In the Wrong Place

Chapter 8

The last hour up to ten o'clock seemed to drag for Steve...He must have asked the day nurse at least six times if Mike had arrived yet and each time the answer had been no. Then the physiotherapist had arrived to get him out of bed and to make sure he could move around ok before he went home.. Steve couldn't believe how weak and dizzy he felt the first time he stood up and knew he would have fallen on his face had it not been for the heavily muscled physiotherapist who kept a tight grip on his arm...However the more he took small steps around the room the more accustomed he got to being upright again.. Although his side ached terribly it sure felt good to be moving around again...

The physiotherapist gave Steve strict instructions...On NO account was he to do any bending or stretching that might disturb the stitches...When sitting, getting into a car, lying down or climbing steps he was to hold his injured side firmly to avoid further damaging his side... He was told that after his blood loss he should expect to tire easily and to take things nice and slowly for at least the next few days and get plenty of rest...

By the time the physiotherapist left, Steve was feeling even more fed up...He felt like he wasn't allowed do anything and the extra exertion had him feeling tired and sore...in fact the painkillers must have worn off as the pain in his side got stronger and beads of sweat formed on his brow.. Inwardly he cursed Joe Landers for putting him through this... As if she had read his mind the day nurse came in with his painkillers just at that moment and with the pain in his side now almost taking his breath away he gratefully accepted the pain relief and carefully sat down in the bedside chair praying that Mike would get there soon...

Meanwhile downstairs, Mike and Jeannie were making their way up in the elevator...On arriving at the nurses station the day nurse smiled broadly at them .

"Thank goodness you're here Lieutenant Stone... Your partner is starting to get very restless...He must have asked me at least six times yet if you had arrived! "

Mike laughed..."That sounds like Steve alright...He's not a very good patient... How is he?"

"He's doing fine... the doctor is happy for him to go home. He's had all his final checks and his papers are almost ready. "

The nurse filled Mike in on all the things the physiotherapist had advised, how to change his dressings daily and to watch out for redness and signs of possible infection. She then gave him a prescription for pain killers and went to get the doctor to sign the final release papers..while Mike and Jeannie headed towards Steve's room.

As they got to Steve's door Mike gestured for Jeannie to wait just outside momentarily and he opened the door and entered. Looking up from his seat Steve beamed from ear to ear...

"Oh Mike...Am I glad you're here..You're a sight for sore eyes you know that?"

"Eyes? And here's me thinking it was your side that was sore?" Mike chided...glad to see the young man looking a whole lot healthier than he had the previous evening..."How are you feeling buddy boy? You sure look better than last night!"

Steve laughed..."Very funny...Yeah I'm feeling better...Did you bring my clothes?"

"Easy, now buddy boy...We'll get you out of here shortly..and yes I brought all your things but first I brought you a visitor." Mike said smiling mischievously.

"A visitor?.." Steve was intrigued..but then a sudden dread came over him ..

"Oh Mike if you've brought Lenny I'm gonna..."

"Calm down, it's not Lenny...although I might just tell him you said that." and then looking out the door he beckoned to whoever was there."Come on in."

Steve carefully stood up and his jaw dropped as Jeannie appeared in the doorway.

"Surprise!"

"Jeannie! What?...How?...I thought you weren't arriving until this afternoon.."

"She surprised me too!...She was home when I got there last night" Mike explained smiling broadly..."Doesn't she look well?"

Steve was thinking exactly the same thing, how well she looked and seeing her there smiling was the best medicine he could have ever gotten...

"Yeah, she sure does Mike...Gee it's good to see you Jeannie..."

Jeannie was thrilled to see Steve too and seeing him standing there paler than normal with his left arm protectively guarding his left side brought a lump to her throat and crossing the room quickly she threw her arms around him in a huge hug...

"Gee, it's good to see you too Steve... but I can't leave you two alone for a minute can I? "

"Easy Jeannie, watch the side!" Steve said as he hugged her back but kept her slightly away from his injured side not wanting another jolt of pain like earlier."

Jeannie released him embarrassed but took his hand in hers instead...

"Sorry Steve, does it hurt very bad?"

"Only if I'm not careful or if I get bear hugs..." Steve said teasing her and enjoying the crimson colour that had filled her cheeks...

