SIU are waiting for me at the front entrance and I have to walk past Winnie and Keira, Team Three and the Commander covered in my boss's blood; they are all looking at me, noticing the amount of blood covering my body and wondering what the hell happened on the routine background check. I followed their lead into the main briefing room and looked at them as the screens were closed and the metal shutters were locked down over the door.
Three hours later I was released from the room and I was wrapped up in another blanket and headed straight for the shower room to get cleaned up; I grabbed my bag and started to strip off my thermals right in the shower – gasping as I felt a ripping sensation through my arm and noticed the gouge a bullet had made as it went past me. I sucked a deep breath and just went under the water and started to cry.
A while later I was finished changing and had slapped on a dressing onto my arm to stop the blood from making too big a mess, I took my bag and headed outside and saw a few people still out there waiting on me; I stopped and then sighed as they came forward and each hugged me in thanks for saving his life. My team was just finishing debriefing and talking to the Commander about what had happened as I walked into the room and leaned against the wall. Ed looked up and nodded – Parker had survived his surgery and was resting.
"Mackenzie, you performed another miracle and saved his life – now get home and rest, only if you are well enough you can come in tomorrow alright?" Commander Halloran whispered.
"Yes Sir, I'll be here," I replied.
I got hugs from everyone and Spike took my hand as we headed out the door and towards the car so we could go home, I pulled him to the side and hugged him hard as I shook from exhaustion. He wrapped me up in his jacket and put me in the car as he asked me if I wanted anything to eat.
"No, I need to go back to the hospital – found a nice gouge that needs treated – didn't feel it until I had the shower." I replied lifting my sleeve.
"Hospital it is then!" he replied.
An hour later I was sitting in a cubicle with a mini IV in my arm putting some fluids and antibiotics through my system; the gouge had been cleaned out and left open due to the size of it – it would heal better as a packed wound rather than the stitches. The doctor came in and did a double take as he saw me on the chair; he closed the curtain and tapped my shoulder to rouse me.
"Corporal Fraser – good to see you again."
I looked up and recognised him from the Ice Arena nearly ten months ago and also from earlier today; he had worked in my team as a junior doctor and had been one of the best medics I had seen for a good while.
"Brian, how are you – how's the training going?" I asked giving him a hug.
"Great thanks, nearly done and then I am going full time military. I heard you were the miracle worker this morning, I have an update for you about your boss – it's all positive news Mac!" he replied.
I nodded and text everyone to give them the info about Parker – I got a text back from Ed asking me why the hell I was at the hospital again when I should be at home resting – I didn't answer that one.
"Can I go up and see him before I leave?" I inquired.
"Your test results came back and you are seriously anaemic, did your wound bleed excessively?" he inquired.
"No I had to do an emergency transfusion – approx. two pints to help him stabilize enroute to the hospital. I didn't really have time to recoup afterwards due to SIU protocol and still having a loaded firearm on me. Can I go see him Brian?" I asked again.
"You're going to be admitted for tonight to monitor your test results – the transfusion was a great idea but nearly two pints is a lot of blood to lose quickly and the adrenaline rush didn't help either. I know you won't stay in the room, so I have moved a comfy chair into Sergeant Parker's room and we can treat you in there too. I've informed your colleague outside and he is calling you out of your shift tomorrow." He replied.
I nodded and then let him re-attach the IV line into my hand and he wheeled me outside since I had morphine and was not allowed to walk myself, Spike followed us up in the lift and a few minutes later we were in Parkers room and I sat beside him. He was intubated and hooked up to IVs, monitors and blood transfusion system; his vitals were strong and his results looked promising. The doctor came back in with blankets for us both and started up the meds for the IV for both Parker and myself. I had tears going down my face and I looked up at Spike as he laid his hand on my shoulder. He was teary too.
"I thought there was a rule that the boss never got shot – is it not in the rulebook somewhere?" I said trying to cheer us up.
He laughed back gently and pulled me into him on the chair so we could cuddle up and keep watch on Parker together, he kissed the top of my head and cuddled me closer as we both wept for our fallen friend and adopted dad.
