A/n: yeah, uhh, there better NOT be any hate mail at the end of this one. This should at least keep some of you occupied until Snow posts her next chapter
Chapter Twelve
How is he?! The words hung in the air for what seemed an eternity before Dr Meadows smiled softly and invited them to her office. Laura pushed ahead and led the way, causing Joe and his father to look at one another bemusedly, and Dr. Meadows to smile again even as she shook her head. "Should have realized she'd remember the way." she gestured for the others to follow Laura who had already arrived and was impatiently holding the door open. "Please," the doctor said as she ushered everyone in. "Have a seat." There were only 2 chairs in front of the desk so Joe told his father to take the one his mother hadn't and he stood, arms wrapped around Halloran's tiny form in a tight embrace, although he wasn't sure if he was comforting her or using her to remain upright himself. Dr Meadows took her own seat behind the desk and sat forward, clasping her hands together.
"I can't decide if this is just a Hardy thing, or what, but Frank is in better shape than he has any right to be." she started off. She actually chuckled at the gasps of surprise from the family. "You can see him shortly, but first I want to go over everything." she leaned back now, and her smile faded. "Unfortunately, in my line of work, I see the types of injuries Frank has all too often. It's almost to the point where they outnumber burns from house or car fires and other common events like spilling hot coffee."
"So it was a Meth lab." Fenton spoke flatly. The Doctor nodded.
"Almost certainly. I also examined the other body" she started delicately and stopped when Halloran sobbed and waited while Joe calmed her down. Laura had reached over a hand and grasped the younger woman's in support as well. When the she had composed herself, Halloran nodded for the doctor to continue. "Based on that, I can safely assume it was the cause. However, Frank was obviously further away from the blast area. I imagine you want all the gory details?" All three Hardys nodded determinedly.
"We did intubate him, his lungs are damaged by the smoke but I promise he'll be fine in a week or so. There are first and second degree burns over about 30%, mainly on his arms and legs. His chest and torso is untouched, the vest saved him there." Fenton and Laura each look puzzled at that comment until Joe leaned over and whispered in his father's ear. Fenton's face cleared, and he nodded to Joe as he patted Laura on the hand. "His legs. Well it looks worse than it is. I expect a lot of blistering and maybe a little bit of debridement will be necessary. However at this juncture I do not foresee needing skin grafts although he will probably not enjoy walking for a while and if he's vain, he'll never wear shorts again." That got a snort from Joe.
"I'm the vain one."
"I remember" the Doctor teased, reminding him silently about their first 'conversation' and his first questions to her about his injuries when he was the patient. Joe blushed at the reminder and that got Halloran to raise an eyebrow in inquiry. "Anyway" she continued. "His arms are another story." here she became more serious. " Mostly second degree, but a few small patches are third degree although nothing that will restrict his recovery or diminish his use of them. More like he will have a few spots that will he will not have any sensation. He will definitely require skin grafts here, and the debridement will be excruciating and unfortunately, take several weeks to accomplish." she stopped then, letting the news sink in.
Laura has given a short, sharp cry and began tearing up, so Fenton stood and gathered her into his arms, murmuring softly into her hair. Joe growled in frustration and said "If you need skin, take mine."
"I'll hold you to that if it becomes necessary. Normally we take from the patient if possible as that is far more preferable all around. And it does look as if Frank will be able to supply his own for the most part. As soon as the debridement is accomplished we can see about releasing him. But Frank will be in charge of that."
"How so?" Fenton asked.
"We only do as much in a session as the patient is willing to handle. With third degree burns, there's no pain, so we can do more at a time. But with second, well, it's the individual's pain tolerance that sets the tone."
"Knowing my brother, Doc, you'll be told to keep going until it's done in one shot. So ignore everything he says." Joe was not joking, and everyone in the room knew it. Dr Meadows nodded at the warning and continued her explanation of Frank's prognosis.
"It will be months, many months, before he is completely recovered, but he will recover, and I see no reason why it should not be a full one with absolutely no loss of mobility. In fact I think we can release him as soon as the tube comes out of his throat as long as there are no set backs like pneumonia." she smiled at the sighs of relief and happy exclamations from everyone. "Why don't you go see him now, although I must insist only two at a time."
"You and Mom go, Dad." Joe offered. He wanted to to get some tea or something into Halloran, who was still in shock. "We'll be by in a little bit." Although somewhat taken aback by the unusual generosity, Fenton wasted no time in agreeing to the plan, afraid Joe would renege and then they'd never get him out of Frank's room. If anyone was worse than Frank when it came to mother henning, it was his younger brother. Dr Meadows stood and escorted them out of the office, then brought the elder Hardys to Frank's room. Joe and Hall went the other way, back towards the waiting room, where they found Bruce pacing nervously.
