Thread: Blind Spot

Chapter Four Officer down! The words that turn the blood of every cop everywhere ice cold. The uniformed sergeant led his men in the bank at a dead run with guns drawn. Barely needed to say a word, he had two check on the gunmen by the vault, another start gathering up the former hostages to get them outside, and he was on the radio demanding EMS to get their ass in there. The words were barely out of his mouth when the doors boomed open again with several First Responder firemen came running in their turnout pants and blue shirts lugging bags. Politely shoving Kyle to one side they started work on Katya. One setting up oxygen and gently holding the mask over her face while another gingerly touched the area about her cervical spine to look for any deformities before slipping a C-collar on her. Slipping a backboard along her, they got her on her back. Seeing the holes in her blouse, they proceeded to cut it off. Two round abdomen, the lead said to the fireman who was writing all the vitals and information down on a trip sheet. He put markings on the body outline for where the damage was. Vest stopped them thank God! Head is... Looking up, he saw the blood on the planter. Not bullet. She hit it on an object. Katya. Kyle said loudly enough that they turned to look at him for a moment. Officer Katya Komarovsky. The fireman nodded, patting Katyas cheek and calling her name before shining a light in her eyes. Pupils are....pearl Pupils Equal And Reactive to Light. They cut the straps that held the various pieces of her vest to her body so Katya was laying there in just her bra and pants. That let them put ECG leads on. For a heart rending second the monitor gave a horrible, flat tone before picking up her heart beat. Several very large firemen knelt around her, facing out, so that nobody could see her unclothed like that. Kyle suddenly felt some hands on his shoulders pulling him back for the paramedics who arrived with their gurney. He started to resist until he found the hands belonged to Devon and Mikey. They pulled him off to one side where the Captain was. He was saying something but Kyle didnt hear a word. His entire focus was on the fireman who lifted Katya on the backboard to the gurney. The first thing Katya was aware of was blackness. Not darkness, blackness. No sounds, lights, smells, touches, not anything. Couldnt feel her body. She started sobbing but not sobbing. Oh God...Im dead. Kyle! Oh please dear God I have to get to Kyle! He needs me! Wait....Whats that? There it is a again.... And again. Heartbeat! Mine! Im alive! Why cant I.... Please no... Not locked in. Cant be that... Ow! Owowowowowow! Hurthrthurthurt! H...hold on to that. Pullllllll! Hey pretty! You see me? Follow my finger...Good! the paramedic said when he saw Katyas gray eyes flutter open. It hurt too much to move, not that she could with all the straps holding her down, but she could see and feel and hear. That was so much better then the blackness. Suddenly her vision was filled with Kyles face. He was saying things but her brain was so sluggish that she couldnt make them out. Instead, Katya just smile and squeezed his hand when he touched it. Then her eyes closed with the smile on her lips still. Relax.... All is well.... As Katya was being rolled out of the bank Kyle was about to start after her when the Captain stopped him short. You know procedure officer, we do the preliminary report and run through now. Before anything else. The shooting team should be here in about 15 then about an hour. Kyles jaw was set, teeth were grinding as he was about to say what the Captain could do with his procedure and the badge for that matter. He was going with his fiance! The Captains face softened when he recognized the look on the younger mans face. Kyle, he said calmly. If she was here right now, what would Katya be telling you to do? What would she say? She would slap the back on my head and tell me that was I being an idiot, he replied, hating that it was the truth. Exactly. Shed want you to cross the Ts and dot the Is and make this a good shoot. Well get this down ASAP and Ill get you to her, k? Grumbling, Kyle nodded. Whos going with her then? Bryan. Somehow that made him feel a little easier. If there was anyone who cared about Katya half as much as he did it would be the LT. --------------------------------------------------- Devon and Mikey had been almost back at the precinct when the call about the bank robbery came over the radio, the two detectives turning to look at each other briefly as they each mentally debated whether or not they should respond. Technically they didnt have to, they were at least a ten to fifteen minute drive from the bank and there had to be other units in the area. But, at the same time, they both knew that if they didnt respond and something happened neither of them would be able to live with themselves. There was also the added fact that the bank was right in the middle of the target area for Kyle and Katyas case, in fact it was one of the three potential targets that Mikey had identified as where the gang was most likely to strike next. Nodding once before turning his attention back to the road, Devon spotted a gap in the oncoming traffic and yanked the steering wheel over in a hard turn that reversed the cars direction as Mikey reached for their light and activated the siren. This is car Twenty nine Zebra Henry, rolling back up to Twenty Seven Zebra Henry, said Mikey, before releasing the radio mike and hanging on for his life as Devon fed more gas to the engine and threaded the Mustang through a narrow gap between a delivery truck and an SUV. They were still several minutes away when they heard the call that every police officer dreaded, Officer down! Officer down! Thats Kyle, which means...oh no, said Devon, as he realized what that call meant. Pushing down harder on the accelerator, he hoped Katya wasnt hurt too