Reckless
Part 21
Cassy exited the elevator on the ICU floor, carrying a cup of coffee. Her attention diverted over her concern for her partner, she almost didn't see Frannie Lipschitz standing at the elevator entrance before running into her. Stopping before any damage could be done, Cassy gasped, "I'm sorry, I wasn't paying attention."
Frannie, a large smile on her face, shook her head. "It doesn't matter. I was just coming to get you. Tom's awake."
Cassy felt a surge of giddiness erupt through her. "He is?" Frannie had already turned to rush down the hallway to Tom's room. Cassy followed, close on her heels, ignoring the coffee, which sloshed over the edge of the cup and onto her arm.
When they arrived at the doorway of the cramped room, they saw Lyam, Margaret and Harry already gathered by Tom's bedside. Margaret was leaning over the bed railing, her fingers lovingly caressing her son's cheek. Lyam held Tom's right hand. Both parents were whispering to their child while Harry looked on from the foot of the bed, beaming.
The three looked up when they heard Frannie and Cassy enter the room. "He's awake?" Cassy whispered, needing the additional confirmation.
"I'm awake," was the hoarse reply from the patient. Lyam let loose of his son's hand and backed away from the bed, making room for Cassy.
The woman handed her coffee cup to Harry and took a hesitant step towards the bed, not knowing how Tom would react to seeing her. Then she was overcome with anxiousness. She had to witness for herself that he was conscious.
She rushed forward. Her face showed her joy when her blue eyes met his hazel. She leaned over the bed rail and kissed his forehead. "Thank God," she sighed. "How do you feel?"
Tom closed his eyes as if concentrating on his injury. "Numb. . .but I think that's the painkiller."
Cassy nodded, fighting the surging guilt at the discomfort she knew he would suffer when the medication wore off. "I'm so sorry."
Tom frowned in confusion. Before he could ask for clarification, the nurse reentered the room. "I need to change Mr. Ryan's IV. If you'll go to the waiting room, the doctor will meet with you."
Harry nodded and pulled away from the bed. Lyam and Margaret backed away as well, although their faces showed their reluctance at leaving. Cassy was the only one who did not budge. Frannie came up behind her. "Come on, Honey. Let's give the nurse some room."
Cassy nodded and moved away from Tom. Slowly she made it to the door. Tom weakly reached out and grabbed Frannie by the arm. "Why is she sorry?" Tom whispered.
Frannie's forehead creased in concern. "It's not important now. You just rest and let this nice woman take care of you."
Tom's loved ones returned to the waiting room, as instructed. Lyam and Margaret held each other. They were looking out the large picture window, quietly talking, their faces showing their relief. Frannie was at Harry's side on the couch. Cassy had taken a seat next to them.
"Did he say anything about the shooting?" Cassy asked her Captain.
Harry shook his head. "No. But we really didn't have a chance to discuss it."
A sickened look crossed the young detective's face. Frannie's hand settled on her knee. "As long as he's okay, the rest isn't important right now."
Cassy wished she could believe the words, but doubt remained. Biting her lip, she closed her eyes and said a silent prayer.
The doctor entered the waiting room, causing the occupants to turn their attention toward him. He saw the overall look of relief on their faces and smiled. "Your son is quite a fighter."
"It's the Irish blood," Lyam grinned.
The doctor nodded and flipped open the cover of the folder he had been holding. "Tom is doing remarkably well. He is cognizant of his surroundings. He's not in a lot of pain right now because of the medication he's on. Hopefully we can keep it at the right level so as to keep his discomfort to a minimum. I don't want his body stressed."
"How's the bullet wound?" Harry asked.
The doctor glanced at the chart and then nodded. "He's breathing on his own, as you know. The lung is on the mend. He's going to have shortness of breath for awhile, but that's to be expected. We'll keep him calm and quiet. As I said before, considering how bad he was yesterday, Tom really is doing quite well."
Margaret Ryan turned to her husband, collapsing into his arms, tears running down her face. "Thank God," she whispered. Lyam grasped his wife tightly, providing her with the physical and emotional support she needed. Truth be known, he was ready to collapse himself.
He guided his wife to the couch. Harry took a step forward to help, but Lyam gave him a quick shake of his head. Harry nodded and returned to Frannie's side. Lyam pulled his wife close and whispered in her ear. "Told you he'd be okay. He's too stubborn to give up."
Margaret nodded, but the tears of relief continued to fall.
The nurse tucked the white sheet securely around her patient. "Things are looking really good, Mr. Ryan," she commented as she rearranged the IV tubing which had been disturbed during her ministrations.
Tom opened his eyes at her words. After his visitors had left the room, he had allowed his eyelids to drift close. At some point he must have fallen asleep, never realizing that the ICU nurse had been working at his bedside.
The woman smiled. "Thought you could go to sleep on me, huh?"
A sheepish look crossed his face. "Tired," he whispered.
"That's understandable. You've been through a lot. The doctor will be back in a few minutes. He wants to talk to you and then you can get some rest."
"Going to be okay?" he asked, concern lacing the words.
The nurse nodded and let her hand rest on his shoulder. "You're doing wonderfully. You gave us all quite a few scares over the past couple of days."
Tom frowned. "How long?"
"How long have you been here?" Tom nodded. "You were hurt two nights ago."
"What happened?" Tom frowned.
"You were shot. . .in the chest. Do you remember?"
Tom closed his eyes, searching his memory. He could remember bits and pieces. He remembered darkness and an overwhelming sense of fear. . .but not for himself. It was for Cassy.
"No sleeping, Mr. Ryan," the woman warned. The doctor needs you awake.
"Can't remember," Tom whispered.
The nurse nodded. "That's okay. You've been through quite an ordeal. It's normal to not remember something that traumatic."
She grabbed the tray that she had placed on the bedside stand. "My name's Melissa. If you need anything, push this button." She placed Tom's right hand over the control panel on the side of the bed. "The doctor will be here in a second."
Tom nodded and watched the woman exit the room. His mind drifted back to the incident that had landed him in the hospital. He still couldn't picture the events which had occurred. Sensations were the only things which would come. His gut wrenched as feelings of dread, fear and darkness washed over him once again.
End Part 21
To Part 22