ATF Alternate Universe
PART TWO
It took JD's help to get Vin dressed and out to the jeep. Vin sent him back to the soda machine to get a ginger ale, hoping it would settle his stomach. He had thrown up a few times through the night, but was trying not to puke in front of JD.As soon as the jeep started to move, Vin closed his eyes and leaned back. JD drove at a reasonable speed along the winding road. He didn't want to make Vin feel any worse than he already was. Unfortunately, as soon as they hit the main road, Vin made him pull over so he could be sick.
"Vin, maybe I should call Chris or Nathan?" JD asked as he eyed Vin nervously. The sharpshooter was shivering and paler, if that was possible. And JD could see how sweaty his hair was becoming.
"No. Just...get me to...the ranch." Vin managed to get out.
JD pulled over and took off his jacket and wrapped it around Vin's shoulders. He noticed Vin didn't seem to realize they stopped. He got brave and felt Vin's forehead. "Damn, Vin! You're burning up."
Vin rolled his head towards JD, "I ...know."
They were still two hours away from the ranch, three from ATF headquarters. JD pulled out his cell phone and dialed Buck's number. On the third ring he hung up. Looking at his watch, almost one o'clock, he realized the guys would still be at lunch. He could try Buck's cell phone. But he decided that for now, he'd just keep driving to get Vin home.
Vin had become less and less responsive to JD's questions as they neared Denver. JD did manage to find out that when Vin got back to the hotel last night he was sick right away. His fever rose rapidly, so he had taken the extra blanket out of the closet, crawled into bed to try to get warm. And he wasn't really asleep when JD came in, Vin just didn't want to worry him. Shortly after JD came in, Vin went into the bathroom, where he was sick on and off all night.
When the time came to make the decision to head to the ranch or the hospital, JD reached out to feel Vin's forehead again. JD didn't think it was possible for Vin to be hotter, but he was.
"Vin, I think we better head to the emergency room. Vin? Vin, can you hear me? JD panicked when he realized that Vin was unconscious. He headed to the hospital, all thoughts on just getting Vin there.
*******
The jeep squealed as JD cut the turn into the parking lot. He was out and running almost before the vehicle stopped. He burst into the waiting area and practically dragged a nurse, orderlies, and a stretcher back out with him. They quickly loaded Vin and started back inside, JD hot on their heels. The security guard stepped in front of JD, reminding him to move the Jeep out of the way. Since the guard was considerably larger than JD, he realized it would be faster and easier to just comply than to argue with the mountain of a man. He moved the jeep as fast as he could and ran back into the emergency room.
His first instinct was to find the pay phones and call Buck when the nurse stopped him.
"What happened to your friend? How long has he been like this?"
JD looked over at the steel doors that separated him from Vin. "He's burning up. Was sick last night, too. He's been throwing up." He blurted it all out, not sure what would help the nurse.
The nurse put her hand on his shoulder to get his full attention, "One wrist and the other hand are red and swollen, do you know what from?"
"The cat. He was bitten by a cat yesterday," JD said, trying to focus, wanting to help, but frantic with worry. "Is he okay?"
The nurse said "Yesterday! Is he allergic to any antibiotics?"
"No, I don't think so," JD said, trying to think if Vin had any allergies, "None that I know of."
"Ok, that helps. Wait over there, someone will let you know how he is. And if you think of anything else we should know, tell the nurse at the station." She hurried back through the heavy steel doors where they were working on Vin.
JD grabbed the pay phone and dialed Buck's number.
"Wilmington." Buck said into the phone with his "professional" voice.
"Buck, it's JD. Vin's in the hospital. Oh God, Buck, he's burning up. They think it's the cat bite. You gotta tell Chris...."
"JD, calm down. Where are you, what hospital?"
When the others heard hospital, Josiah went to get Chris while the others moved closer to Buck.
"Buck, here...home... in Denver. Hurry! Please."
