ATF Universe
THREE
Chris rode with Vin to the hospital. It was hard seeing his lover in such pain. He couldn't believe he'd been so stupid when Vin started complaining about a stomachache. He should have known it was something else. Vin squeezed his hand tightly as the ambulance swerved around a car. Hank was in the back and kept checking Vin's vitals every few minutes."I'm gonna be sick," Vin said as he pulled the oxygen mask off.
Hank quickly grabbed a basin and got under Vin as he lost his breakfast. Chris held his shoulders until the spasms stopped. Hank handed Chris a towel when Vin's stomach stopped rebelling. Chris wiped Vin's mouth, as he lay curled on his side. Hank wanted to get Vin on his back and Chris gave him a hand. Vin moaned in pain until Hank bent his knees and propped the pillows back under his knees. Hank checked Vin's IV and tried to get the oxygen mask back over his face. Vin fought the mask and Hank switched to a nasal cannula.
"I'm sorry Chris," Vin said once he was settled.
"About what?" Chris asked as he brushed the hair from his face.
"Thought it was just a stomach ache," Vin cringed. "Damn it hurts."
"Take it easy, cowboy, we're almost there," Chris said gripping his hand.
Just then the ambulance pulled into the bay at the hospital. Chris held Vin's hand as they wheeled him towards the ER. Chris reluctantly let go as Vin was pushed into an exam room.
"What do we have?" asked the ER doctor.
"Male 25 years old, abdominal pains, pulse rate is 115, BP 95/70, respiration's 60 and shallow, slight fever of 101," Hank said reading off his chart.
"Alright lets transfer him to the table," he said.
They counted to three and moved Vin off the gurney. Vin clenched his teeth at the pain. The nurse transferred the IV and oxygen lines. The head nurse came in as the doctor was begging his examination.
"Vin Tanner is that you?" she asked.
"Howdy Carmen," Vin said.
"You know him?" the doctor asked.
"Yes, Dr. Morris, Vin comes here a lot," Carmen said. "At least I don't see any bullet holes."
"No ma'am," Vin moaned.
Dr. Morris began touching Vin and asked him if it hurt. Vin answered no until he pressed on his right side. It hurt a little as he pressed down but when the doctor released the pressure Vin practically shot off the table.
"That hurts huh?" Dr. Morris smiled as Vin could only nod as he tried to ride out the pain. "OK let's get a white cell count and type and match him while you're at it."
"Appendicitis?" Carmen asked.
"Looks like it," he said. "Call OR and tell them to get a theatre ready. You can give him 10 ml of morphine for the pain."
"Shall we get him ready to go up?" she asked.
"Yes," Dr. Morris said as he checked the ambulance report. "Says here he's allergic to penicillin."
"Yes sir, "Carmen said as he filled a syringe with morphine.
"Alright we'll work around it," he said.
The doctor prescribed two antibiotics for surgery and another IV. Carmen injected the morphine into Vin's IV and he slowly began to relax. The doctor left the rest of the preparations to the nurses.
"Do you want me to do this or shall I?" another nurse asked as she held up the catheter.
"Aw hell," Vin said when he saw it. "Not that."
"Sorry, Vin, you know the routine," Carmen laughed. "Go ahead Wendy you can do it."
Vin closed his eyes and tried to ignore what Wendy was doing. When she was finished Vin realized he was still in for some embarrassment as she started to shave his groin. Wendy smiled as Vin cursed and blushed. When it was all over she patted his leg in sympathy.
"Keep an eye on him," Carmen said. "I'm going to let his entourage know what's going on."
"That wouldn't be the group of six imposing men in the waiting room?" Wendy asked. "Well five anyway, the little one is just too cute."
"That's them," Carmen laughed.
"Good luck," Wendy offered.
Carmen left the room to find Chris and the others stalking the waiting room. Buck was the first to notice her and came towards her. Chris wasn't far behind.
"Well?" Chris asked.
"Appendicitis," Carmen announced. "We're prepping him for surgery now. He should go up in a little while."