badly. Shell be fine, shes wearing her vest, said Mikey, and began praying that he was right. As they arrived at the bank, both men saw the cordon of abandoned police cruisers outside, along with the emergency response vehicles. Braking hard, Devon pulled the Mustang to a stop alongside Kyles Camaro, the two detectives abandoning the car almost before it had come to a stop, not even bothering to kill the engine as they ran towards the bank, fumbling for their badges as they ran. Being considerably younger, and fitter, than his partner, Devon reached the entrance to the bank a good thirty seconds before Mikey but he didnt even hesitate as he pushed open the door and disappeared inside the building. As he entered the bank a uniformed officer, who was stationed by the door to stop anyone coming in, stepped in front of him, blocking his path, before Devon showed him his badge. Nodding to the two detectives, the officer stepped aside, allowing Devon, and Mikey who had just entered, to move forward. Nearing the front of the bank, Devon could see a cordon of first responders kneeling around a prone figure, shielding them from prying eyes whilst the medics worked. Looking across he saw Kyle, his friend slumped on the floor and looking helpless and Devon changed direction, heading for his friend as the bank doors opened once more to admit a paramedic team wheeling a gurney. He saw Kyle rise to his feet, moving to intercept the medics, but Devon cut him off before he could reach them, placing a gentle, restraining hand on Kyles shoulder and pulling him back. Let the medics do their work, Kyle, all you can do right now is get in the way, said Devon, as he guided Kyle out of the way. Looking up he spotted the captain, wondering when hed arrived as he gently guided Kyle across to the senior officer. What happened here, detective? Asked the captain, as he saw Kyle had been led over by one of the other detectives. Although, he noted, Kyle didnt seem to be paying any attention, or listening, to him, his focus fixed firmly on what was going on over by his partner. Finally shaking off Devons hand, Kyle had pulled away from his friend and gone across to Katya, he had to know, see, that she was okay before he could think about anything else. Hed replayed the shootout in his head a couple of times already, trying to work out if there was anything he could have done differently that would have changed the outcome. So far he hadnt found anything, but that didnt mean he wouldnt stop trying or that hed stop blaming himself for Katya being hurt. Reaching the gurney he nudged one of the medics aside slightly, smiling down at Katya as her eyes blinked and then focused on him for a few seconds. He touched her fingers, felt hers move against his, and then he was being pushed aside once more as the medics began to wheel the gurney, with Katya strapped to it, towards the bank doors. He was about to follow when he realized someone was standing in front of him, blocking his way. It took him a few seconds to realize it was the captain. You know procedure officer we do the preliminary report and run through now. Before anything else. The shooting team should be here in about 15 then itll take about an hour. Said the captain, standing his ground in front of Kyle, forcing him to back. Grinding his teeth, it took all of Kyles willpower not to tell the captain where he could shove procedure, and his badge. He needed to be with Katya. However, after a few seconds the feeling passed. The captain was right, Katya would want him to get this sorted out, wouldnt want him to risk his badge. It was hard, but finally Kyle took a couple of deep breaths and forced himself to focus. Now, detective, tell me what happened, said the captain, once he was sure that Kyle wasnt about to go running off after his partner. Katya, I mean Detective Komarovsky and I responded to the call over the radio. When we arrived on scene we received a situation report from the uniformed officers whod arrived first, before I made the decision that we should go in. We split up and approached the bank from the left and right, and when I reached the building I took a look through the window. I saw a body on the floor and the bank customers and employees gathered down the front, by the teller booths, but there was no sign of the robbers. Assessing the situation I again decided we had to go in, wed been told that the robbers were still in the building and I knew we couldnt allow them to get outside with hostages. He paused for a few seconds, the next sequence of events had taken place so quickly that he wanted to be sure he had them in the right order. We entered the building and split up, Detective Komarovsky going to the left whilst I went to the right, using the ceiling support pillars for cover as I made my way forward. By now I could see one of the robbers, who was near the front and covering the hostages with a gun. He had hold of a woman and was using her like a human shield. Identifying myself as a police officer, I ordered the suspect to release his hostage and lay down his weapon, which he refused to do. I repeated my instructions, and again the suspect refused. Another pause to collect his thoughts, put the events in the right order, before he continued. Detective Komarovsky suddenly appeared to the suspects left, also identifying herself as a police officer and instructing the suspect to drop his weapon. The suspect turned towards her, pointing his weapon at her, which was when the second suspect emerged from the entrance to the vault. The suspect opened fire on me with an automatic weapon, an Uzi, I think, forcing me to take cover. I returned fire at about the same time that Detective Komarovsky opened fire herself, putting two rounds into the suspect. A second suspect came out from behind the first, opening fire on my position. Again I returned fire before I took cover and reloaded my weapon, the third suspect