by C Paradee
Brian, in an attempt to make Megan feel better said, "You know Tony’s a real tough customer."
Megan smiled ruefully, "Yeah. I know. But this doesn’t make sense. Lately she’s had the worst luck. Two days ago she got pushed in front of a rapid, and now she’s in a car accident."
"It is unusual," Brian agreed, his mind processing the information and not liking the direction his thoughts were taking.
Tony looked at the lights overhead. With her neck secured in the uncomfortable collar, that was about all she could do. At least she was on a regular gurney now instead of the hard board the paramedics had insisted on moving her on. She knew they had only been doing their jobs, but all she had done was rub her neck and comment that she had a headache when they had finally freed her. It had taken them half an hour and the Jaws of Life to get her out of the car. Who wouldn’t have had a headache?
The emergency room team examined Tony and determined there were no obvious injuries. They told her they would take an x-ray just to make sure her neck was ok. If the films were negative, they would take the collar off.
Tony felt ok all things considered. She had already checked herself out and could move her arms and legs without any pain. She figured she probably sported a few bruises from the airbag, but other than that she had come out relatively unscathed.
Her thoughts turned to Megan and she fervently hoped her partner did not know she wasn’t home yet. It would worry Megan too much. Please be sleeping, Love.
Once the x-ray technician had finished taking the x-rays, Tony told the nurse, "I need to notify someone I’m here."
"Whom do you want me to call, and what’s the number?" the nurse asked.
Tony gave her the information and the nurse said, "It may be a little while because we’re really busy right now."
"Just make sure she knows I’m all right," Tony said. It was bad enough she couldn’t call Megan herself, and she wanted to let her partner know everything was ok.
An hour passed and no one had been back to her cubicle. Tony’s thoughts had alternated between the accident and her partner. She was tired of trying to figure out why that idiot had swerved his truck into her. All I want to do is get out of here and go home. Her thoughts turning dark, she thought, I’d like to get a hold of the guy driving that pick up.
All of a sudden Tony’s patience ended. She was sure there was nothing wrong with her neck. She felt fine. Megan should have been here by now. It would never have taken her this long, and she wanted to see her partner now. No matter how crazy her life had become lately, the one thing that was sure and comfortable and right was Megan.
Tony slowly sat up. Feeling no pain, she swung her legs over the side of the gurney and slid to the floor. Standing next to the gurney for a moment she decided her first instinct had been right, and she had somehow escaped serious injury. Walking over to the privacy curtain, she pulled it opened and looked down the aisle. There was a desk centered in the middle of the row of cubicles and it was there that Tony saw a phone. While walking to the desk, the doctors and nurses were busy with other patients and did not notice her. So far so good. Picking up the phone, she began dialing.
"What are you doing up?"
The high collar prevented natural movement, and Tony had to turn sideways to face the woman talking to her. She was confronted by the irritated face of a very angry nurse.
The nurse's reaction never even fazed Tony, and she said, quite reasonably, "Sorry, but I need to let someone know where I am. I gave the number to the other nurse an hour ago and since Megan is not here, my guess is it was never called."
The nurse said emphatically, "You need to lie down right now. You have not been cleared. Do you know the damage you could be doing to your neck?"
Tony’s persona began changing. In a low assertive voice, she said, "I will lay down once I call Megan," ignoring the nurse who continued to berate her for being on her feet.
She had to dial the number over again and this time tried nine first to get an outside line. The phone began ringing. On the fourth ring the answering machine picked up. Tony hung up the phone, thinking, Megan must be on the way, and followed the frustrated nurse back to her cubicle.
Brian parked in the emergency room parking lot and they entered the hospital together. Hurrying over to the information desk, Megan said, "I’m looking for Antonia Viglioni. She was brought here after a car accident."
"Are you a relative?" asked the woman behind the glass partition in a bored tone of voice.
Megan narrowed her eyes and said, "I’m her doctor."
"Oh. Come on back," she said, releasing the lock of the door that led to the emergency room bay.
