Never Again, Again
Chapter 13
The trip up the Mississippi was stressful and exhausting. It didn't help that Katie was having a rough time and Mike was recovering. By the time they got to St. Louis and Michener was sworn in as President, Christine was thrilled to sleep in a hotel. Mike had some stuff to attend to do. The crew was having a party downstairs but Christine opted to stay in the suite with the girls.
Mike had gotten them room service and they relaxed. Katie was not feeling well and the baby was letting its presence be known. Both girls had gone to sleep and Christine was sitting up in the king-sized bed, waiting on Mike and smiling at the baby's kicks when she heard a gunshot. She jumped up and checked on the girls before grabbing a fire poker and stepping outside in the hall. There was a man standing over Doctor Scott's body. Christine waited just inside the door; waiting for him to pass and as he walked in front of the door, she opened it and knocked him off his balance. She hit him with the fire poker and then didn't know what to do other than to go back in the room and call to the front desk for help.
Christine rushed back in to help Doctor Scott, praying help arrived before the man woke up. She finally heard the elevator ding and footsteps running down the hall. Mike, Tom, Russ and Rios appeared and Rios gently pushed her away while Mike and Tom dealt with the man that was regaining consciousness.
"What'd you hit him with?" Tom asked.
"He ran into the door I opened at just the right second and then I hit him over the head with the fire poker." Christine explained.
"He could have shot you!" Mike exclaimed.
"Here, Christine; let me help you. Get you cleaned up before the girls see you." Andrea Garnett said. She helped Christine to her feet and led her into Mike and Christine's hotel suite.
"Mike is mad." Christine remarked.
"He'll be okay. Why don't you go take a shower. You have blood on your arms. You weren't hurt, right?" Andrea asked.
"No. Is she gonna be okay?" Christine asked. She didn't care for Rachel, but she didn't want her to die either.
"They'll see to her. I'm not sure. I'll look in on the girls. You go get cleaned up." Andrea answered.
"Thanks." Christine said. Mike had gotten her some maternity clothes earlier that day and Christine enjoyed her second shower of the day. When she came back out, Andrea was gone but Mike was there and she could tell he was fuming.
"Do you have a damn death wish? You could have called to front desk and we could have sealed the hotel so he didn't get out." Mike asked.
"I didn't think about that." Christine admitted.
"No…that's the problem. You act before you think." Mike said.
"Is Dr. Scott going to be okay?" Christine asked, hoping to calm Mike down.
"She's in surgery but she's lost a lot of blood. I have to go interview the suspect. There is not any experienced law enforcement around that we can find so Tom volunteered my services. I don't know what time I'll be back. Probably not until tomorrow." Mike said. He had changed into his BDUs and was tying his boots.
"Can you let me know?" Christine asked.
"About Dr. Scott?" Mike asked.
"Yes." Christine said. She was ignoring his earlier comment, but she knew the argument was not finished.
"We will finish discussing this when I get back. Andrea is around if you need her. Order room service. Try not to leave this suite. I'm not sure what the media will be like." Mike said as he stood up.
"Is there media?" Christine asked.
"Bound to be." Mike answered. He grabbed his cap and looked towards the girls' room.
"They're sleeping." Christine commented.
"Good. Now, please…stay in here." Mike begged.
"I will. Please be safe." Christine said. She reached up and kissed Mike's cheek, not sure she wanted to dare a kiss on the lips.
"I will." Mike said. He bent down and kissed her on the lips but it was almost like it was a duty. He was gone before anything else could be said and Christine went to bed alone that night, praying that Dr. Scott would be alright and that she hadn't ruined her one chance at saving her marriage.
In this version; I decided to keep Rachel alive. Just worked better in my version.
