AN-Last chapter.
Chapter 8.
As the stretcher was wheeled into the ER the NCIS agent on it kept pulling at his oxygen mask on his face trying to speak. No matter how many times he was told to put it back he was insisted that he needed to speak. Finally, they nurse gave up and as he lifted the mask again she bend low so she could find out what the man was so insistent on saying.
"The other NCIS agent I was with, how is he?" The agent on the bed managed to struggle out in between rasped breaths.
"Your friend is fine, not a scratch on them. Now lie still and let us take care of you" as the nurse placed her hand on his shoulder and patted it as she replaced the mask on his face.
Out in the main waiting, room phone calls very being made by 2 different people. When Brody received her phone call saying there had been a shooting and she needed to get to the hospital she had that all too familiar sense of dread grip her stomach. The one thought as she jumped in the car and speed to the hospital, not her boys. They were her boys and she needed them both, yes for very different reasons, but they were hers and they had to be okay. The other phone call that was made had a very completely different impact on the person who received it.
As 2 cars pulled into the parking lot of the hospital the occupants got out, 1 took a casual walk into the hospital while the other had never run that fast in long time to make it to the front desk. Brody made it to the front desk and was directed to the ER where her colleagues were still waiting. As she set off at a cross between a run and a mad dash she propelled herself through the doors into the room to be stopped by a strong pair of arms grabbing her and holding her still.
"Brody it's me, I got you. It will be okay they're still working on him, give them time" as she was guided to a seat and forced into it.
Brody looked up into the big blue eyes of Chris LaSalle and couldn't stop the tears.
"Tell me LaSalle, how bad is it? I need to know" as she wiped the tears away with the back of her hands.
"I won't lie there was a lot of blood, I had just done my Kevlar up, he was finishing his so I am not sure if it did the job or if was on right. He'll be okay, he's got through worse" as he sat down next to her and took her hand.
Just then the doors to the ER opened and in walked Linda. LaSalle saw her first and cursed under his breath. How did she know what had happened? This was like a fuse to a powder keg, how long till it went bang. Linda saw LaSalle and Brody sat and walked over, a small smug grin on her face as she did.
"Where is he?" As she directed the question at LaSalle.
"Through there" as he nodded in the direction of where they were working on Pride.
She walked away leaving Brody and LaSalle sat staring after her.
"What the hell is she doing here? How did she find out so soon" Brody grounded out trying to keep her temper in check.
"I take it they phoned next of kin and his file probably still says married so that's her. The doctor said he would let me know so we got to wait" LaSalle told Brody as they both stared at the doors which Linda had just gone through.
They sat for what seemed like hours waiting. Brody went from sitting to pacing to standing staring at the door. In real time, they had been sat for just on half an hour when the doors opened and Linda came back through them. LaSalle stood when he saw her and looked at Brody who had just turned and had her back to the door. She whirled round and stared at Linda who walked straight past her to come and stop in front of LaSalle.
"How's he doing? What they said?" LaSalle asked as Brody came up and stood shoulder to shoulder with him.
"He was lucky again. His Kevlar was off slightly and one of the uillets nicked his side. The rest hit his vest. Yet again the famous Dwayne Pride cheats death. He is away to get stuck back together but should be up and back to himself in no time. Lots of brusing where the bullets hit the vest, but you know all about that. I am away to speak to Laurel, I will see you later when I come back with her" as she walked away leaving the 2 agents standing.
LaSalle guided them both back to sit down before he stood up and went to the desk. After chatting with the women on the desk, he returned to sit next to Brody.
"What don't we go and get changed and come back. He's in surgery now so it will be awhile before he comes out" as he tried to get Brody to move.
"LaSalle when I see him and I can see with my own eyes he's okay then I will leave. Until then I stay" as she stood up and wrapped her arms around herself as if holding herself together.
"Fine, I will go get coffee and come back" as he stood and walked away leaving her sitting watching the door.
She had never been in a position like this before, well she had, but it had been different. Team members had been shot and wounded on the job, but this was different. This was not just her boss who had been shot this was her... What? What was he to her? His file still said married so they called Linda first, it was LaSalle who called her. This was not right, she loved him and he still had married down. She wasn't sure what to do now. Did he care that little for her he couldn't change a simple word in his file? Did she stay and makes sure he was okay or did she leave and wait for him to come to her? Her mind was in overdrive and she started to pace again.
LaSalle came back carrying coffee and some muffins. He saw Brody pacing again and just watched her. He had no idea how it felt to be in a place like that. He saw Pride as a mentor and friend, but he didn't know how it felt to sit and not know how the person you loved was doing. He came up beside Brody and stopped in front of her. When she looked at him he saw a range of emotions play across her face.
