Fic: White Light, Chapter 17 (CSI Miami, Eric Delko / Ryan Wolfe)
Title: White Light, Chapter 17
Pairing: Ryan Wolfe / Eric Delko
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: Not mine, etc.
Feedback: Always Welcome
Notes: Inspired by the movie Just Like Heaven
CSI Miami Main List
Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 (NC-17) Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 (NC-17)
“Open your eyes or I’ll call and ambulance and you’ll have to explain to them why you’re naked from the waist down.”
Eric waited, but Ryan didn’t show any signs of waking up. Finally he simply poked the sleeping man at the ribs. Ryan shot up from the bed, and the sudden movement took its toll right away. He pressed his eyes shot and grabbed his head.
“Don’t do that…”
“You okay?”
“Did you just beat my head with a dead fish?”
“No…”
“Well, that’s what it feels like…”
“I was kidding, but do I really need to call an ambulance?”
“No…” Ryan groaned and reached down to pick up his jeans. “I’ve had a serious head injury and I still got a piece of metal in my head, aches come every few days.”
“You got anything for it?”
“At home, and if you’re not going to check me with a metal detector, I just need a minute.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah, and…” Ryan was interrupted by the distant sound of the doorbell. “… and you got company.”
“I’ll be right back.” Eric got up and walked out of the bedroom, closing the door so Ryan could get dressed.
The doorbell rang again.
“I’m coming!” Eric marched to the door and pulled it open. On the other side was Evan Jackson, looking absolutely murderous.
“Is he here?”
“Who?”
“You know who.” Jackson pushed him out of the way and walked in. “Ron’s having a full-on panic. He wasn’t supposed to go anywhere.”
“Well, he’s a fully grown man, he can do what he wants.”
“So he’s here.”
Jackson noticed the only closed door, but Eric rushed to stop him.
“He’s fine, he doesn’t need a babysitter and he sure as hell doesn’t need you.”
“Then why isn’t he saying that to me himself? And why is he locked into the bedroom?” The last question seemed to be more of a outraged accusation than a real question.
“He’s resting.”
“You really think that’s gonna pass? What did you do to him?”
“Nothing that he wasn’t a willing participant in. Get out.”
“Not without him.”
“Both of you, shut up.” Ryan pulled the door open, the same grimace still on his face.
“Ryan, we’re leaving. Ron’s worried.”
“I drove him here, I’ll drive him back.” Eric interrupted. “You can go back to where you came from, I got this under control.”
“I got a better idea.” Ryan walked into the kitchen and came back carrying a frying pan and a deep sauce pan. He shoved one to Eric’s hands and the other one to Evan’s. “You two beat each other senseless, so you’ll be quiet for a while, and I’ll take a cab.”
He stepped into the living room to get his coat from where he had left it and turned to leave. His moves were beginning to become uncontrolled and his feet were shaking. Ryan leaned against the wall for support, his breathing had turned laboured and he shivered against the painted surface. His eyes rolled back and he collapsed on the floor.
-----------------------------------------
The sound of the clock on the wall was almost disturbing in the quiet waiting room. The security guard had parked himself close to the door, keeping an eye on all three men. After Eric and Evan’s fight, he had been unsure what to do with two men who were both showing him their badges. He had ended up placing them in the opposite corners of the room and Ron Wolfe on the couch between them.
When the doctor in a white coat walked in he took a long look at the two men shooting daggers at each other, and an older man wringing his hands nervously.
“You’re here for Ryan Wolfe?” He asked carefully. He gave the guard a pleading look, trying to silently beg him to stay. “I’m doctor Hamilton, we met when he was released.”
“I remember.” Ron nodded. “How is he?”
“The nurses finished prepping him for surgery, doctor Ashford is starting the operation as we speak.”
“Surgery?”
“The bullet in his head had started moving.” Doctor sighed. “We had no choice but to operate.”
“You said it was in a difficult place and you can’t operate.” Wolfe stated, and sounded ready to grab the doctor by the neck.
“We didn’t want to, because it is very risky. But now we have to do it.”
“What are his chances?”
“Impossible to say, but if we don’t do anything he doesn’t stand a chance.”
Wolfe seemed to shrink as he slumped back onto the couch, all hostility pouring out of him.
“Nurse will come and tell you more when there’s something to tell.” The doctor paused and his eyes went back and forth between Evan and Eric. “Family members?”
“No.” Eric stated, plastering his phoniest smile on his face. “He’s the desperate ex, who doesn’t know when to give up.”
Evan answered with an equally forced expression. “And he’s the cheap Toy Boy, who humped Ryan back to the operating table.”
“Of course… What was I thinking…” Doctor Hamilton walked out, but stopped at the door to whisper to the guard. “We got the resuscitation equipment, so don’t hesitate to shoot if necessary.”
“I need some air.” Eric got up and walked pass them, out of the waiting room and headed down the hallway. The whole building seemed to be in slumber and he wondered why he always seemed to end up at the hospital during the nigh time. He found a vending machine and his stomach gave nasty twist of interest.
Eric found some coins from his wallet and checked the selection. Stale sandwiches, pudding in several layers of plastic, and dried up bagels.
“Eric?”
He twirled around, coins spreading across the floor.
Ryan was standing in front of him, dressed in familiar jeans and an orange T-shirt. He looked at Eric like he was waiting for an answer.
“Where did you come from?”
“That should be my question.” Ryan sounded alarmed. “Why am I here?”
“You don’t know?”
“We we’re on the couch and you fell asleep and then… I don’t know. Next thing I know I’m here.”
“You woke up, don’t you remember that?”
“I did?”
“Yeah. You woke up and you were released from the hospital.”
“Why am I here now?”
“I… You’re in surgery.”
“Now?” Ryan almost whispered. “Right now?”
“Yeah.”
“Why?”
“The bullet in your head… they had to.”
“Am I… Am I gonna survive?”
“I don’t know.”
“Then who does?”
“You can’t ask me that-”
“I can!” Ryan’s voice was beginning to sound foggy, and he rubbed his eyes furiously. “When does this end?”
“Ryan-”
“I want this to stop! I wanna come or go, but I don’t wanna hover in between anymore!” He closed the gap between them and pressed his forehead against Eric’s shoulder. Eric’s arms instinctive circled him and pulled him close. He could feel tears soaking into his shirt. Ryan’s voice had gone down to low whisper.
“I don’t want to go…”
Chapter 18