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Disclaimer: The characters in the following fan
fiction do not belong to me. They belong to CBS and Viacom and other powers
that be. I am only using them for the purpose of writing this story. No money
is being made from this writing it is for entertainment purposes only. And
now on with the show...
The driver of the car
hurriedly got up and winced as he put weight on his leg.
His partner ran up, " Dude, what was that? What in the world were you
thinking?"
"I was thinking that we needed to get rid of Sloan. I saw an opportunity
and acted. Now would you please help me up?"
"What happened?"
"I think I broke my leg when I jumped out. Now hurry up!" we've got
to get out of here quick."
---------------------
The car lay upside down on the road. Passersby were beginning to stop and
rush to the mangled car. Inside, Steve coughed and opened his eyes. What
happened? He looked around as best as he could, as his head was confined to
only a certain angle. He was only able to move his pounding head slightly.
Glass sprinkled his surroundings, and pain filled his body. Slowly he
remembered. He was on his way to the precinct when a car came from nowhere. "Dad!"
His sudden movement caused a burning sensation through his whole body. He
couldn't see his father, but tried to feel around the front seat with his
hand. He felt his father and found his neck. He felt for a pulse, "Dad."
Mark moaned.
"Come on Dad. Talk to me."
Mark groaned, "Steve." He coughed.
"Are you okay?"
"I don't know. You?" his voice was edged with pain.
"I can barely move, but I think I'm okay."
Just then, people rushed up to Steve's passenger side window, "Hey, help
is on the way. Hang on."
Minutes later, Steve heard the familiar sound of sirens coming closer. "Dad,
the paramedics are here."
Almost simultaneously, firemen and paramedics surrounded the car. Both men
were trapped in the car. After several minutes the firefighters were able to
pull Mark's door away from the car and were able to free Mark from the car
without much of a problem. Steve couldn't see where his father was, but he
could hear the paramedics getting his father onto a stretcher and into an
ambulance.
"Lt. Sloan. Just hang on a little while longer. We're going to have to
cut you out."
Steve heard the machines cutting the metal, and after many long minutes, the
paramedic leaned into the car, "We've just about got it. We're going to
try to move the dash now. Let us know if you feel any pain or pressure when
we move it."
Steve could barely focus. His vision was foggy and he couldn't see anything
clearly. "Okay."
Over the course of the next few minutes, Steve was removed from the car,
strapped to a backboard, head immobilized, and loaded into an ambulance. The
next thing Steve remembered was a needle stick on the back of his hand, and
then he felt groggy as darkness overcame him.
--------------------
Steve woke to the sound of a quiet beeping. The new injuries added a great
deal of pain to his already abused body. He slowly opened his eyes. Jesse was
looking over him, "Hey, Buddy."
Steve coughed and for the first time realized that his neck was immobilized
by a neck brace. He silently gasped as the slight movement caused pain to
echo to every inch of his body.
"Try to relax, Steve. You're fine. Your neck is only sprained."
"I'm okay?"
Jesse nodded, "Yeah. You've got that sprained neck, a broken arm, and a
sprained knee."
Still groggy, Steve focused hard on what Jesse was saying. Then he remembered
what had happened, "Dad. Where is he?" Steve jerked at the
realization that his dad had been hurt, but then wished that he hadn't moved
so fast.
Jesse patted Steve's arm, "Steve, he's up in the ICU. He's been hurt,
but it looks like he's going to be fine."
"Take me to him."
"Steve, right now you need to rest. Mark is sedated. He had to have
surgery, so he'll be out of it for a while.
"Is he okay?"
"It looks like it now. He gave us a bit of a scare earlier. He broke
some ribs and he had a punctured lung and some internal bleeding. We got the
bleeding under control, but his blood pressure bottomed out on us. It took a
while, but we got it stabilized."
"When can I see him?"
"Soon, but first you need to rest."
-------------------
Jesse walked into Mark's room and found Amanda sitting by the bed.
