Please see first chapter for disclaimer regarding Blacklist. (Of course I don't own it! Just borrowing for entertainment purposes.)
I want to apologize for my delays in updating. I won't bore you with details because I'm sure most of you already know (if you follow me on twitter or tumblr) but real life has a tendency to make life difficult and writing near impossible. Please don't give up on the story, it will be updated and finished. That I will promise you.
On with our story:
Doctor Mike Holloway scrambled back into the OR- mask firmly in place and freshly scrubbed. Approaching the assisting nurse to receive his gloves, he gave her a shaky nod.
"You ok?" She inquired, glancing up at him. "Looks like they took it hard?"
"That would be an understatement." Mike mumbled, grabbing the bottom of his gloves and adjusting the fingers. The man in the room who called himself 'Mr. Smith' wasn't just some run of the mill grieving husband. Thinking back now on the debacle, Mike found the entire situation disconcerting to say the least. Part of him had thought of calling security to arrest Mr. Smith for pulling the gun on him but he also had a feeling Mr. Smith ran with a dangerous sort of crowd. The kind that left horse heads on your bed, greased palms of anyone in a political office and left you with a double tap to the cerebellum should you fail him. Shaking his head to clear his mind of that disturbing vision, he trained his eyes on the patient lying on the table. "How is she?"
"BP is down to 84 over 60. Stats are 86. Doctor Andrews just finished closing up." The nurse replied as they approached the table.
Mike looked confused as he watched her vital signs continue to slowly descend, "Then why are her stats still dropping?" He inquired, moving besides Doctor Andrews to observe the patient.
"I stopped the bleeding in the ventricle- we must have missed something." Dr. Andrews replied searching for any obvious signs of trauma.
The alarm sounds on her monitors began beeping as the nurse looked to both doctors," BP 70 over 54 and dropping fast. She's going to go critical."
Mike took another look, checking the ventricle and connected vein when he noticed an anomaly. "Her epicardium is distended! It's compressing her heart."
Mike grabbed the scalpel, making a small incision to release the pressure around her heart.
"She's in V FIB!" Cried the assisting nurse, standing quickly to retrieve the defibrillator.
Doctor Andrews took hold of the paddles as they charged in preparation to shock her heart back into rhythm. All the while Mike massaged Liz's heart gently, ensuring all the blood was removed before repairing the incision by cauterizing the small hole.
"Charged." The nurse exclaimed.
"Clear!" Doctor Andrews placed both paddles to Liz's chest and watched as her body shuddered from the charge.
The flat line sound echoed around them, "Charge to 20." Doctor Andrews directed, turning back to his patient.
"Charged."
"Clear!"
Liz was still fibrillating: "Charge them again!" Mike directed the nurse as Doctor Andrews held the paddles in the air.
Andrews shook his head, setting down the paddles on the cart and checking the time on his watch, "She's gone Mike. Call it..."
"No!" Mike felt cold fear grip his chest at the prospect of the what awaited him in the waiting room should he return with news of this young woman's demise. "No! She's not! Move!" Shouldering the nurse out of the way, he hit the button himself as he grabbed both paddles off the cart. Moving to stand over Liz's body he watched the meter slowly ascend to full power.
Both doctor and nurse stood beside Mike in complete and utter confusion. There had been no change to the flat line signaling any effect from the charges. "Why are you doing this?" The nurse asked watching him hold the paddles above Liz's chest one last time.
Hearing the familiar chime indicating the charges were full, Mike glanced up at the nurse. "Because I have no intention of being the one to tell her husband she didn't make it: Now CLEAR!"
XxXxXxX
Dembe maneuvered the hospital corridors. He avoided all security access points that promised guards and metal detectors, quickly making his way back through the ER exit to the parking lot they had just arrived in a short time before. There in the back row stood Careles beside Red's black Mercedes. "Is the situation contained?"
Careles nodded, "Mr. Kaplan will contact you once she has information from the items collected. The FBI has since arrived- including Agent Ressler and they are working with the local PD at the warehouse."
Dembe glanced around their surroundings, "The rest of the team?"
"On perimeter: monitoring inbound until Agent Keen is moved to a personal room or secure location." This gained another nod from Dembe as he continued, "Mr. Reddington's go-bag is in the trunk along with yours; including new burners."
A black SUV pulled up behind the two men as Careles handed Dembe the keys to the Mercedes before silently taking his leave.
Dembe watched as the SUV pulled away before pressing a button on the key fob for the trunk lid to release. Moving to the opening trunk lid he removed Red's gun from his waistband and added it to the top of his other supplies. Closing the trunk he moved around the car and slipped into the drivers seat. Reaching across the front seat he opened the glove compartment- removed a new burner phone- and dialed Agent Malik's.
Meera picked up on the second ring, "Malik."
"Agent Malik, you have information?" Dembe inquired.
"Where is Mr. Reddington?" She wasn't surprised Dembe had been on the other line but she felt the information she possessed required immediate attention by Reddington himself. "I do not want to play phone tag, I've sensitive information for him regarding Lucian."
