Thanks guys!
I agree with Tati and cainesugar when they get hurt it shows their human side. Anyway I try not to keep you guys waiting. So here we go:
“There were no fatalities, but there were a couple of bomb squad guys who were badly injured.” The detective replied. “Check with rescue.” He pointed to the ambulance not far from where they were.
“Thanks.” Ray replied as he and Yelina made their way to the ambulance crew.
Yelina spotted a redhead lying on one of the gurneys. Her heart was in her throat. It had to be Horatio. A closer look confirmed her fears.
“How is he?” Ray asked the paramedic who was setting up an intravenous line in Horatio’s arm.
Yelina looked at her boyfriend lying on the gurney. He was covered in grime and soot, with several cuts and bruises on his face. His eyes were closed and he had no response to her taking his hand. Her eyes scanned the length of him. His left leg was in a splint. She could see blood and bone sticking out of a wound near his ankle. His shirt was torn but there were no visible injuries to his torso.
“He’s got a broken ankle, thanks to the wall collapsing on him.,” The paramedic said pointing to Horatio’s leg. “He’s been unconscious since we found him. We’ll need to take him to the hospital for treatment. There might be some bleeding in the brain. His vital signs are stable though.”
“I’ll ride with you.” Yelina told the paramedic, who nodded.
“I’ll follow in the car.” Ray said, giving Yelina’s hand a quick squeeze. He leaned over his brother, “Hang in there, big brother.”
Yelina climbed into the ambulance as they loaded the gurney in. She held his hand tightly in hers. He was still unconscious. With her free hand she stroked his hair gently. She prayed he would be ok. She wished they hadn’t fought the night before. She should have believed him, instead of letting her jealousy get the better of her.
The ambulance pulled up to the emergency room entrance and Horatio was wheeled into the ER. Yelina and Ray waited anxiously outside. Not long after the ER physician come to speak with them.
“I’m Dr Gonzales, the doctor treating Sergeant Caine.”
“I’m Horatio’s brother.” Ray said. “This is his girlfriend. How is he?”
“Besides the superficial scrapes and bruises, he has a compound fracture of the left ankle, we need to fix that in the OR. Besides that, he’s ok. I need you to sign the consent for surgery.”
Ray breathed a sigh of relief as he signed the consent form that the doctor handed him. Yelina let out the breath she was holding. A broken ankle didn’t seem that bad. Together Ray and Yelina waited outside the OR. They sat side by side in the waiting room. It was close to midnight and the day was beginning to take it's toll on the both of them. Both although tired were determined to wait out the surgery to find out how Horatio was doing.
“That was too close.” Ray said. “I’m glad he’s ok.”
“Me too.” Yelina said.
“You’re not mad at him anymore are you?” Ray asked.
Yelina laughed. “After something like this?”
Ray smiled. She noticed Ray had a similar smile to Horatio. She wondered what was it like to have Horatio as an older brother.
“What was he like? I mean when you guys were kids.” Yelina asked trying to ease the tension.
“He was a bully and a pain at times, but most of the time he was a great big brother. He took care of our mom and me. Our Dad wasn’t around much.” Ray said. He wore a sad look on his face.
“That explains why he’s such a responsible guy.” Yelina smiled. “That and the fact that your parents died while you both were kids. Sometimes when I watch him sleep, he looks like he has the weight of the world on him.”
“He told you? He doesn’t like to talk about our parents.”
“He mentioned that your parents were murdered.” Yelina said. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to bring it up.” She added apologetically.
Raymond shrugged. “It’s ok, Horatio’s more hung up about that than me. I guess… you could say it affected him more than it did me. But you should let him tell you about it… when he’s ready.”
Yelina nodded. “That’s why you both decided to be cops.”
Ray laughed. “Horatio wanted to save the world. I just wanted to be like him. Growing up, he was my hero. Still is.”
Yelina smiled and nodded. She could easily see how Horatio could be her hero.
After almost two hours, the surgeon emerged from the OR, interrupting their conversation. “The surgery was a success. He’ll need physiotherapy but he shouldn’t have any permanent damage from the injury.”
“Thank you.” Ray said.
“Can we see him?” Yelina asked.
“Sure, I’ll take you guys to him.”
The surgeon led Ray and Yelina to the room where Horatio was in. His left leg was in a cast from the knee down. A tube draining blood from the wound ran from under the cast to a bottle on the ground. Several IVs ran in and out of his arm. Yelina felt assured by the steady rise and fall of his chest.
“He’s still drowsy from the anesthesia and pain meds, but he’s rousable.” The surgeon said. “I’ll be back in the morning to check on him.”
“You’re the first person he wants to see when he wakes.” Ray said, urging the hesitant Yelina towards his brother.
Yelina stood next to the bed. She took Horatio’s hand. It felt cold in her hands. She leaned towards him and called his name. “Horatio.”