"Hey, Jesse. How's Steve?"
"He's doing fine. There doesn't seem to be any change with Mark."
"He's got to be okay Jesse." Amanda studied Mark's hand.
"I know, Amanda, I know. He will be."
All of a sudden the heart monitor went off. Jesse looked to the monitor, "Get
me a crash cart now. He's in V-Fib."
--------------------
"That hurts. Would you please stop."
"Well, what do you expect? Your leg is broken, and I'm far from a
doctor."
"Well, splint it or something and give me an aspirin."
Riley worked to fix Mitch's leg, "What in the world possessed you to
jump from a speeding vehicle?"
"I had to do something."
"And that's the best you could come up with?"
"I admit now that it wasn't a very bright idea, but at the time it
seemed like it would work. Anyway, have you heard about Sloan!" did it
take care of him?"
"It's been all over the news. Last reports were that they were both in
critical condition." He turned on the TV. "Look, the captain is
being interviewed now." The two men focused on the television.
"Captain, how is Lt. Sloan and his father doing?"
"The latest update I have received is that Lt. Sloan is in stabile
condition and his father is still critical."
"Any leads in the investigation into this horrendous hit and run?"
"The officers of the LAPD are actively pursuing the people responsible.
And we are asking that anyone with any information concerning this accident
to please call us."
"We have heard from various officials that the car in the accident
strongly resembles the car that has been used in several high jackings around
the area. Any connection in those two cases?"
"I cannot comment at this time. Now if you don't mind, I need to get
back to work."
The reporter turned to the camera, "There you have it. The latest report
live from the scene of this hit and run accident involving an LAPD officer
and his father."
Riley stood and started pacing, "Oh, great. Now they've connected the car
used in the hit and run to the one in the high jackings. We're finished."
Mitch smacked Riley on the back of the head, "Would you shut up. They
don't have any reason to even consider us involved."
The phone rang. Riley went to answer it. "Oh hi, Captain. Yes, he's
here. So what you need? Sure we can come in. Yeah, be there in about 30
minutes."
Riley hung up and looked to Mitch. He was livid, "You idiot. How in the
world do you think I can go into work? I can't even walk on it, much less do
my job."
"Well, what was I supposed to say? Say that we didn't want to come in to
help in the investigation."
"How about maybe say something like you're sick. I've got plans.
Anything along those lines would have worked."
"You know I can't think straight under so much stress. Anyway we're
cops, man, and this hit and run involved a cop. Do you realize what the guys
would say if we said we didn't want to help in the investigation. Cops are
supposed to stick up for each other!" not hurt each other."
"I can't believe this. How am I going to explain this?" Mitch
asked, pointing to his leg.
Riley snapped his fingers as an idea popped into his head, "I know. We
can have an accident on our way in."
Mitch was desperate. "You know that could just possible work."
---------------------------
Steve opened his eyes. The lights in his room had been dimmed, and he could
tell by looking through the window that day had turned into night. The
stiffness of his body prevented little movement. He wanted to get up!" to
go see his father. But even the thought of moving sent shivers of pain
through his body. Steve finally found the call button.
"How can I help you?"
Steve found his voice, "Is Dr. Travis or Dr. Bentley around?"
"No, but I will page them for you."
"Thanks."
Steve was then left to his own thoughts. And he could only wonder if his
father was okay. But he didn't have to wait too long. Jesse and Amanda were
at his door within minutes.
Jesse made his way to the bed, "How are you doing?"
Steve cut his eyes toward Jesse and completely ignored his question, "How's
my dad?"
Jesse also side-stepped Steve's question, "First things first. How are
you doing?"
"I'm okay. Now, how's my dad?"
Jesse put his stethoscope to Steve's chest, "Deep breath for me."
Steve complied, "Jesse. . . "
"You seem to be doing okay. A little banged up, but I think you'll be up
and around in a few days."
Steve lost his patience and ignored the pain in his battered body, "What
are you not telling me Jesse?"