kept firing at my position and I continued to return fire, before I had to reload once more. This time, when I returned fire I was able to put two rounds into my target, the suspect went down and I could turn my attention to the first suspect. Although I couldnt see her, I knew roughly where Detective Komarovsky was and the suspect was shooting in that direction. Assessing the threat, I fired a single shot which put the suspect down. Once all three suspects were down I waited a few seconds to make sure, before I went to check on the suspects. Two were down, dead, the third still alive so after securing his weapon I cuffed the suspect, which was when I realized that Detective Komarovsky had been hit and I called for medical assistance. Finished Kyle, finally. As he listened to the detective, the captain nodded slowly to himself. It all seemed to be a legitimate shooting just looking at the damage to the bank was enough to convince him of that. Now it was just up to the shooting review board, but he didnt think that would be a problem. Okay, thats good enough. You know the drill, detective, youre on desk duty until the review board sign off on this. Theyll want to talk to you once theyve had a chance to view the scene and check the evidence, and theyll need your weapon, too, said the captain. I know, said Kyle, although he refused to hand over his pistol until one of the shooting review team arrived with an evidence bag. -------------------------------------------------- Everything after seeing Kyle was just in tiny vignettes. Seeing sunlight. A siren blaring. Bryans face. Whiteness with lots of green. Questions. Hurttttttt. In a tube. Lots of clicking. Then blessed sleep.... Ow.... Sorry mama.... Ill stay out of the vodka..... Katya opened her eyes and found that she was not 14 and not in her old room. She was in a hospital, from the noise an ER, in a hospital gown, an IV in an arm, and a lot of little men in her skull pounding away with big ax handles. Looking around she saw.... B....Bryan? her voice croaked. Hey there Red.... The older man rolled his chair over to the bedside and smiled. Back in the day, Katyas codename was Little Red Riding Hood and his was Woodsman. They still called each other by those names in private sometimes. He gently held her arm down when she tried to raise. Dont.... Just lay there and let yourself rest. It was so tempting to give into the sleep again but she couldnt. There was stuff to do! Cut an arm off did they? she smiled and then winced. Dont do that again. Or did they find marbles leaking out of my ears? You took a couple of slugs but the vest caught them. When you went down, you banged your head on a planter. I guess they heard the echo across town... he chuckled and got chuckle in return. Look whos talking.... Your full of so much gas they should turn off the oxygen in here so we dont go boom. Kyle.... There was a hazy memory of his face. Where is he? Is he.... Even though it hurt she was struggling like she was going to get up. Shhhh..... Hes fine. He stayed back to do the review so I came with instead. Not a scratch on that bastard. Lucky one he is.... Calmed, Katya faded for a little while Bryan held her hand. -------------------------------------------------------------- Was it shouting...no just loud arguing that woke her up. Gray eyes blinking open and a hand that wasnt stopped reaching up to touch a bandage on her left temple. Katya was still exhausted but some of the fuzziness had left her. The exploring arm touched her abdomen and that made her wince. Only the Tac guys got the vests with the plates in them. Everyone else had to use the soft armor. Are you out of your minds?! Shes just been shot! the loud voice said just outside the bay. There was a quieter response that Katya couldnt make out that was followed by a I dont give a fuck what procedures are. Im saying no! Go...go talk to Detective Darius. Its his fault shes in here. Oh no...Bryan.... Then a new voice was heard Knock this crap off or out you all go. Badges be damned! Pushing her passed the curtains screening the door was a short, but quite feisty nurse whos mood instantly changed the moment she saw Katya. Look whos awake and a lot more clear eyed then before. The nurse quickly but carefully checked all the monitors, IV, dressing, and then her eyes. Hows the pain level on a 1-10 scale? A good steady number ten in the head and low five on the tummy unless I touch it and then.... ...its an eleven. When the doctor comes in well see if we can do something about it. In the meantime, can I offer you ice chips? Ice chips.... Katya didnt know a person could drool for ice chips! Ill love you forever! She got a couple of spoonfuls of them and savored the moisture. Her hands reached up to her neck to look for something. When they couldnt, her eyes started to get big. Looking for this? the nurse smiled as she pull the engagement ring from her pocket. Katya wore it on a chain around her neck while on duty. Loud mouth out there the lucky guy? Chuckling as she slipped the ring on Katya winced. Ow...dont laugh. Pretty close but no, thats the former partner. You might as well let them in. I know what theyre here for and Ill get it out of the way. Okay but if you want me to toss them out just hit the buzzer. Bryan came in behind two unfamiliar detectives. Both around Bryans age, one male and the other female. Im still protesting this. She is in no shape to endure your badgering. I.... He stopped when Katya raised her hand. Bryan, please. Lets get it out of the way, okay. I assume you all want me to go over what happened? Indeed we do Detective Komarovsky, the woman said. She introduced herself as Detective Phillips and the other as Detective Andersen. First they had some basic questions to make sure Katya was coherent enough. Ones like name, dateplace of birth, daymonthyear, what did she have for lunch. When she said no cheese pizza with pickles, peanut