Calleigh softly ran her hand over his hair.
"I feel better I don't need ..." Horatio breath caught and he closed his eyes, in pain again.
"STOP talking and leave that mask on, I think your rib is out of place again!" Joe moved his hand back to the broken rib and Horatio's gasped, his head went back and his right hand made a grab for Joe's. His eyes blinking a few times now, trying to bear the pain and catch his breath.
"You need it, trust me on this, stop moving around, and lie still." He released the rib now and adjusted the oxygen level on the wall. He pressed the call button to get a nurse in the room now.
"This is Dr. Gannon, I need a nurse in here, stat!" The intercom beeped and a woman's voice responded.
"The nurse is on her way doctor."
"Well let's see how long this takes?" Joe said to Calleigh now, with humor.
"Can I help with something, Joe."
"You already are, Calleigh. Just keep him relaxed, you're doing great." He smiled, and looked back across at Calleigh now.
"Ever think of taking up nursing?" He joked with her and Horatio laughed now and began coughing again. Blinking his eyes and now shaking his head.
"Horatio, easy, what is it?" Calleigh asked.
He mumbled something; she could not make it out. He lifted the mask a moment, Calleigh's eyes went wide.
"Wait... She'd make a great...doctor..." Horatio said, with a raspy voice now, smiling.
She tilted her head to him and smiled, he would always say the sweetest things to her. "Thank You, Horatio." Her smile lit up the room.
"I believe he's right." Joe said, agreeing now. And now Calleigh blushed and looked away from both of them.
Maria, the nurse came walking in, Joe walked over to her.
"I need a stat X-ray on him and I um,.. I need some..."
He looked over at Horatio now who was listening and watching him closely. Joe gave Calleigh a look and she walked around to the other side of the bed now blocking Horatio's view.
"So you breathing better now, huh?"
Horatio shook his head to her, his eyes were blinking a lot she noticed.
"Hey, you're exhausted; close your eyes, Horatio, go to sleep."
He suddenly felt like he hadn't sleep for days, the exhaustion finally catching up with him. He gave into his body now, as her touch relaxed him even more.
She softly ran her hand over his forehead and through his hair. He closed his eyes for a moment, her caress completely relaxing him now. She continued to run her hand over his hair, softly stroking it. His eyes remained closed now, his breathing even and relaxed. Joe came over and the nurse walked out.
"Is he asleep?" Joe whispered to her, looking at him.
"I... think... I think he is?" She quietly answered, in total disbelief, never taking her hand off his head.
"Well you do seem to have that magic touch." Joe smiled at her and she blushed again.
Now the door opened with a loud bang and they both were startled. Horatio jumped and woke up quickly, grabbing hold of his ribs. Calleigh relaxed him and told him it was just the X-ray machine. He quickly calmed and Joe walked over to the tech and yelled at him.
"That's how you enter a hospital room? Just slam the machine into the door to open it? What's wrong with you?"
"Sorry doctor, I didn't know you were--." Joe shook his head now pissed off.
"You're supposed to be thinking about the patients, not me!" Joe checked out his name tag. 'Don't let it happen again,... David."
"I'm... sorry. I ...I won't, doctor Gannon."
Calleigh eyes were wide with surprised when Joe yelled at the tech. She smiled, thinking to herself, how very caring he was. She calmed Horatio now.
"It's alright; they're just going to take some X-rays, Horatio. Close your eyes and go back to sleep."
He blinked a few times and his eyes began to close again. She knew he was exhausted, she felt guilty she didn't make him rest earlier. Her hand softly stroking his hair again, he softly moaned, she completely relaxed him now.
"Mmm"
It was low and soft, but she heard it and it made her smile. She wanted to reach down and just hold him, hug him so tightly in her arms. She watched him fall back into a deep sleep now.
"Make sure you get the ribs and the lungs, ok?" Joe said to the tech now.
"I only have an order to take the lungs."
"Well NOW, you have an order to do both, David, you understand!"