"Oh you! ..."she said swatting at him harmlessly.

Mike always marvelled at how well Steve and Jeannie got on together and enjoyed their playful teasing of each other but looking at his watch and remembering the meeting they had downtown he reluctantly decided to intervene..

"Ok, you two...I hate to interrupt a reunion but Landers has a preliminary meeting down at the bureau at twelve and Olsen wants to know if you're up to attending Steve? What do you reckon buddy boy?"

The subject of Joe Landers brought a serious look back to Steve's face and sitting back down very carefully he brushed a hand through his hair and answered...

"Yeah...yeah I think so...Will they suspend him?"

"With our testimony, they'll have no choice buddy boy."

"Ok..." Steve uttered but the sudden downturn in Steve's demeanor sent a worried glance between Mike and his daughter ...

Jeannie stepped back a little as stepping forward, Mike pulled a chair over in front of Steve's and sat down and looking Steve straight in the eye he continued...

"Ok, spit it out...What's chewing on you buddy boy?"

"I don't know...I guess...I guess it feels like..we're.."Steve paused not knowing if he should share what he was feeling with his mentor...

"Like we're ratting out a fellow officer... Is that what you're thinking buddy boy?"

Mike's ability to read his thoughts never ceased to amaze Steve and looking down at the floor he nodded ashamedly ...

"Yeah,... I guess...It's just that it's his career we're messing with Mike..."

"Now, you listen to me Steve," Mike said gently taking Steve's chin and raising his head so that he was looking at him..."Joe Landers is the one messing up his own career, not us. If we didn't testify today at that meeting and Landers got into his car drunk tomorrow and knocked down a five-year old kid and killed him how do you think you'd feel? Huh? Or if he got a new partner and that partner ended up like Mel Shaffer dying as a result of Joe's drinking how do you think we'd feel then? Well?"

Steve thought about what Mike said and felt even more ashamed...

"Yeah...you're right...I'm sorry Mike..I guess I'm not thinking too straight at the minute..." and again looking down at the floor he looked utterly miserable.

Seeing Steve so out of sorts tore at Mike's heart and fearing that he'd been a bit too forceful getting his point across, he lightened his tone and patted Steve's shoulder...

"Come on now, buddy boy. You've got more reason not to be thinking straight than any of us after all you've been through.. We're doing the right thing...and what's more we're doing it together... Ok? Now, what do you say we get you dressed and out of here? Alright?"

"Yeah, that sounds good Mike.." Steve said cheering up a little at the thoughts of leaving the hospital... Mike got up and going over to the hold all bag they had brought for Steve took out a trousers, shirt and tie, socks, shoes and jacket and returned to where Steve was sitting...

"Now the nurse said you're not to be bending or stretching for a few days so like it or not I'm going to help you get into these and I don't want to hear any complaining..Ok?" Mike said grabbing the end of Steve's hospital top and attempting to pull it up over Steve's head

"Mike..!.." Steve said alarmed, grabbing Mike's hand and not allowing him to remove his top...

"Now Steve, for heaven's sake! Don't be childish ! There's no need to be embarrassed or anything...It's just one friend helping another...Ok? " and again attempted to remove Steve's top...

"MIKE!..." Steve objected louder and refused to allow Mike to move the top up one inch...

"WHAT? ...What is the matter with you Steve?" Mike said looking at Steve in annoyance...

Steve smiled and nodded over Mike's shoulder..."You forgotten something Mike?"...

Glancing over his right shoulder Mike saw Jeannie standing behind him grinning like a Cheshire cat and realised what Steve was objecting to... While him and Steve had been talking about Landers, Jeannie had stood quietly listening ,touched by the affection and respect the two men had for each other. Caught up in the moment , Mike had forgotten that she was even in the room...Glancing apologetically at Steve, who was by now trying his best not to laugh, Mike turned to look at Jeannie who was also highly amused at the unfolding situation and spoke...

"Jeannie,...would you mind waiting outside for a few minutes please?"

"Aw Mike...Just when it was getting interesting ?"

Almost in unison both detectives pointed at the door...

"Out...!"

"Ok,...ok...I'm going...But if you need a hand with anything just call..." Jeannie said laughing and as she exited the door and pulled it closed behind her she heard both men yell a little louder...

"OUT!"