butter, and tabasco they did look at her oddly. Oh and Double Bubble Cherry-Grapefruit Ice Tea, Katya added. This time they looked at Bryan who nodded. Katya began walking them through what Mikey had suggested and how they were going to take a spin through the area to get a feel for it. Then the call on the radio and what they had found out from the on scene officers. Finally how Kyle decided that they had to go in. That fucking idiot! Bryan exploded. You do not assault an inprogress robbery with two people! Even the two other detectives were taken aback at the sheer vehemence coming from him. Looking straight at him, Katya address Bryan rather than the investigators. It was a good plan and justified. We had a verified report of shots fired with civilians trapped inside. The suspects were none to be highly unpredictable and their violence was escalating. We couldnt know what they would do once they knew we were out there. We didnt have the manpower to cordon off the area and didnt have the firepower to outgun them. Especially if they took hostages. They get loose and its rush hour. Having a gun battle and potential chase in the middle of the city is not an option. Her head was throbbing but she had to go on. Detective Darius gave the go ahead as he was senior but if I had been instead, I would have too. The uniforms had to stay outside to brief the incoming units and, in case the suspects got through us, be able to stop them. At the very least, Detective Darius and I would distract and disable at least some of the suspect to make it hard for them to escape. When it comes down to it, were willing to put our lives on the line to protect civilians. Were not foolhardy or have a deathwish but were police officers. The room was quiet except for the noise from outside and the soft beep from the ECG machine. Then Detective Andersen cleared his throat and gave Katya a quick grin before changing back to his serious expression. Can you give up a brief overview of what happened as you got to the bank door? My pleasure, Katya said and smiled as she launched into what she remembered. Chapter Five As the shooting review team began their work, Kyle finally left the bank to return to the precinct. It was getting late, close to five, but Kyle knew he wasnt going to be able to leave for the day until hed at least started his report and spoken with the shooting review team. Theyd probably want to talk to him again in a few days time, too, once theyd conducted their own investigation into the shooting. Flanked on either side by Devon and Mikey, Kyle took one last look at the spot where Katya had been shot before he turned and left the bank. The quicker he got back to the precinct the quicker he could start his report and get his interview with the review team out of the way, so he could get over to the hospital to see Katya. Although he knew she was okay, everyone had gone out of their way to assure him her injuries werent serious or life threatening, a part of him wouldnt believe that until he saw for himself. The drive back to the precinct didnt take long, although for Kyle the journey seemed to take forever. Reaching the precinct he made his way up to the office he shared with Katya, removing his jacket and draping it over the back of his chair as he sat down. Turning on the computer he called up a blank shooting report form and began filling it in as he waited for the officers from the shooting review team to show up. Hed been in his office for about an hour when there was a knock on the door, which was then pushed open before he could call out, two unfamiliar detectives entering through the door and coming into the small office. Detective Darius, said one, a fairly short man in his early forties, with receding, greying, hair. Another man was stood behind him, this one taller and younger, with dark eyes and dark blonde, almost ginger, hair. Im Detective Moore and this is Detective Johnson, were with the shooting review board and wed like to talk to you about the shooting today. This is just a preliminary interview well want to talk to you again once weve completed our investigation. Began the shorter detective, as his partner began to set up their equipment, the tape recorder and things. You can, of course, refuse to talk to us, or request that either your union representative, or a lawyer, being present also, if you wish. He added, as he sat down in Katyas chair. Lets get this over with, the quicker were done the quicker I can get to the hospital, answered Kyle, he knew he had nothing to be worried about. Once everything was set up, Moore turned to Kyle and spoke again. Youre aware this interview is being recorded and that the recording maybe used in any subsequent disciplinary action? Yes, answered Kyle, after a brief pause. Moore then began questioning him, starting out with the generic details such as name, rank, badge number and things like that. After a couple of minutes they moved on to the shooting itself, Moore walking Kyle through each stage with his questions, whilst Detective Johnson made notes on a yellow legal pad as he listened. Once Kyle had finished, Johnson glanced down at his notes before he spoke. Detective Darius, you said in your statement that you had to reload your weapon several times. How many shots did you actually fire? Asked Johnson, who had remained silent as he took notes until that point, letting his partner ask the questions. He knew they had the detectives pistol already down in the Forensic Lab theyd run tests on it and compare the test bullets to the bullets recovered from the bank and the bodies over the next couple of days. I had to reload three times, answered Kyle, after a couple of seconds, as he tried to recall exactly how many shots hed fired. Each clip for his Remington R1 carried eight rounds, but he knew he hadnt emptied that last clip hed loaded. I fired twenty nine rounds, all together, he added, finally, after