"Okay, JD. Stay calm. We're on our way."
JD hung up the phone and went to sit on one of the hard yellow plastic chairs. He sat for a couple of minutes, then jumped up and began to pace. It was all his fault, he berated himself, he never should have stayed at the bar. He should have stayed with Vin, gotten him here sooner.
Buck looked up and saw the anxious look on Chris's face. "That was JD. Vin's in the hospital. Here in Denver. Bad fever. Could be a cat bite."
"Cat bite. Damn!" Nathan exclaimed. "They can make serious wounds with their teeth. A lot of germs in a cat bite. Where...how... did Vin get bit by a cat?"
"Let's go." Was all Chris said as he stalked to the elevators.
*******
JD jumped out of his chair when he saw Chris and the others walk through the doors.
"Chris! I'm so glad you're here. The nurse came out, they need to start antibiotics right away. They're sure it's the cat bite." JD rattled off at a mile a minute.
"JD, antibiotics?" Chris asked, grabbing JD's arm.
"Yeah, Chris. Why?" he asked, a puzzled look on his face.
"Did Vin tell them he was allergic to penicillin?" Chris questioned, his voice tight.
"Geez, No! He was out of it. I told them..." JD looked at Chris, fear evident on his face, "I told them...I didn't think... he had any allergies."
"Damn!" Chris exclaimed as he charged towards the steel doors.
"What is it, Nate? Is it bad?" The panic was back in JD's voice.
Buck steered JD back to the chairs. "It's ok, kid. You didn't know. Chris will tell them, it'll all be all right."
"Nathan, what could penicillin do to Vin?" JD asked the healer, his eyes downcast.
Laying a reassuring hand on his shoulder, Nathan answered the question. "Well, JD. It can make it hard for Vin to breathe, make him dizzy, cause his blood pressure to drop, and maybe even unconsciousness."
Pulling away from Nathan's hand, "It's my...I didn't know. He'll be all right, won't he?"
Buck placed his arm around JD's shoulders. "Kid, it's okay. Chris will tell them about the allergy, the doctors will know what to do." With that Buck steered them over to the plastic chairs to wait for Chris.
*******
Chris waked right up to the emergency room nurse's station. "Vin Tanner. He's allergic to penicillin. Tell them." His face was etched with concern.
The nurse smiled at him. "Ok, sir. I will. Now if you will please just calm down and go back to the waiting area..."
"Lady..." Chris studied her name tag. "Tracy, I'm telling you, I work with him. Go tell them. Now!" Chris barely managed to keep his voice down.
The nurse stood up, and was about to reply to Chris when she took another look at him and decided to keep her mouth shut. She quickly moved to one of the treatment rooms and entered.
After what seemed like an hour, but was only a few minutes, Chris saw the door open and the Nurse came back over to him.
"Mr. Tanner is okay. He was just stating to show an allergic reaction. But thanks to you, we knew it was the drug, so they stopped the IV and gave him some medication and oxygen. He'll be fine." She stepped around the nurse's station, "They'll take good care of him. Now, maybe you can help us some more. The Doctor wants to know what you can tell me about the cat that did this? Could it have rabies?"
Releasing the breath he didn't realize he was holding, Chris finally spoke. "Thank you." Turning to walk with the nurse back to the waiting area, he continued, "I don't even know what cat bit him. But JD does."
Turning towards Chris, she asked, "JD, the young man who brought your friend here?"
Chris nodded to her as they approached the rest of the team.
"JD, this is Tracy. "We need to know what happened, how did Vin get bitten in the first place? Where is the cat now? Chris sat down next to him and paused to take a deep breath and ran his hand through his hair, "And could it have rabies?"
JD stood up, "Some big black cat was attacking Cuervo. Vin said he was probably just lost and hungry. But he wanted to get it outside. So it wouldn't bother Cuervo." He nervously paced back and forth as he talked, "Vin caught it. I drove him and the cat out of the garage. As soon as the jeep started to move, the cat got mean, attacked Vin. We left it and some food in the alley behind the parking garage."
