"Really? With your injuries I would've thought you'd be feeling like a punching bag right about now," the nurse said as she went about her routine. "So, I hear you want the catheter out. Well the only way it comes out is if you can get up to use the bathroom. We're pushing a lot of liquids through your system right now and that means what goes in must come out." She smiled at Ashley, raising her eyebrows and pursing her lips.

The nursed flicked on the irritating fluorescent light over Ashley's bed making her wince in pain. Closing her eyes, Ashley covered her head with her arm and groaned. "Okay. I can do that."

"Okay." Gloving up, the nursed moved down to Ashley's waist and looked at her mom. "You might want to go outside, just for a minute. Can you close the door? We wouldn't want anyone to see your daughter in her delicate position. Thanks," she said going back to her work.

Ashley rolled her eyes and waited. She hadn't had a catheter before. Heck, she'd never had surgery, so this was all new to her. A slight pressure and it was done. The bag, the tubing and the nurse were all whisked away so fast she couldn't ask her the question that was on the tip of her tongue.

"You know, you've had visitors in and out of this place since you got here," Ashley's mom informed her as she pushed the privacy curtain back. "You're a pretty popular woman, Honey."

"Mom, can you get the light?" Ashley pointed to the fluorescent above her.

"Sure, Honey. Do you remember what happened to you?"

She remembered getting up that morning, dressing, checking her firearm, and then getting a call about a suspicious person. She remembered getting out of her car and then a searing pain shot through her chest. Reaching up, she touched the bandages on her face and remembered the mic exploding on her shoulder. Then Tyler was by her side lifting her and running. After that she didn't remember anything.

"I remember everything up until a firefighter starting carrying me to the ambulance. After that, nothing." Ashley winced again in pain. Pushing the b.u.t.ton on the pain machine she hoped it didn't take long to work.

"Knock, knock. Anyone awake?" Kelly's voice was barely a whisper as she peeked around the privacy curtain. "Hey, you're awake. How are you, kid?"

Kelly leaned down and kissed Ashley on the head, then turned and smiled at Ashley's mom and patted her shoulder.

"Hi, Kelly. Well, I guess I'll go home now that my replacement is here." Leaning down, Ashley's mom kissed her on the forehead. "I'll be back in a little while, Honey."

"Bye, Mrs. Henderson," Kelly said taking her place next to Ashley.

"Mom? Mom, you don't need to come back today. I'm awake, but I'll probably sleep all day, so stay home and just call me tonight. If I need you I'll call you, okay? Please, Mom?"

"Okay, Ashley. Call me if you need me. It was nice to see you again, Kelly."

"Bye, Mrs. Henderson." Kelly waved and looked at Ashley.

"She's p.i.s.sed," Ashley whispered. "She wants to feel needed and I just told her to stay home. Being a daughter can be so hard. Can you hand me that cup of ice?"

"Here, I'll do it," Kelly said, slipping a few chips in Ashley's mouth.

"So how bad is it?" Ashley steeled herself for what was about to come. She could feel her eyelids start to droop, which meant the pain meds were starting to work. She focused on Kelly's lips that were moving but she couldn't really hear anything, except one word.

"Leslie."

Chapter Nineteen.

She should be waking up soon. She's been in and out of consciousness for the past two days," a male voice said as Tyler tried to focus on it. "She's got a long road ahead of her. She's going to need to rehab as soon as she's able to get out of bed. We want to try and get her up as soon as possible, so when she's able we need to get her on her feet."

"She's not going to like that," another voice said.

"She'll be fine. She's a fighter, Doctor." Tyler recognized that voice. It was her dad's.

Trying to open her eyes again, she realized she was freezing. Geez, don't they heat this place, Tyler asked. At least she thought she asked it, but she didn't get a response to her question. Trying to clear her foggy mind, she licked her lips and tried to talk, but nothing came out. s.h.i.t, now what? She could still hear the conversation going on around her as if she wasn't even there. Finally, she moaned in frustration.

"Hey, Kiddo. How are you feeling?" Tyler's dad came into her field of vision giving her something to focus on.

Tyler made a writing motion with her hand and looked desperately at her father.

"Sure, Ty," her father said, pulling out a pad of paper from his front pocket and a pen from his jacket. "Here you go, Kid."

Tyler tried to sit up, but her body rejected the idea. It seemed to take forever for her to scrawl her request, but she finally finished the word. Handing the pad to her father she laid her head back on the pillow and sighed. Never had something taken so much out of her, but a single word was all she could muster. Looking up at the paper she frowned at the childlike scratching and started to cry.

"Honey, don't cry. It'll be okay." Picking up the pad, her dad started to chuckle. "She wants water."