hed thought about it for a few more seconds. And there was no other way you could have resolved this situation, no way at all? Asked Moore, watching as his partner made a couple of notes on his pad. No, we couldnt wait for them to come out, we had to go in. We tried to resolve the situation peacefully, without anyone getting hurt, but they opened fire on us after we had identified ourselves as police officers. We did what we had to, defended ourselves. Believe me, I would rather it had ended differently, but Im not going to second guess myself because I did what I had to. To protect myself, my partner and everyone else in that bank, said Kyle, in answer to the question. Thank you, detective, said Moore, after a quick look at his partner, who shook his head to indicate he didnt have any more questions. We should complete our investigation within the week if we need to talk to you again well be in touch. Until then, youll be confined to desk duty, added Moore, before he turned off the tape recorder. Once the two detectives had gathered up their equipment and left, Kyle glanced up at the clock on the wall, it was almost eight thirty. The interview with the two detectives had taken a little over two hours and apart from a couple of uniformed officers on night desk duty the precinct was more or less deserted. Devon and Mikey had gone home hours ago, the news of the shootout in the bank had broken, along with the fact that a police officer had been shot, and both wanted to reassure their wives that they were both safe and well. Leaving the precinct, Kyle lit a cigarette as he headed for the Camaro he knew which hospital Katya had been taken too and that was where he was heading now. The drive across town was short, although it seemed much longer to Kyle, and within fifteen minutes he was riding an elevator up to the floor where Katya had been admitted. The doors of the elevator opened and Kyle stepped out, right into a whirlwind as Bryan saw him and started yelling. What fuck is wrong with you!? the older man yelled as he staked down the hallway. The elevator doors had barely started closing when Bryan shoved Kyle into the car and followed him in. He slammed palm against the controls trying to hit any button that could. Instead, he hit the Stop switch so the car wasnt moving. Kyle had been so surprised that he hadnt reacted until the car stopped with a thud. What? Tough guy? Fucking Marine? Aint no fucking Iraq here war hero. You dont go charging into no shootout with no backup. Especially not with my girl on your ass! Bryan was heavier and 15 years older than Kyle but he was ready to take him apart right now. Never liked you boy. Too fucking cocky for his own good. Knew you were going to get somebody killed. Today you almost did it to her. Back off, right fucking now, snapped Kyle, once hed finally got over his surprise. The older man still had a hand pressed against his chest, pushing him back against the wall of the small elevator car and Kyle roughly knocked it away. He paused a few seconds, taking the brief time to try and calm himself down. He couldnt afford to get into a brawl with the lieutenant, but more than that there was Katya to think about. Bryan was like a second father to her, she cared a great deal about the older man because of everything hed done for her when she was undercover and since. Dont you think I know what mightve happened? I know what couldve happened its my worst fucking nightmare. And I dont need you storming around pointing that out to me, continued Kyle, stepping away from the wall of the elevator and glaring down at the older man. And dont you ever, ever, bring up my war record and throw that in my face, he added, pausing before he added. I made a choice, and maybe it wasnt perfect, maybe it was wrong, but you know what, you werent fucking there. You dont have the right to lecture me, to second guess me, there was a situation and we needed to act fast. We didnt have the luxury of being able to think every little fucking detail through and worry about what might go wrong, we had armed suspects and a hostage situation. We couldnt wait for S.W.A.T. or a negotiating team, or back up to arrive we had to act right fucking then. Finished Kyle, trying to calm himself down before he said, or did, something theyd both regret. You aint ever gonna do that again. Im ordering you to get yourself a new fucking partner. Right here, right now. And if you dont, I will. Got it boy? It ends now! His roar echoed in the small space. You dont have the fucking authority to do that, you tried already, remember. The Captain told you to back off, that he was leaving us together. Hes not going to break up any partners because youre an over-protective fool, which means we stay together or were flying solo. Is that what you want? Her out there, on her own, with no one to watch her back, facing the shit we go through with no one to cover her ass? Replied Kyle, finally starting to raise his own voice. But go ahead, try it, see how far you get. And dont try and come between Katya and I, because we both know who shell choose. Added Kyle, pushing past Bryan to reach for the switch that would start the elevator car once more, even as Bryan stepped in front of the control panel to block his way, the look on his face one of pure thunder. You wanna take a swing at me go right ahead old man Ill put you down so fast youll break light speed between vertical and horizontal, added Kyle, roughly pushing past Bryan and slapping at the controls to start the elevator moving once more. The elevator hadnt moved that much when Bryan had shut it down so the doors opened almost instantly. Kyle marched out into the hallway without looking back. This isnt over Darius! Bryan promised. Far down the hallway and behind a closed door that had a uniformed officer sitting in front of it was Katya. She was stuck in the hospital for at least the night under observation due