Need You Now - Tagged

[Tess Walker]

It was supposed to be her day off; she had her whole day planned out. The jobs she had put off over the past thirteen days needed work but then that had all changed that morning. One practical joker, another cop off sick and she was dragged back in as if her day off was simply in the distant future somewhere. She was one hour away from the end of a shift she just wanted to forget about, she had seen all quarters of the city in her shift and it seemed like the calls were never going to end.

She had just managed to sit down at her desk when the phone lit up again, now it was another call to the docks area. When she got to the address she could already see the police turn out as they had set up the cordon as the van pulled up in the middle of the street. The lines of people stopping to take a look annoyed her, she knew it was interesting but it wasnt safe. She had a firsthand account of that as she put it to the back of her mind as she got into the green suit she had to wear. Tess preferred to work without it at times but for a first look it was safer to have it on as she shut the visor on the suit and made her way cautiously down the side of the building.

There were the usual instructions, all phones off, no radios, all quiet and keep people behind the two hundred meter line. She could see the cops braced behind their cars as she made sure no one was out in the open just in case. The call stated the police had found suspicious wires attached to a gas line. Tess walked past the parked cars that lined both sides of the street, she guessed they were the workers from the docks and surrounding areas as she made her way to the warehouse door. There were five steps up to the front door which she negotiated with a little difficulty under the heavy suit.

She took her time looking at the door when she heard the radio crackle to life behind her. She recognised the CPD call but before she could even yell for the cop to turn off the radio she felt the wave of heat. Tess knew what came next as the front door seemed to be obliterated and the light that shone got further and further away as she felt something brush against her foot before she slammed into something hard. The sound of breaking glass and the abrupt stop gave way to what was left of a scream as she lay on her side against a car.

Tess was staring at the line of cars she must have flown over as she guessed she has smashed into those on the other side of the street. She could hear the frantic voices, screams and sirens as she lay on the ground. Her head felt like it had just been in a boxing match and it hurt to breath as she heard a cop, she could only see the feet of the voice telling her to stay down as she tried to move while the world seemed to spin. The suit didnt do much for being able to move as she gave up her grumbling and arguing while for the first time took the advice given to her and waited for help.

Tag: @meriton

[Deleted]

i'd say show me but that
would come out all kinds of wrong.
i have to say they didn't exactly partner me with a male too hard on the eyes

Michael was grabbing for something to smack on when the claxon bell sounded. “Truck 37, Truck 81, Squad 25, Squad 3, Ambulance 58, Ambulance 42, Ambulance 12, Ambulance 61, Ambulance 74, Ambulance 24, Ambulance 16” Michael was already out the door. What the hell had happened? Everything from there to where he was going was a blur.

The next thing he saw was where destruction had happened. “Ambulance 12 arriving on scene." Well they didn’t have command. He thought maybe 74 did at this point. He started moving towards the area when he saw blonde hair spilling down the side of the vehicle. He recognized the officer and the… he felt his heart in his chest. “Walker.. Can you hear me? Tess!” He took over from the cop who was there keeping her from hurting herself further.

Michael assessed the situation. He put a c-collar around her neck after he took her pulse and checked her pupils. His partner was taking care of the bleeding. “Tell me what hurts Tess.” He wasn’t sure if she was responsive; but if she was then he wanted to get as much information about what happened as he could. Bomb squad had to go and make life difficult on him.

✄ Tess Walker

MADE BY VEL OF GS + ADOXOGRAPHY 2.0

[Tess Walker]

The thought of having to go near a hospital again had her stomach churning as she tried to move despite the officer who chastised her every chance he got. Honestly was what this guys issue, she wasn’t the one who didn’t turn her radio off and she made sure the guy knew it too. One radio and boom, great just what she wanted to happen before the end of shift because now if the explosion didnt get her the explaining it all would likely kill her off faster. Stay down don’t move, easy for someone else who could move without paid to say.

Tess tried to focus on someone called her name, oh if this was her boss she would play dead as long as it took for him to go away she thought though the more he said the more familiar it sounded. Tess glanced up at Michael, it had to be a hallucination she thought because there was no way that Meriton would be there. He was a cop, no a paramedic or... her head hurt the more she thought about it as she nodded. “Yeah I hear you. Just speak up okay. ” She yelled though she wasnt sure she was doing given her ears were still ringing.