"But that's not what..."
"What? You need an order? Here's an order" He pulled a pad from his pocket and wrote it out on a script. He then shoved it in the tech's lab coat. "
Now just do what I want, if you have any other problems, I'll be right here!" Joe crossed his arms over his chest watching now. He walked over to Calleigh. Maria came back in the room with a medical kit in her hands. It had needles and medications stored in it.
"Ok, give me five minutes, David, and then you can get started."
"Ok, doctor." He set up the X-ray machine and slides.
"Calleigh, I'm umm, I'm gonna give him, a little something to knock him out."
"He's already sleeping, Joe." Calleigh looked confused. "You really think its necessary?"
"Yes, I do, when we move him for the X-rays, he's going to be in pain and it will affect his breathing as well. So it's best he is sedated for a while anyway, ok?"
"Ok, Joe, if you think it's best, then I trust your judgment." Joe smiled and nodded to her. More than happy she had confidence in him.
"I'll take good care of him, you have my word."
Joe nodded to Calleigh and rubbed her arm, affectionately. Maria prepared the injection and handed it to Joe.
"I know that, Joe. You already have, and trust me, we appreciate it." Calleigh smiled to him now.
"Ok, just try to keep him calm if he puts up a fight, ok?" Calleigh nodded now.
"Ok, Maria keep your hand on top of his lightly." Joe easily lowered the sheet down off Horatio and quickly lowered his pajama pants near his hip area. His eyes opened now and Calleigh immediately started to talk to him. Joe swabbed the area and Horatio's eyes went wide now, realizing what was happening. He mumbled something and went to move, he felt someone hold his hand down. He groaned.
"No- No, keep still, hang on a minute, Horatio." Joe placed a hand on his shoulder, reassuring him and trying to keep him still.
"You're alright; it's just for pain, Horatio. Joe's gonna get an X-ray and that's it, ok?" Calleigh, now reassuring him as well.
Horatio nodded, he was too tired to struggle, his body was exhausted and his eyes were very heavy now, they were almost closed again.
Joe swabbed the area again and stuck the needed in this time. Horatio mumbled something and Calleigh answered him.
"I'll be right here with you, ok?" She smiled to him. She was the last thing he saw as his eyes closed for good now.
"Ok, let's get started and let's move him easy, ok David?"
"Yes, doctor." The tech answered.
Calleigh and Maria waited outside while the X-rays were taken. Dr. Gannon helped the technician each time he had to move Horatio. When they were finished, he opened the door and called them back in now. The films were being developed by the technician, he handed them to Joe when they were completed.
The tech left and Joe took the films and clipped them onto a lighted board on the wall. He shook his head in disbelief, running his hand through his hair.
"Ok, here's the problem." He pointed to an area on the film. Calleigh moved in closer to see.
"It's the fractured rib again, rubbing up against his lung. I'm gonna have to splint that, and he's not going to like it one bit." Calleigh looked at Joe nervously now, her eyes going wide.
"It's ok, Calleigh, relax. Joe smiled at her. "He's just going to be... uncomfortable, I mean. I'm going to first tape up his ribs and then, we're going to put his arm in a sling."
"A sling, Joe?" Calleigh's eyes went wide again now, Joe shook his head to her.
"That's not all, I have to immobilize that arm, and he's not going to be able to use it for a while. I'll apply an elastic bandage and wrap it over the sling and his entire chest." Joe scratched his head now, thinking about it.
"You're right,... He's not going to like this." Calleigh answered Joe now, shaking her head.
"Unfortunately, I'm all out of options with him. We have to get him to take an easy and that's almost impossible to do. Now he's not going to have a choice, he has to rest and let those ribs heal now." Calleigh nodded her head to Joe now, understanding.
"Maria, I'm going to need some tape, ace bandages and a sling. You'd better bring me some... Dilaudid too, he's gonna need it."
"Yes doctor, right away." Maria left and Alexx walked in.
