Horatio

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by leftforgotten

by leftforgotten

"What's going on, Alexx" I said meeting her in front of the building. Eric rushed inside.
"He's extubated, Horatio."
"What???"
"Yeah. He started choking and they extubated him. He started breathing on his own. "
"That's good news."
"Not necessarily. He's still unconscious and if the body starts managing its breath, should also induce consciousness. It didn't. Let's go inside"
We went to his room.I saw him lying on his right side, which I thought was odd.
"Why is he...." Eric started
"Because he's breathing on his own, but doesn't wake up. So they're afraid of lung collapse."
"Is it ok now? "I asked
"Looks like it is."
"What about his leg and arm? On his side it can be harmed, can't it?"
"No. Leg is on, and his hand's in plaster, so no. "
"Alexx let's go for a coffee. Will u stay here Eric?"
"Yeah."
We left and bought coffee in the bistro.
"What are the chances?"
"I'd say serious when he got extubated, but unconsciousness isn't a good sign."
"Meaning?"
"Meaning there's been a brain damage. Research didn't show this, but you never know. "
"You mean he may never wake up? "
"Or wake up and be someone else. Someone we don't know or he doesn't know us".
I suddenly felt so tired.
"H. have faith. I'm telling you all this, cause I know you can handle it. He's like a son to both of us. And he needs us. "
"What about the Speedles?"
"Is it time?"
"We've got 2, at least 3 days until hell be pronounced Tim Speedle again."
"So let's wait until that. Meanwhile I want to see him"
I entered the room.He was lying with no body movement, just his skinny chest moved up and down a bit.
"He's so skinny" I said
"He probably stopped eating many weeks ago. That doesn't help, too. They couldn't find the proper veins for IV. He's being given all the nutrients now, but it must take time. "
I wanted to touch his arm to see if there are any muscles left. I moved the t-shirt up and I saw... A tattoo!
"Alexx... Did you know he had a tattoo? "
"No...show me. It isn't so new... It must have been made many months ago... He never wore a shortsleeve though."
"That's strange. We still know a little about him."
"I hope we'll have the chance to ask him about it."
"Did you know he was wearing rings???" Said Calleigh from behind
"What? Rings?"
"On the thumb and his ring finger, everyday" said Alison- the girl whom I previosly met.
"Maybe he's married with 3 kids" said Eric amusingly
We all laughed.
"...And he was a carrying a gun"
"That's understandable under the circumstances."
"But according to Alison It could have been Jericho...."
"YOU're joking" Eric got pale suddenly.
"No. Alison isn't a gun specialist, but from her description it's highly probable."
"Ok. Give me a minute".
I went outside and dialed Miami.
"Mr Wolfe. I want you to do sth for me. Go to the evidence locker and take out the box with all the evidence from Speedle's case. Then find a gun - Jericho. Check all the prints again, and note the serial number. Then match both to the data in the system. "
"Ok. Straight away. Are you coming back?"
" Not yet. Soon I hope. "
"How's he?"
"Hard to say. Not too good. Keep me posted."
I entered the room. They were all there- all my close friends and colleagues, staring at the one we thought we'd lost many months ago. How will it end?
The door opened and the doctor came in.
"I've got the result. It's inconclusive. Brain is responsive, pupils ok, breathing and lungs ok, but still no idea why he's unconcious. We'll try to put away the sedatives and lower the morphine level. Maybe that helps. "
"What about his heart- will it stand it?" Said Alexx. I looked at her curiously- what isn't she telling me?
"We don't know. But we have to try."
"What's wrong with the heart" asked Eric.
"When he was choking with the tube, heart rate exceeded and we're afraid he was undergoing cardiac arrest."
Calleigh got pale in a minute. "What?"
"Easy. Nothing happened. We calmed it down. But we must be careful with the sadatives and morphine going off not to have it again. If he undergoes cardiac arrest in his state, being so emaciated and -moreover uncoscious - he won't make it.
So we'll do it carefully. "
I looked at Tim. Does he hear us? Does he know? I hope not. I wanted to believe he feels warm and safe wherever he actually is.
I touched his head. It was very warm. "Has he got fever?"
"No. It's morphine. It will lower down with lower level of it."
"Gosh... His hair - I bet he'd hated it long like this" I smiled.
Come on Speed, wake up. Open your eyes. Talk to us. Live....
But my silent thoughts were only empty wish.
Nothing happened.
The phone suddenly rung waking us all up.
" Horatio?" said Wolfe
" I compared all you asked with the system data. The prints match."
"Hmm, that would confirm that this i...."
" ....but the serial number doesn't. Jericho in our locker isn't Speedle's gun"
I stood speachless and so were them. So all of this could be different? ALL OF THIS????
"It's on me " Calleigh whispered. " it's all because of ME!"
Before I could even say anything she collapsed on the floor.