Turning to JD, Tracy asked him, "Did the cat act strange? Seem sick to you, JD?"
"Ah hell.... it was spitting and hissing at Cuervo. When Vin first picked it up, it was quiet. But then it went nuts, biting him!"
Josiah took one look at Nathan's face, it didn't sound good for Vin, "JD, if we go back, think you could recognize the cat?"
"Sure, Josiah. I know I could."
Buck pulled his keys from his pocket, "Well, let's go then. Hate to have Junior go through Rabies shots if he doesn't need them. Finding that damn cat is the only way to be sure"
With that Buck, JD and Josiah left to look for the stray.
Tracy smiled at Chris, "I'm going back in to tell Doctor Rowland that you're trying to locate the cat. As soon as they get Mr. Tanner settled, I'll come get you."
Nodding his head, Chris gave her a slight smile. "Thank you."
As the nurse turned to walk away, she stopped, "When your friends get back, be sure to let us know about the cat. Don't worry, it shouldn't be too much longer."
Chris and Nathan nodded as she walked away.
*******
Studying Chris's face, Nathan wanted to know what Chris found out. "Did they let you see him?"
"No," Chris replied, shaking his head.
"Did you catch them in time, before they started any medication?" Nathan asked, his voice full of concern.
Chris turned to look at him, "No." He gave the ex-medic a slight grin, "but the nurse said he was ok...now. " Stretching his long lean legs out, "Will the shots be that bad, Nathan?"
Nathan didn't want to needlessly worry Chris, "Depends on Vin, how he reacts. Some folks get fever, chills, and nauseous. Bad part is, you get the shots over 28 days, five shots. He'll need to come back a few times. Each time they give him the shot, he could get sick all over."
Chris rubbed his face with his hands. "Shit. Knowing Vin's luck he'll react badly."
Nathan smiled, "I hate to say it, but you're right about that, Chris."
The doors swung open and Tracy walked over to them.
She smiled at them, "Well, one of you can go sit with him. We started a new antibiotic. He'll need to stay at least ten hours for a full dose. Then we'll switch him to oral medication. The Doctor said we'll give your friends an hour, to find the cat, then we'll have to start the rabies treatment."
"I'll go sit with him," Chris answered as he stood up. "Thanks for the update. How long will he have to stay if you do start Rabies shots?" "If we start the treatment tonight, we'll keep him to be sure he doesn't have an allergic reaction to the serum."
Following the nurse, Chris said to Nathan, "As soon as they get back, someone tell the nurse. Okay?"
Nathan nodded at Chris, "Will do. You just worry about Vin, he ain't gonna like the idea of getting all them shots!"
*******
Chris went into the treatment room where Tracy told him Vin was. He opened the door slowly, just in case Vin was asleep.
"Come on in, pard," Vin said from the bed, trying to give Chris a slight smile.
"You look like shit," Chris said as he took in the pale face, dark circles, and swollen limbs.
"Feel like it too," Vin said as he nodded to the chair next to the bed.
Lowering into the chair, Chris placed his hand on Vin's.
Vin flinched and tried to pull his hand away, "Sorry, Chris. Damn hand hurts like a son of a bitch."
"Why don't you try to get some sleep." Chris said as he gently placed his hand on Vin's thigh.
"Can't sleep. Damn hand is throbbing. Freezing." Vin's body shivered as if on cue.
"You need another blanket? Maybe something for the pain?" Chris's concern was evident in his voice.
"Nah." Vin nodded to the IV bag, "Once this stuff kicks in, should be better. Damn fever. Besides, they're waiting to start the rabies shots." Vin rolled his head against the pillow, "feel so damn stupid. Cat bites."