She tried not to struggle against the c-collar going around her neck as she bit her lip to stop from grumbling out loud about it. She was fine she just needed a minute without squad watch standing over her. “Quit moving and stay still a minute.” She said her vision still blurring as she tried to focus though the world seemed to be a bit wonky to her. “I hurt... all over but I’m fine I just need to walk it off.” She said taking a breath that seemed to hurt more each time. Tess had been through the boom and the hospital before and a repeat of that, it was enough to send a shiver down her spine and turn her cold for a moment.

“Think it’s my ribs, hurts to breath... then again I was right where a door was across the street so hurting is normal.” She stated as she glanced at Michael for a moment. “Why are you here anyway?” She asked him though she figured medic fair enough but her brain wasnt exactly making that connection yet. “Oh and turn the radios off if you’ve not done it already... it’s bad for this street so far.” She stated still trying to focus her gaze on the right Michael because she was convinced there was four of him floating around.

Tag: @meriton

[Deleted]

i'd say show me but that
would come out all kinds of wrong.
i have to say they didn't exactly partner me with a male too hard on the eyes

Michael could hear Tess yelling as he removed some debris to get her the rest of the way out of the mess she was in. “You don’t have to yell Tess. I am right here.” He offered as he came as close as he could to her while sending glares off at the officer who wasn’t being much help right now. Hearing a radio crackle he snapped at the guy. “Turn that off!” Michael knew bombs and radios didn’t mix.

“I haven’t moved Tess and I’m not letting you walk this one off.” He could tell by her facial expressions that the pain in her breathing wasn’t subsiding. He secured the c-collar and when the backboard came he set to finding a way to get Tess on the backboard. Michael’s hand was on Tess’ uninjured shoulder.

“We are going to get you to med and make sure nothing is broken Tess, and you hit your head pretty hard.” He was stopping what bleeding he could before they moved her onto the backboard. “It’s already off; just focus on me okay.” He was trying to get her attention on him

✄ Tess Walker

MADE BY VEL OF GS + ADOXOGRAPHY 2.0

[Tess Walker]

Tess winced when Michael moved the debris to get her out of the mess that had been caused. “Tell my ears that.” She said trying to find a quiet tone when it felt like he might not hear her given the ringing in her own ears. Tess was strangely used to it but it didnt make much difference when it came to talking. It was only when she heard the crackle of the radio the breath caught in her chest as she gave a look of fear to Michael. “Off, off, off.” She said nodding at Michael, oh she had one cop who thought the rules didnt apply two was just the day from hell.

Tess tried to smile when she felt his hand on her uninjured shoulder, “You should let me walk it off, I am capable of that. Like I said give me a minute and I’ll be able to run it off if you want.” It wasnt exactly going to be likely but then again it hadn’t been her greatest day. She stayed where she was though knowing better than to argue or at least act on her argument for walking it off. Michael was the medic so he knew what he was doing at least hopefully he did.

Her mouth was open to answer about going to med when they moved her and she groaned with pain. “Yeah head hitting happens when I was stood over there.” She said pointing to the other side of the street. “Honestly I’m fine and please don’t take me to med. I’ll sleep it off if I cant walk it off, anything but Med.” She almost pleaded not wanting to spend time in a hospital more than she had done the past few years.

She did her best to focus on him but when four turned to three it was just as difficult to focus on the right Michael. “Good at least you haven’t forgotten everything from being a cop.” She said trying to smile and laugh though it ended with another groan of pain given she had things hurting that she didnt know could do. “Just promise me you’ll keep it off until you’re clear of this scene.” She said not wanting him to get hurt. “So what’s been happening with your day so far? Think you’ve got the highlights of mine.” She asked genuinely interested but it also gave her something to think about.

Tag: @meriton

[Deleted]

i'd say show me but that
would come out all kinds of wrong.
i have to say they didn't exactly partner me with a male too hard on the eyes

Michael lightly squeezed her uninjured shoulder in a gentle fashion. “It’s off Tess. Take a deep breathe for me.” He gently helped his partner lift Tess into the ambulance. “There is no choice for you. You are on the city's time doll.” He wasn’t sure where the pet name had come from, but it had been a habit to call females doll at times. It wasn’t anything new. “I’m gonna stay right here with you.” He assured as he got the IV line into her uninjured arm.

