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He stared down at the broken phone in his left hand. His right held the ice pack courtesy of the ER up to his bruising cheek and eye. His face throbbed with each bump and dip in the road as they drove back to the station. He could hear Nancy and Tommy talking up front, but he barely followed. Instead, he just took in the shattered screen in his hand.
Before he could realize it, Tommy had pulled into the station and was opening the back of the bus. He startled as she sat down next to him and pulled the ice pack away. She whistled low as she took in his face.
“Helluva shiner, Strand.”
He groaned as she poked at his face. “Yeah…noticed.”
“Dude really got the drop on you,” Nancy piped up, hopping in the back to start going over stock. “You really should’ve been faster.”
“Nancy,” Tommy warned as she continued to check over TK. “You sure they didn’t want to give you some stitches?”
“No,” TK sighed. “They said to try the butterfly bandaids for now and to schedule an appointment with my PCP if it starts to look worse.”
“It already looks worse,” Nancy said as she tossed him a pack of bandaids. “Take those with you.”
“Thanks.” He tried turning on his phone again. “I just wish the guy hadn’t managed to break my phone.”
Tommy softened. Her hands moved from checking over his face to squeezing his arm. “You know it wasn’t your fault, right? The guy woke up and panicked. It happens. You just got caught in the crosshairs.”
“Yeah, seriously,” Nancy added. “It could have happened to any of us. Just giving you hell, man.” She shrugged and turned back to her tasks.
TK leant back on the bench and let his aching head rest against the side of the ambulance. “Yeah. I know.” And he did. He knew it wasn’t the patient’s fault. They’d been called to the scene of a wreck and the poor guy had been unconscious when they got there. They’d managed to get him out and onto the ground before he came to. He didn’t know where he was. He didn’t realize what had happened.
And he was a big guy….
TK just happened to be the first in his line of sight and he’d just lashed out without seeing the paramedic symbol. His fist had collided hard with his face, breaking and bruising the skin, before knocking him to the pavement himself. It was a mess. But it was an accident.
“How’d he even get your phone anyway? I thought you usually keep it in your pocket?” Nancy continued.
“I did. I do.” TK let his eyes shut for a moment. “When he hit me, I fell back and landed on it.”
“Don’t you use those like, life proof cases? I thought we all did.” Nancy raised her eyebrow at him. “If not…you seriously should.”
“I haven’t bought one yet,” he groaned. “My old phone did. But, lost it in the fire.” He opened his eyes to see Nancy blush at that. “So no. I just did manage to get this one sorted out. Now I guess I’m going to have to get another.” He tossed it down onto the nearby gurney. “But trust me, I will buy the best damn case I can after this.”
Tommy smiled at them. “Come on kids.” She patted TK on the back. “Let’s save the stocking til the morning and get out of here.”
“Really?” Nancy said, perking up.
“I’m okay, Cap. I can take care of whatever and—ouch!” TK glared at Nancy who had punched him in the arm at that. “Really? Don’t you think I have enough bruises?”
“You fell on your other side. And you do not get to say no to leaving early instead of stocking!” Nancy grumbled.
“Leave TK alone,” Tommy replied, laughing a little. “Let’s not give him more bruises. Carlos is going to think the worst of us.”
TK sighed at that. He had wanted to call Carlos and check in on him. He’d been worried about working a case with his father today. He’d fluttered around their bedroom all night before shift, checking reports and going over the details of the case. Even if he was just assigned as backup and control…it was his dad’s case.
“I’m sure Carlos will understand and care more about your face than your phone,” Tommy said, all but reading his mind. He gave her a wide eyed look at that. “What? I know how much you two try to check in on each other throughout your shifts.”
“It’s sickening,” Nancy chimed in.
“It’s sweet,” Tommy cooed instead. “He on shift today?”
“Was earlier. I think he should be home by now. He was helping out the rangers today. So was anxious to work with his dad. I just wanted to check on him earlier. But…”
“How about you go change and I’ll sweet talk Nancy into dropping you back at your place?” Tommy squeezed his arm again.
“What?” Nancy gasped.
“You’re the closest to his new place,” Tommy teased. “And the fire crew is out right now. So…”
“Please?” TK sighed. He held up the offending phone once more. “Not like I can call an Uber.”
