Chapter 13

Rhonda watched the nurse and tried not to smirk when she saw the scowl on his face. She knew Patrick wouldn’t make a good patient, but this was almost worth the hours of worry. With his arm finally free he was flexing his hand as the nurse unhooked the monitors. In a few minutes, Dade and Owen would be here to help get him on his feet and sitting in a chair. Because of the limited access allowed in the room, Steven had suggested two from their group to help, rather than bringing another nurse in.

“I’m surprised you’re not giggling over there,” Patrick grumbled.

“I was just debating on getting a camera, actually.”

He frowned at her. “Don’t even think about it, lass.”

His voice was still quiet and weak, but he was awake and alert, and that was all she cared about. She turned when Steven walked in with Owen and Dade following.

“Captain Bentley is waiting to speak to you once we get you upright.” Steven winked at her. “You staying for this?”

Rhonda just smiled at him.

“She’s enjoying the tables being turned I think.” Patrick mumbled.

Steven didn’t comment. He motioned to Dade. “We have to get him upright before we get him to stand.” Dade nodded and moved to the other side of the bed.

They both grabbed the thick pad under his body and in one movement lifted and pulled him higher in the bed. The nurse pushed the button and raised the head of the bed. Rhonda watched Patrick’s face as his body was slowly moved upright. He didn’t try to hide that it hurt.

Steven nodded to the nurse as she moved around to gather up tubes and cords so she could move them along with him. “Just sit that way for a few moments until your head stops spinning.”

Patrick didn’t reply, just sat there taking short, ragged breaths. It felt like his lungs had shrunk. He’d never felt this light-headed before either. He glanced at Rhonda and preferred the smirk on her face from a few minutes earlier to the worry he saw there now. Taking a slow even breath he winked at her, even though he just wanted to lay back down and go back to sleep. He looked at Steven and gave him a nod.

Steven moved over to grasp his good arm and motioned to the nurse who moved around to support his neck and injured shoulder. “Don’t twist your body, let us turn you. We’re going to lift you up and swing your legs around at the same time.” He watched Dade move around to help the nurse if she needed it. “Hold that arm into your chest Pat and just focus on breathing evenly.” Owen stepped around to move his legs.

Steven winked at Rhonda. “Normally a few nurses do this, but when the patient is the size of an old oak tree, we need a little help.” Rhonda smiled at him, but the worry didn’t leave her eyes. “Ready?” Everyone, including Patrick nodded.

The whole room spun, as he was suddenly upright. He didn’t have to worry about letting them do all the work, it was all he could do to not pass out with the sudden head rush and loud objections from his sore body.

Owen stepped in front of him as he sat on the bed. “Just lean on me for a minute.”

He felt Owen’s hands on his shoulders. He also felt the nausea settling and knew Owen was drawing it from him. Normally he would have stopped him, but at this point, anything to get through this without passing out or throwing up, was appreciated. Steven placed a hand on Owen’s shoulder and broke the contact. He glanced up to see Owen looking paler and realized the man would have drawn it all if he could have, and passed out on the floor himself. Explaining that to the nurse would prove difficult.

“I had Cora pick these up.” Rhonda held up a pair of jogging pants.

He smiled weakly at her. “I’ve my own redheaded angel.” He whispered breathlessly as Steven took the pants and knelt to slip them over his feet.

“Great idea, Rhonda. They don’t make hospital gowns in hulk sizes. I didn’t even think of that.” Steven grinned at her as he slipped them up Patrick’s legs then glanced up at Patrick. “You ready to test your legs?” He watched the nurse swing the tubes and bags around the bed to follow along behind him. “Just get upright and get your bearings, then we’ll guide you through the hardest five steps of your life, Pat.”

Rhonda moved over to stand by the chair, making sure she was out of the way. She was so glad Dade and Owen were here. If she’d had to help, she would have been more than useless, barely able to lift a cup let alone a huge man such as Pat.

How’s your back, lass?

She was surprised he had the strength to focus on speaking to her so no one else could hear. Don’t worry about me. Just concentrate on not falling on your face. She saw him smirk between the short gasping breaths.

That doesn’t answer my question.

It’s fine.

About as fine as I am ready to run down the halls I’m… figurin’.

She watched his face and knew he wasn’t finding this as easy as he was making it out to be. The nurse pulled up the pants when he was standing. He was hunched forward and taking slow breaths. Steven and Dade supported most of his weight until Pat nodded and took the first shaky step. His face was gray. It seemed like it took ten minutes to get him to the chair. He stopped before they helped him turn to sit, and looked down at her.

“Stretch…up here a bit…lass.” He managed to say between breaths.

Rhonda didn’t really have to stretch far as he was hunched down further than he thought. She placed a soft kiss against his lips. “Sit before you fall over, Patrick,” she smiled at him.

He grinned. “I’ve missed… that bite.”

Owen grunted as he steadied him. “Just listen to her and sit.” Patrick nodded and started to turn. Owen grinned at him. “You look kind of like a cyborg or something, with all these tubes sticking out of you.” He chuckled at the scowl he received from the larger man.

Once seated, Patrick took a few minutes to catch his breath. When the nurse handed him a pillow, he gave her a curious look.

She shrugged. “Now that you’re up, your lungs are going to clear… which is going to mean coughing, and the pillow will help the pain if you hold it to the incision site and ribs.”

Patrick took the pillow and put it by his side. “Good to know.” He watched Rhonda as she sat down next to him. “How soon can I get out of here?” He looked at Steven to find him smirking and shaking his head.

“Let’s wait until you’re all unplugged for a day or so and see how you’re doing.” He grinned. “I’m not sure if someone told you, but you have been shot and your body needs a bit of time.”

Patrick grunted. “Better go get the Captain. I’m not sure how long I’m going to be sitting up.” Steven nodded and turned to the door.