"Alexx." Calleigh said, seeming a bit upset now. Alexx knew something was wrong.
"Calleigh,... Joe. Is everything ok here?" Alexx asked, concerned now.
"Yes, everything is fine, Alexx, she's a bit stunned, that's all." Joe nodded his head to Calleigh.
"His ribs are giving him some trouble again. The only course of action I see, is to splint it, and immobilize his arm to his chest. We'll keep it that way for a week or so and see how he's doing."
"A week?" Alexx laughed now, shaking her head to them. "Baby, you have to be kidding, right? There's no way he's going to... keep it on, or for that matter stay here, in the hospital. What happened?"
"He started having trouble breathing and Joe took some X-rays and found the fractured rib rubbing against his lung. It could puncture the lung again." Joe cut her off now, placing one hand on his hip and raking the other hand through his hair. Clearly disturbed now.
"What happened is,... he's not resting like he's supposed to! Those ribs have not had a chance to heal yet and it's all catching up to him now! He really needs to rest now. If you two have any pull with him, now's the time to use it. I can't stress it enough. I already know how stubborn he can be." Joe sighed heavily now.
"You got that right, sugar. I can't see him laying here for a week or so, not Horatio. He will leave no matter how bad he feels."
Calleigh answered now. "You're right Joe, but what can we do?"
"Help me. Talk to him. Calleigh, you seem to have a way with him. Maybe you can convince him. If you two can help in anyway, please do, I know I am going to need it." Joe laughed now.
Maria came walking in the room pushing a cart with a bunch of medical supplies on it.
"Ok, so Alexx, want to give us a hand with him?" Joe asked her, smiling.
"Maybe you ought to sedate him first, sugar?" She said, sarcastically.
"I did that already, but I plan on giving him even more right now." Alexx looked at him with question.
"More, how much more, Joe?" Her eyes questioning him now.
"Enough to keep him out for a while. I don't want him waking up in the middle of this, do you?"
"Well no, but... he didn't agree to this and he's not going to like it one bit." Alexx answered, slowly now.
"Um-hmm, so this is news to us?" Joe said, looking at her now, he went over to the cart, grabbed a syringe and filled it with Dilaudid. He pulled down on Horatio's pants again near the hip area and stuck him. "Let's see how long this holds him for."
Alexx's eyes opened wide and now she put her hand to her forehead in disbelief. "I don't think... this was part of the medical oath, or the doctor's declaration... for that matter." She shook her head.
Calleigh looking very upset now, walked over to Horatio and stood near his side.
"Hey honey, he's gonna be fine, don't you go worrying yourself now. It will all be fine." Alexx rubbed her back, trying to reassure her. Calleigh gave her a forced smile back, shaking her head.
"Ok Maria, lift the bed up, I got him. Joe held onto Horatio.
"Alexx get his shirt unbuttoned and we'll slip it off."
"Ok, Joe." Alexx unbuttoned it and slipped it off the right arm while Joe slid it off the left. Maria grabbed the shirt from Joe and handed it to Calleigh, who sighed, holding it now tightly.
They worked together and taped and bandaged his ribs and left arm to his chest. Horatio was out cold the whole time and did not wake. Calleigh was very worried for him, and even more worried, that he would want to take the bandage off. Joe decided it was better to leave off his shirt; it would just get in the way of the bandages. They laid him back down and covered him with the sheet when they were done.
"Maria, bring a couple of ice packs, will you?"
"Right away, doctor." Alexx shook her head to Joe now, understanding what he was doing.
"It will help with some of the inflammation and pain he has." Alexx said to Calleigh, who was now clutching Horatio's shirt so tightly that her knuckles were white.
"How long will he be out for, Joe?" Calleigh asked.
"A while... a long while, Calleigh. Why don't you try to get some rest yourself, you need it."
"No, I'm gonna sit with him and---." Alexx now cut her off.