"Sips, small sips. Her throat is probably dry and scratched from the breathing tube," the doctor said moving into her field of vision. "Hi Tyler, I'm Dr. Smyth. I'll be treating you while you're in the hospital."

Tyler smiled at the simple name. Had she been able to talk, she probably would've given the good doctor a bad time over the name, but now she just wanted a drink of water. Looking back up, she saw Doctor Smyth pull out his penlight to check her eyes. Instructing her to look in different directions while he checked her pupils, it was clear Doctor Smyth was going to check her out first. The things she had to do to get a drink of water. Tyler grunted again and raised her eyebrows, dramatically making a swallowing motion.

"Okay, Okay. Chief Jackson, she can have a drink, but small sips. She hasn't had anything in her stomach and I would hate to see her get sick." Looking back at Tyler he continued, "Tyler, you have two injuries. One was to the neck, which needed surgery. You were lucky the bullet just missed your carotid artery, but we had to go in and make sure that the jugular wasn't compromised in anyway. We did find a few fibergla.s.s fragments from your helmet when we irrigated the wound so we cleaned the wound out and sewed you back together. We did an MRI and didn't find any bullet fragments so that's good.

Your hip, on the other hand, is another story. It looks as if the bullet ricocheted off the pavement and entered under your right b.u.t.tock, nicking the femur about 3 inches below the trochanter, which is the outer part of your femur, and to the ..." Looking down at his own legs he tried to visualize which side Tyler was shot. "right of the head of your femur. We noticed on the MRI that there were bullet fragments there so we wanted to make sure that the joint wasn't impacted. So we had to go in and do surgery to check everything out. We also needed to get the fragments out so you didn't develop lead toxicity. The nick should heal without any additional surgery, but we did put in drains because I'm worried about the formation of a fistula, which is a pocket of blood or pus. The surgical drains will allow those fluids to discharge and we can check the content and treat you accordingly. Okay? Well that's a lot of information for you to take in. It's going to be difficult to walk around with the I.V.'s and drains in, but we've got everything taped down. You're going to have a little trouble talking because your throat is bruised, but don't worry. It will go down. Sips of water, maybe some lukewarm broth, and we'll see what we can get dietary to send up that will be soft and palatable. Questions?"

Tyler's head was spinning with all the information. She had two gunshot wounds, wasn't dying and would be able to walk. Nope everything sounded good on her end.

"Peeing?"

"Aw, you want to get up and walk around. Slowly. You'll need help so don't walk alone. I'll get a walker sent up and that should help. You'll find lying on your left side is much more comfortable. Also be careful sitting. Lean more to the left when you do sit and then lay on your side."

"Pee?"

"Oh, right. Yes, you can get up to pee. In fact that will help with the healing process. So yes, by all means pee, but with help. Okay Tyler, I'll see you later tonight when I do rounds. If you need something, let the nurses know. I've given you something for the pain, but if you need more we can set you up on a pain management system. Don't wait though to ask and don't think you can tough it out. You've been seriously injured and we want to make sure pain doesn't stop the healing process. You know what? I'm going to order it when I get out to the nurses' station. That way we don't have to worry." Turning to Tyler's father, he extended his hand and they shook. "I'll see you both later."

Finally, Tyler thought. Now I can get that d.a.m.n water. Moaning again she motioned to her throat.

"Oh, sorry, Sweetie." Tyler's father came to her side and quickly moved her bed to an upright position. He put a pillow behind her back so she would roll over, placed a small paper cup with a straw in her hand and helped her take a sip of water. "You scared the s.h.i.t out of me. I thought I was going to lose you, too."

Tyler looked at her father and saw a tear start to roll down his check. Reaching up, she wiped his face, then cupped his check. Taking another sip of water, she smiled at him and squeezed his hand hoping it would lend some rea.s.surance. Tyler's dad had been a pillar of strength when her mom died, but he had his moments when she found him by himself crying. One day, she found him sitting in his office with a picture of her mother in his lap. He had fallen asleep, but it was evident he had been crying. It broke Tyler's heart to see her father worried about her.

Tyler reached up and touched the gauze on her neck and tried to twist her neck slightly, but pain shot through her forcing her to stop. Tapping her father's arm, she reached for the pad again. This time she was able to write somewhat better. The shaking in her hand was gone and she felt a little clearer as she scrawled one word on the paper again. Handing it to her dad she waited for his response.

"Ashley? Oh, Officer Henderson. She's doing better. Kelly was in here checking on you and said that she was finally starting to come around." Tyler's dad smiled at her.

Giving him a thumbs up, she took another sip of water and laid her head back on her pillow. Trying to move in the bed she felt another shooting pain at her hip. Pulling the covers back, she pulled her gown to the side and saw a long gauze with two drains coming out of the skin. Looking panicked at her father, she pointed to her hip and grunted out, "Oh s.h.i.t!"