"Will he be alright?" JD asked.
"Compared to what you guys usually come in with this will be a cake walk," Carmen smiled. "But seriously this is major surgery."
"We understand," Nathan said.
"I know telling you to go home will be useless," Carmen said. "You know where the OR waiting room is."
"Thanks Carmen," Josiah said.
Twenty minutes later an OR was available and they wheeled Vin towards the elevators. The team lined the corridor as he went by and they wished him luck. Chris took his hand and gave it a squeeze. Vin smiled and let go as he was pushed passed.
They got Vin up to the OR and transferred to the operating table. As the doctor was getting scrubbed the anesthesiologist got Vin ready to put under.
"Hey Vin, you ready?" Tom asked.
"No," Vin sighed. "But do I have a choice."
"Nope," Tom laughed. "You know what to do, just relax."
Tom injected two ml of Versed into Vin's IV. The doctor came in as Vin started to relax. When Tom was satisfied the Versed had taken effect he inserted a breathing tube. He checked Vin's breathing with his stethoscope and found breath sounds on both sides. With that done he connected a mask over the tube and started the gas to put Vin to sleep.
"He ready Tom?" Dr. Finely the surgical chief asked.
"Yes sir," Tom answered.
"Alright nurse let's get started," he said.
+ + + + + + +
Chris tried to wait patiently but it was no use. He got up and left to wander the halls. Josiah gave Ezra a look and the undercover agent went out to follow Chris. Nathan, Buck and JD were making a lunch run. Josiah decided to stay where he was. He was confident that Vin would be just fine but a little prey couldn't hurt.
Ezra found Chris at the end of the hall staring out the window. He walked up and stood next to him. The view wasn't very impressive but Ezra doubted Chris even noticed.
"I believe Mr. Tanner will be just fine," Ezra offered.
"I know that," Chris said.
"Then why the long face?" Ezra asked turning to face him.
"How do I get Vin to understand he can tell me anything," Chris said in exasperation. "If he'd only admitted earlier how much he hurt."
"I believe I understand Vin's reluctance," Ezra said leaning against the wall. "The two of us aren't so different. We find it hard to trust or to give away our hearts. It was a survival instinct. We couldn't be hurt or disappointed if we kept everything to ourselves."
"Hard to make friends that way," Chris said watching Ezra.
"Friends can hurt you," Ezra said quietly.
"Lonely way to live," Chris observed. "So what can I do?"
"You're asking me?" Ezra chuckled. "I believe Mr. Sanchez would be more qualified."
"I'm asking you," Chris said.
"Very well," Ezra said as he thought about his answer. "I wouldn't do anything different than what you have been doing."
"I haven't been doing anything," Chris protested.
"Ah, but you have," Ezra smiled. "Just being there and caring is enough."
"I can do that," Chris smiled in return.
"Can I give you a warning," Ezra said. "Don't push him. I believe if Vin feels pressured or unsure he'll pull back. He'll try to push you away or maybe make you angry so you'll leave him alone."
"I'll remember that Ezra thanks," Chris said.
"My pleasure," he said. "Shall we head back? I'm sure the others have returned with lunch. Lord only knows what they brought back."
Chris shook his head as Ezra walked away grumbling about his colleges eating habits. Chris followed Ezra back to the waiting room.
+ + + + + + +
"Well that's finally done," Dr. Finley declared.
"Vin never does anything simple," Tom laughed as he checking his instruments as turned off the gas. Vin's vitals remained strong throughout the operation but Tom didn't get careless at this stage.
"When you satisfied he's read you can transfer him to the recovery room," Dr. Finley said. "I'll go let his friends know he's alright."
"If I know that crew we're going to need new furniture in the waiting room," Tom said.
"They're that bad," Finley said. "I've heard the rumors."
"Take those rumors and multiply them by ten," the nurse said.
"I see," the doctor said. "If you don't hear from me in ten minutes come looking."
"You got it doc," Tom said as he continued to monitor Vin.