"Listen honey, I'm going to be here a while, I'll sit with him. You get some rest and don't go being stubborn like him now, you hear me?" Calleigh laughed.
"Well there is one thing we do with stubborn people, isn't there Alexx?" Joe said.
Alexx now giving Joe a questioning look. Looking back at Horatio now, thinking to herself... ' Yeah, we drug them up to keep them here, against their will?' She shook her head and the crazy thoughts away. She managed to nod back to Joe, going along with him now.
Joe gently took Calleigh by the arm and led her to the bed. "Well we tuck them in, don't we?"
"That we do, Joe, That we do." Alexx laughed now.
Calleigh looking from Joe to Alexx, wondering what they were going to do with her, she began laughing herself now.
"Ok, here you go, hop in." Calleigh got in the bed and laid back now. Joe quick to grab the sheet and cover her up. "Would you like a blanket, Calleigh?"
"No, this is fine, Thanks Joe, Thank you Alexx."
"Sure honey." Alexx answered, keeping her eye on Joe.
"Ok, Doctor's orders now...Get some sleep." He almost brushed the hair off her forehead with his fingers, but quickly caught himself. He pulled up the safety railing on the side and rested his hands there, leaning. He though how easy she would be to fall in love with. He loved her personality and could not get past her beauty, inside and out. He smiled,.. dazed for a moment.
"I'm trapped." Calleigh said, with a smile.
"I wish it was that easy, then we could trap him too!" Joe laughed, nodding over to Horatio.
"Well you could always handcuff him to the bed!" Alexx interjected, laughing now, rolling her eyes up. "I'm sure that's allowed somewhere in the medical oath!"
The three of them laughed and Calleigh even giggled a bit. Joe tilted his head to her and smiled. He was glad to see her laughing again, really laughing, he thought.
Alexx picked up on something, not sure of what it was. He was really very caring and sweet she thought. But When he looked at Calleigh, his look was different. Alexx's eyes narrowed on him. She could swear he was hitting on her,.. but then he never said or did anything to make that true. Alexx shook her head, trying to clear it now.
Calleigh laughed with Joe, and Alexx watched them closely now. Those eyes she thought, his light blue eyes would just grab a hold and not let go of Calleigh's. Calleigh really liked him, and took to him even more with the way he treated, and took care of Horatio.
It was hard not to like Joe after all he did. Besides that, his good looks and his very fit body didn't hurt either. All in all, Alexx could not deny the truth. He was, a very good man, caring, compassionate. What's not to like, she shook her thoughts away now and told herself to stop being over protective.
Calleigh made Joe laugh again, and Joe's eyes crinkled, Calleigh tilted her head to him, thinking, how cute that was. She was exhausted herself and her eyes now beginning to feel heavy, were closing, Joe noticed.
"I'm sorry." she quickly said, as she caught herself dozing.
"No- no, go ahead, close your eyes, and get some sleep." He wanted so bad to reach out to her and just, touch her, comfort her in some way. He did not. He would not make that mistake again. He saw the depth of love these two had for each other, and would never get in the way of that.
"Ok, as long as you promise not to drug me and cuff me to the bed." Calleigh joked. Joe turned to Alexx now.
"Hey Alexx, do we promise?" Joe questioned her now.
"Now honey, you know we can't promise you that, this is a hospital. No one knows... what's going to happen in the hospital." Alexx laughed, teasing Calleigh now.
Calleigh opened her eyes, wide in shock, looking over at Alexx.
"Well you're a real big help. Remind me not to ask you next time, will you?" Joe said, laughing.
"Now you, go to sleep." Joe said to Calleigh again. She closed her eyes with a smile and in minutes was fast asleep.
"So, I'm heading down to the cafeteria, can I bring you back some coffee or anything to eat, Alexx?"
"Well a coffee would be great! Thank you Joe."
"Ok, be back in a bit. You remember my beeper number? 4796. Just pick up that phone and dial it, you'll get me in a minute." He ran his hand through his hair.