Brian said, "Go on. I want to talk to the cop that was at the scene."
Megan quickly walked to the cubicle she had been directed to. Taking a deep breath, not knowing what to expect, she pushed aside the curtain entering the private cubicle. She saw the tall form of her partner lying flat on a gurney with a c-spine collar around her neck.
Walking over to the gurney she looked down at Tony, her mind quickly processing the fact that there were a few bruises on her arms but otherwise no obvious signs of injury except for the cervical collar. But that could be very serious. She looked into the deep blue eyes gazing up at her.
"I’m ok," Tony said smiling ruefully. "This is just a precaution," she said, knowing Megan would think the worst.
Megan placed a hand on her lover’s forehead and breathed an audible sigh of relief, the tight control she had put on her emotions finally dissolving.
Tony watched the expressions of fear, worry, concern, and relief flicker across Megan’s face. Her stomach tightened at the thought of all the anguish this had caused her partner. Taking hold of Megan’s hand, and looking into the concerned hazel eyes, she said, "Sorry, Love. I wanted to call you myself and let you know I was ok but they wouldn’t let me. When I finally did, you had already left."
"It’s not your fault," Megan said. "I just can’t bear the thought of anything happening to you and lately… " Megan stopped and looked at Tony questioningly, "No one called me."
Tony’s brow furrowed slightly, "Then how did you know?"
"I woke up, you weren’t there and I just knew something was wrong. So I called Brian, and he found out you’d been in an accident and were brought here," Megan answered.
Megan’s simple answer left Tony speechless. She just knew? Looking at her partner, Tony’s words conveyed the depth of her feeling, "You just knew?"
"Well, yeah," Megan said, the corners of her mouth turning up into a smile.
Tony looked into the hazel eyes watching her. Megan was always surprising her with her insight on things, but this was really unbelievable. I am so lucky. Squeezing her partner’s hand, she said, "You’re the best thing that ever happened to me. I’m so lucky I found you."
Megan felt the warm sense of well being that only Tony could elicit in her. Leaning down, she met Tony’s lips for a fleeting kiss. "I’m just as lucky. Let’s get you out of here. I’ll be right back."
Leaving the cubicle and walking to the desk, Megan found a doctor talking on the phone. Waiting until he was finished, she said, "I’m Dr. Donnovan. Who is handling the patient in the last cubicle on the right?"
"You mean the MVA?"
When Megan nodded affirmatively, he said, "I am."
"What’s her status?" Megan asked.
"We’re waiting on the results of the cervical films. I’ll check on them. They should have been read by now."
Megan stood next to him while he called the radiologist. Hanging up the phone, he said, "They’re negative. I’ll write her release orders."
Tony and Megan walked out into the emergency room waiting area a short time later looking for Brian. Spotting him, they walked over.
Brian stood to greet his friends. Tony looked ok. The patrolman had said the car was probably totaled. This was one lucky woman… again.
"Well?" Brian asked, brusquely.
Smiling a
t her tall friend, Tony said, "I’m ok."
Shaking his head, in an exaggerated show of exasperation, Brian said, "I can see that. What happened?"
Tony chuckled at the expression on Brian's face. Shrugging her shoulders, she said, "You know Brian, I don’t understand it myself. A guy in a pick up truck deliberately swerved into my car. Just doesn’t make sense."
Brian thought about what Tony had said. I don't like the sound of this. "I’m glad you’re ok," Brian said, underplaying his concern. "But Tony, I have to tell you… this is getting old."
"Tell me about it," Tony said glancing at Megan.
"I want to talk to you tomorrow. You can give your official statement then," Brian said.
Smiling her appreciation, the three left the hospital.
* * *
Tony opened her eyes and was greeted by the filtered sunlight streaming through the curtain on the window. The familiar feel of Megan’s body against hers felt so comforting. Lately it seemed like the events in her life were out of control. It was almost as if whatever cosmic forces there might be were angry with her, and she was being punished for some unknown transgression. The two accidents elicited a feeling of coincidence in her that made her uneasy. Unfortunately, she had nothing to base her suspicion on, except a well-developed survival instinct.