Nancy softened at that. “Fine. But you owe me…”
TK rolled his eyes, regretting it as it tugged at the tight, bruised skin. “I bet you can convince Carlos to pack you up a to go container if he’s started dinner.”
Nancy paused and gave him a long look. “What’s he cooking?”
“I don’t know,” TK groaned. “Broken phone. Remember?”
She winced at that. “Touché.”
“Go change,” Tommy interrupted with a fond look.
She offered a hand to TK and helped him up. Nancy met him at the end of the bus and hopped off the rig to the ground. She reached up and helped TK down the ramp. “Easy, dude.” Despite her teasing earlier, she was gentle and looked concerned. “Okay to do the stairs and change?”
“Yeah,” TK exhaled. “I bruised my hip but think it’s fine. Just where I fell back onto it.”
“You mean your ass right? Because wasn’t your phone in your back pocket and—“
“No.” He shoved away from her as they approached the stairs. “No, it was the side pocket of my jacket. And it got smashed between my hip and the ground.” He frowned again. “I’m fine. I’m sore and frustrated but fine.”
She gave him a nod as they got upstairs to change. “Take your time. I’m legit not going to rush you. I’ll meet you downstairs by my car?”
“Thanks.” TK gave her a nod and they separated to change. He glanced at his phone one final time before giving up on it. He opened his locker and tossed it into his duffel bag. He then went about slowly but surely changed. As much as he had said he was fine. His hip hurt and his face continued to throb. He winced as the bruise on his hip came into view once his uniform pants were off. He slipped a pair of joggers on and grabbed a hoodie. He’d deal with a shower later. It hadn’t been that crazy of a shift.
Until the end.
He just hoped Carlos’s day hadn’t been as bad. That the other man had survived the time with his father.
He tossed his bag over his shoulder and headed back down. Tommy gave him a small wave as he headed toward the parking lot.
“Let me know if you need me to get a B shift guy to cover for you next shift,” she called out.
“I’ll be fine.” He shrugged. “Going to ice it and take tomorrow to get a new phone. Should be fine for the next shift.”
“Just keep me posted.” She patted his shoulder and gently pushed him toward the lot. Nancy was leaning against her car waiting. “See you guys later. Get some rest.”
“Will do, Cap,” Nancy replied with a mock salute. “Ready, TK?”
He nodded and walked around to the passenger seat of her car. Once they were both in, she gave him a long look before gently grabbing his chin and turning his face toward hers.
“How are you feeling? Seriously?"
He tried to smile. “My face hurts. But I’m alright. Not as hard of a hit as I’ve had before.” Nancy practically winced at that. “I’ll be alright. Going to ice it more once home and I think Carlos has some ointments and stuff I can use if nothing else. I’m not concussed and the cut is minor. I’ll be sore but fine.”
“Okay.” She let go of his chin and cranked up the car. “Just take it easy.”
“Awww, you care,” TK teased back.
She rolled her eyes as she hit the road. “Whatever. Just, don’t want to break in B shift…”
TK couldn’t help but laugh a little at that. “Right.”
They continued to banter back and forth some as they drove. It helped take his mind off his throbbing face and frustration over his phone. However, he was so relieved to see his new home come into view. They’d only been there about a month. It had taken much longer than either had hoped to find the new place. Between the hell of dealing with insurance and his dad getting the 126 back…it had taken a minute.
“Your boy looks like he beat us like you expected.” Nancy pulled up in front of the house and parked on the side of the road.
TK leaned forward with a slight groan. “Yeah. That’s the kitchen light on too.”
“So…food?” Nana perked up a little and turned her engine off.
“Maybe.” Nancy shot him a smile. “Come on. I’m sure he can fix your a plate or to go container. Whichever.”
“To go is fine.” She hopped out of the car and jogged over to help him up. “I don’t need to witness the Tarlos love fest once he sees your bruises.”
TK rolled his eyes but accepted her help up the walkway. He dug in his pockets for his keys, excited to see Carlos and hear about his day.
But…
When he opened the door, it wasn’t Carlos in the kitchen.
“Gabriel?”
