Getting Warm, Infection, Duct Tape Uses, Missing Meds, Snowbound & Two AM Feeding
Remote Mountain Cabin – Main Room
It was almost completely dark when the cabin appeared not more than two feet in front of Scott. All three were struggling to remain upright as they made it to the cabin door. The severe snowstorm had turned into a full scale blizzard of epic portions.
Scott opened the door and they entered the cabin stepping down into it. The snow was one third the way up the door. Spike tried to close the door after getting the travois in. The wind was too strong in his weakened and exhausted state. It took all three to push it closed and secure the latch to keep it closed against the wind.
They all dropped to the floor to catch their breath and recoup some energy. Each was shaking with cold. Their faces bright red and wind burned.
Sam said with chattering teeth "We have to get the fire going or we will freeze to death."
Instead of standing the three crawled to the fireplace and formed a line from the hearth to the wood pile. Spike grabbed a log, passed it to Sam who then passed it to Scott, who put it in the hearth. They repeated this process until they had enough wood in the hearth for a blazing fire.
Scott pulled himself up holding onto the mantle to get the matches while Sam positioned the tinder beneath the logs. Spike crawled over to the travois and got three water bottles. He rolled them to the hearth and crawled back. Scott dropped back down to the floor and lit the fire taking several attempts to light the match because his hands were shaking so much.
All three placed the water bottles near the growing fire so the freezing water could warm then huddled close together to share warmth.
Fifteen minutes later the fire was roaring and the three were separating a bit and beginning to shed their wet clothing. The water was warm now and they sipped it and the warmth started to spread inside too.
Scott found enough energy to stand and sloughed off his soaked pants. Spike did likewise. Both were only in their thermal undershirts and boxers. Sam tried to stand but his shin hurt too much. He opted to shimmy out of his soaking pants sitting on the ground.
Spike and Scott shared a look over Sam's head. They nodded and then Scott walked to the couch and pulled the blanket and a pillow from it. Spike headed into Sam and his room to get dry clothes for both of them.
Draping the blanket around Sam Scott said "Stay here. Spike's dressing then bringing you a change of clothes. I'm gonna dress first then look at your leg and shoulder. I bet you have an awesome bruise across your entire upper back."
Sam only nodded and laid on the pillow as his body shook trying to generate warmth.
Scott headed to his room and changed quickly. His fingers and toes were beginning to feel warmth again. He pulled a dry knit cap on his head and over his ears. He grabbed and extra one and he returned to the main room just after Spike.
Spike looked at Scott "He's sleeping."
"Let's not wake him. Grab another blanket for him. I'm gonna look at his leg" Scott said.
"His bandage supplies are in the inside water proof pocket of his jacket" Spike offered as he gathered up their wet clothes to hang in the bathroom to dry before getting another blanket for Sam and some towels to wipe up the water from the floor.
Finding the supplies in Sam's discarded jacket Scott sat down in a dry spot by Sam. He took another long drink of his warm water. Then he started to unwrap Sam's leg. "Shit" Scott exclaimed.
Running out of the bathroom with the towels and the blanket at Scott's raised voice Spike asked "What's wrong?"
"His wound is seeping blood and yellowish pus, it's inflamed and hot to the touch and it's wide open. The surgical strips all came loose" Scott stated staring at the open infected wound. "No wonder it hurt to walk. I'm surprised Sam made it here under his own power. Damn."
Spike looked at the angry red, infected wound "I'll get some water boiling so we can sterilize some wash clothes to clean it. I'll also get some stew on for all of us. We need to eat something warm."
After Spike laid the blanket over Sam he and Scott used the towels to dry the floor. Then Spike headed to the kitchen.
Scott picked up the wet towels and went to the bathroom as he said "I'll look for a first aid kit."
Remote Mountain Cabin – Kitchen
Spike found a couple of pans and filled one with water. He put it on the stove then lit the pilot light and turned the burner on high. He went to the cooler and opened it. His Ma had made and packaged a large stew for them. All he had to do was heat it up. Spike put it in the pan and then set the burner to a medium heat.