to a concussion. Of course arguing with the doctor didnt fly and he threatened to commit her to a 72 hour hold. Katya wasnt totally sure he was kidding.... The only two good things were that she had been given a set of real pajamas and not the gown that opened in the back. The other was that the TV had cable so she could watch the Discovery channels. Kyle might like the network fluff but she went for science and documentaries. Also she like Mythbusters but that was beside the point. Katya tried finishing the dinner they had brought but just....couldnt. Not that she wasnt hungry but that the food was just too bland. She asked for some salt and pepper but that wasnt available. The chicken breast didnt taste bad, it just didnt taste! At least the tapioca was good. After pushing the tray away, she flopped back into the bed. Carefully of course because her everything hurt right now. Even worse....she missed Kyle! At that moment the door opened and in walked.... KYLE!! she yipped and held her arms out to him so they could hug. Oh God...I missed you my love! Her voice sobbed a little as she enjoyed the feel of him even if it hurt a little. Leaving the elevator, and Bryan, behind, Kyle headed for the Nurses Station to try and find out where they were hiding Katya. Of course, he could have just asked Bryan what room she was in, but somehow he really didnt think the lieutenant would have told him if he did. Reaching the Nurses Station, Kyle waited until the nurse on duty had finished her phone call before he spoke. Im looking for Detective Katya Komarovsky could you tell me which room shes in, please? Asked Kyle, as he leant casually against the counter. The Nurses Station was about ten meters square, surrounded by a four foot high wooden counter, with computers and telephones on top of it. And you would be? Asked the nurse, barely looking up from her clipboard and not pausing as she jotted down notes on a sheet of paper. Shed been told, by the older detective, not to let a certain Detective Darius in to see Detective Komarovsky, in fact hed been quite adamant about that. Im her fiance, answered Kyle, after a few seconds, as he looked the woman up and down. She was at least ten years younger than him, with curly jet black hair, a fraction over five feet tall and slightly overweight. Her fiance, said the nurse, finally looking up from her clipboard. From what shed heard, Detective Komarovsky was being a difficult patient, or at least she had been until the doctor had threatened to keep her in for seventy two hours, instead of just twenty four. Down this corridor all the way to the end, then take a left, Room Two Zero One. You cant miss it, theres a cute cop sitting outside, added the nurse. Thanks, said Kyle, before he turned away and started down the corridor. Reaching the end he turned left, looking up as he started down the new corridor. Ahead he could see the uniformed officer sitting on a chair outside the room, trying to look alert and vigilant despite the open magazine that lay across his knees. Reaching the door he flashed his badge to the officer, who simply nodded and then went back to reading his magazine, as Kyle pushed open the door of the room and stepped inside. KYLE! Yelled a familiar, welcome, voice in greeting as he entered the room and closed the door. Quickly he crossed the small space to the bed where Katya lay, taking her gently in his arms as she hugged him. Oh God, I missed you my love, she added, wrapping her arms gently around him as he held her. I missed you too, my love, he said, softly, being careful not to hold, or squeeze, her too tightly as they hugged. Although hed known she was okay, a part of him hadnt completely believed it until he saw and held her. After another thirty seconds or so hed finally released her, stepping back slightly as she settled back onto the bed. She was surrounded by machines, heart monitor, ECG and an IV drip hooked up into her arm. Carefully he perched himself on the edge of her bed, close enough that she could reach his hand and her fingers curled gently around his as soon as she found them. Dont you ever scare me like that again, you got that, he added, although his voice was soft as he spoke. Realizing that Katya had been shot, hed never been so scared in all his life, not even during the worst of the firefights in Iraq. Hed only just found Katya, he didnt want to lose her. He squeezed her hand gently, his fear of losing her finally starting to subside now that he was with her and he knew she was alive and safe, although he knew those feelings wouldnt pass completely until she was out of hospital and back home. He thought about telling her about his confrontation with Bryan but decided against it, not wanting to put her under any more stress. So, beautiful, howd you feel? He asked finally, although he could guess just by the pained expression she wore. Although her vest had stopped the rounds he knew it had to have hurt like hell. She grinned at his command not to get hurt again. I promise Kyle. Next time I want to be laying in a hospital bed in four or five years from now with our new baby in my arms. Katya chuckled at the look on his face. Every time she mentioned them have kids Kyle got a deer in headlights look. They had discussed kids and he wanted kids but the concept of being a dad still boggled his male mind she thought. Several years down the road my love. Calm your nerves. She patted his hand lightly. How do I feel? Like I got run over by a truck. Just my luck to get hit in the gut and the head. Sorry, I hit my head. I should sue the bank for putting the planter right there.... The both laughed at that. I should get the IV out soon and be out of here by lunch time at the latest. Im here for observation, Katya used finger quotes. I have to come back in a couple of days for another MRI to make sure all the BBs have settled back into place then Im on bed rest for the rest of the