Dembe glanced up at a passing vehicle as he switched the phone to his other hand, "Mr. Reddington is unavailable currently but he will contact you when he finishes his business. Now what do you have?" He left no room for debate or discussion on the topic.
"Was your group watching the feed when Lucian received the phone call; stopping whatever heinous act he was about to commit against Agent Keen?" Meera got straight to the point.
"Yes."
"Aram picked up a jammer signal inside the post office," Pausing for the effect, she allowed Dembe time to process exactly what this information meant. " A signal that started just prior to and ended just after that phone call."
"Are you suggesting the call came from the PO based on a coincidence?" Dembe paused, "That's very circumstantial Agent Malik."
Highly affronted Meera shot back, "I'm wasn't aware I needed to provide evidence for Mr. Reddington!" Letting the silence stretch on between them Meera took a moment to "Fine! How about the mini jammer I found in Cooper's desk. Which coincidently was directly above the hallway where Aram tracked the signal too."
"Thank you Agent Malik, we will be in touch soon." Dembe disconnected his call, pocketing the new burner.
"Hello?" Meera pulled the phone away glancing at the black screen. "Damn him!" she growled throwing the phone on the passenger seat and slapping her fist against the steering wheel.
Dembe sat quietly; contemplating exactly how to approach Raymond with this new information. Agent Malik wouldn't have brought this information to their attention lightly if she didn't believe there was something entirely plausible about this series of events.
Dembe had also come to the realization that all of this could be a moot point should Agent Keen not survive. The loss of Luli- while painful in it's own rite-would pale in comparison to immense pain Raymond would suffer should he lose Elizabeth. Not to mention the hell fire he would rain down upon those who were responsible: be it federal agents or not.
Finally deciding to wait until he heard from Mr. Kaplan before presenting this damning information to Raymond- he climbed out of the car. Moving back to the opening trunk lid he gathered their Go bags before making his way back to the waiting room. Once he'd checked in with Red he'd start making his calls to check in with the perimeter team to ensure they were safe while he protected his friend.
XxXxXxXx
Red sat stock still in the waiting room staring intently at the door watching for movement. He hadn't moved since Dembe had taken his leave and he'd felt every single second tick in the pit of his stomach as time marched on with no news. He'd always considered no news to be good news until this moment. He hated this feeling of helplessness.
He'd spent a majority of his life researching, preparing and strategizing before acting so he could always stay one step ahead of those whom wished him harm. It was not only for his own safety but to maintain control over the situation.
Control.
Rubbing his throbbing temples, he scoffed at the absurdity of his idea of control and how 'out of control' things had been this last year.
He'd been pulled out of his reverie by the opening of the door, the noise causing him to spring from his seat. His initial excitement at the possibility of news was short lived when he saw Dembe enter the opening door holding their bags. Red let out a deep sigh at the sight of his friend before offering him a sad smile, "Hello Dembe." Turning away, he pinched the bridge of his nose, "Everything went well I assume?"
Dembe set their bags down just inside the door as he held the door open for Doctor Holloway to enter the room following him. Closing the door softly he called out to Red, "Mr. Smith."
The familiar voice of Liz's doctor caused Red to spin quickly, "Doctor Holloway, you have news?"
"Please?" Mike gestured to the seats before him, he watched as a darkness passed over Red's face at the horrible thoughts running through his head.
"I don't want to sit down!" Red took an intimidating step towards the doctor. "I want to know how she is-"
Mike quickly retreated taking two steps back, "She's alive."
His admission stopped Red in his tracks, "She's alive?"
Mike nodded once again, gesturing towards two chairs. "The next 48 hours are going to be extremely crucial. Her heart stopped. She was legally dead for 1 minute and 36 seconds."
Red moved to take a seat beside the doctor- slumping down unceremoniously- he couldn't help the pure elation and paralyzing fear that came with finally knowing she was alive. A knowledge that should his enemy's find out could start this vicious cycle all over again. But that thought could wait. Lizzie was alive and right at that moment in time, nothing was more important.
Dembe took this opportunity to move to Red's side, gently resting his hand on his friend's shoulder- squeezing it reassuringly for unspoken support.
"You were very right Sir. She is a strong woman." Mike continued, offering a gentle smile while referencing their prior conversation only a short time before. "We have applied a number of stitches to close the flesh wound on her thigh and set her broken rib. She is currently in a medically induced coma, just for the evening. It will allow her heart to keep it's normal resting rhythm in place so as not to place any undue stress from fear or pain." If this had been a normal situation he would have been using touch to connect with Mr. Smith as a way to reaffirm the information he was trying to process. But this wasn't a normal situation and Mike resisted the urge to pat the man's forearm- choosing rather to continue with as much detail as possible. "Because her heart stopped for such an extended amount of time, we will need to monitor her EKG readings and vitals to make sure she doesn't sustain any permanent damage."
Red allowed Doctor Holloway's words to slowly sink in before he asked, "Can I see her?"
