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Chapter 12
After being thrown back down the stairs, Christine was pretty sure she had broken ribs, her left knee hurt and she had bruises all over. The kids were doing the best they could. Suddenly, Allison Shaw's henchman pulled them out of the basement and they were driven to a small airfield and put on a plane.
Surprisingly, the kids were allowed to leave the plane with Kara Green but not Christine. She was still collateral damage. Even though Tom was not a fan of hers, he did seem to be actively trying to protect her. Tex had somehow snuck back onto the plane and shots were exchanged.
By the time it was said and done, Allison Shaw was dead, but so was Tex and Christine took one in the shoulder. It was a through and through but hurt like hell. Christine was immediately concerned about Tom, who looked completely shattered.
"Tom…Tom! Hey, snap out of it." Christine asked. She snapped her fingers and he looked at her. Just then, Mike came on board and he and Christine exchanged a look. "He's…not hurt but he's not okay." Christine said.
"And you are." Mike answered. He immediately passed off his gun and began administering first aide to her and watching Mike.
"The kids?" Tom finally asked.
"They are safe. Kara has taken them to safety." Mike answered. Christine and Mike exchanged a look, knowing something in Tom had broken. "We need to get you both off the plane. Christine needs medical care." Mike said.
"Tex?" Tom asked as his eyes drifted over to Tex's body.
"We'll take care of him." Mike answered. He helped Christine stand up.
"C'mon, Tom. The kids will need to know you're okay." Christine encouraged. Tom nodded and followed but his mind was very clearly still on the plane. Christine was feeling very foggy and felt herself slumping against Mike.
"Medical?!" Mike yelled. Rios appeared out of nowhere and began assessing Christine.
"We need to get her back. She's lost a lot of blood and was probably low on fluids before that. Where did all these bruises come from?" Rios asked.
"They liked throwing me down stairs." Christine answered.
"Yeah, we need to get her checked out. Possible internal bleeding." Rios said. Mike was already making the orders.
"I am pretty sure I have broken ribs." Christine said.
"That and more." Rios answered. She was quickly loaded on an ambulance. Rios rode along, making Christine feel better. Mike was apparently going to meet them at the hospital.
Three broken ribs, a fractured wrist, sprained knee, the gunshot wound, a concussion, dehydration and more bruises then Christine could count, later, she was released from the hospital into Mike's care. Both girls were particularly concerned about her. She was never so glad to walk into their house after dropping Rios off.
"Never been so glad to get home." Christine remarked. The shoulder that had been shot was on the same side as the fractured wrist so her arm was in a sling.
"Let's get you upstairs. I know you want a bath." Mike said.
"Girls, I'll be okay. Why don't you get comfortable. Maybe take showers too? Katie, can you help Hannah?" Christine suggested.
"Please." Mike added. Both girls nodded and ran up the stairs.
"They're traumatized." Christine remarked.
"They are but I am more concerned with you right now." Mike said as he helped her up the stairs.
"A bath will do wonders." Christine replied.
"I figured that and your bed would." Mike answered. They walked into her bedroom and she smiled.
"I know the girls need to be attended to but I hope tonight, you'll sleep in here?" Christine asked.
"Yes." Mike answered with a smile. She gave him a soft kiss. "Let me draw your bath. You'll have to be careful with your arm." Mike warned. She had a brace on wrist but stitches on her shoulder.
"Thanks." Christine said. She found a nightgown in the closet that would be easy to put on and followed Mike into the bathroom. As she expected, he had the bathtub filled up with warm water and bubbles. He helped her undress and then into the bathtub. "This would be romantic any other time…if I didn't look like I had gone ten rounds with a prize fighter." Christine remarked.
"You have some blood on your back. Do you want me to wash it?" Mike asked.
"Please." Christine answered. Mike very gently washed the dirt, grime and blood away. He was as gentle as if he was handling a newborn baby. He even helped her wash her hair and then helped her into her nightgown and then into bed.
"I bet that feels good." Mike remarked.
"So good." Christine agreed. He bent down and gave her another kiss.
"I'm going to check on the girls. You just rest." Mike said.
"Thank you, Mike." Christine said. He slipped out but a couple minutes later, was back in the bedroom with both girls.
"They wanted to nap in here with you. I told them it would be okay." Mike said.
"Absolutely. I know you have calls you need to make. Maybe when you're done, come in and lay down with us?" Christine suggested.
"That can be arranged." Mike agreed as he helped both girls settle.
"Good." Christine answered. Mike smiled before shutting her blinds and turning the lights off. Quickly enough, he was back in with them and laid down next to Hannah, who was already fast asleep. Katie was close and Christine smiled at her little family.