week. I like that part.... Her hand rubbed up and down his thigh. The doctor tapped on my stomach and asked me How does this feel? so I replied About as good as a lifetime of parking tickets and I can arrange that. Then he threatened to stick me in the psych ward on a 72 hour just because I blew in his stethoscope. The doctor was young and full of himself. Only Katya could be that way. Laying back, Katya smiled at him. How did your review go? They got me when I still down in the ER. Went okay I think but God, was Bryan pissed they showed up.... The nurse damn near threw him out because he was so loud. Oh! And she saved this! Katya held up her left hand to wiggle her fingers to show off the ring. It wasnt fancy but to her it was the most wonderful treasure on earth!. Im on desk duty, until the review is finished, but thats standard procedure. The preliminary interview went good, I guess, and I dont expect there will be any problems. After all, we both identified ourselves as police officers, and they fired first, and we didnt hit any innocent bystanders either, said Kyle, in answer to her question about the shooting review. Of course, the investigation wasnt over yet, but he was fairly confident that the review would come out in their favor. Sitting on the edge of her bed, he squeezed her hand gently, leaning in to place a gentle kiss on her lips before he spoke again. You do realize that bed rest means resting, right, he said, with a sly grin. And well have plenty of time for babies, my love, he added, after a few more seconds. Whilst the idea of being a parent, of having that responsibility, scared him, he knew it was a good kind of scared, and he knew that when they did finally start a family Katya would be a wonderful mother. You should have seen him when I arrived, I thought he was going to blow a blood vessel his face was so red. I swear, the way hes acting youd think he was the one engaged to you, said Kyle, in response to her words about Bryan. He left it at that, though, choosing not to go into detail about the argument theyd had in the stopped elevator car. He stayed another hour and a half, the two of them talking softly or just enjoying the closeness of the other, watching but not really watching the TV. Finally, a few minutes after ten thirty, the nurse poked her head around the door to the room. Visiting time is over for today, Im afraid youll have to leave, sir, said the nurse. I love you, Katya Komarovsky, said Kyle, softly, as he leant in and kissed her softly, their embrace lingering before they finally broke apart. And I love you too, said Katya, pulling Kyle back for one last kiss before she watched as he left the room. Hearing that about Bryan concerned her. Being concerned was one thing but this was getting unhealthy. He worries Kyle, Katya said softly. Ill talk with him. Again. Remember that he did deep undercover too and for a lot longer. I didnt mention that he...got found out. I dont know the details and I dont want to but I guess was in Mexico. One of the cartels had him for...days I guess. The look of shock on Kyles face displaced some the anger he felt about the older man. What the cartels could do to a person was beyond sadistic. Katya held her fiances hand tight. He doesnt have a you like I have in you. Im his little girl and between me and the job this is all hes got. She didnt mention one of her darkest fears that one day all those demons would finally get to Bryan and deal with them once and for all. Chapter Six When the door closed behind Kyle, the nurse came back in for a moment to take the IV out of her arm. With that out, she get a little more comfortable. Katya wasnt sure she would be able to sleep without Kyle next to her. However, between the residue exhaustion and the fact that the window overlooked the freeway with the cars acting like sheep she fell asleep quite quickly. Even the nurses coming in to check on her pupils reacted every so often didnt wake her up. The light snores told them that she was sleeping dead to the world. Breakfast, Katya found, was no better them supper in terms of flavor. Oatmeal, with skim milk, scrambled egg whites, and industrial strength blue jello. Why blue? She didnt know. Maybe they needed a contrast with the orange juice and, puke, decaf coffee. Katya ate every bit of it though because she was famished. The doctor stopped by and she acted quite proper and prim. That didnt fool him though and he stayed on the other side of the room unless he needed to. Katya had to report for an MRI at the end of the week and the call if she felt odder than normal. She added the last part. And with that, she was sprung! At least until Kyle came by at noon with a change of clothes and a ride home. In the meantime she had to call her folks. They had heard about the shooting and one of the TV reports showed Kyle leaving the bank. Of course they put 2 and 2 together and got 5. Katya spent an hour on the phone talking alternately in English and Russian trying to reassure them that their little girl was okay and not at deaths door. A couple of times she hit the phone receiver against the bed frame to get them to stop talking. A nurse was taking her blood pressure and thought reminded her of her family except they were from Alabama. Very funny Kyle now wheres my clothes? She was standing in the room in her hospital pajamas with a wheelchair ready to go. Kyle was in front of her holding the clothes he brought out in front of him with a huge grin. These are all I got and unless you want to meet everybody in the pajamas... He started laughing at how huge her eyes got and how she ran to the window to look at the parking lot. It was packed with patrol cars with lights flashing. You bastard. I know where you sleep, Katya growled as she started stripping out of her PJs. That was why Detective-Second Grade Yekaterina Ivanova Komarovsky was where pink white sneakers, pastel pink socks, pepto bismal-pink