"Dude. You disappeared. What happened?" Joe asked.
Bruce hesitated, glancing at Halloran. Joe caught the look and suggested that she go downstairs and grab a few drinks for everyone. Halloran agreed and paused only long enough to give Bruce a quick hug. After she was out of earshot, Bruce sat heavily down in one of the chairs. "I formally ID'd the body then called my Aunt and Uncle" he spoke in a tired voice. "Never gets easier."
Joe grimaced in sympathy before pulling Bruce in for a quick man hug. "How's Mitch?" he asked when they broke apart. At the mention of his husband, Bruce got decidedly less morose.
"Pretty good, just a little smoke inhalation. He went to the Harpers to help them start making arrangements. I should get back there tonight," he was about to continue when a huge yawn betrayed his exhaustion. Joe was about to suggest an alternative when he was interrupted.
"You are in no fit state to go anywhere Bruce. And you know it. You are staying with us." Halloran's voice brooked no argument whatsoever. She handed over 2 cups of coffee, keeping one for herself and balancing another two for her future in laws in a styrofoam cup holder.
"She's right, Pal. Yer exhausted. Come home with us. Halloran will feed you too much food, I will pour you too much beer and we can have a nice argument about the Redskins and the Giants." Joe tried to cajole his friend.
"What about Frank?" Bruce asked pointedly.
"Joe will stay here with his brother for a while and I will take you home with me." Halloran made the decision.
"And I'll scam a ride from somebody after I ream out my brother for getting blown up." Joe finished, leaving no room to argue. "It's no bother, really. And besides, now I owe you for Frank's life, too." Joe's grin faded and he looked earnestly into Bruce's eyes. "Seriously, Dude. Take us up on the offer. I'll feel better about you driving back after you have had some sleep. And Key Lime Pie." He winked at his soon to be bride. Who pointedly ignored the not so subtle hint. Bruce gave up trying to argue, he really was too tired to drive and he knew it.
"Fine." he grumped. "Just let me call Mitch." he stepped outside and made his call. Halloran handed Joe the coffees for his parents and nudged him towards the double doors. She kissed him on the cheek before turning around and gathering her things for the drive.
Joe stopped by the Nurse's station to find out what room his brother was in and chuckled when he found out it was the same one he had occupied many months before. (Irony, thy name is Hardy) he thought to himself as he pushed open the heavy door and slipped in. Laura was seated so close to the bed that her knees touched the side. She had both her hands wrapped gently around one of Frank's, which was itself wrapped in several layers of gauze. Silently, he handed one of the cups of now nearly lukewarm coffee to his father before bending over his mother and kissing the top of her head as he slipped hers into the space between her legs. "How's he doin'? He asked quietly, barely audible over the hiss of the ventilator. Laura turned a pale face up to her son, smiling tiredly.
"He's been stirring a little but hasn't opened his eyes yet." she responded softly, unwilling to cede her place just yet. Fenton touched Joe on the shoulder lightly and cocked his head in a request to further talk outside. Joe nodded and followed his father out into the hallway.
Fenton turned and appraised his youngest for a long while before finally asking "Since when does your brother wear a bullet proof vest?"
"Since the other day when I gave it to him."
Fenton's eyebrow rose comically like a certain Vulcan Science Officer's. "Oh?!" was all he said, though.
Joe shrugged. "He was jealous of mine." That got a double take of epic proportions and Joe grinned mischievously before becoming serious. "It was something I did to give Hall a little peace of mind. And it saved my bacon once already on this damned case. When I got Frank to agree to finish the job, I decided it was better to be safe than sorry, for both of us."
"Apparently you were right. Since when did you get so cautious?" Fenton asked, curious but not overly so.
"Since I got engaged." That brought a soft smile to his father's face.
"Shoulda done it years ago then. Saved your mother a few grey hairs."
Something akin to pain and regret passed over Joe's face at the comment before his eyes cleared and he shrugged. "I had plans to. Things didn't work out that way." Rather than feel guilty at the reminder, Fenton just accepted the comment and let the vision of a different black haired girl wash over his memories. A minute later, both men shook off the past and went back into the room.
