Collateral Damage (Read 56,421 times)

[gapeach]

Wow!!! That was worth the wait! Now we need to know HOW they stopped him!

[jwsel]

Oct 24, 2013 7:26:25 GMT -5 gapeach said:

Wow!!! That was worth the wait! Now we need to know HOW they stopped him!

I had to double-check that I didn't skip a chapter, but the how is in chapter 525, which is a page or two back. We had made a point of posting through that scene before we had our delay because we didn't want to stop posting while the school was still in danger.

[fluffysmom]

So glad everyone is okay.

[gapeach]

Oct 24, 2013 8:56:34 GMT -5 jwsel said:

Oct 24, 2013 7:26:25 GMT -5 gapeach said:

Wow!!! That was worth the wait! Now we need to know HOW they stopped him!

I had to double-check that I didn't skip a chapter, but the how is in chapter 525, which is a page or two back. We had made a point of posting through that scene before we had our delay because we didn't want to stop posting while the school was still in danger.

Oops!! I had read that chapter (even commented on it). But I've slept since then so forgot!!! Happens when you get my age!!!

[MrsM]

Phew. Wonder what is next for them.

[olddays]

Thank you, thank you! Well worth the wait! Excited to see where this goes.

[krw627]

So excited you are back!!! Can't wait to read what is going on with Kim and Roman!

[jwsel]

Chapter 527

Shane sat impatiently on the examining table and tried to hear if anyone was saying anything on the other side of the curtains. Lawrence had taken his watch the day before, so Shane had no idea what time it was. But he was sure it had been at least an hour since they had arrived in an extremely chaotic and crowded emergency room.

Neil had dragged him into the area and run a battery of tests -- a lung x-ray, multiple blood tests, and had repeatedly forced Shane to blow air into the machine that measured his lung capacity at regular intervals. Now Shane had several electrodes stuck to his chest and back and a clip around his index finger to monitor his heart rate and blood-oxygen levels. An orderly stood in the corner, watching Shane like a hawk for any sign of the toxin's effects returning. In the ambulance and after he had arrived at University Hospital, his vision had gone blurry and he had begun to feel the heaviness returning to his limbs. The symptoms had been weaker than before, but they had given him some of the remaining antidote. A half-filled vial with the blue label sat on a surgical tray just in case Shane experienced any further relapses.

None had occurred for more than an hour, though, and Shane was anxious to get out of the enclosure. His frustration was mounting. Shane knew Kim had to be nearby. She would have insisted on coming here as soon as she made sure Andrew was okay. He knew she would have demanded to see him.

So where is she? He got up off the table and began to pace. An uneasy feeling began to creep over him. He needed to find Kim. He wanted to pull her into his arms, hold her, and never let her go. This nightmare was finally over.

The curtain pulled back and Neil stepped inside.

Shane stopped pacing and looked at the doctor expectantly.

"I've got the results back of your lung x-ray and the preliminary blood tests," Neil said.

"So when can I get out of here?" Shane asked impatiently. "I'm okay, Neil." He looked past Neil into the emergency room, hoping to spot Kim somewhere.

Neil held up a hand. "Hold your horses, Shane, and please, let me be the doctor here. I want to go over these results. . . . Starting with your lungs."

Shane knew that had been Neil's biggest worry. With Shane's lung capacity already diminished by Cal Winters' bullet, Neil had insisted on checking whether Shane's breathing had been further compromised.

"So what's the verdict?" Shane asked.

"I don't see anything to indicate that your lungs have suffered further damage," Neil replied. "But that's based on what an x-ray can show." He pulled over the machine that tested lung capacity and handed Shane the tube to blow into. When Shane rolled his eyes, Neil gave him a stern look.

"Okay, you're the doctor." Shane took a deep breath and blew into the tube as hard as he could. He waited while Neil checked the results.

Neil looked through his charts. "Well, I can't see any decrease in terms of function." He flipped the page. "As for your blood, Carly went over to the refinery and snuck out some samples of whatever Lawrence had stored there."

"Snuck out?" Shane asked.

Neil nodded. "She says she was just leaving when the ISA descended. They shut down the site pretty quickly."

It made sense to secure a crime scene, Shane thought, but Carly was part of the ISA's science team. She had been brought in to work on the toxin. "But they didn't confiscate the toxin when she took it?"

"No, she said she told them she needed a few vials of the antidote so she could begin replicating it immediately in case of accidental release." Neil paused. "And she told them we might need some more in case of relapses. . . ."

"And you think I'm going to have more relapses?"

Neil shrugged. "I can't say. Carly ran a quick test on what she took and said she thinks there's still some toxin in your system, but the recurrences seem to be getting progressively weaker. She's still studying the toxin, but she thinks you might experience some brief dizzy spells or momentary weakness over the next week or so while it works its way out of your system, but she doubts anything too serious will happen." He handed Shane a full vial of the antidote. "She said you should keep this with you and drink a little if you feel symptoms."

With a nod, Shane took the vial. "Thanks. I'll have to find Carly and thank her too. If not for her and the lab, things could have been a lot worse." He looked at Neil. "And the hospital, too."