Next he got out the loaf of bread and sliced two thick pieces and slathered them with peanut butter. As he finished Scott came in empty handed. Spike held out a slice "Eat. We need some carbs and protein after that slog."
Taking the offered bread with peanut butter Scott said before taking a bite "No joy on first aid kit in the bathroom."
Spike said "I'll check the kitchen and you can check the bedrooms." Then he took a huge bite of his slice of bread and turned to start checking the cabinets in the kitchen.
Five minutes later Scott returned to the kitchen looking a bit disgruntled. Neither had found a first aid kit. However, Spike had found some duct tape and a bottle of scotch. Scott found a small sewing kit with nylon thread and a selection of small sewing needles.
Scott smiled "I like what you found better. Sam will too."
Spike asked "Why?"
"We have soap and sterilized water to clean the wound and antibiotic ointment. So we can drink the scotch. And that duct tape we can use like the surgical tape. I won't need to sew up the wound. Duct tape should hold until he can see a doctor" Scott explained.
Spike added one new use for duct tape to his mental list. Damn it did fix almost everything. He was glad Sam didn't have to deal with the sewing needles. Although the sewing needles were small, any needle or syringe caused Sam problems. All Ed would say to them after he had listened to Sam that night in the hospital after Sam had gone catatonic was 'Sam has a legitimate fear of needles'.
"Good" Spike sighed with relief. "Water should be boiling now. I'll add some wash cloths to sterilize them." He headed to the bathroom to get several from the cabinet in there.
Scott made a quick trip to the main room to check on Sam. He was still sleeping. Scott headed back to the kitchen leaving a sleeping Sam in front of the roaring fire.
Scott got three glasses out of the cabinet and poured a small shot of scotch in each one. Then he set about starting coffee. He knew Sam would need something warm to drink and just like all the Braddock's coffee was a must.
Spike returned and added the wash cloths to the boiling water and stirred them around with tongs. Then he stirred the stew with a large spoon. The wonderful aroma of the stew mixed with the smell of the wood fireplace made the cabin seem cozy to him. Spike's body core was finally starting to warm up and the occasional shivers had nearly stopped.
A small glass appeared to his left with an amber liquid. Spike took it gratefully and downed the entire contents of the glass. The scotch burned going down but a warmth settled in his stomach and started to spread. Spike sighed.
Remote Mountain Cabin – Main Room
Scott headed out to the fireplace with the other two glasses. He squatted down by Sam and placed the glasses on the floor next to him. Gently touching Sam's shoulder Scott said "Hey cuz. Time to wake up. I got something for you."
Sam opened his eyes to find a fully dressed Scott squatting in front of him. He couldn't believe he fell asleep. Sam knew he had been exhausted but not that exhausted. Feeling warmer under two blankets Sam asked "How long have I been out?"
"Only a few minutes. Here. Drink this" Scott handed him the scotch.
Pushing up with his hand Sam winced as his shoulder twinged. When he was seated he pulled the blankets close around his shoulders and looked down at his leg. "Shit" Sam exclaimed. He took the scotch and downed it all in one gulp.
"So when were you planning to tell me it was seriously infected?" Scott drawled.
Shaking his head a bit Sam stated "Didn't look like that when I changed the bandage. Only a little yellowish discharge. The tapes were firmly attached too. Was gonna have you clean it tonight. Wasn't hiding anything from you. Had the ointment on it and am taking antibiotics. Nothing more a doc could do."
Joining them Spike set the boiled water on the floor and the plate with the sterilized wash cloths next to it. He sat cross legged and used a pair of sterilized tongs to wave one of the cloths in the air to cool it a bit and asked "When are you due for your next antibiotic pill?"
"Should take it with dinner. I brought them in my backpack in case we didn't get back in time tonight" Sam said.
Scott smiled "Planning ahead, good. Well let's get it cleaned first then we can eat and you can take your pill."