I woke up the next morning with a fresh bag of clothes beside the chair and a note from Spike telling me that the boss had a good night and Marina would be arriving after midday – she was desperate to see me and find out what happened. I checked the clock and noticed it was after 10am – the longest I had slept in a good while. Grabbing my gear I went for a hot shower and grabbed some breakfast and headed back to the room to find the doctors in there dealing with a struggling Greg; I dropped my bag and pushed my way to his bedside and took his hand – he was fighting the intubation and he needed to calm down so they could remove it safely.
"Boss, calm down for me – look at me, concentrate on me for a moment – it's alright – your safe. Okay – take a deep breath when I say and then as the tube is coming out – expel the air as hard as possible alright?" I said as he calmed down.
He nodded and blinked in response and squeezed my hand, I squeezed back and checked with the doctors if they were ready to go ahead – since they knew who I was they didn't object to me helping out. I nodded for Parker to take a deep breath and then expel as the tube came out and he coughed like crazy – seconds later he took a massive lungful of oxygen from the mask and his colour improved dramatically. I squeezed his hand as I relayed his vitals to the nurse and helped clean him up a bit and get settled. I was crying again out of relief and laughing as well – mixed emotional baggage!
"Greg, I'm going to give you a few minutes privacy alright as they need to check you out – I'm going to call the team and let them know you're awake alright. Marina is on her way; she should be here in a couple of hours!"
He grabbed my hand and squeezed it and pulled me forward to him gently; I moved closer and bent down as he tried to speak. I started laughing my head off and nodded as I wiped my eyes; the doctor and nurse just looked at me and thought I must be mad.
"Yes Greg – they are still attached and Marina can vouch for them!" I replied walking out.
I headed to the coffee shop and grabbed a few bottles of squash and made a quick call to Winnie who patched me into the team who were out doing patrol; it was Ed who picked up and he sounded frustrated.
"Ed, the boss is awake – yes I am aware – no it was just a small ricochet wound – yeah I got the message and will pass it on – yeah I will arrange it – be careful!" I said as I got my ear chewed off.
I headed back upstairs to the surgical department and found the boss resting comfortably while the nurses fussed over him – I hid a grin as I sat down beside him and he turned to look at me – I smiled a little and patted his arm.
"Are you in pain – do you need anything?" I asked.
"No, just really tired and thirsty – can I get a drink?" he asked.
"Sorry boss – how about some ice chips and some warmed IV fluid instead – it's going to be a few days before you can eat again." I replied.
He nodded and the nurse continued her duties giving him his medications; I was tearing up again and wiped my eyes on my sleeve – I felt fingers on my arm and looked over – he was crying too.
"Boss – are you alright?" I asked alarmed at his pale face.
"I am sorry for putting you through that Mac – it happened within seconds and I reacted!" he whispered.
The SIU had completed their investigation and gone over the evidence provided by CCTV and witnesses – there was no blame for anyone and we had stayed within the law. Parker was cleared too as he followed protocol and was attacked outside – that's when I rushed in and took out the attacker.
"You scared the crap out of me Greg – you guys are my only family and you died on me twice yesterday – that's the only thing that could trigger me now – losing you guys!" I replied.
"And don't you dare apologise – this wasn't your fault!" I replied suddenly.
I squeezed his hand tighter and dried his face and mine, can't have two of the SRU crying in the hospital; I looked up suddenly and found Dean and Marina standing there – I got up immediately and winked at Parker.
"Hey guys – guess who decided to wake up and grace us with his presence!"
I hugged Marina as Dean went straight for his dad and hugged him gently, she would barely let me go and just whispered 'thank you' in my ear. I smiled and let her go across to him and grabbed my bag.
"Boss – you're in good company now alright – I'll come back with the team tonight after shift and bring you some stuff back," I said laughing as he looked at me.
He nodded and I headed out and got to the elevators before the relief waterworks hit me like a ton of bricks and I slumped onto the floor crying. Before I knew it the doors opened and I had managed to pull myself together and head out to where the car was – the last thing I needed people to see was me breaking down and it spreading around the hospital every time I walked in. I sucked in the cold air and drove home as quickly as possible and dealt with what appeared to be the normal stuff in life – the mail, housework and the start of dinner tonight for us. Later that afternoon I headed to the shops and grabbed some ingredients for a recipe that Spike's mom gave me; I had wanted to try it out for a while and now was the best chance as we had downtime tomorrow. I decided to pick up a couple of bottles of wine too and some chocolate – hell I was entitled to it after this week!