Unfounded Fears

Part 17

The morning couldn't come fast enough for Peter. By 6:30 he had given himself a sponge bath and dressed, waiting only for the doctor to come and grant him her final approval for discharge. By 7:30, Peter was pacing the room like a caged tiger. No doctor had made an appearance and worse than that, no transportation had arrived to free him from his imprisonment. Peter was now faced with a lonely breakfast of watery scrambled eggs and limp toast. He had to fight an overwhelming urge to check himself out of the hospital and take a taxi home. But Paul had promised to take him back to his apartment after he was officially released and that by noon they would leave for the cabin. He didn't want to risk upsetting his foster father now.

As he pushed the slimy eggs around his plate, he rubbed absently at the bandage which encircled his chest, protecting his ribs. The pain and stiffness of the injury had reappeared this morning, leaving him with doubts about his ability to make the trip to the cabin. He pushed down the concern, knowing that no matter how bad he felt, he would go on this trip.

A knock on the closed door drew his attention. "Are you decent?" called a familiar voice. The door opened to reveal a tall, slim figure with blond curls.

"Depends on who's asking," Peter teased.

Jodie Powell walked into the room, a huge smile on her face and carrying a small sack, "How about a very sorry partner."

"Sorry?" was the perplexed response from the patient.

"Yeah. I wasn't here for you yesterday."

"I figured something was up. No problem."

"I was on stakeout. Didn't get away until late last night."

"The Christiansen case?"

Jody nodded, "I brought you something."

Peter perked up, "What?"

Jody held out the sack she had been holding in her hand. "Two of Vinnie's best glazed donuts."

Peter glanced at the unappetizing food sitting on his bedside table and grabbed the sack at light speed. He opened it and took a deep breath, savoring the delicious smell of the pastries. "God, I love you."

Jody smiled at her partner's antics. "You are so easy."

"And proud of it," Peter said between munches of the first donut, crumbs falling carelessly by the wayside.

Peter moved over on the bed, making room for the woman to sit next to him. "You feeling okay?" she asked as she settled herself by his side, her eyes showing her worry.

"Yeah. I'm fine."

"You're in a hospital, Peter. That would be an indication that you aren't fine."

"I was a little sore yesterday, but I'm feeling better this morning."

"When are you coming back to work?"

Peter grinned, "Not for a few days."

Jody frowned, "Apparently you took a shot to the head." The young detective looked curiously at the woman. Jody smiled as she explained, "The Peter Caine I know would never be happy about not being at work for a few days."

Peter chuckled, "Yeah, but this Peter Caine gets to spend a couple of days fishing with his father and Paul.

Jody's eyes widened, "You're kidding. How did you finagle that?"

Peter shrugged, ignoring the pain it caused in his shoulder and ribs, "Don't know. . .but I'm not going to question it." He reached into the sack to pull out the second donut. He started to pop it into his mouth as well but then paused and offered it to Jody, "Bite?"

Jody turned up her nose and shook her head, "I don't think it's safe to take junk food from you. . .kinda like teasing a tiger." Peter snorted and completed the motion of popping the donut in his mouth.

"I see your partner is making sure you are well-fed," Paul Blaisdell's voice interrupted the two.

Jody stood up, leaving the bed behind. "Good morning, Captain."

"My partner knows how to take care of me," Peter smiled at the older man.

"Well, maybe I should just let your partner take care of bailing you out of here," Paul grinned.

Peter rose quickly in protest, fighting a brief bout of pain in his ribs, "No. . .I mean Jody's only responsible for feeding me. You are supposed to be the one to free me."

"Ah. It's good to know you need me for something," Paul walked over to Peter and placed a gentle hand on the younger man's right shoulder. "Has the doctor seen you yet?"

Peter shook his head. "Can we skip the final exam and just blow this place?"

Paul and Jody chuckled at the desperation in his voice. "Patience, Peter," Paul scolded.

As if answering Peter's prayers, Dr. Holthaus entered the room, "Good morning."

"Morning, Doctor," Paul greeted the woman.