Sam nodded and his stomach growled "Smells good Spike. Your Ma's Italian beef stew?"
"Yep and fresh bread too. You want a slice with some peanut butter right now?" Spike asked.
"Yeah if it's no trouble Spike" Sam answered.
Both Spike and Scott rose.
Spike responded "No trouble. Scott and I already had one."
Scott said "Gonna wash my hands then we will get started. Want another shot of scotch. Probably gonna hurt cleaning it and we have nothing but those aspirin I bought. We should have brought a first aid kit."
Spike said "I did but I forgot it in the SUV when we packed up."
"No more scotch. I'll just take a few aspirin in a bit" Sam stated.
After washing his hands and bringing the soap with him Scott waited for Sam to finish his slice of bread and peanut butter. Then Scott and Spike worked together to clean out Sam's wound. Sam laid back and clenched his jaw and fists tightly to keep from groaning in pain as they washed it out thoroughly.
Taking a moment to catch his breath after they finished Sam asked "Are we gonna leave it open or was there anything here we could use to close it?"
Producing the duct tape Spike quipped "Duct tape fixes everything including Samtastic."
Sam smiled "That will stick better than surgical strips. Patch, I mean Jim, used to carry a roll with him in the field. Won't be the first time I've been duct taped together. Although it is the first time it will be neon orange. Not quite the color you want to be sporting when trying to evade terrorists."
Spike and Scott laughed. Scott said "Christ Sam I thought this would be a first for you."
"Nope. Kinda hard to find something original when you've had as many injuries as I've had" Sam laughed.
Spike applied a generous amount of the ointment.
As Scott tore off pieces and taped the wound together he said "I really think it's about time you stop getting them."
Sam snorted "Not like I try to get hurt. But my line of work kinda puts me out there you know."
Scott laughed and said "This isn't work related."
"Sure it is. If the subject hadn't run then Spike and I wouldn't have gotten all muddy and we wouldn't have been the last to the showers" Sam tried to justify.
Spike grinned "Nice try Sam but I don't think Scott is buying it."
"Nope. This is the result of you behaving like a kid. Love to see that side Sam but ya need to be more careful" Scott scolded lightly.
Sam and Spike just grinned at each other. Sam could see the devilish wheels turning in Spike's head. Scott would be getting pranked soon. Spike grabbed Sam's clothes and tossed them to him. Sam dressed in his soft warm sweats and thick socks.
Spike and Scott both reached out and helped Sam to stand. Sam tested his leg. "Nope. Not gonna bear much weight right now" he said honestly.
Remote Mountain Cabin – Kitchen
They helped him to the chair in the kitchen. Sitting at the table Spike put the loaf of bread in front of Sam and handed him a knife. Sam sliced thick pieces for each of them. Scott poured them each coffee while Spike dished out three heaping bowls of steaming savory stew and set them on the table.
All three dug into the stew with gusto; each needing it after such a strenuous journey to the cabin. No one conversed during the first helping.
After they were half way done with a second helping Sam asked "So when you searched for a first aid kit did either of you see a CB radio?"
"No" both said.
Spike asked "So what are we gonna do?"
Listening to the howling wind outside Sam said "No way we are traveling in this weather even if we had the SUV. I guess we are stranded and snowbound here until the severe storm blows over. Then I guess we hike the fifteen miles to the store and get a tow truck for the SUV."
Scott grinned "At least we have enough food thanks to Spike's aversion to the woods."
"See I told you my people and woods don't get along" Spike said seriously.
Scott laughed "What do you mean my people?"
Spike launched into a highly animated version of the explanation he had given Lou months ago. It had Scott laughing heartily.
Sam sat back as he wiped up the last of his stew with Spike's Ma's fresh bread. He was satiated. The fireplace had warmed up the cabin and it he felt content to just sit and relax listening to Spike and Scott banter back and forth.
Too bad about skiing Sam thought as his shin throbbed. Ed would make him pay if it wasn't healed enough by Thursday. He'd have to give it a rest so it could heal. Sadly that meant skiing was definitely out for a few days but then again they were snowbound at the moment anyways.