"My turn, Mom." Joe pulled the chair back and helped Laura stand. "Hall is taking Bruce home to our place, he's done in. I'm not staying long, just wanna yell at Big Brother for a bit. But then I am going home too, and you know Frank would want all of us to get some rest. Not like he's a very good conversationalist currently." He gently nudged her towards her husband before sitting in the chair she had just vacated. As he turned towards the still form on the bed, he absentmindedly shooed his parents out the door. "Go. I'll call if he wakes up. Promise." he barely registered his father's chuckle and soft good night.
He sat there for a while, just looking. With a critical eye he noticed the fact that underneath the ventilator, which obscured half his brother's face, Frank looked like he had sustained nothing more than a bad sunburn. At least on his face. The bandages on his arms told a different story, and the light blanket covered his legs to his belly button. His chest was bare, and decidedly milky white. "Dude, when I said you needed a little color, I didn't mean it like this." he admonished in a whisper. "We are way too old for this shit."
Joe settled back in the chair, having had to move it a few feet away from the bed to make room for his long legs. He crossed them at the ankle and sat back, still staring at his brother. "This is another fine mess we've gotten ourselves into, isn't it, Big Brother?" he mused softly. "Or if I had to be honest with myself, that I've gotten you into. You should never have let me talk you into this harebrained scheme of mine." he continued regretfully. "I'm sorry, Bro. Next time I will listen when you have reservations." There was no answer, but Joe hadn't really expected one. He sighed deeply, wondering how long he should sit vigil until going home. Intellectually he knew Frank was in no danger, and that there was no real reason to be there. But old habits dies hard. And yet, he ached to get home to his girl. He at least had the comfort of knowing his brother would live. Halloran, on the other hand, was surely devastated by the lost of her best friend. He knew it would be eating her up that she had not made the first overtures of reconciliation. And it was not fair to expect Bruce would be able to comfort her, as he was dealing with Melody's loss on a far more personal level. And doing so in a strange city without the support of his family.
He gave another deep, regretful sigh, then stood up and leaned over his brother, pressing his lips to Frank's forehead just as his brother had done to him not so long ago. "I'll be back in the morning. Make sure you are awake by then" he whispered. He lingered a moment more; he thought he felt Frank stir, but after a bit nothing changed so he straightened up and moved the chair further away from the bed. On his way out, he stopped by the Nurse's station. "If he wakes up, call me. No matter the hour."
He grabbed a cab, asking the driver to make a side trip to the local Sev, picking up a 12 pack. As the driver pulled up to the house, he paid plus left a generous tip and quickly made his way inside. The smell of meat sauce assaulted his nostrils as soon as he walked in. "Mmmm. Smells good, Babe." he sniffed appreciatively even as he wrapped his arms around her and gave her a long gentle kiss that was interrupted by a pointed throat clearing. Breaking free, Joe grinned over Hall's head at Bruce. "What, you want a kiss too? Won't Mitch be jealous?!"
Bruce merely raised an eyebrow and tilted his head at the parcel on the kitchen table. "That better be cold."
"Yep." Joe reluctantly disentangled himself and tore open the box, handing a beer to Bruce before grabbing one for himself. Halloran grabbed a plate and began ladling spaghetti and pasta sauce into a heap before shaving some fresh Parmesan over the whole thing like gently falling snow. She nudged the men back into the living room and let Joe sit before handing the plate over to him. She gave him a quick peck on the lips before declaring she was going to clean up in the kitchen. She shushed their offers to help with a smile.
Joe shoveled large fork fulls of pasta into his mouth, barely taking the time to chew or swallow. Bruce just stared at him as he stuffed his face. "You always like this?" he laughed.
"You have no idea." Halloran's teasing voice came through the sounds of slurping. "It's easy to see why Frank is the skinny one. He obviously never got seconds as Joe must have gotten there first." she laughed as she came into the living room bearing a large platter of brownies. Joe took long enough to scowl at both of them before snagging a pair of brownies as the plate passed by.
"No Key Lime Pie?" he pouted around a mouth full of chocolate.
"Not in season. And if I make it for you all the time you will get tired of it." she retorted, not in least bothered at his sulking. "I am going upstairs. Been a long day for all of us. Don't stay up all night." She leaned over Joe and brushed her lips against his before giving Bruce a kiss on his cheek.
The two men sat in companionable silence for a while until finally Joe spoke. "You okay?" he asked neutrally.