Jesse leaned on the bed, "Steve, he's okay now. A couple of hours ago,
we lost his pulse. We had to shock him back. But he's fine now."
Steve turned in the bed, "I want to see him."
Amanda walked up beside Jesse, "Steve, you're in no condition to be out
of bed right now."
Steve sounded weak, "But I need to see him."
Amanda laid her hand on his arm, "He's asleep Steve. He's resting!"
and you should be too. Just wait until tomorrow. Both you and your dad will
be stronger by then."
Steve sighed. Reluctantly, Steve gave in, "Okay. I'll wait until
tomorrow."
-----------------------------
"Mitch, are you sure you really want to do this? I mean what if we
really get hurt or something."
"Would you stop worrying so much. This is going to work. This has got to
work. Look over there!" pull out in front of that car."
Riley hesitated, "Are you sure?"
"Just do it!"
Riley pulled in front of the car. Horns blaring, brakes squealing, and then
an impact. The force of the unsuspecting car sent Mitch and Riley careening
into the median. Once the two cars stilled, Riley looked to Mitch. "Are
you okay?"
No, I'm not okay. That was it? That's the biggest accident you could cause?
Nobody's going to believe I broke my leg in this."
"Just shut up. Here comes some people."
"Hey are you guys okay?"
"Yeah, I think so."
Mitch shot a look at Riley, "Well, I think I hurt my leg."
We've called 911. The cops and paramedics will be here soon."
Riley exited the car and walked over to the passenger side and opened the
door.
Soon, the paramedics arrived. They splinted Mitch's leg and loaded him onto a
stretcher.
They lifted him into an ambulance, "We'll be on our way in a minute."
The paramedic looked to Riley, "You can go and sit with him if you'd
like."
The paramedic walked over to the officer in charge, who was intently studying
the scene. "So, is he going to be okay?"
"Yeah, looks like it. But I can't for the life of me figure out how he
managed to break his leg so badly in such a minor accident. And there are
several abrasions that don't look new."
The cop looked towards the ambulance, "So you don't think this accident
broke his leg?"
"No I don't."
"Well, get him to the hospital, and I'll call the captain and let him
know what's going on. I have my doubts too."
"Thanks." He made his way back to the ambulance, shut the doors,
and made his way to the hospital.
-----------------------
Night had fallen long ago when Captain Newman walked into the hospital and
approached the information desk, "Dr. Jesse Travis, please."
"Just a minute." The nurse called Jesse over the intercom, and in a
few minutes Jesse approached the desk.
"Captain!" good news, I hope."
"I'm afraid there's nothing new. We've called in cops to work overtime
to try and find the men behind all this. How are Steve and his father?"
"Steve will be alright. Minor injuries. But Mark is still very critical.
We almost lost him one time. We're trying to get his vitals stabilized right
now."
The captain leaned on the nurses' counter. This day was never going to end. "Is
Steve awake, so that he can look at this video? They never made it to the
station earlier today."
"I'm not sure. But he probably won't mind being woken up for something
like that."
The captain followed Jesse to Steve's room. Steve was asleep when they
entered, but the sound of the door shutting brought him out of his sleep.
"Hey, Steve."
Steve's eyes were heavy, "Hey, what's up?"
Jesse adjusted the light over Steve's bed and raised the head of the bed. "Captain
Newman is here. He brought the video if you're up to watching it."
Steve focused his thoughts, "Yeah, it's fine." Steve caught Jesse's
arm, "How's my dad?"
Jesse patted Steve's arm, "We're trying to get him stabilized. We lost
his pulse one time, but we got it back." Jesse saw the grief cloud Steve's
eyes. "He's hanging in there Steve."
"Alright. Let's get the video going."
Newman played the video and at the end Steve commented, "Those are
definitely the two men that got Amanda and me. I just wish the faces were
clear. But. . . "
Newman stood by the bed, "But what?"
"It seems like I know them from somewhere else."
"What do you mean?"