"Sit down and tell me, drink this and tell me what your thinking?" As he nudged her towards a seat.
She dropped down into the hard seat and buried her head in her hands as the tears started to fall. LaSalle put his coffee on the floor and sat next to her as he slid his arm around her shoulder and gently pulled her over to him. She went willingly as she had no strength to fight him. When he felt her cry harder he turned in his chair to face her as he let her cry into his shoulder. They sat like that till a doctor appeared and walked towards them.
"Which of you is agent LaSalle" the doctor asked as he looked between them.
They both stood up but LaSalle kept his arm round Brody.
"Me" LaSalle said as he looked at the doctor.
"Agent Pride is back from surgery and is asking for you. If you follow me I will show you to his room" as the doctor turned to lead the way.
LaSalle bent and picked the cup of coffee and bag with the muffins in before standing again and looking at Brody. Taking her hand he lead them down the corridor after the doctor. When they finally arrived at Prides room the doctor excused himself and left. LaSalle and Brody stood outside the door and when LaSalle felt the hesitation in Brody he turned to her and looked at her.
"Talk to him, let him know how you feel. Tell him what's bothering you. Why don't you go freshen up and come back" as he wiped a stray tear of her cheek.
She nodded her head and headed for the ladies room as LaSalle stepped in to Prides room.
"Hey King, how you doing?" As he stepped up to the bed.
"Christopher a good, bit stiff, a few stitches and bruised but I'll live. Where's Merri? Does she know?" As he looked at LaSalle
"King we got a problem, well you have. Your file still says married, they phoned Linda. She saw you before you went up to surgery. Can you remember seeing her?" As he looked to see if there was any recognition of what he had told him.
"Shit that was really I hoped it was the drugs. Where is she? Did she leave?" As he looked at LaSalle.
"She left to tell Laurel but said she would be back later. Brody was here when she arrived,Linda blanked her. Brody flew like a bat out of hell to get here while Linda came in and saw us sitting there with a smug look on her face. She took great pleasure at seeing you before Brody did. Brody's in bits King. She spent best part of her time crying. She's confused why you haven't changed your file. She loves you King and she's hurt. Linda just made it ten times worse when she only spoke to me like Brody meant nothing" LaSalle told Pride as he pulled up a chair.
"Where's Merri now? Has she gone?" He asked LaSalle with a hint of sadnesses in his voice.
"I sent her to freshen up, she's a mess after crying. She should be here" but was stopped as there was a tap on the door and Brody's head appeared round it.
"Hey, okay if I come in" Brody asked as she looked between LaSalle and Pride.
"Of course, come here" as Pride went to move but let out a low whistle as his side fought the movement.
Brody walked up to the bed and Pride reached for her hand. She took his hand in hers and he tried to pull her closer. She resisted at first but when she looked at him she couldn't help but move towards him. When she was standing right next to him he let go of her hand and reached for her face, gently cupping her cheek. That was all it took as she leaned into his hand and the dam broke. LaSalle quickly said coffee and exited the room as she crumpled against Prides chest. He ignored the pain in his chest from the bruising as she rested against him and cried.
"I am so sorry about Linda, I just never thought about it. It's the top of my list when I get out of here to get that file changed. LaSalle said she was her normal smug self and ignored you. I never thought about it till now. When I saw Linda before I thought it was the drugs but it obviously wasn't. I am sorry for this, I never meant to hurt you" as he ran his fingers through her hair and rested his hand on her back.
As she stood and rested her hand on him she remembered what Linda had said about bruising. Pulling back she stepped away.
"Your chest, the bullets I forgot sorry. Let me see" as she stepped closer and he moved a little so she could move his gown to look.
His chest had 3 big bruises starting to form and on his left side the was a dressing from where the bullet caught his side.
"Why didn't you say, look at the mess. That must hurt like hell sorry" as she ran a fingertip over the bruise closest to her.
"It hurt when I realised I hurt you. These heal in no time but I never want to hurt you" as he again cupped her face and brought her head down to him.
He kissed her by was stopped when LaSalle entered the room again.
"Hey you're busted up, none of that. You both okay now then" as he placed 2 coffee cups on the table.
"We're good now thanks Christopher" as Pride tried to sit forward and get one of the cups from the table but his side was still having none of it.
"Lie still, here" as Brody picked her's up and passed Pride one.