Bruce shrugged. "Not the first time somebody I cared about died violently." He was morose, but not maudlin. "Mitch told me how she kinda forced her way in and that Frank was pretty adamant about a few things. And I know how Mel gets. Got." He sighed. "It was her fault, Joe. You know as well as I do that even if your brother had told her to stay put, or leave or whatever, she would have ignored him and gotten herself killed anyway. I'm just glad she didn't take anybody else with her." he smiled sadly. "I kinda like you guys."
"Feeling is entirely mutual, Pal." Joe returned soberly with a raise of the his beer. "Hall show you the spare bedroom?"
"And loaned me a pair of your sweats to sleep in."
"As long as she didn't give away my favorite tee shirt. You'd stretch it out with those gorilla shoulders of yours." Joe teased.
"You are just jealous of my manly physique." Bruce retorted haughtily as he flexed an impressive arm. They took one look at each other and burst out laughing. They were still chuckling as they made their way upstairs, where they parted ways for the night.
Joe quietly slipped into the bedroom he shared with Halloran. The light in the bathroom was on, the door half closed; something she often did so he wasn't stumbling in the dark when he came in long after she had gone to sleep. Tonight, though, as soon as he slipped under the covers she flung herself into his embrace. Burying her head into his chest she sobbed uncontrollably until it became hard for her to breathe. Joe said nothing; he just held her tightly and let her cry herself out. He knew better than anyone the emotions she was feeling. He lay against the headboard and pulled her into his lap, pulling the down comforter around them in an attempt to keep warm. When she finally snuffled her way into relative silence he spoke. "Don't."
She raised bloodshot emerald green eyes and looked puzzled. "Don't what?"
"Don't beat yourself up. It doesn't work. It won't change a damn thing."
She pushed away, a little angry. "You have no idea what I am going through right now!" She spat.
"I know exactly what you are going through, Babe." Joe corrected her quietly. "You are feeling massively guilty at the way you left things with Melody, furious with yourself for not making the first move, and pissed as hell at her for getting herself killed and now you can't make it right." he cocked his head. "That about sum it up?'
"You are just saying that cuz it's something your shrink would say."
"No." he shook his head. "Well, yes, actually Dr S would say that, but that's not what I mean. I said it because I have lived it, Babe. In Surround Sound." His laugh was bitter. "And in yet another cosmic joke, it was an explosion." He shifted a little to get more comfortable, forcing her to sit up and lean back against his chest. "I told you about Iola. You read the newspaper articles. But they left something out; the reason she was at the car alone, without me? Was because I was flirting with another girl. She was pissed at me and she ran off." Joe's voice became heavy with emotion. "She died because of the way I had left things. I could have apologized. I should have. I should have gone with her, or stopped her from going to the car in the first place. Instead, I behaved like stupid 17 year old kid who thought he was invincible and that he had the rest of his life ahead of him to spend with his girlfriend. And Iola died thinking I was an obnoxious teenager who couldn't even pretend to be faithful. And I regret that most of all. That I never proved to her how very much I loved her." He tightened his embrace. "You still love Melody, and you are going to kick yourself every day for not making up with her. But you have to forgive yourself. Otherwise you will self destruct. And that is not a pretty sight. And it puts the ones left behind in a terrible place. Ask Frank. He's been stuck picking up the pieces of my psyche for the last twenty years." he tipped her head so that she was looking at him. Both of them had tears in their eyes. "Grieve. Scream at the injustice of it all. Feel sorry for yourself once in a while. But don't spend the rest of your life punishing yourself and everyone around you. Especially Melody. Don't dwell on the bad shit. Remember the good things about her. We all screw up; sometimes in magnificently epic ways. Nobody's perfect. 'cept maybe Frank." That got a reluctant giggle and a swat on the arm. "But most importantly, know this, Halloran Marie Jacobs. I love more than anything in this universe, even the Impala." that got another snort. "And I will not let you go through this alone. Whatever you need from me, you got. Although I reserve the right to decide what that is if necessary." He smiled gently at her. "After all, I have some first hand experience. It'd be foolish not to take advantage of my expertise."
"Did anybody ever tell you you were pretty wise on occasion?" she whispered quietly.
"Nobody would dare. It'd be impossible to live with all that smugness." He laughed when he heard her groan at the comment. "Try and get some sleep, Sweetheart. We got a long couple of days ahead of us." And Joe slipped down on the bed until he was flat and allowed Halloran to curl up next to him, where they fell asleep cuddled in each others' arms.
A/n: Okay so he's not awake yet. That's next chapter. Plus a funeral. and if you are really lucky, some progress on the case. you know, that thing that seems to have been left by the wayside in the wake of character development.