Dr Finley walked out of the OR and removed his mask. He pulled the cap off and scratched his head as he walked out the door. As he got closer to the waiting room he could see the intimidating blonde pacing back and forth. He squared his shoulders and marched towards them. The blonde was the first to see him and moved towards him. The others weren't far behind.
"How is he?"
"What took so long?"
"Can we see him?"
These all came at once as the men swarmed around him.
"First things first," He said. "The reason it took so long was because I couldn't find it. The appendix hadn't burst but it sure was close. He's lucky you go him here in time."
"What do you mean you couldn't find it?" JD asked.
"It happens sometimes," Nathan laughed. "Figures Vin would turn a fairly simple operation into to spectacle."
"Junior just likes being the center of attention," Buck smiled.
"Can we see him?" Chris asked.
"They should be bringing him to recovery now," Dr. Finley said. "The nurse will come and get you when he's waking up."
They thanked the doctor as he left to take care of other patients. Chris sat down and sighed, he was just glad it was over. An hour later the nurse came to get them and they followed her to recovery. She said only one could go in but the other could watch by the door. Chris walked closer to the bed and saw Vin's eyes were opened.
"Hey cowboy," Chris said as he touched his arm.
Chris watched as Vin tried to focus but was still out of it. He smiled down at Vin and just held his hand. The nurse let him stay for a few minutes then told him he had to go. She said Vin would stay in recovery for a few hours then go up to a room. Chris thanked her and went back to the waiting room.
"Boy he was really out of it," JD said.
"Just think what you would look like in his shoes," Buck said swatting him in the back of his head.
"It was just good to see him awake," Josiah said.
"Yeah," Nathan agreed. "He's going to be pretty sick for a few days."
"I thought he'd be OK now," JD said.
"Surgery is going to make him a little sick," Nathan said. "But he probably has a fever from the appendicitis they will have to give him antibiotics for that."
"In other words Vin's not going to be a happy camper for a few days," Buck said.
"Afraid not," Nathan said.
"Why don't you boys go home," Chris said. "I'll wait for Vin."
"If it's just the same to you Chris we'll wait with ya," Buck said.
They all agreed with Buck and Chris was glad they wanted to stay. He sat back in the char and got comfortable. Buck and JD switched on the TV and started to flip through the channels. Nathan got comfortable and pulled out a medical journal he'd found on the table. Ezra convinced Josiah to play a hand of gin. Chris watched his team, no his friends as they waited for Vin to be moved to another room.
FOUR
Three hours later one of the nurses walked down the corridor to the waiting room. Vin was finally out of recovery and being moved to his own room. The nurse walked in to find them all asleep in various positions except one. The well-dressed agent was sitting off by himself playing solitaire. When she walked in he looked up and placed the cards on the table. He walked over to her and led her back into the hall."How can they sleep in those chairs?" She asked in astonishment.
"My colleagues can sleep just about anywhere," Ezra replied. "Have you come with information about Mr. Tanner?"
"He was moved downstairs a little while ago," He answered. "Room 117."
"Thank you," Ezra said.
The nurse left and Ezra walked back into the room to wake his sleeping friends. He decided to wake Chris first. The blonde leader had his feet on the table with his head back against the wall. Ezra touched his arm and he was instantly awake.
"What?" he demanded.
"Vin's been moved to his own room," Ezra said. "Room 117."
Chris got up and left. His departure was the catalyst that woke the others. Buck was precariously perched between two chairs. JD went to help him up and they ended up on the floor.
"What time is it?" JD asked rubbing his eyes.
"It's 2:00 am," Ezra said.
"Did you sleep at all Ezra?" Nathan asked.
"On that furniture, you must be joking." Ezra commented.
They all headed for the elevator. The hospital was deserted this time of morning as they quietly made their way to the surgical ward.
"Don't you boys ever go home?" A nurse asked as they walked past her station.
"And miss your beautiful face, Marcy, not a chance," Buck said with a wink.