For a moment, Neil seemed to blanch. Then he set down the chart and shook his head. "I guess I understand why you wanted Carly's work to be secret. . . ." Neil looked up. "But, Shane. . . . Why didn't you let us know so we could have been been better prepared."

"You were as prepared as you could have been," Shane said evenly, not knowing if any explanation would make Neil feel less betrayed. "Carly and Kayla knew. They were looking for the first symptoms. You couldn't have done more. It's not like you could do emergency preparedness drills for a toxic gas attack. It would have raised red flags and sounded alarms from here to Chicago, and started a bloody panic. And more than likely, Lawrence would have taken his poison to another city that wasn't prepared for him."

With a sigh, Neil seemed to debate the point silently, but he finally gave up and nodded. "Okay, I see your point. I won't even say I wish you'd have trusted me, at least."

Shane decided against saying that he knew Neil couldn't have sat idle and done nothing. That would not help. It would take time more than anything else for Neil to get over feeling betrayed.

At least you'll have that time now. It was a thought that made Shane smile a little. Now that they had stopped Lawrence, he could deal with the ISA and get the charges dropped. That meant he would be able to continue living in Salem with the circle of friends and family that had become such a significant part of his life over the past seven years.

"What's so funny?" Neil asked.

"I was just thinking about time. . . ." Shane knew that sounded cryptic, but he didn't want to explain right now. "Look, Neil, you've run your tests. Everything looks good and I've got this--" He raised the vial of antidote in his hand. "--if anything starts up again. Can I please go find Kim?"

Neil almost seemed amused, but he just said, "Fine." He helped Shane remove the electrodes and the other monitor, then handed Shane a clean dress shirt. "I keep a couple extras in my office."

Shane took it, thanked Neil as he and the orderly left, and got dressed. Then he left the curtained enclosure.

The emergency room seemed less chaotic than before. Shane suspected most of the people brought in from the Spectator had been sent home or had been moved to rooms. Neil had told him earlier that some of the older victims were being kept for observation, but that was purely precautionary.

Exiting the emergency room doors, Shane spotted Bo, John, and Isabella. John's arm was in a sling, but he was alive and looked okay. His other arm was wrapped around Isabella's shoulders, but he let go of her, rushed toward Shane, and broke into a wide grin.

"You did it, partner," he said. "Exactly according to plan."

Shane had to laugh. "Not exactly, mate. Your getting shot was most definitely not part of it."

John harrumphed. "A minor detail." Isabella had reached them and she wrapped her arms around John's waist.

"I'm just glad you're all okay," she said. "When they started bringing people in and we heard about the attack on the Spectator, John insisted on checking out. Then we heard you and Steve were in the ER. Another few minutes and we would've been heading down to the refinery ourselves."

The mention of Steve made Shane ask where he and Kayla were.

"Marcus is patching him up," Bo said. "I don't know if they're going to try to put him in a room, but I'd lay odds they can't get him to stay the night."

Shane chuckled at the thought. "That's one bet I wouldn't take. Marcus knows better than to even try. . . ." Shane looked around. "And Kim? Shouldn't she and Roman be here by now?"

John and Bo exchanged looks that made Shane grow uneasy. Something obviously was going on.

"Where's Kim?" Shane asked. He looked at John and Bo, and asked again, "One of you . . . tell me, where is Kimberly?"

[fluffysmom]

I hope Kim and Roman are okay. Shane needs some answers.

[MrsM]

Uh oh.... I have a bad feeling.

[gapeach]

Shane is not going to like the fact that Kim and Roman were detained by Tarrington!

[jwsel]

Chapter 528

Steve gritted his teeth as Marcus manipulated his shoulder into the sling. He could feel Kayla stroking his arm and heard her say, "It's almost over."

Finally, Marcus released Steve's arm. Steve took a deep breath as Marcus stood back and smiled. "What's so funny?" Steve growled as he felt the sharp pain subside only to be replaced by a dull ache.

"You, tough guy," Marcus replied. "One little bullet and you're down for the count." Marcus stopped smiling and his tone grew serious. "If you can't figure out how to dodge those things, how about staying out of trouble? I only have one best friend and I don't want to lose him again."

"Me, either," Kayla said, leaning down to place a kiss on Steve's cheek. "You're lucky it was just muscle it went through."

Steve used his good arm to reach up and stroke Kayla's cheek. "Come on, Sweetness, you know I'm a tomcat. I've got three or four more lives to use up." He grinned and continued, "Besides, now I have matching scars on both shoulders. I'll be the hit of the fashion season."

Kayla just rolled her eyes and turned to Marcus. "Does he need to stay or can I take him home?"

Marcus made a note in Steve chart. "You can take him home. Just make sure he takes his antibiotics to keep out any infection. And I'll give you a prescription for a painkiller to take over the next few days."

"I don't need a painkiller, homie," Steve protested.

"Judging by your expression when I put that arm in a sling, I'd say you were wrong," Marcus said. "But, even if you don't want them, Kayla might need to give them to you just to put up with you."

"Ha ha." Steve just ignored his best friend and turned back to his wife. "You love me, no matter what kind of mood I'm in, don't ya, Sweetness?"