But right now, here, with her lover wrapped in her arms, all the events of the last few days took a back seat. Tony lightly ran her hand through Megan’s hair, enjoying the feel of the silky strands against her hand. I wonder if you know just how important you are to me? I love you so much. Have I told you that lately?
Looking at the peaceful face of her partner, she hoped things would settle down in their lives. Megan didn’t deserve to be put through so much. The thought, I hope it’s over, floated through her mind, but that didn’t make sense. Nothing was going on… or was it?
Megan’s awoke to the comforting feel of even breathing and a steady heartbeat echoing in her ear. Her mouth curved up into a smile and snuggling a little closer, she thought, She’s right here, and she’s ok. I love waking up next to her like this.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a soft rich voice, "Morning Beautiful. You finally awake?"
A contented smile appeared on her face. "I was hoping you wouldn’t notice. I’m not sure I want to get up yet," Megan said, leaving her head on its soft pillow.
Tony grinned, loving this part of their morning ritual. In a minute or two, Megan would look up at her with those beautiful eyes and a lazy smile on her face. She knew her heart would flutter, like it did every time she saw her feelings reflected back at her through the eyes of her partner.
Megan raised her head and looked at her lover. "How do you feel?"
Tony looked into the sleepy hazel eyes peering up at her, and unable to resist, she leaned over gently kissing the soft sensuous lips before answering, "Fine. No headache or sore neck or anything."
Noticing how light it was, Megan said, "I guess we better get up. We’ve got a lot to do today."
"Yeah," Tony said, reluctantly releasing her hold on Megan.
Tony went to the bathroom and then turned on the coffee in the kitchen. As was customary, Megan had prepared it for brewing the night before.
Her progress was impeded by two meowing kittens waiting impatiently for their food while trying very hard to trip her by winding between her legs. Bending down and petting them both she smiled at the loud purrs her stroke elicited.
"Aren’t you two cute. I guess you must be hungry."
A quick search of the cupboards revealed a few cans of food and Tony opened one, scraping the contents of the can onto a saucer for the two kittens and placing it on the floor.
Walking into the bedroom, she drew her sleeping shirt over her head and tossed it on the bed. Opening the closet, she took out a pair of jeans and a pullover top.
Megan called work and told Dr. Whitehouse she was taking a vacation day due to a personal emergency. I can’t believe he didn’t give me a hard time. Not that it would have done him any good anyway.
Walking into the bedroom, Megan felt her heart flutter at the sight of her naked partner. She was gorgeous even with the additional bruises marring her body. Crossing the room, she stood in front of Tony her eyes running lasciviously down the length of her lover’s body.
Tony’s breath caught in her throat. Oh God. The sultry look on her partner’s face sent a jolt through her body. She was so sexy… so Megan. Her heart beginning to race, she bent her head and kissed the full soft lips turned up toward hers, while her body shivered at the light feathery touches of Megan’s hands.
Megan pulled back and took off her sleeping shirt basking in the appreciative look on her partner’s face. Tony’s raised a hand to Megan’s face, her eyes dark with passion. "You’re so beautiful," she said in a low throaty voice.
Taking Megan’s hand, she led her to the bed and lowered her body over that of her partner’s. Megan guided Tony’s head down, kissing her deeply, her desire escalating and goose bumps forming on her body when one of Tony’s hands found a breast and her fingers began teasing the nipple. All their plans for the day were forgotten.
* * *
Sherman worked the stair stepper steadily, his thoughts on the events of the previous night. He had called the hospital to find out Viglioni’s condition. They had told him she was still in triage and her status was unknown. He had gone to bed comfortable in the knowledge that she couldn’t have walked away from the accident uninjured, and he’d just pay her a visit in the hospital today.