"You don't remember much from the incident do you?" Tyler shook her head and motioned for her father to continue. "Well you got shot-up pretty bad, Tyler. In fact, we didn't think you were going to live. You took one in the neck there," he said pointing to the pain in her neck, "and you took one right there in your hip. Mike said he was surprised you made it to the ambulance. Tyler, I don't know if I can save you from yourself, but this has to stop. I'm going to put you on administrative leave until I can figure out what to do."

Shocked, Tyler looked at her dad and shook her head. She had known there would be some repercussions from her decision, but right now she didn't care. She had saved Ashley and that's all that mattered. At least Ashley wouldn't end up like Jill, hanging on the Wall of the Fallen at the police station. Tyler felt her dad's warm hand rub her shoulder, trying to smooth over what he had just told her.

"Mike ... wasn't his fault," Tyler whispered in her raspy voice. "I made him do it. I threatened him, Dad. Not his fault."

"I had a long talk with Mike. He explained that he wasn't going to let you go out there alone, so I put him on admin leave for a week. I just can't have my firefighters breaking the rules or worse, putting themselves and others in danger, just 'cause you think you know better. Can I Tyler?"

Tyler slumped her shoulders and head and slowly shook it in agreement. She felt like she did when she as a kid and had disappointed him. She almost wanted to cry, but not in front of her dad and her chief. Now, Mike had to pay for her stupidity. Her reputation as a cowboy was firmly intact, she was sure of it. Pulling the pad to her again she wrote something down and showed it to her dad.

Smiling and shaking his head, he ran his fingers through her hair and grasped her head and kissed it. "I know, Honey. I know."

Writing something else down, she showed it to her father and waited.

"Well, I can help you with the first thing, but I'm not sure you're ready to get out of bed. The pajamas and robe, I'll bring in later. Okay?"

Another thumbs up from Tyler and then she was trying to lower the bed as far down as it would go. She wasn't going to be stuck in that bed any more than she had to be, so it was now or never. Motioning to her father, he helped her swing her feet to the floor. Tyler noticed the pink booties on her feet and groaned. It wasn't that she didn't like pink. It just wasn't a color she wore unless it was a polo shirt or a b.u.t.ton down.

"Wait, Honey. Let me page the nurse."

Tyler waited while everyone a.s.sembled for her grand adventure to the bathroom. Tyler hoped her a.s.s wasn't hanging out for her dad to see. She was sure the last time he'd seen it was when she was a baby, if he even changed her diapers. Slowly rising to her feet, she felt the room start to spin.

"Down," she grunted, motioning with her hands to sit again. Turning to her left side, she felt the pull on her right thigh and b.u.t.t. Oh this is going to suck, she thought as she broke out in a cold sweat. Taking a long deep breath, she focused on her mission. It was a simple one but urgent, pee. Putting her hands on the side of the bed, she started to push herself up and felt a set of hands on each side of her helping. This time the dizziness wasn't as bad. Putting one foot in front of the other, she slowly made her way to the open bathroom door. Turning slightly, she looked at her dad, raised an eyebrow and shook her head. Mouthing the word no, she walked into the bathroom with the nurse and closed the door. A minute later Tyler let out a deep moan, which she was sure the nurse could hear.

"Good Girl," said the nurse with such enthusiasm that it embarra.s.sed Tyler.

She wasn't a six year old and didn't need the accolades that went to someone so young when they made their first p.o.o.poo after surgery. Tyler washed her hands and made her way back out of the tiny box they called a bathroom. Someone could get claustrophobia in a little place like that, she reasoned. Tyler's dad walked over and wrapped his arms around her, squeezing ever so slightly, but the intent was felt. Tyler was safe in her dad's arms and she laid her head on his shoulder as she heard him sniffle, a sure sign he was crying.

"Come on. Let's get you back into bed. That little jaunt to the little girls' room is gonna tire you out. Trust me."

Tyler reached for the pad again, wrote "blanket", and handed it to her dad. She was sure her nipples were hard enough to cut gla.s.s and it didn't do Tyler's ego any good to know her dad had probably noticed.

"Yeah, I figured you were cold," he said walking Tyler to the bed. The look she sent him could have withered a weaker man, but he withstood the glare. "Sorry, Honey. Guess that was better left unsaid, huh?"

Tyler's face said it all. She had suffered the humiliation of having her dad see her bare a.s.s, now he had seen her high beams on full. What else could happen?

"Hey kids, is our sleepy head up yet?" Kelly asked whispering as she came into the room.