jeans, a white t-shirt with a Hello Kitty in a pink police uniform, and a pink baseball hat with a pink propeller on it as Kyle wheeled her out. The hallway lined and the lobby packed with cops. Cameras all over the place taking pictures from every angle. As they had left the room a bouquet of pink roses were shoved into her arms and pink balloons were tied to the wheelchair. You are so dead Kyle Darius, she kept saying behind a forced smile as she waved to everyone. Although the idea for the clothes had been Kyles, he was sure that Katya would get a kick out of the fun outfit once shed calmed down and stopped planning how she was going to hunt him down and kill him, it had been Devon and Mikey whod organized everything else. Theyd called around all the other precincts in Willowburg, arranging for the gathering of cops and other emergency personnel who were waiting for Katya as Kyle wheeled her out of the hospital. Once theyd finally run the gauntlet of cheering cops, even the nurses and the doctor whod been treating her had joined in the fun, Kyle wheeled Katya into the elevator and hit the button that would take them down to the parking lot level. As the door closed Kyle knelt beside the wheelchair where Katya sat, gently pushing her back into the chair as she tried to stand up. Nuh uh, you stay put young lady, said Kyle, with a teasing smile as Katya slumped back into the wheelchair with a soft hrmpf sound. The only person who hadnt been there to see Katya leave was Bryan, hed still been at the precinct when Kyle had left but that didnt mean he wouldnt turn up. And given the way hed been acting, Kyle didnt want to risk any kind of confrontation. As the elevator reached the parking lot and the doors opened Kyle resumed pushing Katya in her wheelchair, heading towards where hed parked the Camaro. Once Katya had entered the elevator the cops had all headed off to continue your duties, so the parking lot was clear and empty as they made their way to the car. Reaching the car, Kyle had pushed her around to the passenger side and opened the door, before he scooped Katya up in his arms and kissed her softly, before he gently set her in the seat. Leaving her to fasten her seatbelt, Kyle had returned the wheelchair to the hospital, leaving it with an orderly who promised to make sure it got back to the right place. Returning to the car, he started the engine and pulled out of the parking lot, guiding the Camaro towards their condo. Neither of them were aware of the figure hiding in the shadows, watching as Kyle lifted Katya into the car. The drive back to their condo had been quick, as Kyle guided the Camaro through the early afternoon traffic. With most people still at work there had been few cars on the streets. Pulling the car into their assigned parking space, Kyle had moved around to open the passenger door for Katya as she climbed out. He had the afternoon off, he was still waiting for the final decision from the shooting review before he could resume his regular duties, and having caught up with all his paperwork there wasnt anything for him to do at the precinct except sit in his office so the captain had told him to take the rest of the day off. Taking Katya by the hand he walked with her to their condo, maybe that evening they could take a walk along by the marina, if the weather held out. Entering the condo, he let Katya go through to the bedroom so she could change whilst he went out onto the balcony for a smoke. The death threats to Kyle had continued but she was quickly getting into the spirit of the thing. Nobody had to order all these people to show up, they did so because she was a fellow officer. Katya would have done the very same thing too. So she quickly was waving to people, blowing a few kisses at ones she knew, and having her cheeks go pink at seeing the cameras. All in all, she had a great time! She was still going to kill Kyle... Walking into the condo she stopped for a moment a gave a sigh of happiness. Good to be home... she said with a smile. Good to have you home, Kyle replied and gave her a gentle hug so as not to cause pain. When Katya went to change, she looked at her naked body in the full-length mirror and gave a small shudder. She had never been vain about her appearance. Back in high school there were some girls who were jealous about good looking she was without even trying. Katya had just blown them off. When she had been recruited for the Intelligence unit, she had met with a woman who had taken her under her wing for week. Just what the woman had done in her life Katya never found out. Just that she had worked for one of those government agencies with lots of letters in its name. She was taught to use her femininity and her beauty to distract and to entice enough to get what she wanted. It was a dangerous game because it was easy to go too far and she would have to do something that turned her stomach. Not so much that she did it, but that her body actually responded with pleasure from it. Bryan somehow always seemed to know. After a job was done he would take her out on a date someplace where it was safe for them. Sometimes a fancy dinner and movies or a day at an amusement park. Just things to let her know that she was special. Whatcha lookin at good lookin? Kyle said, coming up behind her and wrapping his arms about her shoulders. He hid the pained look in his eyes at seeing the mass of multicolored bruises on her abdomen, the spot of her temple where the wound had stitched closed with more bruising, and finally all the spots on her body where she had fallen and bruised. A modern art masterpiece! Katya grunted and then leaned back into his body. Can I asked a favor? I want to take a nap and would like you to hold me. Ive missed you so much... Kyle kissed the top of her head before leading his love to their bed. He stripped down and snuggled up next to her. I miss you too Katya... he whispered in her ear.