Gah!! I meant to write this soo much sooner!! O.o Oh well, hope you enjoy it!! :D
Casey scowled, watching as Alexis' body slumped to the ground, her eyes vacant and unseeing in the throws of death. She convulsed one final time and went limp, the needle rolling away from her boneless fingers. The agent lowered his gun, a sneer of disgust crossing his face. People like her sickened him, taking the coward's way out instead of paying for their crimes. And he had every intention of making her pay; the brief glance he'd caught of Chuck on his way in had made his blood boil in undeniable rage.
He cast one last glare at the dead woman's body before turning on his heel, the gun bouncing lightly against his hip as he walked. He rounded the corner, eyes landing first on Chuck and second on Sarah and Cole. He couldn't help the accusing glare he sent the CIA agent's way; he knew it wasn't Sarah's fault but needed someone to blame for the mess.
Sarah caught his gaze and looked down, muttering a few things to paramedic who had crouched next to her. Cole watched Casey pass, offering a remorseful expression to the irritated agent. It didn't help; the look spoke of failure and defeat.
Ignoring the two of them, Casey made his way over to the stretcher that had been placed next to Chuck. The younger man was still unconscious, his hair falling across his forehead in damp tendrils. Two men stood on either side of him, one working at cutting through the restraints that fastened Chuck to the board and pressing gauze to his bleeding back. Casey stepped past one of the men and gently rested his hand against Chuck's cheek, brushing a few flecks of blood from the pale skin. "Hey kiddo…" He whispered softly as the last restraint was severed. "Just hang on, okay? We're going to get you out of here."
Sarah appeared at his side a few seconds later, a blanket wrapped around her shoulders. "Casey…" She began, her eyes never leaving Chuck's limp form as the carefully placed him on the stretcher. "I'm so sorry…we tried-"
Casey held up one hand, silencing her instantly. "Go take care of Cole." He said quietly, nodding vaguely in the direction of the other agent.
"Cole's fine." Sarah insisted, shaking her head stubbornly. "I want to make sure-"
"Sarah." Her name came out as a warning and Casey clenched his jaw. "Go take care of Cole. I'll watch over Chuck."
Sarah hesitated for a second, obviously wanting to stay close to the injured computer tech but knowing her presence was not needed. "Okay…" She sighed finally, nodding a little. "Let me know what happens, alright?"
Casey nodded once, never looking at her, his attention focused entirely on the young man in front of him. He was vaguely aware of Sarah walking off, Cole rising to speak with her as she approached. She cast one last glance over her shoulder and allowed herself to be led outside but Cole, his arm wrapping around her shoulder and guiding her to the door.
The paramedics carefully strapped Chuck onto the stretcher, trying to keep the pressure against his injured back to a minimum. With a brief nod to his partner, the two made their way to back to the ambulance parked a couple feet away. Casey followed, fully intending not to leave the younger man's for any reason. The paramedic's gave him a confused look for a split second before shrugging lightly and opening the back doors to the ambulance. They loaded Chuck carefully, starting an IV and hooking him up to a heart monitor. Casey slid in behind them, sitting on the stiff bench on the side of the ambulance silently. The doors closed behind them and the ambulance lurched into motion, causing the conscious occupants to hold on as the interior rocked slightly.
The ride was bumpy and uneven and several times Casey had to grip the edge of the stretcher to keep from pitching forward. He watched Chuck's face for any sign of consciousness, wondering how he could possibly "sleep" through the shuddering ride. He was a little concerned, not knowing the full extent of the younger man's injuries other than the whip lashes across his back. He wasn't sure if Alexis had done anything worse of if he had managed to arrive in time to spare Chuck that fate. But of that were the case, why was he still unconscious? Casey fretted and chewed his lip absently, relieved that at least the rhythmic beep of the heart monitor seemed to be normal.
Chuck groaned weakly, squeezing his eyes closed tightly for a split second before he blinked slowly up at the roof of the ambulance.
"Chuck…?" There was a familiar voice to his left and suddenly a warm hand took one of his, holding it gently. "Hey kiddo, you awake…?"
Chuck turned his head slowly, wincing, and blinked up at Casey. "Casey…?" He voice sounded weak and scratchy in his throat and he swallowed. "Where…?"
The agent gave a brief look to their surroundings and shrugged. "We're in an ambulance, Chuck." He explained quietly, squeezing his hand. "We're going to the hospital so they can get your back cleaned up."
The mentioning of the word "back" suddenly reminded Chuck's body as to the reason it checked out earlier. A fiery pain engulfed his back and shoulders and he arched sharply, gritting his teeth hard. An annoying beeping noise filled his ears, growing faster with each passing second. Suddenly, strong hands cupped his face, holding him still as warmth spread through the veins in his arm and the pain began to decrease.
"Chuck…" Casey was speaking slowly, his voice growing more distant as the warmth continued to spread. "Just relax, okay? I'm right here, I'm not going to leave you…"
"Casey…" His own voice sounded muffled. "I didn't talk…I didn't say anything…"
The agent smiled sadly and nodded, cupping his cheek gently. "I know you didn't Chuck. I know."
Chuck allowed himself a weak, victorious smile before blissful darkness once again claimed him.
Heh...fluff. Okay, I know Chuck should't have been placed on his back but I don't think they would place him on gurney face down :S Hopefully that's not too much of an inconsistency. Final chapter up next!!