"You expecting trouble or something, honey? Don't you think you drugged him up enough? She ribbed him now, laughing. "We'll all be fine till you return, doctor."
Joe just gave her a nod and laughed. "I just hope he listens to reason... this time."
"He will, or Calleigh and I are going to give him a scolding. We'll get him to listen. Don't go worrying yourself, Joe. He'll be fine."
"Ok, You're the doctor,.. doctor." He joked now and headed out the door.
"Yeah,... but I'm just an M.E." She said to no one, as she chuckled out loud.
About 20 minutes past and Joe walked in with a coffee and a croissant. He handed them to Alexx now.
"Thought you could use a snack."
"Thank you very much, Joe." She smiled her gratatude to him.
"Everything... quiet?"
"Yes, very quiet."
"Ok, I have to go check on two other patients, I'll be back right after that. Just beep me if you need me, ok?"
"Yes,... Joe." Alexx now rolled her eyes at him. Then turned her head quickly to a groan she thought she heard. Joe looked over too, in disbelief.
"No way he's waking up yet." Joe said, worried.
"I think he just dreaming, look at his eyes." Horatio was dreaming and groaned in his sleep now. Alexx felt his forehead and he seemed to calm.
"Ok, he is and I'm off, see you in a bit Alexx."
"Bye Joe. Thanks again for the coffee and croissant. He nodded to her and left.
She drank her coffee and ate the croissant, keeping a close eye on both of them. Horatio now began to softly groan again. His body beginning to move a bit and his words becoming clearer. She moved closer to him now and gently stroked his hair, trying to calm him.
"Ray...Ray don't" He was becoming agitated now, and sweat began to build on his forehead. Moving his body now, his arm started pulling at the bandages.
"No, no. Horatio, you're ok. You're just dreaming, honey."
Calleigh began to wake. Horatio now becoming louder. Calleigh sat up, listening.
"No!...no you don't!...I told you not to...narco...dam it!... Ray!..." He now yanked on the bandage and pulled part of it free...
"Alexx?" Calleigh called, groggy.
"Calleigh give me a hand; call Joe on the phone, 4796, Hurry up."
Calleigh quickly got off the bed and dialed. A moment went by and Joe picked up the line.
"He's awake, Joe." Calleigh said nervously.
"On my way!" Joe was on the move.
Calleigh went over to try and calm him with Alexx now.
"I think he's dreaming." Alexx said, leaning her weight down on his shoulders. Calleigh tried to talk to him.
"Horatio, Horatio, you're dreaming, it's ok, wake up."
"Ray! No...narco...Ray listen..." He now pulled part of the bandage free and his arm moved under it. He groaned in pain and his head dropped back down on the pillows.
Alexx quickly covered his head with her hand, keeping him down now. He tried to move his arm again and groaned loudly now, his breathing erratic.
"Listen to me Horatio, please! Stop moving ok, keep still, ok?" Calleigh now holding his arm still against his chest.
He groaned and his Jaw clenched down, his eyes were opened, but were glazed over. He blinked a few times and his breathing calmed. His eyes finding Calleigh's now.
"Cal?..."
"Ssh, don't talk, just relax and hold still, ok?"
"Mmm, what...Where's Ray...I have to..." Calleigh now looking to Alexx for help.
"Shss, Horatio you're dreaming, honey. Just close your eyes and relax now, ok?" Alexx said.
"What abo..ut... Ray?" He shifted now and groaned again. His eyes now going wide, he gasped in pain. Joe came through the door quickly now and Maria followed.
"What happened here? How did he manage to loosen that?"
"Forget about that and give him something to knock him out, he's going to hurt himself. He's going to get the whole thing off if you don't. He's dreaming and doesn't realize what he's doing."
"Maria give me another 10mgs of..."
Now Horatio began thrashing around. Calleigh quickly lost her grip on his arm and Alexx was just trying to keep him flat.
"No!...No!...Find RAY...I have to...RAY!" Horatio now using his right arm pushing them off.