Carlos’s father stood from the barstool he’d been resting on. His face was worn and pale. His signature cowboy hat was nowhere in site. His usually pristine uniform had red stains littered across his shirt.
It was blood….
“TK! Thank God!” He ran a hand through his hair, pulling on strands. It was an action TK was very familiar with. He’d seen Carlos do that more times than not when upset. More over, his hands shook as he let go of his hair.
TK swallowed thickly. He felt Nancy squeeze his arm, obviously having picked up on whatever tension or problem was going on.
“Andrea and I were worried when you didn’t answer your texts,” Gabriel continued.
TK shifted anxious. “Patient knocked me over. I fell on my phone. It’s busted.” He swallowed again. “What’s going on?” He looked past Gabriel’s shoulder. “Where’s Carlos?”
Gabriel all but flinched at the question. “We tried to call you…”
“Gabriel?” TK took a tentative step forward. “What’s going on?”
Gabriel side and ran a hand over his face. “The case earlier. Something…Something went wrong.”
TK felt himself start to shake in return. He leant into Nancy more, who just stood there taking on his weight with a steady presence. Gone was her teasing and picking. Instead, she just kept squeezing his arm and letting him be.
Gabriel cleared his throat. “We ended up tracking down my suspect. Carlos was just supposed to be on the sidelines. We wanted APD there as backup and control. Nothing more.” He paused to take a deep breath. “But then, the suspect, well, they realized what was happening. They turned on us. On my guys. And….” Gabriel closed his eyes, steadying himself. “The guy pulled a gun on me. I was working undercover. It blew up in my face. And Carlos.” His voice cracked. “He saw it. Before anyone else. And he…” He trailed off, emotions clogging his voice.
TK felt Nancy hold onto him, practically keeping him upright at this point. “Sir?”
“He took a bullet for me.” Gabriel looked away. “I should’ve seen it coming and I didn’t and he took the bullet. For me.”
TK would have fallen to the ground if it wasn’t for Nancy. His partner kept him in place, holding him up against her side. She even managed to ask the question he couldn’t bring himself to say. “Is he okay? Where’s Carlos, sir?”
Gabriel leaned against the bar counter. “He’s at the hospital. His mother is there. Waiting on us.” He cleared his throat again. The action only served to increase TK’s anxiety. “He was in surgery when I left. The bullet,” he rubbed at his eyes, “it went in just above his hip. He shoved me.” His voice cracked. “He shoved me out of the way.”
“Right or left side?” Nancy asked, clearly slipping into paramedic mode.
“Right,” Gabriel responded. “It was on his right side.”
Nancy nodded and pulled on TK’s arm. “That means it could have missed things. Could have gone in between his kidneys and liver. May just be a flesh wound.”
TK gave her a nod before turning back to Gabriel.
The man blushed. “I didn’t stay long enough to know. I couldn’t— I needed to do something. When you didn’t answer, I just decided to come here. To wait. I just, I needed to do something.”
“So,” TK finally said, his voice shaking. “Carlos is in surgery?”
“Yes,” Gabriel sighed. “He was. The doctors were optimistic. But they wanted to clean the wound and assess for damage. He lost a lot of blood on scene. Was still bleeding quite a bit when they took him to the OR. But we got him to the ER fast. The doctors were optimistic though.”
Then why do you look so upset….
“Do you guys need a ride?” Nancy asked, taking charge as best she could for the men.
“No, I’m okay,” Gabriel was quick to assert. “I can take us.”
She rubbed TK’s back. “Can I let the others know?”
TK blinked, trying to clear his eyes and thoughts all at once. “Yeah. Please. Since, um, I can’t.”
She pulled him into a hug. “No problem, dude. I’ll call in the calvary. They can let your dad know too. I don’t think I have his number.”
TK just nodded absently.
Nancy let go of him and sidestepped Gabriel to reach the notepad stuck to the fridge in the kitchen. She snatched the pen off the top and quickly jotted down here number. “Here,” she said to Gabriel. “If you guys need anything. Just text me. Know he doesn’t know it by heart.” She gave TK a small smile. “I’ll message everyone.” She crossed the room again, pausing to squeeze his hand. “Which hospital are we going to?”
“St. David’s,” Gabriel responded. “Thank you. I’ll take TK there now.”