"Can I leave?" Peter asked before she could flip through his chart.

"A little anxious aren't we?" the doctor teased.

"I'm not trying to be rude, but yes. I want out of here."

"You have some place else to go?" the physician tilted her head, curious at what his response was going to be.

"Yes, actually," Peter answered, choosing not to reveal more.

"And what would those plans be?"

"We're going up to our family cabin for Peter's recovery. Thought he could use the change of scenery," Paul answered.

The doctor shot a disapproving look at Peter, "And what do you intend to do while you're up there?"

"Fish, hike. . .nothing much."

The doctor shook her head, "Believe me, I think a trip to the woods would be quite relaxing for you, but for right now, fishing is not recommended. With your broken ribs you could do more damage and hiking is out of the question."

Peter's face fell, "What?"

"I'm sorry Peter, but I can't authorize you to do that kind of activity this soon after your injury." She looked at Paul, "But I do think it would be good for him to get away."

Paul nodded, "Okay. Peter, we're still going, but you'll just have to take it easy and let us do the work."

"But fishing's not work. . ." Peter protested.

"But it is a 'no no'," Jody interjected.

Peter started to protest again, but a warning look from Paul silenced him. "Fine. . .I'll take it easy. . .no fishing. . .no hiking. Of course that also means that I won't be able to do ANY work, like no dishes, no cooking, no making of beds. . ."

Paul, Jody and the doctor shared in a laugh. Paul shook his head, "Fine. Have it your way. It's a small price to pay."

"Now, if you two will excuse us, I need to do a final examination of my patient," Kim explained to the visitors.

Jody moved towards Peter, "I've got to get to work before Strenlich starts looking for me." She leaned over and gave Peter a quick kiss on the cheek, "Talk to you later, Partner."

"Thanks for stopping by. If I don't see you before we leave, take care of yourself."

"Will do. Have fun 'relaxing' at the cabin." Jody gave the captain a quick wave and left the room.

"I'll wait for you outside. As soon as the doctor releases you we'll be on our way." Paul exited the room, leaving doctor and patient alone.

Once in the hallway, Paul leaned heavily against the wall. He was grateful Jody had been there when he arrived this morning. Her presence brought diversion. It allowed him to be with Peter without having to worry about the guilt from the day before popping up between them.

On the other hand, Paul was also grateful that Kwai Chang Caine had not been there. His absence allowed Paul to focus on Peter, not on his conflicting role with the Shaolin priest. He just wished he could figure out a way where he and Peter could spend time alone at the cabin. Despite the laugh that he and Annie had shared about the turn of events, Paul was not comfortable with what the next couple of days would bring. He was relatively sure he would feel like an outsider with Caine and Lo Si along for the ride. Peter would naturally be drawn to his father and then would feel guilty when he did so. This was not what Paul had planned for either of them.

The door to Peter's room opened and Kim Holthaus walked out. "So how's my. . .how's Peter," Paul asked, a hint of worry in his voice.

"Presuming your detective takes it easy over the next few days he's going to be fine. He's free to leave as soon as the paper work is sent up," the doctor smiled.

"Anything to watch out for?" Paul wanted to make sure all bases were covered.

"He's going to be sore, despite what he says. Those ribs are going to take a lot out of him. Don't let him over exert himself. Make sure he gets lots of rest."

"Okay, will do." Paul extended a hand to Dr. Holthaus, "Thanks."

"You're welcome. Have a good trip and keep our patient out of trouble."

Paul grinned as he tilted his head, "Why do you say that?"

"I pulled his file. . .excuse me, 'files'. Your boy in there has a little problem with staying healthy."

Paul nodded his head, "Don't I know it."

"Bet the department worker's comp carrier just loves having him on the payroll."

Paul grinned, "It doesn't do much for his family, either."

Kim laughed and then shook her head, "Well, as I said, keep him out of trouble."

"That's easier said than done, Doc," Paul commented as the physician walked away. "Easier said than done," the captain whispered to himself.

End Part 17

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