After a leisurely breakfast, he called the hospital to find out what room she was in. He had been told they had no patient by that name. He just figured she was dead. But never one to leave anything to chance, he had called the hospital morgue. He was advised his "sister" had not been admitted to the morgue. Perhaps he had the wrong hospital. Calling the emergency room once again, playing the part of a very concerned brother, he was able to learn that she had been released the night before.
While this was only a minor setback, he wasn’t going to waste any more time trying to stage an accident. It was time to go buy a voice-activated tape recorder. He could listen to it at his convenience and be sure of not missing anything pertinent. He also needed to retrieve the tracking device from her car. That should be easy enough. FBI badges were quite handy for things like that.
Sherman continued mulling over different options. He had thought about taking her out at the surveillance site, but she always traveled there with another agent. It was too chancy to do it at the FBI lot.
Leaving his thought behind, he decided to go sightseeing. After all, he was on vacation. Viglioni could wait for a while. An opportunity would present itself, and when it did, he would take act on it.
* * *
Tony and Megan were sitting at the kitchen table eating chicken salad sandwiches. In another hour Tony was due to leave for work. Megan had wanted her to stay home, but Tony had convinced her that all they did was sit around anyway and she had the next day off.
"What did the insurance company say?" Megan asked.
"They’re going to have someone look at my car today or tomorrow. Personally, I think it’s totaled." Quirking a half smile, she added, "I think we need to go car shopping soon."
Grinning Megan said, "You like that Jeep you rented don’t you?"
"Well, it is kind of nice," Tony said, nonchalantly.
Megan laughed at the disinterested look her partner was trying to get her to buy. "Uh huh. Nice enough we had to ride around in it for an hour," Megan teased.
"I didn’t hear you complaining," Tony said, her eyes twinkling.
Megan’s face turned pensive. "No. You didn’t. It was an opportunity to spend time with you, and the way things have been going lately, I’m almost afraid to let you out of my sight."
Tony felt her stomach tighten. We shouldn’t have to live like this. Reaching across the table, she placed her hand on Megan's, not saying anything.
Her thou
ghts turned to the accident. There were so many unanswered questions. Why had the guy in the pick up deliberately rammed her? Was it just a drunk or a crazy? Had she just been in the wrong place at the wrong time? She might be more inclined to believe that if it hadn’t been for incident at the rapid station. How could she make Megan feel better?
Comforted by the contact, but watching her lover drift off, Megan said, "Earth to Tony." When the deep blue eyes met her own, she continued, "What are you thinking about?"
"Everything that’s been going on. It is so strange. I’ve never been prone to accidents and all of a sudden there are two in three days. Doesn’t make sense. I feel like I’m missing something. I just don’t know what," Tony said, looking at Megan.
Megan's sober expression mirrored her partner's. "I’ve been thinking about it a lot, too. When I woke up last night, I knew something was wrong. I don’t know why, but I just did."
Megan’s thoughts turned reflective. "The night you got stabbed in the flats… I remember thinking how it almost seemed like it had been deliberate." Megan paused for a moment, her face troubled by her thoughts, "We found out later it was." Squeezing Tony's hand, she said, "I feel like that now."
Tony saw the worry reflected in Megan’s eyes. What could she say? She didn’t understand it either. It was very troubling that Megan felt that way. Hopefully she was wrong and it was just the stress of the two accidents.
"Nothing else is going to happen. It was just a coincidence," Tony said, not sure she believed it, but hoping to allay Megan’s concerns.
Megan squeezed Tony’s hand, and looked into her eyes, saying, "I hope you’re right."
The phone rang. Tony let go of Megan's hand, stood up, and walked over to the phone.
Picking it up, she said, "Hello."
"Hi. Brian, here. What time do you get off tonight?"
"11pm. Why?" Tony asked, curious.
Brian thought to himself, here goes nothing. "I’m still concerned that this may not have been an accident."
"Yeah, I know. We talked about that earlier. I agree with you, but there’s not a whole lot I can do about it," Tony said, wondering why he was bringing it up again.