“We’ll meet y’all later,” Nancy promised, ignoring the men’s protest. “Keep us posted.” She paused, before once again giving TK a hug. She pulled away and left, her phone already up to her ear as she starting making the calls to their group. Their family.
“Son?” Gabriel said after a beat.
TK shook himself, causing pain throughout his face with the motion. “Yes sir?”
Gabriel softened. “I asked if you needed anything before we left?”
“Oh.” He blushed, realizing he had obviously zoned out. “No. Uh, I’m good.” He took a steadying breath. “I don’t need anything.”
“You sure?”
TK nodded too quickly, sending fresh pain through his face.
“Do you want an ice pack? Or Advil?”
TK couldn’t help but blush. Gabriel had already picked up on his bruises and injuries. “I’m fine. Can we, um, just get to the ER?” To Carlos…
“Of course.” Gabriel rubbed a hand over his face and pushed off the counter. “Let’s go.”
The two men were quick to leave the house. TK couldn’t have told you if they bothered to turn off lights or lock doors. His focus was solely on getting out. On getting to the ER. To Carlos.
Nothing else really mattered.
Gabriel went through the motions of driving them to the hospital. He rambled on about details of the case and of how brave Carlos was. His anxiety and guilt leaked into each word. It made TK uneasy, but he let the man speak. He barely uttered a word on the way to the ER. He just let Gabriel drone on. He just…he couldn’t. He just wanted to get to Carlos.
Once they parked, TK all but jumped out of the barely still car. Gabriel, to his credit, didn’t say anything. He just matched TK’s shaky steps and tried to keep a hand on the man instead. They navigated the halls of the hospital until they wound their way to a waiting room. Andrea stood as she saw them, her own eyes filled with tears. TK felt his own match hers.
“Mijo,” she said softly. She reached for TK and pulled him into a hug. He all but fell against her. “I’m so glad Gabriel found you.”
“My phone got broken,” he sighed. He pulled away and gave her a sad smile. “Patient knocked me over when he regained consciousness. I fell on my cell.”
She returned the smile, her hand going up to gently cup the bruises on his face. “It looks like they did more than break your phone.”
“I’m okay, ma’am.” He blushed at the attention and winced. The ache in his hip spiked from all the power walking and jogging he had just done. He ignored it. “How’s Carlos?”
Andrea’s thumb rubbed carefully under his bruises and bandaids. “Doctors said he came through surgery fine. He’s in recovery.” She moved her hand down to the back of his neck, squeezing gently. “They’ll let us back in a few hours once he comes out of the anesthesia.”
TK nodded, feeling his shoulders sag in relief.
“Did the bullet do any damage?” Gabriel asked softy, coming up to join the two of them.
Andrea took in a shaky breath, sending fresh anxiety back through TK. “They said there was a minor complication. It clipped part of the kidneys. That’s why there was so much bleeding. They said it was a small tear. He’ll need to stay on bedrest longer than he’ll like.” She gave a sheepish smile at that. “But will heal. They think it should heal with no lasting side effects. No need to remove it.”
TK’s brain froze on that. The idea that Carlos could have lost a kidney. That they were closer to losing more than just that in reality.
Gabriel cleared his throat after a moment. “TK, son, you should sit.”
TK felt himself shake, not realizing it until Gabriel put a hand on his elbow and guided him down onto a nearby chair. “Thanks,” he finally stuttered. “Sorry.” He ran a hand through his hair, hating that the Reyes were fawning over him while Carlos laid alone in recovery. “I’m so sorry.”’
“No need to be,” Gabriel quickly asserted. “This…is a lot.”
“For all of us,” Andrea added. She took the seat beside him and put an arm around his shoulders. She pulled him into a side hugged and pressed a kiss to the side of his head. “Besides, I think it will soon be you that needs the apologies.”
TK raised an eyebrow at her. “What?”
Gabriel let out an anxious laugh at that, obviously knowing where his wife was going with the conversation. “Oh, I agree.” He took a seat beside TK, looking slightly more relaxed than he had at their house.
“Yes,” Andrea sent both men a smile. “Our Carlitos, he is not a good patient. You will see, TK.”
