The Danger Within
Chapter 6:
Mike didn't have to wait too long at first. Within thirty minutes a doctor arrived to inform him that they had run some tests on Inspector Keller. Blood tests and an ultrasound had confirmed the fact that Steve's appendix was indeed very inflamed although thankfully while it was in danger of rupturing it was still intact. Steve was to be whisked off for an emergency appendectomy and as Mike was the nearest thing to family that Steve had it was up to Mike to sign the consent papers. The doctor was very optimistic for a good outcome and this definitely put Mike at ease although he wouldn't breathe a final sigh of relief until Steve was out of surgery and out of the woods so to speak.
The next hour and a half definitely dragged and Mike was starting to pace up and down by the time the doctor next appeared in the corridor. As he approached Mike and his colleagues, Mike's heart almost skipped a beat as he waited for the doctor to speak. Seeing the older man's visible distress the doctor was quick to dispel any fears that Mike had. " Don't worry..all good news ! We managed to remove Steve's appendix by keyhole surgery which will cut down his recovery time. There were no complications and given his age and physique ,and barring any further complications I would expect Steve to make a full recovery. " His youth and strength.. how many times had Mike heard those words spoken about Steve by doctors. Too many for his liking. The relief of the doctor's words sunk in and the stresses and strains of the morning finally took their toll on the older detective. He felt lightheaded and swayed where he stood and the next thing he knew Rudy and Lenny had an arm each and had ushered him to a seat and the doctor was handing him a glass of water and asking him if he was ok? " Oh yes, I'm fine, relieved is all. " Mike reassured them , suddenly feeling his age and very fatigued. " When can I see him ? " The doctor informed Mike that Steve was now in recovery and it would be several hours before he would be fit for visitors. All going well Steve would be discharged the following day. He recommended that Steve stay with someone for at least a week to two weeks after being discharged as he may not be up to fending for himself and he estimated it would be between four to six weeks before Steve would be cleared for active duty again. It was decided that Rudy would drive Mike home while Lenny faithfully volunteered to remain at the hospital incase Steve needed anything. Mike was too worn out to argue so he dutifully went home, cleaned up and grabbed a few hours of welcome sleep. On waking he decided to ring Jeannie and he filled her in on their dramatic morning. It was good to hear her voice and to talk about what had happened. Therapeutic, as Lenny would say. Jeannie was horrified to hear about poor Steve but also ranted about Steve's stubbornness and vowed to give him a piece of her mind when he was up to it. That made Mike chuckle. Once a Stone always a Stone. When Jeannie heard that Steve would need looking after she offered to not only come for the weekend as planned but to stay for the fortnight and nurse Steve back to health. Again ,Mike found it amusing to picture Steve being mother henned by Jeannie and hating every minute of being fussed over but he would be glad of Jeannie's help in making sure Steve didn't overdo things while he got better. Having made the arrangements to pick his daughter up from the airport first thing in the morning he said his goodbyes and Rudy kindly picked him up a while later and drove him back to the hospital. Lenny met him in the corridor and told him that Steve was resting comfortably and doing fine but that he hadn't woken up yet. Mike wasted no time in finding out where Steve was and pulled up a chair beside Steve's bed. Apart from his pallor,a few machines beeping away in the background and a few wires and drips Steve didn't look too bad and that terrible pain was no longer etched on his face. In fact if anything he looked peaceful. Another hour passed but apart from an odd nurse or the doctor coming in every now and then to check on Steve, write in his chart or replace his IV fluids everything was quiet and Mike actually welcomed the respite to sit with his thoughts and replay the days events in his mind safe in the knowledge that the danger had passed and everything was going to be ok. On one occasion when the doctor came in he explained to Mike that Steve's appendix had been dangerously close to bursting and it had been fortunate that Steve had been brought in when he was. Any later and there may have been a grimmer outcome. On hearing this Mike felt a little less guilty for telling Steve to high tail it to work. If he hadn't ,perhaps he would have been home alone when the worst happened and Mike didn't even want to contemplate that. It fact the mere thought was enough to send a cold shudder down Mike's spine. He said a silent prayer of thanks to God. Mike's faith was very strong and sometimes it never ceased to amaze him that all things good or bad seemed to happen for a reason. It was just after seven thirty in the evening when he first heard Steve stir and he leaned in closer and smiled and watched as he had too many times before, as Steve's eyes flickered open and he slowly came to.