"I don't know. But now that I think back to our car jacking, I remember
that I thought the same thing. They both seem familiar in some way."
Jesse's beeper went off, "I've got to get downstairs."
As Jesse left the room, Newman's beeper went off too. "I'll be back in a
minute."
He approached the nurses' desk, "Can I use this phone?"
"Yeah go ahead."
The captain dialed a number, "Yeah what it is?"
"Captain, this is Det. Roberts. I was working an accident today that
involved Officers Hammond and Morgan. The paramedics and uniforms on the
scene do not believe that the injuries received by Officer Hammond came from
this accident. And frankly I don't either."
"What do you mean?" Newman was tired and was not thinking straight.
"It looks like they were trying to cover up an old injury with a new
accident."
"I'm already at the hospital. Let me finish upstairs, and I'll be down
soon.
---------------------
"We've got an MVA. All vitals normal. Probable broken leg.
Riley stood near the wall of the exam room, as Jesse examined Mitch. He
ordered an x-ray and went into the hall to talk to the paramedic.
"The cop told me you have some doubts about his leg being broken in this
accident."
"Yeah, I do. See anything that might support that theory?"
"Well, the shape and location of the abrasions on the leg don't look
like ones that come from being rear-ended. In fact he has multiple bruises
and abrasions on both legs, front and back, as well as some on his hips,
back, and arms."
"So really nothing that could have come from this accident?"
"I don't think so."
"A cop on the scene said he was going to call the captain. Something is
going on here, and I would sure like to know why this cop is trying to pass
off an old injury in a new accident."
"Yeah, I know. Well, the captain is already upstairs anyway. I'll keep
this guy under observation as long as I can."
------------------------
Newman walked back into Steve's room. He was watching the video again. He
paused it when Newman came into the room, "I just wish I could remember
where I know these men from."
"You keep watching the video. I've got to head downstairs. It looks like
there is an officer downstairs who is trying to hide something about an
accident.
Steve looked up, "What?"
In a rare occurrence the captain broke a smile, "I'm hoping they will
tell when I get downstairs."
------------------------
Amanda kept her vigil over Mark. The realization finally sunk in--he had come
to close to dying. But right now things looked to be stabilizing. Soon, a
slight movement interrupted Amanda's thoughts. She looked up to the bed, "Mark."
He cut his eyes towards Amanda.
"Hey, you're okay."
The tube in Mark's mouth prevented him from talking.
"You've given us quite a scare today, but it looks like the worse is
over."
Mark's only response was his ability to blink and squeeze Amanda's hand.
Amanda understood when Mark squeezed her hand, "Steve is fine, Mark. He
only had a couple broken bones and a few sprains. He's just fine."
A look of relief flooded Mark's eyes.
Amanda smiled, "But it's taken just about the whole nursing staff to
keep him from coming up here."
Mark's eyes seemed to smile as he understood.
Amanda patted Mark's shoulder, "Let me call Jesse, and see if we can get
that tube out."
In moments, Jesse was at Mark's door, "How is he?"
Amanda watched as a nurse checked Mark's IV. "Fair. He's alert and
communicating."
"How have his vitals been?"
"They've been within normal range and stabile. Think you can get the
tube out?"
"Yeah, let's see." He stopped the nurse on her way out, "Let's
prepare an extubation tray." Jesse walked over to Mark, "Hey, Mark.
How are you feeling?"
Mark looked weary.
"Think you feel up to getting that tube out?"
Mark nodded his head slightly.
"Alright, you know the drill. On 3 take a deep breath and exhale."
Mark complied and Jesse checked his vitals, "Let's get an oxygen mask on
him. Mark, you doing okay?"
Mark nodded his head.
"Good. You're doing fine. You just rest, and we'll talk later."
-----------------------
They had finally left him alone. Riley stood beside the bed, "What do
you want me to do now? Go up there and shoot Sloan?"
Mitch silenced him, "Would you shut up. We don't want anyone to hear. It
seems that no one is suspecting anything."