Gabriel gave another watery smile. “God, do you remember that time he broke his leg? He was, oh, how old was he?”
“He was fifteen, mi amor.” Andrea shook her head fondly. “It was just a few months before his sixteenth birthday.”
“That’s right!”
TK chewed on his lip. “What happened?” He shifted in the chair, trying to get the weight off his right side as well.
“He was working with his uncle’s horse, out at the ranch,” Andrea continued.
“He thought he could break it in on his own.” Gabriel shook his head at that. “It did not end well for him.”
“No,” Andrea agreed. “They’d just gotten a new horse from a friend. He was a tad more wild than our Carlos was used to.”
“But he was determined he could take care of it now his own.” Gabriel relaxed into his seat as he continued speaking. “He gave it his all.”
“Right until he was thrown and broke his leg.”
“God, I was so terrified,” Gabriel admitted, clearing his throat. It was obvious he was still shaken from the events of this day as well. “I ran over and the bone was sticking out and all.”
“Compound fracture,” TK easily supplied.
“Yes,” Andrea patted him on the back. “He spent a few hours in surgery that day and was given strict orders for bed rest once he was discharged.”
“He was very unhappy with that…”
Andrea agreed with her husband. “So unhappy. I thought I was going to have to take Gabriel’s handcuffs and secure him to the bed to get him to stay still.”
Gabriel couldn’t help but laugh at that. “He is not an easy patient. He hates ‘putting people out’ by being laid up.”
“He won’t put me out,” TK speedily assured.
“We know.” Andrea patted his back. “We know, mijo. He just may need the reminder a time or two.”
“Or ten,” Gabriel chuckled. The laugh was short lived as he quickly turned somber. “I’m sorry. To both of you.”
“Mi armor—“
“No,” Gabriel interrupted. “I didn’t…I should have protected him. I let my guard down. And Carlitos got hurt.”
“He wanted to protect you,” Andrea assured. “You know that, love.”
TK managed to nod and find his own voice. “He loves you, sir.” He blushed at the idea of getting into the middle of this conversation. “You both mean a lot to him. He did this because he wanted to.” He couldn’t help but smile as he continued. “And he is really determined when it comes to what he wants.”
Gabriel’s eyes shown with tears, but he smiled in return at TK. “I’d imagine you would know that better than anyone.”
TK laughed and looked down at the ground. “Yes, sir. Trust me.”
Before anyone could say any more, Gabriel’s phone rang. He pulled his phone out and gave TK another look. “Your partner must have called in the reinforcements.” He turned the screen towards TK so he could see ‘Cap Strand’ as the incoming caller ID. “I’ll take this. You two just wait on news.”
Neither got the chance to argue as Gabriel jumped up and answered Owen’s call. Andrea just clicked her tongue at him. “He blames himself.”
“I get that,” TK sighed, rubbed at his eyes tiredly.
“It’s no one’s fault. Aside from the person who shot him.” Andrea squeezed his hand. “I’ll take care of Gabriel if you take care of my boy. I think they both may need that.”
TK felt a wave of emotions at her trust. “Of course. I love him, ma’am.”
“I know.” She let go of his hand and patted his knee. “You’ll take good care of him. But, how about I go see if a nurse will give us an ice pack for you for right now. While we wait.”
“Oh I’m fine. I—“
“Have been wincing and rubbing at your face this whole time.”
He sighed in defeat. “Thank you.”
“De nada.” She ran a hand through his hair and went off to talk to the nurses. She returned with a fresh ice pack and gave him a stern look until he used it. Gabriel eventually returned as well, informing them both that Owen and some of the 126 would be coming once they were off shift. It was all very appreciated.
But none of it was what TK wanted more than anything…
His eyes remained glued to the doors, waiting on the doctor. So much so that he barely noticed his family showing. Barely saw Gabriel take comfort in Owen’s words. Or Andrea and Tommy connecting over stories of their children. No, none of that really settled in. Nothing mattered
Until the doctor walked out.
He let them know that Carlos was resting in his room and was ready for visitors. That he’d been fairly cognizant and awake when they moved him. TK couldn’t help but let out a long, relieved breath at that. Andrea and Gabriel followed while the rest of their little family clapped and shouted in excitement at the news, all relieved in their own way.