They both had a long drink of the coffee and sighed. LaSalle laughed at the synchronized sign from them both and took a drink of his coffee. They stayed silent for a minute or so all thanking the powers that watched them for keeping them all alive another day. LaSalle said he was leaving and he might call back later depending on work. Brody looked between LaSalle and Pride, she had a job to do but he the man she loved. Pride sensed the struggle in her.
"Go do your job, I will still be here when get back. Go" as he reached up and touched her face.
She bent forward and kissed him before moving away and standing near the door.
"Can you bring me" but Brody cut him off with another kiss.
"I will bring your clothes and stuff in later when I call back. Now rest and don't move around too much" as she kissed him and went to the door.
"See you later King" as LaSalle went and stood at the door beside Brody.
They smiled at each other then Brody and LaSalle left to go back to work will Pride finished his coffee and shut his eyes. He had fought staying awake the whole time Brody and LaSalle were there but now he felt his whole body relax and sleep claim him.
When they arrived back at the office Brody set about her report from her interview while LaSalle did his report from the shooting. Brody was on overdrive and had her report done and dusted. She checked with Loretta on the body and filled her in on Prides condition. Brody flitted around not really doing much but causing havoc.
"Brody go, you're as much use as a bath tub with no plug. Go home and get Prides stuff then get back to him. You got it bad girl now go" as LaSalle printed his report.
"Thanks LaSalle" as she grabbed her coat and bag and practically ran to her car.
Arriving home she went upstairs and grabbed clean clothes for Pride before getting his wash stuff and towel. Putting them in a bag she brought them downstairs and put them in the car. She did think of making coffee and getting something to eat but seeing Pride was more important so she decided to grab something at the hospital.
After another breakneck drive to the hospital she parked up and got out the car grabbing the bag as she went. Walking in to the hospital she got 2 big coffees and some sandwiches before taking the elevator up to. As she came to Prides room she stopped and looked in to make sure he was on his own. She knew Linda said she would call back with Laurel but she had no idea when. Opening the door to his room she stepped inside and shut the door quietly. Looking over at Pride he was fast asleep and he looked so peaceful which was rare for him. Putting his by down she put the coffee and sandwiches on the table before come to stand at the head of the bed.
Running her finger through his hair she rested her hand on his cheek, even asleep he leaned his head towards her hand. Bending she kissed him gently but he had half woke and kissed her back.
"Hey beautiful, I missed you" as he brought his hand up to the back of her head to hold her to him as he kissed her.
"Missed you too" as she returned the kisses he was showering her with.
"Clothes and wash kit there and coffee here" as she passed him the cup.
"You know how to win me over" as he kissed her once more and took the coffee.
"How you feeling now?" As she sat on the side of the bed.
She watched as he passed his coffee back to her and held his left side as he shuffled over the bed.
"What are you doing? Sit still before you rip your stitches" as she went to stop him moving more.
"Come here" as he patted the wider space he had made on the bed by moving over.
Putting the cups on the table she did as he asked. Taking her boots off she climbed up on the bed and lay beside him as he wrapped his arms round her and she buried her face in his neck.
"The answer to your question is much better now I have you in my arms" as he kissed her head.
"You do realise you scared the hell out of me today don't you" as she placed kisses to his neck.
"Sorry about that, kind of comes with the job but you know that already don't you" as he ran his hand up and down her arm.
"I do but it doesn't make it any easier when you get the call does it" as she looked up at him.
He could see the fear in her eyes and he knew he had scared her. He wished it was different but this was life for both of them. He knew the day would come no doubt that he got a call or even worse he watched it happen when she got hurt in the line of duty. Oh wait that's how they got here in the first place. It could have so much worse but he had stepped in and shot the guy. Never mind, they were both alive and well-ish so all was good.
Looking down at her he saw she was snuggled against him with her arm round his waist and her hand gently resting over his dressing, as if protecting and covering it. Looking up at her face he saw she was asleep. He loved to watch her sleep and see her relax. He moved a little but felt her hold him still, even sleeping she was looking after him. He settled with his head resting on top of hers and his arms round her with his fingers locked together. He hadn't felt this happy in a while,even if he had a bullet Nick wound to his side. As he fell asleep he knew he hadn't been this happy in a while.
Waking he was confronted with a half pleasant half scary sight in front of him. Standing at the foot of the bed was Linda and standing on his left side was Laurel.
"Hey princess why didn't you wake us?" As he nudged Brody who was still asleep at his side.