Newman walked in, "Good evening gentlemen."
Riley straightened, "Sir."
He looked to Mitch, "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, just a broken leg. Doc said I'd be out 6-8 weeks."
"How'd it happen?"
"Well, we were heading to the station."
Riley jumped in, "I didn't see that car and pulled out in front of her."
"Much damage to your car?"
Riley shook his head, "Not too bad."
The captain nodded, "That's good. Riley go get some rest!" you look
like a train wreck. We need all the help we can get, and we need you rested."
"Yes, sir. I'll be at the station early for my assignment."
"Good." The captain left out of the room, and met another officer
in the hallway. "Keep an unofficial eye on both them. Don't let them
know you're watching."
------------------------
Morning came early. Steve opened his eyes. The night had been rough. He had
too much on his mind. While his father was doing better, progress on the
video and the case just seemed to be stalled.
A knock on the door brought Steve out of his thoughts, "Come in."
An officer came in, "Hi, I'm here to get your report from yesterday's
accident."
"I'll tell you what I can remember. My father and I were heading to the
station and not too long after we pulled out, this black car came careening
towards us. I remember flipping, and then the next thing I know, I wake up
upside down. I didn't see the driver. All I saw is the car." Steve
paused and was lost in thought, "that car. . . Where is Captain Newman?"
The young officer looked confused, "He was catching a few hours sleep.
As far as I know he is still downstairs.
"Grab that wheelchair will you. I need to see him."
"Wouldn't it be easier for him to come up here?"
"No, come on."
The officer pushed the chair to Steve, and Steve moved from the bed to the
chair. The neck immobilizer prevented Steve from moving smoothly, so he
unfastened it and threw it on the bed. Before long, he was in the ER looking
for Jesse.
Jesse spotted him first, "Steve, what are you doing down here?"
"Where's Newman?"
"I let him use the on-call room for a few hours."
"Is he still in there?" The urgency in Steve's voice made Jesse
wonder what was so important.
"Yeah, he is."
Steve wheeled himself to the room, "Captain."
"What do you need?"
"The car. Have you run the plates yet?"
"Yeah, but there was some problem and I haven't gotten the results yet.
But we do know it is the same car that was used in the string of high jackings.
Why?
"I have an idea."
Satisfied, Newman nodded, "I'll call again and see if we can get the
owner."
Newman talked a few minutes on his phone, "Yes, that's right. Registered
to Collier Mitchell. Thanks." Newman looked to Steve, "Collier
Mitchell. Sound familiar?"
Steve looked thoughtful, "Mitchell!" Mitch. That's the guy."
Newman stood, "The officer with a broken leg. That explains the car
accident yesterday."
"What do you mean?"
Newman was on his radio, "Get a man to Collier Mitchell's room and keep
an eye on him."
Jesse, who was standing at the door, "He was released several hours ago.
I could no longer find legitimate reasons for keeping him here."
"Why didn't anybody come and get me?" Newman was furious.
"I didn't know anybody was supposed to."
"What happened to the cop outside his room?"
Jesse understood, "There was a situation with some visitors, and all the
cops present intervened. I guess by the time he made it back, he had been
released."
Steve spoke again, "What are you talking about?"
"This Mitch, well, Officer Mitchell, was brought it yesterday because of
a MVA. He had a broken leg, although no one on the scene could understand how
he had broken his leg in that accident."
"And he had some healed cuts and abrasions that wouldn't have come from
that type of accident either," Jesse added.
Newman continued, "It was suspicious, but there was nothing that told me
he had anything to do with this. I told the cop to keep an unofficial eye on
him."
Steve angled his chair towards the door. Newman followed him, "Where are
you going?"
Steve was concerned, "My dad. He tried to kill us once. No need to
wonder if they will try again."
Jesse grabbed the handles on Steve's wheelchair, "Amanda's up there too."
Newman understood the urgency, "I'll get security up there."
