Т Нован - Exposure Season 2

Parental Advisory Rating: AS, L

Break out those V–Chips, everyone!

Credits:

Created, Produced, Directed and Written:

Fanatic and TNovan

"Shots fired! Down, down, down!"

Oh Jesus.

We all stare at the radio waiting for something else to be said. Anything else. Christ, say something!

"Residence secure."

I let out a shuddering breath, collapsing against the car. I know how boneless chicken feels now. My relief is complete.

"Two victims," is the next thing we hear.

Two? He had another woman in there?

"One male. One Female."

Oh, that explains it. The SWAT team shot his ass. Good. Saves me the trouble. But, wait, if there’s a female victim, that means Kelsey … oh God!

"Positive ID on the female victim."

That’s the code phrase Bear gave them to let us know if it was Kels in the house. It’s not part of their normal protocol, but they agreed to at least let us know if she definitely was inside.

"Dispatch two ambulances."

An ambulance. So, she’s alive. She may be hurt, but, thank God, she’s alive!

"Correction. Dispatch one ambulance and the coroner."

And now … Exposure: Season Two

I watch as the paramedics rush in. Please, God, let them bring Kels out of that house soon. I just need to see her, to know she’s all right. "Bear, can you go to a back channel and find out if she’s alive? I can’t take this. Please?"

I don’t know if it’s the desperate tone in my voice or the pleading look in my eyes, but he picks up his radio. He walks away from the car to give himself some privacy. He knows if she’s the one dead, I don’t need to hear it from a stranger.

Robie steps up and wraps his arm around my shoulders. "She’s alive, Harper," he whispers, his voice tight with emotion. "I know it. Kels is tough and she wouldn’t leave you."

I nod, fighting back the tears. I feel like I’m a kid again, afraid of the unknown.

Bear returns to me, taking me gently by the arm. "Come on, let’s go see your gal."

Oh, thank you, God! What sweet words to hear! I throw my arms around Bear’s thick neck and kiss his cheek. "Thank you, Bear."

He pats my back awkwardly. Poker buddies aren’t supposed to embrace and kiss in public in his world. Or in mine either, but I’m willing to make an exception right now.

I release him and turn toward the house, heading for it at a run. All that matters now is Kelsey is inside and she needs me.

Bear drags me to a stop at the door. "We wait here," he explains patiently, seeing my indignant look. "That’s still a sealed crime scene. They’ll bring her out as soon as she’s stable."

"She’s alive, Bear," I reply quietly. As I wait for her to be brought out, I find myself shuffling back and forth a bit. I am flooded with adrenaline. My body realizes the end of its ordeal. Now all of my energy is back, focused on Kelsey and her safety. I’m going to spoil her rotten.

The door opens and one of the paramedics comes backing out of the house, nearly toppling me over. I step aside and take my first look at Kels.

My baby.

What did that sick fuck do to you?

The paramedics are moving on toward the ambulance and I follow after them quickly, anxious to not be left behind. I take inventory of the injuries I can see on her. Her face is bruised and swollen from being badly beaten repeatedly. Her left leg has been splinted, along with her right hand and wrist. She has two lines running into her — one an IV, the other oxygen. Her eyes are closed.

It’s a good thing the coroner is coming for that son of a bitch. I want to shake the hand of the cop that shot him.

They stop for a moment to ready the rig for transport, giving me a chance to take her hand. I touch her gently, desperate to not cause her any more pain. "Hey, Little Roo?" I call softly.

Her eyes open for a moment. She struggles to say something, her lips moving, but no sound coming forth. Her lips are so chapped, different from the softness I normally find there. I lean in close so I can hear her as she whispers.

Finally understanding, I reply. "No, baby, you’re not dead. You’re gonna be fine, I swear it. You’re with me now."

One of the paramedics gives me a little nudge. "We’re ready."

"Can I go with her?"

He looks at me. "Are you family?"

"All that she has." And that’s the God’s honest truth. Her mother is worthless, preferring to stay in New York while her child was missing. Her father is out of the country on business.

"Yeah, sure, come on."

I let them load her in before I climb inside. I immediately retake ahold of her hand. I lean down and whisper to her. "Just relax, Kels. You’re out and you’re alive. You hold on. We’ve got a big move to New York to put together. And Mama will be seriously upset if you give up your spot in the kitchen."

The ride to the hospital is one of the longest on my life. I know she is alive. I am watching the rise and fall of her chest — for the first time without lascivious purposes — but what disturbs me is I can’t get her to grip my hand. I hold her limp hand in my own, willing her to be strong, to be all right.

"Everything’s going to be fine, Kels," I whisper, close to her ear. "I love you." With those words, I hear a little whimper from her and feel a very slight grasping of my hand. Elated, I try again. "I love you, Kels." Again, she grasps at my hand and I watch her eyes flutter open. I position myself so she can see me. "Hey, sweetheart."

Her green eyes seem almost devoid of color, but full of pain. She licks her lips and breathes out, "Harper."

I don’t think her voice has ever sounded so lovely. "Shh, rest. You’re safe and I’m here."

"Love you"

I close my eyes, thanking God for those few words. When I look at her again, her eyes are closed, but her grip remains steady on my hand. "That’s right, Little Roo. Everything is gonna be fine."

We arrive at the hospital and they are quick to unload her, to get her into the emergency room. I am forced to let go of her hand to allow them to move her into the trauma room, but I stay as close as I can.

I am stopped at the door by a heavyset and imposing nurse. Her hands are gentle, but firm, on my shoulders, keeping me out of the room. I strain past to see them lift Kels from the gurney to the table.

"We’ll let you know as soon as we can," she tells me before closing the doors, leaving me to watch through the small windows. How come the family members always seem to be in the trauma room on ER?

It’s not long before I feel a hand on my shoulder. I turn to find Robie and Bear. I offer them as strong a smile as I can manage. "She’s alive. She spoke to me on the ride over."

"I told you she’s gonna be fine."

"He hurt her, Robie."

"I know. But she’s alive, and she’s going to stay that way. You keep telling yourself that." He squeezes my shoulder.

I nod. "She told me she loved me."

"Yeah, well, wait ‘til she finds out you’re not a girl," he teases, reminding me of our conversation earlier tonight. Or was it yesterday? The dawn raid on the house, lack of sleep, emotional exhaustion of the last four days, all come crashing down on me.

"Right." I laugh, wiping away the tears that have pooled in my eyes. I notice Bear staring through the window at the team working on Kels. "What’s wrong?" I turn my attention inside the trauma room, fearful of the worst.

"That’s a hell of a woman in there."

"You don’t need to tell me that."

He turns to me, shaking his head slightly. "You don’t understand." He pauses and seems to be figuring out how to tell me something. In the end, Bear is simply direct. "She killed him, Harper. She put fourteen bullets into the bastard. The SWAT team found her holding his gun, dry firing into his dead body."