Rhonda frowned at him. “Are you all right? Do you need anything?” She touched his arm lightly.

“Just uncomfortable and weak as a baby.” He reached slowly and took her hand in his. He continued to hold it when the Captain came through the door.

Captain Bentley grinned at Patrick. “I thought it would be a few more days, Detective, before I’d get a chance to speak to you. I should have known better.” He glanced to at Rhonda. “Is he behaving?”

Rhonda smiled. “As well as expected.” Patrick coughed lightly and released her hand to hold the pillow into his side. The smile now gone from her face as she watched his color blanch.

It took him a few minutes to catch his breath before he turned back to look at the Captain. “So… what happened?”

“Right to business.” He put his hands in his pockets. “Well, obviously, I don’t know the exact play by play, but I have the end results.” He paused while Patrick took a few short breaths. “Your buddy Dusty, as well as Cody Willis didn’t make it.” Patrick confirmed he’d heard with a jerky nod. “In custody we have…” he pulled a note book from his pocket and opened it. “Blake Madison, Andy Renault and Wes Poulson.” Patrick continued to just sit there and look at him. “We have no idea where Walt Lewis or Jack Williams is.”

Patrick let out a slow breath and frowned. “Shit. That’s what… I was afraid of.” He took a few rasping breaths. “Your team jumped… the gun and didn’t…” he stopped to breath. “…give me time to get it set up.”

“I know. I don’t know what happened.” The Captain pulled out a pen. “Do you know where we can look?”

Patrick gasped in a ragged breath. “No.” He was quiet for a moment. “Where’s Betty?”

“Still in.”

Patrick nodded and took a few shallow breaths. “She’ll be listening. See if you can get to her and…” he let out a slow breath, wincing, “…if she knows anything.” He pushed the pillow back into his side and with each cough his color faded further.

It took him quite a few minutes for him to catch his breath. Rhonda was ready to tell everyone to leave so he wouldn’t push more than he should.

“Can’t wait to do that again.” He glanced at Rhonda and tried to offer her a reassuring smile, but she knew he was at the end of his endurance.

He turned back to look at the Captain. “Is Ryan Stanton still in?” The Captain nodded. He let out a slow breath. “How many guards… are outside this door?” His boss held up two fingers. Patrick nodded slowly. “I want one on Rhonda,” he inhaled sharply with pain, “… when she’s not inside this room.” He paused and Rhonda knew he was calculating a plan. “I’ll need to get out of here… as soon as I can…”

Rhonda sat forward and looked at him. “You will stay as long as the doctors feel you need to, Pat.” Her voice was louder than she intended. “And as I plan on staying right here to make sure you do, no guard will be needed for me.”

The Captain cleared his throat and smirked over at Steven leaning against the wall. “Well, the two on the door should be more than enough then.” He glanced at Dade and Owen. “I believe your friends are also taking turns being here, so everyone is covered.”

Patrick sat for a moment. “That’s fine then, for now.” The nurse returned carrying a lunch tray.

“Enough for two.” She set it on the table and swung it around toward Rhonda.

Steven watched her leave and motioned toward the door. “I’ll be back after you’ve eaten to help you back to the bed.

Patrick nodded.

The Captain straightened and turned. “I’ll keep you updated, Detective.”

“Appreciate it.”

Dade patted his stomach. “And I’m off for food then back to work.”

Patrick smiled. “Thanks for the help.”

“Anytime.”

Owen just saluted and followed Dade out the door.

He turned and looked at Rhonda for a minute. “Did you get settled, lass?”

Rhonda sighed, thinking this was probably the last thing that should be on his mind at this point. “Yes, everyone has been a wonderful help to me.” She pulled the table a bit closer and lifted the lid on a tray. “At least I don’t have to cut it.”

He looked down at the sandwiches. “And what do you think that… stuff is?”

She looked at the container of yellow stuff. “I’m hoping pudding.” She grinned up at him. “Maybe you can whine to Cora they’re starving you and we’ll get some real food.”

He smirked. “Might be worth a try.”

Rhonda picked up a piece and looked at it. “See if you can eat some, then we’ll get you back in the bed to rest.” She studied his face. “You’re a completely different shade of gray then you were yesterday.”

He took a small bite, barely enough to taste it. “Rest sounds good right now.” He watched her for a moment while taking slow shallow breaths. “How have you been feeling?”

She set down the sandwich and took the lid off the cup of juice. “Sore, but nothing too bad.” She sipped it. “I’ve been drawing again. Owen helped me find a way to hold the pencils properly.” She grinned at him. “It’s been amazing, being able to draw again.”

He ate for a moment and looked at her. “That’s great. You’ll have to bring some of your work in to show me.” Her smile widened. He took a few slow breaths and then a sip of the juice. “Is that coffee in those other cups?”

She set down the juice and reached over to check. “It is.” Picking up the sugar she opened one carefully and put it into one of the cups. She stirred it and then picked it up with a shaking hand and held it out for him. “Here you go.”

“Thanks, lass… was the first thing I wanted… when I was able to keep my eyes open.” He smirked. “Well… maybe not… the first.” Sipping it slowly, he waited until he caught his breath. “The first was… to kiss you a bit,” he took several short breaths, “but with my breathing.” He huffed out a breath, “… only half working right now…can’t.” He finished abruptly.

Rhonda set down her cup again and leaned over the tray. “Then you’ll have to settle for one every now and again.” She kissed his mouth softly, lingering for a few seconds. She smiled when his hand reached up and ran down her hair.

“I missed you.”

“I missed you too.” She looked down at the tray. “Now you better try to put more than coffee in you, or you’ll never feel better.”

“I’m not even hungry… just want a nap.”

She nodded. “I’ll go get the nurse.”