Tyler rolled her eyes. I just had to ask didn't I? Now Kelly could see me in all my bare-a.s.s, high beam glory. Why hadn't I just gotten into bed and not hugged my dad? s.h.i.t!

Chapter Twenty.

The smell of coffee a.s.saulted Ashley's senses again, this time her stomach rumbling from the enticement. She knew her mother would be sitting across from her so she relaxed, trying to sleep a bit longer until the pressure in her bladder made it almost uncomfortable to sleep. Cracking an eyelid open, she found the room in almost complete darkness. Thank heavens, she thought as she opened both eyes. Looking over at her mom, who was asleep, she wished her mom had taken her advice and stayed home until Ashley had called her. Ashley didn't get her stubbornness by accident and that genetic marker was sitting across from her, snoring.

The pressure on her bladder was painful and she needed to get up soon or the nurse would be scolding her for wet bed sheets and the lack of the catheter.

"Mom," Ashley whispered, hoping not to startle her mother. "Mom," she said a tad more forceful. "I have to pee."

Ashley's mom adjusted her position slightly and kept sleeping. Looking around for something to toss in her mother's lap, she spied the nurses call b.u.t.ton. She hated to do it but she really needed to pee. Pushing the b.u.t.ton, she heard a loud cranky voice come over the intercom.

"Do you need something two thirteen?"

Ashley's mom jumped at the question and then responded, "Oh s.h.i.t, I must have accidentally hit the b.u.t.ton." Looking around for it, she found it dangling from Ashley's hand twisting ever so slightly.

"Oh, did you need something, Honey?"

"As a matter of fact, Mother, I need to use the bathroom. That's why I buzzed the nurses' station, since I couldn't wake you up. What are you doing here anyway? I thought I told you to go home and rest."

"I did rest, Dear. But I kept thinking about you and your being shot, and the pain you're in and ... well I couldn't sleep. So I came down here and sat with my only daughter. Is that a crime, Officer?"

Ashley knew when she was being bested at her own game. So it was time to play the subordinate daughter and concede defeat.

"No, Mom. I'd do the same thing if I were in your shoes. I'm sorry." Ashley patted her mother's hand and then laid a soft kiss on it. "Can I pee now? Please?"

Just as Ashley finished, the privacy curtain was moved back and a nurse walked in.

"You forgot to take your finger off the b.u.t.ton. We heard everything at the nurses' station." Scrunching her nose at Ashley and her mom she continued, "You two are so sweet. I think we all got a cavity just now. Okay, so this is how we move Ashley so she can go to the bathroom ..."

The nurse demonstrated the correct procedure to move Ashley from the bed to the bathroom. Since her ribs had been severely bruised under her arm pit, she would have to be extra careful of the sling and brace she had on her right side. The IV stand went everywhere Ashley did and eventually Ashley could use it to lean on, but only a little. With her mom's help, she made the trip in ten minutes. Who knew ten feet would take so long? Trying to unravel all of the IV tubing, power cords and pain unit was an exercise in futility. Then came the parting of the gown. Never had Ashley felt so exposed in her life. One minute she was covered head to knee, the next minute everything was flopping out for all eyes to see. Forget tying the d.a.m.n thing. That had been her mother's first mistake after Ashley used the bathroom the first time. The second time, Ashley had to buzz the nurse from the bathroom for a.s.sistance as her gown and IV's got tangled and the IV stand almost went into the toilet. All of this just to pee. How had my life become such a tangled mess?

"Mom, PJs. I need my flannel PJs. At least when I go to the bathroom I can just pull one thing down and only have my a.s.s exposed. With these hospital gowns, I'm in a peep show."

"Fine, I'll bring your flannels."

"Mom?"

"Yes."

"Could I have a sip of your coffee? It smells so good."

"I don't know. You know what the doctor said."

"Mom. If you don't want to see your daughter have a full on temper tantrum -"

"Fine, fine. Let me go warm this up or maybe I'll get a fresh one for my little girl," Ashley's mom said, rubbing it in.

The walk back from the bathroom had been a little more than Ashley could handle so she pressed the pain b.u.t.ton. Gently lying back on the upright bed, she pulled her legs onto the bed and sighed. If this is what recovery is going to be like, someone shoot me now 'cause I don't think I'm gonna make it. The medicine seemed to be working faster lately, as her eyelids became heavy again. d.a.m.n it, stay awake. I want that coffee. Ashley heard her mom come back into the room humming. She liked it when her mom hummed. She had such a pretty voice. It reminded her of a scratchy record. What? No it was beautiful like a bird p.o.o.ping on her patrol car. What? Oh man. The medicine was really starting to have an effect on Ashley's thought process. Maybe the coffee would help counteract it.

"Here you go, Honey. What were you saying about bird p.o.o.p?"