by Laura Acton
Turning his gaze to the son of his heart, Blaze’s gut clenched. “How’s the kid doing?”
Lowering himself to the bunk next to Ripsaw’s, Patch said, “Lightly sedated now. I’m glad you found out what was in the poison. Hasn’t had another bout of diarrhea or vomiting for about an hour. I’m concerned about his kidneys. He hasn’t urinated yet though I’m pushing tons of fluid. Although, I believe he’s sweating most of it out.”
Mary Catherine listened to the status of each man. She offered, “I can send a couple of sisters in to monitor them while you all get some rest.”
Mason shook his head. “I’m okay to stay awake.”
Making a command decision, Blaze said, “Your heart is in the right place Mason, but I need you rested and alert later tonight.” Catching sight of Patch opening his mouth, Blaze preempted his words. “That goes for you too. The sisters will wake you if anything arises which needs your attention.” He turned to peer at Brody. The man was conked out with his head on Blondie’s bed. Blaze went to Brody and started to lift him, intending to move him to a bunk as Mason and Patch complied, and the abbess left to round up her nuns.
Eyelids lifting lazily, Brody resisted Blaze. “Hey, what?”
“Bedtime, Brody.”
“Danny needs me.” Brody attempted to tug away.
“Yes, he does, but don’t make me sedate you like last time. You take care of yourself … sleep a few hours then you can care for Blondie. I will stay up with him until you finish a nap. Deal?” Blaze pulled Brody up and sent him in the direction of the bunk next to Blondie.
Exhausted, Brody gave a slight nod. “Wake me if things … if Danny …”
“You have my word. Things go south, you’re the first person I wake.” Blaze met Brody’s worried gaze head-on.
Brody sagged to the bed and lay down facing Danny. His body spent, the sandman rapidly took him back into a dreamless sleep.
From his bed, Patch yawned and said, “If Blondie needs to pee, use the urinal.”
Striding over to the table to retrieve a chair, Blaze replied, “Will do.” He dragged the chair and placed it near Blondie so he could keep watch. He blew out a long sigh as he sat and reached for the washcloth, dipped it in the basin, and proceeded to bathe the perspiration from Blondie’s body.
The room descended into silence as his men slumbered. Ten minutes later, two sisters appeared, and as they tended Blondie, Blaze sat back and observed. His mind produced all the things he should have said to Winds on their return trek, but he had been too filled with guilt to discuss their quarrel.
His decisions resulted in this situation. Winds made the right choice to check out the truck. Finding out when they arrived that Blondie suffered without sedation because Patch worried about drug interactions, brought home the fact how right Winds had been. He owed Winds a sincere apology for becoming physical with him.
Blaze stared at the thin line on his left palm. Winds ensured he kept his oath … his words, although harsh were the slap in his face he needed to realize he almost failed the kid again. He bowed his head and prayed silently. I’m not sure if there is a God or not, but if you exist … please don’t take Blondie from me. He is a noble and worthy man who puts others before himself. His life isn’t easy with a biological father who seems to be doing his damnedest to kill his son. If you let him live, I promise to be the father he needs. Please save my son.
Sacred Heart Abbey – Unit’s Room – 1245 Hours
Four hours later, unintending to nod off, Blaze startled awake as a plaintive moan came from Blondie. He searched the room for the sisters, finding only one of them by Ripsaw, taking his vitals. As Blondie moaned again, Blaze moved to his knees beside him. He noted the water basin was gone, so he assumed the nun left to refill it with fresh water.
Taking the cloth lying on the mattress, Blaze wiped the kid’s brow. “Relax. Take slow breaths. Easy now.”
Swirling in a mist of pain and confusion, Dan whimpered, “Daddy, the gray wolf hurt me. Help me. Daddy, don’t leave me alone.” His hands reached out searching but curled up tight as pain lanced through him. “I’m sorry. I’ll be a good soldier. Don’t go, Daddy, I’m scared. Stay … please, come back …”
Blaze gripped Blondie’s hand with one of his as the other pulled him close as he crooned, “I’m here. I’m not going anywhere. You are safe now. Hush. I got you.”