Chuckling, Chris gently touched Vin's shoulder, "Vin, you were just protecting Cuervo." Trying to ease Vin's misery, "Maybe you just should have shot it?"
Vin looked at Chris, his eyes serious, and a tiny bit afraid. "Ah shit, Chris. Doctor said I may have permanent damage to my right hand."
"Vin. Don't. It'll be all right." Chris didn't know what else to say. If Vin did have damage to his right hand, it would most likely effect his skill as a sharpshooter.
"No, it's not. They wanna start rabies shots next. Shit, with my luck I'm allergic to that too. Can't wait to see what fun that's gonna be." Shaking his head, "I just want to go home. When can we get out of here?"
Chris pulled the chair as close to the bed as he could, "Sorry Vin. You'll have to be here till they get a good dose of antibiotics in you. Then if they do start the rabies shots, well, you have to stay till they're sure you're not allergic."
"Shit." Was all Vin said as he closed his eyes.
Chris tried again to lighten Vin's mood, "Hey, at least they don't get you in the stomach anymore."
Vin gave him a dirty look.
"You want anything, Pard?" Chris asked as he sat back in into the chair.
Vin's eyes snapped opened and Chris knew immediately what was coming. He grabbed the blue basin and got it under Vin's chin just as Vin got sick. Not much came up, so Chris left Vin holding the basin and went to get a damp wash-cloth to wipe his mouth.
Chris cleaned him up, despite Vin's protests. He knew how much Vin hated being sick. "It's okay. You've been running an high fever. As soon as more of those drugs get into your system, you'll be better."
Vin closed his eyes again, "I just wanna go home."
There was nothing more Chris could do for Vin, so they just sat and waited to see if the others found the cat.
*******
The Doctor walked in just as Vin was about to finally doze off. "Well, Vin. Bad news. Your friends just got back. They were unable to locate the cat. Judging by the cat's temperament, we're going to have to administer rabies serum."
Chris looked from the Doctor, to Vin and back. "Can't it wait? He's still pretty sick from the fever and bites?" Extending his hand to the Doctor, "I'm Chris Larabee, Vin's boss and friend."
The Doctor shook Chris's hand. She introduced herself, "Dr. Rowland. Nice to meet you Mr. Larabee." Looking closely at her patient, taking in the basin and damp cloth, "Still nauseous? All right, since I'm concerned that you may react to the serum, we'll wait for the antibiotic to finish, then we'll start the rabies treatment."
Vin's voice gave away how miserable he was, "When can I go home, Doctor?"
The Doctor moved up close to Vin, "Well Mr. Tanner. As long as you don't have a violent allergic reaction to the Rabies serum, you can go home a couple hours after the first dose."
Vin looked at the doctor, his disappointment as clear on his face as it was in his voice, "It'll be almost morning. Damn."
Patting Vin's shoulder, "I'm sorry Mr. Tanner. I explained to you how serious a cat bite can be. You'll need to come back for another injection in three days. Hopefully, by that time the swelling will have completely gone down and we can determine the extent of the damage to your hand." Turning to look at Chris, "Best thing for him right now, is some rest. Try to get some fluids in him if he's not going to sleep. But he needs rest."
Chris walked the Doctor out of the treatment room, "Doctor, can you tell me...is there really a chance that Vin will have permanent damage to his right hand?"
Looking directly into Chris's eyes, "Mr. Larabee, you know I can't discuss Mr. Tanner's condition with you. But I'm not giving anything away by saying, yes. There is a chance that a cat bite can do serious damage to tendons, ligaments, and nerves." She started to walk away, "We just need to wait for all the swelling to go down. I'll be back for the shots."
Chris went back into the treatment room and took his seat next to Vin.
"Ah hell, Chris. You can go on home. I ain't gonna die, just miserable. No sense you sufferin' too." Vin said as he tried to get comfortable in the bed.
"I'm not leaving you. So rest." Chris could tell Vin was going to argue. "No arguments. I'm staying. Now, you want anything? Water, ginger ale?"