Joe now grabbed a hold of his arm, stilling it. Horatio groaned as Joe held his left arm hard in place against his chest.
"No! Stop moving, Horatio" Joe said, raising his voice to him.
Horatio lifted up now and Calleigh and Alexx quickly helped Joe get him back down. He grunted in pain and his right hand moved to cover his left side. His eyes going wide again, in pain. He blinked a few times and stilled. His eyes now going from Calleigh's to Joe's, and then to Alexx.
Cleary confused now, he cleared his throat.
"Alexx...What...why is..."
"Horatio, don't move, ok?
His eyebrows rising up in question. He nodded his head to her.
"Ok, but what..."
"Don't talk, either!"
Now his eyebrows furrowed, not understanding. His eyes moved to Calleigh's now.
"You're ok, just relax." Her hand was on his head.
He felt a sharp stick in his hip area, again. His eyes going wide and then quickly becoming heavy and closing now.
"Ok, he's out, you can let go." Joe said, to Calleigh and Alexx.
Joe grabbed the medical scissors, he began cutting away the top part of the bandage. Shaking his head now in disbelief.
"I'm just going to re-bandage that arm and tighten it up, to hold his arm more secure. It should be fine now. Hopefully next time he wakes up, he's calmer. The medication can have this effect on some people, I've seen it before, it's the meds." Joe clearly not worried.
"That's probably what it is, of course." Alexx said, shaking her head now.
"You think he's ok, Joe? Did he re-injure himself or anything?" Calleigh asked, softly.
"I'm getting another X-ray to be sure, but I don't think so. He never got that left arm out,.. totally. If he did, then we would of had problems... Again." Joe nodded.
Calleigh now dropped herself down in the chair, exhausted now. Alexx took hold of her arm and lifted her up, now walking her to her bed.
"C'mon honey, you need to get some sleep. Go ahead, I'm here."
"I can't just..."
"Yes you can, you need some sleep, Calleigh. He's going to need us and how are you going to help if you're exhausted?"
Calleigh now yawned and shook her head, giving in. "Ok, but call me if anything, ok?"
"You know I will, honey." Calleigh climbed back into the bed and was out cold in seconds.
"Well that was easy, she's out."
I'm glad something is easy with these two." Joe commented, nodding his head.
Alexx sat down in the chair now waiting for X-ray to come. They came and went. When the X-rays were over and the tech finally left, Joe looked at the films and said the X-rays were ok. They re-bandaged Horatio's arm and chest. Alexx decided to stay with both Calleigh and Horatio for the night. She rested in a recliner chair the best she could and finally dozed off. The night was quiet and they all sleep soundly.
The morning rays of sunlight were now shinning into the room, Alexx was already awake and Joe was kind enough to bring her a coffee. She sat relaxing, drinking it now. Enjoying her first morning cup. She saw Horatio's eyes flutter and knew he was waking. She put down her coffee now and went over near his bedside.
His eyes opened slowly and he began to focus. His blue eyes seeing her standing over him. He blinked a few times trying to clear his focus.
"Alexx...?" He said, groggy. He cleared his throat.
"Good morning, sugar. You feeling ok, any pain?" Her hand now stroking his hair back.
"No but I ..." He growled a bit and tried to move, unable to. Feeling confined, his eyebrows went up.
"I can't move... my arm, Alexx..." He tried to lift his head up, but couldn't. His eyes clearly confused.
"Relax, Horatio, you're ok. You're just taped up and bandaged." Her hand on his right shoulder now, trying to comfort him.
"What...?"
Horatio now blinking, confused still. He moved the sheet down with his right hand, looking at his chest and arm now, completely bandaged up. His eyebrows now rose up in disbelief. He looked at Alexx.
"Ok, this... This is not going to work." He said now, shaking his head to her. Looking down in disbelief at the bandage. His right hand began searching to find the beginning, or the end, to take it off.
TBC...
Review, review, review...Please:0)