"Still the charmer I see," Marcy said. "Chris went in already. You've got ten minutes then I'm coming in to kick y'all out. Vin needs his rest."
"Yes ma'am we'll tell him," Nathan assured her.
They continued down the hall to Vin's room and entered. Vin was reclining against some pillows with his knees bent to keep the strain off his abdomen. An IV was hooked to the back of his right hand with a morphine drip attached. A nasal canula was under his nose to deliver oxygen. A blanket covered Vin's legs and they could see a fine sheen of sweat covering his body. Chris was wiping Vin's face when they came in.
"Marcy's giving us ten minutes then she's throwing us out," Josiah warned.
"I'm staying," Chris argued.
"Not this time Chris," Marcy said as she walked in. "I'll need you later. Vin isn't going to feel so great when he wakes up. I'd rather have you around then."
"I can sleep here," Chris said.
"Chris," Nathan said. "Vin will be asleep for awhile. Might as well take advantage of it."
"You can stay with us," JD offered. "We're real close. You can get some sleep then be back here in no time."
Chris reluctantly agreed after Marcy said she'd get security. They stayed their allotted time then left. Chris stayed a few minutes longer.
"Hey, cowboy, they're kicking me out," Chris said as he stroked Vin's cheek. "I'll be back in a few hours."
Chris leaned down and kissed Vin's forehead. He fussed with the blankets a few minutes then left.
+ + + + + + +
Chris lay awake in JD's bed. Around six o'clock sleep abandoned him and he just lay in the bed. Finally at seven Chris just got up and took a shower. When he was finished he pulled on a pair of Buck's sweat pants and pulled the drawstring tight. Chris came out of JD's room and headed for the kitchen. He walked past JD sprawled face down on the couch. Chris leaned against the counter as he waited for the coffee to brew. When it was finished he poured himself a cup and walked back to the living room navigating around various piles of stuff. He tapped JD's foot and sat down in the chair next to the couch.
"Go away Buck," JD grumbled as he buried his head under the pillows.
"JD," Chris called.
"Huh, What?" said a tousle haired JD as he popped his head from under the pillows.
"Tell Buck I went over to the hospital," Chris said as he finished the coffee.
"How ya going to get there?" JD asked. "The ram's still at the federal building."
"I'll take a cab," Chris said as he took the mug back to the kitchen.
"Wait," JD cried as he headed for the door. "They won't let you in yet it's only seven o'clock. Might as well wait for us."
"He's right, Chris," Buck said from the balcony. "We have another hour until visiting time."
"Alright, damn it!" Chris growled and sat back down.
"I'll take a quick shower then run around the corner to get some donuts," JD said.
Chris watched as they both disappeared into their rooms. He decided to get another cup of coffee while he waited.
+ + + + + + +
Vin didn't want to wake up. He knew that if he did he was going to regret it. The pain in his side was starting to bother him and wouldn't let him sleep. He also felt sick to his stomach and he was too hot. Vin felt someone touch his hand.
"Chris," he called as he opened his eyes.
"No, Mr. Tanner," said a female voice. "My name's Kate. How are you feeling?"
As Vin began to wake more he realized he felt like shit. Kate must have seen the look on his face and grabbed a basin she had sitting on the bed. Vin curled on his left side as he dry heaved over the basin. Kate held his right shoulder as the shuddering subsided. When she was sure he was finished she moved the basin and hit the morphine pump on his IV. As she did this she explained to Vin it was there. When she saw him relax she rolled him on his back. Vin moaned in pain until she got the foam wedge under his knees.
"No, hurts," Vin complained.
"I know," Kate said patting his leg. "It's going to hurt for a couple of days."
When she finished what she was doing she left Vin by himself. Vin's whole right side was on fire and he just wanted to curl up and make the pain go away. He tried to roll to the left but the pillow under his legs stopped him. Vin reached down with his right hand and pulled it out. He didn't notice he knocked the IV out when he pulled the pillow from under his legs. Vin curled on his side and grunted in pain when he hit the catheter. He didn't know what hurt more as he lay there in misery.