Finishing his stew Scott rose and took his and Sam's dishes to the sink and asked "Where were your antibiotics again Sam?"
"Backpack" he answered.
Spike refreshed all their coffee after putting his bowl in the sink too. He would wash them up in a bit.
Scott picked up Sam's backpack and searched through it. Coming up empty he looked at Sam "Are you sure? I'm not finding them."
"Yeah I'm sure. I put the aspirin in there right next to them. In the main compartment" Sam specified.
Heading to the table with the backpack and looking again Scott said "No not there. Neither are the pain meds. See for yourself."
Sam shifted everything in the pack not seeing them. He resorted to dumping out the entire contents onto the table. Neither was found. "Ah crap. I didn't zip it up when I put the other pills in there. I bet they fell out when the SUV somersaulted and everything went flying" Sam grumbled. "Shit. Ed's gonna have my hide for not taking them on time."
A frustrated sigh escaped Scott "Damn Sam I'm sorry. If I didn't roll the SUV you wouldn't be in this mess. At first light I'll head out and get them."
Sam stared at Scott then said seriously "Not if it is still storming Scott. You talk about me taking risks. We barely made it here with the three of us working to get through the deep snow drifts. It would be suicide to go it alone. I'm sure missing a few doses isn't gonna be a problem. I'll just keep it clean and dry."
Then pointedly looking at both of them Sam declared "And you will NOT tell Ed I missed any doses."
Scott and Spike laughed and both crossed their hearts and said "Scouts honor."
Sam nodded "Good."
Leaning back Sam kept his worry about missing the doses of antibiotics to himself. If the wound had gone from the little bit of pus in early afternoon to the mess it was after their hike he knew he needed them. He knew his body and that spelled trouble. He had seen what could happen in a short time without antibiotics.
When he and Matt were stationed in Gagetown one of their unit mates ignored a deep scratch on a week-long training maneuver. Seth ended up nearly losing his arm for that stupidity. Sam might eschew pain meds but he always took his antibiotics. Infections were nothing to mess around with.
But he wasn't about to let Scott go out in this storm alone. His Special Forces cold weather training told him that it was suicide to go out in this weather. He would not risk Scott's life because he failed to make sure the pills were in his backpack after the roll over. Hell if he had just zipped it closed this would not even be an issue.
Sam tried to recall the weather report. He hadn't paid much attention to it at the time because his head had been pounding, like it was now. Sam needed to figure out how many doses he would miss to try and judge how bad it would get and how much truck time he would have to endure if Ed found out.
As Spike poured them all another mug of coffee Sam asked "So how long did they say the storm would last again?"
Spike said "All they said was it was a severe storm with strong winds and expected higher than normal snowfall." Then he added "The team knows our location. If the storm hasn't abated and we are a no show on Thursday they will send help."
Sam inwardly cringed he could not go that long without antibiotics. He began to think through natural remedies he had been taught. Nothing was coming to mind.
Scott said "Laura might not wait until Thursday. I promised to call every two days. She'll be expecting me to call tomorrow."
Relaxing a bit Sam remarked "Laura would call her dad and call in the cavalry if you are a no show."
Grinning Scott sat down feeling a little better "One of the perks of having the highest ranking military officer as a father in law."
Spike saw the deck of cards that got dumped out of Sam's pack and asked "Anyone want to play some cards. Poker or rummy?"
They decided on poker when Scott said he found a box of poker chips in the bedroom.
Remote Mountain Cabin – Main Room
Spike did the dishes as Scott moved the table and two chairs into the main room by the fire and couch. He did that so Sam could sit on the couch with his leg elevated. Sam hobbled over to the wood pile and put two more logs on the fire.
The three spent the remainder of the evening in a friendly game of poker. Spike was the big winner and was gloating playfully all night saying they should have played for real money.