"Of course, I do," Kayla said, lovingly. Then she turned to Marcus. "But why don't you give me that prescription just in case?"

Steve let out a mock cry of betrayal as Kayla and Marcus laughed. After a moment, Marcus moved towards the door. "I need to go check on some real patients now." He looked at Kayla. "Take him home and keep him quiet for a day or two." Then he looked at Steve. "Do what your wife says or I'll dig around in that shoulder just for the fun of it."

Steve nodded. "Thanks, Marcus."

"Yeah, yeah. If you really want to thank me, you'll stop getting shot." With that parting remark, Marcus left.

As the door closed, Steve carefully sat up and turned his legs so they were hanging off the gurney. "Come on, baby. Let's get out of here."

Kayla nodded and helped Steve stand. Then she carefully placed her coat over his scrub shirt and sling.

"I guess that leather jacket is history, huh?" Steve said, regretfully. It had always been his favorite.

"I'm afraid so," Kayla agreed. "Between the bullet holes, blood, and damage done cutting it off of you, there isn't much left."

"Well, if I had to trade my favorite jacket for getting rid of Alamain, then it was more than worth it."

Kayla nodded in agreement. "I can't believe he's really dead. After you were gone, we tried so hard to find a way to prove that Lawrence was responsible, but he kept slipping away. I don't think I really believed we would ever be rid of him."

"Well, he's gone now, Sweetness. So how about we stop thinking about him and go home and see our baby girl?"

Kayla smiled and opened the door. Steve walked through, careful not to let his injured arm brush against the door. Then Kayla joined him and they began walking towards the emergency room staff exit. As they reached it, a large man in a suit stepped in front of them.

"I'm sorry, but you can't leave," he said.

Steve stared at the man, knowing what this had to be, but not wanting to believe it. "What do you mean we can't leave?" he asked with a growl. "If you haven't noticed, I just got a bullet wound patched up and I'd like to go home."

"I'm sorry," the man repeated in a polite, but determined, tone. "The hospital has been quarantined until further notice."

"Quarantine?" Kayla sounded incredulous. "On whose orders?"

The man did not answer, but his silence told Steve the answer. The ISA. Motioning to the doors to the main hospital foyer, the man said,"I suggest you wait in there and we'll let you know when you can leave."

Steve wanted to argue but knew it would be a waste of time. Kayla must have felt the same way because she just tugged on his good arm and began walking towards the doors. Steve followed, cursing the ISA silently from keeping from his daughter.

As they walked through the doors, Steve immediately saw Shane, Bo, John and Isabella standing together by the front desk. He and Kayla moved in that direction, eager to reunite with their friends.

As they approached, Bo looked up and grinned. "I knew that a stupid bullet couldn't keep you down for long. You're too damn stubborn."

Steve grinned. "And you wouldn't know anything about being stubborn, would you, Beauregard?"

Bo flashed a "who me?" look and reached over and hugged Kayla. "How are you holding up, sis?"

"I'm okay," Kayla said quietly. "I just don't understand why they won't let us go home." The she looked at Shane. "Are you okay? Did Neil examine you?"

"I'm fine," Shane replied. "Neil said I might have a few minor relapses, but I have more of the antidote so there is nothing to worry about." He paused and looked toward the door. "I'm more worried about where the ISA has Kim."

It suddenly dawned on Steve that Kim was not there. Kayla's tone became reassuring. "I'm sure she's fine," she said, sounding to Steve like she was trying to sound as optimistic as she could. "Kimmie's with Roman. He won't let anything happen."

"Yeah, dude," Steve said. "Besides, we have to talk about you not telling me how you were feeling when I left you with Alamain. You could have gotten yourself killed."

"And a whole lot of kids could have died if you hadn't left when you did," Shane replied calmly. "I made a choice and you would have done the same thing in my shoes."

Steve started to argue, but realized he couldn't. He would have done whatever he had to do to get Shane to leave and alert the school.

"How about we just stop talking about that?" John said. "The way I see it, Alamain is gone, the kids are safe, and we all made it out without any major damage."

"Sure, if you don't call a couple of bullet wounds and toxin exposure 'major damage,'" Isabella added in a humorous tone.

The group chuckled and Kayla said, "Unfortunately, with these guys, it seems to be standard operating procedure."

Everyone laughed a little more and then things fell quiet again. Shane kept looking at the door and Steve had to admit he was not feeling all that patient about being locked inside the hospital right now.

Kayla must have detected his impatience. "How about we go somewhere a little more comfortable? There's a staff lounge over there that I'm sure we can use."

Everyone agreed and the group moved towards the lounge. As they went, Steve couldn't help but look at the ISA agents staked out around the exits. He wasn't sure what was going on, but his gut told him there was a lot more to this little lockdown than just finishing the investigation.

[gapeach]

What in the world is the ISA up to now? Can't wait to hear how Kim and Roman are doing with Tarrington!! I bet he comes out on the short end of a long bridge!!!

[MrsM]

What is going on??

[fluffysmom]

I wonder how things are going for Kim and Roman. Glad Shane, Steve and John are okay.