Relief flooded Mike, smiling he nodded at Red, "I can take you back right now, if you'd like?"
At Red's nod both men stood and made their way out of the room. Red followed Mike through the maze of corridors leading from the waiting room to Liz's private room with Dembe close on his heels. When they arrived at the room Dembe stayed outside the door, standing watch as Mike lead Red inside.
There in the stark white hospital bed lay Lizzie: a bruised, pale woman tucked gently into a warm blanket while numerous hoses and IV's were strung around her from each of her arms. Surrounding her bed was copious amounts of medical equipment beeping and buzzing rhythmically with the bleep of her heart beat. Red had never been so thankful to watch such a small line move so repetitively over and over.
Red didn't wait for the doctor's approval before moving to Lizzie's bedside immediately grasping her hand lying limp on the blanket. Running his thumb over her knuckles, he leaned over to brush his lips over the soft skin on the back of her hand being mindful of the iv taped there. Grabbing the chair near by he pulled it up close to her hospital bed and took a seat all the while never losing physical contact with her. He kept his gaze firmly on Liz's delicate features as he spoke, "Thank you Doctor."
Mike nodded at the man while backing out of the room quietly. Closing the door gently behind him, he moved to stand against the wall beside Dembe. Both stood in silence for a short time before Mike worked up the courage to turn to Dembe, "Would he have really used that gun earlier? "
Dembe turned his head slowly and held the good doctor's gaze before shaking his head, "No." The visible exhale from the frightened doctor caused Dembe to pause; when the man beside him appeared to relax Dembe turned his attention away to stare down the hallway opposite of Liz's room before he spoke. Watching the doctor out of the corner of his eye he spoke softly, "But I would have."
Mike couldn't help but stare at Dembe with wide eyes before slowly backing away. After a few steps, he was tripped by a chair poised outside another room in the hallway causing him to stumble. Righting himself quickly, still attempting to keep Dembe in his line of sight- Mike retreated down the hallway at just short of a jog. After turning the corner he finally lost sight of the other man. It was only then that Mike stopped and leaned against the corridor wall; bending over and resting his hands on his knees attempting to calm his frazzled nerves. In that moment he decided it was time for a vacation, he intended to use up a large majority of his personal time off in the upcoming weeks until Elizabeth Smith was released from the hospital.
Dembe couldn't help the small smile at the hasty retreat by the doctor. When the doctor was finally out of sight, he pulled out the burner from his pocket dialing Carales. On the second ring he answered and Dembe gave him his directives, "She's in her own room, pull our team inside. I want guards round the clock. No one visits besides hospital personnel and Mr. Reddington." Ending the call he pocketed the phone once again and settled himself against the wall.
Red sat stock still at Liz's bedside watching the rhythmic movement of her chest as it lifted slowly with each breath she took. The tightness in his chest hadn't dissipated like he had expected it to once he'd laid eyes on her. She wouldn't be here if it hadn't been for him but he was in too deep to retreat from her now. Reaching out slowly with his free hand Red gently caressed her cheek, relishing in the warmth the touch offered.
Soft. Warm. Alive.
He didn't understand why he'd been offered this: a second chance in the form of the beautiful woman lying before him but he had no intention of looking a gift horse in the mouth and wasting another opportunity. Working his mouth slowly, attempting to find the right word,s Red leaned forward, "Lizzie." His voice was heavy and thick with emotions, he paused only shortly to regain his composure before he continued. "I am here. I know you can hear me and I want you to know you are not alone anymore. You are safe. I'm never going to leave your side again."
Lifting his head he glanced at the monitors for any sign that she could hear him or any reaction to his voice. When the monitors continued on at their steady regular pace he returned his attention to her resting features, "Come back to me Lizzie. I will tell you everything you want to know. No games or half truths. I will give you the answers you are searching for and we will make those responsible pay for their crimes against you. Together- You and I."
Red adjusted the angle of his chair beside her bed. Liz would offer no response now: tonight she would rest peacefully. Safe from nightmares and fear of the unknown assailants conspiring against them. He was a patient man. He would stay by her side until she was strong enough to be moved to a private secure location. A place where he could ensure not only the best medical treatment the world had to offer but also immense security measures to protect against whomever hired Lucian to smoke him out. He would allow his team to do what they did best and find the people responsible for this entire debacle. Every painstaking detail would be combed through until all parties involved were identified: then Red would strike back.
Until that time came, he would be here: beside her. Leaning forward once again, Red brushed the few stray strands of hair away from her forehead before placing a gentle kiss there. "I love you Elizabeth."
A/N: Since my opening was so dreary I leave you with my normal opening. I've replied to everyone's reviews if I could (I appreciate you taking the time to leave me a comment) and anyone I could not reply to Thank you as well! You are just as important! I am so pleasantly surprised at the amount of interest this story has continued to draw and I only hope to keep entertaining you, and hopefully update a bit quicker if life slows down a minute.
As always, leave love or hate just let me know what you think.
Always,
Lady