Lost in a murky world, Dan continued to beg for his father not to leave him alone and to save him from a massive wolf which wanted to harm him. The words confused Blaze until he decided that the wolf must represent Panin in Blondie’s delirium. The kid had explained to them Volkov meant wolf.
Glassy blue eyes opened and searched, locking on hazel ones but seeing sapphire in his confused state. “Don’t let the mean wolf bite me again. Stay … Daddy.”
“I’ll stay. No wolf will ever hurt you again. Hush now.” Blaze’s heart broke as tears filled Blondie’s eyes and the kid clung to him. “Not letting you go.” When the sister attempted to assist, Blaze shook his head and held Blondie as he had Daphne when she woke with nightmares after their parents died.
As his world came into focus, Dan realized Blaze held him. Unsure why, but accepting the comfort he needed, he whispered, “Hurts, Blaze. Hurts.”
Hearing his name, Blaze asked, “You with me, Blondie?”
“Hurts real bad.”
“Hang on, kid. Patch. Patch. Wake up.”
Bolting up out of a sound sleep, Patch blinked to orient himself. “I’m up.”
“Blondie is in a lot of pain. Can you give him something more?”
Scrambling to his bag, checking his wristwatch, Patch pulled out more sedative. “Yeah. Let me review his vitals first.” He strode over, and the young sister handed him the notebook with everything she logged. Noting no urinary output, he frowned. This could be trouble. Kneeling near Blondie, he checked his pulse and oxygen levels with the pulse oximeter. “Health status?”
Dan shifted his eyes to Patch. “Hurts.”
“I know, buddy, but I need you to tell me your symptoms. Any tingling in your hands and legs still?”
“Yes.”
“Numb lips?”
Dan bit back a moan and shook his head.
“Pain other than in your abdomen?”
“Head.” A wave of nausea overtook him, and Dan’s body heaved, but with nothing left in his stomach nothing came up.
Waking upon Blaze’s shout for Patch, Brody sat up and gazed at Danny. “Patch, stop with the twenty questions and give him the damned sedative.”
“He’s doing … what … is necessary,” Dan defended Patch between heaves.
“Sorry.” Brody raked his hand through his hair as their medic continued to reassess Danny’s condition.
Once Blondie finished heaving, Patch palpated his lower abdomen, “Does that hurt more when I press?”
“No.”
“Where is the most pain?”
“Stomach and back.”
“Here?” Patch pressed on Blondie’s back near the kidneys.
“Uh huh.” Dan gritted out between clenched teeth.
“I need you to try to pee for me,” Patch said, grabbing the plastic urinal.
As Blaze positioned him on his side to use the urinal Patch held, Dan realized he was undressed, wearing only a hospital type gown, and in a strange room. “How long?”
Understanding the question, Blaze said, “About twelve hours since you ingested the poison.” Anticipating the next question, he added, “We’re in a secure location, Sacred Heart Abbey, and everyone is alright, so relax.”
After several minutes, Dan shook his head. “Can’t go.”
Patch nodded as he and Blaze moved Blondie so he lay on his back. “Alright. I’m gonna give you the pain meds and sedative now.”
Noting the evasiveness in Patch’s brown eyes, Dan breathed through a wave of pain before asking, “What aren’t you telling me?”
Brody moved to Danny and gripped his hand, offerin
g comfort.
“You’re not gonna like this, so I’m putting you out first. I need to insert a Foley catheter to drain your bladder.”
Dan grimaced. “Why?”
“You should be producing urine. And you didn’t. I gotta make sure—”
“Do it,” Dan groaned out as he pulled his knees to his chest and rolled to his side as wolves clawed and gnawed on his insides, ripping his gut to shreds. Soft whimpers escaped as he squeezed both Brody’s and Blaze’s hands.
Patch injected the medication. The five minutes they waited for Blondie to relax as the sedative took effect felt like an eternity. Though Dan was now unconscious, Brody continued holding his hand as Patch prepared the tubing.
When Patch finished, Blaze noted the increased apprehension in Patch’s features. “What concerns you now?”
“No urine. Though, he’s lost fluids by other means.” Everyone understood Patch’s meaning as they recalled Blondie’s excessive sweating, uncontrolled diarrhea, and vomiting.
