Criminal Minds [Multiship] * H I A T U S *

《37 - I Love You》

"Mr. Olson, I'm gonna ask you to relax so I can extract the oxygen tube," The nurse said to Ricky as she disconnected the tube.

Ricky softly groaned as Chris held his hand, Bethany holding his other hand, and once he had relaxed, the nurse slowly slide the breathing tube out.

Once it was out, Ricky coughed and was able to breathe a bit easier.

"There. The doctor will be by later to check and see how damaged your mobility is," she said, soon leaving.

Ricky groaned in slight pain, his breathing becoming normal as Bethany helped him get comfortable.

"Thank goodness you're awake, Chris smiled.

Ricky sighed. "W-What happened?"

"We were caught in the fire," Chris said. "But you took worse damage than me."

Ricky's eyebrows scrunched together as he looked down at his body, seeing the abdomen cast.

"Deja vu," he mumbled. Bethany frowned slightly and gripped his hand.

Soon a doctor walked in, followed by another nurse.

"Mr. Olson, its good to see you're awake," He greeted, then turned to Chris. "Agent Cerulli, you shouldn't be here."

"He can stay, its fine," Bethany said.

The doctor sighed. "Alright. How do you feel, Mr. Olson?"

"Like I got hit by a truck," he sighed. "But... My legs feel weird..."

Chris pursed his lips nervously, Bethany holding back a sob and Devin looking worried.

"Well, not a truck, just a knicked gas tank," Devin said.

Ricky sighed as the doctor examined his IV drips.

"Okay, now, by what I reviewed in your report, you sustained some broken ribs and injured your back by what a few witnesses said were a pile of crates that collapsed on you from the explosion," the doctor said. "And medical records, this isn't your first spinal cord injury, especially in your lumbar region," he said.

Ricky frowned, but nodded. "I guess not."

"I'm going to run a few tests, see how much mobility you have in your legs. Your upper torso continues working well, but lower torso is in question," the doctor said as the nurse moved Ricky's blanket to reveal his legs.

Ricky gulped nervously, knowing he couldn't feel his legs so much.

Is it possible... Could he actually be paralyzed?

"Are you ready?" The doctor asked, taking out a pen.

Ricky was hesitant in answering, but still nodded.

Chris reached over and gripped his hand. "Its gonna be okay."

Ricky gulped and nodded, smiling a bit at Chris before the doctor ran the closed tip of his pen against the side of Ricky's foot, up to his ankle.

"Do you feel anything?" The doctor asked.

"Uhhh... a bit... Kind of felt like my legs were numbed with ice though, so it kind of feels more like a feather on my leg or something," Ricky answered honestly.

"So, a weak feeling?" he asked.

Ricky responds with a nod.

"Is that good?" Bethany asked the doctor.

"Most likely... But just to make sure," he said, putting his pen away. "I'm gonna ask you to try and wiggle your toes."

Ricky looked at his feet, and tried to move them fully, but they only twitched a bit.