Sam was having trouble concentrating and was distracted from the game as the night wore on. His head ached badly and his shin throbbed and felt tight and hot. Not good signs he knew. Sam was so warm he was beginning to get sleepy and his head bobbed.
When Sam's head bobbed for the fourth time Scott said "I think we should call it a night."
Spike and Sam agreed. The table was put back, coffee prepped for the morning and two more logs were added to the fire.
Scott volunteered "I'll be the fire keeper tonight. I'm used to waking up every few hours throughout the night."
Sam asked "So I forgot to ask, who is helping Laura with the twins?"
"My sister Vicky and of course Mom are staying with Laura. The three of them basically pushed me out the door. Felt bad leaving Laura with two eight week olds. But Laura insisted I take this trip. She said I needed a break" Scott answered as he helped Sam up from the couch.
Spike looked at Scott "Not much of a break if you get up on the same schedule here. I'll take fire watch tonight. You both look zonked."
Scott nodded "Okay but I take it tomorrow night."
"Deal" Spike said as Scott lent and arm for Sam to hold as he hobbled to the bedroom.
Sam said "I get the next night."
In unison Spike and Scott said "We'll see."
Both had noticed the pain lines around Sam's eyes and how distracted he had been tonight. Sam needed rest especially as his body fought an infection without aid of his antibiotics. Both Spike and Scott wondered to themselves how long they would be snowbound and determined to make sure Sam was taken care of until they could get out of here and get Sam to a doctor to reexamine his leg wound.
Scott's Home
Laura sat rocking Jerrell after his two am feeding as he slept. Anna was already fed and fast asleep in the bassinet next to her. She had the TV on low watching a repeat of the ten o'clock news which she missed earlier while napping.
She yawned but felt content. She talked Vicky and Scott's Mom into taking the night off. They would return tomorrow afternoon. Laura was enjoying the solitude of being alone in the house with her two babies. It was the first time since Anna and Jerrell were born that she had the house to herself.
Not that she minded all the help. It had been wonderful and she didn't know what she would have done without all of it. But the babies had settled into a manageable routine and she was ready to handle motherhood on her own for several hours at a time.
Poor Scott she thought. He looked so forlorn at the prospect of leaving Jerrell and Anna. But he really needed a break. The man had been going to work and coming home and going non-stop here too. He had canceled the original trip with Sam when he realized the babies were due at that time.
But now that the babies were two months old and doing well she convinced him to reschedule with Sam. Those two didn't get to see each other often enough. They really hadn't spent much time together since Sam's lungs healed and he went back to Toronto and back to work after JSTF Recovery.
Laura was pulled from her thoughts as the weather forecast came on. She reached for the remote to increase the volume when a map of the area Scott and Sam were skiing displayed covered in white. She heard the weathercaster say that a severe snowstorm was blanketing the area making travel impossible in and out of the region.
She sighed. That would probably mean she would not hear from Scott tomorrow as planned. She was aware the cabin they were staying in was remote and had no electricity or phone. Scott had planned to call from the lodge every few days because they were sure no cell signals would work.
A small smile came to her lips. The guys would likely be snowed in. Scott would be forced to rest. She envisioned his next few days spent lounging by the fireplace as the guys played cards, read, napped or just talked. She decided to keep an eye on the weather in the area.
Laura had no worries though. Scott was cold weather trained and a veteran camper, he would know what to do in this type of weather. Laura knew Sam had been trained for extreme weather too in Special Forces. They would make sure to take care of Sam's friend Spike. She was unsure if he had any training or his extent of camping.
Switching off the TV then standing, Laura carefully placed a sleeping Jerrell in his bassinet and covered him. She checked to make sure Anna was covered too. She whispered to her two babies "Mommy and Daddy love you. Sleep well little ones."
Then she padded over to her bed and slipped beneath the warm soft covers to get a few hours of sleep before the babies needed to be fed again. Laura drifted to sleep thinking of Scott and how lucky she was to have him in her life. He was the love of her life, a wonderful husband and a fantastic father. She knew Scott loved them all dearly with every breath he took.