He unlocked his fingers and let Brody sit up as she woke. The first sight she saw after Pride was Laurel. Then she caught site of Linda at the foot of the bed. She could tell Linda was past livid, it looked closer to boiling point. She smiled at Laurel who smiled back and then being the better person she looked at Linda and spoke her name. Laurel started at her mother and then shaking her head she turned back to father.
"Hey dad, how you doing? Where this time?" As she stepped up to the bed and took his hand.
"Few bruises and a couple of stitches but all good now I have both my girls here with me" as he squeezed Laurels hand and pulled Brody closer to him as he had his arm round her waist still.
Both Laurel and Brody smiled but Linda just stood there. She supposed she had asked for some remark like that. She stood and watch as Laurel spoke to her father and she spoke to Brody. Laurel had no bug bear with her dads new girlfriend. Watching them as one of them cracked a joke and they all laughed until Pride winced at the pain in his side. She knew it was time to leave, her daughter was happy and that was enough. She had started the divorce so she had no right to be jealous now. She had 23 years and a daughter so she couldn't complain now. Stepping up to Laurel she asked if she what time she wanted picking up as she was leaving. Laurel looked at her father and then her mother.
"I can drop her off when I leave here, save you coming back out. That's if it's okay with you Laurel?" As Brody looked between Linda and Laurel.
"Sure thanks Bro..Merri" as she corrected herself.
"I'll walk you to the lift mom" as she let go of her dads hand and followed her mother.
Linda stopped at the door and looked back at her soon to be ex husband and his new girlfriend then at her daughter.
"Goodbye Dwayne, take care. Meredith take care of him please, he's special to my little girl here" as she took Laurel's hand.
"Good bye Linda and I will, he is special to me too" Brody said as she watched Linda leave.
As Linda and Laurel walked along the corridor they stayed holding hands till they reached the lift. Laurel stopped and turned to her mother before hugging her.
"Thanks mom, I know that was tough" as she kissed her mother's cheek.
"Your welcome princess, he's your dad and you love you. If you're happy then I am happy" as she let go of Laurel.
"Is it okay if I stay here then maybe go back with Merri to her house. I want to get to know her better than I can come back with her in the morning to see dad" as Laurel looked at her mother.
"If that's what you want to do and Merri's okay with it. I will see you tomorrow then" as Linda kissed her daughter and stepped in to the elevator.
As the lift doors shut and Linda lost sight of her daughter she couldn't help but smile. Between them they had done a grand job with Laurel, she had grew up in to an amazing young women and she was proud of how she handled they're splitting up and impending , if Laurel was happy so was she.
Laurel walked back to her fathers room and walked in just as her dad and Merri were kissing.
"Gross you too, wait till I go home or more like you go home. This is a hospital remember" as she watched them pull apart and laugh.
Laurel stepped up to the bed and took her dads hand before sitting on the bed to join them both.
"Merri is it okay if I stop at your place tonight? I can get a lift with you in the morning and we can come back and see dad together plus we can have a little girly bonding session over makeup and hot chocolate" she asked Brody.
"Of course you can, you're always welcome at my place" Brody replied with a big smile on her face.
"How can I ask for more than this, your mother is finally happy, you're happy and I am happy with Merri. Who would have thought it was possible" as she hugged both Brody and Laurel together.
"Now I just need to get out of here and back in my own bed" as he looked down at the 3 sets of legs on the hospital bed.
"You own a bed dad? Last time I looked it was couch unless I missed something" as she looked between her dad and Brody.
"Well we had planned on moving the last of your dads stuff to mine tonight but as you can see it hasn't happened" as Brody looked between Pride and Laurel.
"He spends most of his time at mine now so it seems silly to have his stuff there and him at mine. We only discussed it this morning when we were tidying the office up. At least We have a guest room for you to stop in now" Brody finished as laurel yawned.
"Look at the time. Your girls go home and get some dinner or at least something to eat and I will see you tomorrow when you come back" as he looked between the 2 women sitting on his bed.
They both got up and got there stuff together before taking it in turns to say good night. After Laurel said goodnight to her father Brody stepped up.
"Be have when I am gone Dwayne and I will see you in the morning. Love you" as she bent and locked her lips with his.
Laurel turned her back and went to the door to at least give them a little privacy as they sucked face. Finally they broke apart and looked at each each other.
"Love you too" as Pride cupped Brody's face and she smiled.
As they left they both waved and blew kisses threw the window as they passed.
As Pride settled back against the bed he couldn't help but smile, his girls had just left together to bond or whatever girls did and they would be back in the morning. His soon to be ex wife had finally got over the fact he had moved on and was happy as Laurel was happy. Things couldn't get much better for Dwayne Pride.