"No. Thanks pard. And Chris...thanks...for staying." Vin tried to give Chris a smile.
"You just try to sleep, Cowboy. I'm going to go tell the others we'll be here a while and send them home. I'll be right back."
Vin nodded as Chris left him. Chris walked back to the waiting area and filled them in.
"No sense you all staying here. I'll call one of you when they spring him so you know where to find us."
Nathan picked up his jacket, "Chris, if you want, I can come on over tomorrow. I have a feeling Vin's going to be pretty sick for the first 24 hours."
"Thanks Nate. I'll call you and Buck. Okay?" Chris asked as he walked his team to the door.
"Sure, Chris. And tomorrow, if you want, we'll pick up some dinner and come over to cheer Junior up." Buck said as he ushered JD to the door.
JD stopped and looked at Chris, "Tell Vin...I'm sorry, Chris. I didn't know about the penicillin. Didn't know he was that sick last night..." Chris put his hands on JD's shoulders, "JD, it's ok. Vin always says he's fine. You did good, really, you didn't know he was allergic to penicillin. So don't worry. Okay?"
JD smiled, "Okay! See ya tomorrow then."
Buck nodded at Chris as the rest of the team filed out.
Chris went back to sit with Vin and wait.
*******
Dr. Rowland and a nurse carrying a tray entered the treatment room. "Well, Mr. Tanner, feeling a little better?"
"Yeah. Not as sick, Doc. Thanks for waiting." Vin said gratefully.
"Now, we need to give you two shots, the first at one of the bite sites, the other, you arm or buttock. Your choice," the doctor explained as the nurse put the tray down and prepared the injections.
Vin looked at Chris and the doctor, "Is this one of them shots that hurt?"
"Afraid so, it'll be a little uncomfortable," the doctor said as she moved in for the first dose.
"In that case, better do it in my arm. Hate to be miserable sitting too." A slight grin tugged at Vin's mouth.
Chris winced as the doctor injected Vin in the right hand. He could tell by how Vin's body tensed that the shot in the hand was painful. "Maybe we can get Ezra to get you some of those Mallowmars," Chris suggested, trying to take Vin's mind off the needle.
The Doctor laughed as she readied the second shot, "Please don't tell me my patient eats those things?"
"You would be amazed at the eating habits of your patient, Doctor." Chris flinched with Vin as the second injection was administered. "He thinks junk food is one of the basic food groups."
"Ain't I suffering enough here without you all making fun of me too?" Vin asked as he sagged back against the pillows.
"Now, you just sit back and relax, Mr. Tanner. We need to wait a bit to see if you have a allergic reaction to the rabies treatment. " She moved towards the door, "You can expect fever, nausea, chills, and some discomfort at the injection site. That's normal, I'm afraid."
"When can I get out of here, if I don't react?" Vin asked, his exhaustion plain on his handsome features.
"Let's give it two hours." She opened the door for the nurse, "They'll page me if I'm needed. Otherwise, I'll see you to release you."
As soon as the door closed behind her, Chris moved back to his chair. "You ok, pard?"
"Yeah. I just want to go home," Vin said, turning to look at Chris.
"Soon, real soon." Chris reached out and touched Vin's face. He was surprised to notice that Vin was still a little warm. "You want anything, water, soda, juice?"
"Nah, with my luck, I'll be spewing in a few minutes." Vin gave Chris one of his lopsided grins.
Chuckling, "You're right about that. I'll be amazed if you don't react." Chris sat back in the chair and watched Vin's face. He could tell Vin was uncomfortable from the shots. "Y aknow, maybe you should have taken the shot in the ass."
Vin turned towards him, a puzzled look on his face, "Why?"
Chuckling, "I could have had some fun kissing it to make it better."
Vin shook his head, "Funny. Real funny, Cowboy!"
They two men settled in for the wait.
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