Re: Studs, Texas -book two- Still at the Hospital -- The Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman Fan Exchange

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Date Posted: 16:46:14 12/31/02 Tue
Author: dqfan
Subject: Re: Studs, Texas -book two- Still at the Hospital
In reply to: CCCook 's message, "Re: Studs, Texas -book two- Studs Trek II: The Wrath of Lucy" on 14:22:51 12/30/02 Mon

The steady beat of the monitor in Miranda's hospital room was little comfort to Nick as he sat vigil by her bedside. With Randy pregnant in intensive care, Teddy one flight down being admitted for cardiac observation, and Shane recovering from tonight's shootout, Nick felt like he was living a nightmare that just wouldn't stop.

Silently, he brushed a wisp of hair from Randy's forehead. She felt cold and Nick flinched, fearing the worst, but the monitor kept its faithful watch. Beep�beep�

"That's it, Rand�You just hang on�" Nick whispered.

But there was another life so very dear to Nick, another person in that room to worry about, to pray over�to love.

Nick placed the palm of his hand lightly atop Randy's stomach. "You hang on, too, little one," he begged, wiping his tears away harshly with his knuckle. "Please don't leave me."

"Please don't leave us," he amended, smiling at Randy, so beautiful as she slept.

Even with the bandages on her head and the bruises on her face, Miranda was the most beautiful woman Nick had ever seen. But there was so much more to Randy than her beauty. There was her shy smile, her trusting manner, her openness�and her thoughtfulness. Suddenly, it occurred to Nick that the happiest moments in his life had been spent with Randy, and he regretted every second that they had ever been apart.

He'd taken her for granted. Her loyalty and her love were something she had given him years ago, when Randy had been too young to know better and Nick had been too young to realize the value of such an incredible gift.

Maybe he didn't deserve her trust, then or now. Maybe if Randy had felt more confident in his love eight years ago, she would have told him sooner about Nicole. Maybe if he'd given her a chance to explain, she'd have told him about this baby, too. Maybe tonight might never have happened�

Well, whatever pain they'd caused each other was over now and he wasn't leaving again - not now, not ever.

"How's she doin'?" Sully asked softly upon entering.

"You tell me�" Nick jumped up, making room for Sully to examine Randy more closely.

"Her pulse is weak but steady, she's lost a lot of blood�" Sully noted Randy's pale color.

"Take mine�" Nick's offer to donate was met with Sully's smile.

"She's been given plenty," he assured Nick. "She just needs time�Time to heal�time for the baby�If she can just make it through the night�"

"What can I do?" Nick pleaded, desperate to feel useful.

"Talk to her," Sully instructed. "She needs to hear your voice."

"Okay, what else?" Nick pressed.

There really wasn't anything else for Sully to recommend, but knowing how important it was for Nick to take action, Sully walked to the small clock radio beside Randy's bed.

"Soft music might be good," he suggested. "For her and the baby�"

That last part was a stretch, of course. The baby was barely eight weeks. Still, Sully thought it best to include Nick in the recovery process for both his patients.

Sully turned the radio on to the local easy listening station.

"Muzack?" Nick grimaced.

"Soothing, Nick�" Sully prescribed with a grin. "Think soothing�"

"Soothing�" Nick repeated, nodding with determination. "I can do that�"

"Shane's outside," Sully ventured. "I said I'd ask if you'd like to see him."

"Sure�" Nick agreed, resuming his post by Randy's bed.

"Okay, I'll send him in," Sully answered. "And I'll be on rounds if you need me."

"Any change, Nick�any change at all - good or bad - and you just hit that buzzer," Sully pointed to the red call button.

Nick felt sick as he stared at that single inanimate object. How could such a tiny piece of metal hold such power - the power of life and death?

Without realizing it, Nick inched his chair a little closer to the button. Sully said nothing. He'd seen family members do it a thousand times. This was the hardest part about being a doctor: telling loved ones that there was nothing more you could do�that it was out of your hands now�that you had no more answers�that you'd be waiting just as they would to see what happened�

Frustrated, Sully slipped out of the room as quietly as he'd entered, leaving Nick to guard Randy - and her baby.

^^^^^^^^^

"Night watch, huh?" Shane fumbled for any icebreaker that might make Nick smile.

It wasn't much of an opening but Shane was desperate. So much had happened tonight that Shane just honestly didn't know what to say. One of his best friends, and he hadn't a clue. Nick and Randy had had a child together. Lost a child together. All without Shane knowing a thing. Some Sheriff he was� And now he was leading the investigation into an accident that had left Miranda's life hanging in the balance, and another baby fighting for its life�

"Do you wanna go outside to talk?" Shane wondered, gesturing toward the hallway.

"Wouldn't be much of a cop if I left my post?" Nick tried to ease Shane's discomfort.

"Oh, yeah�right�sorry�I just didn't want to disturb�" Shane pointed toward Randy.

"Sully says it's good for her to hear our voices," Confidently, Nick repeated Sully's instructions.

"Well, I just wanted you to know that Teddy's doing okay," Shane began with good news.

"Hear that, Honey?" Encouraged, Nick spoke to Randy. "Your Dad's fine, I'm fine, the baby's fine�"

"Nick, about what happened eight years ago�" Shane felt the need to offer his condolences, however belated.

"Thanks, Shane�" Nothing more needed to be said. "I appreciate it," Nick nodded, grateful.

"I'll be handling the investigation�" Shane mumbled, deciding he should go.

"You let me know what you find?" Absent-mindedly, Nick stroked Randy's hand, intent only on her recovery right now.

"Sure thing�" Shane promised, exhausted but determined.

Feeling like an intruder, Shane left Nick and Randy as quickly as he'd arrived. Every moment was precious to them now.

"Every moment is precious to all of us," Shane realized, suddenly anxious to feel Val in his arms�

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Replies:

Re: Studs, Texas -book two- Still at the Hospital -- dqfan, 08:40:51 01/02/03 Thu
- Re: Studs, Texas -book two- Still NOT at the hospital -- CCCook, 15:50:23 01/02/03 Thu
  - Re: Studs, Texas -book two- and even more angst if you can handle it. -- Sue, 01:13:21 01/04/03 Sat
    - Re: Studs, Texas -book two- Back at the hospital -- dqfan, 08:23:03 01/14/03 Tue
      - Re: Studs, Texas -book two- An unexpected visitor and a quiet chat -- Sue, 21:17:42 01/15/03 Wed