Chris finally got JD and Buck in gear and they made it to the hospital by eight o'clock. They got lucky and parked close to the doors. They went in together and walked to Vin's room. Chris was the first in the door and noticed the bed was a shambles. Vin was curled on his side facing away from the door. Chris quickly walked around the bed and saw blood on the back of Vin's hand from where he pulled the IV.
"Buck get the nurse," Chris said as he grabbed a towel from the nightstand and pressed to Vin's hand.
"Chris," Vin called.
"Yeah it's me," Chris said as he held the towel in place.
"Hurts," Vin moaned.
"I know," Chris said as JD stood behind him. "Buck went to get the nurse."
"JD," Vin said shifting his gaze.
"Yeah it's me," JD said.
"I'm gonna be sick," Vin announced.
JD moved fast and grabbed the basin the nurse placed on the table and handed it to Chris. Chris held it under Vin's mouth as he brought up nothing but bile. When the spasms passed Chris handed the basin back to JD as he grabbed a towel and wiped Vin's face.
"Easy Vin," Chris said soothingly.
"I can't leave you for a few minutes can I?" Marcy said as she walked in with Buck.
"We found him like this," Chris said.
"One of the nurses checked on him less than twenty minutes ago," Marcy said shaking her head. "Let's get him on his back and I'll check everything."
"No," Vin protested. "Hurts."
"Are you more comfortable on your side?" Marcy asked.
Vin nodded and she decided to leave him the way he was. She started to rearrange all the equipment. When she went to check the catheter she found it all twisted and Vin relaxed as she straightened it out.
"Bet that was uncomfortable," Buck teased.
"Shut up Buck," Vin said as he blushed.
Marcy positioned a body pillow along side Vin and put his right hand over it. She established an IV line and hooked back up the morphine. By the time she was finished rearranging everything Vin was panting from the pain and she hit the morphine pump twice.
"Try to stay quiet," she scolded. "You'll have time enough later to move around."
"What do you mean?" JD asked.
"We like to get them up as soon as we can," Marcy said. "Helps in recovery."
"I just want to lay here," Vin said trying not to move. "Hurts like hell."
"Well I hear they couldn't find your appendix," Marcy said. "While they were looking around they bruised your insides and it will hurt more."
"Great," Vin moaned.
"How do you feel now?" Marcy asked.
"Hot," Vin said with a sigh.
"Well 102 degree fever will do that," she laughed. "I'll leave you alone now."
"So, Junior, how ya doin'?" Buck asked.
"How do ya think," Vin said grumpily.
"Boy he's a grouch when he's hurt," JD laughed.
"Vin," Chris said placing his hand on Vin's head. "How do you feel, really?"
"Feel like shit," Vin sighed and closed his eyes.
"Come on JD," Buck said grabbing his arm. "Let's get something to eat."
"But we just ate," JD said confused.
"Let's go kid," Buck laughed.
"Oh," JD said getting the hint. "See ya later Vin."
Chris watched as they left. Once the door was closed behind them Chris smiled. Vin was in a semiprivate room that had another bed. Chris was glad the other bed was empty as he leaned over and kissed Vin's cheek. Vin opened his eyes and smiled.
"I really feel horrible," Vin sighed.
"I know," Chris laughed. "That incision has to hurt like hell."
"I reckon," Vin said. "Can't really feel it now. I just feel like I have to throw up."
"Well you just let me know," Chris said as he ran his hand up and down Vin's arm. "They don't call me the fastest bed pan in Denver for nothing."
Vin stared at Chris and smiled. "Hey cowboy," he said.
"Yeah."
"Thanks."
"Anytime."
Chris continued to caress Vin's arm and back as he watched Vin's eyelids starting to get heavy. Finally he couldn't keep them open and he drifted back to sleep. Chris pulled the chair closer and put his head down on the bed. Soon Chris was asleep also. Marcy came in to check on Vin and found them both asleep. She smiled and left them to check on other patients.
Comments to: VinTanner1A@aol.com