Tess was his last call for the day. He was supposed to have already been off the clock. Staying with a friend in the hospital on his own time wasn’t against the rules. “You hit your head Tess, I’m not about to let you just sleep it off.” He gave her a concerned expression as he shined a light into her eyes to see how responsive she was.

“I’m taking you home with me when they release you.” He informed her. There was no turning back, he knew that she wasn’t exactly in a position where she could have someone watching out for her. “Someone’s going to have to keep an eye on you for a few days.” He spoke as he started to get her situated for the transport. It was his protective side rearing its ugly head.

Michael called into med as his partner started driving. He explained Tess’ injuries and then started attending to the lesser priority injuries. “Just stay with me Tess okay. We can talk about anything you want. This is the end of my shift and I think you win when it comes to craziest call of the day.” He smiled at her as he worked. “Do you want to tell me how you ended up under the building?” It was the cop in him that was responding.

✄ Tess Walker

MADE BY VEL OF GS + ADOXOGRAPHY 2.0

[Tess Walker]

Okay so the entire situation wasnt ideal but she felt herself relax under his touch coupled with the fact he was telling her his radio was off as she took a deep breath. Go figure she would be the one to freak out over the radios but then it had been a radio that caused the issue in the first place. Tess knew there was little point in fighting it but she could give it a go. “Doll, you had better listen to me.” She said with a grin at the pet name, she knew he called female that before though to hear it directed at her was funny in a way.

Tess was about to give him the ten reasons why she was going to escape and evade any hospital when she felt the IV line in her uninjured arm. “You know that’s the good arm right? No need to break that one too with some big assed needle doll. You couldnt have found a smaller one?” She stated as she took a breath motioning with her good hand how small the needle had to be. Practically invisible though as she stared at it, nope an IV line was inescapable no matter how much she was trying to eye up her first chance to get out of there.

Her eyes squinted against the light he shone into her eyes as she fought the urge to bat it away. She hit her head, well that explained the headache as she raised her brow seeing the concerned expression. “I’ve hit my head loads of times; sleep helps... even paramedics need sleep too you know” She said raising her eyebrows at him. Well what was good for one was good for the other as she decided to be just as concerned about him too. “When was the last time you slept? Because you need sleep too.” Tess stated, not that he looked tired in fact if anything he looked as good as ever though she didnt voice that opinion at all.

Then when he informed her she was going home with him she chuckled and shook her head which seemed to hurt more after doing it. She winced slightly before doing it more slowly. “Since when have I needed anyone to keep an eye on me? I’m perfectly capable of going home in like twenty minutes once I’m checked out. Besides I’m not going to put you out like that, you’re a busy guy so the last thing you need is to be babysitting me.” She stated as he started getting her ready for transport though she knew he knew a lot more about her position that likely she had thought about.

Tess took another breath as Michael spoke to Med and his partner, everything felt like it hurt or was screaming at her as she tried to move a little though instantly regretted it as much as shaking her head. “I’m staying don’t you worry. I’ve got unfinished business to deal with.” Tess stated as she decided that there was no escaping the confines of the ambulance. “End of shift, so what crazy calls did you get today?” She asked as she smiled back at him.

She laughed before she groaned and winced at his question about the building, the cop had left the PD but the cop was still in the guy. “Sounds like you never left CPD.” She said gasping a little in pain. “Short story really, we’ve been getting loads of crank calls and then this one... I dont know something about it felt odd.” She explained, “I got suited up, got to the door and one of the cops didnt turn off their radio. I heard the static and then... well the door wasnt there and neither was much of the building and I was across the street instead of in front of a door. Then you arrived and if I’d know it was all it took to get you back to a crime scene I would have arranged all of this last week.” She added with a grin as she stared up at the ceiling for a moment as she took another breath.