“I can bring one of you back to sit with him. If you’d like,” the doctor kindly offered once he had explained the recovery and outcomes.
“Go on,” Andrea said, gently prodding TK. “You first, TK.”
“No, I—“
“She’s right,” Gabriel added. “Go on. He’ll want to see you first. Then us.” He gave him a wink, even as his eyes continued to fill with unshed tears. “Go on.”
TK opened his mouth to protest, but it was no good. They both continued to encourage and assure him that it was him who should go. The doctor took it all in stride. TK eventually stood and let the doctor lead him through a maze of halls and doors. The man droned on about medical terms and needs for Carlos. All things TK one the should hear and take note of for the future. But…he just couldn’t focus on it. His mind was still abuzz with anxiety and worry.
He just wanted to see Carlos.
“Here we are,” the doctor finally stopped at a private room. “If you need anything just hit the call button in there and someone will come. And don’t be alarmed if he’s tired or groggy still. We have him on morphine right now to get through the surgery. He’ll be weened off that tomorrow.”
TK just nodded.
“He’s gong to make a good recovery.”
“Thank you,” TK finally said. The doctor left and TK took another steadying breath. He opened the door and stepped in, fully expecting Carlos to be asleep and recovery from surgery. Instead, the man was awake, blinking and smiling tiredly at him.
“Babe…”
“Hey,” TK greeted, exhaling a long breath and walking toward the bed. “Hey baby.” He took Carlos’s hand in his, feeling the man squeeze it tightly, his strength already coming back. “Hey.” TK leaned down and pressed a kiss to the top of his head. “God it’s good to see you.”
Carlos hummed in agreement.
“How’re you feeling?”
“Okay.” Carlos blinked his eyes again before rubbing at them with his free hand. “Tired. Sore.”
“Getting shot will do that.” He snagged a nearby chair with his foot and pulled it closer to the bed. He sat, never once letting go of Carlos’s hand. “Trust me.”
Carlos groaned. “Am I in the doghouse now?“
TK barked out a laugh. “Debatable.” He ran a hand through Carlos’s curls. “Let me get through the next few days then we’ll return to that.”
“I’m sorry.”
“No, don’t be.” TK kissed Carlos’s hand. “You were protecting your dad. I can’t fault that.”
Carlos seemed to panic at that for a moment. “Is he okay? No one told me. And—“
“He’s in the waiting room right now. He came to the house to get me and is out there now with your mom and the crew.”
“Good. That’s…good.” Carlos sagged back against the bed, wincing a little as the motion pulled on his hip. “Wait, why did he go get you?” He finally gave TK a long, studied look. “And why are you bruised? What happened? Ty?”
“I’m okay. Promise.” He leant his cheek against Carlos’s hand. “A patient just knocked me over. He gave me a black eye and knocked me down. I fell back on my phone. I think it got stuck between my hip and the ground. Crushed and cracked it.”
“Ouch. Sounds like it bruised your hip too.”
“You’re one to talk here…”
Carlos rolled his eyes. “I’ll be okay.”
“Yes,” TK agreed. “With lots of bed rest and time off….”
Carlos groaned again at that. He opened his mouth to protest, but instead let out a jaw cracking yawn.
“Get some more sleep, baby.” TK pulled up the blankets and fawned over Carlos for a moment. “We’ll figure it out. Promise.”
“But—“
“Get some rest.” TK ran his fingers up and down Carlos’s arm, mindful of the IV’s and lines. “I’m not going anywhere. No one is.”
That seemed to finally give Carlos some reassurance. He let his eyes fall shut and he finally fell back to sleep. TK let himself relax back into his own chair for a moment. He knew that things would be hard. He’d have to go sort out his phone when he had no desire to leave the hospital. He’d have to fight Carlos to get him to rest when the man feels like a burden. He’d have to deal with all that and more.
But that would be doable with Carlos on the mend. So much easier than the alternative. They’d faced the possibility of that more times than he wanted to remember lately. He’d take the hard if it meant they were together and safe.
The rest…he could deal with.
The rest would fall into place eventually.
He settled into the chair and watched Carlos for a few minutes longer.
They’d get through this.