-------------------------------------
Riley quickly checked to make sure no one was watching. He slipped into the
room. Good he was asleep. But he silently cursed to himself!" there was
a woman in the room with him. At least she was asleep. He paused. She looked
familiar. He focused on what he was doing!" no need to worry who the
woman was now. He had a job to do, and he had to get it done quickly. He
arched the knife and prepared to stab the elderly man lying in the bed.
------------------------------
Steve and Jesse made it to the floor. Jesse hurriedly pushed Steve to the
door of Mark's room. Steve saw the man with the knife hovering over his
father. Forgetting all pain, he jumped from the chair and tackled the officer
who was standing over his father. With a thud both men hit the floor. Amanda
and Mark jumped awake. Amanda looked at the floor, "Steve, what. . . ?"
Interrupting her, Newman and 2 security guards entered the room. Newman
pointed towards Riley, "Cuff him."
"Sir, I, uh, ummm,. . . "
Newman approached Riley and stood within inches from his face. "Save it.
We'll discuss why this is happening later. Right now tell me where Mitch is."
Riley stood wide-eyed, "He's waiting in a car in the alley behind the
hospital."
By now several cops had arrived. "Get him out of here, and get Mr.
Mitchell, and take them both to the station.
Amanda knelt next to Steve, "Are you okay?"
"I'm not sure."
"Well, just sit for a minute."
"My Dad?"
"He's fine. Just fine."
Steve craned his neck to see his father, "Dad?"
A weak response came, "Steve, you okay?"
Steve struggled to his feet and leaned on the bed, "Yeah, I'm fine."
"What about you? Are you okay?"
Mark nodded, "So I'm told."
Steve smiled and his adrenaline began to fade. He leaned heavily on the bed
and Amanda helped support Steve. Her hand brushed his upper arm, "Steve,
your bleeding."
Mark looked alarmed.
"Yeah when we went down, the knife grazed me."
---------------------------
Steve sat in a chair in his father's room!" Jesse was treating the
superficial knife wound. Newman walked in, "You okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. Get him?"
"Yes, both are in custody. Riley has been very forthcoming, but Mitch
isn't talking yet."
"Everybody okay in here."
Steve looked to his father and smiled, "Yeah, we're fine."
---------------------------
A few weeks later, Steve sat in a courtroom. Both he and his father were well
on the road to being well again. All Steve had to do was get rid of the cast
that still covered his arm. Mark sat next to him. His father's movements
lately were more measured and cautious, but he was almost back to his
original self.
The judge entered, followed standard procedures, and then handed down the
sentence for Mitch. He would get the maximum imprisonment. Riley had gotten a
lighter sentence!" he was only an accomplice.
Mitch turned and looked Steve in the eye. Steve saw hatred. Truthfully,
feelings for cops who had turned were never of a friendly nature. Cops were
supposed to work together, stick up for each other, but these men had severed
that bond!" the sacred bond that connected all cops. They would never
again be part of the world they had worked so long to be part of. Mitch was
led away. Steve turned to Mark, "Let's go home."
----------------------------------
Later on, Amanda, Jesse, Mark, and Steve were all sitting around the dining
room table. Amanda patted Mark's arm, "So how was your first day back?"
"Good. A nice, slow day!" those are rare any day, but it was nice
way to get back into the swing of things."
Jesse looked to Steve, "When are you going back to work?"
"As soon as I can get this thing off, " the hard cast had been
replaced by a soft cast, but it was still immobilized.
Mark interjected, "And as soon as both his arm and knee are
strengthened."
Steve smiled at Mark, "I'm actually going in the beginning of next week.
I've got some paperwork I can get finished. Captain said I could even do some
light field work. Frankly I can't wait. Leisure time can get to be a drag."
Jesse looked at his watch, " Since you two aren't working right now, and
Amanda and me aren't on for a few more hours, how about we get that dinner we
were planning a few weeks ago?"
Mark stood, "That's a great idea. Let's go."
-------------------------------
The End.
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