Tag: @meriton

[Deleted]

i'd say show me but that
would come out all kinds of wrong.
i have to say they didn't exactly partner me with a male too hard on the eyes

Michael shook his head. “Oh I am listening. I am just not acting in the way that you wish for me to act.” He informed her with a smirk on his face. Okay, so he knew that he was acting like an idiot. Though it gave her something else to focus on. At least while the needle went in. Then the conversation lead to needles. “You going to complain about needles all the way to the hospital? If so I can break out the medical tape for your lips.” His tone suggested he was teasing of course as he continued to work.

“I have no idea what you hit, how hard you hit it, or where on your head you struck it. With that being said; no sleeping until your tests come back." He replied pushing a strand of hair from her face so he could see more of her eyes as she squinted. He put the flashlight down trying not to show the worry on his face.

Talk moved to him and sleep. “I sleep thank you very much.” He informed her rolling his eyes. Michael slept in random spurts. “And that’s exactly what you are going to do when I take you home.” He was going to babysit her for as long as she needed.

“It’s part of the job Tess. If you told me you busted your ankle, then treating your arm wouldn’t do any good.” He shook his head. Sometimes he wondered about her. The ambulance made it to the hospital and he didn’t leave her side, even if it just gave her the comfort of a familiar face and nothing more. He’d stay until someone kicked him out of the way.

✄ Tess Walker

MADE BY VEL OF GS + ADOXOGRAPHY 2.0

[Tess Walker]

Tess rolled her eyes at him, he was listening but the whole point in listening was that he would eventually do as he was told. She glared lightly seeing the smirk on his face, nope this argument wasnt going to be won by her. “No you’re not so why don’t you just turn this tin can around and get me back to work where I belong.” She explained before batting her eyelashes at him some, “Pretty please?” She asked deciding something had to work eventually. Then she heard the comment about the medical tape as she laughed.

“You wouldn’t dare... Oh Michael so that you’re big secret then.” She stated smirking right back at him, “You like duck taping people... it’s always the quiet ones but who would have thought.” She teased before turning a little pink in the face herself, nope what was she even doing sure duck tape had a lot of uses and every car needed some and back sure but nope some things were better left in her space of her mind.

Tess squinted at him when he pushed a strand of hair from her face, she always felt comfortable around Michael and yes she would have bitten someone else’s head off for it but he was fine to do that. “My head hit the car, it’s tough so don’t worry about me. And you can wipe that look off your face too or I’ll medical tape you instead.” She told him grinned for a moment though her squint which was a strange face but still. The lights were bright, the moving didnt exactly help matters and the fact that someone was worrying over her. No not happening.

“Not until you do, I’m not sleeping at all unless you do.” Tess stated trying to make sure of that, if she wasnt getting out of being baby sat the least she could do was make sure he got some sleep. “And when exactly do you sleep because you don’t look like you’ve had much of it. Take it from someone who knows.” She added deciding it was better to worry over him than it was herself though she appreciated it all the same, it just wasnt something she was used to.

“Well I mean, it is you so treating my ankle if i’ve a busted arm... wouldn’t put it past you to be honest.” She teased lightly as they arrived at the hospital. Tess was grateful for the company as she waited for results of things she hoped she was proven right on. "Thanks for staying, I appreciate it." She said honestly feeling a little guilty for getting at him about it in the first place though she was glad he was there with her. It seemed to take forever until the doctor came as Tess glanced at the guy. “So we’ve got the scan back and there are a few fractured ribs on the right side, bruising, mild burns and scrapes.” The guy said with his nose in her file as Tess rolled her eyes.

“See practically fine. Now when can I go?” She said looking at Michael until she heard the doctor tut her for a moment as she almost wanted to shoot the guy for that in the first place. “And the CT scan shows a moderate concussion, I’d suggest having someone with you for the first few hours in case any symptoms get worse and if so it’s straight back to the hospital.” He doctor said as he passed her a symptoms leaflet before muttering something about updating paperwork and discharge paperwork.

“So how much did you pay him to say that?” Tess asked looking at Michael quizzically, “Told you i’ve a thick skull and like I don’t know what a concussion symptom is. Not like I’ve not done this before. I swear if you had gone to be a doctor then you’d have crossed to the dark side.” Honestly some people had no subtly or no idea how much she had argued that she was fine which was general in broad strokes true in a main sense.

Tag: @meriton