“With volume being replenished, he should be producing some, indicating two possible problems. When I pressed on his bladder, the pressure would’ve been uncomfortable if there was an issue with his lower urinary tract.
“It isn’t a failsafe test, with the amount of abdominal pain he’s experiencing, reaction still may be masked. However, the catheter would have drained anything blocked in the bladder, even minute quantities. With no production and now back pain, I’m afraid his kidneys are shutting down. He needs dialysis, and we don’t have access to hemodialysis. I don’t want to, but I think I must do peritoneal dialysis.”
“What is that?” Brody’s anxiety ratcheted up another notch.
Patch rubbed his temples as a tension headache built. “A treatment which draws waste and fluid from the blood, through the peritoneum using a solution called dialysate.”
Winds sat up, and as he lowered his blanket, he caught sight of Blaze causing his guilt to skyrocket. He suppressed his emotions to focus on the critical issue. “What’s entailed in doing petroknee—”
“Peritoneal.” Patch corrected.
“Yeah. So, what do you have to do?” Winds shifted his feet to the ground noting Mason, Anastasia, Mike, and Dom had all woken as well, and all looked at Patch waiting.
Pacing, Patch explained, “I have to put a catheter in Blondie’s abdomen. Using the tubing, I would fill his belly area with dialysate. He needs to remain still for thirty to forty minutes before I drain it. The exchange process must be repeated several times.”
“You ever do this before?” Brody asked.
“No. Only read about it. Might be the only thing to save his life. But I’m only a medic. Dammit, I wish he was in a hospital.” Patch dropped to the bench at the table and gazed at the floor questioning his abilities.
Blaze took in the information along with the others. “How long until you know if you must do this?”
Patch blew out a breath and shook his head keeping his eyes on the concrete. “The toxin has been in his system for about twelve hours now. I’ve given him all the bentonite I can. I should do it now … waiting longer might cause irreversible damage to his kidneys.”
Rubbing the back of his neck, Blaze glanced down at the kid. “How much time do you need before we can move Blondie?”
Lifting his head, Patch scanned the guys. “I’m not a surgeon or qualified to do this. If I do this wrong, I could end up hurting or killing Blondie.”
Recognizing he was not the only one carrying a burden of responsibility, Blaze stood and strode over to Patch. He sat next to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. Softly he said, “I’m ordering you to do this. If anything goes wrong, I am accountable for the decision. I believe in your abilities. Blondie trusts you and so does every man in this unit. You can do this, and you will save the kid. We will not fail him again.”
Finding strength from Blaze’s mere touch and confidence in his skills, Patch nodded. “I’ll prepare for it now. Perhaps the abbess can send me Sister Agatha again to assist? We won’t be able to exfil for at least twenty-four hours. Longer would be better. The exit plan must take into consideration Blondie will have an incision and catheter in his abdomen.”
“Noted.” Blaze patted Patch’s back as he held back a yawn.
Standing, Patch ordered, “You require rest now. You’re the only one who hasn’t slept yet. You’re running on empty.”
Blaze saluted Patch and gave him a wry, tired grin. “As you command.”
“What can I do to help?” Mason asked.
Patch described the technique and the items he needed as he checked Ripsaw’s vitals and administered more pain meds and a fever reducer. Mason and Brody helped Patch as Anastasia left the room to find Mary Catherine to request Sister Agatha’s assistance.
Blaze chose the bunk next to Winds and wearily sat as he peered at his best friend. Simultaneously both said, “I’m sorry.” Then their eyes met, and a silent conversation between them conveyed more than words ever could. Each regretted their actions, sought forgiveness, and granted the same to the other. However, Blaze said, “We need to talk.”
“Later, get some sleep, brother. I’ll cover things while you rest,” Winds said as he rose and stretched. He took charge as he requested, “Mike, go see if you can round up some coffee for everyone.”
As Mike left, Blaze stretched out on the bed, confident in both Winds’ and Patch’s ability to handle all issues, but his concern for Blondie prevented him from falling asleep. It wasn’t until an hour later, after Patch finished the surgical procedure and started to fill Blondie’s abdomen with dialysate, that his eyes closed and he allowed himself to sleep.
Bonds Tested and True
46
May 29
Sacred Heart Abbey – Unit’s Room – 1730 Hours
Dom finished bathing his daughters and dressing them in fresh nightgowns supplied by the nuns. He glanced at the makeshift curtain Anastasia and Mason had hung to afford his children privacy while he tended to their needs. William truly sent me a fantastic unit. Not only are they exceptional soldiers, capable of many feats, but each also possesses a heart of gold.
“Knock, knock,” Anastasia said at the edge of the partition.
“I’m finished.” Dom covered Nicolette as Anastasia rounded the sheet.
Anastasia handed Dom a steaming mug of coffee. “Thought you might like a cup.” She sat on the end of one bed. “Your girls are beautiful.”
“Thanks, for both the coffee and the kind comment.” Dom sighed. “I need to procure clothing for them. That bastard lacks the slightest decency, they weren’t wearing panties. Thankfully, Sister Maria provided me a supply of disposable nappies and bath wipes they use for older orphans who experience bedwetting issues. I’ll use them while they are sedated, but I wish to take them home to Jeannette wearing regular clothing. Might seem like a trite thing, but my girls have been traumatized enough.”
“I’d be happy to go shopping with you. Would probably draw less attention for a woman to be selecting young girls clothing.” Perceiving an argument, Anastasia added, “Besides, none of us should venture out alone. We can also do some recon to help figure out options for our exfil.”
Dom grinned. “You certainly grasped all my objections.”
Anastasia beamed at him. “I’m no ditzy blonde.”
“Never said or thought you are. There are times I could use someone with your skill set in my ventures …” Dom trailed off and took another sip as the curtain fluttered, signaling an end to their conversation.
Patch appeared and said, “I would like to recheck their vitals now. Do I have your permission?”
Dom nodded. He was thoroughly impressed by the man’s abilities.
Using the pulse oximeter and his stethoscope Patch examined the girls and wrote down the results. He checked their IV sites and adjusted the glucose drips. “All signs indicate they are doing well. Though, keeping them sedated for an extended time is not recommended. We might need to split the
exfil and move them out before Blondie is ready to travel.”
“You have a valid point. Let’s wait until Blaze is awake to discuss,” Dom said as he gazed at his precious girls.
Patch gathered his items, intent to check on Ripsaw and as he left Anastasia began asking Dom about what style of clothing his girls preferred. The unit had never worked with a female operative before, but he would choose to work with her any day of the week.
Stopping at Ripsaw’s bedside, he didn’t like what he observed. “What’s your pain level?”
Ripsaw opened his feverish eyes. “What?”
“Level?”
“Fourish.” His eyes fluttered closed again, too tired to keep them open though he tried.
“I’m going to give you a bit more morphine. Open up, need your temperature too.” Patch inserted a thermometer in Ripsaw’s mouth, then drew up the appropriate dose and injected it. He put on a fresh pair of gloves and proceeded to change the dressing and check the discharge from the drain. The foul odor indicated infection. “Gonna add a little sedative too so I can reclean your wound without hurting you. Glad I didn’t suture it.” Turning to Mason, he asked, “Would you give me a hand with Ripsaw?”
Mason set down the book he was reading. “Sure.” He glanced at Brody who continued to bathe Blondie, though the profuse sweating had seemed to subside in the last couple of hours.
When the thermometer beeped, Mason withdrew it and said, “One o three point five.” As Patch dosed Ripsaw with sedative and set up the supplies to clean the wound, Mason spooned fed Ripsaw a few ice chips. Then he donned the extra-large gloves Sister Maria brought for him.
After debriding Ripsaw’s wound, Patch repacked it with moist sterile gauze, and covered the injury with a dry dressing, he sat back and sighed. An aromatic cup of coffee appeared to his right, and he peered up at Winds. “Thanks.”
“How’s Ripsaw?”
“Fever is still climbing. I’m hoping recleaning will help eliminate the infection. My worry is if it makes it to the bone. There were fragments, so it is a possibility. If that happens, well, he could lose his leg or life.”
